Held at the Natural History Museum in London on 14 June 2012, Retail and Leisure International’s (RLI) seventh annual Global RLI Awards yet again provided a thrilling evening in recognition and celebration of the most visionary and innovative retail and leisure concepts from across the globe.
At a time when the global economic crisis has brought a number of challenges for the retail and leisure sectors, the Global RLI Awards 2012 showcased some of the best projects the world has seen over the last 18 months.
Guests enjoyed a spectacular gala dinner at the coveted awards ceremony in the museum’s grand Central Hall. Entertainment was provided in the form of highlights from the superb hit West End musical, Jersey Boys, and there was of course that all-important opportunity to network with friends, colleagues and new business acquaintances from across the globe.
What follows are the evenings award winners. We'll also be featuring further photographs from the evening on our website and through our facebook page which can be found here and here.
Our first award of the evening was for the Gobal RLI 2012 Future Project Award sponsored by Location Group - This category rewards those future projects that are not yet under construction. Our panel have judged architectural excellence, innovation in materials, equipment, new techniques etc, and the positive impact that each development will have upon the local community.
....and the winner is Doha Festival City, Qatar!
Next up was the Gloabal RLI 2012 Sustainability Awards which was sposored by Spar European Shopping Centers - This award recognises and rewards those businesses at the forefront of sustainable thinking, design and implementation in the retail and leisure industries. The winner will show leadership in its positive approach to protecting the environment and in developing excellent sustainability practices in procurement and development, energy efficiency and micro-generation as well as employment.
....and the winner is ISG!
Our Gloabal RLI 2012 for Most Innovative Retail & Leisure Concept was a hard fought category with only points between the top candidates and was sponsored by Rawls. - This category celebrates the most outstanding contribution to retail and leisure conceptualisation over the past year and rewards the company that has taken a brand and created an extraordinary experience for the customer.
....and the winner is Morocco Mall, Casablanca!
Next up was our Gloabal RLI award for International Retail and Leisure Destination sponsored by Aedas - In this category, the judges will celebrate the most outstanding new international retail and leisure experience by awarding a special prize to the destination that has delivered the most customers, the best offering and the most dynamic approach to property development.
....and the winner is Westfield Stratford City, UK!
Our Global RLI Award for International Shopping Centre was sponsored by First Christmas - Recognising the contribution made by shopping centres in providing customer care, good presentation, maintenance and cleanliness, this award also pays particular attention to high levels of service, diversity of offer and design excellence.
....and the winner is The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore!
The Global RLI Award for Shopping Centre Renovation came next sponsored by 5+design - This award will be presented to a centre that demonstrates innovation in its renovation through architecture and design, how it has contributed to the overall regeneration of the town, city or area, its contribution to the local community and the steps it has taken to improve sustainability.
....and the winner is Forum Sintra, Portugal!
The Global RLI Award for International Outlet Centre was sponsored by Haskoll Architects and Designers - With many observers viewing the outlet centre as a possible spearhead for economic recovery, this award celebrates the increasing popularity of the outlet model with shoppers and developers alike. The aim of this category is to reward innovation and design-led excellence that offers both retailers and customers the very best in terms of brand and community cohesion.
....and the winner is McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, Athens!
The Global RLI Award for UK Retailer 2012 was sponsored by St Davids Partnership - This award honours a UK retail business that can truly be described as having had an exceptional year. Our judges will be looking for strong financial performance, in-store innovation and proven customer service.....and the winner is Superdry!
The Global RLI Award for International Retailer 2012 was sponsored by Doha Festival City - This award offers the opportunity to honour the international retailer that has achieved great things in the past year. Our judges looked for innovation, brand values and store innovation. Strong financial performance and a clear development strategy were also essential.
....and the winner is Clarks!
The Global RLI Award for Emerging Market Retailer 2012 was sponsored by TGM, TriGranit Management Corporation - This award will be presented to an emerging market retailer that best represents the essential retail qualities of entrepreneurship, originality and flexibility. Our judges looked for a business that can demonstrate that they have a robust and growing retail format whilst examining the part it is playing in the development of the emerging economies.
....and the winner is Parfois!
The Global RLI Award for Outlet Retailer 2012 was sponsored by London Designer Outlet - This award will be given to the most outstanding outlet retailer that demonstrates their commitment to the sector through expansion, promotional campaigns, marketing programmes, visual merchandising, and their overall professionalism as a retail operator in international outlet centres.
....and the winner is Osprey London!
The Global RLI Award for Global Leisure Operator 2012 was sponsored by Cumberland - This award is a tribute to the international leisure operator that has shown the strongest
performance, whilst offering the customer an innovative and exciting brand and maintaining
global recognition. ....and the winner is Kidzania!
The Global RLI Award for International Restaurateur 2012 was sponsored by Coverpoint Consultancy - The restaurant scene has its work cut out, the number of restaurants across the globe is truly staggering, so there is no shortage of choice. The aim of this category is to reward quality, diversity and genuine global recognition. ....and the winner is TGI Friday's!
The Global RLI Award for Developer 2012 was sponsored by Design International - This award is designed to highlight the best new retail and leisure schemes from the most successful and exciting development company of the last 12 months, with an emphasis on diversity, innovation and, of course, the ‘wow’ factor.
....and the winner is Multi Development.
The Global RLI Award for Designer 2012 was sponsored by Overbury - This award is a tribute to the designer that consistently and accurately delivers the value of a brand to both
business and customers. Our judges have examined both the design process, its objective and, most importantly, the results.
...and the winner is Haskoll!
The Global RLI Award for Contractor 2012 was presented by the National Association of Shopfitters and Interior Contractors - Honouring innovative and trail-blazing companies, this award acknowledges the importance of the contractor’s role in the successful completion of any retail and leisure development. The judges have examined project portfolios, safety records and site presentation, amongst other factors.
...and the winner is Patton!
The Global RLI Award for Interior Excellence 2012 was presented by the British Retail Consortium - This award acknowledges the importance of the shopfitter’s role in the successful completion of any retail or leisure development. The award also recognises the company’s understanding of a client’s needs, their contribution to the design process and their innovative use of the space and materials.
...and the winner is ISG for Bread Street Kitchen, London!
The Global RLI Award for Rising Star of the Year 2012 was sponsored by ISG - This award recognises the entrepreneurial spirit, achievements and long-term ambitions of smaller up-coming retail businesses.
....and the winner is Boux Avenue!
The battle to win some of our categories was so close, there was litterally only points between the winners and runners-up; so this year we decided to give a highly commended award to some of the outstanding candidates.
Here is Marina Mall. Doha, picking up their Highly Commended award for RLI Future Project 2012.
Here we have Sandton City with their Highly Commended Award for RLI Shopping Centre Renovation 2012.
Finally we have D- Cube City picking up the Highly Commended Award for International Retail & Leisure Destination 2012.
Thanks to everyone who took part in this years Global RLI Awards, we hope to see you all again next year when we return to the Natural History Museum on the 6th of June 2013.
