C-star 2018 concluded with record-breaking visitor figures

C-star - Shanghai's International Trade Fair for Solutions and Trends All about Retail concluded its fourth edition with record-breaking visitor number in Shanghai New International Expo Center on April 28. This year, the fair attracted 12,979 visitors (2017: 8,476) from 44 countries and regions, which is a 53% increase from last year, once again demonstrating C-star’s commanding position as the most international and professional business platform in Asia’s retail industry.

 
After three successful days and numerous opportunities to explore the cutting-edge technologies, inspiring and new solutions in shop-fitting, lighting, retail technology and visual merchandising, the high-quality fair attracted visitors from renowned retail brands including Sephora, Louis Vuitton, C&A China, Watsons, Max Mara, Apple, Uniqlo, MINISO, Superdry etc converging for the 2018 show.
 
The collocation with Hotel Plus - Total Solution for Commercial Properties resulted in a valuable synergy welcoming 21,674 visitors from across the globe to experience the retail innovation and technologies at C-star. The two shows created a unique one-stop commercial space platform and all-inclusive destination to explore solutions.
 
Ms. Elke Moebius, Global Head - Retail & Retail Technologies of Messe Düsseldorf, commented: “I am extremely pleased with the performance of the show’s 2018 edition. The vibrant Chinese retail market is still growing rapidly and thus ready for investments as well as looking for inspiration. Especially the ReTailor Hub, the Designer Village and the Technology Village represented the dynamic retail market perfectly. At C-star, Chinese retailers can find everything for their store - starting from store planning to furnishing and furniture.”
 
Both exhibitors and visitors impressed by trade fair high quality
This year, C-star welcomed 110 exhibitors from 12 countries and regions to showcase product solutions for Shopfitting, Lighting & Design; Retail Technology; Visual Merchandising, Marketing & Event Construction, perfectly suited to the Chinese retail market. Both exhibitors and visitors were very satisfied with the professionalism, networking opportunities and multiple chances to conveniently gather information and meet the right people along with the high quality of solutions offered to retailers.
 
As the returning exhibitor at C-star, Mr. Simon Bo, Managing Director of Octanorm China highly commended the result from the show: “Our company provides tailor-made solutions for shopfitting and presentation products such as shelf systems, displays, counters and much more. At C-star this year, we mainly showcase our well-rounded lighting frames with 3D lighting in deep view effect. This year gave us a deep impression on its large number of visitors and the buyer professionalism. During three-day show, we met a lot of target customers such as designers, advertising agencies and suppliers for exhibition construction builders. Overall, we were really satisfied with the result and the fair was a great success.”
 
Visitors were also inspired by the innovations seen at the fair. Ms. Song Yang, Designer from Bestseller commented: “ It was my first time to visit C-star and I came here to source for the shopfittings such as wood and iron application, window design etc. The exhibitors were highly professional and showcased a variety of product solution which perfectly reflecting the new retail demand. Overall it was a fruitful experience.”
 
C-star Retail Forum generated outstanding responses
Taking the theme of "Shape a Human Centered Retail World", the C-star Retail Forum was highly praised, with high audience participation. During the three-day session, retail experts and industry leaders from around the world shared valuable insights and analyses on the new retail development such as customer-centered strategies trends.
 
Ulrich Spaan, Vice President of the German research institute for retail industry, EHI Retail Institute, praised the audience: "The international as well as Chinese speakers convinced with great expertise and gave valuable insights and practicable recommendations. The highly professional audience used the chance to discuss the global trends in retail and there was a great interaction." 
 
As some of the highlights at C-star Retail Forum, the presentations from renowned retailers like Kidsland, Lawson, Lidl, Metro, and MINISO revealed valuable insights and creative inspiration. Mr. Wang Pu, Sales Manager from Okamura furniture and Logistics System Co., Ltd, praised the quality of speakers, saying: "I came here to learn about the latest retail trend and produce innovation especially the case study from convenience store and hypermarket. I think the C-star Retail Forum this year was quite successful with many high-profile speakers among which the case study from Lawson and Metro impressed me a lot. Our company is specialized in store fixture and this forum gave me a great opportunity to reach those speakers and learn the demands of the retailers. It was an inspiring experience. “
 
ReTailor Hub brought collaborative “New Retail”
Collaborative innovation of fashion and technology motivates apparel as well as leisure and entertainment industries to pursue new retail. As one of the stunning hotspots for C-star this year, ReTailor Hub attracted a large number of visitors with its extraordinary and unique examples of new retail.
 
In ROCOCO and Classic Teddy’s special event zone, 11 store design and equipment suppliers were set to fully display the innovative product solutions, including store designs, light rendering, light box identification, fitting magic mirror, remote video store inspection system, face recognition technology, LED screens, display containers and shelves and model props, which received a high attention from the visitors.
 
The next C-star will continue to collocate with HOTEL PLUS - Total Solution for Commercial Properties from April 26-28, 2019 at Shanghai New International Expo Center. The two shows are set to maintain the leading position as a one-stop commercial space platform in China.
 
For more details about C-star, please follow C-star Facebook as follows or visit the official website: http://www.c-star-expo.com/en/.
 
See you next year!
 
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