Allan Saunderson is managing editor of Property Finance Europe and a contributor to GlobeSt.com.

CANNES, FRANCE-New and rapidly developing retail property markets plus the growing influence of environmentally-sustainable building are two trends highlighted at the MAPIC trade fair this year, and likely to mark its development in the future, says fair director Nathalie Depetro.

The fair, held for the 15th year in the French Riviera resort of Cannes, has over 1,200 retailers already registered. New exhibitors include Chronostock, the French 'temporary' store retailer that organizes sales of branded items at bargain prices, and the US-based KidZania which develops theme parks that enable children to explore future jobs. New developer-exhibitors include Egypt's Palm Hills, Libya's Libyamall and Bosnia-Herzegovina's Triland. "I think these markets, among others, will be growth drivers for years to come, and they are playing an increasingly important role at MAPIC," Depetro said.

But the environmental crisis is adding a new dimension to the economic sphere and this is reflected in retailing. "The real estate sector will have to factor this in to its overall strategy; the increasing importance of environmental criteria will affect the entire industry," Depetro said. "Both developers and retailers will be increasingly focused on sustainable buildings, as shown by the many projects for renovating existing shopping malls and new projects to be showcased at MAPIC this year. Cities will no longer give approval to projects that are not sustainability-driven."