Where's Jayne?

Friday, 2 November 2012

If only Gucci had wings...

After two months of travelling the big one has finally arrived...two solid weeks of hopping on and off planes to 4 of the biggest global retail real estate events. first stop Dubai (one of my favourite places) for the Future Retail Conference 5-7 November, i'm looking forward to catching up with old friends and colleagues. Then it's off to Hong Kong early hours of Tuesday for Mipim Asia 7-9 November, back to Dubai on the 10th November in time for RECon MENA 11-13 November and finally to Cannes on the 13th November for this years much awaited Mapic.
2nd November

Where's Jayne...

Join me on my travels over the next 14 days as i update you on whats happening at the events and what I'm up to as I jet from Dubai to Hong Kong, back to Dubai and onto Cannes.

Girls on tour...Manchester's Sex and the City

The best part of my forthcoming world wind trip is that 3 of my closest friends are accompanying me on the first two legs. Georgina, Yvonne and Sophy...it all started on a girls night out last Christmas and they said how much they would love to come with me to Dubai, so I set the wheels in motion. They are so excited at the prospect of going to Dubai and Hong Kong that I hope that the last 9 months of planning, waiting and excitement pay off and it's everything they've anticipated. We are staying at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and I've organised a special tour of the Burj Al Arab with afternoon tea for tomorrow afternoon and then a special Dinner with Tomasso Cavalli, Roberto Cavalli's son tomorrow evening at the Cavalli club in the Fairmont Hotel Dubai...very excited as he's one of my favourite Designers, would love to get an interview for RLI , with his dad that is. A visit to Kidzania in Dubai Mall is planned for Sunday afternoon, one of my favourite concepts , I've talked about it that much I just have to show them. Then it's a little shopping...well one has to indulge when in Dubai, after all I always say "I'm a retailers dream and a husbands nightmare!" Sunday night we will explore the Madinat and take a trip to the Palm for cocktails and hopefully catch up with a few friends:)

Monday it's all work and no play...

I am now chairing the first day of the Future Retail Conference on the 5th November as well as moderating 3 panel sessions and one keynote interview with Carmine Rotondaro, Global Worldwide Real Estate Director of the PPR Group...a full packed agenda but I'm looking forward to it and its great profile for RLI.

Signing off until Dubai...see you on my travel)

Thursday, 18 October 2012

Not Forgotten

Its been a while...but I've not forgotten you! I am writing this having just stepped off a plane from Barcelona from yet another successful ICSC European Outlet Conference. Quite literally the last few weeks have been a whirlwind of travel and conferences with a blur of time zones, not knowing what planet I’m on yet alone which continent. I feel a bit like Felix Baumgartner, spinning through the air at the speed of sound, only I havn't broken any world records or become a world phenomenon but I have dropped back down to Earth just in time to finish putting the November issue to bed, our biggest issue to date... I for one can't wait to see it in print, with lead interviews from Macy's, Crate & Barrel & Hard Rock International and profiles on some of the key players in the world of retail all combined with global insights and country focuses.

That aside it’s been an interesting few weeks and as always I love catching up with you all whilst learning even more about the incredible world of Global retail. Shanghai was amazing...apart from falling down the stairs in the conference auditorium and badly spraining my ankle (enough said).

I was impressed with Shanghai IFC Mall, a six-storey world class shopping mall with an exciting and contemporary interior designed by Benoy, more than 110,000 square meters provide a spectrum of finest retail offerings to the best international luxury brands. The mall plays host to China’s most deluxe, international brands including an iconic Apple store, the world’s finest culinary delights and premiere cinema complex development. All in all: A Remarkable Shopping Experience!

Spending a couple of days in Abu Dhabi, with a stay in the innovatively designed Yas Hotel, adjacent to Ferrari World and an inspiring tour of the ultimately luxurious Emirates Palace Hotel, including 18 carat gold encrusted coffee and sumptuous Dinner at the 'Le Vendôme Brasserie', courtesy of new new Hotel Manager, Alexander Schneider made it a memorable trip.

Well where next?
I fly to Dubai on the 2^nd November for Future Retail 5-7 November, where I am moderating a panel session on 'Future Branding' followed by an on-the-couch interview with Carmine Rotondaro, Worldwide Real Estate Director, PPR Group - Luxury brands (Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Boucheron, Girard Perregaux, JeanRichard, Sergio Rossi and Stella McCartney) then it’s off to Hong Kong for MIPIM Asia 7-9 November where I am presenting two panel sessions: The first, ‘A retail success story’- The story of how a simple idea became one of the world’s most successful fashion brands / corporations with John Devine, President - Director, Subway Real Estate and again Carmine Rotondaro, followed by ‘Retail expansion: best practices for a successful roll out in Asia’. After Hong Kong its back to Dubai for RECon MENA 11-13 November, before embarking on the final leg of my worldwind trip to Nice for this years much awaited MAPIC 14-16 November, where once again I am moderating two panel sessions: 'The path to discovering Arabian Gold' and 'Outlet Retailing - Secrets for Success'.

If you are attending any of the above events and would like to learn more about RLI, our Deal-Making Event or just have a cosy chat (preferably over a glass of wine) feel free to email me jayne.rafter@rli.uk.com

I look forward to seeing you on my travels!

Wednesday, 3 October 2012

LAST CHANCE TO BOOK...RLI- The World’s only global retail magazine is in all Delegate bags at MAPIC, Cannes; Future Retail, Dubai; MIPIM Asia, Hong Kong; RECon MENA, Dubai.

I am pleased to announce that this year RLI has once again been chosen to be inserted into every delegate bag at Future Retail, Dubai; MIPIM Asia, Hong Kong, RECon MENA, Dubai and MAPIC, Cannes, due to the phenomenal response received from Delegates & Participants at previous events.

With exposure at 4 big annual Retail Real Estate Events the November issue of RLI will have an increased circulation of over 40,000 copies with a readership in excess of 200,000 giving an unrivalled opportunity to promote your services to key players in the retail and leisure sectors worldwide.

Within the issue RLI are also working with each of the shows to produce handy guides to essential information including Conference sessions and networking opportunities to enable you to plan your trips in advance. This will include an extended MAPIC Insight into global retail, MIPIM Asia Insight and our Annual Focus on MENA.

Despite the increased circulation for this issue, advertising rates have not been increased although due to weight restrictions for the Delegate Bags, advertising will be restricted and therefore only accepted on a first-come-first-served basis, should you wish to take up this prime opportunity, please telephone +44 (0) 1706 212200 or email me.

A4 Full Colour Advertisement £2250

1/2 page Full Colour Advertisement £1250

1/3 page Full Colour Advertisement £995

Don’t miss out get in touch now…jayne.rafter@rli.uk.com

Friday, 17 August 2012

RLI Announces Global Deal--Making Event

The World’s First Global Retail & Leisure Property Deal-Making Forum brought to you by RLI Connect…Face-time with key global retail & leisure decision makers.

Shop till you drop for those all-important deals

RLI Connect brings for the first time a sustained platform for doing business and building value through strategic partnerships on a global scale.

Jayne Rafter, Publisher of RLI Magazine and Founder of RLI Connect, says “Based on several recent conversations with Developers, finding the right mix of retailers & leisure operators to fill their new and existing shopping malls is becoming one of the biggest challenges they face. They are looking for new and innovative concepts to enhance the shopping experience, throughout my whole career I have always put a strong emphasis on interacting with each other face-to-face to forge stronger synergistic relationships…and this is what RLI Connect will do.”

In these critical times for the retail & leisure real estate industry, achieving effective results demands a paradigm shift that can only be realized with exposure to new thoughts and ideas. RLI Connect will be a networking and deal-making forum, comprising of retailers, leisure operators, franchise partners, developers, shopping centre owners, investors, brokers, attorneys, leasing executives, property managers, architects and other affiliated companies associated within the industry. We aim to attract the largest number of actively growing retail and leisure concepts internationally, as well as the hottest up-and-coming concepts! Just think…weeks of impersonal emails and phone calls can instead be accomplished in ONE DAY, resulting in long-lasting, profitable relationships and that all-important deal!

“A friendship founded on business is a good deal better than a business founded on friendship.”
John D. Rockefeller

AND THE DEALS GET DONE!

No Conference or panel sessions just a high energy forum providing a more focused venue for networking and deal-making with the combination of moving existing deals along and being introduced to new deals. This is your chance to collaborate and share knowledge with top performers in the retail real estate industry.

In the fast paced retail & leisure market, key players have an entrepreneurial opportunity to search for a best fit match for their project, if you are ready, willing and able to do deals, then this is the event for you.

Your next great deal is waiting at the RLI Connect Deal-Making Forum, if you want to know who’s doing what - building new projects, renovating existing ones, seeking space to lease - all in the confines of a total business environment…then get in touch!

For more information email jayne.rafter@rli.uk.com
or visit the new website here www.rliconnect.com

Its been a while...

Its been a hectic few months hence the distinct lack of posts...over the next few days I will be updating my blog with the latest developments in my hectic schedule. I am currently bracing myself myself for the challenges of intense travelling and conferences that the next 3 months will bring.

The RLI team will be at this year’s BCSC Expo in Liverpool 10-12 September stand no H32, dont forget to visit us, whilst I jet off to Shanghai for the ICSC World Summit 12-14 September. Then it’s off to the World Retail Congress, London 19-21 September, before heading off to Zagreb for the inaugural SEE Retail Matchmaking Event 27-28 September, where RLI is working with Real Estate Databank to bring together Retailers and Developers to sign those all-important deals…If you are a retailer looking to open stores or a developer looking to lease space in Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and Turkey, this would be a perfect opportunity for you...so get in touch!

Watch out for my next blog as RLI has an important announcement to make...

Friday, 22 June 2012

Global RLI Awards 2012 - The Winners

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.

Monday, 18 June 2012

Global RLI Awards 2012 - A night to remember!

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.

Guests enjoyed a spectacular gala dinner and 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.

In her opening speech, RLI Publisher Jayne Rafter said: "Ours is an industry with innovation in its DNA and tonight we reward those companies that never stop asking questions, never stop raising the standard and never settle for anything less than the best."

And the winners are!

RLI Future Project 2012

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