An experience like no other!
Held virtually on 3rd September 2020, Retail and Leisure International’s Fifteenth Global RLI Awards in association with Sands Retail, provided a unique event that recognised and celebrated the most visionary and innovative retail and leisure concepts from across the globe.
In these unusual times, RLI decided there was no better way to showcase the best of the best in the industry to key global sector leaders than to allow them to watch it from the comfort of their computer, laptop or mobile screen.
The ceremony began with a countdown and an RLI video highlighting extracts from previous awards in Dubai, London and Los Angeles over the last four years, as anticipation started to build before presenter Lucy Alexander and RLI Publisher Jayne Rafter took to the stage. Some viewers engaged their senses and viewed Jayne’s introductory speech in advance of the event utilising the very latest in AR technology, for those who were unable to join in the immersive experience we played a video of the same speech ensuring everyone had the opportunity to engage in a similar experience.
In her opening speech, RLI Publisher Jayne Rafter said: “The phrase “Necessity is the mother of invention” has never been more apt – Retail will reinvent itself once again and we will look back on Covid-19 as a catalyst for some of the biggest changes the world will go through, the birth of big ideas and innovations and tonight, we will honour the most visionary and innovative retail and leisure concepts from across the globe. The retail and leisure industry is exciting, dynamic and innovative, and the awards pay tribute to those companies that continue to push the boundaries; who are not afraid of the challenges that they are presented with; and who refuse to settle for anything but the very best.”
And the winners are…
RLI Future Project
Sponsored by umdasch The Store Makers
Winner: Gemdale Xinshi Road Development, Suzhou, China
Highly Commended: Xi’an Nan-Fei-Hong Phase 2 Mixed-Use Development, Xi’an, China
RLI Most Anticipated Opening 2020
Sponsored by U.S. Polo Assn.
Winner: Zijing Paradise Walk, Hangzhou, China
Highly Commended: Silicon Central, Dubai, UAE
RLI Most Innovative Retail and Entertainment Project
Sponsored by Necsum Trison
Winner: Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore
Highly Commended: Funan, Singapore
RLI International Shopping Centre
Sponsored by MK Illumination
Winner: Raffles City Chongqing, China
Highly Commended: City Centre Almaza, Cairo, Egypt
RLI Best Placemaking Scheme
Winner: Fosun Xi’an Dahua 1935, Xi’an, China
Highly Commended: The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
RLI Shopping & Outlet Centre Renovation
Winner: Bilkent Center, Ankara, Turkey
Highly Commended: Ashford Designer Outlet, Kent, UK
RLI Most Innovative Marketing Campaign
Sponsored by REIT Innovations
Winner: Holly Nichols
Highly Commended: Sands Macao Fashion Week 2019 – Sands Shoppes Macao
RLI Global Retailer
Sponsored by Sands Retail
Winner: 361°
Highly Commended: U.S. Polo Assn.
RLI Emerging Market Retailer
Winner: Greyder
Highly Commended: U.S. Polo Assn.
RLI Leisure & Hospitality Group
Winner: KidZania
Highly Commended: Battlekart Innovative Leisure Franchise
RLI Most Innovative F&B Concept
Sponsored by ECE
Winner: Boxpark
Highly Commended: Classic Pizza Restaurant
RLI Developer
Sponsored by Design International
Winner: ADG Group
Highly Commended: Marakez
RLI Designer
Winner: Design International
Highly Commended: BSBG
RLI Interior Excellence
Winner: Samsung KX, London, UK by Portview Fit-out
Highly Commended: Harrods Dining Hall, London, UK by umdasch The Store Makers
RLI Rising Star
Winner: Baraka Retail Group
Highly Commended: Lindex
RLI Special Recognition Award for Technology in Innovation
Presented by RLI
Awarded to Necsum Trison for X-Madrid
‘Save the date’, Thursday 27th May for the 2021 edition of our annual Global RLI Awards which will follow RLI Connect Global 2021 on the 25th and 26th of May. The location and further details will be announced soon.
For more information about the Global RLI Awards 2021 and RLI Connect Global Deal-Making events, please contact the RLI Events Team on +44 (0)1706 212200, email jayne.rafter@rli.uk.com or alternatively visit www.rli.uk.com
