PRESS

Easter, along with Christmas, is one of the most important seasons in the retail world. Business during the Easter season is in full swing again this year at all SES shopping centers. As a result of the ongoing pandemic, brick-and-mortar retailers had to forego the high-turnover season last year, but this year, they are eager to make the most of it once again. The Easter Bunny is a major sales driver, especially in the sports, book, and toy sectors. The decorative items sector operating within the 17 centers across Austria has also reported good sales to date. In addition to sweets to fill Easter baskets, gifts, such as children's bicycles, backpacks, books, scooters, inline skates, toys, computer games, and consoles are in high demand. The Easter Bunny, after all, is known to be quite generous. In terms of table settings, demand for fine china is particularly strong. In the weeks leading up to Easter, sales of "Zehner" gift certificates are, on average, 20% to 30% higher than in months in which there is no seasonal focus, and the trend is upward.

Attractive retail locations are not only appealing to customers – they also draw in expanding retailers in search of the best locations. Once again, SES aims to demonstrate the validity of such a concept via its 2021 store offensive. In spite of the economically challenging times in the brick-and-mortar retail sector, which have been brought about by the pandemic, new chain stores and service providers have been secured for SES shopping centers. Since February, numerous new stores from the textile, footwear, DIY, and service sectors have opened across Austria, including HUMA ELEVEN in Vienna, MURPARK in Graz, SILLPARK in Innsbruck, ATRIO in Villach, VARENA in Vöcklabruck, and the managed shopping street in aspern Seestadt in Vienna. Gastronomy facilities, which are set to begin operations after the pandemic-related restrictions have been lifted, are also included among them. Many stores have been remodeled and now showcase the latest concepts. SES has also recently opened a new retail park in Hungary and intends to continue its expansion strategy in the years to come.

On Thursday, 11 March, SES Spar European Shopping Centers, the owner and operator of S-PARK Kaposvár, opened the most modern retail park in the Somogy region. As a result of a renewed lockdown in the country, only those stores that are deemed essential for the provision of basic goods and services to the population have been allowed to open: A 6,800-square-meter INTERSPAR store, a 600-square-meter dm drugstore, and a 150-square-meter Ofotért optical retail store now offer an appealing range of products and services to local neighborhoods. S-PARK, which boasts 560 free parking spaces and an excellent location, can be easily and optimally accessed. As soon as official Hungarian regulations permit, all other stores located at S-PARK, such as Hervis, Deichmann, Euronics, Pepco, and KIK, will go into full operation. The segment and shop mix, which includes a total of 10 stores, covering a leasable area of 11,200 m², will deliver a comprehensive and high-quality range of brands and services to Kaposvár and the surrounding region.