Posted by: James Brown
Head of EMEA Retail Research
Jones Lang LaSalle EMEA Research
What could be better? All in all a good week at MIPIM. Cautions optimism in the air compared to the pre-crash blind optimism that caught so many out.
From an EMEA retail perspective, UK, France, Germany and the Nordics still appear top of investor agendas. However there is no lack of appetite for other EMEA markets, including: Russia, Turkey and even recently troubled North Africa, which for some there is strong belief that once the dust settles significant opportunities still exist.
Warren Buffett said that it is only when the tide goes out that you can see who has been swimming without their trunks on. Well, the tide is now coming back and it is very much ‘back to business’. Availability of debt remains a hurdle and some may not make it back into the water, but those that do are right to remain cautious of where and when to swim.
After a good week it’s time to pack my trunks and head home.
