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

ICSC is the worldwide not-for-profit retail real estate organization connecting over 55,000 industry professionals, including investors, developers, retailers, asset managers and government officials who benefit from continuous ICSC research and top-level educational programmes.

High-level speakers from across Europe have already confirmed their attendance. Keynote speaker is Jiri Lenk, Industry Manager for Google in the Czech Republic on the new marketing channels to sustain and grow business and Chris Igwe, Senior Director European Leasing at CBRE will speak on “Why history always repeats itself”. Architects Einar Aakeroy at AMB Architects Norway and Robert Bishop of Benoy look at the possibilities and limitations of shopping centre redevelopment: Can a first generation shopping mall become a 21 century retail and leisure destination

Chair of the ICSC Czech Republic National Committee, Jan Kubicek, Head of Asset Management at ING Real Estate in the Czech Republic, said: “Huge potential exists to boost footfall through search engines such as Google and social media. With everything available on-line customers need a reason to visit, but with few new developments, existing shopping centres need reinvention to attract people back in. If not done correctly, it could spell the end of a tired shopping centre – and prove a costly mistake for asset managers. Our conference speakers will share their expertise and debate these issues.”

The shopping centre industry across The Czech Republic and Slovakia plays a big part in the innovation and growth of the countries’ retail economy, contributing to the growth of employment, supporting local industry and the supply line. Across Europe, shopping centres employ 1/5 of all employees in retail, around 4 million people in Europe, according to ICSC research. The conference will showcase a new development in Bratislava by ECE Projektmanagement.

The ICSC Czech Republic National Committee works to connect fellow industry professionals and raise awareness for an essential industry that boosts the economy and employment. It seeks to increase professionalism and improve transparency as well as representing the industry at Government level.

For more information on the ICSC Czech and Slovak Retail Real Estate Conference visit www.icsc.org/2011SRC