Out-of-town retail in Belgium: Space, accessibility and affordability
Out-of-town retail has grown into a mature and dynamic segment within the commercial real estate market in Belgium. Think of retail parks along important express roads, stand-alone shops on the outskirts of the city and clusters of shops with ample parking space. These locations combine accessibility with economies of scale and attractive rents.
A diverse landscape of retailers
Today, the typical out-of-town retailer is an established name with a wide range of products and an extensive store network throughout Belgium. Chains such as Vanden Borre, MediaMarkt and Krëfel dominate the electronics market with spacious showrooms outside the city. AS Adventure offers a mix of outdoor, lifestyle and interior items, often in peripheral zones with plenty of parking space. In the home and interior design sector, Juntoo, Exterioo, JYSK and of course Ikea are established values. They deliberately settle outside the city to make use of larger areas and show their entire collection. Even specialized players such as Medi-Market, which specializes in health and care products, often opt for peripheral stores with easy accessibility.
The fashion chains are following the same trend. JBC, C&A, Torfs, ZEB, Lola Liza and ModeMakers are all present in out-of-town formats, often as part of a retail cluster with a mixed supply. Van Haren and Chaussea, which specialise in shoes, also resolutely opt for locations along traffic axes and in retail parks.
Extra-urban retail clusters are often formed around supermarkets and food stores, which act as strong anchor points. Major players such as Carrefour, Delhaize, Lidl, Aldi and Colruyt consciously opt for easily accessible locations outside the city centre, where they can combine spacious stores with sufficient parking space. These food retailers attract many visitors every day, which strengthens the appeal of surrounding businesses.
The presence of a strong anchor point ensures a stable flow of visitors and contributes to the viability of the entire shopping area.
Configurations and surfaces
Extra-urban retail comes in different forms. Some stores are located on their own along busy traffic axes, others are part of larger retail parks with several units around a central car park. Or clusters of businesses that have grown spontaneously along stone roads, and therefore often without a formal park structure.
The surface areas are usually significantly larger than in city centres or shopping centres, with units ranging from 400 to more than 2,000 square metres, which allows retailers to present their full range and work more efficiently.
Rental prices for out-of-town retail properties
Rents in out-of-town retail are considerably lower than in city centres. Where high street locations in Brussels or Antwerp can go above €1,600 per square metre per year, rents in retail parks average between €100 and €185 per square metre, depending on the location. This makes the format attractive for chains that aim for scale and efficiency.
Parking as an asset
One of the biggest advantages of out-of-town retail is the parking facilities. Where city stores are often limited to a few expensive parking spaces, retail parks offer dozens to hundreds of free spaces. This not only increases consumer comfort, but also makes it easier to make larger purchases – a factor that should not be underestimated in sectors such as furniture, electrical or garden items. The spacious parking also facilitates the delivery and collection of goods.
Permits and challenges
Although the format is popular, permits remain a stumbling block. New developments often encounter spatial limitations. Local authorities are cautious, for fear of extra traffic pressure or vacancy in the city centres. A well-founded spatial vision and cooperation with local authorities are essential for further growth.
Conclusion
Out-of-town retail in Belgium is no longer a niche, but a fully-fledged and future-oriented model. With its combination of accessibility, space, lower costs and synergy with e-commerce, it offers an attractive alternative to traditional city stores. The future of this format depends on smart planning and market insight, but the potential is clear: out-of-town retail remains a cornerstone of the Belgian retail model.
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