STOP SHOP is set to open the second phase of its retail park in the Croatian town of Vinkovci, introducing five new tenants.

The grand opening is scheduled for 12 November 2026, when an additional 3,600 sqm of retail space will be unveiled to the public.

With this new expansion, STOP SHOP Vinkovci will grow by 36%, bringing its total size to 13,600 sqm across 21 retail units.

Ahead of the opening, we spoke with Joško Piteša, STOP SHOP’s Country Manager of Operations, to discuss the strategy behind the expansion and the company’s broader development plans in Croatia.

What prompted the decision to expand STOP SHOP Vinkovci?

Since opening STOP SHOP Vinkovci in April 2023, we have seen a positive trend in visitor numbers, reflecting the retail park’s growing popularity.

Located at Ulica Alojzija Stepinca 201, the retail park serves Vinkovci and the surrounding towns, representing a local market of about 60,000 residents.

With Phase II, we wanted to build on the park’s existing appeal by introducing new brands and retail categories, giving customers even more reasons to choose STOP SHOP Vinkovci for their everyday shopping needs.

The scale of the project reflects our commitment to the long-term development of this location and our ambition to strengthen its position in the local retail market.

Which new brands will join the existing tenant mix, and how will they enhance the overall shopping experience?

The expansion will introduce five new tenants:

• BIPA will strengthen the beauty and personal care category.
• CCC will expand the footwear and accessories offering.
• JYSK will introduce a broader selection of furniture and home decor products.
• Vacom will enhance the consumer electronics and technology segment.
• Admiral Bar will add another hospitality option.

Together, these additions will broaden the range of products and services available at STOP SHOP Vinkovci, creating new opportunities for customers to combine different shopping needs during a single visit.

The new units also complement our existing tenants, helping us maintain a balanced retail mix that reflects local demand.

Which existing retailers are the main drivers of footfall at STOP SHOP Vinkovci?

STOP SHOP Vinkovci’s strength lies in its diverse, complementary tenant mix, bringing together retailers across everyday essentials, fashion, household products, sportswear, beauty, personal care, and other consumer needs.

Established brands such as Plodine, dm-drogerie markt, Sinsay, LC Waikiki, KiK, TEDi and Sport Vision play an important role in attracting customers and generating regular footfall.

At the same time, other tenants, including Takko Fashion, NKD, Mana Moda, Cropp, House, ZOOCITY, Optika Anda, Mandis Pharm and Caffe Bar YES, each appeal to their own customer base and contribute to the overall attractiveness of the retail park.

Together, they create a balanced retail mix in which different categories and services complement one another.

What visitor trends have you observed in 2026?

Today’s consumers increasingly value convenience, accessibility, and the ability to complete several purchases during a single visit.

This is especially true in smaller and medium-sized cities, where having a wide selection of recognized brands close to home can make a significant difference.

With convenient access, parking close to stores, and a carefully selected tenant mix, our retail parks are well positioned to meet these preferences.

Looking at our performance across Croatia, our network of 19 STOP SHOP retail parks recorded approximately 33 million visits to retail and service outlets in 2025. This positive trend has continued throughout 2026, with visitor numbers continuing to grow.

We expect to share the full-year figures for 2026 early next year, once the reporting period has concluded and we have collected all relevant data.

Looking at STOP SHOP’s broader development strategy, why are smaller and medium-sized cities an attractive focus for continued expansion in Croatia?

Smaller and medium-sized cities are central to STOP SHOP’s development strategy in Croatia.

We believe these markets offer significant opportunities to provide accessible, high-quality retail destinations that respond to local demand and bring recognized domestic and international brands closer to customers.

Our approach is not simply about increasing the number of locations.

Before developing a new project, we carefully assess the local market’s potential, residents’ needs, transport accessibility, and the existing retail offering. We focus on locations where our concept can deliver long-term value to both customers and retailers.

This strategy is clearly reflected in our development activities in 2026.

We opened four new retail parks in Knin, Sinj, Samobor and Bjelovar, bringing our Croatian network to 23 locations. The expansion of STOP SHOP Vinkovci is another important milestone, demonstrating that our growth strategy combines new developments with continued investment in established locations.

Croatia remains an important market for STOP SHOP, and we continue to see opportunities for sustainable, long-term growth through both new retail park developments and the expansion of existing locations.

For more information about STOP SHOP in Croatia visit: stop-shop.com