Around 190,000 sq m of shopping space is estimated for delivery this year in Romania, and 18% of the projects constitute extensions of existing complexes. According to CBRE, the demand is growing and the most sought-after shopping centers in the country are totally let.
Location is not enough anymore when it comes to shopping centers, as Luiza Moraru, Head of Asset Services at CBRE said at CEDER.”Retailers have invested in innovative concepts, in fit-outs, they are trying to become more visible and efficient. Multichannel is another trend and we’ll see more of this happening. Online retailers are coming offline in order to offer their customers a touch and feel experience, and traditional retailers are expanding their multichannel capabilities. Outdoor and indoor retail concepts are turning simple malls into destinations, while food and beverages and leisure will become a big driver to keep shoppers in the malls,” Moraru explained. She added that the mixed-use schemes, which integrate retail, hospitality, offices, retail and residential to create an ecosystem are another major market trend as well as the customer experience. “Customer experience will be the big differentiator. Developers are investing into getting closer to the consumer, knowing their desires, appealing to their senses,” Moraru said.
