Each year, the MAPIC Awards spotlight the most innovative and influential achievements in global retail real estate. Presented during the MAPIC fair in Cannes, the awards honor projects and concepts that are redefining how retail, leisure, and urban spaces intersect.
Pioneers that shaped retail
For its 30th anniversary, the event expanded its scope. Alongside the traditional categories, five industry leaders were celebrated with “Pioneers of Places” Awards for their enduring contributions to the sector. The work of these five personalities has truly left an indelible mark on cities and retail landscapes.
Maurice Bansay, Chairman & Founder, APSYS
Maurice Bansay builds cities as much as shopping destinations. After a decade shaping retail across Europe, he founded Apsys in 1996 with the aim of “bringing places to life.” From the sustainable reinvention of Beaugrenelle in Paris to Poland’s industrial revival at Manufaktura, his projects fuse architecture, culture, and community. Current initiatives include Neyrpic in Grenoble and the forthcoming Canopia in Bordeaux.
Chadatip Chutrakul, CEO Siam Piwat
Chadatip Chutrakul has turned Bangkok into a retail capital. Since becoming CEO in 2009, she has overseen landmark destinations such as Siam Paragon and ICONSIAM, blending shopping, culture, and urban life. She is the first Thai inductee into the World Retail Hall of Fame, setting global standards for design, experience, and mixed-use retail.
Philippe Journo, Founder & CEO, Compagnie de Phalsbourg
A developer and patron of the arts, Philippe Journo founded Compagnie de Phalsbourg in 1989. His projects, from L’Atoll in Angers to The Village — the world’s first “phygital” outlet — combine bold architecture with environmental care. As President of the Fondation de l’Opéra de Paris, he also champions culture, heritage, and urban vitality.
Alexander Otto, CEO ECE Group
Alexander Otto views retail as a tool to enliven cities. Leading ECE since 2000, he has grown it into Europe’s largest privately owned retail operator. Through the Lebendige Stadt Foundation and other initiatives, he has revitalized city centers while supporting arts, sports, science, and community programs. For Otto, shopping centers are civic spaces as much as commercial ones.
Alain Taravella, Chairman & Founder, Altarea
Alain Taravella is known for transforming overlooked spaces into urban landmarks. From Bercy Village to the Cœur de Ville urban regeneration concept, he has redefined retail and urban life in France. A risk-taker and visionary, Taravella sees mixed-use development as a platform for culture, commerce, and community.
The Brand and the Project of the Past 30 Years
Two more special awards were given to Zara and to the Westfield London shopping centre. Zara was recognized as the “Most Influential Retail Brand of the Past 30 Years,” while Westfield London received the title “Most Influential Retail Property Project of the Past 30 Years.”
Zara, Inditex’s flagship brand, has transformed fashion into a global, trend-driven race. By turning runway looks into store-ready collections in record time, the brand sets the pace for the industry, proving that speed, design, and intuition can create a worldwide retail phenomenon.
Westfield London is more than a shopping center — it’s a city within a city. Since 2008, it has redefined London retail with scale, luxury, and experiences, from over 4,500 stores to The Atrium event space. Its blend of fashion, dining, wellness, and entertainment sets the benchmark for how premium retail can engage, excite, and inspire.
The Mapic Awards 2025 Winners
Alongside long-term honors, the jury celebrated the best projects and brands of the past year across ten categories.
Best New Store Concept: MINISO LAND, Shanghai, China
MINISO LAND, the brand’s first scenario-based flagship, blends retail and play across 1,637 m² on Nanjing Road. With 70+ Intellectual Property zones (IP zones) and interactive experiences, it attracts over 10,000 daily visitors, exemplifying immersive, interest-driven shopping.
Best Refurbishment Project: El Boulevard, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
A €21.6M overhaul introduced award-winning visual features, playgrounds, work hubs, and eco-friendly systems. The redesign boosted footfall and sales while reflecting the city’s Green Capital identity.
Best New Development Project: Livat Shanghai, Ingka Centres, China
Ingka Centres’ largest-ever investment combines 430,000 m² of mixed-use space with 300+ brands, digital services, and extensive parking. In its first year, Livat Shanghai drew 18.6M visitors and became a major destination for flagship and concept stores.
Best Urban Regeneration Project: Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier, Germany
Anchoring HafenCity, the project merges living, working, culture, and retail along the Elbe. It exemplifies sustainable mixed-use urban design that respects Hamburg’s heritage while shaping its future.
“Most Wanted” and “Most Exciting Awards
Finally, the “Most Wanted” and “Most Exciting” Awards were given to the winners:
- Most Wanted Retail Brand: Zara
- Most Wanted Food & Beverage: McDonald’s
- Most Wanted Leisure & Entertainment: Legoland (Theme parks and resorts based on LEGO; rides, shows, and attractions featuring LEGO-built landmarks and creations.)
- Most Exciting Retail Brand: On (Swiss performance sportswear brand known for CloudTec® running shoes; also offers highperformance apparel and accessories for running, outdoor, training, and tennis.)
- Most Exciting Food & Beverage: Big Mamma (French restaurant group serving authentic Italian cuisine in vibrant, artfully designed trattorias; dishes made from fresh Italian ingredients.)
- Most Exciting Leisure & Entertainment Concept: F1 Arcade (Premium venues with 60+ full-motion racing simulators, large screens, and vibrant atmosphere; blends gaming and hospitality for racing enthusiasts and social gatherings.)
After the ceremony it was time to celebrate the prestigious winners at Cannes’ Hôtel Majestic, where winners and guests toasted onto another 30 years of creativity, innovation, and enduring influence in retail real estate.
Peter Sempelmann
Editor-in-Chief ACROSS
