ICSC takes retail leasing experts into Serbia (RS)

The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) is holding a leasing seminar in Belgrade, its first event in Serbia, as the country's retail development continues despite the economic recession. The event comes just after Delta City shopping centre, developed by Delta Estates, won the internationally-coveted ICSC European Shopping Centre Award.

Rastko Djokic of Serbian development company, MPC Properties, who is chairing the seminar, said: "The retail development sector in Serbia must capitalise on ICSC's industry knowledge from across Europe. In a challenging retail market we want to give customers an exciting shopping experience as well as maximizing profitability for both retailers and owners."

Keynote speaker at the ICSC event will be Flemming Mervog, Leasing Director at award-winning Scandinavian developer, Steen & Strøm, who will focus on 'Selling shopping centres as branded concepts, not commodities, in an economic crisis."

As an increasing number of international retailers with the finance and strategy already in place, seek opportunities in new countries, Serbia's growing retail sector is becoming increasingly attractive, as it spreads out from Belgrade and into other towns and cities such as Nis, Novi Sad and the growing city of Kragujevac.

Djokic added: "There are a number of shopping centres currently under construction in Serbia, with others in the pipeline and the number of major international retail tenants seeking a presence in the country is growing. The opening of Serbia's largest retail centre to date, Usce Shopping Mall, in April saw more new brands such as Koton, Attrattivo and Sisley come into the market. The ICSC Leasing Seminar will provide valuable information and expertise to both retailers and developers, as well as giving attendees a lot of opportunity to ask questions and discuss the industry in depth."

Source: Nicky Godding Communications

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