Retail sees increasing investment volumes

There is no measureable impact from the credit crunch on the retail investment sector in Europe, according to Thomas Beyerle of Degi. Speaking to PropertyEU, Beyerle noted that speakers at a retail session on the second day of the EXPO REAL property fair in Munich spoke about increasing volumes in the retail property sector - heading for a record of EUR 30 bn for 2007 - and much more liquidity for real estate with a pan-European approach, such as factory outlets, shopping malls and retail centres. But there is not consensus on the prospects of the sector.

'One analyst said we are at a turning point scenario, while another said investment is still increasing. What I take from the discussion is that investment is still going on so the party is not over,' said Beyerle. The focus of activities in the retail property sector across the 27-country European Union varies per country, he said. In the established markets - the UK, Germany, France and the Netherlands - the focus in on refurbishment, while the Central and Eastern European countries are still seeing new demand. 'And there is a new hot spot called Russia,' he quipped.