Report | Creating Resilience

European Retail Occupier Survey 2026

September 30, 2026 5 Minute Read

European Retail Occupier Survey 2026

How are Europe's leading retailers navigating a more demanding operating environment, and what does it mean for physical store strategy, omnichannel investment, and the adoption of AI?

Overview

Now in its third edition, CBRE's European Retail Occupier Survey tracks how major retailers are shaping their operations across the continent. This year’s findings come at a time of heightened economic uncertainty, with slowing retail sales growth in certain markets, elevated inflation, and subdued consumer confidence. 

Despite the more challenging macroeconomic and consumer backdrop, retailers remain committed to investing in their physical store networks. Stores continue to play a critical role in building brand awareness and enabling meaningful engagement with customers. 

The headline finding is one of resilience. Expansion remains the dominant strategy, store footprints are growing, and AI adoption has accelerated significantly since our last survey. Drawing on retailers across 11 sectors, the survey provides a valuable snapshot of occupier demand across Europe. 
76

Pan-European and global retail occupiers surveyed

150
,000

Combined estimated global store footprint

€
9.3
bn

Average annual business turnover

Key themes emerging from the survey

  1. Expansion plans remain robust

    Nearly two-thirds (65%) of retailers plan to expand their store portfolios, signalling continued confidence in physical retail and future demand across European markets.

  2. Physical retail remains central to strategy

    Over 90% of retailers expect physical stores to remain a core part of their business strategy, while 93% plan to maintain or increase the size of their stores.

  3. AI adoption is accelerating

    AI adoption has doubled since 2024, with over half of retailers now using AI to support their operations and customer experience.

Explore the full findings

The full survey captures retailer sentiment and demand across Europe, offering a view of the retail occupier market and its outlook. Speak to our team to learn more about the findings and how they may influence your real estate strategy.  

Explore the Full Findings

Speak to our team to learn more about the findings and how they may influence your real estate strategy. 

Contacts

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