Thousands are expected to the eighth InternetRetailing Expo (IRX) tomorrow, when it throws its doors open for the eighth time. Retailers and industry experts will be heading to Birmingham’s NEC to find out about the latest developments in online retail from speakers in the eight conferences, get briefings on their priority issues in workshops and one-to-one advice in expert clinics.
A long line-up of industry professionals will share their experiences and insights at eight conferences. On Wednesday, Bobby Amirahmadi, head of logistics at Gousto, will speak on deciding which delivery innovations pay off for businesses, Richard Davies of Hatton’s shares the retailer’s Brexit contingency plan – and sets out how it’s helped to grow the business already, Nicola Fox, previously of Missguided and Holland & Barrett speaks on customer centric marketing and Jason Perry of The Coop will speak on moving from hype to commercial reality when it comes to drone and robot delivery, while a panel, including representatives of event headline sponsor CoinPayments, will debate the future of cryptocurrencies in retail.
On Thursday, AI comes to the fore for speakers include Heikki Haldre, chairman of The Future of Retail Organisation, and Jonas Hessler, former global and ecommerce digital manager at Ikea, who is in conversation with Dan Breen of Apptus Technologies. Sue Harries of Screwfix will speak on mobile, Jamie Bennett of Made will speak on digitising the store, and Zak Edwards of Prezzybox will speak on peak trading.
This year’s event will have a renewed focus on online retail. The event, to held in association with headline sponsor CoinPayments on April 3 and 4 at Birmingham’s NEC, will this year shift from a broad overview of multichannel retailing towards a more in-depth focus on growth and innovation in online retail.
Stuart Barker, portfolio director of InternetRetailing Events said: “2018 proved that retailers that get their online strategy right are reaping the benefits in sales growth and international expansion. This year, IRX will focus on growth and innovation across the ecommerce value chain – from customer acquisition through to customer loyalty – showcasing success stories that will inspire and excite retailers to enhance and improve their online offering, which will in turn improve their bottom line.”
Participants will be able to get in-depth, hands on briefings at event workshops. IRX workshops will cover a broad range of subjects, from the product experience and marketplace selling, to the role of big data in email marketing, ways of reaching European consumers, personalising the customer journey and creating a digital roadmap
EDX workshops will cover topical issues from delivering customer service through fulfilment, managing cross-border sales and trade compliance in a post-Brexit world, through to sustainable packaging options.
Visitors will also be able to get one-to-one advice in expert clinics, while the VIP Lounge will be open to senior retailers at IRUK Top500 and Growth 2000 companies.
The Jiangsu Pavilion returns with its focus on the Chinese market, while new this year is a Crypto Currency Pavilion, run by event sponsor CoinPayments in partnership with Lode.
IRX 2019 runs from 9am–5pm tomorrow and 9am–4pm on Thursday at the NEC in Birmingham. To find out more about the event and register for a free ticket visit InternetRetailingExpo.com.
Image courtesy of InternetRetailing Events
