The tenth anniversary edition of the RetailShow coming in November

For years a lot of businesses have grown along with the exhibition, the event has also been effectively contributing to the development of the retail branch in Poland. Over the decade, the RetailShow has been transforming and ultimately has become the leading event of the retail sector not only in Poland, but also in Central and Eastern Europe.

The tenth anniversary is a perfect occasion to reminisce about the change the exhibition has undergone. Artur Matlakowski, the initiator of the RetailShow, emphasises that the exhibitors, designers of commercial spaces, and industry experts who have helped organise the event have contributed significantly to establishing the exhibition's current form. “The RetailShow is the main event of this type in the retail branch. It is extremely rewarding that we have managed to create an exhibition that is so well-regarded by specialists. We have bridged a gap that existed on the market over a decade ago. Each year we work hard on perfecting the form of the show in order to meet the expectations of our exhibitors and visitors", he adds.

The exhibition in numbers

The first edition of the RetailShow took place in 2010 and attracted 70 exhibitors, for whom the offered 2,200 m² of exhibition space was just enough. Five years later the number of exhibitors doubled and a tenth of them came from abroad. In 2014 the exposition took up 3,600 m² of space, and since 2018 the organiser has been providing the access to two large halls for the event. Last year's edition attracted 200 exhibitors, 15% of which were foreign companies.

Apart from the range of products and services, the accompanying events are another important element of the RetailShow. From the beginning, the Retail Congress conference and the Trade Innovation contest have been organised. Since 2012, at the centre of the exhibition hall, visitors have been presented with the Perfect Store project, in line with the newest trends, and the open-access workshops at the Innovation Theatre have enhanced the rich programme of the event. In 2014 the organiser initiated the Best Shop Concept contest, which deeply engages and unites the community of shop designers and owners in creating increasingly modern spaces.

The evolution of the exhibitors’ offer

Many exhibitors have been taking part in the RetailShow since the first edition. These businesses have been constantly expanding their offer. Participation in the exhibition is seen as an investment, which brings long-term effects. “I remember that the breakthrough moment, which was decisive for our continued participation in the RetailShow, was a visit of a representative of a well-known retail chain, just before the end of the second edition. This opened the door for our scales to enter that retail chain and then the next ones", Jerzy Kruczek, the Strategic Customer Care Manager at CAS Polska, reminisces. He also emphasises that along with the development of the event, the presentation technique of the company's offer has also changed. At first, CAS Polska wanted to show devices from every category, but later it decided to present the most technologically advanced devices and novelties.

Magdalena Skowrońska, Marketing and Internal Communications Manager at Wanzl, stresses that the growth of the retail market, where shop owners are looking for increasingly sophisticated equipment and opt for design, as well as a consistent general effect, is followed by both the exhibition and exhibitors. Over the past ten years, the participants have transformed from suppliers of shop equipment to suppliers of complete equipment solutions. “To cut a long story short, Wanzl has evolved from a producer of shopping trolleys to the main designer of shopping concepts and general integrator of solutions and services for the retail industry", she adds.

Paweł Ulężałko, Trade Specialist at JK System, agrees and points out that the company began with simple anti-theft systems, comprised of sensor gates, labels and tags. Now it is a full range of systems supporting the operation of the retail sector facilities. “We have been taking part in the exhibition since the first edition because it is the best retail event in Poland. During the exhibition, we can show out novelties, meet the major clients, attract new ones, and get to know those who are looking for the distributors of their own solutions in Poland", he stresses.

Valuable customers

The representatives of companies who have been attending the RetaiShow from the start assert that it is the best event in the retail industry. Consequent building of the event's reputation has paid off and it boasts a global reach. Kamil Podsiadły, Senior Marketing Specialist at Koncept-L, stresses the fact that foreign partners recognise the RetailShow, which is a great honour for a company that has taken part in the exhibition since its very beginning. “The international reputation attracts the most innovative exhibitors and they are the main reason why visitors appear at the exhibition", he adds.

Jerzy Kruczek from CAS Polska shares this view. He remembers the early days of the event very well. “The exhibition is attended by resolute clients from the industry, who know what they are here for and what they need. At the RetailShow there are no random people; rather, and most importantly, the exhibition is visited by the representatives of large trade networks", he adds.

Last year's RetailShow was attended by 5,500 managers and retail market specialists. Among them were directors of retail chains and centres, leaseholders, shop owners, and the representatives of companies which supply equipment. They represented all kinds ofretail chains: food, clothing, restaurant, footwear, sports, drugstore, electronics and household appliances, home and garden, jewellery, kiosks, banks, pharmacies, petrol stations and specialist shops. 

Practical information

The anniversary tenth edition of the international Exhibition of Equipment, Technology and Services for Retail – RetailShow will be held on 20-21 November 2019, from 9:00 to 17:00, at the EXPO XXI in Warsaw, at 12/14 Prądzyńskiego street. The RetailShow is organised by ECP Polska.

The entrance is free of charge after registering on http://www.retailshow.pl/pl/rejestracja or at the reception desk during the exhibition.