High street retail reinvented

Decathlon City is the answer to the diversifying needs of customers. Shopping centres and retail parks remain popular, evidenced by the positive year-on-year growth of 3% in footfall levels in Q2 2023. Some shoppers, however, actively use new technologies – they will either place an online order with an in-store pick-up or view a product in-store and then order it over the internet for home delivery. For them, a centrally located store near the place where they live or work is an ideal solution,

says Magdalena Gniazdowska, Leasing Manager, Retail Agency, Cushman & Wakefield, which was responsible for finding the location for the first Decathlon City store in Warsaw.

Decathlon City chose the International Business Center (IBC) in Warsaw to be its first location – it ideally fits in with the new concept on account of its location, easy access to public transport and the leisure areas in the nearby Pole Mokotowskie park. No less important was the layout of its two-level store with 230 sq m of floorspace as it allows for a compelling display of products. The tenant will also benefit from the excellent visibility of the store window in Polna Street, where it will install modern digital displays, including holograms for the presentation of the brand’s ambassadors,

says Tomasz Stromidło, Office Agency, Landlord Representation, Savills.

After the proliferation of shopping centres, high streets in the largest Polish cities were anchored for some time mostly by restaurants and cafés and – where it seemed viable – by luxury brands. Polish people still want to spend time in large retail schemes whose offer has for years evolved towards not only shopping but also leisure. That said, there is still room on the market for new concepts such as Decathlon City. Brands from other sectors are gradually joining small grocery retailers and drug stores – this trend is intensifying,

concludes Magdalena Gniazdowska.