The International Retail Real Estate Market (MAPIC) returns to Cannes today (15 November) with a focus on how investors, retailers, architects and designers can “create real experiences” for consumers, the show’s director told Leisure Opportunities.

About 8,500 international participants from 80 countries are expected to attend the annual show at the Palais des Festivals over the next three days – including more than 2,100 retailers, 2,500 developers and 1,000 investors.

Speaking to Leisure Opportunities in Cannes, Nathalie Depetro said the topic of diversification through design will feature prominently among the hot topics.

“Diversification in design has become more important than ever in this age where we like to capture our experiences online and on social media,” she said. “Architects have a larger role than ever planning our retail spaces, because now people don’t just go there to shop. They want to be entertained, meet friends, hang out with family, socialise and leave with memories.”

According to MAPIC, food and beverage operators have doubled the amount of floor space they occupy in shopping centres over the past 10 years, from seven per cent to 15 per cent, with this figure expected reach 20 per cent in the coming years. Depetro said this illustrates the growing importance of the sector in the overall retail real estate market.

“The last four to five years have seen all sorts of new trends emerge, from street food to pop-up restaurants and places that create tailor-made dishes to juice bars and gourmet concepts," she said. "The offering has diversified and design has diversified with it. There’s a realisation that a different type and quality of food is one thing, but a well-designed space with a good atmosphere and environment is also extremely important.

“Investors who want a return on their investment have to place leisure and F&B (food and beverage) in their location if they want a good return and not to be left behind.”

Depetro added that even big-name brands should think about how to diversify their design approach, pointing to Starbucks, “which used to open stores with identical concepts and similar design around the world, but has started to adapt more to suit the needs of the clients and create a distinctive identity for different stores in different countries.”

MAPIC 2017 will see exhibitions, conferences, networking events and pitches for business organised across several zones. Representatives from the leisure sector will include the operators of bowling alleys, climbing walls, arcades, ice rinks, pop-up stores, amusement facilities, virtual reality experiences, wind tunnels, mazes, golf courses, laser quests and themed environments.