TOM 08 2023

T
TOPS
M
OF THE MONTH
TOMO
RETAIL REAL ESTATE
TOPS
OF THE
MONTH
Essential News About The Players In In
The Retail Real Property Estate Market In in Germany
THE HOTTEST DEALS +++
INTERVIEWS +++ STATEMENTS
+++ PARTICULARS +++
ANALYSES +++ PROJECTS
presented by HI-HEUTE.DE
August 2023
More and more restaurateurs are slipping into insolvency.
A new wave of insolvencies
looms in the catering industry
CRIF evaluation shows dramatic development
Due to various crises, a reduced
tax rate of seven percent
currently applies to food in
restaurants - but only until the
end of this year. Food in restaurants
is to be taxed again
at 19 percent from the beginning
of 2024. That could lead
to more bankruptcies in the
restaurant industry.
As of August 2023, 14,219 restaurants,
pubs, snack bars and
cafés in Germany are considered
at risk of insolvency, according
to an evaluation by information
service provider CRIF. This corresponds
to 11.9 percent of the
analyzed businesses.
In January 2020 - before the Corona
pandemic - the number of
gastronomy companies at risk of
insolvency was 12,662.
A look at the regional figures
shows that the risk of insolvency
among catering companies is
highest in Bremen. There, 15.9
percent or 141 of the catering
companies are considered to be
at risk of insolvency.
Bremen
most affected
This is followed by Berlin (15.8
percent of catering businesses
at risk of insolvency - 1307 in
absolute terms), North Rhine-Westphalia
(13.7 percent -
3002), Saxony-Anhalt (13.4 percent
- 535) and Hamburg (12.7
percent - 394). The lowest risk of
insolvency is currently faced by
companies in the catering industry
in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
(9.5 percent - 297) and
in Bavaria (ten percent - 1866).
„The hospitality industry continues
to face a variety of challenges
following the Corona
pandemic, including inflation, rising
energy and personnel costs,
and a trend toward home offices.
The VAT increase could further
exacerbate the situation, especially
for already financially weak
hospitality businesses,“ explains
CRIF Germany Managing Director
Dr. Frank Schlein.
Symbol image: Sandra Seitamaa
Already in the first half of 2023,
insolvencies in the catering industry
have increased at an above-average
rate. In the first six
months of the year, there were
743 insolvencies in the restaurant
industry, 29.4 percent more
than in the first half of 2022.
Above-average
increase
By comparison, across all industries,
insolvencies in Germany
rose by just under 17 percent in
the first half of the year. Looking
at the year 2023, CRIF currently
forecasts 1600 in the restaurant
industry, 36.5 percent more than
in 2022. „In the coming year,
insolvencies in the restaurant industry
will continue to rise,“ says
Dr. Schlein.

Page 2 T O M
Shopping center operator
ECE again achieved a strong
leasing result in the first half
of the year: In this period, the
leasing experts concluded a
total of around 1,300 leases
for the center portfolio of almost
140 shopping centers
it manages in Europe, thus
achieving a leasing result of
around 380,000 sqm. For the
centers in Germany alone,
ECE Marketplaces concluded
750 leases for a total leasable
area of more than 250,000
sqm in the first half of the
year.
Beauty retailer DOUGLAS
continued its growth course
in the third quarter of fiscal
year 2022/23, increasing sales
and profits. Both store and
online business contributed
to this.
DOUGLAS increased adjusted
Group sales by 9.7 percent to
EUR 910.4 (829.7) million in
the period from April to June
2023. In this context, adjusted
store sales increased by 12.1
percent and e-commerce sales
by 5.2 percent. Digital business,
which accounted for 31.9
percent of consolidated net sales,
continued to grow strongly
in the core Beauty segment.
All segments contributed positively
to sales growth, with
Southern Europe (+13.7 percent)
and Central Eastern Europe
(+16.9 percent) each recording
the highest growth rates.
Sander van der Laan, CEO
DOUGLAS Group, says: „Our
This means that the leasing
performance could again be increased
by more than one third
compared to the already strong
period of the previous year.
Already in 2022, ECE had signed
a total of 2,350 leases and
leased space totaling more than
550,000 sqm of rental space in
the centers.
„This strong and again increased
leasing performance for our centers
shows that many retailers
see shopping centers in particular
as attractive and relevant retail
locations,“ said Joanna Fisher,
CEO of ECE Marketplaces.
„In a still challenging market
environment, we have been very
successful in attracting new tenants
for space in the centers as
well as in renewing many existing
contracts with our tenant
business performance.
third-quarter results once again
underscore DOUGLAS‘ resilience
and strong market position.
Particularly now that inflation
is slowing and merchandise
availability is noticeably
NEWS
ECE concludes 1300 leases
in the first half of the year
380,000 sqm leased space in 140 European centers
Joanna Fisher, CEO of ECE Marketplaces
Photo: ECE
partners. Shopping centers are
thus once again proving to be
a very stable and resilient asset
class.“ Among the tenant partners
with whom ECE Marketplaces
has signed leases so far
in 2023 - some of them in larger
numbers - are Only, the Inditex
Group, H&M, MediaSaturn,
New Yorker, Kult, Pepco, Aldi,
Rituals, TK Maxx, or Thalia.
DOUGLAS continues to grow
Beauty specialist increases sales and profits
DOUGLAS - here the Frankfurt Zeil store - is satisfied with its
Photo: DOUGLAS
improving, we are very well
positioned. Despite continued
uncertainties for our clientele,
we were able to grow in all segments,
channels and categories
while improving our profitability.“
August 2023
MEC leases over
90,000 square meters
in the first half
of the year
The leasing level at MEC remains
exceptionally high in
the first half of 2023. The retail
real estate specialist was able to
conclude over 110 new and follow-on
leases with a total area
of 90,500 square meters during
the period. MEC thus increased
its leasing performance once
again compared with the already
strong prior-year period.
Contract partners include Woolworth,
Ernstings Family, Takko,
C&A, Media Markt, Kaufland,
Deichmann, Aldi, Rossmann,
Kik and alltours. With the textile
and household goods retailer
Pepco, the MEC leasing experts
were also able to acquire a completely
new tenant for their portfolio.
Lease agreements have recently
been concluded at three locations,
and further agreements are
already being negotiated. Christian
Thiele, Head of Leasing
Management at MEC, sees the
reasons for the leasing success
in the forward-looking actions
and good team play of all those
involved.
AstorMueller new
owner of Salamander
shoe brand
Salamander has found a new
owner in AstorMueller AG.
The Swiss shoe manufacturer
announced the takeover of the
shoe brand, which previously
belonged to the Ara Group based
in Langenfeld near Düsseldorf,
yesterday (Thursday). By doing
so, AstorMueller intends to underline
its commitment to expand
its portfolio and broaden its
range of high-quality footwear.
The new Salamander owner,
which has Italian shoe brand
Bagatt in its portfolio and holds
school licenses for the Bugatti
and Daniel Hechter brands,
wants to rejuvenate and modernize
Salamander. Not part of the
acquisition are all retail activities
of all Salamander licensees, in
particular the stores operating
under the same brand in Germany
and Austria, the statement
said. The Ara Group has
been looking for investors for
the Lloyd and Salamander shoe
brands since the end of June in
order to focus exclusively on its
own Ara Shoes brand in the future.
No new owner has yet been
found for Lloyd.

Page 3 T O M
TOP STATEMENT OF THE MONTH August 2023
TOP STATEMENT
August
„After the Corona
pandemic, the big cities
have come back.
Berlin, for example, or
Munich, even Amsterdam
is clearly revived,
I can see that myself
in the hotel prices
when I travel there.
During the pandemic,
many smaller locations
performed well,
and that proves us
right in our nationwide
strategy. Many of
these cities are partly
close to the so-called
15-minute city, and
we are an important
part of this concept as
a kind of fashionable
local supplier.“
Maximilian Schüssler, new
Deutschland boss at Textilist
H&M, in an interview
with the German trade
magazine Textilwirtschaft.
Photo: H&M

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Page 5 T O M
PROJECTS August 2023
Überseequartier marches
into the home stretch
URW celebrates huge topping-out ceremony in Hamburg - occupancy rate already at 85 %
With more than 300 guests, all
partner companies involved in
the construction and project,
and around 1,300 construction
workers, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
(URW) yesterday
celebrated the topping-out
ceremony at Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier.
The
event, which was also attended
by Karen Pein, Senator
in Hamburg‘s Department of
Urban Development and Housing,
and Dr. Andreas Kleinau,
Chairman of the Board of
HafenCity Hamburg GmbH,
included more than just speeches
and words of welcome.
As a special highlight, Anne-
Sophie Sancerre, Chief Customer
and Retail Officer at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield,
also
provided an update on the
pre-lease rate for the future
urban quarter in Hamburg‘s
HafenCity: For the retail,
restaurant and leisure rental
spaces, this now stands at 85
percent, once again underlining
the attractiveness and
appeal of the location.
A construction site as extraordinary
as that of Westfield
Hamburg-Überseequartier also
requires an extraordinary topping-out
ceremony: yesterday,
Thursday, Unibail-Rodamco-
Westfield therefore celebrated
in extended form in Hamburg‘s
HafenCity. The ceremony began
in the morning with more
than 300 invited guests from the
worlds of business, politics and
society, as well as around 200
of the construction workers, all
of whom are looking forward
to the imminent opening of the
quarter in the spring of next
year. In order to get all of the
1,300 construction workers involved
on board for the celebration,
all of the other teams from
the construction trades were
also welcomed to the event area
later in the afternoon. Andreas
Hohlmann, Managing Director
Austria & Germany at Unibail-
Rodamco-Westfield, opened the
event, guided through the festivities
and addressed his thanks
to all partner companies and in
particular to the construction
workers on site.
This is how the giant quarter project is to look when it opens next
spring.
Visualization: URW
An extraordinary project also requires an extraordinary toppingout
ceremony. Almost 2000 people celebrated the event with a time
delay.
Photo: URW
The day‘s speeches came from
Karen Pein, Dr. Andreas Kleinau
and Anne-Sophie Sancerre,
who as Chief Customer and Retail
Officer at URW is responsible
for operations, marketing
and the customer experience in
all of the company‘s destinations.
In her speech, Anne-Sophie
Sancerre once again emphasized
the relevance of Westfield
Hamburg-Überseequartier as
the urban heart of HafenCity
and as a new vibrant place for
the local community, all Hamburg
residents and guests from
near and far. URW also announced
that the pre-letting rate in
the retail, gastronomy and leisure
sectors has now reached 85
percent.
Following the first ceremony,
including the topping-out ceremony,
the day‘s other festivities
were ushered in so that all of
the approximately 1,300 construction
workers in total could
also be personally welcomed by
the management of the investor,
project developer and later operator
URW and this milestone
could be celebrated together.
In addition, all construction
workers received an envelope
with a personal thank you and
a shopping voucher for REWE,
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield‘s
partner in the quarter.
Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier
impresses with its diverse
mix of uses and, especially
in the retail, gastronomy and
leisure areas, with its selection
of international brands, new
concepts and flagship formats.
Among others, the Breuninger
flagship store, BOSS, LA-
COSTE, Gant, Tommy Hilfiger
and Calvin Klein characterize
the premium fashion and lifestyle
segment. Other world-renowned
brands in fashion will
also be represented. Zara is opening
one of the brand‘s largest
flagship stores, while Bershka,
PULL&BEAR, Mango and
H&M are also among the tenants.
In the local champions area, for
example, the Hamburg-based
label Derbe is on board. The
sneaker and streetwear segment
is strengthened by stores from
JD Sports, SNIPES and Foot
Locker. INTERSPORT Knudsen
is also opening an innovative
concept store in the quarter.
In the perfumery and beauty
segment, DOUGLAS and Rituals
have signed a lease. In addition,
Thalia is moving into the
Quarter with an unusual flagship
store overlooking the Elbe.
REWE and Budni will dominate
the Daily Needs retail area.
Entertainment and cultural offerings
are another focal point
of the product and concept mix.
The Kinopolis premium multiplex
cinema, LEGO Discovery
Centre and Port des Lumières
digital art center stand out here -
in each case the companies‘ first
locations in the Hanseatic city.
The exclusive retail locations in
the quarter are complemented
by a wide range of gastronomic
offerings. The mix of international
names and local gems
promises a constant stream of
new culinary highlights. The
gastronomic concept is spread
over three clusters and offers the
right choice depending on taste,
occasion and budget. Confirmed
gastronomic concepts already
include Big Chefs, goa, Quan
36, as well as Lu Soufflé and
New York Bagel Bar.
For the local HafenCity community,
the people of the Hamburg
metropolitan region, and
all guests from near and far,
a place with a high quality of
stay is thus being created - for
living, working, shopping and
lingering.

URBAN CREATORS.
Architecture | Development & Project Management
European Council of Shopping Places (ECSP) Awards: Commendation for Best Renovation/Expansion for centres between 15.000 – 45.000 sqm

Page 7 T O M
NEWS August 2023
Small stores often
threatened with closure
Market share has already halved in 20 years
The German Retail Association
(Handelsverband Deutschland
- HDE) has observed a
dramatic trend in some cases,
particularly among smaller
retailers. As can be seen from
the current HDE Figures 2023,
the market share of non-storebased
specialist retailers fell to
13.3 percent last year.
In the course of the year, this
figure could fall below the 13
percent mark. According to the
association, this means that the
market share of non-store-based
specialist retailers has halved
over the past twenty years. The
HDE is therefore warning of the
consequences of the current situation
in small-scale specialist
retailing for the future of city
centers.
Around 9000
stores affected
„Many small retailers in particular
are facing major challenges.
They have lost market share,
used up equity capital due to the
crisis and have difficulties investing
in the future of their own
business,“ says HDE CEO Stefan
Genth. According to HDE
estimates, around 9,000 stores
are expected to go out of business
in 2023 alone, primarily in
the small-scale specialist retail
sector.
„The city center location needs
quick and decisive help to remain
attractive with a versatile
and varied retail trade,“ Genth
emphasizes. A start-up offensive
could help to close gaps in the
city centers again. Locally, all
inner-city players would also
have to pull together.
In view of the tense situation,
the HDE believes that businesses
that have been family-run for
generations are in acute danger
in many locations, especially in
small and medium-sized towns.
Otto Group finds buyer for Mytoys
Toysino takes over all stationary stores
Effective October 1, Toysino
GmbH will take over the overthe-counter
business of Mytoys.de
GmbH. A corresponding
purchase agreement has been
signed by the parties involved.
The parties have agreed not to
disclose the purchase price. Toysino
GmbH, led by the two managing
directors Christian and
Daniel Krömer, intends to continue
employing the approximately
160 staff in the 19 Mytoys
stores.
Irrespective of the sale of the
over-the-counter business, the
Mytoys brand will be given a
new, attractive stage on the Otto
platform in the future, as already
announced by the Otto Group.
The rebranding of the stationary
stores to the name „Toysino“
is to take place promptly, but at
the latest by the end of February
Small retail businesses are struggling badly.
Symbol image: Pixabay / Dizzy Roseblach
The Otto Group‘s Mytoys stores will soon become Toysino.
Photo Mytoys
2024. The Otto Group had announced
in March 2023 that it
would discontinue the business
operations of Mytoys.de GmbH
by the end of the financial year
2023/24.
C&A has closed
10 German stores
Clothing retailer C&A has closed
several stores in Germany
as well as in the Netherlands
and Belgium. A total of 17 locations
in the three countries
have been closed over the past
ten months, the company said.
Ten stores are said to have closed
their doors in Germany,
two in the Netherlands and
five in Belgium over this period.
Back at the end of 2021,
the company confirmed that
13 of the then 427 stores in
Germany would close the following
year. In the meantime,
there are only 399, according
to the Dutch trade magazine
Retailtrends. However, the
Düsseldorf-based company
had been expanding in other
European markets. Among other
things, C&A has expanded
its store network in Romania,
where the clothing retailer
now has 50 locations.
Deutsche EuroShop:
Frequencies and
revenue continue
to recover
Shopping center investor
Deutsche EuroShop has now
published its results for the
first half of the year, which for
the company was characterized
by growth in its operating
business and investment portfolio.
„Customer footfall and
our tenants‘ sales continued
their recovery. Compared to
the first half of 2022, 11.4%
more people visited our shopping
centers and our tenants
recorded 14.5% higher retail
sales. Retail sales have thus
returned to the level of 2019,“
explains DES CEO Hans-Peter
Kneip.
The acquisitions of further
stakes in six shopping centers
carried out at the beginning
of the year improved the key
performance indicators in addition
to the resurgent business
of the existing portfolio.
In a pro forma comparison
based on an identical portfolio,
this development is as follows:
Sales increased by 2.2%
from €132.4 million to €135.4
million. Net operating profit
showed a similarly positive
development to 107.5 million
- partly due to significantly
lower valuation allowances
on rental receivables - and
earnings before interest and
taxes rose significantly.

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Page 9 T O M
NEWS August 2023
Leipzig Gohlis Arkaden
repurchased by VICUS GROUP
District center experiences revaluation
VICUS GROUP AG, Leipzigbased
specialist for value-add
investments, has successfully
reacquired the Gohlis Arkaden
in Leipzig with a significantly
improved leasing situation
from an Austrian real
estate company after selling
the property in 2016. The
purchase price is in the mid
double-digit million range -
the exact price was not disclosed.
For more than 20 years, the
Gohlis Arkaden have shaped
the image of one of Leipzig‘s
most sought-after districts. The
established district center in the
north of Leipzig, only about
two kilometers from the city
center ring road, presents itself
as a promising investment with
considerable value-add potential.
The Gohlis Arkaden are
characterized by their central
location in the middle of a lively
residential area, at the public
transport hub and the main thoroughfare
of the Gohlis district.
With first-class connections
to public transportation such
Slate Asset Management, a
global alternative investment
platform, has acquired the foodanchored
real estate portfolio
of x+bricks Group. The transaction
will be executed in two
tranches and is subject to the
fulfillment of certain contractual
conditions and the granting
of regulatory approvals in each
case.
Both tranches together comprise
188 properties with a total
value of more than one billion
euros. The parties have agreed
not to disclose further details of
the transaction.
Brady Welch, co-founder and
partner of Slate Asset Management,
said, „We are pleased to
expand our portfolio of highquality
properties focused on
everyday products in Germany.
The VICUS GROUP has bought back the Leipzig Gohlis Arkaden.
as bus, streetcar and suburban
train, as well as ample parking
in the underground garage, the
arcades are easy to reach. The
district center is conveniently
located near several residential
neighborhoods and thus offers a
large customer base.
With its ideal location in a growing
district with rising population
figures and a positive
economic environment, as well
as its wide range of stores and
services, the district center acts
Photo: VICUS GROUP
as a central contact point for local
supplies, medical care and
various leisure activities for
young and old. With a total area
of around 19,600 square meters,
the weekly market with fresh
produce ensures high footfall
in addition to the diverse mix of
retail, office, fitness and health
sectors with well-known tenants
such as Stadt- und Kreissparkasse
Leipzig, Activ Forum
Leipzig, Penny-Markt and
AOK Plus.
Slate buys complete LEH
portfolio from x+bricks Group
A proud 188 properties change hands
Brady Welch, co-founder and
partner of Slate Asset Management.
Photo: Slate
We are convinced of the growth
prospects of this stable and defensive
asset class. Delivering
a transaction of this scale highlights
the strength and capabilities
of Slate‘s global team.
We have a deep and extensive
regional network, giving us access
to flexible capital through
trusted partners who appreciate
our added value as investors
and managers.“
Soon to be asset class leader
Slate has completed transactions
for more than 650 commercial
properties in Germany
to date, with a focus on everyday
goods. Currently, Slate
has a substantial presence in the
German market with more than
220 properties. Tenants include
Germany‘s largest grocery
retailers and suppliers of everyday
goods. Upon completion
of the transaction, Slate will be
one of the leading owners and
managers of this asset class in
Germany.
New Woolworth
expansion boss
comes from Kik
Mike Adams is taking on the role
of managing director expansion at
Woolworth. He will succeed Lennart
Wehrmeier in May, who will
leave the retailer in April, Woolworth
now announced. Wehrmeier,
who has held the position
since early 2020, is leaving at the
end of the fiscal year „at his own
request to pursue new challenges
outside the company.“ Wehrmeier
has been involved in the opening
of more than 200 new stores as
well as the expansion into Poland
and Austria. His successor, who
was previously head of real estate
at textile discounter Kik, is to
drive forward internationalization
and the expansion of the store
network in Germany. Adams is
joined by Petr Marek from Kik,
who will already take over the
role of Head of Expansion in November
and thus report to Adams.
Woolworth has ambitious expansion
plans for the domestic
market, where the store network
is to be almost doubled, as well
as in other European countries,
where the department store group
sees potential for up to 5,000 locations.
Takko Fashion
increases sales
by 17 percent
in the second quarter
Telgte-based textile discounter
Takko Fashion has completed its
transaction to reshape its capital
structure. With the transaction,
the majority of shares went to
a group of shareholders, Takko
recently announced. The new
majority shareholder has „many
years of industry experience“
and will support Takko‘s management
team in implementing
and continuing its strategy. The
transaction is expected to significantly
strengthen the company‘s
financial profile and extend the
term of its financing. Now, the
apparel provider will be able to
further pursue its strategic priorities
and expand its presence in
Europe.Takko increased its sales
by 17 percent in the second quarter
of fiscal 2023/2024 compared
to the pre-Corona period of fiscal
2019/2020. Sales were driven by
the international expansion of
the redesigned online store, the
international launch of the Takko
Friends customer loyalty program
and the fashion company‘s
spring/summer collection, the
company said.

Page 11 T O M
NEWS August 2023
Wöhrmann takes over CEO role
from Egger at PATRIZIA
Responsibility for the further development
PATRIZIA has announced
that Asoka Wöhrmann is
the sole CEO of the company
with immediate effect. He
thus takes over the area of
responsibility and duties of
Wolfgang Egger. Wöhrmann,
former CEO of global asset
manager DWS Group, joined
PATRIZIA in May as CEO
designate.
Following the completion of
the structured handover process,
Wöhrmann will assume
responsibility for the further development
of PATRIZIA‘s global
investment platform for real
assets as planned. In addition,
he will lead the implementation
of the company‘s medium-term
growth strategy, which includes
efficiency improvements of the
investment platform and an expansion
of the global presence
in order to achieve profitable
growth.
Wolfgang Egger, founder and
long-time CEO of PATRIZIA,
will remain Managing Director
C&A Europe appoints Carsten
Horn to the role of Market
Lead for Germany. Horn
is an enthusiastic omnichannel
specialist from the marketing
and sales sector who
has a lot of experience with
digital processes, the apparel
retailer now announced. In
his new one, he said he will
bring his knowledge of retail
markets, his experience
in innovation management
and his customer-focused approach.
The designated Germany boss
has 25 years of experience in
the business-to-consumer sector,
but in different industries.
In the course of his career, he
has already worked for the cinema
company CinemaxX, the
florist chain Blume 2000 and
the Hamburg retailer Tchibo.
Most recently, he held the post
Asoka Wöhrmann
of managing director at the restaurant
chain Nordsee, where
he was responsible for several
sales channels in a market with
350 restaurants in eleven European
countries.
and member of the Board of
Directors. He will continue to
focus primarily on existing and
future strategic client relationships
as well as the further development
of the company.
With the leadership transition,
PATRIZIA has evolved into
a global real asset investment
manager and created a new management
structure to enhance
its combined real estate and
infrastructure investment offering.
PATRIZIA successfully completed
its transformation into
a Societas Europaea (SE) in
2022 and introduced an expanded
Executive Committee and
Board of Directors.
Carsten Horn is the new head
of Germany at C&A
He has 25 years of experience in the business-to-consumer sector
Carsten Horn
Photo: PATRIZIA
Photo: C&A
In his previous roles, he
was tasked with shaping the
transformation of traditional
brands and bringing them up
to date, according to the release.
SportScheck opens
three new stores in
top retail locations
Sporting goods manufacturer
SportScheck is on course for expansion
and will open three more
stores in Germany‘s top retail locations:
In Berlin‘s Tauentzienstrasse,
Frankfurt‘s Zeil and Leipzig‘s
Hainstrasse, the company leased
between 2,000 and 3,000 sqm of
retail space each. The leases were
brokered by the Retail Advisory
team of BNP Paribas Real Estate.
Founded in Munich in 1946, Sport-
Schek is now one of Germany‘s
leading retailers of sports fashion
and merchandise. The multi-channel
company already operates 34
stores nationwide; its online store
in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
comprises more than 50,0000
articles from over 500 brands. The
focus is on outdoor, running, fitness,
soccer and winter sports.
Retail in Austria
continues to lose
selling space
Austria‘s online retail exceeded
the ten billion euro mark for the
first time in 2022, which continues
to lead to store closures in
stationary retail. For example,
vienna.at reports that according
to location consultant Regioplan,
just under four percent of retail
space in Austria is vacant, primarily
in small to medium-sized cities.
The trend towards a decline
in retail space has thus continued
unabated for ten years.
T
TOPS
O M
OF THE MONTH
TOM
TOPS
OPS F THE ONTH
OF THE
RETAIL REAL ESTATE
Essential News About The Players In In
The Retail Real Property Estate Market In in Germany
IMPRINT
MONTH
Publisher:
Business News Group GmbH
Address:
Alexanderstraße 16
45130 Essen
Germany
Tel. 0049-201-874 55 28
Web: www.hi-heute.de
Mail: tom@hi-heute.de
Frequency of publication:
monthly
Circulation: approx. 5000 copies
sent by e-mail
Editorial team: Susanne Müller,
Thorsten Müller
Responsible in terms of press
law: Thorsten Müller
Layout: K4-PR, Essen
THE HOT
INTERVIE
+++ PART
ANALYSE
presente
March

www.wisag.de
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Page 13 T O M
INTERVIEW August 2023
„We want to create one of the most
sustainable quarters in the world!“
Project worth billions at Behrens-Ufer in Berlin - Interview with DIEAG CEO Robert Sprajcar
Between Alexanderplatz and
Berlin Airport, Berlin-based
DIE Deutsche Immobilien
Entwicklungs AG (DIEAG)
is planning to build one of the
world‘s most innovative and
sustainable commercial districts:
More than 1.1 billion
euros will be invested in the
ten-hectare former industrial
site. Retail and gastronomy
will also be located here in the
future. TOM Editor-in-Chief
Thorsten Müller spoke to
CEO Robert Sprajcar about
this.
TOM: Mr. Sprajcar, you are
responsible for a billion-dollar
project on Behrens-Ufer with
a wide variety of realizations.
How did the idea for it actually
come about and what is the
vision behind it?
Robert Sprajcar: We were
inspired by the history of the
site. In 1895, the world‘s first
three-phase power plant laid
the foundations not only for the
electrification of Berlin, but also
for the establishment of innovative
manufacturing companies.
More than 100 years ago, the
entire industrial belt was already
rushing ahead of development.
Then a future location,
now a future location.
The progressive thoughts on the
marriage of functionality and
aesthetics, of productivity and
the social, as represented by the
Werkbund at the beginning of
the 20th century, are still reflected
today in the unique industrial
architecture of the location.
We tie in with this and think of
neighborhood design from the
user, i.e., from the human point
of view. This inevitably leads
to all relevant development
directions, which ensure that
the Behrens-Ufer is built as an
urban technology quarter with a
secure future. Our vision is therefore
also to build nothing less
than one of the world‘s most
sustainable commercial city
quarters, where people take center
stage.
TOM: How big is your team at
the moment and from which
areas of work is it recruited?
Robert Sprajcar: Our core
Robert Sprajcar
team within DIEAG consists of
around 20 people, all of whom
come from a wide range of disciplines,
including civil engineering,
architecture, communications,
politics, art and culture,
and social science research.
We also need the professional
diversity to be able to guarantee
the implementation of our vision.
Furthermore, we naturally
have experienced partners in
planning, construction, project
development, as well as competent
contacts in the offices and
in civil society, without whose
constructive contribution such a
project would not work.
TOM: From your point of
view, what is exceptional about
this project?
Photo: DIEAG
A project worth billions in Berlin: Behrens-Ufer combines a wide
variety of elements from urban development, business, science, art
and culture.
Photo:DIEAG
Robert Sprajcar: The holistic
nature of the project development
approach and our vision
are what make it exceptional.
The vision is based on the combination
of various elements
from urban planning, business,
science, art and culture, including
community building for
the participatory further development
of the neighborhood,
which is of course already having
an impact on the project
development in the early implementation
phase. Finally,
the sheer scale of the project as
a complete neighborhood development
enables us to synergistically
interweave individual
technical systems into holistic
cycles, e.g. in sustainable energy
supply, cycle management
and neighborhood logistics.
TOM: As a trade publication
for retail real estate, we are of
course particularly interested
in the implementation of the
planned retail and gastronomy
areas. Can you say anything
more about this already?
Robert Sprajcar: We are planning
a total of 20,000 sqm for
event, retail and gastronomy
uses. There are concrete plans
for use and corresponding tenants
are already in the planning
stage. Furthermore, in our
„innovation LABs“ there are
also dedicated working groups,
among others with popular and
unique Berlin restaurateurs as
well as developers from the
field of urban agriculture with a
focus on vertical farming, who
are working together on completely
new, unique, gastronomy
and supply concepts. Retail
is planned for a maximum of
3,000 square meters (sustainability-oriented
local suppliers and
other serving areas).
TOM: Nowadays, the sustainability/ESG
aspect plays an
immense role in such construction
projects. How do you
do justice to this?
Robert Sprajcar: Our ambition
is to create one of the most
sustainable neighborhoods in
the world. We have based our
project development approach
on ESG principles from the
very beginning, but we go far
beyond the usual standards. As
a result, the usual sustainability
certifications are merely a windfall.
We combine sustainabilityoriented
approaches to building
physics and energy technology
with questions of use, both in a
productive and social sense, and
thus create an urban quarter that
is completely self-sufficient in
electricity, heating and cooling
from renewable energy sources
and offers the highest quality
of stay in a completely public
outdoor area, taking advantage
of the natural conditions on site
(southern orientation of the site,
water location, quarter-related
scale and synergy effects, etc.).
We are creating a model quarter
of the „smart city“ with an urban
mix of uses - albeit without
housing - and short distances, a
district-wide integrated circular
economy, rainwater management
and much more.

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Page 15 T O M
INTERVIEW August 2023
Social changes determine store design
TOM interview with Klaus Schwitzke, managing partner of Schwitzke GmbH
The time of uniform design
trends in shopfitting is over
- the new megatrends are
leading to different design
approaches. TOM editor-inchief
Thorsten Müller conducted
an interview with Klaus
Schwitzke on this subject. The
design graduate is, together
with his brother Karl, managing
partner of Schwitzke
GmbH in Düsseldorf. Here he
is responsible for the development,
design and realization
of successful brands.
TOM: Mr. Schwitzke, what
significance do people‘s economic
circumstances actually
have in terms of future store
design?
Klaus Schwitzke: Certainly
not a minor one. Two sections
of society with different consumer
behavior face each other:
the target group that shops in a
price-conscious manner, such as
young families who cover pure
needs, or the single person looking
for the latest trends at affordable
prices. Retail concepts
that strive for price leadership
cater to this customer expectation
and this affects store design.
Everything that is not necessary
is left out. Design is driven by
function and cost. Staging: missing!
Online retail and omnichannel
play a subordinate role.
Differentiation in these retail
formats takes place through graphic-communicative
elements
(visual language, merchandising
technology, colorfulness,
fonts). Efficiency determines
the design.
On the other hand, the target
group of experience shoppers
is becoming more demanding.
Here, the guiding principle is:
discover, inspire, entertain - as
a market principle or shopping
streets with small stores. Lasting
experiences and individualized
services impress the customers.
The design must be unique and
memorable. The keyboard ranges
from gallery-like staging
(Gentle Monster) to the celebration
of pleasure (Starbucks
Roastery) to hospitality formats
(Restoration Hardware). There
are no limits to exclusivity and
the pursuit of uniqueness. Brand
and storytelling is king!
TOM: Doesn‘t demographic
Klaus Schwitzke
change also demand new answers?
Klaus Schwitzke: Yes. The
aging society will noticeably
change the retail industry and
lead to a shortage of skilled
workers. Efficiency-driven retail
formats will further reduce
the number of employees.
The first restaurant chains are
demonstrating this - with cooking
robots. Stores without
staff will shape our retail landscape.
Sensor technology will
play an increasingly important
role in planning. Automation
of merchandise procurement
and stocking is making inroads.
Check-out will occur as part of
a seamless shopping experience
without checkouts or self-scan
stations. Orientation, product
information and evaluation of
product features will be provided
virtually.
However, we are also encountering
a relevant target group
that is retired and has consumer
budget and time. They want a
pleasant meeting place with a
special atmosphere, with excellent
service and events to participate
in. Human interaction is
what makes shopping an experience.
With more staff who can
meet these demands. The battle
for talent with social skills is intensifying.
Again, design must
take this into account and provide
an adequate stage for the
employee.
Photo: Schwitzke GmbH
TOM: Has the prime location
had its day?
Klaus Schwitzke: The store as
a source of information is no
longer the first choice. Consumers
today inform themselves
via social media and online
platforms. This means that an
increasing proportion of purchases
are being made online.
As a result, frequencies in traditional
shopping locations will
continue to decline. The new
high-frequency locations are
traffic hubs or high-frequency
retail parks, and they offer
a new home for convenience
concepts or discount stores.
The design will take convenience
and time savings into
account. Here, a clear profile,
good orientation and simple
processes are the recipe for
success.
The locations for experience
concepts will differentiate
and partly migrate to urban
quarters. The creative formulation
of the local character
will become more important
and more demanding. The following
will emerge: regional
concepts that avoid all digital
technology, with the exception
of social media activities, and
distinguish themselves through
their personal character, as
well as omnichannel concepts
that make the store a place of
encounter, experience and services
(showrooming), with
the actual conclusion of the
purchase taking place online.
These store formats offer a lot
of space, atmosphere and inspiration.
TOM: What role do environmental
crisis and sustainable
business play?
Klaus Schwitzke: Sustainable
store design has been demonstrated
to us by greenfield food
retailers - as their own real estate
developers. There is no alternative
to this, because driven
by EU directives, non-ESG real
estate is losing value. Certified
sustainability projects (LEED,
DGNB, BREEAM, etc.) do not
change the fact that, as a rule,
buildings are still built first,
then demolished and finally
disposed of. We need to come
to a complete rethink. Not only
recycle, but reuse all materials
in the sense of a true circular
economy must be implemented.
The sustainable use of materials
demands a different design. In
planning processes, the design
of stores will create a digital
twin that documents material
use and recyclability. Construction
is the biggest contributor to
CO2 emissions - building for
retail must do its part.
TOM: What does it look like
in terms of individualization?
Is it the end of the line?
Klaus Schwitzke: We have two
decades of globalization behind
us - characterized by travel and
digitization. We eat sushi, dance
the tango and travel the images
that are fed to us by algorithms.
This has led to a global aesthetic
that has harmonized the way
we all consume. Is the longing
for the foreign and for uniqueness
oversaturated? The desire
for regionality, for home, for the
familiar is becoming the new
place of longing. Slow retail
has many manifestations. The
success of farm stores is one variety.
Reuse, improvisation, use
of existing materials determine
the design. Other retail formats
also reflect the idea of home
and are successful in their local
locations: stores for cultural institutions,
fan stores, etc. These
places need to be designed - authentic,
approachable, trusting
with a clear attitude. Individuality
instead of reproduction.

MOVE
CLOSER

Page 17 T O M
MAP OF THE MONTH August 2023
Retail share of private consumption, Europe 2022
GfK’s Map of the Month for August shows the retail
share of private consumption in 31 European countries
in 2022. In 2022, the retail share of private consumption
declined for the first time in years, amounting
to 34.2 percent across the EU. The front-runner was
Hungary with 49.2 percent, followed by Croatia (47.5
percent) and Bulgaria (46.8 percent). Germany, on the
other hand, brought up the rear with just 27.4 percent.