Our Mission

Giving a voice to the retail real estate in Europe

The European Council of Shopping Places (ECSP) is the only organisation in Europe exclusively dedicated to the retail real estate sector. Based in Brussels, we are the voice of an industry that is both vital to Europe’s economy and deeply affected by EU regulation.

Our mission is clear: To represent and defend the interests of the retail real estate sector in Brussels, ensuring that EU legislation supports the future of the places where Europe shops.

What We Do

  • We believe that the future of retail real estate must be shaped with those who know it best — the developers, investors, owners, and managers who bring it to life every day.
  • We engage with EU lawmakers — the European Commission, Parliament, and Council — to explain how our industry works, what it needs, and why it matters.
  • We advocate for fair, balanced regulation on issues such as taxation, e-commerce, ESG, and mobility — pushing back against proposals that overlook the realities of our sector.
  • We support our Members in complying with new legislation, providing clarity and timely guidance as the regulatory landscape evolves.
  • We connect our community across Europe through working groups, committees, and events, offering a platform to exchange knowledge, share concerns, and promote best practice.
  • We collaborate with other European associations to build strong alliances and amplify our impact in Brussels and beyond.

Why it matters

Retail real estate creates the spaces where everyday life unfolds — where people meet, businesses grow, and communities take shape.

ECSP works to ensure that this sector continues to evolve, invest, and contribute to Europe’s economy under a legislative framework that understands its value.

How we work

Within ECSP there are a number of committees & working groups. Supported by the Secretariat, each group is developing and defining clear objectives to promote and protect best practice within the sector.

National Council CommitteeLegal Working Group
Public Affairs CommitteeMarketing Working Group
Retailer & Leasing Working GroupSustainability Working Group
Risk & Resilience Working Group