News

International matters: View from MAPIC

News

Noella Pio Kivlehan

16 November 2013

Retail

It certainly feels busy. Yet, there are some attending who aren’t happy with the numbers. One consultant told me: “MAPIC used to be great, but it got too big.”

That’s the thing with MAPIC, like any show that gets popular it can grow fast. Too fast and too big for some. But surely that should be applauded?

Isn’t it a sign that the market is healthy and people want to be there? The same consultant also complained that the show has become “too regimented”. That, unfortunately, is a hangover from the recession caused by the heady days of excess. Inevitably the show will become more relaxed as countries gain economic confidence, but it’s too soon to bring back the extravagant parties as the painful times are still very much at the forefront of many people’s memories and many European countries remain in economic turmoil.

So what of the main themes? Spain is a hot topic (forgive the pun). “We started to feel that Spain was coming back at EXPO, but now it’s really here,” said one delegate, citing the intu and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) deal to buy Principado Shopping Centre, in Oviedo, northern Spain at the start of October as a real turning point. “It’s like the switch has been turned on in the past couple of weeks. There is huge external foreign investment driven by bargain prices,” said another.

Then there is tourism. My consultant waxed lyrical about this, saying it offered unbelievable growth for retailers.

“Tourists spend four to six times what domestic customers spend.” Ah, but what about those towns and cities that aren’t tourist destinations, I asked. “They will struggle,” the consultant said simply.

Of course technology and the latest innovations are everywhere, and e-commerce is being talked about in all its different guises – and of course MAPIC visitors have as many differing opinions on the subject.

One thing is for sure. While the huge parties may not be quite back in full swing, the industry is in the best shape it has been for five years. Champagne is back on the stands in abundance, the bars and restaurants around the Palais are buzzing and everything is looking good in the 20 degree heat.

“MAPIC is similar to ICSC in Las Vegas although smaller. But, here everybody is dressed better,” as one American agent told me.

Well, we would certainly hope so, too.

The sun is shining down on Cannes for the annual MAPIC exhibition. The dedicated retail show has pulled in 8,400 delegates from 69 countries this year. There are retailers aplenty, and even a few DreamWorks cartoon characters parading up and down the front of the Palais des Festivals – and they aren’t a hangover from the film festival. They are here to promote a new theme park opening in Russia. It certainly feels busy. Yet, there are some attending who aren’t happy with the numbers. One consultant told me: “MAPIC used to be great, but it got too big.” That’s the thing with MAPIC, like any show that gets popular it can grow fast. Too fast and too big for some. But surely that should be applauded? Isn’t it a sign that the market is healthy and people want to be there? The same consultant also complained that the show has become “too regimented”. That, unfortunately, is a hangover from the recession caused by the heady days of excess. Inevitably the show will become more relaxed as countries gain economic confidence, but it’s too soon to bring back the extravagant parties as the painful times are still very much at the forefront of many people’s memories and many European countries remain in economic turmoil. So what of the main themes? Spain is a hot topic (forgive the pun). “We started to feel that Spain was coming back at EXPO, but now it’s really here,” said one delegate, citing the intu and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) deal to buy Principado Shopping Centre, in Oviedo, northern Spain at the start of October as a real turning point. “It’s like the switch has been turned on in the past couple of weeks. There is huge external foreign investment driven by bargain prices,” said another. Then there is tourism. My consultant waxed lyrical about this, saying it offered unbelievable growth for retailers. “Tourists spend four to six times what domestic customers spend.” Ah, but what about those towns and cities that aren’t tourist destinations, I asked. “They will struggle,” the consultant said simply. Of course technology and the latest innovations are everywhere, and e-commerce is being talked about in all its different guises – and of course MAPIC visitors have as many differing opinions on the subject. One thing is for sure. While the huge parties may not be quite back in full swing, the industry is in the best shape it has been for five years. Champagne is back on the stands in abundance, the bars and restaurants around the Palais are buzzing and everything is looking good in the 20 degree heat. “MAPIC is similar to ICSC in Las Vegas although smaller. But, here everybody is dressed better,” as one American agent told me. Well, we would certainly hope so, too.