This is a post from Aislinn Mahon, a member of the Retail Team in Enterprise Ireland’s London Office. Together with her colleagues across Europe she recently launched an online platform for ‘Retailer Solutions’ @ www.retailer-solutions.com.

We established Retailer Solutions in late 2011 to connect our portfolio of highly innovative suppliers with multi-channel retailers across Europe, with a particular focus on the UK. In the current retail environment, opportunities lie for those offering innovative solutions and product developments designed to improve competitiveness. Factors such as efficiency, customer experience and interaction will define the winners in 2012.

The group of over 100 companies includes technology providers from across the retail and ecommerce value chain, as well as professional services and a range of consumer product companies.

This week we are launching our online platform for Retailer Solutions, which will feature engaging and up to date content covering the entire breadth of the retail sector. With retailer interviews and guest posts from a host of innovative suppliers we welcome retailers, suppliers and analysts to share ideas, innovations and information to ensure that we all stay ahead of the game in these challenging times.

Keep a look out for us at http://www.retailer-solutions.com and https://twitter.com/#!/retailer_sol.

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There are more than 100 Irish Companies selling next generation solutions into the Retail sector – in addition to the many others who sell through retailers as a ‘route to market’. These retail solutions companies provide services such as payment solutions, store interiors, technology providers, consumer products, packaging, marketing, instore systems etc. and are targetting  supermarkets, pharmacies, DIY stores and other retail outlets as their clients.

Given the work that EI and its clients are undertaking in the retail solution area, I am delighted to announce that we are holding a second Retailer Solutions Forum on Thursday 9th February in Eastpoint Dublin. It will include the following topics; Social Media, Retail in Germany and Multichannel Retailing and is aimed at CEO’s of supplier companies targeting the retail sector in the UK and Europe.

You can find the agenda for the day below. Places are limited so contact me allyson.stephen@enterprise-ireland.com or  +44 (0) 20 7438 8714 to book.

• ‘Social Media in a Business to Business Context’ . Michael O’Brien, Head of Marketing at Celtrino, will share his experiences of the adoption of social media as a strategic part of the company’s marketing mix.  Adrian Goodsell and Pete Wood of Steak Digital will add context and background to Michael’s story.
• ‘Retail in Germany’. Michael Gerling, Managing Director of the German Retail Institute, will provide in-market insight into the German retail scene. He will give a general overview of the German market, type of stores, trends etc. with much opportunity to ask him about this challenging but potentially rewarding market.
•  ’Multichannel retailing in Europe’. Martin Newman, CEO of Practicology, will address the topic of multichannel in Europe. He will use practical examples to describe the retail scene in various European markets, to look at strategies of key European retailers as well as compare trends in e-commerce, m-commerce and f-commerce across Europe.

There will be a chance to interact with and question these speakers through networking over coffee /  a light lunch. We will welcome your feedback, and inform you of the planned activity for Retailer Solutions for 2012.

Follow the EI Retailer Solutions Twitter account @retailer_sol for all the latest information about the work EI is doing in this area.

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