huurprijzen

Now that stores in Belgium and elsewhere are obliged by law to remain closed, retailers are looking at how they can compensate for the loss of sales. As part of this, they are looking at rental contracts, payment terms and other agreements with suppliers.

The former Mexx store in Mons, Belgium is for rent again after a year-long renovation, but the price is set at 30,000 euros per month - twice the local average. It is a textbook example of how real estate logic sometimes clashes with retail and other interests.

Swedish fashion chain H&M is on a mission to demand contracts with variable rents, which can go up or down depending on the store's turnover. However, the chain wants to deduct returns in that store, angering real estate owners.

A recent study from research firm CBRE shows that rental prices for Europe’s most expensive retail locations are still on the rise. It is the only region that still experiences growth for retail real estate.