As the year approaches its end, excitement is mounting across the retail, leisure, and hospitality industries for the upcoming MAPIC 2023 event, scheduled to take place from November 28 to 30 in Cannes.
MAPIC is a cornerstone event in the global retail real estate arena. Over three days, it will convene more than 8,000 stakeholders, including a significant contingent of over 2,000 retailers. The event is designed to nurture business ties among retail operators, municipalities, shopping venues, and property developers.
The overarching theme for this year’s MAPIC is “The Age of Responsible Growth,” a timely focus given the increasing emphasis on sustainability and ethical practices in the retail, leisure, and hospitality sectors. This theme is not just a tagline but a commitment, as evidenced by the event’s new dedicated area for energy efficiency and innovation.
For stakeholders across various sectors—be it retail property, leisure, food, or tech—MAPIC serves as a global stage. It offers property developers and cities a chance to present their retail spaces to an international audience comprising retailers, leisure operators, and food businesses. For retailers and operators, it’s an unparalleled opportunity to discover prime locations and forge beneficial partnerships.
Who’s Attending?
This year’s MAPIC promises to be a melting pot of diverse companies from sectors such as fashion, culture, leisure, and food & beverage. The roster includes key players like multi-site operators, franchise partners, private equity investors, and property developers. Companies from the United Kingdom making an appearance include Mountain Warehouse, Pandora, Primark, Sports Direct, and JD Sports, among others. They will be joined by international stalwarts like Adidas, Burberry, Guess, Hugo Boss, Lacoste, Levi’s, Mango, and Timberland.
The Agenda
The conference will offer a comprehensive array of discussions and activities, covering a wide range of subjects from emerging retail patterns to shifts in consumer behaviour and advancements in digital technology. The inaugural keynote, titled “The Road Ahead: Responsible Growth,” will feature industry leaders such as Alison Rehill-Erguven, CEO of Cenomi Centers, Joanna Fisher, CEO of ECE Marketplaces, and Cindy Andersen, Managing Director at Ingka Centres. Leveraging their extensive expertise in a rapidly changing environment, the speakers will explore the evolving responsibilities of property owners in spearheading transformative agendas. Other topics will include strategies for community-focused development and asset management, as well as the reconfiguration of retail spaces to meet the needs of modern consumers and retailers.
MAPIC Sustainability Lab
A noteworthy addition to this year’s event is the MAPIC Sustainability Lab. This new exhibition area is committed to accelerating the shift toward decarbonization and greenhouse gas emission reduction in the retail and real estate sectors. The lab will host seven conference sessions and offer three days of networking opportunities, gathering stakeholders engaged in various sectors like energy management, renewable energy, and more.
LeisurUp by MAPIC
LeisurUp, a specialized offshoot of MAPIC, zeroes in on location-based entertainment. This segment is geared towards metamorphosing traditional retail spaces into contemporary lifestyle hubs by infusing them with vibrant, location-centric entertainment options. Whether you’re interested in theme parks, cultural showcases, or other entertainment forms, LeisurUp has it all covered.
The Happetite by MAPIC
Another standout feature of MAPIC is The Happetite, a global platform for restaurant chains eyeing expansion. This segment will spotlight the freshest food concepts and leading restaurant brands. A full day will be allocated to conferences centred on restaurant brands and the role of food in lifestyle destinations. These discussions will be steered by a panel of over 35 industry experts. The Happetite aims to funnel footfall to locations by unveiling the most dynamic and up-to-date international restaurant concepts. Additionally, it provides exclusive, closed-door sessions for restaurant chains to engage with potential investors, franchise partners, and property developers.
Innovation at MAPIC
The MAPIC Innovation Forum is a global assembly of thought leaders in the retail real estate sector. This forum will host presentations and workshops on subjects like artificial intelligence, sustainability, and enhancing customer experience.
Retail Village Exhibitors
The Retail Village will feature finalists from the MAPIC Academy Challenge, a competition that provides young retail companies with financial and expert support to develop new physical retail concepts. The five finalists for this year include:
- The World of Onyo: A leisure concept aiming to reconnect people to nature through screenless immersive experiences.
- Superstack: A modern take on the piercing industry, targeting Generation Z with a digital, medically safe space.
- W.O.P – World of Pop: A concept store offering fun and affordable fashion for families.
- Greener: A sustainable clothing brand that purifies the air, eliminating greenhouse gases, viruses, and bacteria.
- t7berlin: A sustainable 3D knitwear brand that blends form and function for the modern wardrobe.
The Retail Village also showcases a diverse range of exhibitors, from natural perfumeries like AB1882 to food and beverage concepts like Momentea, which specializes in Bubble Tea. These exhibitors represent various sectors including digital marketplaces, fast delivery specialists, and Digital Native Vertical Brands (DNVBs).
MAPIC Awards 2023
This year’s MAPIC Awards are themed ‘The Age of Responsible Growth,’ spotlighting projects and brands that are committed to community welfare and environmental sustainability. The awards ceremony is scheduled for November 29, from 19:30 to 22:00, at the Salon des Ambassadeurs, located within the Palais des Festivals in Cannes. The MAPIC Awards shortlist can be viewed here.
Attending MAPIC 2023
For those planning to attend, the event offers various pass options, including a MAPIC Full Access Pass that provides entry to all the specialized segments like LeisurUp and The Happetite.
Whether you are a retailer, a leisure operator, or a hospitality professional, this event offers something for everyone. With its focus on responsible growth, cutting-edge innovation, and global networking, MAPIC 2023 is setting the stage for the next era of these industries. It’s not just about the here and now; it’s about envisioning and creating a sustainable and profitable future. If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve, forge meaningful partnerships, and gain actionable insights, then missing out on MAPIC 2023 is not an option. It’s more than an event; it’s a catalyst for change and a roadmap for what’s next in retail, leisure, and hospitality.
For real-time updates and insights from the show, be sure to follow 365 Retail’s social media pages. If you’re interested in meeting and networking opportunities, you can reach out directly to Terry Clark via email at terry@365retail.co.uk.
