Retail rental rates have stabilised across Europe, but could be pushed lower in some locations as online retailing enters a second growth phase. That is one of the findings of a recent report by CB Richard Ellis entitled 'How active are retailers in EMEA?'

Retail rental rates have stabilised across Europe, but could be pushed lower in some locations as online retailing enters a second growth phase. That is one of the findings of a recent report by CB Richard Ellis entitled 'How active are retailers in EMEA?'

'Many high-profile retailers, including Zara and GAP launched sites in 2010, suggesting a huge potential for more retail sales to be diverted from the high street,' the report concluded.

While conceding that the impact of e-commerce so far on demand for retail space appeared to be minimal, CBRE said this could be about to change.

Meanwhile leading retailers have so far downplayed the impact of internet on the retail real estate industry. Speaking at a conference at Mapic in November, Carrefour Property CEO Pascal Duhamel told delegates, 'From a real estate perspective I don’t think it’s a threat at all.'

Ebay estimates that e-commerce currently accounts for 5-6% of the retail market, but expects this figure to grow to 15% in due course. In 2009, the company achieved $57 bn retail sales globally.