Behind every eye-catching shop window lies a choice: one street rather than another, and a location where the right people pass by at the right time. This choice often makes the difference between a shop that stands out and one that is forgotten.
On 3 and 4 November 2026, these decisions will be made in Cannes. For its 31st edition, MAPIC will bring together more than 4,000 professionals from 75 countries at the Palais des Festivals: rapidly expanding retail chains, investors, property companies, local authorities and leisure operators. The retail landscape has changed profoundly: fewer large shopping centres are being built, and value now lies in existing properties. This is the very essence of this year’s chosen theme, ‘Developing with Intent, Growing through Influence’.
For those who own, are seeking or dream of a retail location on the Côte d’Azur, MAPIC is much more than just a trade fair. It is a window onto the high streets of tomorrow, and an opportunity to understand where the best opportunities lie today with Magrey & Sons, Retail.
Since 1969, Magrey & Sons has been supporting a discerning clientele on the Côte d’Azur, in Monaco and in Paris. Over the years, clients have brought numerous projects to fruition, such as redesigning a hotel, defining a new positioning strategy, opening one shop whilst closing another, and acquiring retail premises. To meet the demands of these projects which are both innovative and dynamic for the luxury property sector the Magrey & Sons Retail department, led by Yannick Ghezala, himself a former retailer, was established. For a retail brand, Magrey & Sons seeks out premises that suit its business. For a property owner, Magrey & Sons is committed to finding the tenant who will breathe life into their property.
It is precisely this dialogue between retailers and property owners that brings MAPIC the international commercial property exhibition, held annually at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes to life. On 3 and 4 November 2026, Magrey & Sons Retail will be present at this latest edition, alongside retailers, property companies and investors from around the world.
MAPIC celebrated its 30th anniversary last year by streamlining its operations. The trade fair has refocused on what really matters: bringing together those looking for premises and those who own them. Indeed, fewer new shopping centres are being built; value now lies in existing properties, in the art of giving premises a new lease of life, of upgrading a high street, and of establishing the right concept in the right location. For 2026, the organiser expects around 4,000 participants from 75 countries, 1,600 retailers and 160 exhibitors.
Launched in 1995 and organised by RX France which also organises MIPIM and IGTM 2026 MAPIC has reinvented itself for its 30th anniversary. Since 2025, it has been held over two days instead of three, and an entire floor of the Palais is dedicated to business meetings. Its tagline, ‘The International Retail Leasing Hub’, clearly sets out its ambition: to bring concrete projects to fruition rather than simply showcasing them.
The 2025 edition brought together 4,000 participants, 1,700 retail brand representatives and 150 exhibitors. Among them were brands such as Xiaomi, Alo Yoga, Costco, Krispy Kreme and Bath & Body Works, which had come to plan their expansion in Europe. At the end of the event, 60 per cent of the brands present were planning up to ten new store openings within the year. For 2026, the organiser is aiming for around 1,800 retail brand representatives, 2,000 commercial property professionals and 10,000 scheduled meetings. Wendy’s, Pop Mart, Dave’s Hot Chicken and Popeyes are set to feature in the sessions dedicated to Asian and American brands.
This year’s overarching theme is ‘Developing with Intent, Growing through Influence’. In a world shaped by artificial intelligence, social media and highly connected consumers, the success of a retail venue is no longer measured by its size, but by the soundness of its choices. New destinations must resonate with their audience, appeal to Generation Z and reflect local identity. Over 50 conferences and events will take place over the two days. These include the ‘Retail in the City’ programme, the MAPIC Innovation Forum, ‘Happetite’ dedicated to the food and drink sector, and ‘LeisurUp’, the leisure zone, where over 70 companies will present their attraction concepts.
This is undoubtedly the most interesting announcement for a city like Cannes. MAPIC 2026 is launching a ‘High Street’ zone entirely dedicated to high streets. The idea is to give visibility to local small and medium-sized businesses in the face of competition from major retailers. The announcement of a closed-door “Retail Park Summit” with the possibility of pitch sessions organised by geographical region (Latin America, India, the Middle East, South Africa), where cities and property owners present their sites directly to retailers.
The MAPIC Awards from the third day of November
On Tuesday 3 November at 7.00 pm, the Grand Auditorium will host the MAPIC Awards ceremony, established in 1996. The awards recognise four categories: best new retail concept, best refurbishment, best new project and best urban regeneration.
Two days of the trade fair, hundreds of meetings, an awards ceremony: during MAPIC, everything happens just a few streets away from the Palais des Festivals. Hotels in the surrounding area quickly fill up, and many professionals opt for an alternative: renting a flat or villa in Cannes for the duration of the event. It has become the norm for retail chains, property companies and investors who come as a team and don’t want to miss a thing, from the first meeting of the morning to the awards ceremony.
Accommodation just a few minutes’ walk from the Palais allows you to move seamlessly between conferences, pop back between meetings and prepare a presentation in peace and quiet. Above all, it becomes a fully-fledged workplace: a lounge to meet a business partner in complete privacy, a terrace overlooking the Croisette to continue negotiations over lunch, and a space to gather the team in the evening to take stock. During the trade fair, many decisions are made away from the exhibition stands, and the setting of a meeting is just as important as its content.
Each neighbourhood has its advantages. The Croisette and the Carré d’Or for being as close as possible to the Palais; the Banane neighbourhood for its shops and restaurants; and La Californie for a villa with a view of the bay and more space for entertaining. For teams returning year after year, booking early remains the best way to secure the ideal property.
As well as helping with the search for commercial premises, Magrey & Sons offers a selection of flats and villas in Cannes, available to rent during MAPIC.
