European retail investment up 85% in Q2 - JLL

Direct retail real estate investment in Continental Europe was up by 85% at EUR 1.9 bn in the second quarter of 2009, compared to EUR 1 bn in the first quarter of the year, according to new research from Jones Lang LaSalle. The rise was largely driven by an increase in lot size rather than number of deals, 33 deals in Q1 compared to 38 deals in Q2.

The total of EUR 3 bn in the first half is comparable to the volume transacted in the same period in 2004. However H1 2009 volumes overall were down 63% on the same period in 2008, despite a number of major deals taking place, including nine deals over EUR 100 mln in H1 2009.

Jeremy Eddy, lead director of European retail capital markets at Jones Lang LaSalle said: 'One common theme linking most of the major retail transactions in 2009 to date has been vendor or structured financing that has been available to the purchaser. With debt remaining severely restricted across most European markets, the availability of vendor financing has allowed many of these larger deals to take place at the levels achieved.'

Prospects for retail investment in Continental Europe in the second half of 2009 remain cautious, he added. 'Transactions initiated by distress are not prevalent as yet and mid-year valuations have not resulted in significant liquidity issues. We are aware, however, of several significant transactions that have recently completed or are close to exchange, particularly in Germany, and we believe that there will continue to be strong interest in prime quality stock.'

As in the first quarter, Western Europe accounted for most of the retail investment volume (95%) with very limited activity in CEE, as investors focus primarily on domestic and core European markets.

The big five markets dominated in the first half. France and Spain saw their first transactions of 2009 after none in the first quarter and became the most active markets in Q2, with France transacting EUR 693 mln and Spain accounting for EUR 360 mln. Notable transactions included Pramerica’s acquisition of 'Le 31' shopping centre in Lille from Foruminvest for circa EUR 160 mln and Orion’s acquisition of Plenilunio Park in Madrid from Banif for around EUR 235 mln, the largest single asset transaction completed so far in Continental Europe during 2009.

Shopping centres in Continental Europe made up the lion’s share of retail transactions in H1 2009 (EUR 2 bn and 69% of volume), up considerably on the previous quarter.