IFA Touted as ‘First Opportunity’ Since COVID to ‘Connect at Full Scale’
IFA organizers landed testimonials from the merged Azione Unlimited and Nationwide buying groups in touting the Sept. 2-6 Berlin show as “the first opportunity” for global retailers “to connect at full scale with brands and manufacturers of the consumer electronics…
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and home appliances industries.” COVID-19 forced IFA to run a scaled-down show in 2020 and prompted its outright cancellation in 2021. CES 2022 went ahead with a three-day run in Las Vegas that drew significantly fewer audiences than usual. IFA organizers said Tuesday that retailers told the IFA team “this year they are more eager than ever to come to Berlin, because they want to make sure that the surge of demand during the first 18 to 24 months of the pandemic will not become a one-off that subsides during the coming months.” They quoted Azione President Richard Glikes as saying: “Who in the world wouldn’t love to go to the largest electronics show in the world? I’m excited to see the latest and greatest new gear in one of the coolest cities on the planet!” IFA isn’t just “one of the largest CE and home appliances trade shows,” said Nationwide President Tim Hickman. “It’s also an innovation epicenter that draws the best, the brightest and the most exciting new technology, year in and year out. Every time we attend, our team walks away invigorated and inspired to bring these emerging trends to North America’s independent retailers.”