With the rapid development of the retail industry in the Gulf region, shopping centre developments endeavour to become the destination of choice. One essential tool required to gain this competitive edge and also maximise the lifetime value of each target consumer is through customer relationship management (CRM).
“Ask any business, marketing or sales person about the hottest trend in retail and loyalty schemes are the first to be mentioned, which is the very backbone of a CRM system. There has been a striking growth in the number of loyalty cards, vouchers, competitions and gifts on the market but the question remains of how best to implement these programmes,” said Bernard Walsh, Managing Director of dmg world media Dubai Ltd.
dmg world media, the Organisers of industry leading events such as Index, Big 5, Hotel Show and Office Exhibition have launched a brand new event, InRetail that caters to the retail industry’s massive expansion and provides the platform for operators and developers to cross-fertilize innovative ideas and share expertise.
Loyalty schemes are very auditable and traceable. It provides precise up-to-date information on how much is being spent and on which products and services, allowing retailers to achieve an in-depth insight into their customers. Retailers are then better able to tailor their products and services accordingly.
The most important aspect of loyalty schemes are of course its ability to increase customer spend. Through the benefits associated with being a cardholder, the average spend in-store increases as well as the propensity to impulse buy on cardholder offers.
The effect loyalty schemes have on the industry at present and what developments can be expected from this phenomenon in the future, is just one facet of this year’s seminars being held alongside InRetail. Staff training and retention is another hot topic on the agenda as both aspects are key to enhancing the shopping experience and ensuring successful customer relations.
“In an industry where choices abound, InRetail will focus on the products and services that are essential for the retail sector,” said Paula Al Chami, Project Manager, InRetail. “The exhibition and seminar will be a comprehensive showcase of the very latest developments from industry world leaders, which professionals involved in the retail sector across the region will find invaluable as a source of inspiration.”
About InRetail
InRetail is open to trade visitors only and will be held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, 4 – 6 June 2006, from 11am – 7pm daily, and will run alongside the Hotel Show and Office Exhibition. For further information please visit www.inretailexhibition.com
About dmg world media Dubai Ltd.
dmg world media Dubai Ltd, part of the dmg world media group of companies, has a wealth of experience in organising exhibitions to the very highest international standards. Index, The Big 5, The Office Exhibition and The Hotel Show are all leaders in their respective market sectors.
One of the largest exhibition and publishing companies in the world, the dmg world media group of companies produces more than 300 market-leading trade exhibitions, consumer shows and fairs each year. It also publishes 45 related magazines (including “Gulf Interiors”), newspapers, directories and market reports. The company employs over 800 people in its worldwide network of 38 offices in the USA, UK, Canada, Brazil, France, China, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East. dmg world media is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Daily Mail and General Trust plc (DMGT), one of the largest and most successful media companies in the world.
