Social Media Portal

Alex Sharp Worldwide Business Research (WBR) on what to expect at retail and ecommerce conference Future Stores

Social Media Portal (SMP): What is your name and what do you do there for Worldwide Business Research (WBR) and Future Stores 2018?

Alex Sharp (AS): I?m Alex Sharp, marketing executive for Futures Stores. My job is to create all content and distribute to partners, manage social media and assist the team in any other way for the event that is needed.



SMP: Briefly, tell us about Future Stores 2018

AS: Future Stores is the event that brings together Europe?s leading instore innovators to help them learn and over come their challenges. This year we are focusing on how best stores can integrate their digital offerings to provide a seamless and slick customer experience.

SMP: When/where is it to be held and why did you choose this venue?

AS: The event is the 16th to 17th May 2018 at the Hilton Tower Bridge. We are having the event in London as many innovative, flagship stores are located there.

SMP: Who are your target audience and why?

AS: We are targeting senior members of Europe?s top retailers for ecommerce and instore innovation. This is a store for them to shine and remind us that the high street isn?t going away.

SMP: What do you hope attendees will take away from Future Stores 2018?

AS: I hope our attendees take advantage the opportunity to benchmark their people, processes and technology with those leading the way. There is simply no better time to do so.

SMP: How can stakeholders (advertisers, exhibitors, sponsors etc.,) get involved?

AS: They can follow our social media pages on LinkedIn and Twitter @WBResearch, @Future_Stores and hashtag #FutureStores. Easiest way for us to connect with anyone who wants to share a story or photo of the event.

SMP: Tell us about the keynotes and guest speakers you are looking forward to?

AS: One my favourite companies will be in attendance, Lego. They are sending Simone Sweeney, VP, global retail development. She?ll be talking about delivering a seamless omni-channel experience. Another inspirational speaker is Guy Smith, the head of design at Arcadia he?ll be discussing how to create a more natural in-store experience that connects with customer.




SMP: What are the high moments of what you have been doing so far?

AS: Working on the event has given me a chance to see what top retailers doing to drive innovation in their stores. Asda introducing an innovation chef, Nike revamping it?s flagship store and Apple creating community hubs inside it stores.

SMP: What do you think is going to be the most interesting aspect regarding ecommerce and retail for the next 12 to 18-months and why?

AS: The shift from simply selling at a physical to creating an experience that brings people back to the store. It?s no secret that online sales are an issue for the high-street and I think we will see an interesting merge of the two.

SMP: What tips would you give your attendees before they head to Future Stores?

AS: To really make the most of the event follow us on LinkedIn and when the time comes download the app as we?ll have competitions and all sorts of good stuff on there.

SMP: Best way to contact you and Future Stores 2018?

AS: If you are looking for anyway you can get involved with Future Stores, as an attendee or even a sponsor please feel free to contact me via email.


SMP: What did you have for breakfast / lunch?

AS: A bagel, I am snoozer so breakfast needs to be quick.

SMP: What?s the last good thing that you did for someone?

AS: I made dessert for Easter, brownies went down a treat.

SMP: If you weren?t working at Future Stores 2018 what would you be doing?

AS: Probably still being a volunteer?s coordinator, I was overseeing my local area.

SMP: When / where did you go on your last holiday and why?

AS: Malta, wanted somewhere hot, relaxing and has some interesting history to it.

SMP: What?s the first thing you do when you get into the office of a morning?

AS: Coffee, need to kick start my brain somehow.

SMP: If you had a superpower what would it be and why?

AS: I?d go for lightning powers, something very showy like that. Otherwise I?d go for Batman?s intellect

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