European retail investment volumes up 35%
Published: 15 November, 2011
Jones Lang LaSalle reports European retail real estate investment on target to reach € in 2011, up 35 per cent on 2010
Jones Lang LaSalle reports that demand for prime retail real estate remains strong. Against a backdrop of regional economic uncertainty, deals initiated earlier this year are completing. Investor appetite has however waned in some markets and a ‘wait and see’ mentality has been adopted by some investors. Geographically the Czech Republic and Poland saw significant volumes in Q3 and Russia continues to be a strong focus for investors.
Total investment volumes in the year to date now stand at €22 billion. With pending sales and deals in the pipeline, JLL is forecasting a year-end total of €28 bn. This would represent 35 per cent uplift on 2010 volumes and would be significantly above 2009's €12.3 bn.
Jeremy Eddy, JLL's head of EMEA retail capital markets said: “So far in Q4 we have seen that there is still healthy, albeit selective appetite from investors. More attractive economic and retail sales growth prospects and pricing is driving investor appetite towards the Czech Republic, Poland and now Russia, but transactions still continue across Europe for the right product. We have seen some major deals in Germany and France. Other markets which will remain a focus for investors include the Nordics, in particular Sweden and Finland. The depth of equity remains and will continue to fuel demand for high quality retail assets.”
