Elke Moebius, Director EuroCIS, gives an exclusive preview of THE retail technology event of the year

05/02/2025

by Julia Pott

From February 18 to 20, 2025, the retail technology industry from Europe will come together in Düsseldorf, Germany for EuroCIS 2025. Suppliers, retailers and experts will present their use cases and discuss the latest retail technologies and trends.

For whom and why is it worth visiting the retail tech trade fair? Who better to answer this question than Elke Moebius, Director of EuroCIS. We spoke to her about how EuroCIS as a trade fair is adapting to new trends in the industry and what there is to experience during the three days.

Overview of the latest retail technologies in one place

A portrait of Elke Moebius; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf

Elke Moebius, Director EuroCIS & EuroShop
© Messe Düsseldorf

Elke, what role does EuroCIS play for the international retail technology market?

Elke Moebius: “The market for retail technology is more dynamic than ever. Technologies are developing at a rapid pace, and artificial intelligence in particular is revolutionizing many existing applications. EuroCIS brings these innovations together every year in Düsseldorf – and not just from suppliers from Germany, but from all over Europe and beyond.

For visitors from the retail sector – but also from wholesale, the consumer goods industry and other sectors – this means that a visit to EuroCIS 2025 will provide them with a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of technologies for the retail sector. They can compare products directly, obtain advice and make informed investment decisions.”

Diverse supporting program dedicated to retail: identifying trends, sharing knowledge

The EuroCIS supporting program evolves every year. What can visitors expect in 2025?

Elke Moebius: “For me, a major advantage of trade fairs is that they offer the opportunity to exchange ideas on industry topics. The aim of our supporting program is always to bring suppliers and users together. Our industry becomes more successful when we learn from each other. What are other retail companies doing? Which experiences do the providers bring to the table? What can we learn from application examples?

Our three stages, for example, provide the impetus for answers and discussions on these questions. High-caliber speakers will present exciting insights from their day-to-day work: innovations, trends, best practices, but also experiences from tests that did not work out. This wealth of knowledge is particularly valuable, not only to keep a finger on the pulse of technical developments, but also to question and optimize your own business processes.”

EuroCIS: Innovation platform for retail technologies

Newly developed solutions are an important compass for an industry. What can visitors expect in terms of innovation?

Elke Moebius: “We always keep an eye on current trends and forward-looking innovations. That's why we are presenting one of two new special areas in 2025: the Food Service Innovation Hub. Here, we are addressing two developments that will shape the industry. On the one hand, gastronomic offerings in retail are part of a complete shopping experience for many shoppers and an increasing number of retailers are meeting this demand.

At the same time, new technologies such as robotics and the Internet of Things are enabling a new level of digitalization, connectivity and automation. When it comes to food service, this means that retailers can use robots to prepare salads or mix cocktails. The exhibitors at the Food Service Innovation Hub will demonstrate what new technologies are available to offer such gastronomic services (despite staff shortages).

I have heard from visitors that they use EuroCIS as a source of inspiration for their own technological progress within the company. This includes not least our well-established Start-up hub, where young companies with fresh ideas and innovative solutions show what the industry of tomorrow could look like.”

Would you like to be part of EuroCIS? Get your eTicket conveniently in the online ticket store.

Smart, forward-looking, secure: artificial intelligence in retail

All of these important developments are dominated by the megatrend of artificial intelligence. How will this be reflected at EuroCIS 2025?

Elke Moebius: “Absolutely right, artificial intelligence can already be found in many products and solutions for retailers. There are high hopes that AI will lead to more efficient processes, less resource consumption and better strategic competitiveness. Many exhibitors at EuroCIS will be showing solutions that include AI-supported features. Examples include intelligent demand forecasts and automated goods ordering derived from these. Or the role of AI image recognition for areas such as in-store analytics, product range management and theft prevention. Retailers can also benefit from generative AI and chatbots in digital marketing processes.

The revolutionary role of AI can also be seen in our second new special area, the Cybersecurity Hub. Cybersecurity is certainly not the favorite topic of many retailers. However, data shows that cyberattacks and the damage they cause are on the rise. Cybersecurity solutions can use AI, for example, to detect vulnerabilities, identify threats more quickly and respond to them automatically. The Cybersecurity Hub is intended to provide a point of contact for finding out about trends and solutions for a robust cybersecurity strategy.”

Networking at EuroCIS 2025: where the retail tech community meets

Elke, why do you think the trip to Düsseldorf for EuroCIS is worthwhile for visitors?

Two women talking at a trade fair stand and looking at products on display; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/A. Wiese

Elke Moebius: “Experience has shown that a good network and intensive contacts are often extremely valuable in the industry. Whether it's getting to know new people over a coffee or refreshing existing contacts, the personal meeting is irreplaceable. EuroCIS offers a great setting for this. It's not for nothing that we were able to report a record number of visitors in 2024, a few years after the coronavirus pandemic and the many online meetings. Learning from other companies, collaborating on projects, building long-term partnerships – all of this also has a deeply human component. The professional exchange is complemented by events such as the after-work party, the happy hour in the start-up hub or various events at the exhibitors' stands. Be part of it, my experience says: you won't regret it!”

Would you like to be part of EuroCIS? Get your eTicket conveniently in the online ticket store.