Preview on Shoptalk Europe

Let’s talk about Shoptalk, taking place in Barcelona from June 2 to 4, 2025. This international annual conference brings together leaders in commerce, retail, technology, startups, investors, and service providers. 20/CENT Retail is a partner for this edition, and even without this collaboration, I couldn't miss the opportunity to discuss this event, which has often caught my attention due to its unique approach.

Key Figures to Note

Shoptalk is a major professional event designed to discuss the future of commerce (retail, e-commerce, marketplaces, etc.). It includes:

Organized networking sessions with over 4,500 professionals attending (retailers, brands, service providers).
Participants from more than 70 countries.
Over 1,600 decision-makers from the retail and brand sectors.
Conferences featuring more than 165 influential visionary leaders (CEOs, innovation directors, CTOs, etc.).
Discussion panels on major trends with over 25,000 meetings on various topics, including AI, customer experience, logistics, data, omnichannel strategies, and more.
Startup pitches showcasing their innovations.
An exhibition area with just over 400 stands, featuring both emerging startups and established players in the retail and technology sectors.

What can you expect?

During the event, you can look forward to:

Attending keynote speeches: Major figures in global retail are already on the agenda, including names like Amazon, Walmart, Shopify, and more.
Participating in track sessions: Workshops on concrete, more technical or specific topics (e.g., omnichannel strategy, retail media, AI-driven personalization...).
Engaging in 1-to-1 meetings organized in advance through matchmaking.
Discovering new technologies in the exhibition area.

And, of course, enjoying classic networking opportunities, even informally, through dinners, parties, or other events organized by sponsors.

My 20/CENT

Shoptalk has been on my radar for a few years now, but unfortunately, I had never had the opportunity to attend it. I find the event particularly interesting because the content presented by the organizers is in-depth and delves into the details of the trends shaping the global retail sector. So, when the opportunity for a partnership with 20/CENT Retail came up, I didn’t hesitate to accept.

In terms of concept, it's clear to me that Shoptalk ticks several boxes of what one should expect from a conference of this scale. There's a good balance between keynote speeches and more practical sessions for those looking to dive deeper. On top of that, networking is a central focus, with plenty of opportunities to organize meetings on-site, both formally and informally.

Let’s also not forget that Barcelona is very accessible, and the city offers plenty of inspiring retail stores. Major chains are present, alongside several concept and flagship stores such as the FC Barcelona store, food courts like El Nacional, Decathlon Connect, and many others. In short, your visit to the event can easily be combined with a fruitful retail store tour of your own.

Shoptalk Marketing Retail Event Conference