The retail vacancy crisis on the Champs-Élysées is now firmly behind it. In the wake of the pandemic lockdowns, empty units proliferated along the French capital’s flagship thoroughfare, but the Paris 2024 Olympic Games have decisively reignited its appeal. According to Newmark, a commercial real estate adviser, the Olympic euphoria—which saw many retailers open or rethink their concepts—is set to continue into 2025. The vacancy rate stands at 3.5%, and new international names, ranging from luxury to sport, will soon be setting up shop. Investments remain high and, according to the firm, continue to hover around €15,000/m² per year. Although the Champs-Élysées has fewer very large stores than counterparts such as New York’s Fifth Avenue, Oxford Street and especially London’s Regent Street, 42% of the floor space is in units larger than 1,000 m². While work is still underway for the LVMH group, which is renovating HSBC’s former French headquarters at 103-111 on the avenue, the group is installing a flagship for its American jeweler Tiffany at number 100.

Luxury has clearly gained ground on the avenue, now accounting for 28% of the offer, compared with less than 10% in 2017. In luxury, Balenciaga, part of the Kering group, will open at number 125, while Canada Goose’s high-end outerwear is expected at 73. The avenue continues to be a destination for new sports brands. After On Running and Lululemon, Alo Yoga, a fast-rising premium sportswear brand, is to set up shop across nearly 2,000m² in place of the former Zara at number 92. Zara, which used its former premises for retail but primarily as additional storage, will further expand its flagship at number 74 in 2026.