Global retail industry organisation opens up Shop! in SA

Shop!, the global trade association dedicated to enhancing retail environments and experiences, has launched a South African chapter – and it’s looking to rapidly grow its membership across a range of retail stakeholders as it builds towards an industry awards event at the end of 2023.

With chapters around the world, Shop’s mission is to engage its members with education, insights and events that help drive the evolution of retail.

Shop’s global membership includes major retailers, agencies with shopper and digital offerings, production houses, POS manufacturers and brands. The local chapter’s inaugural leadership includes well-known industry figures like Di Wilson, Chris Hewitt and Janet Kirkbride, who have vast experience in marketing, shopper, education, research, production and design.

“Our vision is to build a successful community where we can share, collaborate, upskill, network and acknowledge the excellent result driven work that is being created by brands, manufactures, retailers and agencies,” said Shop SA project manager Ashleigh Wilson.

The Shop! Awards will be launched in March, with the event towards the end of the year that celebrates work that has delivered tangible results and moved the dial meaningfully in the retail space.

One of the new chapter’s aims is to upskill and educate the industry around shopper marketing, which Wilson describes as a ‘huge’ growth opportunity for consumer brands.

“Shopper marketing is often seen as an add-on to other instore and POS campaigns, but it’s a critical part of any brand deliverables. It’s all about understanding that everything we do starts at the heart of the shopper. We can’t simply focus on awareness: we’ve got to change consumer behaviour and drive the bottom line by moving the shopper to buy,” she said.

The local chapter is currently setting up its infrastructure, with the imminent launch of its website www.shopassociation.africa. For more information, contact Ashleigh Wilson at ashleigh@shopassociation.africa