The Generali Group launched Axis Retail Partners, a new real estate boutique focusing on shopping centre investments. The joint venture has been set up with two seasoned professionals with a strong investment track record in this asset class. Financial terms were not disclosed. This partnership is in line with Generali’s strategy to further increase its exposure to real estate, where it is already one of the world’s leading investors through Generali Real Estate. The continental European shopping centre sector continues to be marked by solid fundamentals and offers an interesting entry point due to the current market juncture, but it also requires a deep industry knowledge and specific skills in order to select the best investment opportunities, manage the assets, produce long term rental growth and keep risks under control. The partnership will be instrumental to achieve these targets.