MAPIC 2022 returns to unveiling the new face of retail

MAPIC, the landmark event of the retail real estate industry, will showcase the new face of retail emerging from the Covid crisis. A rich programme of conference sessions and networking events will illustrate the deep transformation of the retail sector with views from top international experts and new market players that are disrupting the industry.

The event will take place from Tuesday, November 29th to Thursday, December 1st at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France.

This year’s focus will take a deep dive into the fundamental changes undergoing in Retail & Leisure. Consumers are driving these changes, becoming more conscious of the environment. Nowadays, buyers seek meaningful purchases, and therefore businesses now need to be driven by a purpose that goes well beyond profit; a purpose that is rooted in community, the environment, and society.

Francesco Pupillo –MAPIC Markets Director, commented, “The entire retail industry has endured two of the most challenging years in its history, with many big transformations. Next-generation retail will be about putting people and the planet first – the consumer is now looking for deeper meaning in what they do and what they buy, whilst businesses need to add a social role to have a genuine social impact. MAPIC will emphasise the new ways of doing business, with more flexible models that will allow industry players to meet current customer needs.”

This change in consumer insight has also provoked a new wave of ESG business strategies for brands. According to CBRE’s 2021 Global Investor Intentions Survey, 60 percent of respondents had already adopted ESG criteria. With the emergence of up-cycling and sustainably friendly opportunities, all these have translated into a change in the retail world over the last few years. Professionals, developers, investors, and brands all share responsibility for encouraging a positive impact with the ever-increasing popularity of reducing natural resources and promoting waste reduction, energy efficiency, ethical sourcing, and community engagement.

This new edition of MAPIC will offer a series of keynote sessions as well as a major Workshop on sustainability. These initiatives are intended to shed light on how to ensure the long-term sustainability of an existing or new project.

MAPIC 2022 will showcase the new standards of development projects that are transforming our cities into more sustainable places to live, play, shop, and work. A new wave of mixed-use projects built around the human being and its needs.

MAPIC 2022 will present a wide display of initiatives to proactively embrace this transformation, by dedicating 4 special focuses: New Retail (Retail Village), Leisure (LeisurUP), Food (The Happetite Forum), and Innovation (MAPIC Innovation Forum).

“Welcome to the Retail Village”

This ‘Retail Village’ edition is bringing together new rising concepts, digital marketplaces, fast delivery specialists and DNVB (Digital Native Vertical Brands). A new generation of retailers, many of who started life online, are rewriting and redefining the retail landscape – and appealing to an increasingly ethical consumer. MAPIC 2022’s theme will bring new retail faces showing how the industry evolved these past years since consumers’ expectations and habits changed.

Leisure Driving the Change

The 2nd Edition of LeisurUp focuses on the importance of human interaction and the experience within physical places. A primary focus of this year will be to identify and select the best leisure solutions and partners to turn traditional retail sites into exciting lifestyle destinations.

The Future of Hospitality

Once again part of MAPIC, The Happetite is the only international food industry trade forum set up to accelerate the expansion of restaurant chains in retail and urban destinations. This year’s gathering will showcase the best F&B has to offer, examining new business models, and highlighting innovation in areas such as reducing food waste.

Several famous restaurant chains are expected plus a multi-unit franchise and Private Equity lunch as a closed-door event as part of the programme.

Innovation driving the retail transformation

With the focus on the most recent digital and technological innovations, MAPIC INNOVATION FORUM will showcase the cutting-edge solutions allowing an ever-greater integration of physical and digital channels helping retailers and landlords to provide improved consumer-centric and seamless experiences.

Etienne Dupuy, CEO of Nhood, said, “Nhood is excited to be attending the new MAPIC 2022, especially as it aligns strongly with our vision of co-creating and animating sites into new living spaces across Europe. Nhood works for better places: enhanced services, housing, responsible, local, innovative shops, close to the local, with and for the inhabitants. In this way, we respond to the challenges of tomorrow’s city and commerce. The strong selection of senior players attending MAPIC makes it a must-attend event for Nhood”.