“It’s not about how to sell online, it’s about how to do it better”

Alongside a complete programme of hands-on, practical, training-focused workshop sessions delivered by the leading companies in the industry, there are brand new features to this year’s IRX that make it the leading multi-channel event in the retail calendar.

Speaker Justin Lodge, head of developing markets at cycle-to-triathlon retailer Wiggle, said: “I’m really interested in the International and Cross Border sessions on day one. Compared to some retailers, Wiggle already has quite well developed international markets, but there is always more we can learn from others, and I’m looking forward to picking up some more thinking points at IRX.”

The Digital High Street is a brand new feature to IRX 2015 and will showcase suppliers of new and innovative technologies that are driving the ‘bricks meets clicks’ experience. Whether it is facial recognition software, contactless payment, smart labels, on-demand delivery, digital changing rooms, virtual stores, 3D printing shops or robotic assistants; The Digital High Street feature and technology companies exhibiting at the show will cover it all.

IRX 2015 goes overseas to bring international knowledge and technology to the UK. With Chinese and Indian pavilions as well as exhibitors from Brazil, North America and across Europe, alongside over 250 of the UK’s leading multichannel suppliers, visitors will be able to interact with key players from the biggest markets in the world.

Payment is the holy grail of online retail – putting the commerce into e-commerce, yet all-too-often payments is considered a solved problem or an operational admin item, rather than a competitive advantage. This year’s Digital Payments Village will highlight the variety, capabilities and sales effectiveness of the rapidly-developing payments scene and offer retailers new opportunities. Looking at areas such as identity verification, a smooth check-out, cultural relevance, conversion rate optimisation and mobile alternatives, as well as fraud control, speed, scale and cost, the village will explore the entire payments landscape and how this should be integrated into the multichannel strategy.

Innovation is also on the menu at IRX at the Innovation Pavilion; showcasing dynamic young start-ups that have seen a gap in the market and developed a product or service which could change the retail landscape and the way shoppers interact with brands forever.

Marketplaces have also seen on going, global growth in customer numbers, transactions and marketplace traders. This growth has brought with it increased sophistication, new opportunities and trading models. At IRX 2015 we’re bringing to life the growing capabilities of marketplaces as commerce channels for brands, retailers and traders. The Brands Direct Marketplace feature at the show will offer retailers and suppliers 20 minutes to present their take on the advancements and the opportunities they offer.

For companies looking for practical, hands-on advice, there will be 30 minute e-commerce clinics which will allow visitors to explain the problems or challenges they face and allow the experts to give an independent view to overcome the hurdles.

The IREU Top500 Footprint will be exclusively unveiled at the IRX 2015. Following the critically acclaimed IRUK Top500 Multi-channel Performance Index, the IREU Top500 will continue its unique exploration and indexing of Europe’s Top500, where retailers working for one of the UK Top500 companies, will have the opportunity to meet and network with industry peers and conduct important business meetings in the Top500 Lounge in a professional but relaxed atmosphere.

IMRG has been the voice of online retail for over 20 years and their industry experts will be on-hand at the show to share their insights on the UK market, logistics performance and cross-border expansion; to help develop strategies that enable online retailers to drive business forward.

Brand new for this year is the co-located EDX; the only UK event serving the multichannel logistics and operations professional. With speakers from John Lewis, Wayfair, Shop Direct and Deckers, themes for the event will centre on delivering online shoppers in-store, looking in depth at the delivery and logistics industry and discussing the best practices and success stories within it.

Covering topics including supply chain, fulfilment, operations, warehousing, packaging, courier, EDX is the only UK event looking at serving the multi-channel logistics and operations professional – and in the Midlands – the home of the eDelivery industry. With two dedicated conferences, more than 50 logistics specialised service providers and an extensive range of workshops and clinics to help you improve your eDelivery performance.

EDX speaker Guy Meisl, the head of European distribution at Deckers, said: “What fascinates me about logistics is how it involves the whole of a business; I touch every single part of our business and can therefore make a fundamental difference to what we’re doing. Now, the only way I can make that difference is if I know what the smart people are doing.”

Day one will of EDX 2015 will be themed around Retail Delivery. This will examine how retailers are managing the strategic and day-to-day operational challenges associated with new customer demands: What are the key logistical issues are impacting successful home delivery, click and collect, ship from store and locker collection? What are the implementation costs and challenges associated with various models? How can retailers win on both timing and profit margins?

Day two of EDX 2015 will be themed on Retail Logistics; examining how the rapid growth of online retail is impacting traditional infrastructures revealing new approaches for achieving efficiency, responsiveness and agility.

This is an opportunity to hear how leading retailers are getting to grips with new technologies and operational strategies designed to meet new customer demands and, by doing so, creating fit-for-future retail supply chains. Key topics will include: omni-channel, international growth and delivery, big data, sourcing, returns management and supplier collaboration.

Mark Pigou, founder of Internet Retailing Magazine & Events UK, said: “With over 250 exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations that are driving revenue for retailers, as well as the leading names in the sector, both IRX and EDX offer visitors two days of education, networking and relationship building, all under one roof.”

“Bigger and better than ever before, we’re looking forward to record numbers of delegates all wanting to learn how best to sell online.”