White paper on retail centers as an attractive asset class

Bruchsal, Germany,April 1, 2014. – GfK retail real estate expert Manuel Jahn has written a white paper that explores why Germany's retail centers have sparked ever growing interest among investors and retailers in recent years. The white paper also includes the results of a GfK geoanalysis of retail centers throughout Germany.

GfK'sgeomarketing division has carried out a multi-stage geoanalysis of address and tenant data in order to determine the geographic distribution of retail centers in Germany. ^[1] A thorough understanding of this retail format has been lacking even among experts, as retail centers have not previously been systematically evaluated in this way. The geoanalysis encompasses 259 retail centers with a combined retail space of 5.2 mil. m². This comprises approximately 4.4 percent of Germany's total retail space of 118 mil. m². 

In a recent white paper, GfK retail real estate expert Manuel Jahn summarizes the most important results of the geoanalysis on retail centers in Germany. He also details why GfK retail experts believe retail centers are an attractive asset class with growth potential for both retailers and investors.

GfK'sgeoanalysis of Germany's retail centers helps investors structure their portfolios, project developers find locations and retailers devise expansion strategies.

Summarizing his analysis of the market situation and insights for investors and retailers, Jahn writes: "Consumer desires constitute the most important factor in terms of retail-oriented activities. The ongoing growth and development of different retail real estate formats are ultimately driven by consumer trends. We especially anticipate that hybrid retail warehouses, or so-called ‘retail centers,’ will continue to grow in importance to both consumers and investors. Even amidst the increasing use of online channels, the daily- and periodic needs-oriented retail centers continue to offer an attractive one-stop-shopping experience in their product segment. These retailers provide an appealing mix of accessibility, close proximity to consumers' places of residence and product selection for regular shopping outings."

About Manuel Jahn

Manuel Jahn heads GfK's real estate consulting division. He has been with GfK since 2004 and has extensive knowledge of the retail real estate branch thanks to carrying out location and real estate object appraisals throughout Europe. He was previously employed by WestdeutschenImmobilienBank, where he was active in the project development of shopping centers. Jahn represents the retail segment in his capacity as a board member of the Germany-based Real Estate Magazine (ImmobilienZeitung).

For additional information
and to download the white paper, visit www.gfk.com/retail-centers.

About GfK
GfK is the trusted source of relevant market and consumer information that enables its clients to make smarter decisions. More than 13,000 market research experts combine their passion with GfK’s 80 years of data science experience. This allows GfK to deliver vital global insights matched with local market intelligence from more than 100 countries. By using innovative technologies and data sciences, GfK turns big data into smart data, enabling its clients to improve their competitive edge and enrich consumers’ experiences and choices.

For more information, please visit www.gfk.com



Contact:

Cornelia Lichtner
V.i.S.d.P.
Public Relations
GfK GeoMarketing GmbH
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Gebäude 6508
76646 Bruchsal;
Germany
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