Credit: ColliersExCEEding Borders in Central & Eastern European Retail Real Estate with Colliers
Colliers' report provides critical insights on the future of retail parks and their adaptation to evolving consumer behaviours
January 8, 2026Real Estate
Written by:Rory Hickman
Key Takeaways
- In the GRI Institute’s latest thought leadership initiative with Colliers we take a look at the ExCEEding Borders Retail report.
- Discount retailers are driving the growth of retail parks, particularly in secondary cities and suburban areas.
- Retail parks are increasingly becoming multifunctional community hubs, incorporating leisure, entertainment, and sustainability-focused designs.
Retail parks across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) have demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability, with continued growth despite economic challenges and changing consumer behaviours.
As part of our ongoing thought leadership initiative with Colliers, we are proud to share ExCEEding Borders: Retail Parks - Diverse Growth, Shared Momentum. This insightful report offers a deep dive into the key trends and development dynamics shaping the retail sector across the CEE region.
As the retail park sector continues to evolve, the integration of mixed-use elements and a focus on sustainability will be crucial to its long-term success. The report provides invaluable insights for investors looking to understand the shifting dynamics and opportunities in this growing sector across the CEE region.
Access the full Colliers analysis now to uncover the trends and insights driving retail park development in CEE.
As part of our ongoing thought leadership initiative with Colliers, we are proud to share ExCEEding Borders: Retail Parks - Diverse Growth, Shared Momentum. This insightful report offers a deep dive into the key trends and development dynamics shaping the retail sector across the CEE region.
What’s inside the report?
Retail Parks and Discount Retailers
Discount chains such as Pepco, Lidl, and TEDi are transforming the retail landscape, expanding rapidly across CEE, particularly in secondary cities and suburban areas. Their preference for retail parks is driven by cost-efficiency and flexibility.Market Expansion in Smaller Towns
Retail parks are increasingly being developed in towns lacking traditional shopping centres. Factors such as suburbanisation, rising incomes, and strong local demand are driving this trend.Leisure and ESG Integration
Integrating leisure, gastronomy, and entertainment offerings to meet changing consumer expectations, retail parks are evolving into multifunctional spaces. Sustainability is also becoming a key focus, with developers incorporating ESG principles into future projects.Macroeconomic Insights
Despite inflationary pressures, CEE economies, particularly in Poland and Bulgaria, are showing solid growth in household consumption, reinforcing the appeal of retail parks as long-term investment opportunities.As the retail park sector continues to evolve, the integration of mixed-use elements and a focus on sustainability will be crucial to its long-term success. The report provides invaluable insights for investors looking to understand the shifting dynamics and opportunities in this growing sector across the CEE region.
Access the full Colliers analysis now to uncover the trends and insights driving retail park development in CEE.