Where investment meets innovation: retail hotspot EuroCIS 2025

by Julia Pott

At a time when innovation and customer satisfaction are crucial to a company's success, EuroCIS is an indispensable meeting place for decision-makers in the retail industry. The trade fair has established itself as the leading European platform for presenting a unique range of retail technology solutions. Elke Moebius, Director EuroCIS for many years, shares her experience and how exhibitors can benefit from this outstanding event.

Elke, why is EuroCIS a valuable platform for exhibitors to present their products and services?

Elke Moebius: “During the three days of the fair, I like to slip into the role of a visitor and try to walk around the fair with an outsider's perspective every time: It never ceases to amaze me that so many exciting innovations are developed for the retail sector in just one year. And I hear and experience that many visitors feel the same way. Countless product ranges and innovations from the retail technology sector under one roof - that's the added value of EuroCIS. Visitors appreciate the fact that they can get an up-to-date overview of the market quickly and cost-effectively in one place. This is also reflected in the figures: at EuroCIS 2024, we set a new record with over 13,700 visitors. EuroCIS regularly attracts the who's who of the retail sector, which makes the event indispensable for exhibitors.”

Technological development is progressing rapidly, which is also evident in the retail technology market. What does this mean for EuroCIS?

Moebius: “We all hear and read about the big megatrends, especially artificial intelligence. I find it extremely exciting to experience live at EuroCIS every year how these trends are reflected in practical retail applications.

These include sensors that can be easily integrated into shelves or shopping trolleys and thus provide information on stock levels or shopping baskets. There is automated age recognition, which makes transactions at self-service checkouts much easier, or the streamlined check-out process at Pick&Go stores, where checkout queues are a thing of the past. Personalised product recommendations, which can be created quickly and appropriately thanks to generative AI, are meeting consumer tastes more than ever before. I can think of many more examples.

Numerous retail companies are making progress here and have a great interest in being able to experience these innovations up close in one place.”

Is EuroCIS the right place for exhibitors who want to strengthen their position in the European market?

Moebius: “Absolutely! Half of the visitors to EuroCIS 2024 came from Germany and almost as many from other European countries. So, if you want to look beyond your home market, this is the place to be. And the visitors are the ones who decide on investments, i.e. have the money in their pockets. What makes EuroCIS stand out from other events is that it is a hands-on, experiential trade fair - and not least because of its very practical advantages. At our trade show in Düsseldorf, the focus is on closely examining and trying out the solutions. In addition, there are short distances from the airport and railway station and a trade fair team that is always ready to help.”

Why do many exhibitors keep coming back to EuroCIS? What characterises a successful trade fair appearance for these exhibitors?

Moebius: “EuroCIS combines two essential aspects: the interpersonal with the business.

Many exhibitors make great use of this opportunity: They cultivate relationships with long-standing partners and at the same time gain numerous new contacts – for example with events or product demos at their own stand. Our after-work parties also invite you to get to know each other better, and networking and fun should not be neglected during the three days.

But let's be honest: exhibitors don't invest in a trade fair appearance just to shake hands. Of course, they expect a measurable output after the trade show: valuable contacts and long-term collaborations, but above all business leads with customers willing to invest. When I talk to exhibitors, this is what characterises EuroCIS: Many visitors to EuroCIS don't just want to look around for something new. They are looking for specific information in order to decide which technologies to invest in and which solutions to use to tackle their daily problems. They compare similar solutions from different manufacturers. The fact that over 70% of visitors to EuroCIS 2024 came from top and middle management emphasises this important role of the trade fair in the investment cycle of retail companies.”

What else can you experience in Düsseldorf during EuroCIS?

Moebius: “For many exhibitors, it is not only the presentation of their own products that counts, they also like to browse the market and gather ideas and inspiration. This is exactly what our supporting programme is designed to do: at the Stages, exhibitors – often together with their retail partners – present exciting case studies from which the entire industry can benefit. Together, progress can simply be achieved faster.

Personally, I am also very much looking forward to our special areas, where there are always great innovations to discover. In addition to our bustling start-up hub, a true innovation lab for the retail technology sector, I am very excited about our new Food Service Innovation Hub. Retail gastronomy has been gaining enormously in importance for years and technological advances in AI and robotics are opening up new opportunities. At EuroCIS, we want to provide a stage for this evolution. We are looking forward to new and well-known exhibitors presenting their innovative food service solutions.“