During the recent staging of EuroShop 2008, The Global Retail Trade Fair, the high expectations were exceeded by far. The mood at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany was upbeat, many new customer contacts were formed and a large number of deals were closed. “With the EuroShop 2008 results, we’re above the industry average in the consumer-related segment. Compared to the previous event in 2005, the significantly more positive business climate is reflected in the facts and figures: the number of exhibitors increased by 252 companies from 1,659 to 1,911 – up by some 15%. Rentals of net floor space rose by 13% from 948,252 square feet in 2005 to 1.1 million square feet in 2008. Coming from more than 90 countries, 104,000 trade visitors attended, equivalent to 14% or 13,000 more than three years ago,” commented Wilhelm Niedergöker, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf.

Looking back on a more than 40-year history, EuroShop 2008 was a record-breaking event in every aspect. “The recent staging confirmed that EuroShop is and remains the most important meeting point for the world of retail! And its importance goes far beyond that: exhibition stand builders, architects and marketing experts from the consumer goods industry also gather inspiration for their forward-looking concepts in Düsseldorf,” added Wilhem Niedergöker.

Prof. Bernd Hallier, Managing Director of the EHI Retail Institute and Chairman of the EuroShop Exhibitor Council, was also pleased with the success of EuroShop 2008: “The stands were more attractive than ever. Nowhere else will you experience such spectacular presentations that appeal to all of the senses! And the exhibitors’ hard work was rewarded – visitors from all corners of the globe were not only fascinated by the ideas but ready to invest in progressive concepts, too. In addition to the commercial successes achieved during EuroShop we are also expecting brisk post-show business.”

EuroShop 2008 offered a comprehensive overview of all the key trends in each of the four segments: EuroConcept (store fitting, store furnishing, architecture & design, lighting, refrigeration units and systems), EuroSales (visual marketing, sales promotion, POS marketing), EurCIS (information and security technology) and EuroExpo (exhibition stand construction, design, events). On the exhibitor side, market leaders were as much in evidence in the segments as young companies from growth markets. Compared to EuroShop 2005, some sub-sections experienced a major growth surge, such as lighting and floor covering.

Some 54% of the exhibitors and 58% of the visitors at EuroShop 2008 arrived from outside of Germany. “This is compelling confirmation of EuroShop’s leading position on the world market,” noted Wilhelm Niedergöker.

Over 60,000 attendees arrived from countries other than Germany – 8,500 more than at EuroShop 2005. 30% of the non-German visitors came from overseas, while 70% were based in Europe. According to a survey, every second visitor traveled to Düsseldorf with specific purchasing intentions.

As anticipated, the proportion of Asian visitors increased again – some 6,900 attended EuroShop 2008. Three years ago, there were about 4,400 visitors from Asia. The largest contingents were from India, China, Singapore and Taiwan. Attendee numbers from North, Central and South America also increased: about 3,600 visitors from the U.S. and Canada took part – 1,000 more than at EuroShop 2005. Latin America - and Mexico and Brazil in particular - was represented by about 3,200 visitors (in 2005: 2,100 visitors).

The largest non-German European visitor contingents came from The Netherlands (4,300), Great Britain (3,700) and Italy (3,600). Central and Eastern Europe - especially Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Hungary and Romania - was also well represented.

A first-class ancillary program complemented the exhibits, including the EuroShop Retail Design Conference, retail technology days Europe, the International EuroShop POP Conference, the EuroShop Retail Design Awards as well as the Retail Technology Awards Europe and the EuroShop forums. The EuroShop Designer Village, which served as a forum for retail architecture and design, doubled in size compared to the 2005 staging.

The next EuroShop staging will take place from February 26 – March 2, 2011 in Düsseldorf, Germany. EuroCIS will again be held from February 10 – 12, 2009 in Düsseldorf. For further information on visiting or exhibiting at EuroCIS 2009 or EuroShop 2011, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601. Telephone: (312) 781-5180; Fax: (312) 781-5188; E-mail: info@mdna.com. Or visit the web site http://www.mdna.com

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