Colliers – EMEA Retail Snapshot, Mar 2026

The report focuses on retail market trends and consumer spending in the EMEA region for 2026.

Consumer confidence in the EU remained stable at -11.7 in February 2026, showing gradual improvement from mid-2025. Average household incomes are projected to grow by +1.1% in 2026, similar to 2025 but moderating compared to previous years. Consumer spending growth is expected to remain stable at +1.6% on average in 2026. Strongest real consumer spending growth is forecast in Central and Eastern European countries such as Czechia, Hungary, Poland (+3%), and Spain (+3%). UK, Italy, France, and Germany are forecast to see stable +1% real growth in consumer spending. Retail spend is expected to grow +3.4% nominally and +1.8% in real terms across Europe. Higher retail spend growth is projected in CEE and Nordic countries; UK, France, Germany see moderate growth (+1.3% - 1.5%). Ireland and Spain are expected to see strong retail spending growth (+2.9% and +2.8%, respectively), Italy slightly lower (+0.6%). 18 out of 30 countries analyzed will see real retail spend growth increase in 2026. Discretionary spending categories (household furnishings, dining out, clothing and footwear) are forecast to grow faster than essentials. Spend on housing costs and groceries will grow modestly (+1.2% and +1.1%, respectively). Clothing and footwear spending is forecast to increase from +1.4% in 2025 to +1.6% in 2026, a significant rise from +0.1% in 2024.