Belgium’s retail landscape is dominated by the high street. Five streets have established themselves as premier retail hotspots, attracting both locals and tourists seeking diverse brands and unique shopping experiences. Understanding these expensive retail streets offers valuable insights into Belgium's economic landscape and its appeal as a shopping destination. What are Belgium’s most expensive retail high streets?
Rue Neuve / Nieuwstraat
The main downtown retailing district of Brussels is found within the central Pentagon area on the Rue Neuve. Here, the best located retail units can achieve 1,650 €/sqm/year for a standard unit of 200 sqm. Rue Neuve is a vital 600m corridor linking the touristic city centre to the North area office district just beyond the inner ring road. Renovated in 2020, its offer is primarily of mass market international brands, including Zara, H&M, Primark, C&A, Nike, Jules, Mango, Bershka, Pull&Bear and more, while maintaining an intimate setting. The largest in-town shopping centre in Belgium - City2 - is located at the top of the Rue Neuve high street. Renovated in 2019, it offers 34,000 sqm of complementary retail, including an expansive food hall. At the beginning of Rue Neuve is La Monnaie performing arts centre and the 15,000 sqm Mint shopping centre.
Meir
Antwerp’s city centre offers the most complete shopping experience in the country, with the Meir at its heart. Retailers can pay as much as 1,650 €/sqm/year for the Meir’s busiest addresses. Extending over 500m, it connects Antwerp’s impressive central station with the popular Groenplaats. The Meir is a busy pedestrian boulevard counting more than 250,000 weekly visitors, with marks of grandeur adding a bit of sophistication to its mix of international mass market and specialty stores, including Zara, Uniqlo, H&M, Bershka, JD Sports, INNO, Urban Outfitters, Fnac and more. Numerous restaurants and historical sites also dot the Meir high street. Weaving around the Meir are additional high streets providing more niche shopping experiences, including the Schuttershofstraat and Hopland offering high-end options, the Huidevettersstraat and Wilde Zee lined with boutique and premium shops, and the Nationalestraat and Kammenstraat which are home to more alternative and aspirational brands.
Avenue de la Toison d’Or / Gulden Vlieslaan
Brussels benefits from a second high street cluster with the popular and growing uptown shopping district to the southeast of the city centre. Avenue de la Toison d’Or runs parallel to the busy inner ring road and connects the upmarket Avenue Louise with the pedestrianised Chaussee d’Ixelles. This visibility has helped push prime rents to 1,500 €/sqm/year. Though less visited by tourists, it is well-integrated in the daily routines of those living and working in the area. The high street is home to a broad mix of mass market and premium retailers including Belgium’s only Apple store. Other retailers include C&A, & Other Stories, Xandres, Tommy Hilfiger, Massimo Dutti, Levi’s, AS Adventure, Juttu, Zara, Nike and more. There is also a diverse food and beverage offer from international chains to local cafes.
Boulevard de Waterloo / Waterloosesteenweg
On the opposite side of the inner ring road to Avenue de la Toison d’Or in the Brussels uptown market is Boulevard de Waterloo. Famous as a luxury destination, rents for the best located properties are also high at 1,500 €/sqm/year. The collection of brands is impressive and includes Cartier, Delvaux, Prada, Balenciaga, Versace, Gucci, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Chanel and more occupying the street’s stately buildings. Additionally, The Hotel is a luxury hotel in the middle of the street and is where foreign dignitaries and VIPs often stay during their Brussels visit. The high street is preparing for a considerable make-over that will make it more pedestrian-friendly.
Veldstraat
Further west of Brussels and Antwerp is the young and vibrant city of Ghent. The Veldstraat is the busiest retail high street here and is flanked by meandering canals and imposing structures of its rich history. Its popularity has seen rents rise to as much as 1,300 €/sqm/year. As much as 160,000 visitors per week visit the Veldstraat to shop at stores such as as Zara, Nike, Pull&Bear, H&M, Stradivarius, Costes, Ici Paris XL, JD Sports and more. A tramline offers direct access from Gent Sint-Pieters in the south, while the street spills out onto the stunning Korenmarkt to the north. The Veldstraat is currently undergoing significant infrastructure improvements to make for a more comfortable and accessible shopping experience.
