Premier Retail

Shop and Display Equipment Association

Shop and Display Equipment Association
Written by Roma Publications

Premier Retail Gets up Close with Europe’s Leading Retail Display Organisation – Shop and Display Equipment Association

The Shop and Display Equipment Association (SDEA) aims to be Europe’s largest Trade Association for the display industry by providing effective promotion and growth opportunities to its members.

As well as the offer of a range of services SDEA members have unparalleled benefits included in their membership. SDEA creates sales leads for members by promoting them to the retail and design sectors as well as reducing members’ costs by offering an exceptional package of service and benefits.

Starting with sales leads, the Directory is a massive generator, as well as the website (www.shopdisplay.org), which in addition to the members’ database boasts over 2,000 searches for members’ details per week. It also holds a digital version of the Directory. Additionally, product enquiries are often routed via either InfoLine or emails, which are both dealt with swiftly. Presence at industry exhibitions, such as Retail Design Expo and the VM & Display Show, and with the Retail Display Directory shown worldwide at events such as EuroShop and Paris Retail Week, all provide help to generate further business and raise awareness of members.

In addition to increasing revenue, SDEA prides itself on saving its members money by providing an exceptional package of discount schemes, which can far outweigh the cost of joining.  Exhibition stand space, trade magazines, directories, business insurance, AA fleet cover and much, much more are all at members’ disposal, as well as free legal assistance for both business and personal use.

One of the Association’s 2018 triumphs includes the successful launch of the Creative Retail Awards, which benefits the entire retail community.

Developed in conjunction with RF Promotions, the Creative Retail Awards were created to recognise and reward innovation and excellence in retail design in an entirely unique and captivating format. Moving away from the usual, overly stuffy and formal events, the Creative Retail Awards perfectly fuse a fun party atmosphere with networking. An extensive list of categories was drawn up to showcase the incredibly diverse retail design and display world, including amongst others: display systems, innovative technology, lighting, POP, store design, surfaces and visual merchandising.  A panel of retail leaders and experts from Fitch, Hammerson, M. Worldwide, rpa:group and The Fashion Retail Academy were then assigned to judge the winners.

Following the success of the inaugural event; the 2019 awards have already been launched and are now open for entries.  For further information and to enter, visit www.creativeretailawards.com

Another significant launch in 2018 was the annual SDEA Retail Display Directory. The Directory brings a phenomenal amount of business to members, increasing awareness of the depth and breadth of their retail display capabilities. Each and every year a vast amount of time and effort is invested in this comprehensive publication and a great deal of thought is given to the editorial to ensure that the focus is truly on the latest and greatest retail endeavours, bringing inspirational, as well as aspirational, shop fittings and displays to its avid readership.

The latest edition covers a broad cross section of retail including the formidable L’Occitane flagship on Regent Street in London and the jeweller Harriet Kelsall on Regent’s Park Road in North London.  The SDEA also investigated two fabulous grocery retailers – Naturally on Holloway Road in North London launched fresh, wholesome food to the local community in a rustic yet contemporary environment, whilst students at Royal Holloway University have been blessed with a cool, urban styled, modern interior on campus where they can now shop for produce. Coverage was also given to the recent Westgate development in Oxford that links the West side of town to its historical heart and offers an abundance of premium brands new to this iconic city.

What binds SDEA members together is networking and as an Association they are dedicated to the provision of quality networking opportunities. Whether a member attends the many networking events, one of the Association’s seminars or an exhibition, the SDEA aim is to link members with each other and the retailer.

This year’s networking calendar began in March with a valuable business seminar – GDPR compliance ran alongside a talk on how to gain tax credits from research and innovation. The Annual Review Day was held in May, where delegates were privy to informative and invigorating presentations delivered by multi-national retailer Lush and Future Retail Consulting, who gave an invaluable insight in to how retailers need to adapt to survive on the high street. In June, the Creative Retail Awards launched an informal and fun occasion for the entire industry to celebrate, followed in July by the members’ summer lunch, a chance to relax and unwind at Cafe Monico. More recently, the Creative Retail Awards 2019 launch party was celebrated at Bodega Cantina in Birmingham and the Christmas lunch, planned for the infamous Duke’s Hotel in London, is the last chance of the year for members to mingle and kickstart the festivities.

If you are interested in learning more about SDEA and the benefits of membership please contact them on 01883 348911, or visit www.shopdisplay.org and click on ‘Join SDEA’, selecting ‘UK membership.’ Join before 31st January 2019 and quote this article to receive a free half page advert in next year’s Retail Display Directory.

 Shop and Display Equipment Association

Advance Display Solutions Ltd

Advance Display Solutions Ltd are now in their 20th year of trading and have been members of the SDEA almost since their inception. Martin Tellwright MD and founder of Advance Display Solutions took the decision very early on that the SDEA was an organisation which was very focused on the retail display industry and demonstrated a commitment to supporting its members.

“As well as benefiting from the member services, such as discounts on business insurance and AA membership, the company benefits from a steady trickle of sales leads, exposure on the SDEA website and in the industry respected SDEA directory. Being a member allows us to be seen as a serious and committed supplier to the retail sector and I believe having the logo on our website and letterhead provides reassurance to our customers.

The recent Convert Plus sustainability initiative is a good example of how the SDEA is looking to lead the way for the Retail Display Industry.”

 

Arken POP International Ltd

With a history of over 60 years Arken POP International Ltd have been members of SDEA for a considerable time. The business through Paul Smart Business Development Director chose the SDEA as an organisation which is clearly focused on marketing of the Retail Display Industry and shows its support to its current representatives and potential new members.

“We are proud to be members of the SDEA Association. Their dedicated team provides many benefits and arranges networking events with key speakers from the retail arena. I’m confident it gives Arken credibility in our industry and allows us stay in touch with Market trends.”

 

Octanorm UK

Alan Sheridan, Managing Director at Octanorm UK said: “SDEA members reflect the quality of resources available for shopfitting and display services and give members the opportunity to meet and discuss the industry and trends at numerous networking events. The diverse membership is a go to resource for other members looking for complementary services and quality. The SDEA website and Directory gives members exposure across a wider audience that they can achieve from their own marketing; this alone is justification for membership.”

 

 

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Roma Publications