Shipshape at the Progressive FMCG/Retail conference

Progressive FMCG/Retail conference

The retail renaissance: innovation, trends and sustainability.

24 September 2024, Esplanade Hotel, Zagreb.

About the conference

The 21st Progressive conference discussed the key factors behind success, the greatest challenges and the future of the FMCG/retail industry. Topics included leadership strategies, customer motivation, and technological and digital tools for improving profitability. The discussion also covered artificial intelligence, online retail solutions, the importance of analytics, innovation and the major challenges facing modern retail. The programme explored retail's dynamic evolution, as traditional concepts give way to innovation, contemporary trends and sustainable approaches.

Retail is in a continuous state of revolution. Businesses today understand it as a multichannel platform through which customers want a rich, engaging brand experience. The development of digital channels has greatly raised the expectations of consumers who want an emotional connection with brands. Their desire to shop anytime and anywhere is changing perceptions and behaviour, while driving the adoption of new and increasingly demanding technological capabilities.

A better understanding of customers leads not only to greater satisfaction but also to increased revenue. Digital transformation has given companies an unprecedented ability to analyse different kinds of information about customer behaviour and habits. Investment in digital systems and development often contributes to a better return on investment.

Using information about customer behaviour affects almost every part of a business, from product development and purchasing to the supply chain, sales, marketing and supporting services. Companies increasingly base business decisions on information obtained directly from their customers. Through regular communication, they check customers' needs and preferences. With a more precise approach, each store's assortment should reflect the expectations of its particular community. Companies should also be open to technological innovations, such as applications that simulate the experience of using particular products.

Businesses continually fight to survive while facing increasingly demanding customers. Everyone involved in retail is under pressure to innovate and develop strategies that attract and retain them. For that process to succeed, customers need a memorable experience.

The conference programme addressed the key factors for success, the greatest challenges and the future of FMCG/retail through engaging presentations. It examined how leaders operate in an unstable market, how to motivate customers, and how technological and digital tools can improve profitability while also protecting and securing large systems.

Other central themes were artificial intelligence, online retail solutions, the importance of analytics, innovation and the challenges of modern retail. Together, these topics explored the shift from traditional retail concepts towards contemporary trends, innovation and sustainability.

Who the conference is for

• Presidents and members of management boards at global, regional and local companies.
• Owners and managers of large and small shops and retail chains.
• Manufacturers, importers and distributors of fast-moving consumer goods.
• Marketing directors and HR department managers.
• Strategy and development managers.
• Brand managers.
• Purchasing managers.
• Business and industry associations.
• Consultants.
• IT companies, marketing agencies and PR agencies.
• Other professionals working in the FMCG sector.

Welcome to the 21st annual Progressive conference. Further information: www.progressive-fmcg-retail.com.

About Shipshape

Founded in 2014, Shipshape focuses on developing software solutions tailored to clients' needs and providing IT consultancy. The company is built around specialists with broad expertise and more than ten years of experience in the IT industry.

We are particularly proud to build customised solutions to the highest professional standards, providing the same high quality to every customer regardless of size. Our main focus is eCommerce: online store solutions for small, medium-sized and large businesses.

Alongside eCommerce, our services include:

• CRM systems.
• Website development, including corporate websites that complement a company's online store and more advanced web platforms.
• Custom applications for the web, Android and iOS.
• Other business information systems for internal organisation and process digitalisation.
• Digital marketing and SEO through our agency Digital reality d.o.o.

Digital transformation and business digitalisation are common terms in today's business world. We aim to make them tangible through software solutions that can simplify and shorten processes, accelerate operations, create new revenue streams and open new markets.

Shipshape's references include Pevex, Optika Anda, Makromikro grupa, Nova TV, Delicije, Vedrini, Dicta, Encian, Frigo VE and many other retailers across different industries.