Clare Sheils, Managing Director, CBRE Czech Republic said: “After two years marked by disruption, loss, lockdown, and reopening, we are hopeful that in 2022 we can finally move on from discussions on Covid numbers. Instead 2022 will be full of discussions on Inflation and the transition to Net Zero Carbon. We expect a strong start to 2022 in the Investment market, with Industrial continuing to lead the way, but a strengthening retail sector should draw interest as well, especially for investors in search of higher yields and better returns.”

Investment market: Czech market – a highly desired market

Demand for Czech commercial real estate remains strong. The Czech market is established as a highly sought-after market, providing solid returns to existing investors, well protected against market fluctuation, supported by strong international and local capital, with rental growth prospects in several segments and still attractive yield returns in comparison to western European markets. Appetite for assets remains strong, with lack of products seen in all segments.

CBRE expects total Czech investment volumes to reach below €2 bln in 2021. We saw a reassessment of investor strategies, a revisiting of postponed transactions and launch of new ones, which is now visible on the closed transactions volume, as it is steadily increasing.

Katarína Brydone, Head of Investment Properties in CBRE, commented: “The logistics investment markets will remain strong. Unprecedented occupational demand, with record low vacancy rates and good rental growth prospects will further fuel investor interest in industrial and logistics segment. Residential (PRS) investments are highly sought-after by both local and international capital, however, we expect low volumes in 2022, as continuously rising sale prices of individual apartments, provide little motivation for developers to develop PRS projects. Retail parks have proven to be an attractive product; however, we see the lack of those products for investors with demand over exceeding the supply. We anticipate increased activity in shopping centre investments in 2022, as yields of other asset classes compressed significantly over the last two years, making shopping centre investment attractive from a yield point of view. On the other hand, we do not await large number of deals happening in H1 2022, however we expect the investment volumes to grow as the risk of lockdowns will weaken even further. We presume strong recovery of majority of shopping centres, as it is apparent from summer and autumn numbers. In office segment, we also record a strong interest from investors, and if anything, we see a lack of supply of quality investment product, which is a consequence of low development activity in Prague.”

The Czech Republic has a very strong base of Czech Institutional funds, who account for almost half of the market. Expectations are that Czech funds will continue to grow in the upcoming years and the Czech market will remain their strong preference although some of them are already seeking deals in Polish and Slovak markets.

ESG has become a hot topic among international buyers, especially in office sector. We expect this trend to continue on importance in coming years and many landlords/developers are considering future proving their assets by implementing ESG into their asset management and development strategies.

Offices: Further year of leasing recovery
During 2021 we have monitored a recovery in office leasing activity in Prague compared to 2020. European office markets, including Prague, are taking positive leasing momentum into the new year, and we expect this to strengthen through 2022. CBRE expects that growing adoption of new working patterns will drive both a general flight to quality and a growing demand for flex space.

The vacancy rate has risen during the past two years, currently standing at 8% but it is expected to flatten in 2022. There is currently approximately 172,800 sq m of office space under construction with around 85,000 sq m scheduled for 2022. Stronger demand and relatively low new supply should prevent the vacancy rate against further increases in the following years.

New prime projects under construction together with low availability of premium space on the market will drive prime rental increases. Prague’s office market shifted more in favour of tenants and landlords are pressed to improve incentives. At present we observe a higher level of incentive – longer rent free periods and higher fit out contributions, also in the case of renegotiations. This trend should continue through 2022.

As well we expect to see clearer signals in corporates´ adoption of new working patterns in 2022, with hybrid working policies implemented more widely. Flexibility, wellness and sustainability (esp. air quality) and technology integration are now three central factors that influence occupiers´ building selection (CBRE Office occupier sentiment survey, summer 2021).

Simon Orr, Director in A&T – Offices in CBRE, stated: ‘‘Hybrid workplaces and flexible working arrangements already preceded the covid pandemic are becoming an even bigger feature for office-based employers. Smart companies are constantly assessing and refining their workplace policies to suit these changing needs. It doesn’t necessarily mean less office space but it does mean different office space.”

Logistics: The sector will continue to outperform in 2022

Occupiers are rethinking their global supply chains, out of which the Czech Republic may benefit the next year. At the same time, e-commerce players and third-party logistics companies will continue to acquire space to serve the increased consumer demand from the online channel. Online retailing, accelerated by the pandemic, is expected to grow further, and will continue to drive demand for Logistics space in 2022 in the Czech Republic.

Jan Hřivnacký, Head of Industrial Leasing in CBRE, added: “Already, in the first three quarters of 2021, more industrial & logistics space was newly leased than in any other year. With such a high demand and record low vacancy rates at around 2.5% in Q3 2021, prime rental levels remain under upward pressure. Prime rents increased by 12% y-o-y (one of the highest increases in the Europe) and are expected to grow further in 2022.”

As of Q3 2021, there was nearly 900,000 sq m under construction, with around 500,000 sq m scheduled for delivery 2022 so far. In Q3, we have recorded a decrease in speculative construction to ca 26% and the trend of lower speculative construction is expected to continue throughout 2022.

Slow permitting process in the Czech Republic may prolong transactions going forward. Sustainability is starting to become a priority for logistics occupiers, influencing the current wave of development in a way not seen before. Tight labour market leads to the greater implementation of automation and we expect this trend will accelerate next year.

Retail: Closer integration of the online and offline experience

Although, the footfall and even more retail sales have been recovering gradually from the pandemic, the market is threatened again by the downside risks related to an increase of Covid-19 cases, which will most likely affect the beginning of 2022. The duration of any protective measures will have a major impact on the sales development and their possible recovery to the pre-pandemic levels. CBRE expects ongoing pressure on rents, as well as on rental discounts, contributions, and flexibility in the length of leases.

Other key factors that will affect retail market in the Czech Republic in the upcoming year are inflationary pressures for both retailers and consumers, supply chain disruption and lack of staff. During pandemic, transport and material costs increased, which has been reflected in higher product prices, which have already been announced by a number of large retail chains. The rise in energy prices will be significantly reflected on service charges. Furthermore, higher inflation rate will notably affect the indexation of retailers with rents listed in Czech crowns.

A shift in customer preferences towards consumer and household goods resulted in preferring grocery and convenient retail such as retail parks and this trend will continue. In 2022, CBRE expect an ongoing expansion of discount chains on the Czech market. On the contrary, a longer period with implemented protective measures can fundamentally affect the Food & Beverage sector, one of the mostly hit sector, and could result in reduction in a number of stores or closure of the business.

While the popularity of e-commerce has accelerated during the pandemic and we expect its ongoing high penetration on retail sales, the success of store-based retail will rely on a strong omnichannel strategy, and a closer integration of the online and offline experience.

Tomás Míček, Head of Retail Sector in CBRE, commented: “The current pandemic situation, digitization and e-commerce are accelerating a change in human behaviour. People will still shop, but the question is where and how often. Shopping centers and retailers must respond to these changes and adapt, for example, by linking physical shopping to e-commerce, offering services, an attractive environment or enhancing the customer experience.”

Contacts:

Crest Communications, a.s.
Denisa Kolaříková
Account Manager
Gsm: +420 731 613 606
email: denisa.kolarikova@crestcom.cz
www.crestcom.cz

Kamila Čadková
Account Director
Gsm: +420 731 613 609
email: kamila.cadkova@crestcom.cz
www.crestcom.cz

CBRE

Renata Mrázová, Senior Communication Specialist, +420 604 308 765, renata.mrazova@cbre.com

CBRE Czech Republic Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram

About CBRE Group, Inc.

CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE: CBRE), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (based on 2020 revenue). The company has more than 100,000 employees serving clients in more than 100 countries. CBRE serves a diverse range of clients with an integrated suite of services, including facilities, transaction and project management; property management; investment management; appraisal and valuation; property leasing; strategic consulting; property sales; mortgage services and development services. Please visit our website at www.cbre.com.