Retail is fighting back.  Over 100 retail brands and counting are now confirmed at this year’s ICSC Retail Connections on 28 March at The Business Design Centre, London, and more big names are registering every week.

The number of developers taking stands is also increasing.  31 developers have taken stands, more than ever before.   So many, that ICSC has had to increase the floorspace and add two more networking areas.

However, ICSC is determined that the event stays self-contained and focused.

According to Klaus Striebich, Managing Director of Leasing at ECE Projektmanagement and Chair of ICSC European Leasing Group, which spearheads the event, the speed at which the event has grown, and the consistent numbers of large retailers attending, shows the effectiveness of the event. “The sole objective of the event is to meet and do deals. Since it started it’s saved my team thousands in both travel costs and time,” he said.

This year there will be a special country stand for Turkey.  The Turkish Council of Shopping Centres is bringing a trade mission to the event.   Turkey has been identified as one of Europe’s rising stars and according to reports, Istanbul tops the ranking for new investment. Although across Turkey, growth is down from a high of around 7% last year, a rise is anticipated by 2013.   Other countries are also considering taking space at the event as they recognise the opportunity of providing a shop front to their country.

For more information on ICSC Retail Connections, www.icsc.org/2012LRC