FEI members are increasingly setting out commitments with key stakeholders, such as local authorities and communities and the retail outlets that rent space in their shopping centres, going above and beyond the traditional landlord / lessee relationship, while better taking into account the specific features of the various retail segments.

They therefore build efficient partnerships with their retail lessees. For example, FEI members have committed to: 

• Working closely with lessees to make their websites more user-friendly for end retail clients, showing them in a clear and more appealing way the attractive positioning and qualities of the stores present in their shopping centres;

• Helping their lessees to increase their e-commerce skills, as it is often vital for them to not focus exclusively on their physical outlets;

• Helping their lessees to monitor and then reduce their energy consumption. For example, one of our members worked with its partners, including an NGO, to develop the Sustainable Retail Index (SRI), an innovative assessment tool that provides detailed insights for retailers on the progress made with their sustainability commitments;

• Scaling back the number of emails and of course paper exchanges for their lessees;

• Providing lessees with advice and tools to further strengthen cybersecurity;

With local authorities, FEI members have made strong commitments in 2024 to modernise and enhance the aesthetic appeal of shopping centres built over the past few decades, both in city centres and out-of-town locations. They are also working to renovate stores located on the ground floors of residential or office buildings, in central and peripheral areas of large, mid-size and small cities.