Cartagena de Indias, September 14, 2023 / The Retail Workshop, the leading event in the Latin American retail technology sector, celebrated its 18th edition in Cartagena de Indias. The event brought together over 100 clients from 12 countries across the region and 30 leading market manufacturers.
In a welcoming atmosphere, Intcomex facilitated valuable networking opportunities, resulting in significant commercial agreements formed through more than 500 strategic meetings.
Bruno Durán, Regional Marketing Director at Intcomex, expressed his satisfaction, stating, “We are thrilled to have provided a fresh, value-driven experience and to have created a robust business platform for our clients and manufacturer partners. The Retail Workshop has firmly established itself as the premier event in the region. It was gratifying to witness the seamless collaboration among the diverse event participants, leading to strategic meetings and strengthened business relationships.”
Innovative Showroom
The product exhibition at RWS 2023 took place in two charming Cartagena homes, focusing on the concepts of invisibility, indispensability, and intimacy, which hold significance for consumers when making their purchases.
Nicolás Boffi, Vice President of the Retail Division at Intcomex, explained, “The core theme of the event revolved around the three ‘i’s, which are pivotal in adapting and enhancing our strategies in response to the changing sector landscape. Invisibility, reflecting the time saved for buyers; intimacy, offering enjoyment and personalized customer experiences; and indispensability, emphasizing the value of invested time and the delivery of solutions.”
High-Value Insights
The strategic content segment of the Retail Workshop featured prominent keynote speakers who provided valuable insights into the current Latin American and global market dynamics.
Renowned journalist and political analyst Andrés Oppenheimer, a recipient of prestigious awards such as the Pulitzer Prize, Ortega y Gasset Prize, and Maria Moors Cabot Prize, delivered an in-depth analysis of the current conditions in Latin American countries, offering valuable context for the local market.
Dimas Gimeno, President, and Founder of Wow Store, shared key trends in the retail sector, including the concept of “phygital,” seamlessly blending the physical and digital realms.
Felipe Mendes, Vice President of Tech&Durables at NielsenIQ for Latin America, emphasized the importance of emotional connection with customers, stating, “The customer may be right, but we bring the emotion.” He acknowledged the challenging current landscape and the increasing importance of providing information in the phygital sphere for shopping experiences.
Additionally, Felipe Montenegro, Channel Storage Leader for Dell Technologies Latin America, conveyed optimism regarding the rise of artificial intelligence. He reminded the audience that while humans often initially perceive change as a threat, we are at a juncture requiring courage to achieve our goals.
As customary at Intcomex events, the agenda included networking opportunities, cultural exploration of Cartagena, and culinary delights, offering the distinctive flavors and rhythms of the city known as the “fantastic.” Cartagena is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its rich historical and cultural significance.
Bruno Durán added, “We extend our gratitude to our clients and manufacturers for their trust in the premier retail sector event in Latin America. With each passing year, we grow stronger together, and we are confident that with their continued support, we will continue to excel in creating remarkable business opportunities.”
For access to all the presentations from Retail Workshop 2023, please visit Intcomex’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@intcomex.
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