Industrial and retail continue to drive investments in Romania

Business Forum
Recent market data by CBRE confirm the resilience of the industrial and retail sectors, which are seeing a sustained pace of construction this year.

Recent developments have delivered 67,500 sqm of new space, and another 300,000 sqm is expected by year-end, in a balanced pipeline that meets the strong demand from logistics, production, and storage.

During Q1 2025, total leasing activity in the industrial and logistics sector reached 204,400 sqm, comparable to the record years of 2023 and 2024. Demand was diverse, spanning all regions of the country, with Bucharest accounting for 62% of total transactions. 

The integration of Romania into the Schengen area at the beginning of 2025 has further strengthened the attractiveness of the industrial market for nearshoring and major logistics investments.

"The solid demand, spread across all regions of the country, and the investors' interest in Romania reaffirm our position as a strategic regional logistics hub," states Răzvan Iorgu, Managing Director & Head of Industrial & Logistics, CBRE Romania.

The retail sector also continues to outperform expectations. The modern stock has increased to 4.51 million sqm, with new retail parks being delivered, and another 188,000 sqm of retail space is projected by the end of 2025. Prime monthly rents in shopping centers have seen an annual increase of 6.25%, reaching €85 per sqm.

“This evolution is fueled both by domestic demand driven by consumption and the gap compared to the development level of neighboring countries in CEE. Compared to Poland, Romania has a 44% lower density in retail and a 58% lower density in the industrial segment," details Laura Dumea-Bencze, Head of Research & Director Investment Properties, CBRE Romania.

RECOMMENDED
CEE industrial market becomes more selective and data-driven
Real estate

CEE industrial market becomes more selective and data-driven

The industrial real estate market in CEE has entered 2025 with strong momentum. According to new market data released by iO Partners, the total stock of industrial space has reached 34.4 million sqm in Q1 2025, marking a 1.1% quarter-on-quarter increase. 

Lions Head secures permit for logistics park in Romania
Real estate

Lion's Head secures permit for logistics park in Romania

Lion's Head Investments has secured the building permit for its first logistics park in Romania. The company will invest €65 million in the industrial project located in Popești-Leordeni, near Bucharest, for which construction is slated to start in Q3 2025.

Pro-EU shift in CEE: Bucharest mayor wins, Warsaw next?
Real estate

Pro-EU shift in CEE: Bucharest mayor wins, Warsaw next?

In a significant political shift for CEE, Romania elected Nicușor Dan as president on May 18, 2025, while Poland's pro-European candidate Rafał Trzaskowski narrowly led the first round of its presidential election. These outcomes suggest a regional move toward centrist, pro-EU leadership.

EBRD downgrades 2025 growth forecast for most CEE countries
Real estate

EBRD downgrades 2025 growth forecast for most CEE countries

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has cut its 2025 growth forecast for its regions by 0.2 percentage points to 3.0%, with a moderate rebound to 3.4% expected in 2026. This follows a similar downgrade in February and reflects mounting global headwinds, including rising trade policy uncertainty, softening external demand, and newly imposed tariffs.

RECOMMENDED FROM THE HOME PAGE
Industry

ECDL and AOAR launch AI guide for Romanian SMEs

The GhidAI.ro platform, a joint effort by ECDL Romania – ICDL Certification and the Association of Romanian Businesspeople (AOAR), has been launched to provide entrepreneurs...

READ MORE
Business Forum  |  24 June, 2025 at 8:00 PM