COVA Group’s Julian Cook awarded the 2025 LFRA Overseas Study Tour Scholarship
The Large Format Retail Association (LFRA) is thrilled to announce that Julian Cook is the recipient of the 2025 Overseas Study Tour Scholarship. The scholarship was presented at the LFRA Explore and Forum in Sydney by LFRA President, Zac Fried.
Julian will represent COVA Group on the upcoming Large Format Retail Association Study Tour where he will visit some of the most innovative and dynamic Large Format Retail centres and precincts.
A judging panel, including Michael Cherubino from Adairs Retail Group, Phil Schoutrop from Buchan, and Philippa Kelly from Large Format Retail Association, selected Julian from amongst a number of great entries, for his deep passion for sustainability and his commitment to sharing the knowledge gained from this experience with the LFRA community.
As a mechanical engineer for COVA, Julian is already working with many members to improve energy efficiency strategies, and his strong dedication to practical knowledge transfer stood out during the Scholarship selection process.
The May Study Tour will begin in Dallas, Texas, where Julian and more than 30 participants will explore a range of Large Format Retail sites, including the iconic Highland Park Village, a mixed-use lifestyle destination. Also on the itinerary, a visit to the major retail centres Legacy Town Centre, Grandscape, and the Nebraska Furniture Flagship, each offering a unique blend of retail, entertainment, and leisure experiences. In addition, a visit to the Bass Pro at Grapevine Mills, an outdoor adventure superstore, will showcase the scale and variety of Large Format Retail in the region.
The Tour will then move to Miami, Florida, where participants will explore the Miami Design District, known for its designer homewares and fashion stores, and the Doral Large Format Retail precinct, which includes a range of flagship stores and lifestyle offerings. In addition to these, the group will visit iconic shopping destinations like the luxury Bal Harbour Shops and Aventura Mall, two prime examples of open-air shopping centres with top-tier retail brands.
This immersive experience promises to offer participants – all members of the Large Format Retail Association – invaluable insights into the future of Large Format Retail, providing key learnings and global perspectives that can be brought back to Australia to inform local strategy, innovation, and growth in the sector.
The Large Format Retail Association congratulates Julian once again and looks forward to the valuable learnings he will bring back from his time in Dallas and Miami.
