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Retail Design Show Announces Exciting VM Conference Line-up

Lego, L’Oreal, EE and Hema Join Leading Retailers on RDE’s 2019 Steering Panel
Written by Amy

 

Retailers looking for inspiration and innovative new ideas in retail design, visual merchandising and shop fittings can learn from the industry’s leading lights at Retail Design Expo’s Visual Merchandising (VM) Conference.

Now in its fourth year, the Retail Design Expo (RDE) has announced an impressive line-up of speakers for the two-day event, which takes place on 2-3 May at London Olympia.

Delegates will be able attend inspiring talks, panel discussions, creative networking events and demonstrations alongside browsing exhibitors’ stands. There are more than 75 free conference sessions taking place across four theatres at the show, including the new Store of the Future conference programme.

Confirmed speakers for the Visual Merchandising (VM) Conference include Tim Radley, CEO of VM Unleashed, which helps retail businesses to realise the true potential of their stores; Davy Pittoors, VM manager of Louis Vuitton; Flora Evoli, VM project manager for Charles Tyrwhitt Shirts, which features in The International Track 200 of British companies with the fastest-growing international sales; as well as Jo Tidy, a lecturer in fashion branding and marketing at the University of West London who has worked with big name brands such as Topshop and River Island.

“We are delighted to welcome another high calibre line-up to our theatres,” said event manager Sarah Adams. “Our VM speakers have worked with an array of leading brands and bring a wealth of expertise to give delegates an insight into how their VM can work harder, capture the imagination of shoppers and deliver a return on their investment.”

The Retail Design Expo is expected to attract more than 270 exhibitors encompassing designers and manufacturers, surfaces, materials and flooring companies, fixtures and fitting suppliers and shop-fitters. Exhibitors large and small come to the exhibition from across the UK, Europe, Hong Kong, Canada and the USA. Together Retail Design Expo and its co-located shows RBTE and Retail Digital Signage Expo are expected to attract more than 18,000 visitors.

Following the success of last year’s awards, the International VM Awards by RDE are back for 2018 and will recognise and reward the very best windows and in-store displays.  Focusing on a broader seasonal coverage, all short-listed entries will be on display at the exhibition.

Other popular initiatives making a comeback include the Innovation Trail and Awards, Designer Pavilion and the Champagne Bar, sponsored by SMP Group. Meanwhile, the Retail Design Student Awards will be supported by a range of retailers, brands and design consultancies with short-listed entries on display and winners announced live at the event.

“RDE has established a reputation for offering something for everyone all under one roof – from lively debate and thought-provoking line-up of speakers to inspiration, the latest trends and new business opportunities,” Adams concluded.

 

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Amy