3.5 %
THINK ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES MAKE A GOOD ADDITION TO SHOPPING CENTERS*
200
INCREASE IN SPACE USED FOR LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT AT ECE CENTERS IN GERMANY OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS
18.000
INCREASE IN SPACE USED FOR LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT AT ECE CENTERS IN GERMANY OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS
3,4 Mio.
INCREASE IN SPACE USED FOR LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT AT ECE CENTERS IN GERMANY OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS
THE FUTURE OF THE SHOPPING CENTER
FLEXIBILITY
IS THE KEY TO
SUCCESS
-
JOANNA FISHER, CEO,
ECE MARKETPLACES
It's often said that retail is constantly changing – and that’s truer now than ever. In the course of our 60-year history, ECE has experienced time and again how dynamically the market changes. At the same time, we have learned to constantly adapt ourselves and our business model to new requirements, to remain flexible, and to help actively shape the shopping center sector, partly with innovative visions of the future, but also through our dedicated involvement in industry associations. Joanna Fisher, CEO of ECE Marketplaces, has actively capitalized on the challenges of recent years: “We have consistently repositioned ourselves on a fantastic foundation in order to continue to meet future market requirements. I am particularly pleased with the positive feedback we have received from our customers.“
THE SHOPPING CENTER IS A RESILIENT ASSET CLASS
Shopping centers have shown themselves to be one of the most stable asset classes in the real estate sector – despite increasing competition from online retailers, economic challenges, and increasing ESG requirements. With excellent rental performances for 2024 and in - creased sales, ECE demonstrates that shopping centers have the potential to not merely survive but also thrive in the future.
Whether international brands or regional retailers, existing tenants or new partners, numerous retailers continue to rely on the attractive mix of customers with real purchasing power, high footfall, and the diverse mix of retail, restaurants, and entertainment. In addition, they benefit from the flexibility afforded by shopping centers and the expansion opportunities available with ECE – both within a country and across borders. In the fourth quarter of 2025, for example, Stradivarius, Bershka, and Pull&Bear, three fashionable Inditex concepts, will open their doors on a space occupying more than 3,000 m² at the Thier-Galerie in Dortmund. And at LOOM in Bielefeld, the world’s largest ONLY store – occupying 2,000 m² – will attract visitors from fall 2025.
“We have consistently repositioned ourselves on a fantastic foundation in order to continue to meet future market requirements. I am particularly pleased with the positive feedback we have received from our customers.“
JOANNA FISHER, CEO, ECE MARKETPLACES
ACTIVELY SHAPING TRANSFORMATION
The success of a center largely depends on its ongoing development. It is important to have a mix of sectors and tenants in tune with the location and the needs of the target group. In Germany is a growing trend toward mixed-use concepts that combine retail with services, leisure and entertainment facilities, or housing to complement and enhance the retail offering. ESG criteria are another essential aspect that should be taken into consideration during the ongoing development of any center.
HELPING TO SHAPE INDUSTRY STANDARDS
ECE is also actively involved at association level – for example through Joanna Fisher as Chairwoman of the ECSP (European Council of Shopping Places). She has the opportunity to put forward the perspective of the shopping center industry in European legislative processes and ensures that regulations – particularly on ESG – can be implemented in a practical manner.
Rosengårdcentret in Denmark has been continuously developed and expanded with new offerings from various sectors in recent years.
WELL POSITIONED FOR THE FUTURE
In addition to our many years of experience and flexibility, key factors in ECE’s success include our size and international presence. These enable to continuously optimize products and business processes, through digitalization, for example, as well as further growth – especially in markets such as Poland and Spain. ECE has also been active in China for more than ten years – with our own subsidiary in Shanghai since 2019. The Asia design team has since successfully completed more than 40 projects in 17 cities across China. //
“As the market leader with 60 years of experience and international expertise, we are driving the transformation of our shopping centers together with the owners – flexible and futureoriented.”
JOANNA FISHER, CEO, ECE MARKETPLACES
3.5 %
RISE IN SALES IN 2024 VS. 2023 IN ALL ECE CENTERS
200
SHOPPING CENTERS IN TEN COUNTRIES
18,000
SHOPS IN ECE CENTERS
3.4 million
MILLION DAILY VISITORS TO ECE CENTERS
ECE Marketplaces has been successful in retail real estate for 60 years. As a European market leader, it leverages its experience and expertise to continuously develop its managed shopping centers with a location-specific, innovative, and future-oriented approach — always focused on evolving market trends, changing customer preferences, and growing ESG requirements.
