Major retail brands such as Metro (MTTWF) (Germany), Walmart (WMT) (USA), TESCO (TESO) (UK), and Carrefour (CRRFY) (France) have seen their revenue grow 2.5 times faster in emerging markets than their own home country, according to a report by global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney in 2012. As developed markets continue to stagnate, the true bright spots and future of retail are most readily identified in the emerging world.
As one of the largest Eastern European markets, Poland naturally holds prominent placement amongst investors looking for lucrative deal flow. Western European, American, and South African investors in particular have each made notable investments in the Polish retail sector of late.
Global Investors Heading to Poland
In 2015, UK-based MAS Real Estate along with Prime Kapital purchased Nova Park, an active retail asset from Futureal group for USD 105 million. With a gross leasable area (GLA) of 32,500 square meters, Nova Park is one of the most popular malls in Western Poland, generating around USD 7 million in annual rental income. The purchase is part of a broader MAS strategy to acquire active assets internationally that can generate growing income.
Last year, South Africa based global real estate investor Rockcastle finalized three retail deals for over USD 800 million. Rockcastle has since designated additional funds in excess of USD 1.2 billion to invest in active retail assets in the CEE region. In the near future, the company is expected to continue its push into the Polish retail market.
In H1 2017, London-based Pradera announced plans to acquire 25 retail centres from IKEA in eight European countries (including four locations in Poland) for over USD 1 billion.
Global investment firm CVC partners are set to buy Zabka Polska, one of the largest Polish retail chains with 4,500 franchised shops from Mid Europa Partners. The deal size has not been disclosed, but Zabka is presently valued at USD 1.8 billion – nearly four times its valuation when it was acquired by Mid Europa in 2011.
US-based pension funds are also actively scouting deals in Poland. TH Real Estate, the investment management arm of TIAA, has acquired a 50% stake in 3 retail projects in Poland – Factory Annopol, Factory Krakow and Futura Park – from Neinver, following an investment of USD 70 million.
High Prime Retail Yields
High demand, healthy economic fundamentals, and a relatively undersaturated retail market are three factors that are expected to continue to drive the Polish retail industry. As depicted in the graph above, there is a significant yield spread between Warsaw and other leading European cities. This will give further impetus to investors looking for income generating assets.
