Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM JULY 2015 36 12,000 attendees came to GlobalShop in 2015, with a 6% increase in qualified buyer attendance over the previous year. Additionally, the Buyer Interest Index (Bii) increased 8.05% year over year, further supporting economic growth in the retail industry, and rising interests in products and services on display. The Path to Purchase Centerpiece provided retailers with solutions for the ever-evolving in-store journey (where 92% of retail transactions still occur, even if they begin online). The Centerpiece featured 15 exhibitors that are leading the charge in helping retailers play a more integral role through all phases of a transaction from research to purchase. As part of the integration of technology and bricks and mortar retail design, GlobalShop also brought attention to retail's critical in store pick-up area (Buy Online, Pick-Up In-Store, or BOPUS). A proposed universal in-store pickup icon was presented to the industry at the Yunker industries booth in the Centerpiece, and was also shown at the ISA (International Signage Association) International Sign Expo 2015 in April before being finalized and given to the industry. Bringing in-store retail design to the next generation, an Opening Night Bash supporting PAVE (the Planning and Visual Education Partnership) kicked off the show Tuesday night and featured live performances by Cirque du Soleil. With contributions by 15 sponsors, all ticket sale proceeds went directly to PAVE and their educational programs. PAVE raised more than $30,000 toward its objective of encouraging students to study in the field of retail design and planning and visual merchandising. BEST OF GLOBALSHOP The Best of GlobalShop awards recognize the latest and most innovative products new to the market in the last year. A judging panel of design: retail executives and representatives from the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), a supporting partner of GlobalShop selected 2015 winners. 2015 was the year for LED, with LED products taking home all three top awards. The Platinum award went to Cooledge Lighting SQUARE, a flat flexible product that creates a uniform, consistent lit effect. The Gold Best in Show award was given to Aduro Display for its fully adjustable low-voltage LED lighted shelving system, which is powered by the Aduro slat wall. The Bronze Best in Show award was granted to Media Graph Inc.'s TLS-Tension LED System, which allows displays to be illuminated in complete uniformity, with the ability for walls, ceilings, floors and 3-D structures. The people also agreed that LED was the product of the year, voting North Carolina based Fallston, N.C.-based Specialty Lighting was awarded this year's People's Choice Award. The company was recognized for its Transition linear LED luminaire designed with an advanced optical diffusing film. The 1"x1" adjustable light fixture boasts a sleek design and is available in a black or white finish. THE BOOTHS: THE BOOTHS WERE ON FIRE The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) also judged the best booth design competition for the show. • North Bergen, NJ-based Edison Litho- graph and Printing Corp. was selected as Best in Show for its 1950 design theme. • Outstanding Booth Awards were granted to Bierson Corp, Amuneal Mfg., Lamin-Art, Chemetal Inc., and SFD. BRICKS AND CLICKS: GLOBALSHOP 2016 As it kicked off its 2015 signature, eponymous event, GlobalShop, the world's largest annual store design and at-retail marketing community, announced a collaboration with the world's largest e-commerce event, the Internet Retailer Conference + Exhibition for both of their 2016 events. The new project is entitled 'Bricks & Clicks' and will highlight the new realities for retail and the heightened expectations of consumers for the seamless integration of online into the in-store space. In 2016, the Centerpiece exhibit will converge digital and physical retail spaces in a fully-designed retail environment. THE In - Store EXPERIENCE B O O T H D E S I G N C O M P E T I T I O N W I N N E R S I N C L U D E D E D I S O N L I T H O G R A P H & P R I N T I N G C O R P . , B I E R S O N C O R P . , A M U N E A L M F G . , L A M I N - A R T , C H E M E T A L I N C . , A N D S F D . RO

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