As a group that champions career-minded women, we’re big on entrepreneurial excellence and innovation at the forefront of progress. And we’re big on supporting the women who seek to achieve this. This is why we are proud to partner with Westfield. A brand in touch with the challenges of the modern world standing for a positive socio-environmental impact, one that supports small and local entrepreneurs, all the while bringing to life fresh, new, cutting-edge concepts.
This innovative and inspiring brand has a new vision that firmly plants sustainability at the front of mind and is using this as the inspiration to launch the UK edition of the Westfield Grand Prix 2023. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply now to be in with a chance of winning a free retail space in one of the two London Westfield Centres for up to 12 months. Winners will also receive a contribution to design and fit-out, together with personalised guidance and financial support from design and retail experts, as well as in-centre advertising created by retail media agency Westfield Rise.
The Westfield Grand Prix was born in 2007 to identify and support the most innovative retail start-ups. The platform is designed to encourage retailers to continuously reinvent themselves, introducing exciting new concepts into the centres. Since then, 14 editions were launched in France, and it was expanded to Spain in 2019. We will now see the Westfield Grand Prix roll out to 4 other regions including the UK from May 2023. In line with the new group vision, this year’s theme is ‘Sustainable’.
This year, the Westfield Grand Prix will see an international competition that highlights the creativity and commitment to sustainable developments of new concepts. As such, the competition is seeking out all creatives in line with their own ethos and passion for sustainability and retail, who want to build a more sustainable future and be the change we want to see in the world.
Westfield are essentially seeking out the most creative and eco-conscious food, fashion, beauty, home, leisure and services brands to offer them the chance to win a free retail space of one of their leading retail destinations.
Ultimately, the ambition of this competition is far more wide-reaching than the impressive prizes on offer. Through the Grand Prix, Westfield seeks to support sustainable entrepreneurs in making a measurable difference to the world. They will do this by offering winners tangible support in the chance to open their first stores and test their concepts with their audiences with favourable lease conditions, support to design and contrast retail spaces, media visibility, retail network and retail expertise. Winners will have the exclusive opportunity to fully develop within the group’s vast shopping destinations.
So, what can you expect from the competition?
The Westfield Grand Prix begins at Stage One where entrants fill in an application form and present a concept deck (May 22 – July 7). Stage Two sees entrants who are shortlisted invited to the finale and entered into the People’s Choice award. At the Finale, entrants will pitch to the expert panel (Oct 2) for the place of overall winner and the People’s Choice winner will be announced. All entrants will then be given the opportunity to enter the European Finale.
The application criteria for businesses includes the following:
Company incorporated less than 7 years ago
Company operating no more than 1 existing stores in the UK
Positive socio-environmental impact
Able to operate a physical point of sale
Sells goods and services to individual consumers
The competition has grown in status and reach. This year's ambition:
International global participation – with 4 national editions and a European Final
Sustainability-oriented – with a more demanding and detailed sustainability assessment criteria
B2C – with more consumer involvement through the ‘people’s choice’ election
What to expect from the Finale?
Entrants who make it to The Finale can expect an exciting all-day event on Monday, 2 October in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style format.
In a modern world in which this is increasingly becoming of imperative concern, we love to see the change makers. So, to the entrepreneurial women within our Sisterhood, we offer our encouragement and support in this exciting competition. What are you waiting for? Time to show the world that you really are, the business.
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