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.”.

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: HHarrods 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