Days before Mapic 2006 opens its doors in the French Riviera city of Cannes, the organisers of the international retail trade fair have reported over 8,000 delegates have registered to attend. This is a 19% increase compared with last year. The number of companies exhibiting at the event has risen 18%. France, Italy, the UK, the Russian Federation and Spain will make up the largest contingents during the three-day event from November 15 to 17.