17:11 19 October 2026
Shopping malls fighting for customers
At Property Forum 2026 in Warsaw, retail real estate experts debated whether Poland is nearing saturation in retail parks. As much as 1.5 to 2 mln sq. m. could be built over the next three years, but new centers in some areas may divert shoppers from existing parks, increasing vacancies and pressuring rents. Participants said demand, purchasing power, location, access, parking, and a complementary tenant mix matter more than construction potential alone.
Grocery stores, fashion retailers, fitness clubs, restaurants, and services can broaden a park’s appeal, but not every town can support them. Developers also face rising land, construction, and operating costs that cannot always be passed on to tenants. Banks remain interested, but each project needs individual assessment.
