Non-food goods purchases rose by around 13% this year against 2023, reaching 60% higher values than the 2018-2019 average, in line with Eurostat data. Also, Romania registers a 58% increase in non-food retail turnover volume, the EU’s highest.
Modern shopping centers with an overall leasable area of above 160,000 square meters have been built this year, in line with preliminary data quoted by Colliers consultants, who underscore the local market still offers a significant growth potential.
“Various retailers’ results show Romania is constantly delivering either the best or among the best performances in the EU in terms of profit margins. This points to a low level of competition, meaning there is still room for new players on the market. Physical retail outlooks are encouraging, supported by consumption expenses, falling interest rates, strengthening consumer confidence and the steady increase in the number of tourists,” says Silviu Pop, CEE & Romania Research Director at Colliers.
A preliminary estimate for 2025 envisages around 200,000 square meters of new deliveries. Thus, Romania is likely to go beyond the 5 million square meter threshold in terms of retail spaces by end-2026.
(English version by Catalina Apostoiu)