ARAM (Active Retail Asset Management), a leading specialist leasing and property management firm in the Czech Republic, has announced impressive performance figures for 2016, and confirms signing 102 retail deals with a total GLA of 19,235 sqm at shopping centres Forum Nova Karolina and Futurum Hradec Králové.
Forum Nova Karolina Ostrava, the 58,000 sqm scheme, leads the way as star performer with 67 lease renewals and welcoming 13 new retailers to the centre in 2016. New retailers included ladies and men’s fashion brand GATE, on-trend food concept UGO Salaterie, sportswear retailer 4F’s third store in Czech Republic and the bookshop NeoLuxor, all of which new to the region. The strong performance was supported by sales increasing +7 percent and footfall rising +5 percent year-on-year.
ARAM’s 24,270 sqm centre Futurum Hradec Králové followed suit by signing 5 new brands, and renewing a total of 17 leases. Among these new brands is VEBA, clothing and home textiles company, taking 110 sqm in the scheme. The renewals included anchor tenants womenswear brand Lindex, fashion retailer Humanic and Takko, the fashion and lifestyle retailer. The scheme also saw its sales grow by +5 percent compared to 2015.
Lenka Matthews, Leasing Director at ARAM, said, “2016 has been a very busy and exceptionally rewarding year for ARAM. The amount of new transactions completed at Forum Nová Karolina and Futurum Hradec Králové is evidence that the Czech retail market is benefitting from a growing economy. We are focused on working closely with international and Central and Eastern Europe brands looking to enter the Czech market and take space in our schemes, which will further strengthen the competitive positions for our centres.”
A spokesperson from Meyer Bergman, owners of Forum Nova Karolina, said “Forum Nova Karolina is coming into its fifth year of operation, and after opening in 2012 during challenging economic times, it’s fantastic to achieve continued year on year growth results. The renewals demonstrate retailer confidence in the scheme reinforcing our position as the region’s leading fashion and leisure centre.”
