From October 23 to 25, Almaty hosted the 20th The World of Trade Convention, which became a landmark event for the retail industry of Central Asia. More than 400 business representatives, 70% of whom were top executives of leading retail chains from Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia, attended the event.
50 speakers of the business program presented fresh solutions and cases for increasing competitiveness in the market. Particular attention was paid to the implementation of innovative technologies in retail, which are becoming the basis for sustainable development and meeting changing consumer needs.
At the panel discussions, participants discussed issues of digitalization and the use of new tools to improve business efficiency. Representatives of X5 Tech, Azbuka Vkusa, Hoff Tech from Russia, Magnum, Inmart from Kazakhstan shared their experience in implementing innovative technologies in retail.
Integration of online and offline sales is becoming a key element for creating a convenient and personalized customer experience, so the session on omnichannel business attracted special attention of the participants due to the current topics of retail transformation and business adaptation to new e-commerce models. The participants of the discussion were representatives of M Video, SPAR Kaliningrad, Retail TECH Net from Russia, DECATHLON from Kazakhstan, Ding Dong from China.
An important part of the program was a review of the macroeconomic situation and demographic characteristics of the region. The speakers noted that the young population and high growth rate of the Central Asian economy create new opportunities for retail. It is predicted that the region’s economy will continue to outpace global growth rates, which opens up additional prospects for retail companies.
According to Ivan Fedyakov, CEO of INFOLine agency, in comparison with Russia and Belarus, where about 70% of retail sales are modern formats and e-commerce, in Kazakhstan the share of modern channels has reached only 30%. Most sales are still concentrated in traditional bazaars and small shops. However, the country is seeing rapid development of online trade and delivery services, especially in large cities, where the number of couriers has increased significantly.
The speakers of the business program of the 20th World of Trade Convention also included top executives of companies such as Sulpak, Technodom, Sportmaster Kazakhstan, Magnum, Leonardo, Aport malls, UZUM Market, OZON and many others.
Traditionally, The World of Trade Convention hosted a Purchasing Center, where suppliers of the event were able to hold direct negotiations with retail chains and distributors from different countries. The World of Trade Purchasing Center hosted more than 3,500 bilateral meetings between Convention participants and representatives of 87 retail chains from 9 CIS countries, following which contracts will be concluded.
The 20th World of Trade Convention confirmed its reputation as the main industry event for the Central Asian retail business. Participants expressed confidence that innovation and flexibility will become the main tools for overcoming challenges and further market growth.
“We see that the retail business is moving towards digital solutions and sustainable development. Those companies that manage to implement innovations will become the leaders of the future, so we always strive for The World of Trade Convention to raise topics that concern the industry, and, thanks to the consolidation of various experts, to provide answers to all questions of interest to all market participants,” notes Elena Sargaldakova, founder of The World of Trade Convention.
The convention ended with the award ceremony of the Eurasian Retail Awards and Eurasian Suppliers Awards.
The Magnum retail chain won the Retailer Award in the nomination “Leader of Information Activity and Openness” in the food category, and the Technodom retail chain won in the non-food category. The Sulpak and Mechta electronics and home appliance retail chains received awards for outstanding experience in the market for over 30 years.
The Alpina, BMB Holding, and Livadiya-Bukhara companies won the Supplier Award in the nomination “Retailer’s Choice” in the food category. The Ksonas Factory, Fabric Production, and Korean Electronics companies became the winners in this nomination in the non-food category.
Co-organizers of The World of Trade Convention: INFOLine information and analytical agency, Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, Alliance of Regional Retailers and Retail TECH Net platform.
Contacts of the Organizing Committee: Mob/WhatsApp/Telegram +7 777 125 11 11, info@eximexpo.kz.
