IULIUS to bring the JUMBO concept for the first time in Cluj, located in RIVUS, its half-billion Euro urban reconversion project

RIVUS Cluj-Napoca, the new urban reconversion project by companies IULIUS and Atterbury Europe, will include a partnership with JUMBO, one of the largest retailers of toys, home and seasonal products in the Balkans operating on the local market. Best known for its wide range of fairly priced products, the Greek retailer will access the Cluj market for the first time, being one of the top 3 most anticipated brands for Cluj locals according to market surveys and public consultations.

IULIUS signed a partnership with JUMBO, who will access the Cluj market via the RIVUS urban reconversion project that is set to transform a former industrial platform into a complex with likely the widest diversity of uses in Romania – retail, cultural, entertainment, office, park. Entailing an investment upwards of 500 million Euro by companies IULIUS and Atterbury Europe, RIVUS Cluj-Napoca is based on a family-friendly concept and will include the largest retail area in Romania, with more than 145,000 sqm GLA. The retail component of RIVUS will integrate 400+ brands, as well as various uses and services, such as fresh market, medical hub, sports and wellness facilities, interactive entertainment centers for all age categories, first-to-region cinema technologies and open air cinema, very strong family-friendly and home&deco anchors, as well as international coffee shops and concept-restaurants.

JUMBO is the largest retailer of toys, home and seasonal products in the Balkans, offering a diversity of goods at competitive prices and catering to the needs of the entire family. The JUMBO concept based in RIVUS will span on an area of approximately 8,000 sqm, offering toys, products for babies, office and stationery supplies, decorations, seasonal products, and home goods.

“We are glad to announce the first retailer we are bringing closer to the people of Cluj via the RIVUS project. JUMBO is a highly-anticipated brand among Cluj locals, as indicated by the surveys and consultations we carried out to better understand the local public, landing among the top 3 most wanted and most anticipated retailers. JUMBO is a premiere for our portfolio of partners and we are glad that together with them we will offer Cluj locals the experiences they want. RIVUS will be the most extensive lifestyle center in Romania, with first-to-market uses and statement-concepts. This project already promises to be extremely attractive and exciting through its thematic diversity, as well as the new shopping, entertainment, cultural, and socializing components, and is drawing major interest from the market,” said Oana Diaconescu, Head of Leasing IULIUS.

JUMBO Group operates 19 stores in Romania, of which 5 in Bucharest-Ilfov, 2 in Oradea and one store each in Timișoara, Arad, Ploiești, Pitești, Constanța, Suceava, Bacău, Brăila, Brașov, Craiova, Sibiu and Iași. The company also owns the E-JUMBO online store.

“The partnership with IULIUS for developing a new store in Romania, located in RIVUS Cluj-Napoca, is a strategic decision that supports our goal to maintain and consolidate our market-leading position in the retail of toys, office and stationary supplies, and other related products. JUMBO’s sales in Romania are on an upward trend, which confirms the increased interest that this concept enjoys in this country, and we are glad that we managed to identify the opportunity to also be present in one of the largest and most active cities in Romania. We genuinely believe that being present in the RIVUS project is an opportunity, knowing that Cluj locals want to have access to JUMBO products in their city too, as well considering the benefits generated by its presence in a mixed-use concept of such diversity and complexity,” said Apostolos Vakakis, owner of the JUMBO store network.

About RIVUS

The RIVUS urban reconversion project is a 500+ million Euro investment by companies IULIUS and Atterbury Europe, whereby an underused 14ha former industrial area will be restored to the community. RIVUS is currently in the building permitting phase, after the Local Council approved the urban zoning plan (PUZ) back in August.

The concept for RIVUS, the first project implemented in Romania by the world-acclaimed Dutch architects at UNStudio, drawing inspiration from the expectations of the community. Thus, RIVUS will integrate the following:

• The largest retail area in Romania, spanning 145,000 sqm (integrating the 120,000 sqm shopping mall, as well as the complementary retail facilities) in a mixed-use concept that enhances the shopping experience with public and leisure services and facilities
• More than 400 stores, including regional and national premieres
• 30+ concept-restaurants and coffee shops overlooking Someș River
• Fresh Market for local producers
• A new park and landscaped green spaces spanning more than 52,000 sqm, with 700 mature trees and 100,000+ decorative plants of various sizes
• Japanese rooftop garden, green façades and green roof
• Two industrial buildings reconverted to accommodate cultural venues, coworking spaces and services
• Live arts center and auditorium, cultural uses integrated for the first time in a real estate project based in Romania
• Entertainment concepts for all ages
• The latest cinema technologies for the first time in Transylvania, as well as open air cinema
• Premium green office spaces – 15,000 sqm GLA
• Investments in connectivity and alternative mobility: road bridge and two pedestrian walkways across Someș River, street upgrades, bicycle lanes, up to 4,800 parking spaces, 1,200 bicycle parking spaces, etc.

About JUMBO

JUMBO was incorporated in 1986 in Athens Greece. JUMBO is one of the largest retail companies in the Balkans, with more than 87 stores (53 in Greece, 5 in Cyprus, 10 in Bulgaria, and 19 in Romania), as well operating the E-JUMBO online store. It employs approximately 7.000 people.