VIA Outlets: Capitalising on the consolidation of European retail

As MIPIM 2026 unfolds, the air of uncertainty that once clouded the wider retail sector seems to have dissipated.

Otto Ambagtsheer

Speaking with CRE Media Europe in Cannes, Otto Ambagtsheer, CEO of VIA Outlets, outlined a market defined by a "flight to quality", an influx of global capital, and a pivot toward consolidation in the outlet sector.

"There is more appetite and more activity in the investment market than I’ve seen in many, many years," Ambagtsheer noted. "There’s clearly a consolidation happening in the still-fragmented outlet channel market in Europe, and VIA Outlets is well-positioned to benefit from that."

Following a second successful green bond issuance of €500 mln in October 2025—mirroring their initial 2021 move—VIA Outlets has continued to expand aggressively in 2026. The firm’s portfolio was significantly bolstered in January by two major acquisitions: Scalo Milano Outlet & More, marking their strategic debut in the Italian market, and The Outlet Stores Alicante in Spain.

"These two acquisitions alone have added roughly 30% to the portfolio compared to the start of last year," Ambagtsheer explained. "We like Iberia a lot, so adding a third centre in Spain made perfect sense, but Italy is now a major strategic focus."

While acquisitions are a primary driver, VIA Outlets remains equally focused on the organic growth of its existing portfolio, which now spans 13 premium centres across 10 markets. A key milestone is set for mid-April 2026, with the opening of a 4,800 m² expansion at Landquart Fashion Outlet in Switzerland.

"Landquart is one of our best-performing centres and is growing fast. The timing for this expansion could not have been better," said Ambagtsheer. This follows a major expansion in Porto last year, reinforcing the company's "3R" strategy: Remodelling, Re-merchandising, and Re-marketing.

Beyond the niche of outlet centres, Ambagtsheer observed a broader trend: the rehabilitation of retail as an institutional asset class.

"Retail is back. It wasn't an attractive asset class for a while, but it seems to be back—not just in outlets, but in retail parks and even full-price shopping centres," he noted. This resurgence is being fuelled by capital from across the globe, including the US and

While the current focus remains on strengthening their presence in Germany, the Netherlands, Iberia, and Italy, new territories are on the horizon.

"We are not in France yet, but it is certainly on our list," Ambagtsheer admitted. "We’d also potentially look at the UK or the right opportunities in CEE, where we already operate in Poland and the Czech Republic. For the right opportunity, we are always open."

Branislav Pekic