EuroCIS 2009 has impressively confirmed its position as the leading trade fair for IT and Security in Retail. A total of 5,300 trade visitors were registered (2007: 5,200) over the three days of the event. The trade audience came predominantly from Germany, followed by the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and Eastern Europe. The mood prevailing amongst retailers and their partners defied the current economic crisis. Commenting on this Wilhelm Niedergöker, Managing Director at Messe Düsseldorf, said: “We are extremely satisfied with the outcome of EuroCIS, which managed to grow yet again over the previous event. We are happy that we can send out positive signals with this.”
Altogether 216 exhibitors from 18 countries participated at this year’s EuroCIS. With 6,000m² net exhibition space EuroCIS 2009 posted a 20% increase in exhibition area over the previous event. Dr. René Schiller, Head of Corporate Communication at GK Software AG, said: “There is no comparable event. To us and the retail visitors EuroCIS is ideal. Truly a trade fair producing high-quality business contacts.” This view was also confirmed by the visitor survey: 48% of the trade visitors represented top management in retail.
“Retail companies know that they need information technology to remain competitive,” said Prof. Dr. Bernd Hallier, CEO of the EHI Retail Institute and Chairman of the EuroCIS Advisory Board, and added “Our recent study on IT investment in retail has shown that in Germany, Austria and Switzerland alone the annual investment volume totals EUR four billion.”
This was also reflected by the volume of visitors at exhibition stands at EuroCIS 2009 making for smiling faces amongst exhibitors. Wolfgang Amann, Head of the Retail Division of Gunnebo Deutschland GmbH, underlines: “We are very satisfied. We had plenty of international attendance from e.g. Finland, Italy, Greece and Denmark.”
A principal theme were the different payment methods at the Point of Sale, which have developed rapidly over the past few years. In the race for even higher speed and more convenience at the checkout two technologies are centre stage: contactless payment systems – such as by mobile phone – and biometric payment systems in the form of a fingerprint. “Our numerous talks focused on biometric payment methods – that we offer on the “payeasy” basis – and “easy signature” featuring digital voucher management,” explains Simone Bruder, Communication and Marketing Manager, easycash GmbH.
In equally high demand at this year’s EuroCIS were innovative solutions for customer loyalty programmes. Commenting on this Jürgen Herbott, Vice President Central, Torex Retail Solutions GmbH, said: “Our new loyalty solution which celebrated its German debut at EuroCIS proved to be a highlight. This innovative solution identifies shoppers as soon as they enter the store and submits tailor-made offers to them by mobile phone via RFID while shopping.”
EuroCIS 2009 dedicated a special to digital signage under the heading DigitalSignage@Retail because digital PoS media is booming. Michael Zimmer, CEO of m & r Kreativ GmbH, was exhibiting in this special area for the first time at EuroCIS. “We are truly thrilled. The trade fair has exceeded our expectations. What we have achieved here during only the first two days is more than we achieve in a year using classic advertising campaigns. In particular demand were our digital posters for the PoS, which are web-controlled.”
A tradition here is the EuroCIS Forum, which was again well attended this year offering hands-on talks and tips for retail success.
The next EuroCIS will be held from 2 to 4 March 2010 in Düsseldorf.
