CEE retail sector shows strong momentum - NEPI Rockcastle

CEE retail real estate company NEPI Rockcastle recently hosted its annual Retailers Day in Zagreb, Croatia, bringing together over 150 top European retail brand representatives.

NEPI Rockcastle Retailers Day 2026 Zagreb

NEPI Rockcastle CEO Marek Noetzel affirmed the company's commitment to both organic growth through developments and refurbishments, as well as potential new acquisitions. COO Marius Barbu showcased 354 million visits across their centres, and an 8% increase in individual basket spend on stable footfall.

A key focus of NEPI Rockcastle's €845 mln development program is the €300 million extension of the Promenada Mall Bucharest, a mixed-use project slated for completion in April 2027. This development, presented by Ramona Marusac (regional head of Leasing), will expand the mall's retail space from 39,000 m2 to 69,000 m2 and integrate office and hospitality components.

NEPI Rockcastle has a portfolio of 60 properties valued at €8.2 bn across eight CEE countries, a region which saw a 13.2% annual growth in purchasing power in 2025, significantly outpacing the EU average.

Economists from ING Bank, Valentin Tătaru and Bert Colijn, provided an optimistic outlook for CEE. Despite geopolitical challenges, consumer demand remains robust, particularly in Poland and the Czech Republic. Long-term real wage growth and increasing household purchasing power are acting as strong foundational drivers. They noted that Europe generally shows solid growth, sustained investment, lower unemployment than in the US, and resilient households with higher savings rates.

Closing keynote speaker Sharon Gai, drawing on insights from China, predicted a stronger future for physical retail in an AI-driven world. She argued that AI-enabled "hyper-personalisation" and live-streaming will amplify, rather than displace, physical retail. Physical stores are evolving into destinations for discovery, content, and community, indicating a renaissance for brick-and-mortar experiences.