Shopping centers continue to dominate the Polish retail market, accounting for nearly 75 percent of the country’s total retail stock. At the end of 2018, Poland had 460 shopping centers totaling almost 11 million sqm, with more than 270,000 sqm of new floor space added last year. Of that total, 85 percent was completed in 12 new shopping centers, while the remaining portion of new supply came onto the market through extensions of existing schemes. “More than 360,000 sqm of retail space was opened across 27 new projects of all formats in 2018. Twelve schemes were completed in small cities and towns with a population of less than 100,000. Compared to medium-sized and large cities, these locations benefit from lower retail space density ratios, weaker competition from existing retail schemes and a high purchasing potential of local residents. In addition, approximately 60,000 sqm was delivered through extensions of existing shopping centers and retail parks,” said Małgorzata Dziubińska, associate director at Cushman & Wakefield.
