Global Cities Retail Guide 2025 – Bucharest

Retail activity is mostly concentrated in shopping centers and retail parks, while the importance of high street retail is mainly limited to convenience activities and services. While the first modern shopping center opened in 1999, it was not until 2003-2004 that retail development really took off. Today the city has a modern retail stock density of 500 sqm per 1,000 inhabitants, which is still behind other capitals in the region.

The key areas for retail in Bucharest include dominant shopping centers such as Baneasa Shopping City, AFI Palace Cotroceni, Sun Plaza, Mega Mall, Parklake Plaza and Promenada, along with Calea Victoriei and Calea Dorobanti, the main high street locations in the city.