NRF taking its ‘Big Show’ on the road — to Asia
The National Retail Federation is expanding its annual “Retail’s Big Show.”
In an announcement during its annual Big Show convention and trade exhibit at the Javits Center in New York City, the world’s largest retail trade association said that the show will expand to Asia Pacific beginning in 2024. The NRF is teaming up with Paris-based event organizer Comexposium for the event, which is expected to draw thousands of retailers and business partners from across the region.
The first-ever NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific, will be held June 11 – 13, 2024, at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore. The date is six months after NRF will hold its annual show in New York City.
Southeast Asia is home to more than 655 million people with a consumer market of $3 trillion and average gross domestic product growth of around 5% among Association of Southeast Asian Nations member countries, according to the NRF. By 2050, the region is expected to be the fourth-largest market in the world, 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 expected to reach $1.77 trillion by 2025.
“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,” NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay said. “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. 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.”
Singapore’s central location and its long-established status as a business center for the region provides an optimal stage for NRF to launch its inaugural Asia Pacific edition of Retail’s Big Show, the group said.
“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,” stated Comexposium Asia Pacific CEO Elaine Chia. “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. 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.”
The Asia Pacific version of the Big Show aims to integrate regional leaders across the retail industry to collaborate at a Pan Asia Pacific level, the NRF said in a statement. The event will unite Asia Pacific’s retail ecosystem under one roof, providing industry-leading content and a platform to attract quality audiences from across the region.