Creative Retail Awards – Creative Retail Connections Industry Event

Creative Retail Connections, the networking event organised by the Creative Retail Awards, the Shop & Display Equipment Association (SDEA) and 365 Retail, took place on Tuesday evening in Düsseldorf.

The event brought together retailers, designers, agencies, suppliers and members of the press from across the retail design community.

Held every three years, EuroShop serves as a meeting point for international retail professionals. Creative Retail Connections offered attendees an opportunity to step away from the exhibition floor for informal conversation and networking. Guests represented a wide range of roles across retail design and store development.

The atmosphere was relaxed and social. Guests were able to pull their own pints, and discussions moved freely between topics such as changing market conditions, store design approaches, innovation, and future opportunities.

Conversation also turned to the Creative Retail Awards, which are currently open for entries across more than twenty categories. Organisers indicated that further announcements and initiatives are planned for 2026 as the programme continues to expand internationally.

“We always see EuroShop as an important moment to catch up with the community, talk through what’s next and hear first-hand about ideas for Creative Retail Awards entries,” said Antony Behiels, Co-Organiser of the Creative Retail Awards and Director of the Shop & Display Equipment Association.
“The conversations tonight have been wide-ranging — from technical store solutions to experience-led design — and all with a spirit of enjoyment and good humour.”

Events like Creative Retail Connections provide a setting for informal exchanges across the industry, where new ideas, collaborations, and future projects often begin through conversation.