MAPIC has announced the finalists for the MAPIC Awards 2026, its annual programme recognising excellence, innovation and creativity in the retail real estate sector, with 22 brands, developments and store concepts shortlisted across seven categories.

Several of the shortlisted brands have been building their UK presence. Inditex-owned value fashion brand Lefties opened its first UK store at Liverpool ONE, while POP MART has signed for its South Yorkshire debut at Meadowhall. UK-founded steakhouse chain Flat Iron and competitive socialising concept TOCA Social are also among the brand finalists.

POP MART store entrance with an illuminated archway and character artwork
POP MART

The MAPIC Awards jury is chaired by Joanna Fisher, chief executive of ECE Marketplaces, and includes Mohammad Alawi of TEAA Holding Company, Simon Boutigny of La Correspondance de l’Enseigne, Alexia Delaire of AEW, Valeria Di Nisio of Eurocommercial Properties, Carsten Heidtmann of Pandora, Sebastian Hylving of Ingka Centres, Caroline Murphy of Siam Piwat, Valérie Stern of Fast Retailing Group, Pablo Sueiras of Landsec and Robert Travers of Cushman & Wakefield.

The MAPIC Awards 2026 Finalists

Most Exciting Retail Brand

  • Lefties
  • Normal
  • POP MART
POP MART store entrance with an illuminated archway and character artwork
POP MART
Lefties store with a glass shopfront in a shopping centre
Lefties
Entrance to a Normal store with turquoise signage and shelves of branded products
Normal

Most Exciting Food & Beverage Brand

  • Flat Iron
  • Honest Greens
  • La Piadineria
Flat Iron restaurant interior with long wooden tables, exposed brick and green panelling
Flat Iron
Honest Greens restaurant interior with wooden tables and plants beneath the brand name
Honest Greens
La Piadineria restaurant frontage with red signage in a shopping centre
La Piadineria

Most Exciting Leisure & Entertainment Brand

  • Activate
  • Meow Wolf
  • TOCA Social
Activate venue entrance in a shopping centre with a large illuminated A-shaped frame
Activate
Colourful Meow Wolf frontage inside a shopping centre
Meow Wolf
Player kicking a football towards a digital target screen at TOCA Social
TOCA Social

Best New Development Project

  • 1364, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh – Unified Real Estate Development
  • Parma Promenade – Eurofund Group
  • Valvert Croix-Blanche Retail Park – Compagnie de Phalsbourg
Curved low-rise buildings and a lit pedestrian street at 1364 in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter at dusk
1364, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh – Unified Real Estate Development
Open-air plaza beneath a large canopy roof at Parma Promenade
Parma Promenade – Eurofund Group
Shoppers walking along an outdoor retail street at sunset at Valvert Croix-Blanche Retail Park
Valvert Croix-Blanche Retail Park – Compagnie de Phalsbourg

Best Urban Regeneration Project

  • Souq7, Jeddah – Azad Properties
  • Bobigny Cœur de Ville – Altarea Commerce
  • ChorusLife Bergamo – Costim Real Estate
  • Rembrandthof Extension, Stadshart Amstelveen – Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
Aerial night view of Souq7 in Jeddah with crowds around a lit central walkway
Souq7, Jeddah – Azad Properties
Mixed-use buildings with shops and apartments at Bobigny Cœur de Ville
Bobigny Cœur de Ville – Altarea Commerce
Aerial view of the ChorusLife district in Bergamo with mountains behind
ChorusLife Bergamo – Costim Real Estate
Corner building with shopfronts and a planted roof terrace at Rembrandthof, Stadshart Amstelveen
Rembrandthof Extension, Stadshart Amstelveen – Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield

Best Refurbishment Project

  • Landquart Fashion Outlet – VIA Outlets
  • NEXTOPIA – Siam Piwat
  • Vila do Conde Porto Fashion Outlet Expansion – VIA Outlets
Alpine-style buildings around a courtyard at Landquart Fashion Outlet with mountains behind
Landquart Fashion Outlet – VIA Outlets
Interior of NEXTOPIA at Siam Paragon with curved ceilings, planting and dining terraces
NEXTOPIA – Siam Piwat
Shoppers outside the glass entrance of Vila do Conde Porto Fashion Outlet
Vila do Conde Porto Fashion Outlet Expansion – VIA Outlets

Best New Store Concept

  • Balabala Xuhui Riverside “Living Your Passion” Pop-Up, Shanghai
  • Beymen Tersane, Istanbul
  • COACH Play Shinsaibashi, Osaka
Visitors at the Balabala riverside pop-up in Shanghai with a giant rabbit character
Balabala Xuhui Riverside “Living Your Passion” Pop-Up, Shanghai
Historic stone shipyard buildings on the water at Beymen Tersane in Istanbul
Beymen Tersane, Istanbul
Interior of COACH Play Shinsaibashi with timber shelving of handbags and a dinosaur figure
COACH Play Shinsaibashi, Osaka

The winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony during MAPIC on 3 November 2026, in the Grand Auditorium of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes.

MAPIC Awards 2026 Finalists Announced Ahead of Cannes Gala
Publisher and Content Director at  | Website | + posts

Terry Clark is the Publisher and Content Director of 365 Retail, with more than a decade of experience covering retail design, technology innovations, store openings and the wider retail industry. He also works closely with leading retailers, suppliers, agencies, events and industry awards across the UK.

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