Charter Hall has acquired three metropolitan located sub-regional shopping centres Bonnyrigg Plaza (Sydney), Morayfield Supercentre (Brisbane), and Summerhill Shopping Centre (Melbourne), for $360 million, following an off-market transaction.

The acquisition, led by JLL, highlights the renewed influx of institutional capital into the retail sector. In 2025, sub-regional centres have become some of the most sought-after assets in Australian retail property, buoyed by rising investor confidence, increased capital allocation, and strong pricing growth. Their combination of convenience-focused retail, which offers defensive income and promising growth prospects continues to attract both institutional and private investors.

“For the first time in over fifteen years retail is the most traded asset class in Australia,” said Sam Hatcher, Head of Retail at JLL Australia & New Zealand.

“This momentum is mirrored globally, where urban retail centres have achieved significant capital value growth, and near-record occupancy with rising rents in the US continuing to drive investor appetite. The revitalisation of institutional capital and expanding global liquidity places the Australian retail sector in a strong position moving forward throughout 2026.”

JLL outlines that the retail sector is poised for strong forecast growth, underpinned by Australia’s robust population growth of 1.4% per annum over the next decade, and further supported by strong demand, supply constraints, and market rents 40% below economic benchmarks, which provide substantial runway for future rental escalations. With 88% of income anchored by majors, food, health, and services, the portfolio offers stable, resilient cash flows and a risk-adjusted balance between income security and growth.

Charter Hall’s latest purchase follows the recent launch of its Charter Hall Convenience Retail Fund (CCRF), which is focused on investing in metropolitan convenience shopping centres and select net-lease retail assets across Australia. Recent acquisitions of Chullora Marketplace, Southport Park, Corio Village, and Glebe Village, also facilitated by JLL, signal robust confidence in the sector’s stability and growth outlook.