European Retail Market Summary H1 2026

European retail delivered its strongest broad-based performance since before the pandemic in H1 2026, with footfall, sales, and occupancy all improving across the market. However, performance remains uneven, with convenience-led and urban formats continuing to outperform and the gap between asset types widening.

CBRE's European Retail Market Summary H1 2026 draws on data from 162 managed assets across 15 countries, representing more than 4.3 million sq m of retail space. The report analyses footfall, sales, rents, service charges and vacancy trends across four retail formats: Inner-City shopping centres, Experience centres, Malls and Retail Parks.

The H1 2026 edition highlights the formats driving growth, where occupier demand is strongest, and what current market performance signals for the remainder of the year.

The full report includes:

• Performance trends across footfall, sales and vacancy, with comparisons to 2019 and 2025
• Sales analysis across 10 retail categories
• A dedicated Retail Parks review, including tenant mix and vacancy trends from 2019 to Q2 2026
• Forward-looking indicators for leasing activity and rental growth

Download the full European Retail Market Summary H1 2026 for the complete analysis and dataset.