MAPIC, the International Market for Retail Real Estate, experienced an 11% increase in attendance this year, setting new records with 6,458 participants of which 1,470 were retail developers. The exhibition area increased by 1,000 square meters to welcome some 800 exhibiting companies. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, MAPIC confirmed its international importance with a particularly strong presence from the Middle East, the Federation of Russia, China and first time representation from Ukraine, the Baltic countries and India.

MAPIC 2004 in figures:

• 6,458 professionals from 55 countries.
• 1,470 retail developers.
• 799 exhibiting companies.

Trends at MAPIC 2004:

The Middle East seriously boosted its presence at MAPIC 2004 with the most important developers and investors of the region travelling to Cannes. Key companies included: Majid Al Futtaim Investments, Dubai Festival City, Emaar Properties, Dubai International Financial Centre and Estithmaar Realty with its Jumeirah Beach Residence development. MAPIC anticipated the development potential of the Russian market and this year welcomed 104 Russian companies, including new exhibitors such as Sberbank (Savings Bank of the Russian Federation), PIK Group, Park House ­ the Vremya Group, Don-Stroy, Mercury and Leeds Property Group.

China significantly increased its presence this year with an important delegation of public and private partners representing 59 companies including the Beijing Guohua Real Estate Group, the Jianye Group, the Lanwa International Group and the Scitech retail group.
MAPIC 2004 anticipated the opening up of the Baltic region and Ukrainian markets to international retailers, with for the first time, exhibiting companies from these regions. Among them: developers Patollo and Linstow from Latvia, AB Baltic Shopping Centers and Ogmios Pramogu Centras from Lithuania, Mandarin Plaza and HCM Group of Ukraine. New at MAPIC, the first Indian Pavilion, reflecting the immense development opportunities and which included exhibitors such as: Omaxe Constructions Ltd, Asipac Mall Services and Images.
City presence was also stronger with a 15% increase and the participation for the first time of three major American cities: Washington DC, Charlotte, North Carolina and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Important European cities included London, Barcelona, Lisbon, Brussels, Lyon, Marseille, Lille and the Plaine Commune regrouping several northern suburbs of Paris (Aubervilliers, Épinay-sur-Seine, l¹Île-Saint-Denis, Pierrefitte-sur-Seine, Saint-Denis, Stains, Villetaneuse).

MAPIC attracts more and more international retailers of which a number of them enhanced their potential for international development by taking a stand for the first time: Thomas Sabo, jewellery stores (Germany), Bouketo Balloons, Greek decorations retailer, Pronto Wash (Argentina) a car wash service retailer, Tesco Stores (UK) supermarkets, Dixons Group (UK) consumer electronics and Ikea, for home equipment.
Among the new retailers present for the first time at MAPIC :

• Ile de Beauté and L¹Etoile, perfume and cosmetics retail chain, SELA Corporation and Belpostel, clothing retailers, Starik Hottabych, home improvement stores, Mosmart and Hypercenter, two supermarket retail chains. (Federation of Russia).
• Rosa Chà, lingerie (Brazil).
• Krispy Kreme (UK), American doughnuts stores.
• Segafredo and Melamoda (Italy).
• Pedro del Hierro, clothing, Pastafiore, fast food, and Merkalzados, shoes (Spain).
• Best Buy, home equipment (USA).
• Bill Tornade, Grignotin (Autogrill), Delorme and Chantelle (France).

Conference programme:

The 3rd City Symposium, a day of conferences dedicated to urban retail, was an opportunity to analyse Business Improvement Districts as a tool in downtown revitalisation. MAPIC conferences discussed themes such as commercial development in Russia and in the Middle-East, expansion strategies for China and rent ratios across Europe.

MAPIC Awards 2004 :

The MAPIC Awards 2004 ceremony, organised in partnership with Gecina and Apsys, designers and investors of the Beaugrenelle refurbishment project in Paris, rewarded 6 retailers for their international development:

• Clothing fashion: Massimo Dutti
• Household goods: Media Markt
• Leasure: Lego Company
• Catering: Boulangerie Paul
• Services: The Phone House
• Health & beauty: Yves Rocher

MAPIC 2005 will take place November 16-18 at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France.

For details: www.reedmidem.com

1...3