On February 19, a Shopping Center Forum 2009 conference organized by the BROG Business Media company, took place at the Westin Hotel in Warsaw.

The Shopping Center Forum is a specialist “business-to-business” meeting  for management, which addresses the subject of perspectives and newest trends in the shopping center branch.

“Threats, challenges and opportunities - the shopping center market as an element of global economy” was the leading topic of the conference.
Marek Gładki, the Leasing Manager of the Shopping Centers Department participated in a panel discussion, during which the current situation on the shopping center market was discussed and the most likely versions of its development.
In addition to Echo Investment, the following also participated in the meeting: Stephen Pragnell, Apsys Group; Mathieu Giguere, Cushman & Wakefield, Mateusz Jaworowski, Millward Brown SMG/KRC, Magdalena Zimna and Przemysław Dwojak, GfK Polonia, Renata Kusznierska, DTZ Polska.

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“There is still much to be done on the shopping center market in Poland” – stated Sephen Pragnell of the Apsys Gp at the Shopping Center Forum & Awards 2009, which was held on February 19 of this year. Other guests at the Forum shared this opinion – Renata Kusznierska of DTZ; Mathieu Giguere of Cushman & Wakefield as well as Marek Gładki of Echo Investment. – There is always a right time for construction of shopping centers in our country. One of the concepts that might bring the best results in the present situation is the retail-park. Its advantage over other projects is lower construction costs, lower rent for tenants and greater exhibition space area – said Kusznierska. Mathieu Giguere believes that outlet shopping centers will also fare well on the market. The experts pointed out the positive aspects of crisis on financial markets. – The costs of construction works are dropping, new concepts with a less expensive offer are appearing on the market – noted Kusznierska.  In effect of the crisis, the selection of tenants and offers of the centers will be well thought out and what goes with it, more favorable. -The rapidly growing, till now, number of square meters caused investors to get confused between that which is good and that which not necessarily should be found in these facilities – sums up Marek Gładki.

In the opinion of  experts present at the Shopping Center Forum & Awards 2009, shopping centers will continue to be built in Poland although delays of many projects are possible. -Before, investments on the shopping center market were limited by the WOH statute [ Creating and operation of large surface area shopping facilities Act of May 11, 2007], now there is  a problem with banks withholding financing – said Renata Kusznierska of DTZ. Marek Gładki of Echo Investment SA is not as pessimistic on this issue. -It’s not that financing cannot be obtained. –Simply put, a time has come for verification of weak projects - expressed  his opinion Gładki.
Administrators of shopping centers are flooded with requests to lower rental fees which, calculated in Euro, rose sharply due to a drop in the value of PLN. -Unfortunately, the administrators are not always willing to cooperate with tenants. I haven’t noticed willingness on their part to create new concepts – says Andrzej Buczkowski of the Wars SA company which authored a new gastronomic concept to be developed in shopping centers. - It’s true. Tenants were hit in the pocket. The effect being that, that part of locations will vanish from the market. However, we will work with the tenants, because it is they who make the shopping center market – says Marek Gładki. Gładki believes, that rents will stabilize. What about the existing shopping centers, can they loose customers? – wondered participants of the conference.
- Of course, in part recommercialization will have to be carried out – says Marek Gładki. – Now is the time to work on the brand of a shopping center and the tenants’ brand as well as on improving customer service. Now is the time for verification, is tenant mix implemented in a given shopping center, beneficial? – said Renata Kusznierska.”

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More about conferences:
www.shoppingcenter.pl