CEE-6 RETAIL MARKET Q1 2026
CEE Retail Market Overview: Retail Parks Continue to Shape Growth in Q1 2026
Central and Eastern Europe’s retail real estate market started 2026 on a stable footing, supported by improving macro conditions and sustained retailer interest in convenience-led formats. Across the CEE-6, GDP growth reached 2.7% in Q1 2026, unemployment remained low at 4.4%, and inflation eased to 3.5%. Retail sales real growth also strengthened to 2.7%, indicating a more supportive backdrop for occupier decision-making.
At the same time, the market remained selective. Retailers continued to focus on locations with strong catchments, reliable footfall, and efficient operating costs, reinforcing the performance gap between prime schemes and more challenged secondary assets.
CEE Retail Markets
At the end of Q1 2026, the CEE-6 contained 19,672,300 sq m of shopping center space and 10,111,700 sq m of retail park space. Poland remained the region’s anchor market for shopping centers, accounting for 54% of total shopping center area, while retail parks were more evenly distributed across the region.
New supply continued to be driven by retail parks, reflecting developer and retailer preference for accessible formats aligned with everyday spending and convenience shopping. Q1 deliveries were led by Poland and Bulgaria, with additional openings recorded in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Romania.
Across the region, occupier demand remained underpinned by grocery, fashion, food and beverage, health and beauty, fitness, and value-led retail. However, retailers continued to prioritize proven locations and schemes that can support sustainable turnover and efficient occupancy costs. This focus supported prime assets, while reinforcing the need for active leasing strategies and repositioning in secondary locations facing increasing competition.
Outlook
- Convenience-led expansion should remain the defining theme, with retail parks expected to retain a leading role in both development pipelines and retailer rollout strategies.
- Leasing activity is likely to stay healthy but selective, favoring schemes with strong catchments, stable footfall, and tenant mixes anchored in nondiscretionary spending.
- Prime assets should remain supported, while secondary properties may face continued pressure to compete on incentives, layout flexibility, and value positioning as new supply delivers.
