The start of 2026 is the perfect time to get an overview of the main retail events 2026 and conferences taking place across Europe. These events are ideal for networking and learning practical ways to keep up with changes in customer behaviour, new technologies, and market expectations.
This year's retail events in Europe, as always, reflect the current market challenges: increasing competition, the need to work more efficiently, and the importance of using data in a clear and measurable way. They bring together professionals facing similar questions – how to reach new customers, stay up to date, boost purchase frequency, and build loyalty – while also trying to understand the real impact of their marketing activities.
What to expect from retail events in 2026
Attendees at retail events 2026 will explore topics that help brands and retailers stay competitive and respond to a fast-moving, constantly evolving market. Agendas cover the latest trends in retail technologies and innovation, the use of data, personalisation and AI, omnichannel strategies, and approaches to customer loyalty and the customer journey.
If you want to see how these trends are applied in real campaigns, check out our article How Personalised Retail Campaigns Work for practical examples and insights.
Programmes also showcase payment innovations, insights into changes in consumer behaviour, and case studies from major European retailers. Participants leave with inspiration, a clear overview of practical innovations and technologies, and valuable networking opportunities with industry leaders.
Let's take a look at three key European retail conferences that are worth paying attention to this year.
Top 3 European retail events to watch in 2026
EuroShop
Date & location: February 22–26 2026, Düsseldorf (Germany)
EuroShop is the world’s largest retail trade fair, bringing together retailers, technology providers, decision-makers and first movers. This year’s theme is Discover solutions shaping the future of retail.
Key highlights: Over 1,900 exhibitors will showcase new technologies, products, and solutions across thematic zones such as Designer’s Village, Food Service Innovation Hub, Start-up Hub, and Young Innovators. The programme features seven stages covering research, digital transformation, and high-impact retail marketing. For its 60th anniversary, EuroShop will also offer curated store tours, giving visitors fresh perspectives on brands and city life.
Exhibitors: Leaders in retail technology, store designers, startup founders and young innovators from across Europe, including representatives from established retail and technology brands, such as Hornbach, Adyen and others.
Who attends: More than 80,000 professionals from around the world – mostly retailers, technology providers, and decision-makers.
Retail Summit 2026
Date & location: March 10–12 2026, Prague (Czech Republic)
Retail Summit 2026 is the largest gathering of key retail players in Central Europe. The main focus is on effective collaboration between retailers and suppliers. The programme addresses current retail challenges, sustainability, innovation, technology adoption, and the right mix of private-label and branded products.
Key highlights: The agenda includes main and parallel sessions, presentations, and panel discussions covering data-driven marketing, customer loyalty & journey, omnichannel strategies, payment trends, sustainability, and product innovation.
Speakers: Over 80 speakers, including Magnus Lindkvist (futurist and trend hunter), Tomáš Prouza (SOCR Czech Republic and EuroCommerce), and Stephan Rüschen (Professor of Retail Management, DHBW Heilbronn).
Who attends: More than 1,300 participants, mainly management from retail and supplier companies.
NRF: Retail’s Big Show Europe
Date & location: 15–17 September 2026, Paris (France)
NRF: Retail’s Big Show Europe focuses on innovation and global strategy for European retail. It covers key topics for European retail, including unified commerce, store design innovation, logistics, payment systems, and intelligent use of data.
Key highlights: The program features main and parallel sessions, presentations, and panel discussions. It also includes a Startup Hub, where young innovative companies showcase new technologies, as well as Retail StoreTours, guided visits to selected stores in Paris demonstrating modern retail design and technologies in practice.
Speakers: Over 200 speakers from leading companies including Mauro Arruda (Lenovo), Jason Goldberg (Publicis Groupe), M. A. Gonzalez Gisbert (Carrefour), François-Xavier Leroux (KPMG), and Emma Recco (Ikea).
Who attends: More than 500 exhibitors and participants from 58 countries, primarily global retail leaders, top management, sales, and business development professionals seeking to follow trends and build partnershipsacross the retail ecosystem.
For those interested, we’ve put together a comprehensive overview of Europe’s 2026 events — featuring more than 40 conferences spanning the retail, e-commerce, fintech, marketing and banking. You can download the full table here (access provided after entering your email).
Why attending retail events matters
Retail events are more than just industry gatherings – they show brands and solution providers what challenges retailers are really dealing with: increasing competition, rising costs to acquire customers, limits on targeting, and the need to see the actual results of marketing campaigns.
Retail is becoming more digital, and there’s growing demand for data, personalisation, omnichannel approaches, and smarter incentive programmes. And Dateio Platform helps retailers make sense of these challenges.
By connecting transactional data with banking applications, brands can target the right customers, personalise offers, measure what works, and find a balance between gaining new customers and keeping existing onesloyal. It also helps brands make smarter decisions about where to invest their marketing efforts, ensuring higher returns without compromising customer relevance.
And attending these conferences and events isn’t just about inspiration – they provide practical examples of how technology, data, and collaboration with partners can be applied to make better decisions and support growthin everyday retail.
So, which retail event catches your eye this year?
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