11th Annual Globalshop Offers Fresh Approach To Store Design And Marketing

Furniture World Magazine

GlobalShop 2003, the world’s largest annual store design and in-store marketing show, will run from March 16-18 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The show offers retailers and brand marketers the unique opportunity to learn about the newest retailing, branding and marketing trends and strategies. “Research shows that retail marketers can look forward to a positive forecast for 2003, making attending the show a must for those in the industry,” said Doug Hope, group vice president, VNU Expositions. “The 2003 retail construction investment forecast is up 3.5 %, the first increase in two years, with an estimated 80% of all real estate investment dollars going to retail. Store openings are also on the upswing. Attendees will learn the latest in how to properly merchandise those stores.” More than 17,000 attendees are expected to attend the March event, which will include displays and exhibits from over 800 companies. GlobalShop 2003, which will be celebrating its 11th anniversary, is the one event where the world’s leading retail, branding and marketing executives meet to discover the latest innovations designed to satisfy the growing needs and expectations of retail consumers. “GlobalShop brings together leaders in store fixturing, visual merchandising, retail construction, in-store technology and point-of-purchase suppliers, all under one roof creating the most informational and comprehensive show in the industry,” said Hope. “With the strength in retail growth driving increased investment in fixture and visuals, we anticipate this year to be one of the busiest for show attendees.” GlobalShop 2003 will be filled with respected market experts providing a refreshing look at consumer shopping behavior, demographic shifts, new retail formats, as well as predictions on the future of retail and brand marketing, that will help to drive consumers into stores and encourage purchases. New this year at GlobalShop 2003 will be the Day of Design on March 15. This set of seminars features experts on the competitive edge of design trends discussing design challenges and opportunities facing today's retailer. Presented the day before GlobalShop, the program also includes Display & Design Ideas’ Markopoulos Award luncheon, honoring the winner of the industry's most prestigious award for visual merchandising and store design. In 2003, the show will also be designed with "fast access" pavilion layouts that will make navigating the show floor easier, and help identify the solutions that make brands stand apart from the rest. “Conference attendees will also benefit from direct interaction with the industry’s top specialists and the opportunity to build a professional network to expand resources,” added Hope. GlobalShop 2003 will build upon the success of the 2002 event, which was attended by more than 15,000 retailers, designers, brand marketers, visual and in-store merchandisers and their suppliers. Buyers from leading national chains like Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, Toys R Us, Target and Home Depot packed the show floor to get a sneak peak at the freshest ideas that exhibitors had to offer. Truly international in scope, GlobalShop 2002 attracted retailers from a wide array of countries, including Australia, Asia, Africa, South America, and every European Union country. ABOUT GLOBALSHOP: GlobalShop is presented by Display & Design Ideas, Point Of Purchase Magazine and Brandweek and is produced by VNU Expositions. Display & Design Ideas and Point Of Purchase Magazine are subsidiaries of VNU USA, a leading publishing and information group, and publishers of other retailing titles including Retail Merchandiser, Progressive Grocer, and Convenience Store News. Array serves as the platinum sponsor of GlobalShop 2003. VNU USA is a subsidiary of Netherlands-based VNU, N.V., one of the world’s leading media and information companies. VNU has major market positions in business-to-business publishing; trade shows, seminars and conferences; e-media applications; marketing information; and media information. VNU is active in more than 100 countries worldwide, employing more than 35,000 people, and has annual revenues of approximately $35 billion. For additional information on attending or exhibiting at GlobalShop 2003, please visit http://www.globalshop.org.