Retail parks gain momentum in CEE

The retail real estate sector in Central and Eastern Europe continues to demonstrate growth potential despite ongoing shifts in consumer behaviour. According to a forecast by Arcona Capital, which manages approximately €400 million of real estate assets in the region, retail property in the Czech Republic and Poland is set to attract increasing interest from both regional and international investors, with retail parks emerging as a key focus.

Investment momentum and household income growth

Arcona Capital expects the sharp increase in Czech commercial real estate investment volumes recorded between 2024 and 2025 to continue into the coming year. The sector is supported by favourable macroeconomic conditions, including forecast annual growth of 2–2.5% in disposable household income over the next two years, underpinned by easing inflation. These trends provide a stable demand base for everyday retail formats.

Grocery-anchored retail parks as defensive assets

Grocery-anchored retail parks have proven to be one of the most resilient segments of the retail market in recent years. Their strength lies in non-discretionary consumer demand, strong tenant covenants and locations embedded within local communities. Arcona Capital expects this stability to persist, even amid broader economic uncertainty.

Investor interest is also growing in convenience-oriented retail parks. Changing consumer habits increasingly favour accessible, everyday shopping formats, reinforcing the appeal of compact, neighbourhood-based schemes that combine defensive income with long-term growth potential.

E-commerce integration strengthens the model

Continued growth in e-commerce is expected to further benefit the retail park sector. Arcona Capital notes that retail parks are increasingly acting as natural distribution hubs and return points, bridging the gap between traditional retail and urban logistics infrastructure.

This evolving role enhances asset flexibility and supports income resilience, as retail parks adapt to shorter delivery times and hybrid consumption models that integrate online and offline retail.

Focus on the Czech Republic and Poland

Arcona Capital forecasts sustained investor interest in grocery-led and convenience retail across both the Czech Republic and Poland. A deep occupier market, ongoing urban and suburban expansion, and the evolving balance between physical retail and online alternatives underpin strong fundamentals.

According to the firm, retail parks stand out by offering stable, and in some cases exceptional, performance while maintaining a conservative risk profile for investor portfolios.

As International Investment experts note, retail parks across Central and Eastern Europe are transitioning from a niche allocation into a core retail asset class. Their defensive characteristics, exposure to everyday consumption and growing integration with e-commerce logistics make them particularly attractive for investors targeting resilient income and sustainable growth in markets such as the Czech Republic and Poland.