InRetail 2008 promises to be a world-class event, in every sense

Besides a healthy representation from Germany and the rest of Europe, a market generally regarded as trendsetters in the retail industry, InRetail 2008 will also be host to companies from the USA, the GCC and India. "The number of international participants speaks well of the growing influence of InRetail," said Ms. Paula Al Chami, Exhibition Director.

"The GCC retail market is in the midst of an unprecedented boom, and many quality exhibitors from around the world have recognized the event as the perfect springboard to enter this lucrative market. We are very happy with the response to InRetail 2008, and we are sure that the visitors to the event will be equally thrilled with the business opportunities they have," she added.

The portfolio of products on display will range from specialist interiors suppliers through to state-of-the-art branding and graphics solutions to hi-tech smart cards. The Texas-based company, Design Solutions, for example specializes in designing holiday displays and décor for corporate houses. It has captured this niche market in the US, and counts leading conglomerates amongst its client list.

"The Middle East is a popular holiday and shopping destination, and we feel that our expertise in designing holiday displays has a big market in this region. We are looking forward to InRetail 2008 and establishing new, fruitful relationships in the GCC,"

said Mr. Stephen Stefanou, Design Director and President of Design Solutions.

The GCC will have its fair share of representatives at the event. The Kuwait-based French Decoration Centre (FDC), which specialises in state-of-the-art design and manufacture of refined and heavy-duty hospitality and retail interiors, will have a significant presence at InRetail 2008. TruColour, the print pioneers who provide graphic services and exhibition services to major brand owners and agencies in the UAE, will add a touch of local flavour to the event.

The vast Indian subcontinent will be represented by the fast-growing Indiamart, amongst other exhibitors. Started just over a decade ago, Indiamart today offers tailor-made business promotion solutions & services to over 15,000 businesses, and will be looking to expand their reach through InRetail 2008.

Technology will also play an important role at the show with companies such as Compulynx - a total solutions provider and smart card systems integrator. Their core competence of software development, installation, implementation, training and maintenance will be of great interest to visitors from the retail industry.

A series of seminars spread across the three days, titled 'Innovations in Retail Seminars,' promise to add a new dimension to InRetail 2008 and further boost the advantage of being at the event. Some of the best minds in the business, including Craig Phillipson, the Managing Director of Shopworks, the Director R & D of Wanzl Dr. Rainer Eckert, Markus Schwitzke the owner of Schwitzke & Partner and Graham van Schalkwyk the Retail Business Sector Manager of Al-Futtaim Logistics to name a few will be speaking.

Delegates will have the unique opportunity to gain insight into current retail trends in the Middle East, understanding retail design, branding, themed environments, future bank retail design, visual merchandising, retail lighting and technology and supply chain management will be among the variety of topics touched upon at Innovations in Retail. An extended interactive session on 'the human factor' in the retail industry chaired by Nick Pearson, the Managing Director of Pearson Consulting, will wind things up on the third day of what promises to be the most comprehensive event of its kind in the region.