Thirteen gold awards were announced. Major winners included Apsys Polska with an impressive haul of bronze, silver and gold awards across centres including Manufaktura, Posnania and Galeria Katowicka.
South African malls proved to be at the top of their game with eight awards, with Gateway, Theatre of Shopping and Sandton gaining multiple trophies.
Rødovre Centrum in Copenhagen, with a record number of entries, managed to convert the majority into prize winning accolades.
The ‘Best of the Best’ winner – with the top score across 20 global judges – was awarded to a small scale project in Portugal – ‘Silent Hour’ at Alegro Setubal where the entire center was transformed to cater for SEND customers. This also scooped the award for Innovation, and best use of a small budget.
Probably the most emotional moment was the announcement of a special “Inspiration” Award for Nikolsky – Budhouse’s new development in Kharkiv, Ukraine, which launched on the eve of the Russian invasion only to be hit in a targeted missile attack. Solal Ambassador Chris Igwe highlighted how one of the most moving moments in the earlier Solal Marketing Conference was when Marketing Director, Dmytro Bushmakin’s video presentation was met with shock and stunned silence by the industry audience. “Without a doubt this was the most moving and powerful moment of the successful Solal Awards Marketing Conference in Warsaw,” he said.
The marketing conference and gala marks the first live event for the newly-relaunched Solal Awards.
Agnieszka Tomczak-Tuzińska, Marketing Director at Apsys Polska said: “The Solal Awards and the conference are not just about recognizing great work – they’re an incredible opportunity to exchange experiences, understand the specifics of different markets, and take inspiration from outstanding practices across the world. But just as importantly, it’s about real-life connection – meeting face-to face, building new relationships and expanding our horizons beyond our daily work. That mix of knowledge-sharing and genuine human connection is what makes Solal Awards truly special.”
Anita Stampfl, of AniSta & Partners and also part of the Solal planning team, added: “For over half a decade we haven’t had the opportunity to share and celebrate the best of our industry. The combination of an educational event culminating in a high-energy gala celebration was such an uplifting moment for us. Marketing teams were finally able to get together, network and learn what’s new and great in retail marketing.”
The enthusiasm among marketing and centre management teams to participate in the awards was picked up by industry sponsors who lined up to support the event. Companies such as VISA and Multidekor led a diverse range of blue-chip partners, with HBB Centermanagement, MK Illumination, Emplate, GroupM and ESPT adding their backing.
HBB Centermanagement CEO Andre Stromeyer added: “We were delighted to play a part in the awards – the gala totally re-invented the traditional way an awards evening runs – much more in line with the Gen-Z audiences we are all chasing. I’m not surprised it was totally sold-out”.
As a final note, Solal Chair and MD Of AL Marketing Alan Thornton added, “After last night’s success we want to keep up the momentum so our attention is now turning to the 2026 award and how we can make the Solals even bigger and better.”
For more details, all winners, entries and pictures click: www.solalawards.com.
FINALISTS AND WINNERS
Puerto Venecia
CENTER OPENINGS & REFURBISHMENT
El Mirador, SPAIN
Posnania GOLD WINNER
Food Fyrtel Grand Opening, POLAND
La Vaguada
La Vaguada Refurbishment, SPAIN
Luton Point
Rebranding The Mall to Luton Point, UNITED KINGDOM
Zenia Boulevard BRONZE WINNER
Refurbishment Zenia Boulevard, SPAIN
PR CAMPAIGNS + OVERCOMING ADVERSITY
Arena Center
Guerilla Fashion Show, CROATIA
Focus Park
#Rybniczanie – Focus Park focuses on brewery!, POLAND
Gateway Theatre of Shopping SILVER WINNER
Kua-Zulu Natal Floods, SOUTH AFRICA
Wijnegem Shopping Center
Wijnegem Musical, BELGIUM
B2B / BRAND & TENANT PARTNERSHIPS
Bahía Sur
Bahía Sound, the music festival of Bahía Sur, SPAIN
Apsys Polska
Better2gether Program, POLAND
Alegro Montijo
Book Booth, PORTUGAL
CityQuartier FÜNF HÖFE SILVER WINNER
FÜNF HÖFE x Film Festival Munich: A Real Blockbuster, GERMANY
CityQuartier FÜNF HÖFE
FÜNF HÖFE goes InsideOut, GERMANY
Sandton City
Momo’s Magical Adventure SILVER WINNER, SOUTH AFRICA
NEPI ROCKCASTLE
Driving Partnership Engagement – NEPI Rockcastle’s Retailers Day, ROMANIA
Scarborough Town Centre GOLD WINNER
October’s Very Own at Scarborough Town Centre, CANADA
Rødovre Centrum GOLD WINNER
Power of Drama, DENMARK
Vialia Estación de Vigo
Vialia Bingo, SPAIN
Wijnegem Shopping Center
Wijnegem Shopping Center x The Masked Singer partnership, BELGIUM
Rødovre Centrum
Zoogether, DENMARK
LA VIE Guarda
Be a successful entrepreneur, PORTUGAL
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY
NEPI Rockcastle
Custom-fit digital signage, BUCHAREST
Sandton City SILVER WINNER
Future Icons by AI, SOUTH AFRICA
Eastgate Shopping Centre SILVER WINNER
See you at Eastgate, SOUTH AFRICA
Parc Central GOLD WINNER
Tarraco Experience, SPAIN
Multi Corporation BRONZE WINNER
Advanced Footfall Intelligence, NETHERLANDS
Rødovre Centrum GOLD WINNER
The Forgotten Women: Engaging Gen Z Through, DENMARK
Esas Properties
Shopla, TURKIYE
Rødovre Centrum GOLD WINNER
Wish Game, DENMARK
PLACEMAKING
Galeria Katowicka GOLD WINNER
DogBar in Galeria Katowicka, POLAND
Fosse Park
Vaisakhi & Diwali Festivities, UNITED KINGDOM
Posnania
Food Fyrtel, POLAND
Alegro Alfragide BRONZE WINNER
Christmas Show – The Aladdin On Ice, PORTUGAL
Alegro Montijo
Magical Lift, PORTUGAL
Centrale & Whitgift GOLD WINNER
Costa Del Croydon, UNITED KINGDOM
UBBO Shopping Resort
Shopping Resort, PORTUGAL
I Petali Shopping Gallery
Street Art In Gallery, ITALY
STRATEGIC MARKETING
FIUMARA my shopping my fun
Origames, ITALY
Manufaktura SILVER WINNER
600 Łódź Project, POLAND
Dihlabeng Mall
Your Story is Our Story, SOUTH AFRICA
Arena Centar
Arena Centar Zagreb “Five Senses”, CROATIA
Sandton City SILVER WINNER
City of Icons, SOUTH AFRICA
Stern Center Lüdenscheid SILVER WINNER
I Like! The Social Studio, GERMANY
Rødovre Centrum SILVER WINNER
Ka-ching, DENMARK
Bonarka City Center SILVER WINNER
Shopping Emotions Factory – Made in Bonarka, POLAND
Diagonal Mar
“Un Mar de Charlas” – Podcast, SPAIN
Posnania SILVER WINNER
The Icon, POLAND
Rødovre Centrum SILVER WINNER
The Viking Sorceress – The Forgotten Women, DENMARK
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Apsys Polska
At Your Service program, POLAND
Promenada
Promenada Digital Art Space, POLAND
Alegro Setúbal GOLD WINNER
Silent Hour, PORTUGAL
Tavira Plaza
Food Waste, PORTUGAL
TACTICAL MARKETING
Allee Center
Allee Club – Driving Sales & Footfall Through Digital Innovation, HUNGARY
Fosse Park
Blue Light Card Members Day, UNITED KINGDOM
The Lexicon Bracknell SILVER WINNER
Bracknell Forest Festival – The Giants Return, UNITED KINGDOM
Yorkdale Shopping Centre & Scarborough Town Centre SILVER WINNER
Celebrating the Year of the Dragon, CANADA
NEPI ROCKCASTLE BRONZE WINNER
Esports Kings, ROMANIA & POLAND
Gateway, Theatre of Shopping
Gifting Concierge, SOUTH AFRICA
Sandton City
Iconic22 Collection, SOUTH AFRICA
Wijnegem Shopping Center
Lightopia, BELGIUM
Manufaktura SILVER WINNER
Manufaktura on a plate, POLAND
Caledonia Park Designer Outlet
Never Grow Up, UNITED KINGDOM
Waasland Shopping
Waasland Shopping PlezierWINwinkelen, BELGIUM
Union Square
Santa’s Tartan Hoose, UNITED KINGDOM
Posnania SILVER WINNER
Series of Love, POLAND
NEPI ROCKCASTLE BRONZE WINNER
Spot Festival – The Longest Unofficial Festival, ROMANIA
Gateway, Theatre of Shopping SILVER WINNER
The A-MAZE-ING MAZE Experience, SOUTH AFRICA
Los Arcos Shopping Centre, Bahía Sur Shopping Centre, El Faro Shopping Centre, Vallsur Shopping Centre, Habaneras Shopping Centre SILVER WINNER
The Chocolate Factory, SPAIN
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
İnegöl Shopping Center BRONZE WINNER
A Recycling Story, TURKEY
Alegro Sintra BRONZE WINNER
A Sock Story, PORTUGAL
Puerto Venecia
Circular Week, SPAIN
Maponya Mall SILVER WINNER
Maponya Mall Community Hub, SOUTH AFRICA
Amsterdamse Poort
Cultural Catwalk, Amsterdam
Janki Centre
Feeling Good in Green, POLAND
Gran Shopping Mongolfiera
Frog Academy, ITALY
La Vie Caldas da Rainha, La Vie Guarda, Tavira Plaza BRONZE WINNER
Go Green, PORTUGAL
Kenilworth Centre GOLD WINNER
Handpicked City Farm, SOUTH AFRICA
Kenilworth Centre, Maponya Mall, Horizon Centre, Mall of the South, Centurion Mall
Happiness is our Heritage, SOUTH AFRICA
Rødovre Centrum BRONZE WINNER
Hero in me, DENMARK
Rødovre Centrum
Hey Boob, DENMARK
Mall of The South
#Holler, SOUTH AFRICA
Churchill Square
HuMAN, UNITED KINGDOM
NEPI ROCKCASTLE/Promenada Bucharest SILVER WINNER
It’s Not Goodbye, It’s Wear You Later, ROMANIA
Forum Schwanthalerhöhe
Kunst- und Kulturtage Westend, GERMANY
NHOOD SERVICES
“No Es Tan Raro” (It’s Not That Unusual), SPAIN
Rødovre Centrum SILVER WINNER
On the Road Again, DENMARK
Manufaktura GOLD WINNER
Passing the baton across generations. The first neonatal ambulance container in Poland, POLAND
Svicom SpA Società Benefit
Pit Stop Riders – Bicocca Village, ITALY
Rødovre Centrum GOLD WINNER
Power of Science, DENMARK
NEPI ROCKCASTLE
Shakespeare Dimensions, ROMANIA & POLAND
UBBO Shopping Resort SILVER WINNER
Shopping Resort, PORTUGAL
Churchill Square Shopping Centre SILVER WINNER
Tackling Food Waste, UNITED KINGDOM
Galeria Katowicka SILVER WINNER
The City is going Green, POLAND
Horizon Shopping Centre
Threads-Up Charity Store, SOUTH AFRICA
Liberty Promenade GOLD WINNER
Unmasking Strength: Superhero learners support mental health, SOUTH AFRICA
London Designer Outlet SILVER WINNER
Walking the Talk: LDO and Solace Women’s Aid Commitment to Change, UNITED KINGDOM
Rødovre Centrum SILVER WINNER
Wish-mas, DENMARK
