A total of 240 exhibiting companies with 223 booths were represented on the exhibition grounds, again including 32 new exhibitors and 17 start-ups. They were able to network with around 300 retailers and discuss the current promotional offers.
Interesting specialist lectures were held again on the first day of the trade fair: Dr. Robert Kecskes, Global Insights Director of GfK, spoke on the topic «Shoppers between melancholy and rebellion – challenges and opportunities for retail (insights from the current Kronberg study)». With his lecture "Is this the future or can it go away?», the economist and expert on shaping innovation and the future, Dr Maximilian Lude, gave the audience food for thought. Musician, extreme sportsman and entrepreneur Joey Kelly motivated the audience at the end with a presentation on the topic «NO LIMITS – remain open to new things».
The first day of the trade fair was rounded off with the Markant evening get-together which had the motto «Spring Night» this time. For this purpose, the garden hall of the Karlsruhe Congress Centre became a funfair and offered visitors many attractions such as a chain carousel.
There were also all sorts of exciting pitches in the start-up arena to marvel at! A total of 10 start-ups presented their innovative products to Markant retail partners, from which three winners were chosen. Capanova Naturkosmetik, the start-up for 100% natural men's cosmetics that are free of harmful ingredients, won first place and a report including product presentation in ONE Markant magazine, the industry magazine for Markant partners! Second place went to the start-up Bits & Bites, which offers street food in jars with high-quality ingredients and a long shelf life without refrigeration. This meant it won a free trade fair booth at the 124th Markant trade forum and is once again able to present its products to a wide audience. The start-up Womantics, which is passionate about simplifying the everyday lives of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers with natural and vegan products, took third place. They will receive a label check from the Markant Compliance team.
Fortunately, this was not the last Markant trade forum this year! The next date is already in a few months: 124th Markant trade forum, 6/7 September 2023.
Markant would like to thank all suppliers and retailers as well as Markant employees who made the 123rd Markant trade forum!
