Driving Economic Resilience: Innesco Moderates High-Impact Panel on the Power of Partnerships, Agility, and Tech in Real Estate's Comeback

The "Maximising Economic Recovery" panel at the closed-door Retail & Leisure International - RLI Global Forum event in London this week delivered essential insights for all commercial real estate professionals navigating a rapidly shifting landscape. As the moderator, I had the privilege of guiding panellists through the challenges of economic recovery and the importance of timing in every strategic move. At Innesco we left the event with a powerful takeaway: success in this environment means not only staying adaptable but also making timely, decisive moves to stay ahead.

From the outset, I asked the panellists how they saw timing influencing recovery strategies in a world where market conditions, consumer preferences, and economic shifts seem to change almost by the hour. Karrie Goldberg , for instance, reflected on how experiential retail, especially at Outernet London and Karrie's agency The KAGENCY, needed to evolve almost daily to keep pace with the consumer demand for fresh, engaging experiences. For Innesco, her insights reaffirmed our view that retail spaces today must balance immediacy with foresight—offering short-term vibrancy while maintaining a sustainable, long-term vision and covenant. This balance is tricky but essential, especially in high-stakes, high-footfall (tourist) locations in cities like New York, Paris and London.

The role of public-private partnerships was a major theme, and I wanted to understand how timing factored into these often-complex collaborations. Yurdaer Kahraman shared his perspective on how flexibility in urban planning needs to meet the fast-moving demands of today’s market, especially with the swift adoption of digital tools. Timing, here, becomes a crucial factor, as public and private players work to align their agendas, often under suffocatingly tight deadlines. From Innesco’s perspective, Yurdaer’s points underscored how partnerships that can adapt to fast-changing market dynamics are often the most impactful. As he noted, waiting too long can mean missed opportunities, especially as technologies like AI and blockchain continue to reshape and speed retail operations.

In my discussion with Anthony KHOI , I delved into the role of luxury brands as early adopters of sustainable practices and innovative retail spaces. Anthony pointed to 酩悦·轩尼诗-路易·威登集团 ’s revitalisation of La Samaritaine as a prime example of how luxury brands, by moving swiftly and setting high standards, are leading the way for other sectors to follow. Over it 15 years in business, Innesco has long observed that the speed at which these luxury players adapt to and integrate sustainability and innovation helps elevate and add value to entire markets. Anthony’s insights resonated with our approach at Innesco: sustainability must be immediate, embedded at the core, rather than a long-term wooly ambition that risks getting lost in the shuffle.

I also asked Edie Rodriguez about the unique context of Saudi Arabia and its Vision 2030 goals, particularly how rapid, data-driven decision-making is enabling the Kingdom to engage its young, tech-savvy population. Edie, fresh from her home in Miami, spoke passionately about the importance of timing in Saudi Arabia’s strategic transformation—about how, to maintain momentum, the Kingdom prioritises near-immediate decision-making, especially in aligning public and private initiatives. Projects like Riyadh Boulevard illustrate how Saudi Arabia is creating vibrant, future-focused destinations that appeal to a new generation while meeting the long-term objectives of #Vision2030. For Innesco, her insights highlighted a model that is ambitious yet grounded in the importance of timely actions, serving as a valuable example for global markets looking to make an impact quickly.

As the session moved toward technology’s role in shaping retail, I encouraged the panellists to explore how digital transformation must happen in real-time, rather than as a gradual shift. Yurdaer noted how technologies like AI and social media are essential not just in refining customer engagement but in achieving it with the speed today’s market demands. Innesco, too, recognises that these technologies aren’t just about long-term innovation; they’re tools for immediate relevance. Real estate and retail operators who move first in integrating these digital tools can often capture and retain consumer attention in ways that slower-moving competitors simply can’t.

In every example, the message was clear: recovery in the commercial real estate sector is as much about the speed and timing of decisions as it is about innovation or vision. From creating agile partnerships to capturing a young consumer base to adopting cutting-edge tech solutions, timing plays a pivotal role in making these strategies truly effective. At Innesco, we know that waiting too long or moving too slowly can mean the difference between staying ahead or lagging behind. For our clients, we advocate a proactive, responsive approach that allows for quick pivots while still keeping an eye on long-term goals.

Ultimately, the RLI panel confirmed that the commercial property sector’s resilience depends on this delicate balance of immediate responsiveness and forward-thinking strategy. The industry is primed for growth, but only those who make timely decisions and adapt in real-time will thrive. At Innesco, our commitment to these principles continues, as we work with our clients to navigate economic opportunities that require both speed and sophistication.

To conclude an already vibrant and insightful day, the Global RLI Awards followed the next evening - providing a fantastic showcase of the vision and innovation shaping the future of retail and leisure. Held at the stunning The Londoner Hotel , this year’s awards celebrated projects that are defining new benchmarks in sustainable development, community engagement, and global design excellence. Innesco was proud to sponsor the Future Project Award, an honour presented to The Ellinikon Mall in Athens, Greece—a transformative project by LAMDA Development S.A. that underscores our industry’s forward-looking ethos. Congratulations!

As Europe’s largest urban regeneration initiative, The Ellinikon embodies the very principles championed throughout the RLI Forum discussions. Envisioned by renowned design firms such as 凯达 and Foster + Partners , the project spans a vast 6.2 million square metres, transforming the former Ellinikon International Airport site into a comprehensive "smart city." Set along the Athens Riviera, The Ellinikon includes not only the 100,000-square-metre mall but also a major coastal park, residential areas, luxury hotels, and extensive amenities. With cutting-edge infrastructure, including sustainable transport options, energy-efficient buildings, and ample green spaces, the development is reshaping the concept of a Mediterranean urban oasis, offering a world-class destination that will drive local economic growth and boost tourism

Celebrating this achievement at the RLI Awards was particularly meaningful as it highlighted how future projects like The Ellinikon are not just commercial spaces but hubs for community engagement, ecological balance, and sustainable tourism. It’s a fitting example of how innovative urban developments are paving the way forward—something that Innesco is dedicated to supporting and recognising as part of our ongoing commitment to industry excellence.

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Melina Paizi Odisseas Athanasiou Sissy Iliopoulou Jayne Rafter Dimitris Karastogiannis Simon Stretch Victoria Buchanan Rachele Caltagirone Sam Kirk Karen Campbell MRICS Emma Acton Bobby Noori Dimitri Lalagos MICHEL ?ALAC John Scott Michael Dyke David Blakeney Thomas Mark Jonathan Doughty Roger Goyk Helen Barnish Andrew Jefford