Respublika Park: results, new openings, and social initiatives the first half of 2024

The first half of 2024 was a period of significant growth and innovation for Respublika Park. Despite challenging conditions, the shopping and entertainment center not only strengthened its position but improved it, implementing a series of strategic initiatives and demonstrating notable achievements.

Key Achievements in H1 2024:

• Significant increase in visitor numbers – up to 10 million people and expansion of the tenant pool
• Payment of approximately 70 million hryvnias in taxes and other contributions to the Ukrainian budget
• Implementation of new social responsibility projects and charitable initiatives to support Ukrainian producers
• Strategic transition to imported electricity, which reduced consumption of Ukrainian electricity by 88%

Mall Occupancy

As of July 2024, the mall's occupancy reached nearly 85%, a high indicator of the team's effective work and evidence of the property's business attractiveness for retail operators. Currently, 343 operators are working in the mall. In the first seven months of 2024, many well-known brands opened or resumed operations, including stores from the Inditex group (Zara, Bershka, PULL&BEAR, STRADIVARIUS, Massimo Dutti, OYSHO), which greatly enhanced the mall's appeal to visitors.

Visitor Traffic

In the first seven months of 2024, Respublika Park welcomed over 10 million visitors. The average daily traffic exceeded 59,000 visitors, with this figure rising to 80,000 on weekends. Even on weekdays, the mall received an average of over 48,000 guests.

Financial Results

The companies that own and operate Respublika Park paid approximately 70 million hryvnias in taxes and other contributions to the Ukrainian budget in the first half of 2024. This demonstrates the mall's significant contribution to the country's economy during a difficult period.

Strategic Initiatives

Respublika Park demonstrated leadership in implementing energy-efficient solutions by making a strategic transition to imported electricity from the beginning of July 2024. This move had a significant impact on both the mall's operations and the energy situation in Kyiv as a whole.

Key results of the transition to imported electricity:

1. 88% reduction in consumption of Ukrainian electricity. In July, the mall used only 12% Ukrainian electricity, with the rest being imported.
2. Minimal increase in electricity costs – only 9% compared to June, significantly lower than if the mall had continued to operate on generators.
3. Maintaining full functionality of the facility, including all shops, restaurants, food courts, the "Neopolis" amusement park, the "Aerodium Kyiv" wind tunnel, and air conditioning.
4. Positive impact on the operation of food establishments in the mall, leading to increased turnover in the food court and restaurants.
5. Contribution to stabilizing the city's energy system, considering that Respublika Park is among the top five electricity consumers in Kyiv.

Yulia Shchaslyva, CEO of Respublika Park, emphasized the importance of this decision: "The transition to imported electricity is a strategic decision that has allowed us not only to optimize costs but also to contribute to stabilizing the city's energy system."

New Openings in the Mall

In parallel with implementing energy-efficient solutions, Respublika Park actively developed its retail spaces, attracting new brands and expanding offerings for visitors.

Key achievements:

1. Opening of new stores: Over 30 new stores and establishments opened in the mall in the first seven months of 2024, including:

• International brands: Adidas, KFC
• Ukrainian brands: Zolota Kraina, Vsi. Svoi, Etnika, and 10 more brand stores in the Ukrainian brands space
• Specialized establishments and stores: Doctor Sam medical center, OkWine wine market, Jacky China Japanese bistro, Kids Republic children's dream store, and others.

2. Reopening of the Inditex group: A particularly important event was the reopening of Inditex group stores, including Zara, Bershka, PULL&BEAR, STRADIVARIUS, Massimo Dutti, and OYSHO, covering a total area of over 7,100 m².

3. Expanding diversity of offerings: New openings covered various market segments – from fashion clothing to home goods, from restaurants to specialized stores and even car dealerships.

4. Support for Ukrainian producers: A significant portion of new stores represents Ukrainian brands, underlining the mall's commitment to local businesses and helping in their development.

The retail space development strategy not only increased the mall's attractiveness to visitors but also contributed to creating new jobs and supporting the economy during a challenging time for the country.

Neopolis Amusement Park, Aerodium Kyiv Wind Tunnel: Activities andInnovations

The unique Neopolis amusement park demonstrated impressive attendance figures and innovative solutions.

Attendance and Activity Indicators

1. From January 1 to August 20, 2024, the Neopolis amusement park welcomed 407,090 visitors, resulting in more than 163,800 receipts.
2. The park and wind tunnel actively collaborate with influencers and opinion leaders to promote the brand, organize themed events to increase attendance, and attract new target audiences.
3. There is a positive trend in sales of wind tunnel flight packages. In particular, the 6-minute flight packages are growing in popularity, outpacing demand for 2 and 4-minute packages. This indicates increased customer trust and interest in longer flight experiences.

This trend demonstrates the effectiveness of the park and wind tunnel's marketing strategy, positively impacting the overall commercial performance of the entertainment component of the super-regional Respublika Park mall, strengthening their position in the entertainment market.

Innovative Programs and Social Initiatives

1. In May 2024, Neopolis amusement park was one of the first to introduce the ACCESSIBILITY project. This program involves adapting the Neopolis space and providing recommendations for using attractions for children with various needs and their parents, as well as appropriate training for park staff.
2. A special program has been implemented for visitors from socially vulnerable categories, including people with disabilities, children from large families, orphans, combat and ATO participants, Chernobyl victims, families of servicemen, and internally displaced persons.
3. The park regularly hosts children cared for by various charitable foundations and public organizations free of charge. From January 1 to August 20, 2024, more than 2,000 children visited the park on a charitable basis.
4. The park collaborates with a number of charitable foundations and public organizations, including: "Tabletochki" Charitable Foundation, "Blagomay" Charitable Foundation, NDSL "OKHMATDYT", and others.

Marketing Activities and Social Responsibility

Innovative Marketing Events

Throughout the first half of 2024, Respublika Park demonstrated high activity in marketing, implementing themed events that not only attracted visitors' attention, brought additional traffic to the mall, and increased conversion in stores and establishments, but also supported Ukrainian producers and charitable initiatives.

Among the implemented themed events:

1. RESPUBLIKA FEST: A series of festivals under the mall's own brand became one of the brightest events of the half-year. The first spring RESPUBLIKA FEST, held in early May, gathered over 120 Ukrainian producers from different parts of the country. About 150,000 people visited the festival over four days. The goal of RESPUBLIKA FEST is to provide a platform for Ukrainian producers to present and sell their products.
2. The mall regularly organized themed holiday events, Easter weekends with Coca-Cola Ukraine, and the family festival "Spring with Mamazlit".
3. A series of charity concerts were held, including "Giving Light to Loved Ones" in partnership with Svitlo Concert, and a charity concert to mark the opening of the flagship store of the jewelry brand "Zolota Kraina" with brand ambassador Zlata Ognevich.
4. Grand opening of the flagship space for Ukrainian brands Vsi. Svoi in a renewed unique format with the participation of the KAZKA band.
5. Organization of Stand Up shows with charity auctions.

Social Responsibility and Charity

Respublika Park demonstrated a high level of social responsibility by implementing a number of important charitable initiatives:

1. Respublika Park transferred 625,000 hryvnias to the "Tabletochki" Charitable Foundation for the purchase of medicines and consumables for neurosurgical operations for children with oncological diseases.
2. Aerodium Kyiv collaborates with the "FEOFANIYA" center for restorative medicine and rehabilitation, which accepts military personnel undergoing rehabilitation after combat operations free of charge.
3. Children from NDPL "OKHMATDYT" and children affected by the war or left without parents fly in the AERODIUM KYIV wind tunnel on a charitable basis, thanks to cooperation with the "Banda Dobra" Charitable Organization.

These initiatives demonstrate Respublika Park's commitment to not only developing business but also making a significant contribution to supporting society during a challenging time for the country.

Plans for the Future

Respublika Park has ambitious plans for the second half of 2024:

1. A marathon of new exciting openings! The opening of Sport Life with a swimming pool is expected very soon – in September! By the end of the year, more than 20 new operators will open in Respublika Park, including new F&B establishments: Miminoshi, Avocado, Pesto cafe, Kyiv&Food, Duck story, and even Chornomorka! New stores of well-known brands will also open: Vsi. Svoi. Home and Decor, Saks'85, Guess, Adidas original, Yabko, IBIS, Fabric17, Luxury lines, and others.

2. A "fantastically beautiful ice rink" is planned to open for the New Year season.

3. In November 2024, Respublika Park will celebrate its 3rd anniversary. A large-scale, fantastically patriotic event is planned.

4. The mall will continue to monitor the energy consumption situation and seek ways to further optimize resource use, especially given the unstable energy situation in the country and the need to prepare for the autumn-winter period.

The results of Respublika Park's operations in the first half of 2024 demonstrate that even in difficult economic conditions, it is possible not only to maintain stable operations but also to actively develop, implement innovations, and make a significant contribution to the country's economy.

Respublika Park is a super-regional shopping mall opened in November 2021 in Kyiv with a total area of 300,000 sq m. The owner of the shopping mall is Trafin Consulting und Entwicklungs GmbH, an Austrian company founded in Vienna in 2013 and operating in the real estate sector. Currently, the shareholder of Respublika Park is successfully represented in the real estate markets of Central and Eastern Europe. Trafin makes significant investments in shopping, hotel and residential complexes in many countries and is a significant participant in the investment sector of the Ukrainian economy as a shareholder of Respublika Park.