Tomislav Savić: The FORUM Brand Continues to Develop Its Properties – Plans to Expand the Retail Park in Zemun

Belgrade, December 31, 2024. Nowadays, the pre-holiday atmosphere is simply unimaginable without visiting shopping centers, and the bustling dynamics that accompany holiday shopping are clearly present in the retail properties of the FORUM brand. We spoke with Tomislav Savić, Retail Segment Director at Marera Properties, at the end of the year.

How did the FORUM brand come about? What is its role and mission in the development of the local community?

The FORUM brand is a concept that combines the experience of great shopping, entertainment, and socializing, with modern and functional retail spaces tailored to the needs of contemporary consumers. Our goal is to offer a variety of amenities – from modern stores and dining facilities to entertainment activities, thus becoming a central meeting point for fun and enjoyment for all visitors.

The FORUM brand is part of the portfolio of Marera Properties, a company involved in investing, acquiring, and developing commercial real estate. Within this brand, there are two properties – Forum Park in Zemun and Forum Shopping Center in Niš.

Forum Shopping Center has been part of Marera’s portfolio since 2018, and since then, we have been dedicated to its development in order to offer the people of Niš and the surrounding area a modern shopping experience and help foster the growth of the local economy. Forum Park Zemun, the first retail park in Belgrade, has been part of our portfolio since 2021 and is now a top destination for family shopping for all Zemun residents.

What are the main advantages that Forum Park and Forum Shopping Center offer tenants to enhance their business operations?

Forum Park covers more than 70,000 m² and offers visitors a wide range of popular brands from various categories, including sports equipment, fashion, home decor, a supermarket, dining establishments, and facilities for children. Thanks to its modern concept, quality offerings, and convenient location just a few kilometers from the center of Zemun, Forum Park stands out as a favorite destination for all generations, providing a unique experience that combines quality and enjoyment.

Forum Shopping Center is a modern commercial building located in the heart of Niš, and it represents an essential shopping destination for residents of the city and its surroundings. It offers visitors a wide assortment of different brands, with goods catering to all categories of consumers.

You are also recognized for your charitable initiatives aimed at helping vulnerable groups in society. What activities have you been involved in?

The FORUM brand strives to be socially responsible and contribute to the creation of an inclusive society. We believe that responsible business is not only about providing a top-notch experience for visitors but also about actively caring for those who need help the most. In this regard, Forum Park regularly hosts blood donation drives in collaboration with the Institute for Blood Transfusion and the Red Cross of Belgrade, under the slogan “You’re worth three when you donate blood.” Through this activity, we aim to raise awareness among visitors about the importance of blood donation and encourage them to become active participants in preserving health and saving lives. Additionally, we support friends from the charity organization “Dečje srce” by organizing sales exhibitions of handmade crafts every last Thursday of the month, where visitors can purchase items made by the organization’s beneficiaries. Another initiative is “Silent Hour,” held every second Tuesday of the month at Forum Shopping Center, during which we dim the sound and light signals for one hour to support people with autism, attention disorders, and other sensory conditions, thus providing them with a more comfortable shopping experience.

In anticipation of the New Year holidays, Forum Shopping Center in Niš will host an exhibition by the Museum of Illusions from Belgrade for the first time. What can visitors expect from this unique exhibit?

For the end of the year, we want to provide everyone visiting Forum Shopping Center with an unforgettable experience and great entertainment, so collaborating with the Museum of Illusions was the perfect opportunity to further enrich the holiday atmosphere. The exhibition will run from December 25 to January 2 and will feature unique museum exhibits and illusionistic attractions themed around the New Year holidays. For the most creative photos shared by visitors on social media, we’ve prepared valuable prizes. We expect this event to become a real attraction in Niš, bringing together both younger and older generations who will enjoy the unique combination of fun, art, and illusion.

What are your plans for the future in terms of new projects, and how will they contribute to the further development of your portfolio?

In the upcoming year, we plan to expand the existing capacity of Forum Park in the second phase by building an additional 8,000 m² of business space. This will further enrich the offering and allow for new brands to join, creating new jobs. Another investment we are planning for 2025 is the installation of a solar power plant at Forum Park. This ecological initiative is part of Marera Group’s strategy, within which the FORUM brand operates, aimed at reducing CO2 emissions and achieving CO2-neutral status for the entire group by 2028.