Germany's organic food revolution reaches new heights as Catella Investment Management locks in a 15-year lease with Alnatura for a supersized 2,000m² flagship store in Tübingen's Depot Areal retail park. The deal, set to open in early 2026, positions the development as a cornerstone of Germany's booming €15bn organic food market, which has grown 180% over the past decade.
The expansion represents a doubling of Alnatura's existing footprint within the same retail park, signalling exceptional tenant satisfaction and location performance that should reassure investors about the site's long-term viability. Crucially for institutional investors, the organic retail sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience during economic downturns, with premium positioning and customer loyalty providing defensive characteristics rarely seen in conventional retail formats.
Catella's 10,279m² Depot Areal development, acquired in 2020 for the open-ended real estate fund "IWS II - Wirtschaftsregion Süddeutschland", showcases the growing institutional appetite for experiential retail destinations. The new Alnatura concept features spacious sales areas, an open façade design, and integrated indoor-outdoor seating, targeting the affluent Baden-Württemberg demographic where household spending on organic food exceeds the national average by 40%.
Michael Keune, Managing Director of Catella Investment Management, commented: "Alnatura's decision to lease a larger space highlights the strong appeal of this location and represents a major step forward in the comprehensive enhancement of the Depot site. At the same time, we think that the new concept aligns seamlessly with the city of Tübingen's urban development vision as a green and ecologically focused community."
The sustainability credentials extend beyond product offerings, with the supermarket implementing a comprehensive green energy concept featuring heat pump systems, LED lighting throughout, and 100% renewable electricity sourced from German wind and solar installations. This ESG positioning appeals to institutional investors increasingly mandated to meet sustainability targets, while operational cost savings from energy efficiency could boost net operating income by an estimated 15-20% compared to conventional retail formats.
Lucas Trenciansky & Valentin Fuchs, responsible for expansion and real estate at Alnatura, stated: "We are thrilled to open what will then become our largest Alnatura Super Natur Markt at the new Depot site and the largest organic supermarket in Germany in terms of floor space. This marks a milestone for Alnatura and sets the course for our continued growth."
People Mentioned:
- Michael Keune, Managing Director, Catella Investment Management
- Lucas Trenciansky, Expansion and Real Estate, Alnatura
- Valentin Fuchs, Expansion and Real Estate, Alnatura
Companies Mentioned:
- Catella Investment Management GmbH (CIM) - Real estate investment management company (landlord)
- Catella Real Estate AG - AIFM platform of Catella Investment Management
- Alnatura - Organic food producer and retailer (tenant)
- IWS II - Wirtschaftsregion Süddeutschland - Open-ended real estate special fund
Image Source: Catella Investment Management
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