Dutch retail property investment reached €160 mln in Q1 2013, representing an increase of 30% on the €122 mln recorded in the same period last year.

Dutch retail property investment reached €160 mln in Q1 2013, representing an increase of 30% on the €122 mln recorded in the same period last year.

According to Savills' latest Netherlands property market report, key transactions included the sale of five shopping centres for a total of €70 mln and the purchase of five supermarkets for €20 mln.

Clive Pritchard, director of investment at Savills Netherlands, commented: 'Retail investment performed very well in the Netherlands' property market so far this year and we predict that it is set to continue as investor interest remains strong. Total volumes in the sector could reach €1 bn by the end of the year, beating last year’s total of €885 mln.'

Savills reports that total investment volumes for the industrial market also rose at a rate of 50% to around €60 mln in the first quarter of 2013.