A total of 5078 visitors attended the new look 2007 Retail Expo Australasia earlier this month – including 871 interstate and 106 international guests – representing a 10 per cent increase over last year’s exhibition.
The newly rebranded exhibition was held in conjunction with Australia’s premier retail conference, 2007 National Retail Forum, which saw a massive 25 per cent increase in delegate numbers this year. Both events were held over three days from 14-16 August at Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre.
With more than 200 local and international exhibits to explore at Retail Expo, and free seminar workshops 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.
Exhibition favourites included Ecomist’s in-store fragrance range, designed to enhance retail environments; Corporate Initiatives’ world first interactive FogScreen that projects images onto a ‘walk-through’ mist-like screen; and Fujitsu’s U Scan Genesis self checkout system that allows shoppers to scan, bag and pay for their purchases.
“This year’s show received strong numbers and positive feedback from exhibitors and visitors. A combination of fresh rebranding, high quality exhibitors, the revamped cocktail party and free seminar theatre ensured the show was a success on all fronts,” says Timothy Collett, exhibition director, Diversified Exhibitions Australia.
Space is already being snapped up for next year’s show, which will return to Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, 12-14 August 2008.
Industry leaders Sony Australia, mei + picchi and Praestegaard Australia were among the participating exhibitors, with many reporting numerous genuine sales leads and quality visitors.
“We found Retail Expo Australasia to be extremely beneficial to launch our new products. The interest our company gained exceeded our expectations. It has been five years since we last exhibited at the Retail Expo and now look forward to next year,” says Ricky Cook, product specialist, sales and marketing, Corporate Initiatives.
The National Retail Forum also received an enthusiastic response from industry members with more than 250 delegates attending per day across the three days.
“As retailers the key to what we do is built on understanding the customer, building great teams, and connecting the two in inspiring stories. Today was a great opportunity to learn about what success can look like through listening to some excellent presenters – a very informative and valuable day,” says Forum delegate Malcolm McCullough from Coles Group.
Among the most popular sessions were those featuring Bernie Brookes, CEO, Myer; Peter Alexander, founder, Peter Alexander Pyjamas; Pierce Cody, director, Macro Wholefoods; and Gilbert Rochecouste, director, Village Well.
The 2007 Retail Expo and National Retail Forum received considerable industry support and were proudly sponsored by Platinum Sponsor Fujitsu Australia and Silver Sponsors Praestegaard Australia and QAS. The Australian Retailer’s Association (ARA) and the Australian Centre for Retail Studies (ACRS) were conference partners for the National Retail Forum.
About the Event
Australia’s largest retailing exhibition 2007 Retail Expo Australasia showcased cutting-edge industry solutions at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, 14-16 August 2007. Known in previous years as the Shopfit & Design and Retail Technology Expo, the newly rebranded Retail Expo Australasia was held in conjunction with the leading industry conference National Retail Forum.