The expansion activity in Austrian trade is increasing again easily. This emerges from the first results of this year’s Shopping Center Performance Report Austria (SCPROE 2025), which ECOSTRA GmbH created on behalf of the Austria trade association. Accordingly, branch companies plan an average of 2.9 new openings – with 1.6 expected closures at the same time.
The strongest expansion magnet remains the city center: high -frequency layers in the center with a value of Ø 1.98 (scale 1–5) are clearly in front of inner -city malls (2.67), retail centers (2.81) and locations on the “green meadow” (3,29). “The results show new opportunities for the city-when cities work specifically on quality of stay and infrastructure,” explains Ecostra Managing Director Joachim Will. Commercial association managing director Rainer also wants to emphasize: “Diversity, suitability for everyday use and shorter ways speak for central locations-but shopping centers also remain significant sales locations.”
The biggest challenges from the dealers’ perspective remain the increased location costs. Index rents (Ø 1,25) and additional costs (Ø 1.56) were mentioned by the companies surveyed as the most serious problems in the operation of shops in shopping centers – even before personnel bottlenecks (Ø 2.13), consumption retention (2.25) and falling frequencies (2.37). Two thirds of the dealers have recently had talks with landlords about rental adjustments. Two thirds also speak out for more sales -based rental models.
The complete results of the SCPRO 2025 and the current ranking of the best rated shopping centers will be presented on September 18 as part of the new commercial area forum in Vienna. The top performers are also awarded there among the shopping malls and retail parks.
In the report, 70 branchists rate 156 locations, including 97 shopping malls and 59 retail centers.
