Page 57 - February #178

Key Event Insights companies’ IP (intellectual property). Paramount believes that theme
MAPIC’S opening session kicked off with a panel that reiterated the parks have great potential and supports developers because “taking a
resilience of in-person retail. Mengxing Zhang of BNP Paribas Real brand and making it perform in physical life” requires real know-how.
Estate suggested understanding the pandemic as a “stress test” for the Paramount is thus continuing its international expansion in Asia, with
retail sector and pointed to continued resilient performance from retail the opening of the Bali park in 2026.
sectors such as home goods, DIY (home improvement) discount shops Key lessons from the F&B (food and beverage) leaders, such
and outlets. as Vincent Mourre of Whitespace Partners, pointed to the
This session was followed by a keynote from Paco Underhill, world- increased demand from investors and consumers for the resilient
renowned speaker, Founder of Envirosell and author, who took to and agile QSR (Quick Service Restaurants) segment—such as fast
the stage to discuss how retailers can appeal to their most productive casual, coffee and bakery offerings. In a market landscape where
markets, such as young money, young people and women. This access to financing is increasingly strained, Whitespace has noted
session offered insights on the importance of educating consumers companies’ interest in seeking alternative sources of financing or
to better understand retailers’ value propositions—a recurring theme considering IPOs.
throughout the week. In line with MAPIC 2022’s focus on sustainability, the ‘Green means
The crucial and growing role of leisure in the retail sector was also go: Accelerating environmental transition for retail destinations’ panel
an important theme. The opening session dedicated to ‘New trends in also offered a refreshingly frank and pragmatic approach to how retail
leisure’ showed how the leisure and entertainment sector can create can reduce its environmental impact. Antoine Frey, CEO of Frey and
positive impacts for in-person retail. Elisabeth Laville, Founder of Utopies reflected on the retail sector’s top
Attractive to younger generations, leisure can help to bring physical priorities. Elisabeth Laville stated that “we need to address the biggest
commerce back to consumers who strayed from it during COVID. For problems; construction and consumption”. Antoine Frey explained
leisure and commerce to be mutually beneficial for each other, it is that Frey aims to reduce its carbon footprint by using cross-laminated
necessary to define a clear strategy, taking into account the objectives timber instead of steel in the construction of some buildings, while
of the project, as well as the competition and the site itself. In her Elisabeth made the case for the importance of physical retail for—and
speech, Marie Marks underlined the importance of “Choosing the right by—the local. Elisabeth concluded the session with the reflection that
brand license, with the right format in the right place, without chasing “physical places must look to creating social interactions and bonds
after the latest innovation” whilst also highlighting the emotional with local communities”. This is what physical retail needs to do—and
attachment that many consumers and visitors have with certain what e-commerce can never do”.