Retail & Leisure International (RLI) marked a major milestone ON Wednesday evening as the 20th Global RLI Awards returned to where it all began, London, for an extraordinary evening at the prestigious The Londoner Hotel. This landmark edition celebrated two decades of recognising the most visionary and innovative retail and leisure concepts worldwide.
Following last year’s unforgettable event at The Londoner, RLI chose to return to iconic Leicester Square for this special anniversary, embracing London as the global capital of creativity and innovation. In a world where collaboration, recognition and reinvention are more essential than ever, this year’s awards honoured game‐changing projects and the trailblazers behind them.
The evening began with a glamorous Champagne Reception, where industry leaders and innovators reconnected in a vibrant, forward‐looking atmosphere.
Host Jayne Rafter, RLI’s Publisher and Presenter, Lucy Alexander officially opened the ceremony, setting the tone for a night of inspiration and celebration.
In her opening remarks, Jayne stated: “Tonight, we honour the world’s most visionary retail and leisure concepts ‐ projects that lead through inspiration, innovation and ambition. The Global RLI Awards shine a spotlight on those who are not constrained by challenges, but instead redefine possibility through design, technology and the creation of world‐class destinations.”
Guests enjoyed an exquisite three‐course dinner accompanied by a dazzling performance of ‘Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical’, bringing West End glamour to the heart of the celebration.
The highlight of the evening was the awards presentation, recognising outstanding achievements that are shaping the future of the retail and leisure landscape ‐ from architectural marvels and immersive experiences to cutting‐ edge technologies and visionary leadership.
And the winners are…
RLI Future Project
In Partnership with MK Illumination
Winner: Citystars Katameya, Cairo, Egypt
Highly Commended: INFINITI by Ajdan Real Estate Development Company, Al Khobar,
Saudi Arabia
RLI Most Anticipated Opening 2025
In Partnership with Innesco
Winner: Westfield Jeddah by Cenomi Centers, Saudi Arabia
Highly Commended: Bayfront by Ajdan Real Estate Development Company, Al Khobar,
Saudi Arabia
RLI Most Innovative Retail & Entertainment Project
Winner: On Air Flandre, Paris, France
RLI Most Innovative Retail & Entertainment Concept
Winner: Beauty Select and Fashion Select at SKP‐S Wuhan, Wuhan, China
Highly Commended: Angry Birds World, Doha, Qatar
RLI International Shopping Centre – Renovation
In Partnership with MK Illumination
Winner: Hayat Mall, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
RLI International Outlet Centre
Winner: UNICO Outlet Bucaramanga, Bucaramanga, Colombia
RLI International Retail & Leisure Destination
Winner: The Exchange TRX, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
RLI Most Innovative Marketing Campaign
Winner: Trafford Centre Wowbeing, Manchester, UK by BWP Group
Highly Commended: Enchanted Forest, Perisur, Mexico by MK Illumination
RLI Most Innovative F&B Concept
Winner: J1 Beach
Highly Commended: Barnhouse
RLI International Retailer of the Year
Winner: Daiso Industries Co., Ltd.
RLI Emerging Market Retailer
Winner: Majid Al Futtaim Lifestyle
RLI Sustainable Retailer of the Year
In Partnership with Sands Retail
Winner: Aranyani
Highly Commended: Bocan
RLI Immersive Attraction & Experience
Winner: VIRTUOCITY
RLI Developer of the Year
In Partnership with Daiso Industries Co., Ltd.
Winner: ROSHN Group
Highly Commended: Keystone Group
RLI Interior Excellence
In Partnership with Sands Retail
Winner: The Georgian at Harrods, London, UK by umdasch Store Makers
Highly Commended: Beauty Select and Fashion Select at SKP‐S Wuhan, Wuhan, China by
Malherbe Paris
RLI Innovation in Technology
Winner: El Boulevard
RLI Visionary Leader
Winner: Patrick Chalhoub
We will announce the location and dates for next year’s events in the coming weeks so
stay tuned…
About RLI (Retail & Leisure International):
Since its inception in 2004, RLI has grown into the premier multimedia platform
for the global retail and leisure industries. As the publisher of the world’s only
Global Retail & Leisure magazine, RLI reaches 85,000 senior executives monthly,
offering exclusive insights, thought leadership and in‐depth features that
influence the future of the industry.
RLI also hosts leading industry events, including RLI Connect Global, RLI Connect
MENA, the Global RLI Awards and the RLI MENA Awards, bringing together top‐
tier developers, retailers, investors and designers to shape the future of retail
and leisure.
