NRF and Comexposium expand retail’s big show to Asia Pacific

The National Retail Federation and Paris-based event organizer Comexposium today announced that Retail’s Big Show will expand to Asia Pacific from 2024 with a new conference and exhibition that is expected to draw thousands of retailers and business partners from across the region. The Asia Pacific edition of Retail’s Big Show will be held June 11 – 13, 2024, at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore, six months after NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show in New York City.

This Asia Pacific version of Retail’s Big Show aims to integrate regional leaders across the retail industry to collaborate at a Pan Asia Pacific level. The mega event unites Asia Pacific’s retail ecosystem under one roof, providing industry-leading content and a platform to attract quality audiences from across the region.
“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. “Singapore is the perfect centralized location for retailers, vendors and suppliers spanning from China to Australia to share ideas, learn from each other and experience the latest in game-changing trends and technology, regardless of where retailers do business. Together with Comexposium’s extensive experience in global trade shows, NRF is prepared to make the Big Show even bigger.”

Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific completes Comexposium's portfolio of retail events, namely One to One Retail E-commerce, Paris Retail Week and SIEC in France, Franchise Expo in the Americas, adTech in Japan and India, and iMedia in Australia and New Zealand, to further support clients and decision-makers in the international retail industry whilst strengthening the Group's presence in Asia Pacific.

“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,” Comexposium Asia Pacific CEO Elaine Chia said. “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.”

Southeast Asia is home to more than 655 million people with a consumer market of USD3 trillion and average gross domestic product growth of around 5% among Association of Southeast Asian Nations member countries. 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.

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.

Poh Chi Chuan, Executive Director for Exhibitions & Conferences, Singapore Tourism Board (STB), said: “Strategically located at the crossroads of East-West trade and a gateway to emerging Asian markets, Singapore’s unique location makes us a leading destination for international business events. Our pro-enterprise environment and focus on innovation also provide an optimal setting for global retail businesses to leverage growth opportunities in the region. STB is proud to support Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific debut, and we look forward to welcoming international retailer delegates to Singapore in 2024.”

Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific will complement NRF Retail’s Big Show, which is held in January each year at the Javits Center in New York City.