The 2026 ICSC Visual Victories Awards, announced at the Global Awards Ceremony on May 18 during ICSC LAS VEGAS, spotlighted pop-ups, temporary stores and kiosks that turn limited footprints into memorable moments. This year’s honorees show that thoughtful visual merchandising, strong storytelling and inventive design can draw shoppers in and strengthen the connection between brands and customers.
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Learn more and registerExplore the full list of Gold winners, Silver winners and Finalists here, and take a closer look at the Gold-winning displays below.
Best Overall Kiosk Design
Kalamata – Place Rosemére
Regional Brand
Photo courtesy of Place Rosemére
Quebec mall Place Rosemére hosted Canadian brand Kalamata as a seasonal Mediterranean showpiece. The olives of Greece and markets of Turkey and Italy inspired the kiosk’s rich color, texture and sensory appeal. Turkish delights studded with jewel-toned dried fruits and nuts, baklava and other confections were arranged to be visible from every angle, turning a point of sale into a layered visual destination and powerful brand experience.
Key Team Members
- Nelia Medeiros, Place Rosemére
- Jennifer Thomas, Morguard
Kalamata – Upper Canada Mall
Regional Brand
Photo courtesy of Oxford Properties Group
Kalamata also made a striking appearance at Upper Canada Mall in Ontario. The installation highlighted kiosk design’s seamless adaptability to multiple locations while maintaining its visual impact. Warm wood slatting wrapped the base of the kiosk, complementing black metal framework and geometric detailing. Integrated lighting highlighted the Mediterranean food displays and created a subtle glow that visually anchored the kiosk within the center’s food market.
Key Team Members
- Christine Clarkin, Oxford Properties Group
- Deanna Cutrone, Oxford Properties Group
Prada Paradoxe
National Brand
Photos courtesy of Vancouver Mall
Prada made a statement at Vancouver Mall in Washington state with a three-day pop-up celebrating its Paradoxe fragrance. Positioned just outside Ulta Beauty, the kiosk captivated shoppers with oversize perfume bottles and a large, stylized flower set atop a striking checkered floor. Intended to create a sense of surprise and delight, the bold, dreamlike installation nodded to widespread customer demand for designer fragrances.
Key Team Members
- Tracy Peters, Centennial
- Nikki Klock, Centennial
- Heidi Kempf, Centennial
- Bil Ingraham, Centennial
Best RMU Merchandising Display
Elite Bakery
Local Brand
Photos courtesy of PREIT
Elite Bakery introduced a refined, patisserie-inspired retail merchandising unit at Cherry Hill Mall in New Jersey, delivering a sense of timeless elegance in a compact footprint. A sophisticated palette of matte black and gold detailing framed the showpiece glass pastry case, where desserts were meticulously arranged for a visually dynamic composition that read more like a storefront than a temporary installation.
Key Team Members
- Clare Rose, PREIT
- Cathy Cantner, PREIT
- Colby Springer, PREIT
Most Creative Automated Retail
Annapolis Mall Swyft Vending Activation
National Brand
Photo courtesy of Centennial
At Maryland’s Annapolis Mall, a vending machine activation transformed a once-overlooked area in front of a soon-to-open Dick’s House of Sport anchor into a lively, design-forward display. Stocked with curated wellness products from AG1, Therabody and Anastasia Beverly Hills, the installation appealed to neighboring Lululemon shoppers while inviting visitors to linger, explore the vending wall and engage with surrounding retailers.
Key Team Members
- Jonathan Higgins, Centennial
- Melinda Holland, Atlas Hill RE
Most Creative Common Area Promotion or Activation
Fresh Market Secret
National Brand
Photos courtesy of JLL
At Montreal Eaton Centre, Marché Fraîcheur Secret turned the mall’s metro level into a one-day product-discovery experience to introduce Secret’s new deodorant line. At the bright blue approachable kiosk, customers who took an interactive quiz were rewarded with curated gift packages that paired product samples and fresh bouquets. The result was a brand connection in a high-traffic area that blended interaction, education and surprise.
Key Team Members
- Veronique Desnoyers, JLL
- Melyssa Houle, Montreal Eaton Centre
- Teresa Spencer, JLL
Lancôme IDÔLE House
National Brand
Photos courtesy of Oxford Properties Group
The Lancôme IDÔLE House pop-up immersed the center court of Ontario’s Square One Shopping Centre in bright pink. Visitors were treated to an inviting space anchored by a central beauty bar, product stations and a unique Lancôme product vending machine.
Key Team Members
- Lucia Connor, Oxford Properties Group
- Leanne Campbell, Oxford Properties Group
- Catherine Llagas, Oxford Properties Group
- Roseanne Dela Rosa, Oxford Properties Group
-
Josh Lachica, Oxford Properties Group
LEGO F1 – Biggest Build Ever at Gateway
National Brand
Photos courtesy of EBM Group
Gateway Theatre of Shopping in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province delivered a Lego experience created by local brand-activation agency Jawbone to holiday crowds. At its heart stood a life-size replica of the Lego Technic Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance car crafted from almost 200,000 Lego bricks. Visitors engaged in racing challenges, building their own cars and competing on a racing ramp, while a pop-up store offered exclusive Lego products. The hub drew more than 15,000 shoppers and drove 11% year-over-year sales growth for the mall’s Lego store during the activation period.
Key Team Members
- Ayesha Sewbaran, EBM Group
- Nicole Gounden, Gateway Theatre of Shopping
- Senusha Ramnath, Gateway Theatre of Shopping
- Michelle Shelley, EBM Group
Miniso x One Piece
National Brand
Photos above and at top courtesy of Oxford Properties Group
The Miniso x One Piece pop-up took turned the central court in Square One Shopping Centre in Ontario into a ship-inspired anime destination. The experience showcased the partnership between Chinese retailer Miniso and the One Piece anime series, bringing fans an environment filled with themed products and recognizable characters. The skeleton of the installation was shaped like an oversize Miniso bag, and a ship’s saile overhead boosted visibility across multiple levels. Inside, merchandising and circular displays brought the One Piece universe to life.
Key Team Members
- Lucia Connor, Oxford Properties Group
- Leanne Campbell, Oxford Properties Group
- Catherine Llagas, Oxford Properties Group
- Roseanne Dela Rosa, Oxford Properties Group
- Josh Lachica, Oxford Properties Group
- Justin Loosemore, Oxford Properties Group
Most Creative In-Line Pop-Up Store Design
2D Mart
Local Brand
Photo courtesy of Centennial
During the holidays, The Shops at North Bridge in Chicago partnered with the city’s 2D Restaurant — known for its hand-drawn, two-dimensional visual aesthetic — to draw visitors to the mall’s under-visited upper levels. A comic-style gingerbread house on Level 1 encouraged guests to continue to Level 4 for photo redemption and holiday keepsake printing. There, 2D Mart cafe transformed a vacant former Potbelly space with trendy snacks, seasonal treats and rotating Asian-inspired chef offerings, while the adjacent Santa’s Closet offered props, accessories and a photo booth. The playful journey drove more than 10% of guests from the first to the fourth level, repositioning the area as an experience-driven destination.
Key Team Members
- Bil Ingraham, Centennial
- Priscilla Gil, Centennial
- Greg Udchitz, Centennial
Most Creative In-Line Temporary Store Design
Dot.
Regional Brand, Agreement of 91 days to 12 months
Photos courtesy of Morguard
At Bramalea City Centre in Ontario, Canadian furniture retailer Dot. shows that visual merchandising can reshape large-format furniture retail. Starting with the full-height glass storefront, the temporary store focuses on openness, clear sightlines and calm, fully styled living spaces. Merchandise is arranged into distinct living, dining and accent spaces so customers can wander through naturally and see how each piece works in context. Vertical wall displays, edited shelving compositions and layered lighting add structure to the open layout, turning furniture and accessories into graphic, gallery-like moments.
Key Team Members
- Bianca Milo, Morguard
- Jennifer Thomas, Morguard
Hygge
Local Brand, Agreement of 91 days to 12 months
Photo courtesy of Morguard
The Hygge Design House at Coquitlam Centre in British Columbia offers a calm, inviting retreat centered on comfort, connection and intentional living. Inspired by the Danish concept of the same name, the space blends a minimalist storefront with sculptural forms, natural materials and soft, layered textures to create an atmosphere of ease. From every angle, the design encourages visitors to slow their pace, settle in and imagine how the pieces might shape their own homes.
Key Team Members
- Natalie Chew, Morguard
- Jennifer Thomas, Morguard
Lowcountry Honey
Local Brand, Agreement of 13 months to 2 years
Photos courtesy of Tanger
At Tanger Outlets Savannah in Georgia, Lowcountry Honey offers a curated retail experience. Featuring unprocessed honey, handmade items, refillable home and body products and small-batch specialties, the design leans into natural materials with a rustic vibe. Visitors can sample a range of honeys or try the tea of the day, creating an immediate sensory relationship to the products and sense of connection with the brand.
Key Team Members
- Keli Reynolds, Tanger
- Sunny Kurtz, Tanger
Marry Me Mochi
Local Brand, Agreement of 13 months to 2 years
Photos courtesy of JLL
Marry Me Mochi’s in-line store at Vaughan Mills in Ontario brings a novel take on specialty dessert retail. Combining Japanese confectionery with high fashion, the space is carefully composed without losing a sense of play. Cherry blossom installations suspended from the ceiling, while marble flooring and gold accents lend a luxurious vibe. Marry Me Mochi demonstrates a growing shift toward experience-driven retail, inviting visitors to slow down and savor both the product and the atmosphere.
Key Team Members
- Mina Cisternino, JLL
- Teresa Spencer, JLL
Sabayons
Local Brand, Agreement of 13 months to 2 years
Photos courtesy of JLL
Specialty market Sabayons reimagines the classic department store at Bay Centre in Victoria, British Columbia. Formerly the main level of Hudson’s Bay, the space now greets visitors with birch trees and an impressive hot air balloon sculpture. They’re invited to explore eight theatrically curated rooms filled with European goods, from handcrafted perfumes and artisanal pastas to loose-leaf teas, olive oils and bath products. Curved pathways, layered lighting and color-rich vignettes turn browsing into a sense of discovery, while oversize crepe-paper florals unify the rooms and double as art installations and product showcases.
Key Team Members
- Darlene Hollstein, JLL
- Ash Roberts, JLL
Most Creative Media/Sponsorship Campaign
Wildfire Safety Fair
Local Brand
Photos courtesy of Centennial
By Halley Bondy
Contributor, Commerce + Communities Today