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MAPIC 2016 puts leisure in the spotlight as director urges developers to diversify
POSTED 15 Nov 2016 . BY Kim Megson
MAPIC director Nathalie Depetro believes shopping mall developers can no longer 'ignore' leisure Credit: MAPIC
The popularity of e-commerce means the physical shopping experience has to be more amazing. Otherwise people will think ‘why should I buy something in a store if i can do it on my mobile?'
– Nathalie Depetro
Developers of shopping malls and large retail centres can no longer ignore leisure, the director of the International Retail Real Estate Market (MAPIC) has told CLAD.

Nathalie Depetro said that “the growth of digital e-commerce has pushed the need to make the physical shopping experience more amazing than ever before to remain relevant.”

MAPIC 2016, which takes place from 16 to 18 November in Cannes, is one of the world's biggest retail property trade shows. Over 8,000 people are expected to attend – among them more than 2,300 developers and shopping centre owners and 360 investment companies.

Architects, designers and operators from the world of leisure and attractions will also be in attendance trying to build networks and win projects.

For the first time, a 1,000sq m Trends Hub will be open to delegates. It will be split into three zones for exhibitions, conferences and pitching zones. Operators of bowling alleys, climbing walls, arcades, ice rinks, pop-up stores, amusement facilities, virtual reality experiences, wind tunnels, mazes, golf courses, laser quests and themed environments will be among participants trying to do business.

On 16 November, a series of talks will take place on the theme ‘Leisure & Shopping – Retail in the Wonderland’.

“There’s no doubt that shopping centres have become social places and family places,” Depetro told CLAD. “That means we need to represent more entertainment and leisure operators. A variety of leisure offerings is now crucial. You can no longer have one swimming pool or one trampoline. Diversity brings shopping centres alive.

“The popularity of e-commerce means the physical shopping experience has to be more amazing. Otherwise people will think ‘why should I buy something in a store if i can do it on my mobile?’ They want to have a big experience or something new, and leisure is really a huge component of this experience-making.

“Good design is crucial to this. We need architects and designers to create fun, interactive places where you can spend a few hours and feel comfortable. You can’t just design traditional stores anymore.”

Depetro added that networking events such as those held at MAPIC are crucial to developers planning to build new shopping malls, as “it is always easier to integrate leisure at the beginning of construction, rather than adding it later.”

She said that the Middle East, Russia and China are the fastest growing markets for leisure-filled shopping malls, with representatives from these regions among the delegates attending this year’s MAPIC.

MAPIC 2016 takes place at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France from 16-18 November Credit: MAPIC
MAPIC provides opportunities for investors, developers, operators and designers to network Credit: MAPIC
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Jiangnan Global Harbor, one of the world’s largest leisure-led retail schemes, has officially opened near Shanghai.
  MVRDV design gold-tinged Paradise City entertainment zone for South Korea's Winter Olympics


MVRDV have revealed their design for Paradise City; a 9,800sq m entertainment plaza in Seoul, South Korea.
  BDP design £300m leisure-oriented extension to Sheffield mall


Architecture, design and engineering firm BDP have unveiled their plans for a 300,000sq m (3.2m sq ft) leisure extension to the Meadowhall shopping mall in Sheffield, UK.
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Work is nearing completion on the Chongwenmen M-Cube; MVRDV’s latest high-profile leisure building.
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NEWS
MAPIC 2016 puts leisure in the spotlight as director urges developers to diversify
POSTED 15 Nov 2016 . BY Kim Megson
MAPIC director Nathalie Depetro believes shopping mall developers can no longer 'ignore' leisure Credit: MAPIC
The popularity of e-commerce means the physical shopping experience has to be more amazing. Otherwise people will think ‘why should I buy something in a store if i can do it on my mobile?'
– Nathalie Depetro
Developers of shopping malls and large retail centres can no longer ignore leisure, the director of the International Retail Real Estate Market (MAPIC) has told CLAD.

Nathalie Depetro said that “the growth of digital e-commerce has pushed the need to make the physical shopping experience more amazing than ever before to remain relevant.”

MAPIC 2016, which takes place from 16 to 18 November in Cannes, is one of the world's biggest retail property trade shows. Over 8,000 people are expected to attend – among them more than 2,300 developers and shopping centre owners and 360 investment companies.

Architects, designers and operators from the world of leisure and attractions will also be in attendance trying to build networks and win projects.

For the first time, a 1,000sq m Trends Hub will be open to delegates. It will be split into three zones for exhibitions, conferences and pitching zones. Operators of bowling alleys, climbing walls, arcades, ice rinks, pop-up stores, amusement facilities, virtual reality experiences, wind tunnels, mazes, golf courses, laser quests and themed environments will be among participants trying to do business.

On 16 November, a series of talks will take place on the theme ‘Leisure & Shopping – Retail in the Wonderland’.

“There’s no doubt that shopping centres have become social places and family places,” Depetro told CLAD. “That means we need to represent more entertainment and leisure operators. A variety of leisure offerings is now crucial. You can no longer have one swimming pool or one trampoline. Diversity brings shopping centres alive.

“The popularity of e-commerce means the physical shopping experience has to be more amazing. Otherwise people will think ‘why should I buy something in a store if i can do it on my mobile?’ They want to have a big experience or something new, and leisure is really a huge component of this experience-making.

“Good design is crucial to this. We need architects and designers to create fun, interactive places where you can spend a few hours and feel comfortable. You can’t just design traditional stores anymore.”

Depetro added that networking events such as those held at MAPIC are crucial to developers planning to build new shopping malls, as “it is always easier to integrate leisure at the beginning of construction, rather than adding it later.”

She said that the Middle East, Russia and China are the fastest growing markets for leisure-filled shopping malls, with representatives from these regions among the delegates attending this year’s MAPIC.

MAPIC 2016 takes place at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France from 16-18 November Credit: MAPIC
MAPIC provides opportunities for investors, developers, operators and designers to network Credit: MAPIC
RELATED STORIES
'Groundbreaking' leisure-led shopping and entertainment complex opens in China


Jiangnan Global Harbor, one of the world’s largest leisure-led retail schemes, has officially opened near Shanghai.
MVRDV design gold-tinged Paradise City entertainment zone for South Korea's Winter Olympics


MVRDV have revealed their design for Paradise City; a 9,800sq m entertainment plaza in Seoul, South Korea.
BDP design £300m leisure-oriented extension to Sheffield mall


Architecture, design and engineering firm BDP have unveiled their plans for a 300,000sq m (3.2m sq ft) leisure extension to the Meadowhall shopping mall in Sheffield, UK.
MVRDV unveil Beijing leisure hub with an ever-changing façade


Work is nearing completion on the Chongwenmen M-Cube; MVRDV’s latest high-profile leisure building.
MORE NEWS
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
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COMPANY PROFILES
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
iPlayCO

iPlayCo was established in 1999. [more...]
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
ProSlide Technology, Inc.

A former national ski team racer, ProSlide® CEO Rick Hunter’s goal has been to integrate the smoot [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS