The seventh annual InternetRetailing Expo (IRX 2017) throws open its doors tomorrow. Some 5,000 delegates from across the multichannel and ecommerce industry are expected at IRX and sister event eDelivery Expo (EDX 2017) to share the insights and experiences of the senior retailers speaking in eight conferences, get hands-on advice from the technology companies running workshops and clinics at the event, and to see, and try, the latest technologies on display across the Expo floor.
Speakers in the eight free-to-attend conference streams include Alan Wizemann of Lululemon, who gives the opening plenary address at 9.30am on Wednesday, as well as Tom Rooney of John Lewis, Fabrice Khullar of Sainsbury’s, David Lloyd of Alibaba Group, Neil Ellul of Next and James Matthews of Ocado.
Despite being in its seventh year, there’s lots that’s new at this year’s expos.
New and emerging technologies are being shown off at the Innovation Hub, while the Omnichannel Experience Theatre highlights some key channel linking technologies. Retailers are invited to the new Official After Show Party – book your tickets here – while for the first time delegates who bring team members along to help them cover all the events and technologies on show will be entered into a draw to win tech prizes including the Apple Watch, Amazon Echo, and the Fitbit.
Meanwhile, the Jiangsu Pavilion returns to answer the questions and needs of those considering trading in the Chinese market.
IRX, co-located with eDelivery Expo (EDX), and billed as the UK’s biggest multichannel and fulfilment event, will take place on April 5 and 6 at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham. For the two days of the show this will become the meeting place for the retail community with more than 90 key influencers and members of the IRUK Top500, InternetRetailing’s performance-based listing of the 500 most significant retailers in the UK and Europe, set to attend.
The show will have special networking events and dedicated spaces within the Expos where leading retailers, entrepreneurs and suppliers will gather, connect and conduct meetings in a professional but relaxed atmosphere. They include the Top500 Lounge, and the IMRG Lounge, where the UK’s Online Retail Association will be sharing their insights and statistics on the UK market and the performance of the multichannel industry there.
Sam North, portfolio director, said: “IRX and EDX has established as the must-attend event in the multichannel calendar. Not only because they bring together the most ambitious retailers and the leading suppliers, but because they provide a platform for attendees and multichannel retail innovators to connect, interact, experience and learn, all under one roof. We’re looking forward to host record numbers of visitors this year, all wanting to learn how best to sell online.
“Ecommerce is one of the few industries which has seen sustained growth in double-digits in 2016 and it is expected for that acceleration in online sales growth will continue in 2017. For the industry to continue progressing, innovation, collaboration and knowledge sharing is key, and this is the success behind our Expos.”
To learn more about the InternetRetailing and eDelivery Expo and to register for free, visit www.internetretailingexpo.com and www.edeliveryexpo.com
Attendees can also get a 25% discount on their train fare to the NEC when they book through the IRX or EDX Visitor Info website.
