Multi Hungary announced its extensive refurbishment plans for Allee shopping centre in Buda, in the most densely populated district of Budapest. Multi will upgrade and renovate the 46,700 sqm shopping centre, while enhancing the tenant mix, interior and exterior design and customer services. Multi will start the execution phase in the second quarter of 2020 and expects to complete most of the work still in 2020.

According to the new CEE research from Colliers International, which looks at entertainment sector in 13 CEE countries, the leisure offer in shopping centres is dominated by multiplex cinemas and fitness clubs, but there are also other concepts that are being added to the mix. Czech consumers spend the most on recreation and culture, the average is €38.23/month. Key findings of the report include the following.

Immofinanz has successfully completed the repositioning and modernisation of its VIVO! Bratislava shopping centre. After a renovation period of nearly 12 months during full operations, the opening of the new shops was celebrated today. VIVO! Bratislava now has 170 speciality shops on 36,000 sqm of rentable space, with many new tenants. The food retailer Lidl and the fashion retailer LPP Group have joined as anchor tenants, and the overall offering has been increased by 20 new brands including, for example, Reserved, Mohito, House, Cropp and Sinsay. Immofinanz has invested roughly €25 million in the modernisation and renovation of the facility, which previously operated as the Polus City Center in Bratislava.

The open real estate fund Investika purchased the Galerie Butovice shopping centre located in the popular office area Nové Butovice in Prague 5. CBRE advised Investika on the acquisition.

NEPI Rockcastle announced that it will inaugurate Promenada Sibiu on November 14 following an investment of €100 million. The developer will also open a shopping centre in Târgu Mureș in March following an investment of €70 million.

Multi Poland has been appointed by Union Investment to provide property management services for two shopping centres in Poland, Ferio Konin in Konin and Sarni Stok in Bielsko-Biała, as of 1 October 2019. The agreements include full centre management, leasing and marketing.

The Asset Services department of Cushman & Wakefield Echinox has taken over the administration of the Colosseum shopping centre since October 1st, thus expanding its portfolio in Bucharest with a project in full expansion.

Cushman & Wakefield has been appointed an exclusive commercialisation agent for the Bawełnianka Shopping Centre in Bełchatów. The owner of the scheme is Krakow-based Gbb Invest Spółka z o.o.

French AEW Europe and Hungarian Indotek Group have concluded an agreement regarding the acquisition of the Promenada shopping centre in Târgu Mureș, Romania. The 50,000 sqm building’s tenants include Auchan, Leroy Merlin, Decathlon, H&M, Cinema City, LC Waikiki, New Yorker, Hervis and Media Galaxy. Indotek Group plans to renovate and modernize the whole building and plans further acquisitions to strengthen its presence on the Romanian commercial real estate market.

The retail sector has been heavily affected by the changes brought on by technology. Solutions such as indoor localization provide limitless opportunities for retailers wanting to stay ahead of the competition. Oren Rosen, Co-Founder of Israeli startup Infuse Location Ltd talked to Property Forum about the changing shopping experience.