A European influence set to pervade over InRetail 2008

InRetail 2008, which will be held from 8 to 10 June 2008 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, promises to live up to the show's international reputation with some of Europe's biggest names confirming their participation.

The European retail market is regarded as one of the best in the world, with a number of high-class companies in the fray.

The cream of the crop will be at InRetail 2008, adding a new dimension to the show's global appeal.

Besides a healthy representation from Germany, the event will see the likes of Shopkit from England, InDesign from Spain and Michel Taillis from France vying for attention.

'We are extremely happy with the European representation at InRetail 2008' said Ms. Paula Al Chami, Exhibition Director of InRetail. 'Europe has a reputation for setting the standards in the retail business, and the companies exhibiting at InRetail are globally recognised for innovation, quality and style. We are sure that the growing Middle Eastern retail market can benefit greatly from what they have on offer' she added.

Some of the participants, like Michel Taillis, have been at InRetail before, and are back this year encouraged by the positive response last time round. Their creative animated figures which bring life to shop windows and commercial displays attracted a big audience at InRetail 2007.

'We were present at the 2007 event, and found that our products and quality standards found many takers' said Carole Devaux of Michel Taillis.

'We are now looking for a distributor in the UAE, and being a part of InRetail gives us the opportunity to interact with a variety of potential clients like departmental stores, shopping centres and hotels' he added.

The UK-based Shopkit, a leading designer and manufacturer of a comprehensive range of high quality components suitable for all types of interior environments and window displays for shops, offices, banks and exhibitions, will be another exhibitor to look out for.

Over the years Shopkit have worked with some of the biggest names in retail, including Selfridges, Sunglass Hut and Vodafone and have recently produced retail display units and showroom environments for car giants BMW, Ferrari and Renault.

Amongst the variety on offer at the Shopkit stall this year will be TracKIT, a brand new rail track system designed to facilitate shelving, hanging and poster display modules for all types of retail usage.

The InDesign group of companies, headquartered in Barcelona, will provide the event with a dash of Spanish flair.

Specialising consultancy services for retail design, marketing, merchandising, training and shop fitting, indesign's global clientele includes departmental stores, airports, malls, supermarkets, specialty stores and more.

Indesign Middle East is the fastest growing division within the group, giving them an added incentive to have a strong presence at the event.

The healthy representation from European suppliers augurs well for the retail industry in the region, indicating that the market is on the right track and if one wants to stay a step ahead of the competition, there cannot be a better opportunity than attending InRetail 2008.