The GDP growth in Luxembourg is set to reach a high 3.1% in 2019 while the International Monetary Fund reviewed its global economic forecasts on the downside recently. The unemployment rate is at a low 5.4% and the cross-borders workers are strongly increasing as Luxembourg is benefiting from strong economic fundamentals. Population is also set to rise strongly in the coming years. Household spending, even on a slight downside, will remain higher than in neighbouring countries.
Office
Some large letting transactions (mainly involving the public sector) are still expected to be closed before the end of the year (including the European Parliament in the KAD). As such, the total take-up for the year could potentially surpass the levels observed in 2018. Prime rents are expected to increase to 52€/sq m/month before the end of the year following the delivery of new projects in the CBD. The office stock is expected to increase by more than 175,000 sq m in Q4 2019, of which 95% is pre-let. Therefore, the vacancy rate is forecasted to remain at
a low level. A strong demand is still present on the investment market, but there is a clear lack of available products for sale. Yet, the investment volume is also expected to pick up mainly due to several transactions currently in the pipeline. Yields for prime products, however, are expected to remain at 4% for now.
Retail
The strong macroeconomic fundamentals should benefit to the retail sector and activity will be at record high in 2019. The still growing competition of online retail and new consumers’ habits constraint retailers to adapt. The retail units need to adapt as well in order to follow these trends.
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