Repositioning of real estate assets: what business models and financing options are available?
Press releases
Changing consumer needs have brought about a transformation in the retail sector. The shopping districts that had sprung up since the 1970s have found themselves out of step with the times. To ensure their future profitability, their owners are required to undertake a repositioning strategy. But this task is all the more complex to carry out as it must take into account, in particular, the population’s housing needs and the constraints weighing on the financing of such projects. A conversation with Christophe Janet, Deputy Managing Director of Nhood in charge of property development services, and Émilie Capron, Sophie Duboy, Anne-Laure Gauthier and Chloé Thiéblemont, partner lawyers at the firm Lacourte Raquin & Associés.
How does the creation of Nhood reflect the needs of retail players in the face of the challenge of repositioning?
Christophe Janet : Quite early on, Ceetrus sought to reinvent itself in order to build profitability based on something other than retail. It was decided that Ceetrus would remain a property company, with a few portfolio managers, whilst all operational staff would move to a new structure, called Nhood, which would work not only for Ceetrus, but also for Auchan, the AFM brands and even players outside the group, to manage the restructuring of their assets. This distinction clearly signalled that Nhood would have the capacity to work for the brands, serving their needs, independently of Ceetrus.
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