Online shoppers in the United States will spend $327 billion in 2016, up 45% from $226 billion this year and 62% from $202 billion in 2011, according to a projection released by Forrester Research Inc.
The growing popularity of shopping online has become an irrefutable fact—and one boardsports and beach lifestyle retailers need to quickly get a handle on if they haven’t already.
Fortunately, Surf Expo—the world’s leading tradeshow for boardsports and the beach lifestyle industries—has teamed with IRCE, the world’s preeminent conference provider and information source for the world of retailing online. Together they will host IR Focus At Surf Expo this September 7 and 8 in a two-track series of seminars designed to give attendees a critical advantage in the quickly evolving e-commerce world.
“IR Focus will bring e-commerce expertise to Surf Expo with an inaugural conference and exhibition, located right on the show floor,” says Surf Expo Show Director Roy Turner. “Whether you’re just starting out, or need to expand your online expertise, IR Focus At Surf Expo offers four half-day workshops on Friday, September 6 and Saturday, September 7 that are perfect for growing online sales.”
In November of 2012 Surf Expo parent company GLM acquired the Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition (IRCE), the leading e-commerce event in the United States.
“With Internet retailing and e-commerce being important growth topics for the retailers and suppliers who attend Surf Expo, bringing this expertise to the show floor was a natural extension of the current marketplace and something to help our attendees—both retailers and suppliers—grow their businesses,” says Turner.
Seminar topics include e-commerce customer support; order management and payment systems; best practices in marketing, merchandising, and social media; e-mail marketing; search engine optimization, and more.
A wide array of speakers with experience in Surf Expo’s marketplace will offer their insights, including experts from CafePress, Crocs, Swell.com, Insight Outcomes, Jimmy Jazz, Life is good Company, Motorcycle Superstore, Perry Ellis International, Sport Chalet, Vertical Urge, Warehouse Skateboards, Wholesale Marine, and ROI Revolution
Sessions can be purchased individually or as a group. “We’re seeing many retailers bringing specific staff that handle their online to our show for the first time,” says Turner. “Individual session times are 45 minutes, so as to allow easy scheduling.”
IR at Surf Expo will be more than the educational sessions, however, as IR will have a great representation of Internet-related service providers onsite as well. Retailers will be able to take advantage of all Surf Expo has to offer and understand that online is becoming as much a part of retail as finding the right product mix.
For more information and to register for IR Focus At Surf Expo, click here.
