While shopping centers in Poland reopened at the beginning of May, the coronavirus pandemic is transforming the way the country’s retail industry does business, according to Cushman & Wakefield. The sector was hit hard following restrictions imposed by the state of emergency in March. Travel agencies, cinemas, gyms, beauty and hair salons and eat-in restaurants remain closed. Shopping centers and individual retailers are open for business but must ensure that there is only one customer per 15 sqm. Retailers and shopping centers must also provide disposable gloves and hand sanitizer for customers. “It is critical that these restrictions are adhered to, because buildings failing to meet them could be closed. What’s more, the ministry of health has warned that all shopping centers could be shuttered again if the growth in new infections hits 4 percent or if more than half of hospital beds and ventilators across the country are occupied,” said Joanna Kłusek of retail asset services at Cushman & Wakefield. “Giving customers a sense of safety should be a priority for both landlords and tenants.”
