An overwhelming response to the second day of InRetail 2008

For the second day in a row, trade visitors from in and around the region came into contact with leading exhibitors from Europe, America, India and the GCC in a tailor-made environment.

Numerous exhibitors used the InRetail platform to launch a series of new products. TracKIT, a brand new rail track system designed by the UK-based Shopkit to facilitate shelving, hanging and poster display modules for all types of retail usage, the hi-tech 'Future Shopping' project by Wanzl, which integrates RFID applications with self-service systems and shopfittings to cater to tomorrows world of shopping and the Grid 40 display system by Visplay were just some of the innovative new products on offer. Amongst those in the spotlight was the Spanish giant indesign, which specialises in retail consulting and shopfitting worldwide.

"Our participation in the InRetail Show 2008 is mainly to introduce all the new product ranges to a larger target group. We are expecting to meet with potential clients and hoping to find distribution partners for our UAE market." said Ms. Fabienne Piem, from ANFA.

"The InRetail Show 2008 provided our company with the right platform to showcase our innovative head counting system that can be installed in shopping malls, retail shops and parking lots. With Dubai being a tier one shopping destination, we believe we are in the right place at the right time, said Mr. Thomas Nenner, General Manager, SHOPLINE Electronic."

Day two also witnessed the successful continuation of the 'Innovations in Retail' seminars. As on day one, the seminars featured a select panel of speakers and industry experts enlightening the attendees on the finer points of the retail industry, from themed retail environments to space management, visual merchandising to retail lighting, and the future bank retail design.

Among the prominent speakers on day two were Golzar Sanganian, Interior Designer of Wanzl Middle East, Naeem A. Ghafoor, CEO of Skyline Retail Services Consultancy, Christoph Haiböck, Middle East Director of ShopConsult, Jeremy Baker, General Manager of Ansorg and Joe Sahyoun, COO Middle East of Crea International SRL.

"The seminars on day two have once again added a new dimension to the event" said Ms. Paula Al Chami, Exhibition Director of InRetail. "The insights and knowledge that the speakers possess is not something that trade visitors and exhibitors come across everyday, and they have complemented the enormous networking opportunities available to the visitors and participants. Those involved in the industry that have not had a chance to be a part of the event until now should make the most of the last day, and we look forward to a similarly successful conclusion to the seminars and event tomorrow," she added.

Day three will see Dr. Rainer Eckert, Director R & D of Wanzl speaking on retail technology and Centin Baxter, Business Development Manager of Al Futtaim Logistics discussing retail supply chain management. The seminars will conclude with an interactive session on human factors and what makes a workforce tick, with Nick Pearson of Pearson Consulting.

If the response on day one and two are any parameter, the stage is set for a grand finale for InRetail 2008 on day three. It is an opportunity that comes along just once a year, and one that no one associated with the retail industry can afford to miss.