The retail environment in the Nordic countries — particularly in their capital cities: Copenhagen, Helsinki, Oslo and Stockholm — is characterised by that rarity in Europe, a growing population. This is a result both of continuing urbanisation, as people move into the cities, and of net inward migration. The Nordic countries have long been generous contributors to global efforts to resettle displaced people. The rising population has positive implications for retail growth, in terms both of absolute numbers of people (footfall, in the jargon) and of higher levels of consumer expenditure (spend). Citycon Oyj, based in Helsinki and listed on the Helsinki stock exchange, is a shopping centre developer and operator that moved out of its domestic market in 2005 and is now taking on a broader pan-Nordic role. Editor Richard Fleming spoke recently with CEO Marcel Kokkeel and CFO