Event market

Global ranking of the largest trade fairs in the Retail & Distribution sector

The Allostand Team

September 12, 2019

The rise of e-commerce and new consumer practices has been transforming the distribution sector for several years. In 2018, 90 billion euros were spent by the French on the internet. New digital uses are pushing traditional players in the sector to innovate and integrate digital into their development strategies.

In a rapidly changing market, trade shows are special times for ecosystem players to meet and discover the innovations of the sector.

Discover the list of the world's largest trade fairs dedicated to the distribution and retail market.

  1. NRF Retail’s Big Show
  2. EuroShop
  3. Paris Retail Week
  4. RetailEXPO
  5. RetailX
  6. In-store Asia
  7. C-star

1. NRF Retail’s Big Show (United States)

The largest trade and distribution trade show in North America, the NRF Retail's Big Show is arguably the most influential industry event in the world. A true barometer of market trends, the NRF welcomes nearly 38,000 visitors and 800 exhibitors from all over the world every year. More than 3,700 distribution companies and 80 of the 100 largest distribution companies attended the NRF in 2018. The show is organized by the “National Retail Federation”.


Next edition: January 12-18, 2022, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, NYC
More information: nrfbigshow.nrf.com

2. EuroShop (Germany)

Organized by Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, EuroShop is held every 3 years. In 2020, EuroShop joins EuroCIS, the leading RetailTech trade fair, held until now every two years in Düsseldorf. EuroShop is the largest trade fair in the world in terms of number of exhibitors (2,350 in 2017) and number of visitors (114,000 in 2017). The event is structured around 8 major exhibition sectors: Retail marketing, Technology solutions, Event marketing, Lighting solutions, Visual merchandising, Catering equipment, Store design & layout, Energy management. Note that nearly 65% ​​of EuroShop exhibitors and visitors are international.

Next edition: February 26 - March 3 2023, Messe Düsseldorf
More information: www.euroshop-tradefair.com

3. Paris Retail Week (France)

Organized by Comexposium, Paris Retail Week welcomes nearly 600 exhibitors and 25,000 visitors every fall. Created in 2015, Paris Retail Week is the grouping of two trade shows, Equipmag and the e-Commerce Paris show. It is today one of the largest European events dedicated to the distribution and e-commerce ecosystem. The 2019 edition aims to respond to 8 business issues encountered by distributors and e-merchants: omnichannel commerce, marketing innovation, logistics, B2B marketing, marketplaces, new payments, agile customer journey, data use.

Next edition: September 28-30, 2021, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles
More information: www.parisretailweek.com

4. RetailEXPO (UK)

Organized by Reed Exhibitions, RetailExpo is one of the leading European events dedicated to retail technologies and digital innovations. The show welcomes nearly 350 exhibitors and 13,000 visitors. In 2019, 76% of the 50 largest UK retail companies attended the event. RetailExpo has set up an advisory committee made up of industry experts to offer an event that reflects the challenges of market players.

Next edition: 2022 (date and place to be defined)
More information: www.retailexpo.com

5. RetailX (United States)

RetailX is the grouping of three professional events dedicated to the distribution market: IRCE, GlobalShop and RFID Journal LIVE! Retail. Organized by Emerald Expositions, RetailX is now one of the leading industry shows in the United States. Covering more than 400,000 sq.m, the event welcomes 1,200 exhibitors and nearly 20,000 visitors. 45 nationalities are represented at the event. Visitor profile: marketing manager, brand manager, retail manager, general management of small and medium-sized enterprises, wholesale trade, top management of distributors and resellers, etc.

Next edition: August 24-25, 2022, McCormick Place Chicago
More information: retailx.com

6. In-store Asia (India)

In-store Asia is organized by EXCOSA, a joint venture between Messe Düsseldorf (organizer of the EuroShop fair in Germany) and the Indian company VJ Media Works. It is the largest Indian trade fair dedicated to the sector. Arranged over 12,000 m² of exhibition space, the event welcomes 120 exhibitors from 5 different countries and more than 7,000 visitors. This is a must see event for any business wishing to expand into the Indian market.

Next edition: March 3-5, 2022, Bombay Exhibition Center
More information: www.instoreasia.org

7. C-star (China)

Satellite event of the German EuroShop trade fair, C-star is the benchmark professional event for the distribution sector in China. The 12,000 sq.m fair welcomes 150 exhibitors and 13,500 visitors. 88% of C-star exhibitors are Chinese companies. The other companies present are German, Hong Kong, Taiwanese and Italian. Despite 46 countries represented at the show, 92% of visitors are Chinese. Finally, the main areas of interest to visitors are layout solutions, digital solutions and lighting solutions.

Next edition: August 31 - September 2, 2021, Shanghai New International Expo Center
More information: www.c-star-expo.com

Also note the following fairs and events:

  • IRX (Internet Retailing Expo) in Birmingham, UK
  • Retail & Brand Experience World Congress in Barcelona in Spain
  • Retail Asia Conference & Expo in Hong-Kong
  • The Retail Summit in Dubai

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