European Council of Shopping Places (ECSP)’s Post

What a journey! 😮💨 the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EBPD) has finally been adopted by the European Parliament. Between the publication of the draft proposal of the European Commission in December 2021 until its adoption by the Parliament last week, almost 2 and half years of hard-fought negotiations have passed. 😯 Before we look at the text, a quick word about the vote: not exactly a landslide as close to 200 MEPs (199 to be precise) said "no" to the text. Only 370 MEPs voted in favour while 46 abstained. This was enough to adopt the text. However, this is also enough to cast a shadow of controversy on the new text as several MEPs rejected the text on the grounds that it was too ambitious and would put a lot of strain on the building sector. The brand new EPBD (second revision in 5 years) aims to progressively reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in the EU building sector, and make it climate neutral by 2050. According to the new text, all new buildings should be zero-emission as of 2030. Member states will also have to renovate the 16% worst-performing non-residential buildings by 2030 and, by 2033, the worst-performing 26% through minimum energy performance requirements. Regarding sustainable mobility, the text provides that non-residential buildings (so including malls) that do not undergo major renovation will need to install 10% of recharging points (1 recharging point for every 10 parking spaces) OR duct at least 50% of the parking spaces to prepare for future recharging points points. This last point was challenged by ECSP in the weeks leading to the vote and we obtained directly from MEP Cuffe (rapporteur for the file) an opt out for the ducting obligation in the guidance note to be drafted by the Commission. ECSP is following up now with the Commission to secure this great SUCCESS for our sector! ECSP will also continue to work on the transposition of this Directive into EU law. As you know, EU Directives are setting objectives but leave it for the Member States to choose the means to attain these objectives. This gives us room for manoeuver to continue to influence the text. ECSP has already identified a number of "soft spots" that we will use to our advantage. Even if the text is adopted, the fight is still on. And ECSP will continue to fight for you. 👊

Last week ECSP was invited to the ECE Investors’ day in Hamburg to debate with Joachim Lohse from ZIA German Property Federation on European legislation. Thanks again for having us for a great day full of insights! 🙏

Thank you to RegioPlan Consulting GmbH for inviting ECSP to share insights on lobbying for the retail real estate sector during the 26th Retail Symposium in Vienna!

A big shout out to CNCC - Consiglio Nazionale Centri Commerciali for their report on "The contribution of Shopping Centers to the country's competitiveness and energy transition" drafted in partnership with The European House-Ambrosetti that was presented last week to lawmakers during CNCC annual conference at the Camera dei Deputati in Roma. Thanks for having ECSP as a speaker to present the EU priorities of the retail real estate sector! 👊

Shopping centers are places of entertainment and social bonding. Customers flock to them to buy goods they want but even more so to enjoy the feeling of being part of a community.   However, violence can also strike at those very places and turn what was a peaceful and fun experience into a nightmare.   The horrific mass stabbing in a Sidney mall a few days ago is a grim reminder that these events can happen. However, it should serve as a catalyst to take action and do everything in our power to anticipate them and minimize their impact.   This is exactly what we have been doing.   For the past few months, SAFE Asset Group, with the support of ECSP and the NCSC - Nordic Commercial Spaces & Communities has been working on a guide to help shopping centers respond to an active assailant incident.   An active assailant incident is an event in which one or more individuals use deadly force to attack people in a public place.    This Guide will provide managers of shopping centers the right tools to prepare for such tragic events.   It is paramount that the retail real estate sector is fully prepared for these types of attacks as it is our responsibility to do all we can to protect our customers: this Guide will be your best ally to help you with that.   If you wish to access it, please contact me directly at bouyeron@ecsp.eu or DM me on Linkedin.   Safety first! #retailrealestate #shoppingplaces #safety #malls #shoppingcenters #ECSP

Unity makes strength. 👊   Today marked yet another milestone for ECSP as we welcomed new members: Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, Eurocommercial Properties N.V., the Polish Council of Shopping Centers Polska Rada Centrów Handlowych | Polish Council of Shopping Centers, the Czech Council of Shopping Centers Asociace nákupních center ČR. We also would like to say a big thank you to (AYD) Alışveriş Merkezleri ve Yatırımcıları Derneği the Turkish Council of Shopping Centers which agreed to team up with ECSP and join us as partner. Having these new companies and national Councils will bolster our excellent dynamic that started in May 2023 when our Chairwoman Joanna Fisher and myself took over the Association to turn it into an advocacy powerhouse. Also, I would like to congratulate on behalf of all ECSP members Jakub Skwarlo and Roberto Fraticelli who have been elected at the Executive Board of ECSP. Thank you for your commitment! As the European elections are closing in and that the lawmakers will soon be preparing for us some more Directives and Regulations, it is more important than ever that we stand ready and strong and united to continue to be the voice for the retail real estate sector in Brussels.   One for all, all for one. 👊 Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, ECE, Eurocommercial Properties N.V., Polska Rada Centrów Handlowych | Polish Council of Shopping Centers, Asociace nákupních center ČR, ACSP - Austrian Council of Shopping Places, AECC - Asociación Española de Centros y Parques Comerciales,APCC - Associação Portuguesa de Centros Comerciais, BLSC - Belgian Luxembourg Council of Retail and Shopping Centers, CNCC - Consiglio Nazionale Centri Commerciali, Fédération des Acteurs du Commerce dans les Territoires (FACT), GCSP German Council of Shopping Places, Ukrainian Council of Shopping Centers, (AYD) Alışveriş Merkezleri ve Yatırımcıları Derneği, G City, Eversheds Sutherland, BNP Paribas Real Estate, Deutsche EuroShop AG, NEPI Rockcastle, SES Spar European Shopping Centers, Sonae Sierra, Union Investment, SAFE Asset Group, RegioData Research GmbH

A day in Brussels. Last week, the Board Members of ECSP gathered in Brussels for a visit of the European Parliament. From the hemicycle to the Mickey Mouse cafeteria they saw the inside and were explained the inner workings of one of the most important EU institutions. Following the visit, ECSP held its Board meeting in our office on avenue Louise. It was the occasion to approve several appointments: - Christine Hager FRICS as Vice-Chair of ECSP - Luca Lucaroni as Treasurer of ECSP - Christophe NOEL as Chair of the new National Council Committee (NCC) - Ulrich Schmitz as Vice-Chair of the NCC Congratulations to the newly appointed! Let’s work on the topics impacting the retail real estate industry👊🏼

Off to a great start!

Well done APCC - Associação Portuguesa de Centros Comerciais and Carla Pinto for an exciting annual conference!👊🏻