French Pavilion to showcase 40 retail-sector innovators at EUROSHOP 2014

UBIFRANCE, the French government agency for international business development, is organising the French Pavilion at EUROSHOP, the trade show of reference for innovative technologies and solutions in the retail field and the distribution sector. The trade fair is due to take place in Düsseldorf (in Western Germany) in the middle of February of this year.

With 40 French-based businesses on the national pavilion, EUROSHOP promises to be a key event for French innovators in the sector in 2014. Here is a snapshot of some of the cutting-edge companies that will be on the French Pavilion. Further details and a complete list can be provided on request.

ASTHEO will be at EUROSHOP in order to introduce Clean’n Shop, a novel system for cleaning supermarket trolleys. Easy to carry, autonomous and compact, Clean’n Shop can be operated by disabled employees. Sold under franchise by networks working for a socially responsible economy, the Clean’n Shop system filters and re-uses water thanks to its tank and integrated pump.

Croust’wich is a unique concept for the highly competitive fast-food market. Developed by OREQUIP, it can fit into any point of sale (supermarkets, bakeries, snack shops, etc.). The market for sandwiches is huge and growing: Croust’wich HOT, Croust’wich SALAD and Croust’wich DESSERTS, among other options in the range, will provide sandwich makers with varied garnishes in a simple, fast and efficient manner.

SIGNATURE OLFACTIVE is a renowned specialist in olfactory stimulation, which acts on the consumer’s emotions, memory and behaviour. The company supplies innovative, versatile and highly adaptable products for marketing, medical and hygiene-related applications. At EUROSHOP, the specialist company will present the Olfactive Spirit Pro system, with its unique Shop-in-Shop Scent concept. This zero-maintenance solution is a genuine and practical alternative to existing fragrance-nebulization systems.

Welpulser, for its part, has developed 3D Make it — a concept and solution for exploring innovative uses provided by 3D printing in the retail world. The goal is to make the consumer a player in product manufacturing, repairing and customization. The device consists of a community multi-media platform — web and mobile combined — and a 3D printing kiosk placed in the retail space’s sales area. Customers can choose an object, personalize it and print it in 3D: they can literally go home a few minutes later with the object of their choice. An array of materials and colours are on offer: indeed, it is possible to print high-quality models with more than a dozen materials, from plastic or metal to ceramic, among others.

Many more innovations will be unveiled on the French Pavilion, which will be represented across three sectors devoted to retail at the trade show. The EUROCONCEPT Section will bring together about 15 French businesses specialising in store layout and equipment, as well as store design and lighting. They will be located on Booths 14B46, 14B54 and 14A54. For its part, the EUROSALES Section will bring together businesses focused on point-of-sales (POS) advertising, sales promotion and merchandising on Booth 3D51.

Finally, the EUROCIS Section will host 16 companies — all of them specialists in information technology and security solutions — on Booths 7aG24 and 7aF23, including the members of the PICOM high-tech cluster. It will be the first appearance, at the trade show, of PICOM: established in 2006 in the north of France (near Lille), PICOM is France's competitiveness cluster for the retail sector, and it is supported by the regional council of Nord-Pas-de-Calais.

PICOM is currently building a strategy involving partnerships abroad. Over 100 companies are now partners in the cluster, one-third of which are technology SMEs, as well as 15 research laboratories. PICOM’s R&D policy runs along several avenues of research, including that of ubiquitous worlds (where it will become possible for consumers to shop anywhere, at any time), as illustrated by the New Shopping Experience® concept.

Seven companies that belong to the PICOM high-tech cluster will be exhibiting on Booth 7aG24 (in Hall 7), within the EUROCIS Section at the trade fair.

About UBIFRANCE

UBIFRANCE is the French export-support agency. As the partner of reference for French-based companies wishing to export, UBIFRANCE offers a complete range of services based on the provision of information on export markets, legal issues and regulations, as well as international finance and tenders, while also supplying sectorial data.

In addition, UBIFRANCE offers export advice and targeted support to companies’ commercial activities, such as exploratory visits, partnership meetings, foreign exhibitions and international press communication. Finally, UBIFRANCE runs the International Postgraduate Programme (VIE) for employing qualified personnel and young graduates outside France.

EUROSHOP, which is being staged for the 18th time in 2014, is held every three years in Düsseldorf (in Western Germany). This year, the trade show will take place from 16 to 20 February. The event, billed as a global trade fair of reference for the retail industry, is set to attract over 100,000 visitors from more than 90 countries, with 2,000 exhibitors from 50 countries around the world.

The French Pavilion, organised by UBIFRANCE, will showcase 40 French-based businesses at the cutting edge of innovation in retail technology and the distribution sector. The French Pavilion will comprise Booths 14B46, 14B54 and 14A54 in the EUROCONCEPT Section; Booth 3D51 in the EUROSALES Section; and, finally, Booths 7aG24 and 7aF23, including the members of the PICOM high-technology cluster, in the EUROCIS Section.

For further information about EUROSHOP, please go to: http://www.euroshop-tradefair.com/

For further information about UBIFRANCE and the French Trade Commission in the UK, please go to: www.ubifrance.com/uk/

For further information, please contact :

Quote ref. : FTPB3905
Ms Kate RILEY – Press Officer
UBIFRANCE Press Office in London
Tel: +44 (0) 207 024 3640
kate.riley@ubifrance.fr