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.

“Between the lockdowns last year, we managed to draw relatively close to our “normal level” rather quickly. That shows us that people are staying true to their routines and that the path we are on is the right one. First and foremost, our primary focus is on constantly optimizing the offer for customers, creating the perfect shop mix for each respective region, and maintaining strong partnerships – this is particularly true during this time of the pandemic,” says Christoph Andexlinger, Chief Operations Officer at SES Spar European Shopping Centers, explaining the focused expansion policy, adding: “The time for true pioneers is upon us, both with respect to the operators and in terms of retail concepts: The focus must be clearly directed toward a successful future.”

Store Debut in the Upper Austrian Lake District Featuring Europe’s Leading Streetwear Supplier, SNIPES, Staring on 1 April at VARENA Vöcklabruck
On 1 April, Snipes, one of Europe's most successful streetwear chains, is due to open its first store in the Upper Austrian lake district at VARENA Vöcklabruck. The brand is representative of urban culture for young people and the young at heart and offers exclusive novelties, brand collaborations, and a limited in-house collection. There are currently more than 400 SNIPES stores in Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Belgium, and Italy. In addition to the new opening, VARENA ensures that its existing stores are kept up to date through regular modernization. Jack & Jones, Intimissimi, Calzedonia, A1, and Northland, among others, have implemented the latest store concepts at VARENA and are increasingly focused on combining the digital brand experience with brick-and-mortar shopping.

Vienna’s First LET’S DOIT Omni-channel DIY Center at HUMA ELEVEN
“Let’s Do It” will become the official motto at HUMA ELEVEN in Vienna-Simmering from mid-April. The modern DIY and garden center of the same name is opening its first store in Vienna and celebrating its premiere within a shopping center. Via its flagship store, the omni-channel DIY and garden center intends to focus on consulting expertise and will offer an in-store test center, comparison zones, as well as a wide range of digital elements.

Ernsting’s family – First Textile Chain Store for the Managed Shopping Street in Aspern
Ernsting’s family, the popular German fashion group offering apparel for families, moved into the heart of the managed shopping street in Vienna's aspern Seestadt on 5 March; the modern branch covers an area of 175 m² and is the 100th branch in Austria. The local supply offer in the new district has thus been expanded by yet another sector. Europe’s showcase project for urban development, aspern Seestadt Vienna, is managed by SES, and the shopping street is expected to grow to 28 stores and 7,000 square meters of retail space by the end of 2021. As soon as gastronomy establishments are allowed to reopen, HABIBI&HAWARA, a restaurant specializing in Austrian-Asian fusion cuisine, will also enter the scene as a popular Viennese local hero.

The restaurant was scheduled to open in November, but its Seestadt debut had to be postponed until the first half of 2021 as a result of the lockdown.

FLAMINGO – Trendy Italian Fashion Now Available at SILLPARK
Flamingo, a modern, stylish store in which elegant fashion, combined with trendy colors, meets Italian styles, opened its doors in February. The opening of the new store has helped SILLPARK live up to its reputation as a fashion destination. In addition to Austria's first Primark and Peek&Cloppenburg, which has been open since fall 2020, the center is in a constant state of expanding its fashion offering. A new alteration/tailor shop and laundromat have also recently enriched the range of services offered at the Innsbruck center.

New Barbershop and Tea Shop Open at MURPARK Graz
ZEROCUT also opened its first barbershop at MURPARK Graz in February. In just a few weeks’ time, BOBA Tea&Juice is set to launch its first store in Graz at MURPARK.

“Zum Augustin” Offers New Cuising, and “my Indigo” and “Dunkin’ Donuts” Expand Trendy Food Range at ATRIO Villach
Dunkin’ Donuts is due to offer its high-quality donut varieties, aromatic Fairtrade coffee, and refreshing drinks at the ATRIO from 15 April.

“Zum Augustin”, a traditional brewery, which is extremely well-known in Carinthia, is scheduled to open at ATRIO in Villach at the beginning of May, complete with a beer garden. The Klagenfurt-based entrepreneurial family’s tried and tested culinary concept will be implemented in the form of an architecturally unique expansion in the shopping center’s outdoor area: Traditional Carinthian food as well as beer brewed in-house and based on the family's own recipe will be served.

At the beginning of May, "my Indigo" also promises to deliver energy and joie de vivre, offering high-energy, low-carb, mild or spicy, vegetarian or vegan, and gluten-free or lactose-free food – all without artificial additives or preservatives.

Expansion in Hungary as Well:
On 11 March, SES opened a new retail park in Hungary, covering 11,200 m² of GLA, thereby continuing its strategy of location expansion over the next few years. S-PARK Kaposvár is SES' 30th shopping location in six countries.