Footfall on the upswing at the end of the first quarter, high letting momentum from year-end business continues unabated in spring
Retail market activity in German city centre locations was lively in many respects in the first quarter of 2025: On the one hand, footfall in the 50 top locations regularly analysed by BNP Paribas Real Estate has picked up noticeably since the end of March thanks to the early summer weather. Around two thirds of the most frequented shopping streets achieved constant or slightly higher visitor numbers in the two weeks of the turn of the quarter compared to the already very good figures from the previous year. On the other hand, the high letting momentum with very pleasing take-up, particularly in the last two quarters, is having a positive effect on market sentiment in the retail segment. While in the first few years after the coronavirus crisis and the Signa bankruptcy, many of the larger reoccupations, particularly in former department stores, were more like interim lettings, the most recent new openings give the impression of being much more long-term in nature. If the vibrant market activity of the last six months continues, there is a good chance that positive news can be reported again in the middle of the year.