You've sold me: Retail trends at EuroShop 2020

In February 2020, EuroShop, the world's largest trade fair for the investment needs of the retail trade, will once again take place in Düsseldorf. On almost 130,000 square metres of exhibition space, more than 2,300 exhibitors from 61 nations will present new products and concepts that will open up exciting new perspectives for the retail trade in particular, but also for service providers from the fields of architecture, design, graphics, IT and consulting as well as for the shopfitting and consumer goods industries. The trade fair, which takes place every three years, encourages the making of new contacts as well as the exchange of ideas across the entire sector. For visitors, news and trends form the main core of the event – but at which buying decisions can be made and even transacted.

Setting a good example

For five days, from 16 to 20 February 2020, you can experience the world of shopping in eight special dimensions in Düsseldorf. EuroShop is divided into eight areas: Shop Fitting & Store Design, Visual Merchandising, Retail Marketing, Lighting, Retail Technology, Food Tech & Energy Management, Expo & Event Marketing and Food Service Equipment, where visitors can experience what things are state of the art today, and how to be successful in retail. The fair sees itself as a platform for innovation, a trendsetter, a discussion forum and a place to pool ideas. Messe Düsseldorf’s 17 Halls, including the newly constructed Hall 1, offer a particularly special setting for this comprehensive display of inspiration.

Project future

EuroShop promises five days full of stimulation and perhaps even some surprises – because the experts are predicting a trend reversal that will certainly amaze many: Traditional bricks-and-mortar retailers and online retailers have been competing against one another for a long time now. With many shops forced to close, the Internet, it seemed, had emerged as the winner in this contest. But in recent years, there have been increasing signs that the trend towards offline shopping is back. This is a consequence of trying to exploit synergies and expand offerings by showing a presence both on and offline. And since customers value personal advice as well as just the shopping experience itself, we have more reasons for this reemerging trend.

This also tempts pure online providers to rethink their strategies, and also utilize physical sales areas in good locations. It is essential that the role of the shop is reconsidered and that the concept is adapted to the customer's current requirements. EuroShop offers the ideal platform for so-called ‘pure players’ to find the right solutions for operating a physical retail store, and to make them sustainable and fit for the future.

Making it an experience

Architects, interior designers and brand managers in the Shop Fitting & Store Design sector are intensively examining what today’s shop or store has to be able to do, as well as what it absolutely shouldn’t. This is where ideas collide: experimentally used materials, new shop variants, appealing concepts, variety of product presentation, captivating lighting scenarios and much more. Of course, one of the main focuses is also on the topic of sustainability. The aim is to offer customers something special, to stand out from the crowd and to present themselves authentically. To do this, you need to master the art of seduction, which in the case of a store, usually begins with the perfectly designed shop window – the spectrum for which is infinite. At EuroShop you can take exclusive ‘samples’ of such, collect ideas and get inspired.

See the big picture

But aesthetics isn't everything. EuroShop, for example, also focuses on equipment with the latest digital technology such as video walls, smart mirrors and VR solutions. The aim is to be able to address customers on all online channels – desktop, tablet or smartphone – and offline, face to face in the store. Also, IoT, AI and Robotics will play an increasingly important role in retail. In addition, EuroShop will also be accompanied by an extensive supporting programme: In addition, numerous stages with different focuses, including the EuroShop Designers Village, the Innovation Hub, the ECOpark, the Start-up Hub and the ‘so much better – welcome to premium city’ format, all invite visitors to drop by.

© Architonic