Retail conferences provide a wealth of information, resources, and networking opportunities that can help retailers stay up to date with the latest trends and best practices in the industry while learning how to apply them to their own businesses. In this article, you'll learn what these events have to offer and how to find them.
Why You Should Attend These Retail Events
1. Stay Informed
Retail conferences feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, and workshops that cover a wide range of topics, from the latest technologies to new marketing strategies. This can provide retailers with valuable insights into emerging trends and best practices while keeping them informed about the industry as a whole.
2. Networking
Conferences provide a great way for retailers to connect with other industry professionals and build valuable relationships. Attendees can learn from one another, share ideas, and make connections that can lead to new business opportunities and collaborations.
3. Learning New Skills
Many retail conferences offer workshops, training sessions, and certification opportunities. This is great for anyone looking to learn new skills, such as e-commerce strategy, data analytics, or store designs, that they can use to improve their business.
4. Discover New Products and Services
Many events host an expo floor with vendors showcasing new products and services. This can be a chance to find new solutions to common retail problems and explore ways to improve operations.
5. Promote Your Brand
Participating in a conference as a speaker or sponsor or even vendor can be a great way to get exposure for your brand and position yourself as a thought leader in the industry.
Overall, retail events and conferences offer a unique opportunity for retailers to come together, learn from one another, and build valuable connections. It’s a time for them to step away from day-to-day operations and focus on the bigger picture and their overall business strategy. It can also serve as an inspiring event that can give new ideas and approaches to tackle challenges and look to the future.
Top Shows to Attend in 2023
North America Retail Conferences
Source: NRF
NRF 2023: Retail’s Big Show
WHEN: January 14 – 17
WHERE: New York City, New York
Retail’s Big Show is one of the world’s largest retail conferences and a marketplace for innovation. The event allows retailers to forge new relationships and learn strategies from today’s biggest brands.
Source: Victoriana Magazine
eTail – Palm Springs 2023
WHEN: February 27 – March 2
WHERE: Palm Springs, California
Want to transform retail and develop strategies to engage customers? Learn from some of America’s most successful retailers who will provide meaningful insights on how to transform omnichannel retailing.
Source: Martin Audio
Adobe Summit 2023 – The Digital Experience Conference
WHEN: March 21 – 23
WHERE: Las Vegas, Nevada
Advertised as the ultimate experience, the Adobe Summit has over 200 sessions planned with plenty of networking event opportunities. Learn how to bring your unique skills, passions, and interests into the digital economy. This event is available online for free for anyone that is unable to attend in person.
Source: Shoptalk
Shoptalk 2023
WHEN: March 26 – 29
WHERE: Las Vegas, Nevada
Shoptalk is the retail-marketing industry's leading event—the place where thousands of retail changemakers come together every year to create the future of retail. The Shoptalk agenda covers the latest technologies, trends, and business models, as well as the rapid transformation of what consumers discover, shop for, and buy.
Source: Retail Innovation Conference
Retail Innovation Conference & Expo 2023
WHEN: June 13 – 15
WHERE: Chicago, Illinois
Visit the Retail Innovation Conference & Expo, which brings together 5,000+ retail professionals to learn the latest trends and innovations in the industry. The event includes three micro-conferences that are designed to provide focused value to different job roles and teams. It also consists of a huge array of interactive experiences and networking opportunities.
Source: eTail
eTail East
WHEN: August 21 – 24
WHERE: Boston, Massachusetts
eTail East brings together successful retailers to share innovative insights and strategies in e-commerce and omnichannel spaces. The conference features industry-leading speakers from Lowe’s, Paper Source, Crocs, and The Container Store, providing great networking opportunities and a chance to stay ahead in retail innovation.
Source: GroceryShop
Groceryshop
WHEN: September 18 – 21
WHERE: Las Vegas, Nevada
Groceryshop caters to the constantly changing retail scene for grocery stores, including supermarkets, mass merchants, convenience stores, drug stores, club/warehouse stores, discount stores, and e-commerce retailers. The event this year will cover developments in the production and distribution of consumer goods such as fresh and packaged foods, beverages, beauty, household, and health products.
Europe Retail Conferences
Source: Ecommerce Germany
eCommerce Berlin Expo
WHEN: February 23
WHERE: Berlin, Germany
This expo is focused on e-commerce service providers. It hosts 200 exhibitors and has 50 speakers, with 8,000+ participants attending each year.
Source: Kendu
EuroShop
WHEN: February 26 – March 2
WHERE: Düsseldorf, Germany
This is a great place to find innovative, cutting-edge technology that will help grow your business. Hundreds of companies will display their newest products at this conference as well as cover topics such as sustainability and customer-centricity.
Source: World Retail Congress
World Retail Congress 2023
WHEN: April 25 – 27
WHERE: Barcelona, Spain
This conference brings together some of the brightest minds in retail and out, including those from academia and politics. The event provides a high-level forum for retailers to learn, share knowledge, form meaningful relationships, and shape the future of global retail.
Source: Futr Europe
FUTR Europe Summit 2023
WHEN: May 17
WHERE: London, UK
This annual event that brings together brands, retailers and e-commerce companies along with cutting-edge speakers. The event focuses on “fresh thinking and progressive change in the future of retail, marketing and commerce”.
Source: Internet Retailing Expo
Internet Retailing Events – IRX & eDX 2023
WHEN: May 24 – 25
WHERE: Birmingham, UK
This is a great event for multichannel retailers, with hundreds of experienced speakers and practical workshops to attend. The conference brings together the world’s top retail executives to discuss important trends affecting e-commerce, technology, and multichannel commerce.
Source: Retail Insights
Retail Insights
WHEN: September 25
WHERE: Copenhagen, Denmark
Retail Insights will explore the ways in which technological advancements are rapidly transforming the retail industry. Distinguished speakers and panelists will discuss how retailers can fully leverage these innovations, as well as how to implement effective strategies and navigate potential obstacles. Attendees can expect keynote speeches and panel discussions on business growth for 2023, creating value for customers through operations, marketing, and sales, and enhancing the customer experience.
Source: Retail Insights
Paris Retail Week
WHEN: September 19 – 21
WHERE: Paris, France
Paris Retail Week is a gathering of retail experts who aim to exchange knowledge, experiences, and best practices. This event offers various activities such as conferences, workshops, pitching, awards, innovation tours, and store tours to provide an immersive experience.
