As the issue of land policy becomes more important across vast swathes of Europe, so the debate about shopping centre development rages on as well. In many countries protecting and maintaining city centres has taken on political and social overtones with out-of-town schemes perceived as the kiss of death for local shopkeepers. A trend back towards town centres is now apparent in much of Europe with implications for the size and scope of new shopping centre developments.

As the issue of land policy becomes more important across vast swathes of Europe, so the debate about shopping centre development rages on as well. In many countries protecting and maintaining city centres has taken on political and social overtones with out-of-town schemes perceived as the kiss of death for local shopkeepers. A trend back towards town centres is now apparent in much of Europe with implications for the size and scope of new shopping centre developments.

In this report Mintel examines the current state of the shopping centre sector across Europe, where it fits into the broader retail environment, and provides detailed listings of and information on the leading centres in 19 major European countries.

Each market examination includes studies of:

background economic and demographic data

market sizes and prospects (including SWOT analysis)

regional retailing trends and issues

planning policies

market drivers

consumer expenditure

leading operators

market forecasts