25
Feb
General

WHAT CUSTOMERS WANT – inspiring complete solutions, innovative products

EuroShop 2020 from Wanzl’s point of view

  

/p> For five days, Wanzl’s stand at EuroShop 2020, the retail sector’s leading international trade fair in Düsseldorf, was a hive of activity. Well over 1,000 visitors came to get information about new shopping environments, trendsetting technologies and impressive complete solutions. “Consumer behaviour has changed tremendously in recent years. Customers want immediate availability, they want to shop around-the-clock where possible, and – if time allows – have fun while shopping. We have developed a variety of shop formats and products for these needs, which we presented at EuroShop for the first time. Our guests found the interplay between the technologies and experiencing the strengths of our product innovations live very inspiring,” says Dr Klaus Meier-Kortwig, CEO of Wanzl, as he looks back at the trade fair with satisfaction.

Customer centricity – the right solution for every customer requirement
Nowadays, prospective buyers switch back and forth between online and offline channels depending on the situation. This is why Wanzl offers a variety of formats to retailers in order to reach the customer along their entire customer journey – from trading up the usual supermarket through to fast grab-and-go concepts such as the Urban Store and fully automated 24/7 services with fulfilment centre. Dr Meier-Kortwig explains: “Our innovations are based on the megatrends of our time. The increasing urbanisation demands small-scale formats. The desire for around-the-clock availability requires a meaningful mix of online and offline offers, and the digitalisation of our society of course also influences the retail sector on a wide variety of levels. One maxim was always non-negotiable in all our developments: to implement technological solutions not just as an end in themselves but to bring a benefit and reduce complexity.“At the product level, Wanzl upgraded its existing core systems. With the scan trolley, customers can scan their items themselves directly at the shopping trolley and later pay at the till with the app, thus saving time. The multifunctional YourTable Switch is a table, shelving and tiered display unit in one. The “i” product generation comprises smart product presentation systems such as the wire tech 100 i shelving system, featuring integrated, automatic stock level monitoring. “Our idea is to develop comprehensive store concepts based on individual solutions. We want to inspire our customers with these and find and test customised complete solutions together and, in an ideal scenario, roll them out,” says Dr Meier-Kortwig, outlining the company’s strategy.

Sustainability – climate-neutral trade fair stand and environmentally friendly products
Climate and environmental protection are key concerns for society. Wanzl is also engaging in developing various measures for sustainable business and taking responsibility. In collaboration with ClimatePartner, developers and promoters of a variety of climate protection projects, the emissions for the trade fair stand at EuroShop 2020 were calculated and then offset with the project “Planting trees in Germany”. This is an important step when it comes to holistic climate protection which Wanzl was happy to take with its climate-neutral stand. In addition, the company presented its eco line product range under the motto “We close the cycle” for the first time. With this product range, shopping trolleys and baskets are exclusively made from plastics collected, among other things, via Der Grüne Punkt, a leading provider of take-back systems in Germany. “We are fully aware of our environmental responsibility and take it seriously. The avoidance or recycling of plastic is a step in this direction. In addition, our digital product presentation systems ensure greater sustainability. The weighing scales technology in the BakeOff i optimally assist the retailer in controlling filling levels. This allows exact timing of baking processes, and wastage of bread and baked goods can be significantly reduced,” explains Dr Meier-Kortwig.

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