EuroCIS Düsseldorf - Where retail is shaping its future

EuroCIS: A journey through the retail of tomorrow

The retail sector has changed faster in recent years than in previous decades. Digitalization, new customer expectations, the boom in online retail - many things are different today than they used to be. And yet bricks-and-mortar retail is not dead. On the contrary: it is reinventing itself, combining digital technology with real experiences. If you want to see what this can look like, you have to come to EuroCIS in Düsseldorf. This is where technology pioneers, industry insiders and new thinkers meet to show where the journey is heading. More than 500 exhibitors at the Düsseldorf exhibition center will provide insights into the trends that will shape retail in the coming years. Whether checkout systems, customer tracking or intelligent shelves - the variety is impressive. And if you want to take a look at other industry events in between, you will find them at Düsseldorf Trade Fair.

Technology as a trailblazer, not an end in itself

What quickly becomes clear: Technology alone is not enough. Successful retailers rely on systems that offer real added value. For example, self-checkout solutions that not only shorten queues, but also rethink interactions. Or smart shelves that automatically reorder before goods run out. In other words, systems that not only make processes faster, but also put the customer at the center. Many solutions at EuroCIS aim to make clever use of data. Creating customer profiles, analyzing routes, optimizing product placement - all without overwhelming the customer. Retailers should understand what their customers want without them realizing it. A balancing act that the technologies on show have mastered.

Between checkout and cloud

Checkout systems remain at the heart of many stores. But they look different today than they did a few years ago. Mobile payment, biometric identification, cloud-based backends - traditional checkouts are becoming smarter, more flexible and more secure. Contactless payments have long been standard and new payment methods are gaining ground. A trend that has received a strong boost, not least due to the pandemic. Also exciting: systems that no longer focus solely on the transaction, but accompany the entire customer journey. From the first glance at the product to the purchase decision. Many exhibitors will be showing how this process can be simplified and personalized with technology.

When security becomes an experience

One topic that comes up again and again at the trade fair is security. But not in the traditional sense. It's about intelligent surveillance systems, access control and smart alarm systems - technologies that combine theft protection with a better customer experience. If you know the movement patterns of customers, for example, you can not only better identify shoplifters, but also improve the presentation of goods. And security does not end at the store door. Cyber security is becoming more important. In view of networked checkouts and IoT devices, data protection has long been a must, no longer a “nice-to-have”.

Sustainability as an ongoing topic

What is striking is that hardly any supplier at EuroCIS can avoid the topic of sustainability. Energy-saving systems, durable hardware, electronic price tags that save paper - sustainability is often visible in small details. It is the innovative approaches that impress: for example, checkout systems that deliberately use recyclable materials or software solutions that help to make supply chains more transparent and environmentally friendly.

Figures, data, perspectives

More than 10,000 trade visitors stream through the halls on the days of the trade fair. In addition to the big players, you will also encounter small, specialized providers - and it is not uncommon for them to come up with surprising solutions. The impression is that retailers are aware of the challenges they face, but are determined to tackle them. Workshops and forums round off the trade fair. Topics such as omnichannel strategies, artificial intelligence in retail and the future of payments will be the subject of controversial discussions. Panels in which retailers report on their experiences are particularly exciting - open, honest and unembellished.

What remains?

EuroCIS clearly shows that bricks-and-mortar retail is far from over. Those who reposition themselves, those who take advantage of the opportunities offered by digitalization, those who see technology not as an end in itself but as a tool, are in a good position. And something else is becoming clear: the retail of tomorrow will be different. More personal, more intelligent, more sustainable - but also more technical. If you want to keep pace, you have to do more than just optimize processes. They have to rethink the customer. Further information can be found on the organizer's website: www.eurocis.com