National Retail Federation and Comexposium Expand Retail’s Big Show to Asia Pacific Region
February 6, 2023
The global retail industry is about to get a new conference and exhibition to meet the needs of a rapidly growing marketplace. Beginning in 2024, Retail’s Big Show will expand to the Asia Pacific region with the inaugural NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific, set for June 11-13, 2024, at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre in Singapore. The new event will launch six months after NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show, scheduled for Jan. 14-16 at Javits Center in New York City.
Aiming to integrate regional leaders across the retail industry to collaborate at a Pan Asia Pacific level, the new Asia Pacific version of Retail’s Big Show is designed to unite the region’s retail ecosystem under one roof, offering industry-leading educational programming, an all-encompassing expo featuring the latest retail solutions and an Innovation Lab and Startup Zone showcasing breakthrough technologies in Asia Pacific’s retail sector.
According to co-organizers Comexposium and the National Retail Federation, the new event is expected to draw thousands of retailers and business partners from across the region.
“NRF is proud to expand the footprint of Retail’s Big Show by bringing all the power and reach of our New York show to Asia Pacific, one of the world’s fastest-growing markets with limitless opportunities in retail,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “With offices in more than 20 countries around the world and ownership by the Paris Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Comexposium has extensive experience partnering with industry trade groups and an in-depth understanding of their role and convening power.”
He added, “Together with Comexposium’s expertise in global trade shows spanning Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Asia Pacific and the U.S., NRF is prepared to make the Big Show even bigger.”
The show’s launch couldn’t be more timely and relevant for the global retail industry. Home to more than 655 million people, with a consumer market of $3 trillion (USD) and average gross domestic product growth of around 5% among Association of Southeast Asian Nations member countries, the Southeast Asia region is expected to be the fourth-largest market in the world by 2050, with rapidly growing disposable income and high digital adoption. Retail sales across Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand are projected at $1.54 trillion in 2022 and are expected to reach $1.77 trillion by 2025, according to NRF officials.
Additionally, Singapore’s central location and its long-established status as a business center for the region provide an optimal stage for NRF to launch its inaugural Asia Pacific edition of Retail’s Big Show, according to Elaine Chia, CEO of Comexposium Asia Pacific.
“Singapore provides an accessible and vibrant gateway to the Southeast Asia region with a significant presence from international and regional trade sellers and visitors from across the retail industry,” Chia said. “Echoing NRF’s Big Show in New York, Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific will provide premier programming with the latest industry innovations and insights.”
She continued, “Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific is expected to grow into one of Asia’s leading trade shows with the support of the Singapore Tourism Board and NRF’s recognized expertise in retail, and the strength of Comexposium’s network with the international retail communities.”
According to Chi Chuan Poh, executive director of exhibitions and conferences at Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Singapore’s strategic location at the crossroads of East-West trade along with its position as a gateway to emerging Asian markets make it a leading destination for international business events like Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific.
“Our pro-enterprise environment and focus on innovation also provide an optimal setting for global retail businesses to leverage growth opportunities in the region,” he said. “STB is proud to support Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific debut, and we look forward to welcoming international retailer delegates to Singapore in 2024.”
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