CB Richard Ellis has bought a retail property services firm in Italy.

It has bought EDConsulting, a commercial real estate services company that specialises in retail, as part of its strategy to build a ‘premier retail services capability across Europe’ which is being led by Malcolm Dalgleish.

EDConsulting was set up in 2003 and is led by its founder, Eric Daguin and based in Brescia in northern Italy.

It focuses on leasing, property marketing, property and asset management and building consultancy for shopping centres, retail parks and factory outlets.

Mike Strong, president of CB Richard Ellis EMEA, said: ‘The acquisition in 2005 of the retail specialist Dalgleish, opened a unique opportunity for us to develop a first-class retail capability throughout Europe. Since that time further acquisitions, coupled with strong organic growth, have enabled us to significantly extend our retail expertise across the region. EDConsulting is a powerful complement to our growing retail capabilities in Europe.’