Fixed rental rates for shopping mall stores with an area of ​​50-200 sq. m per year increased by 1.3% – to $22.4 in 2025 from $22.1 in 2024, the UTG press service told Interfax-Ukraine. “Next year, we can predict a slight increase in rents from 2 to 5%, depending on the region. Further growth in costs for maintaining SECs (OPEX) and mandatory additional costs for uninterrupted power supply, which will undoubtedly increase the total costs of the tenant. Currently, there are more significant factors that may affect the further increase in rent payments. Among them: increased demand among tenants for opening stores for the development of networks, a decrease in the supply of quality space and the entry of new operators into Ukraine,” – commented UTG company Director Evgenia Loktionova.

She specified that among the factors that stimulate the growth of rates, first of all, is a stable increase in demand for quality space from retailers.

As for individual categories, according to UTG research, as of December 2025, the highest fixed rental rates were for kiosks (1-10 sq. m) – from $70 to $250 per sq. m/month (excluding VAT AND single tax), for fashion galleries – up to $32, fashion department stores – up to $18, grocery supermarkets, cafes, restaurants – up to $15, electronics supermarket – $8, children’s entertainment center – $6, cinema – up to $6 sq. m per month.

Overall, the market at the end of 2025 demonstrates cautiously optimistic trends. The average daily attendance is growing, although the indicators of the pre-war years have not yet been restored. For example, the district format – 680 people per 1,000 sq. m GLA in 2025 versus 660 in 2024 and 760 in 2021. Regional – respectively 318 in 2025, 308 in 2024 and 407 people per 1,000 sq. m GLA in 2021.

As of December 2025, 12.8% of the area in the capital’s SECs was vacant compared to 13.1% in 2024 and de facto vacant 21.4% at the end of 2022. According to UTG estimates, the temporary closure of the Gulliver SEC had a minor short-term negative effect, the de facto vacancy was 13%.

In terms of formats, the highest vacancy rate was in regional SECs – 14.9%, in district centers – 13.9% of the area was vacant, in specialized ones – 10.1%, in district ones – 6.5%.

UTG company was founded in 2001. It has developed over 1.3 thousand concepts of real estate objects. Over the years of work, 4.7 million sq. m of commercial space in Ukraine has been leased with the company’s participation.