Once considered a purely transactional asset class, retail in CEE is rapidly evolving into a platform for experience, community, and brand identity. This shift was at the centre of the discussion at SEE Property Forum 2025, where industry leaders explored how shopping centres are adapting to changing consumer expectations, ESG requirements, and the growing demand for meaningful, multi-use spaces.
Starting August 1, Romania's new fiscal package increased the standard VAT rate from 19% to 21%. It also merged the 5% and 9% reduced rates into a single 11% rate.
Shopping centres in Romania are ahead of many European markets in providing entertainment options, establishing themselves as key leisure destinations, according to a recent analysis by Nhood Romania.
Romanians are preparing to spend an average of RON 800 (€160) on food and preparations for Easter, reveals a recent study by Raiffeisen Bank, in collaboration with Appinio.
During the shopping event with the biggest discounts of the year, 38% of customers who ordered on Black Friday had a Genius subscription with free shipping and exclusive offers.
Romania is entering a new stage, with its multiannual economic recovery programme launching in 2026, carrying an estimated budget of around €5 billion through 2032 and a dedicated framework for anchor-type strategic investments above €200 million, according to experts at EY Romania.
FintechOS, the financial technology company founded in Romania that provides AI-based digitalisation solutions for banks and insurers, has reached profitability on the back of a 40% rise in recurring revenue at the end of Q1, company representatives said.
OMV Petrom, an integrated energy producer in Southeast Europe, has made the final investment decision for Gabare, an integrated solar energy and battery storage project in Bulgaria.
Romania has reached 31 da Vinci robotic surgery programs nationwide, of which 8 are in the public healthcare system. The most recent system, installed at Fundeni Clinical Institute, marks the expansion of robotic surgery in Romanian public hospitals and the regional milestone of 100 da Vinci systems across the SOFMEDICA region: Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, Hungary, Cyprus, Croatia and Slovenia.
