Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield announces shortlist and judging panel for 2023 Grand Prix international retail competition

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) has announced the shortlist for the Westfield Grand Prix, an international competition providing the next generation of eco-conscious businesses access to the Westfield shopping centre network.

Fruu Cosmetics, seventy + mochi, Glaize, Known Source, Maeving Electric Motorcycles, The Seam, Trace Collective and Yard + Parish are among those shortlisted.

Two winners will be announced on 2nd October. The grand prize, valued at up to £400,000, will be awarded to the overall winner, who will have the opportunity to operate a pop-up shop or kiosk for up to one year.

The People's Choice Winner, determined by public votes on the Westfield Grand Prix website, will be prominently featured as a highlight attraction at the 2024 Westfield Good Festival – an annual event the celebrates circularity and sustainable consumption by combining guest experiences, thought leadership conversations and other activations with retailers, brand partners, NGOs and local community groups.

In addition, the People's Choice Winner will receive a £50,000 contribution for design and store fit-out, as well as £200,000 worth of media promotion through Westfield's in-house creative agency, Westfield Rise.

Furthermore, the People's Choice winner will be granted up to £20,000 to support their activation at the Festival, along with £50,000 worth of media promotion.

Finalists will pitch their concept to an expert judging panel who will decide the Westfield Grand Prix 2023 winner. The judges on the panel include: 

• Sophie Catto, Head of Partnerships, AllBright

• Rebecca Morter, Founder and CEO, Lone Design Club

• Alyson Hodkinson, General Manager Westfield Stratford City and UK Head of CSR, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield

• Jacinta Rowsell, Director of Operations, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield

• Kate Orwin, Leasing Director UK, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield

• Philip Salter, Founder, The Entrepreneurs Network

• Coco Khan, Commissioning Editor, Guardian B2B

The Westfield Grand Prix will include ESG evaluation criteria, devised and assessed in partnership with specialist platform Good On You.

Scott Parsons, Chief Operating Officer UK at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, says: “Westfield has a longstanding commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and the Grand Prix, which is in its 15th year and making its UK debut, provides an excellent opportunity to discover the most promising and innovative retail ventures that the UK has to offer.”

“A huge congratulations to all our shortlisted brands, each contributing to a more responsible and sustainable way of living - from cleaner transportation to circular fashion. The calibre of the shortlist is truly exciting and we look forward to announcing the winners in October."