In recent years, retail parks have become a driver of development in medium and small towns, as well as some rural areas of Romania. They gained momentum during the pandemic, providing easy access for customers amid travel restrictions. Today, they are considered a highly attractive segment for investors such as Goldbach Group, which, through its company K2 Retail Properties, launched its first K2 retail park in Râșnov in 2024 and began developing 22 more retail galleries across various counties in the country.
Easier and faster to build than malls, retail parks proved to be a convenient shopping option during the Covid-19 pandemic. With direct street access for each store and a diverse mix of tenants—ranging from grocery stores, pharmacies, and pet shops to clothing and footwear retailers, electronics, and home décor—these spaces allowed customers to shop quickly and efficiently without traveling far from home.
These advantages remain relevant even after the pandemic, leading to the emergence of retail parks in an increasing number of communities throughout Romania.

Jobs, Infrastructure Improvement, Social Cohesion

The development of a retail park brings multiple benefits to local communities, starting with job creation—both directly and indirectly. During the construction phase, these projects offer employment opportunities for workers, engineers, architects, and other specialists. Depending on the project’s complexity, this phase can last several months or even years.
Once operational, retail parks create permanent jobs in stores and other facilities within the area, in fields such as sales, management, logistics, and customer service.

Indirectly, the rise in visitor numbers encourages the growth of local businesses—restaurants, cafés, and convenience stores—which, in turn, may hire more employees. Additional job opportunities can emerge in delivery, transportation, and logistics companies, which may expand their operations around the park.
Beyond stimulating the local economy, retail parks often lead to infrastructure improvements, such as road repairs, new parking facilities, and other public amenities that enhance the quality of life for community members.

At the same time, retail parks contribute to social development by becoming gathering points for locals, strengthening social ties and fostering a sense of belonging among residents.

K2 Retail Properties – 23 Retail Galleries Completed or Under Development Nationwide

In December 2024, K2 Retail Properties, a company focused on retail project development, announced the completion of a retail gallery in Râșnov, Brașov County—its first operating under the K2 brand. The K2 Park in Râșnov is fully leased to international retailers. Also in 2024, K2 Retail Properties, part of the Goldbach Group, acquired eight food and non-food retail galleries in Zărnești, Huși, Moreni, Motru, Oravița, Orăștie, Titu, and Vălenii de Munte, and started 14 more similar projects. Upon completion, the 23 retail parks will cover approximately 40,000 square meters, with a total investment of €36 million (180 million RON).

“For 2025, we aim to continue supporting the economic and social development of medium and small communities in Romania by building new retail galleries under the K2 brand. By 2030, we plan to strengthen our national presence in food and non-food retail and expand the surface of K2-branded retail galleries to 100,000 square meters,” said Elena Oancea, co-CEO of Goldbach Group.

Goldbach Group: A Diverse Portfolio of Expertise

Goldbach Group encompasses eight companies involved in developing and implementing complex projects across various sectors:

– Retail park development through K2 Retail Properties
– Property management via K2 Assets
– Civil and industrial construction through Goldbach Construct
– Real estate development via Goldbach Development
– Architecture and urban planning through Goldbach Design & Build
– Interior design with K2 Design Lab
– Renewable energy via Goldbach Energy
– Consulting for EU-funded projects through Goldbach Consulting

About Goldbach Group

A holding company bringing together multiple businesses focused on delivering innovative, sustainable, and high-quality solutions in their respective fields, Goldbach Group’s mission is to build stronger, more resilient communities and contribute to long-term societal development. The group’s approach is rooted in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles and practices, ensuring each project benefits people, the environment, and our shared future.

About K2 Retail Properties

Founded in 2024, K2 Retail Properties focuses on developing a network of retail parks designed to support the expansion needs of companies in this sector. With sustainability and innovation at the forefront, K2 Retail Properties aims to become a leader in the development and management of modern retail parks located near growing communities.