Retail Business Technology Expo 2012, the London retail show, has been hailed a success, attracting 6,150 visitors, representing a 46pc increase on last year’s event. Retailers from across Europe attended the two day event, attracted by the educational programme which featured keynote presentations from Paul Coby, IT Director, John Lewis Partnership and Mark Fabes, IT Director, Mcdonald’s, plus other retail figures.
The hosted buyer programme, sponsored by NCR brought together retailers from across Europe. Sarah Pavlou, CEO, Hamleys Cyprus, said, “A magnificently organised show from start to finish; excellent seminar content with key speakers from the industry. There was something for all to take away, whether UK based or international, apparel or FMCG, store or online. I am now inspired to work towards the new retail, it is exciting, challenging and incredibly flexible. There is every opportunity to sell!”
New features for 2012 included two Innovation Showcases, BT’s ‘The Future of Retail, Lighting up the High Street’, which gave visitors a glimpse of how we’ll be shopping in the future, with demonstrations such as a Holographic greeter and translucent digital display that showcased high-definition, full-motion videos. The Nordic ID RFID Zone provided a platform to see all elements of RFID in a practical environment, whilst the K3 Retail Champagne Bar and the Wipro Retail VIP lounge provided a place to relax and of course network!
International retailers joined the Global Retail Forum meetings where a range of topics including IT, finance, supply chain and eCommerce were discussed, and all of the visitors were able to take advantage of the numerous networking events and opportunities.
Nick Field, Event Director, Retail Business Technology Expo and Cards & Payments Solutions, said: “The Expo has delivered on all levels, from a huge leap in visitor numbers, to a large increase in international retailers. When we did our research from the 2011 show, we were told that visitors wanted to see more innovation, and this has certainly been delivered, with two fantastic Innovation Showcases, and of course our exhibitors who knocked us out with their fantastic stands. It was also great that so many of them used Retail Business Technology Expo to launch some fantastic new products and solutions. We can’t wait for the 2013 show!”
