The modern retail market in Romania continues its expansion, exceeding the threshold of 5 million square meters of rentable commercial spaces in 2025, according to an analysis carried out by a real estate consulting services company.
The approximately 190,000 square meters delivered this year have consolidated a stock that is still strongly concentrated in Bucharest and five other important counties, which together account for almost half of the total area.
Even so, Romania remains below the level of countries in the region in terms of stock per capita, Colliers consultants emphasize, which indicates a significant potential for new developments.
"Reaching the 5 million square meter threshold marks an important step in the maturation process of the retail market in Romania, even if we still have a lot of room for growth. At this level, we are talking about approximately 260 square meters per thousand inhabitants, compared to over 400 square meters in countries such as Poland or the Czech Republic. At the same time, Romanians already consume more than their neighbors in Central and Eastern Europe and, in many cases, spend even more in nominal terms. Wages in Bucharest have already exceeded those in Budapest and are approaching those in Warsaw," explains Simina Niculita, director, Retail Agency partner at Colliers, in a statement sent to AGERPRES.
In 2025, a Romanian spent almost 800 euros on clothing and footwear, according to Oxford Economics data, 25% more than a consumer in Poland and almost double that of a Hungarian.
"It may seem surprising that Romanians spend more than other Europeans who often have higher salaries. But if we analyze consumer behavior, we notice strong cultural differences that influence this market. Romanians emphasize the image they project externally and are willing to pay to support it," points out the Colliers manager.
According to preliminary data, in 2025, the market recorded approximately 190,000 square meters of new commercial spaces.
The largest project was the expansion of the Mall Moldova shopping center in Iasi, by almost 60,000 square meters. Other important openings include the reopening of Agora Arad, after almost a decade of hiatus, as well as the expansions of Iulius Mall Suceava and Coresi Shopping Resort Brasov. Colliers also added several older shopping centers to its inventory, totaling over 150,000 square meters, which have been renovated and are now occupied by international brands.
The 5 million square meters of retail space are concentrated in relatively few counties. Bucharest and the surrounding areas total almost 1.3 million square meters of rentable space, and the next five counties - Timis, Iasi, Bihor, Arges and Cluj- cumulate over 1.1 million square meters, most of them in the capital cities. In total, the capital and these five counties hold about half of the modern retail stock in Romania, the cited analysis also reads.
Next year could bring about 250,000 square meters of new leasable commercial space, according to Colliers' preliminary estimates based on available market data. Among the largest announced projects are M Park Galati, a 30,000 square meter scheme developed by the British fund M Core, and an approximately 25,000 square meter extension of the Palas Mall project in Iasi, owned by Iulius Group.
Colliers is one of the global leaders in real estate consulting and investment management services.
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