In 2024, nearly 80,000 sqm of new, modernized, or expanded retail parks were completed in the Czech Republic, now totalling 1.3 million sqm of retail space – almost a third of the total retail space capacity on the market. The highest concentration of these shopping parks is in the Central Bohemian Region, while the Olomouc Region leads in terms of retail space per 1,000 inhabitants. The growth momentum continues – currently, more than 70,000 sqm is under construction with planned completion in 2025, with the most construction happening in the Ústí nad Labem and Central Bohemian Regions. In 2026, developers plan to add 45 retail parks to the market with a total area of over 220,000 sqm.
The supply of modern retail space in the Czech Republic reached nearly four million square meters (3.98 million sqm) by the end of 2024. Retail parks, which are commercial zones with several standalone stores each having its entrance and a shared parking lot, now make up 33 percent of this total volume. Traditional shopping centres account for approximately 65 percent, and the remaining 2 percent are outlets. The share of retail parks in the total volume of modern retail space in the Czech Republic increased from 27 percent in 2019 to 33 percent in 2024. The area of retail parks has grown by 32 percent over the last 5 years.
Jan Čížek, Head of Retail Warehousing at Cushman & Wakefield, said: “The construction of retail parks has been booming since 2023. Many projects were postponed due to the uncertain COVID-19 period and are now being realized. Thanks to simpler and faster construction, they can respond more flexibly to retailers’ demand for available space. The usual construction time is within one year. Unlike shopping centres, where the market is already saturated, the construction of retail parks is expected to see several very active years with many interesting projects.”
The largest project completed last year was the new retail park Obchodní Centrum Hvězdárna in Jindřichův Hradec with a total sales area of 14,200 sqm and 17 retail units. Another significant project was the new construction of the S1 Center Slaný retail park with an area of 5,500 sqm and 9 retail units. The third largest project last year was the construction of the S1 Center shopping park in Krnov with a sales area of 5,100 sqm.
Jan Čížek, said: “In 2024, projects were developed in district towns with 15,000 – 30,000 inhabitants. In 2025 and 2026, investors will focus more on smaller towns with projects involving several tenants. The most active player in this area recently has been Portin, which has the largest number of completed and planned projects.”
Developers Target Smaller Towns in the Ústí nad Labem and Central Bohemian Regions
The largest current construction of retail park shopping areas is in the Ústí nad Labem Region (27 percent) and the Central Bohemian Region (23 percent). While in the past developers targeted towns with populations around 20,000 to 40,000, they are now focusing on locations with 5,000 to 15,000 inhabitants.
The highest share of retail parks per 1,000 inhabitants is in the Olomouc Region, followed by the Vysočina Region and the South Bohemian Region.
The composition of tenants in retail parks remains unchanged, primarily focusing on daily necessities and consisting mainly of food retailers, drugstores, pet supply stores, electronics, and home goods stores, as well as the increasingly popular discount stores.
Jan Čížek, said: “Investors are building projects even in smaller towns and adapting them to the catchment area, project size, and tenant composition. Retailers thus have the opportunity to offer their goods to customers close to their homes, significantly shortening shopping time. This is a trend we have been observing for several years.”
Among the largest owners of retail parks is Saller Group, which owns approximately 15 percent of the total retail park area in the Czech Republic. The second largest owner is InterCora with a 13 percent share.
