Rue Neuve is Belgium's most expensive retail street

Rue Neuve in Brussels and the Meir in Antwerp are the most expensive locations in Belgium to rent retail space, writes Bruzz. Retailers there pay an average of €1,850 per square metre per year, according to a study by real estate consultant Cushman & Wakefield.

Avenue Louise, also in Brussels, is nearly as expensive, according to the study, with retailers paying €1,775 per square metre per year on average.

According to Cushman & Wakefield, Belgium's top shopping streets are favourite locations for the opening of flagship stores. "In light of e-commerce, these highly visible sites are critical to the success of the retailer," says the real estate consultant.

Other expensive shopping streets in Belgium are Veldstraat in Ghent (€1,375 per square metre per year), Hoogstraat in Hasselt (€1,250), Vinâve d'Île in Liège (€1,125) and Steenstraat in Bruges (€1,100).

Worldwide, New York's Fifth Avenue was selected for the third consecutive year as the most expensive location for retail space, with an average of €29,065 per square metre per year.