At this year’s PRCH gala, a total of 36 awards were presented, and Gemini Holding, the Kraków-based retail manager, proudly received two of these. Facilities belonging to Gemini Holding received silver statuettes in two categories – CSR ACTION AND STRATEGY OF THE YEAR (Gemini Park Bielsko-Biała) and THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE (Gemini Park Tarnów).
The award for Gemini Park Tarnów was given for successfully navigating the re-commercialization process and facing challenges that the entire industry encountered at the end of 2021 when the Tesco network decided to withdraw from Poland. This change, necessitated by Tesco’s withdrawal from Poland, led Gemini Park to adjust its commercialization plans just before Christmas and modernize approximately 25% of the center’s retail space. Tesco’s withdrawal from Poland catalyzed transformations for the center. As a result, one of the five most modern Carrefour hypermarkets in Poland settled in the center, and the portfolio of Gemini Park Tarnów was enriched by 9 recognized brands including TkMaxx, HalfPrice, Puma, Homla, Esotiq, Unisono, and iSpot. Consequently, the center achieved 100% commercialization and strengthened its position as a regional leader.
The award for Gemini Park Bielsko-Biała recognizes the pioneering idea of an open mini-science center in a retail facility, combining a modern multimedia and multisensory play format with edutainment. The awarded Science Point 2.0. is an extended format of a unique educational-cultural project, immensely popular among the region’s residents. The second installment offered over five times more space, encompassing three unique exhibitions with nearly 100 exhibits under the theme “See. Touch. Understand.”, and a series of workshops and educational activities. The success of the expanded free science center format, which attracted nearly 35,000 visitors in 2023, led to the implementation of the Science Point concept as a permanent element of the CSR strategy for the entire region. The open science center, promoting learning through play, was created as part of an interdisciplinary partnership between the University of Bielsko-Biała and the Bielsko-Biała City Hall.
Winning two statuettes in the prestigious PRCH RETAIL AWARDS is undoubtedly a reason for pride for us, but also a clear signal that our actions are appreciated by the industry. Actively following trends and the needs of the changing market are the hallmarks of Gemini Holding, thanks to which the company and its three managed shopping centers have been noticed and appreciated by the entire retail industry for years.
– We listen to the needs of the local community and strive to implement projects that, on the one hand, precisely meet customer expectations, and on the other – strengthen our position as a regional leader. Both the re-commercialization of the space after Tesco in Tarnów and the unique science center in Gemini Park Bielsko-Biała are projects that required us to have excellent market and trend knowledge, flexibility, and commitment – emphasizes Anna Malcharek, Managing Director of Gemini Holding.
