Since Wednesday, the newly opened “Retail Garage” showroom in The Playce on Potsdamer Platz in Berlin wants to show interested parties what the future of retail could look like. The aim is to show how modern trade can be made attractive for customers with the help of digital technologies.
The project was developed jointly by the Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Handel, the German Retail Association and the EHI Retail Institute and aims to provide practical assistance in the digitization of retail. It’s not just about illustrating what can currently be implemented. The future of retail is also addressed in order to give an outlook on Metaverse and Co. and to show which topics are already worth taking a closer look at. The Retail Garage is aimed at retail companies in all areas, manufacturers, service providers and multipliers to impart knowledge and educate about innovations in the industry.
Digital technologies to get to know and try out
A whole lot will be shown and explained: These include, for example, RFID software solutions for transparent supply chains, automatic age recognition at self-checkouts, innovative shop fittings that influence the purchasing behavior of consumers, connected commerce and areas of application for artificial intelligence. “With the help of our on-site experts, retailers can get a more precise picture of the digital solutions and better assess what is worthwhile for their business,” explains Stephan Tromp, Deputy General Manager of the German Retail Association. “Our aim with the Retail Garage is to offer smaller retailers in particular exactly this opportunity.”
“With the showroom, we are also creating a space for information and dialogue, which is essential when implementing digitization projects,” adds Michael Kellner, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, which also supported the project.
In addition to imparting knowledge through guided tours, events and workshops, the showroom can also be rented for your own trade events.