C-Star Retail-focused Show Launches in Shanghai with 5,721 Visitors
May 23, 2015
The first edition of C-star, Shanghai's International Trade Fair for Solutions and Trends all about Retail, featured 162 exhibitors from 23 countries, presenting the latest retail technologies and trends for the Chinese market on 53,800 square feet of net exhibit space.
Exhibitors included industry leaders such as Sibu Design, Schlegel Concept, Interstore, Ezidone, Changhong Decorations, Octanorm System and LS Lighting as well as Nedap, Bizerba China, and Mettler Toledo.
With nearly 50 percent of the companies having overseas headquarters, C-star is the most international retail trade fair in Eastern China and emphasizes the show's significance to leading retailers from abroad.
Visitor participation also surpassed expectations: 5,721 visitors from 59 countries and regions took part over the three days, with 18 percent coming from overseas.
Most international trade visitors were from the U.S., Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, India, Russia and Canada. This result further underscores C-star’s status as China’s most international retail trade show.
As the official satellite show of EuroShop - the world's No. 1 retail trade fair – C-star 2015 was organized by Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. with the support of the EHI Retail Institute.
“I think it is not exaggerating to say that C-star has made a successful start and we are very confident that the show will further develop and become the leading retail show in China. This is only the start,” sais Axel Bartkus, general manager of Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
“The number of shopping malls in China is set to double over the next years and Shanghai is the top retail spot in China, setting the benchmark for the country's retail business. It only makes sense that we came here to start C-star. We have brought our expertise from Düsseldorf to Shanghai and everyone believes in the potential and the future growth of C-star,” said Hans Werner Reinhard, managing director of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH and chairman of Messe Düsseldorf China Ltd.
Michael Gerling, CEO of the EHI Retail Institute, added: “China will soon become the world's largest retail market, so it was the right time and the right decision to start C-star now.”
C-star 2015 attracted many companies who have been exhibiting at EuroShop (held every 3 years in Düsseldorf, Germany) for many years.
“When C-star was launched at last year's EuroShop we were very excited to exhibit in China for the first time. We have been on board with C-star from the very beginning and we want to develop the show together with Messe Düsseldorf. You will definitely also see us next year at C-star,” said Mike Boeffert, managing director of Schlegel (Ningbo) Co., Ltd.
The C-star exhibitors were pleased with the high quality of the trade visitors. Wang Yue, director of Changhong Decorations, said, “It is very fascinating to see the never ending visitor flow in the hall. We also had many potential clients at our booth in the past days and are more than satisfied to be here at C-star.”
In addition to the exhibits, C-star 2015 included an informative supporting program. The C-star Retail Tour provided a full day guided tour of Shanghai's most exciting shopping destinations.
At the C-star Retail Conference, leading industry professionals came together for two days to discuss solutions for retailers to turn their physical stores into preferred shopping destinations again, despite rising e-commerce and online shopping.
The conference featured numerous keynote speakers from international and Chinese retailers such as METRO, Walmart and Yi-Hao-Dian.
The next staging of C-star is scheduled for May 18–20, 2016, in Shanghai.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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