Name: EuroShop
Start: 2026-02-22
End: 2026-02-26
Location: Messe Düsseldorf GmbH

EuroShop on tour in South Africa

09.05.2023

by Sven Reck

EuroShop, the World's No. 1 Retail Trade Fair is an international event that brings exhibitors and visitors from all over the world together in Düsseldorf. It will be back in 2023 and take place February 26th to March 2nd.

The EuroShop team is also traveling around the world: Elke Moebius, Director EuroShop/EuroCIS, Portfolio Retail + Retail Technologies, Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, searches the globe for new and exciting retail concepts. This fall she explored South Africa.

One stop on her local retail tour was the Canal Walk Shopping Centre in Cape Town. Comprising over 400 stores, it is the largest shopping venue in the city and the third largest in South Africa.

South Africa Canal Walk Mall; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/Moebius

Canal Walk features a classic mall design that is architecturally divided into two main wings: the neoclassic section is reminiscent of Venice, while the Victorian wing was built in the colonial style.

With so many places to choose from, two stores immediately caught the eye of Elke Moebius. She took a closer look at a Sportscene and a Pick n Pay store.

Attention, emotion, conversion! Promotional and marketing activities can have a major impact. To do so, they must be applied in a targeted manner and implemented with the best tools. You will find inspiration for this in our Retail Marketing dimension at EuroShop!

Sportscene Store Canal Walk South Africa; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/Moebius

Sportscene sells footwear and clothing from iconic brands such as Nike, adidas and Vans. There is also a large selection of accessories for young and old to enjoy. Sportscene has managed to increase dwell time of customers in its stores, resulting in a potential increase in sales by giving them a “wow” experience.

Click & Collect service at Sportscene; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/Moebius

Sportscene provides a Click & Collect service, which became an even more prominent feature during pandemic times and will remain a great alternative for many professionals who often cannot receive parcels. Shoppers who pick up their orders personally can collect their online purchases at modern, well-organized lockers.

A bar in a Sportscene Store; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/Moebius

A catering area gives customers the chance to relax and enjoy one or two refreshing drinks to fuel up for their shopping tour.

A music studio in a Sportscene store; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/Moebius

Entertainment and fun await shoppers at a music studio that’s shaped like a container and features DJs playing live music. Artists can book time in the studio. Sportscene Studio is an ongoing initiative to cultivate and encourage people and artists to take creative risks.

Sneaker Laundry in a container in a Sportscene Store; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/Moebius

Another container features a Sneaker Laundry outlet. This service from Sportscene breathes new life into your favorite worn sneakers – and is a meaningful contribution to sustainability.

Tattoo Studio in a Sportscene store with two people talking; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/Moebius

Those who dare can get tattoos on site.

Pick n Pay Clothing Store in the Canal Walk mall; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/Moebius

Pick n Pay is one of the largest retail businesses in Africa. The family-controlled business features a brand-new clothing store in the Canal Walk Shopping Centre. The Cape Town-based company embraces a green approach. True to its corporate motto "Doing good is good business", coined by founder Raymond Ackerman, Pick n Pay is committed to environmental and social causes.

A white board with text and graphics on it; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/Moebius

At several points in the store, Pick n Pay shows it has been taking a sustainable approach since 2007. This wall visualizes the retailer’s sustainability efforts and chronicles important milestones.