Kyiv, January 28 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Rent rates for retail space in Kyiv and Ukraine in 2014 decreased by 10-40% in U.S. dollar terms and in 2015 will be stable, experts from Ukrainian Trade Guild (UTG) consulting company have stated at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine.

Rent rates in dollar terms in 2014 declined by 10-40% due to the devaluation of the hryvnia, a lower public income, the reduction in retailers' turnover. The average rent rate came to $49.7 per square meter a month (excluding VAT) against $70 per square meter monthly in the previous years. Rent rates for retail space range between $25-80 per square meter monthly depending on the location of the shopping center.

According to the experts, the payment scheme for anchor tenants is with 2-5% of the turnover, while the figure is 7-15% for the operators of the shopping gallery.

UTG said buyers became more selective, which entailed the movement of tenants from unprofitable district shopping centers to larger and more successful trade malls. The average market vacancy of the existing shopping centers in Kyiv over the year increased threefold to 7.5%. Vacant space appeared even in the most successful shopping centers such as Dream Town, Ocean Plaza, and Sky Mall. At some large newly commissioned objects the vacancy rate exceeded 50%.