According to global real estate adviser CB Richard Ellis, retail property investment activity is on the rise in many parts of Europe[1]. Citing “stronger and faster growing economies” in countries like Germany, Poland and Russia, the investment firm is showing that retail investment in Europe has reached 20.1 billion euros in the first half of 2011 alone and that a wider range of buyers is moving into the markets. Although sovereign debt remains a serious issue in Europe, in countries with strong economies the markets remain extremely robust and are attracting many investors. “Equity investors today are eager to obtain assets in the more economically and fiscally sound countries,” explained CBRE European retail investment head John Welham.
However, investors do not view all European countries as equal anymore, which is a shift from past patterns. For countries in Europe that are dealing with economic issues like the UK, the news is not so good. A recent survey indicates that nearly half of all industry analysts expect UK commercial property values to fall across the board in 2011 [2].
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[1] http://www.investmentinternational.com/news/property/retail-property-investment-in-europe-on-the-increase-4840.html
[2]http://www.commercialfinancegroup.co.uk/news/11638-european-retail-commercial-property-investment-on-the-rise
