Shopping center construction is slowing in Poland, according to JLL, with 169,000 sqm delivered in 2019, down 100,000 sqm from the previous year. “Although shopping centers remain the most widespread format, developer activity in this segment continues to decline,” said Joanna Tomczyk, senior analyst at JLL. Last year’s result shows the diversification and maturity of the Polish market, Tomczyk added, pointing to the growing popularity of the convenience segment and mixed-use projects, as well as further synergy of traditional shopping and technology. The largest retail scheme openings in 2019 included Galeria Młociny in Warsaw (78,500 sqm) and Stara Ujeżdżalnia in Jarosław (25,300 sqm). At the same time, the country’s retail stock fell by 56,000 sqm, following the closures of several Tesco shopping centers. As a result, total retail stock in Poland, covering large scale formats, was 14.6 million sqm at the end of 2019, with 422 shopping centers accounting for 10.2 million sqm, and a total shopping center density of 266 sqm per 1,000 inhabitants, according to JLL.
