Retail in Asia

Retail Asia Expo 2013 welcomed 8,200 visitors

Retail industry thought leaders from leading brands, chainstores and advertising agencies flocked to visit the most successful Retail Asia Expo to date. There were 8,217 trade visitors from around the region, an increase of 10.3% on the 2012 audience. This year’s expo, held from 4 to 6 June 2013, included the Omni-Channel Retailing Conference, bringing key retail industry thought leaders to present the latest retail trends and industry developments. Senior executives from retail brands attended, such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo, Richemont, Hugo Boss, Versace, Estee Lauder, Lane Crawford, Harvey Nichols, Imaginex, Swarovski, American Apparel, Adidas, L’Oreal, Toys“R”Us, Circle K, I.T., Sasa, Giordano, Café de Coral, Hong Kong Jockey Club, and more.

Over 150 exhibiting companies, including ADT, Akamai, Bose, Dalziel & Pow, Designercity, Fimmick, PCCW Solutions, hybris, RAK Ceramics, RCH, SAP, and Sharp, showcase their latest products at Retail Asia Expo. Other than the attention grabbers, 3D displays and transparent displays, there were over 1,000 items displayed in both Retail Technology and Retail Design and In-Store Marketing sections. Other products showcased include audio visual, packaging, graphics, lighting, mannequins, shelving, shopfitting, barcode scanners, computer software, customer relationship marketing, digital signage, e-commerce, payment and security systems, etc.

Senses Generate Sales Designer Showcase
To celebrate Hong Kong Green Day, the expo introduced Senses Generate Sales and Green Retailing Feature, where visitors were offered wonderful sensory experience. Divided into three zones: fashion, cosmetics and environmentally friendly, the green installation demonstrated ways to appeal to the savvy and eco-friendly customers today, using lights, sounds, scents, and materials.

Style & Substance: The Top 10 Best Retail Design Projects in Asia Gala Dinner
Also at the show, Perspective magazine revealed its selected Top 10 Best Retail Design Projects done by Asia’s leading designers. Each project was chosen for its unique concept and ability to create an interior in which the company’s philosophy and style is captured. Selected designers made an appearance at the Announcement Ceremony on June 5th to present their ideas.

To celebrate the success of the retail trade in Hong Kong, a Gala Dinner was held on 4 June 2013. Over 190 special guests from the retail industry attended, including Jimmy Tang, CEO of Prince Jewellery & Watch and Denise Lo, Development Director of Chanel.

Omni-Channel Retailing Conference
The two days strategic conference shared insights on how retail brands can interact with target customers using various channels seamlessly. Over 60 speakers, including David Gravet, CEO of Birkenstock and Pieter Schats, Managing Director of Toys“R”Us, discussed topics such as e-commerce, customer experience, personalization, regional strategies, mobile payment, business intelligence, and supply chain solutions. It was attended by 200 senior executives of retail brands, including the Edith Chen, Managing Director of Calvin Klein, Vincent Lim, Managing Director of Eu Yan Sang, and John Fu, Executive Director of Sincere.

“The show improved a lot this year. A lot of new technologies, new trends from around the world. There were even case studies from Brazil. Quite interesting, I really love it.”
Kristian Hertel, Head of IT (Asia Pacific), Hugo Boss

“The show is richer this year, with more digital items available. We can find many new technology solutions for our stores.”
Peter Kwan, Head of Store Operations, LOG-ON

“We can find practical items in the expo, such as POS and keep updated with industry trends at the same time.”
Edwin Lam, IT Manager, JOYCE

“There are many retail technologies in the expo. We’ve met a wide range of customers and partners here, from local retailers to international apps creators.”
Allen Ho, Strategic Business Director, Designercity (HK) Ltd.

“This year we see a lot of visitors coming to place orders, rather than just enquiries. Retailers now try to make use of their limited space, by using interactive screens to keep the customers engaged.”
Andrew Pang, CEO, Leovation

“We have met retail clients, such as cosmetics, watches, jewelry, apparels, which are our main target industries. The visitor quality and prospects are even better than last year.”
Jocelyn Feliciano, Business Development Manager, Lux Design & Construction Ltd.