Food & Large Scale Retail
Intercepting real estate markets with high growth potential, such as the food and retail sector in Europe today, is one of our key goals.
Moreover, the management of highly specialised teams in the different investment contexts allows us to have full control of the entire investment process, from the selection of opportunities, to the relationship with food realities able to enhance the value of the spaces made available to them, to the management of a large and well-diversified portfolio.
The strategy that feeds returns
We operate in the asset management industry, in the form of closed-end real estate fund management, whose subscription is restricted to qualified investors. With AREFOOD, we have set up a fund aimed at acquiring properties dedicated to large scale retail trade, mainly in Italy. Specifically, these are supermarkets, discount and convenience stores, whether single properties or small business parks, the important thing is a strong food & grocery vocation.
In order to guarantee quality and stable coupon flows in the medium and long term and to mitigate inflation risk, we only select large-scale retail tenants with solid balance sheets and link leases to inflation. Furthermore, the countercyclical structure of the food sector and the strong growth of discount operators represent a solid hedge against recession and down-cycle risks. With this strategy, we believe we can best cope with the major uncertainties of today and tomorrow.
A sector with ample opportunity
for growth
Among the major European economies, Italy is among the less mature markets, thus presenting ample opportunities for growth, decidedly more inviting than in other geographies. In fact, the Italian market offers significantly higher returns than the European average. As the sector matures, we expect asset values to increase.
Brand leader in on-site and online food sale
In addition to being leaders in “conventional” food sales, those made through a physical network of shops, the brands we work with are also well positioned in online sales. Our strategy is to invest in shops leased to multi-channel brands, such as major supermarket chains. These realities, besides allowing classic in-store shopping, operate as last-mile centres for home delivery and collection (click and collect). Suitable for following the next macro-trends, managed by dynamic operators, reconvertible in case of need or convenience: the properties invested in through the AREFOOD fund take on the character of defensive assets.
