A host of cutting-edge initiatives – including a Retail Skills Workshop program and the interactive RFID visitor experience – and the chance to keep up to date with industry trends were among the reasons thousands of retailers gathered at the Shopfit & Design Expo and Retail Technology Expo.
A total of 4796 visitors attended the concurrent Expos, including 617 visitors from interstate and a further 158 international guests. With 223 exhibits to explore and numerous interactive demonstrations on offer, the event attracted retail representatives from all segments and levels of the industry including CEOs, Directors, Store Managers, Merchandising Managers, Franchisors, IT Managers and Marketing Managers.
“This year’s event was packed full of new products and innovations for retailers in line with the theme: Optimising Your Retail Performance. Highlights included interactive digital media systems allowing unprecedented customer engagement, and RFID applications from Pronto Software and NCR Australia,” said Todd Blake, Exhibition Director, Diversified Exhibitions Australia .
The Shopfit & Design Expo and Retail Technology Expo received significant support from the retail industry, including key sponsors Fujitsu Australia, Workplace Systems, Oracle and QAS. The Australian Shop and Offices Fitting Industry Association (ASOFIA) and the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) also supported the show, with ARA Victoria staging the 2006 “Retail In Style” Dinner and Awards on the first night.
Taking place alongside the exhibitions was the National Retail Forum which involved more than 260 conference delegates over three days. Organisers collaborated with the Australian Centre for Retail Studies (ACRS) to select 34 prominent local and international industry speakers.
“We have received positive feedback from visitors, delegates and exhibitors, and plans are already underway for next year’s event. With around 40 per cent of total floor space already snapped up, the show is again set to showcase Australia’s most innovative and comprehensive range of retail technology and shopfitting solutions,” Blake said.
