‘Retail sector strength underpins Mapic Italy’s success’

‘The success of Mapic Italy underlines the importance of Italy in the panorama of retail real estate,’ said Depetro. ‘Its retail offering has exceeded all expectations in recent years.’

She added: ‘An important innovation this year was introducing a food and beverage summit on the first day, and the permanent area for food and beverage operators at the event.

‘Globally, whenever we talk to real estate developers and shopping centre operators there is a strong interest in Italian F&B concepts. Italy is renowned the world over for its approach to food, so this influenced our decision to make food such a central part of this year’s event.

‘A renewed focus on F&B in shopping centres is also a huge global trend right now,’ Depetro noted.

Looking forward to the main Mapic event in Cannes, which will take place in November, Depetro said her team planned to make a conceptual link between both events.

‘We’re introducing a food and beverage area at Mapic in Cannes this year, which will be a one-off, and provides an important bridge between Mapic Italy and Mapic Cannes,’ she said. ‘There will be a tasting area, there will be dedicated sessions on this segment, to really lend F&B the focus it deserves for the 23rd edition of our global Mapic event.’

Mapic Cannes will take place on 15-17 November 2017 and is expected to attract 8,400 participants from 78 countries, including 700 exhibiting companies, 2,500 developers, 1,000 investors, and 200 speakers at 100 conferences.