Economy | 16 December, 2024 at 10:11 AM
Romania leads EU in non-food retail growth, with consumption at historic highs
Modern shopping centers with a total leasable area of more than 160,000 square meters were built this year.
Modern shopping centers with a total leasable area of more than 160,000 square meters were built this year.
Romania records the strongest performance among the six largest economies in Central and Eastern Europe.
Other key factors motivating employees to come back include having a clear work routine, ease of commuting and managers' expectations of physical presence.
Romania's construction market has reached historic highs over the past two years over increased public investment, financed by both national and European funds. At the same time, demand from the residential market has remained limited due to the slow permitting process for new developments in Bucharest.
Total demand for office leasing in Bucharest dropped by 25% to 236,000 sqm in Q3 compared to the same period of 2023, while new demand fell 11% to 82,000 sqm in the same interval due to the slowdown of the IT&C sector, according to a Colliers report.
The year 2024 will mark three consecutive quarters without any new modern office completions, the longest period without deliveries since 2005.
Relative to incomes, buyers are experiencing one of the most favorable periods in history to buy a home in Romania.
Bucharest, often referred to as "Little Paris," has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the European Union over the past two decades.
Romania's industrial stock totaled 7.3 million sqm during H1 2024, while new projects spanning 700,000 sqm were under various development stages, according to a report by Colliers.
Romania's commercial investment transaction volume could hit €1 billion this year considering the amount of deals close to completion, according to a report by Colliers.
Romania's retail stock expanded by around 106,000 sqm during H1 2026, with another 205,000 sqm under development that could help the country reach the 5 million sqm milestone at the end of 2026, according to a Colliers report.
The largest openings in 2024 were Argeș Mall (51,400 square meters), the new Prime Kapital/MAS REI project in Pitești, followed by Aurora Mall in Giurgiu (13,500 square meters).
Logicor also owns an 8.2-hectare plot next to the Arabesque materials warehouse in eastern Bucharest.
Retail developers maintain intense activity nationwide, focusing both on developing retail parks and on standalone stores operated by major retailers.
AFI Europe has purchased the myhive Victoriei building in central Bucharest from Immofinanz for around €27 million. The new owner plans to turn the existing office building into a mixed-use project, with the conversion permit already secured.
The construction sector has reached historic highs, driven by massive EU fund investments and a quite active private sector.
Colliers: Logistics and industrial sectors remain in high demand for commercial property transactions.
The residential market started 2024 on a strong note, with an 18% increase in residential transactions in Bucharest in the first quarter compared to the same period last year.
Investment in production machinery and military equipment in Romania increased by 80% last year compared to the pre-pandemic period.
The hybrid working system has remained in practice in many companies even after the end of the pandemic, but the number of employees returning to the office is growing.
The Romanian government has launched a comprehensive legislative package aimed at dismantling bureaucratic barriers for large-scale investments.
Romania's annual inflation rate saw a marginal decrease in February 2026, dropping to 9.31% from the 9.62% recorded in January.
Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, and Romania could raise labour productivity by up to 10 to 15% through wider adoption of digital technologies, particularly software and AI-enabled tools, according to a report by World Bank Group.
Romania continues to record the lowest uptake of e-government services in the European Union.
World Class Romania, part of Vectr Holdings, has appointed Matei Filipidescu as CEO. He is replacing Kent Orrgren, who concluded his term as CEO after nine years.