The MAPIC Awards, a prestigious competition celebrating excellence, innovation, and creativity in the commercial real estate sector, has announced the winners of its 2024 edition.
The MAPIC Awards aim to spotlight the most innovative and impactful retail, leisure, F&B concepts, and urban regeneration and development projects worldwide. This year’s theme, The New Retail Equation, inspired the jury to recognise brands, concepts, and projects that have delivered tangible results in an evolving and competitive economic landscape.
2024 MAPIC Awards Jury
The jury, chaired by Ana Guedes De Oliveira, Executive Director of Developments at Sonae Sierra (Portugal), featured leading experts from the industry, including:
- Pascal Barboni, Managing Director, Frey (France)
- Alain Boutigny, Editor-in-Chief, Sites Commerciaux (France)
- Eric Decouvelaere, Head of Retail EMEA, CBRE Investment Management (France)
- Valeria Di Nisio, Group Leasing Director, Eurocommercial [Netherlands]
- Lorraine Dieulot, Lifestyle Business Unit Director, Saguez & Partners [France]
- Jonathan Doughty, Non-Executive Chairman, WhiteSpace Partners Ltd [UK]
- Steffen Eric Friedlein, Managing Director of Leasing, ECE Marketplaces [Germany]
- Sebastian Hylving, Global Expansion & Development Director, Ingka Centres [Sweden]
- Clémentine Pacitti, Group Head of CSR, Klepierre [France]
- Valérie Stern, Store Development Project Director, Fast Retailing Group [France]
- Robert Travers, Head of EMEA Retail & Leisure, Cushman & Wakefield [UK]
- Natalie Bardin, Head of Strategic Marketing, CSRD and Innovation, Altarea Group [France]
- Alexandra Von Der Grün, Vice President of Retail & Franchise Europe, Adidas [Germany]
Below you will find the winners of the MAPIC Awards 2024:
RETAIL BRAND OF THE YEAR
KIKO MILANO
KIKO Milano, founded in 1997, is an Italian cosmetics brand renowned for blending creativity and quality. Over 99 percent of KIKO’s products are made in Europe, with an emphasis on high standards and sustainability. This year, KIKO has expanded its product range to include innovative skincare and self-expression-focused offerings, all designed in Milan. With a presence in over 20 countries and a growing retail footprint, KIKO Milano continues to empower individuals to embrace their uniqueness through beauty.
FOOD & BEVERAGE BRAND OF THE YEAR
FIVE GUYS JV
Five Guys continues to redefine the fast-casual dining experience with its commitment to high-quality ingredients and customer-centric service. Over the past year, it has opened 30 new stores across the UK, France, Spain, and Germany, while entering Portugal for the first time. Globally, Five Guys has expanded to 25 countries, adding four locations in South Korea. Its dedication to simple yet superior offerings, including its iconic burgers and hand-cut fries, has cemented its place as a global F&B leader.
LEISURE BRAND OF THE YEAR
HUPALUPA
HUPALUPA, a Turkish family entertainment brand, has evolved into a leader in the leisure sector through its multi-dimensional approach. Originally focused on physical activities such as trampoline parks and arcade gaming, HUPALUPA now operates under four sub-brands: FEC (Family Entertainment Centres), EXPO (educational exhibits), GO (mobile events for children), and STORE (retail outlets). Its focus on children’s mental and physical development while catering to parents’ needs has set a new benchmark for family-friendly entertainment.
BEST NEW RETAIL BRAND
BASKETBALL EMOTION
Basketball Emotion combines retail with cultural celebration, offering more than just basketball products. Its stores serve as community hubs, featuring interactive designs, personalised merchandise, and knowledgeable staff who provide expert advice. The brand champions inclusivity and diversity in sports, with initiatives promoting equal opportunities. By blending physical and digital experiences, Basketball Emotion has created a dynamic retail space that resonates with fans and athletes alike.
BEST IN-STORE EXPERIENCE
BIG MAMMA – BARRACUDA IXELLES
Big Mamma redefines dining by merging authentic Italian cuisine with immersive decor. The Barracuda Ixelles location in Brussels transports diners to Italy with its open kitchens, vibrant interiors, and live music. Staffed by Italian-speaking team members, the restaurant delivers an engaging and joyful experience. From freshly made pizzas to innovative cocktails, every element is designed to create unforgettable moments for guests.
BEST SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVE BY A RETAIL BRAND
INGKA GROUP – ONE DROP STORE
The One Drop Store is a collective project that empowers individuals with disabilities through vocational training and retail operations. Located in Livat Wuxi, the store runs on a trust-based system during weekdays and features interactive workshops led by disabled artisans on weekends. By promoting inclusivity and sustainability, the One Drop Store showcases the potential of collective creativity in driving positive social change.
BEST SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVE BY A PROPERTY PLAYER
FOR OUR FUTURE / TRAFFORD CENTRE – BWP GROUP
Manchester’s Trafford Centre is setting the standard for sustainable operations in retail spaces. To achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030, the centre has implemented energy-saving measures, reducing consumption by 21.5 percent, and recycling 66 percent of its waste. Initiatives such as electric vehicle charging stations, urban greenery, and community partnerships reinforce its role as a leader in environmental responsibility.
BEST REFURBISHMENT PROJECT
WESTFIELD CNIT – UNIBAIL-RODAMCO-WESTFIELD
Located in Paris’s La Défense district, Westfield CNIT has transformed, adding 45 shops and 9,000 sqm of retail, dining, and leisure space. The refurbishment includes energy-efficient infrastructure and improved connectivity, making it a flagship example of mixed-use urban regeneration. This expansion not only revitalises the shopping centre but also strengthens the district’s position as a retail and transport hub.
BEST FOODHALL AND FOOD COURT
COMMUNALE – FREY
Communale of Saint-Ouen is an ambitious urban regeneration project that transforms a former industrial site into a vibrant mixed-use community. Featuring local cuisine kiosks, markets, and eco-friendly design elements, Communale promotes sustainability and collaboration. Its open, pedestrian-friendly environment supports local artisans and fosters creativity, making it a thriving social hub for residents and visitors alike.
BEST NEW DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
LIVAT XI’AN – INGKA CENTRES
Livat Xi’an is a revolutionary retail destination in China, blending nearly 400 brands with cultural and entertainment spaces. Within six days of opening, the 320,000 sqm site attracted over 1 million visitors. Anchored by sustainability, the development integrates green spaces and community-focused initiatives, redefining the retail experience as a hub for social and economic interaction.
BEST URBAN REGENERATION PROJECT
PORTA A MARE WATERFRONT, LIVORNO – IGD SIIQ
This 10-hectare redevelopment project in Livorno’s historic harbour has revitalised disused industrial areas into a mixed-use destination. Incorporating residential units, offices, retail spaces, and leisure facilities, Porta a Mare preserves its heritage while driving economic growth. The project has created hundreds of jobs and established a new cultural and commercial focal point for the city.
BEST RETAIL INNOVATION AND AI PROJECT
GREENWISE ENERGY USAGE TRANSITION AND REDUCTION FOR CARREFOUR SA – FLORAWISE
Florawise has partnered with Carrefour SA to implement AI-powered systems that optimise energy use in its stores. By managing HVAC, lighting, and refrigeration systems dynamically, the initiative has reduced energy consumption by 20 percent, saving millions of kWh and reducing CO2 emissions. This innovation positions Carrefour as a sustainability leader.
BEST STORE DESIGN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH INSTITUT FRANÇAIS DU DESIGN
INFINIMENT CHOCOLAT
Designed by Jouin Manku, this boutique is an architectural ode to chocolate-making. Its dark, sculptural interior mimics the fluidity and richness of chocolate, offering customers a sensory journey through Pierre Hermé’s artistry.
MAPIC ACADEMY
ACTIVE ROCK
Selected by Nhood
Active Rock, founded in Switzerland, designs innovative socks tailored to the specific needs of each sport (Tennis, Paddle, Pickleball, Running, etc.) and for athletes of all levels. The company collaborates with professional athletes to create socks that address the unique challenges of each sport, reducing injuries through their anatomical design. The socks use natural fibres like bamboo, which requires 38 times less land than cotton and 200 times less water for cultivation and production.
FREE FORM STYLE
Selected by Ingka Centres
Free Form Style ensures that fashion adapts to everyone, creating barrier-free clothing designed to simplify life for people with disabilities. As Spain’s first inclusive fashion brand, Free Form Style rethinks garment design to offer comfortable products that cater to specific needs, such as side openings, back fastenings, and catheter-friendly sleeves. Produced locally, the brand’s collections are made from sustainable, regionally sourced fabrics to minimise their carbon footprint.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
PALAIS DES THÉS
With over 30 years of expertise, Palais des Thés is a Parisian premium tea brand founded by François-Xavier Delmas, one of the world’s most esteemed tea sommeliers. Dedicated to curating the finest teas, Palais des Thés explores the globe to source exceptional harvests, ensuring each cup is a journey of discovery. By forging deep, long-standing partnerships with tea growers, the brand delivers an unparalleled diversity of flavours and aromas, transforming tea drinking into an artful and emotional experience.
SPECIAL PRIZE of the Jury
“For commitment to women’s well-being”
KAYANEE
Kayanee, located in Riyadh’s diplomatic quarter, offers a unique wellness experience for women, combining fitness, clothing, nutrition, personal care, diagnostics, and healthy eating. The store’s design, inspired by Middle Eastern dance, creates a welcoming and sustainable environment. A dedicated diagnostic area provides personalised health insights, while the fitness and dance zone promotes movement and fun, complemented by locally sourced healthy food options.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
DIDIER ROCHE – Co-founder of DANS LE NOIR ?
Blind since childhood, Didier Roche has been pioneering service enterprises for the visually impaired from a young age. In 2004, he co-founded Dans le Noir? a unique dining concept where guests eat in complete darkness, guided by visually impaired servers. Beyond integrating people with disabilities into the workforce, the concept aims to raise public awareness about visual impairment and create a profound sensory experience, encouraging diners to rely on their other four senses.
Widely publicised through the television show Top Chef, which incorporated the idea into its iconic “black box” challenge, Dans le Noir? has become a global success story with 16 restaurants worldwide. It has since expanded into spas, escape rooms, wine-tasting workshops, and perfume discovery sessions.