As we look forward to the summer season, the industry is buzzing with anticipation for exciting events. Whether you're gearing up for the KeHE Holiday Show in Chicago, preparing for the Fancy Food Show in New York City, or looking forward to our INFRA conference and Tabletop show in mid-July (Register Here), there's a wealth of opportunities for buyers like you to make the most out of your trade show experiences.
In the coming months, our INFRA team will be sharing a series of weekly articles tailored to support INFRA members attending trade shows this summer. We'll delve into themes like attending educational sessions, how to navigate the showroom floor, and the role exhibitors play at trade shows!
So, let’s delve into this week’s exciting topic!
Pre-tradeshow preparation and forward buying strategies are key in gaining a competitive edge, achieving cost savings, and enhancing inventory management. These advantages translate into increased sales, fortified partnerships, and sustained growth within the trade show and retail realms.
Pre-Show Preparation
Here's what you can do prior to the show to prepare your business for impactful participation:
1. Create a Game Plan
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Know what's successful with your shoppers so you can make strategic decisions about which vendors to chat with.
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Research the show, familiarize yourself with exhibitors, and identify key focuses for your attendance.
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Collaborate with your team to devise a comprehensive plan, ensuring a seamless trade show experience.
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Analyze your sales data to pinpoint brands that align with your goals and enhance your offerings.
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Set clear objectives and goals to guide your trade show strategy.
Having a game plan going in helps you make the most of your trade show experience!
2. Dive deep into the Data
Dive deep into pre-tradeshow research to gain valuable insights into market trends, competitor strategies, and customer preferences.
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Make the most of INFRA's tools and insights to track the trends that interest you the most
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The Tradeshow Intelligence Report from SPINS offers a quick and straightforward method to plan your walk at the show, helping you identify and explore gap opportunities efficiently.
By leveraging SPINS data to align your sales performance, industry trends, product assortments, and strategic trade show planning, you can optimize your experience while walking the show.
3. Get Ready to Network
Networking is an important part of any conference or event, so set yourself up for success by incorporating it into your pre-show prep.
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Schedule meetings with potential buyers, INFRA Business Advisors attending a trade show and other industry stakeholders.
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Connect with distributor partners to gain insights into their priorities and industry outlooks.
By dedicating some time to forging connections beforehand, you can make sure your networking is even more fruitful!
Forward Buying
Forward buying futher enhances your trade show experience by offering:
1. Cost Savings
Forward buying enables retailers to secure inventory at favorable prices, such as new placement deals or show discounts (stay tuned for INFRA Tabletop show deals preview!) resulting in cost savings and improved profit margins.
2. Exclusive Show Deals
Take advantage of INFRA Tabletop show deals providing opportunities for cost savings, inventory management, and strategic partnerships. Taking advantage of these offerings will enhance your product assortment, drive sales, and differentiate your store in the market.
3. Inventory Management
Proactive inventory purchasing improves stock levels, reduces last-minute shortages or overstocks, and optimizes inventory turnover for reduced carrying costs.
Looking to put these tips to work? Join us at the INFRA Annual conference and tabletop show! Gain inspiration from industry experts, connect and engage with like-minded retailers, and forge business partnerships at our highly anticipated Tabletop Buying Show with 300+ vendors in attendance! Register now!
For more trade show tips, tune into the January Buyer's Desk Podcast episode "Dancing the Tradeshow Tango."
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