GlobalShop 2019 Preview

The ‘Intersection’

We preview the excitement planned for the one-of-a-kind GlobalShop 2019 show

that will bring together the nation’s top three non-resale retail tradeshows. 

Retail Merchandiser spoke with Doug Hope to get a preview of GlobalShop 2019, running June 25-27 in Chicago. GlobalShop is the nation’s largest trade show and conference dedicated to store design, merchandising and shopper-facing marketing and technology. Hope is show director of RetailX and senior vice president of Emerald Expositions.

Retail Merchandiser: How many exhibitors/attendees do you anticipate in 2019? How would that compare with previous years?

Doug Hope: For the 2019 event, GlobalShop will be a part of RetailX, a one-of-a-kind show that is bringing together the nation’s top three non-resale retail tradeshows. GlobalShop will be co-locating with Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition (IRCE ) and RFID Journal LIVE! Retail. Each event will retain their separate identities including separate registration, separate conference programming and separate websites which will continue to serve their markets independently.

Attendees of GlobalShop @ RetailX will be able to access all three tradeshows presented side-by-side in the 400,000 square-foot McCormick Place South.

RetailX is expected to attract more than 20,000 retail industry professionals and more than 1,200 exhibiting brands. Educational tracks will provide a broader scope with intent to give attendees a significant competitive edge in the rapidly-evolving retail world.

RM: How will the combination of GlobalShop, RFID Journal LIVE! Retail and IRCE under the name RetailX benefit attendees and exhibitors?

DH: The majority of brick-and-mortar retail chains that attend GlobalShop today are also e-commerce retailers. By bringing together the three retail tradeshows, we are providing retailers an unprecedented opportunity to access education and solutions in the full spectrum of today’s blended retail environment. The show floor will be littered with innovative technologies, advances in store design, merchandising and in-store marketing solutions.

The RetailX tradeshow is also excited to announce a partnership with Retail TouchPoints as part of the conference program.

Retail TouchPoints LIVE! @ RetailX is a new conference, built from the ground up by Retail TouchPoints, the online publishing network covering omnichannel strategies and digital transformation for 50,000-plus retail executives, including more than 70 percent representing line-of-business decision makers and c-suite executives.

Retail TouchPoints is the go-to source for retail executives who operate both physical and digital stores, and are looking for the latest solutions and strategies to create a consistent shopping experience across all shopping channels. The Retail TouchPoints LIVE! @ RetailX conference sessions will take place June 25 and 26, 2019, during RetailX.

RM: How has the growth of e-tail impacted GlobalShop and its attendees/exhibitors? What other trends are they responding to?

DH: The growth of e-tail as well as brick and mortar’s sharpened focus on e-commerce as a growth strategy drove the decision to create RetailX, essentially bolting IRCE and RFID shows onto GlobalShop.

Shopper behaviors, enabled by the continued development and application of technologies, is driving swift change to the retail buying and selling experience. The borders between online and physical retail are disappearing and sellers and retailers of all kinds need to understand and strategize around these shifts to succeed in a rapidly-evolving retail ecosystem.

While they once existed in silos, e-commerce and physical retail are now evolving, together, creating a “phygital” retail experience. Retailers and brands must respond to what shoppers demand and, increasingly, putting into place solutions that address the totality of the shopper experience.

RM: Does this year’s event have a theme, as it did in 2017 with “Inspired Retail?”

DH: “RetailX: The intersection of e-commerce, store design and innovation.”

RM: Speaking of “inspired” how do you hope or expect the 2019 show will inspire attendees? What do you hope they will come away with?

DH: GlobalShop brings together the education, networking, products and services which enable retailers and brands to successfully deliver a total and successful shopper’s experience.

With the co-location of the three events – the overarching theme is RetailX: The intersection of e-commerce, store design and innovation. RetailX is breaking down silos and bringing together teams. We believe in the power of numbers – at RetailX, retail designers can walk one show floor with their IT staff, operations team and/or senior-level management, and see innovation coming from all sides of the retail and e-commerce markets, all at the same time … imagine the conversations and solutions that will develop.

RM: Can you give us a preview of special events planned for 2019? Are any big names lined up to speak?

DH: We are very excited about our partnership with Retail TouchPoints @ RetailX. Speakers and additional information will be available early 2019.

And, for the first time ever, GlobalShop will open at 4 PM on the first day, with an open bar reception that spans the entire RetailX event. That reception runs until 6:30 PM, both on opening day and on the second day of the show.

RM: The Experience Journey returns in 2019. Tell us how this benefits exhibitors and attendees.

DH: The GlobalShop Experience Journey will return in 2019 for its third consecutive year. The Experience Journey is a hand-curated tour of GlobalShop exhibitors that have gone the extra mile in showcasing their products in a fun and interactive way. Our attendees are looking for products that will attract, engage and motivate a customer to visit their store and make a purchase (whether digitally or physically). So, we push our exhibitors to treat their booths as their “stores.”

RM: Past GlobalShops have included fun activities such as a search for hidden golden tickets. Is anything like this planned for 2019?

DH: We are excited to announce that the search for the Golden Ticket will be back at GlobalShop in 2019! Our team is always looking for new and creative ideas to keep the show floor exciting! To stay in the know as more activities develop, we suggest following us socially @GlobalShopShow #GlobalShop (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).

RM: Are any special events tied in with the show’s Chicago location?

DH: Chicago in the summertime is a great time to visit! We are in the process of finalizing our special events and encourage everyone to check the website (www.globalshop.org) for updates.