In a significant boost to the retail real estate industry, the 10th edition of the annual EuropaProperty CEE Retail Awards, welcomed a record number of attendees, including over 150 retailers actively operating in the region.
Unibail-Rodamco almost pulled off a clean sweep of development awards, adding momentum to their development successes of 2017. The developer won Developer of the Year along with three development prizes for their projects in Poland and the Czech Republic.
Big prizes also went to Victoria’s Secret, collecting wins for Fashion Retailer – over 1,000 sqm, and Newcomer of the Year. Similarly, shoe retailer Kazar, won the coveted Overall Retailer of the Year. The company was recognised by the jury for its continued expansion, and confidence in the CEE region throughout 2017.
Accentuating the strength and interest in the region’s retail sector, many key retailers were also awarded on the night. Other major winners for the retailer specific awards included: Food & Beverages Retailer Vapiano, Coffeeshop Retailer Etno Cafe, Fitness & Leisure Retailer Calypso Fitness, Fashion Retailers Orsay and CCC, Cosmetics Retailer Douglas, Supermarket Chain Carrefour, Kids’ Retailer Smyk and Speciality Retailers Yes and Rossmann.
Innovation in the retail sector was also recognised by the Retail Institute, who partnered with EuropaProperty, and recognised several retailers for their achievements and forward-thinking practices that have shaped the changing face of the retail industry over the last year. Winners included Rossmann, Douglas, Auchan Direct, Carrefour, eObuwie, and Hala Koszyki.
Putting his achievements firmly in the spotlight, Mayland’s Maciej Kielbicki claimed the Professional of the Year award, confirming his status as one of the region’s top real estate professionals.
In the much coveted and highly contested Shopping Center Director of the Year award Carrefour's Ewa Karska, head of shopping centre operations, shone the brightest out of all the short-listed nominees, by receiving high praise and recognition for her dedicated work on Carrefour’s shopping centre portfolio.