Page 3 - #182 June 2023

CONTENTS
THE WORLD’S ONLY GLOBAL RETAIL AND LEISURE MAGAZINE

www.rli.uk.com JUNE 2023 ISSUE 182
JUNE 2023
24 SPECIAL FEATURES 18 A LEADER IN LUXURY
24

GLOBAL FOCUS Al Tayer Group’s retail division, Al Tayer Insignia, has been
GRAVITY ACTIVE establishing and operating brands and creating award-
ENTERTAINMENT
PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES
winning retail concepts across the Middle East since 1981.
AL TAYER INSIGNIA LITTLE VENICE CAKE COMPANY EDITION HOTELS 182
A Leader in Baked to Blending Luxury
Luxury Perfection and Lifestyle
DAISO | DAVID GANDY WELLWEAR | ICONIC RETAIL DESTINATIONS | IMMERSIVE ATTRACTIONS & EXPERIENCES | LEISURE, WELLNESS & HOSPITALITY | PLACEMAKING 20 BAKED TO PERFECTION
18
Cover Story 18 Mich Turner MBE founded Little Venice Cake Company 24
years ago and we speak with her about the business and
Gravity Active Entertainment was founded back in 2014 how it continues to deliver a world-class service.
with a vision of providing safe and exciting family fun on
a mass scale. We speak with Michael Harrison to learn 22 BLENDING LUXURY AND LIFESTYLE
more about the business and its growth. The vision of EDITION is to create a truly distinct product
that sets itself apart from anything else, with the goal of
becoming the first true blend of luxury and lifestyle.
Editor’s ENRICHING PEOPLE’S LIVES
Foreword 26 DAISO began life as a mobile shop in 1972 but always had
20 the aim to become a globally-renowned retailer who assists
20

It is an exciting time in the RLI office as we approach our in making the lives of people richer at a single, low price.
two annual events in London. Before we turn our attention 28 STEP INTO THE WORLD OF WELLWEAR
to them, we bring you the June issue of RLI which has all
the news, views and interviews from across the industry David Gandy Wellwear is not your run-of-the-mill
to keep you up-to-date with everything in the retail and activewear or loungewear brand. It is something else
leisure sectors. I look forward to catching up with industry entirely that balances style with well-being.
colleagues in London before we begin work on the July/
August edition. 36 SPECIAL FEATURE - PLACEMAKING
22
22 Defined as a multi-facted approach to the planning, design
Till next time… Building Communities Around Places
James Quinn, Editor and management of public spaces, Placemaking capitalises
on a local community’s assets, inspiration and potential, with
the intention of creating public spaces.
Publisher’s
Comment 46 SPECIAL FEATURE - IMMERSIVE ATTRACTIONS
& EXPERIENCES
Next-Level Reality
Immersive Attractions & Experiences are unique
As you read this I am knee deep in schedules for our environments where people can enjoy the perception of
26
forthcoming RLI Connect Global event in only 10 days…
so no pressure! 26 being surrounded by, or be a part of, a different landscape
Our June issue has lots of exciting features to keep than that of reality.
you entertained prior to our events, starting with this
month’s Cover Story on Gravity, who are leading the 52 VOYAGER - ICONIC RETAIL DESTINATIONS
way in the extremely fast-paced competitive socialising Beacons of the Industry
sector. RLI sits down with Co-Founder and CGO Michael
Harrison to learn about the origins of the business, what While the retail sector is a global entity, there are some
has propelled the company to unprecedented levels of locations and cities that burn just a little brighter and are
success and what plans are in place for the future. REGULARS more attractive to shoppers and brands.
Lead Interviews this month include ‘A Leader in Luxury’
- Al Tayer Insignia; Little Venice Cake Company - ‘Baked to
Perfection’; Daiso - ‘Enriching Peoples Lives’; David Gandy 04 32
Wellwear, where we ‘Step into the World of Wellwear’ RLI MEETS - KURT ZDESAR LEISURE INSIGHT - GILES FUCHS
and this month’s hotel lead ‘Blending Luxury and Lifestyle’
with EDITION Hotels. 06 UK NEWS 33 DESIGN GALLERY
We also take a look at Placemaking; Leisure, Wellness
& Hospitality and Immersive Attractions & Experiences. 08
This month’s Voyager ties in perfectly with our events as INTERNATIONAL NEWS 34 FIT-OUT GALLERY
we focus on Iconic Retail Destinations, many of which
feature in this year’s Global RLI Awards. 10 AMERICAS NEWS 42 SPECIAL FEATURE -
On that note I am looking forward to catching up with LEISURE, WELLNESS & HOSPITALITY
many of you in London… 12
Until then enjoy the read! MIDDLE EAST NEWS 58 EVENT REVIEW - MAPIC ITALY
14 ASIA NEWS 60 EVENTS PAGE
Jayne Rafter, Publisher
30 RETAIL INSIGHT - JONATHAN HASSELL

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