TRADE MART + TRADE SHOW business models
Trade Marts
are a Collection of Showrooms and Exhibits
The venue strategy transforms vacant office spaces into showrooms showcasing products and connecting buyers with sellers. A virtual presence in the metaverse will enhance the trade mart experience.
| AmericasMart (Atlanta, USA) Wholesale hub with expansive showrooms and exhibits across various markets. |
| Merchandise Mart (Chicago, USA) Design and luxury goods epicenter, hosting top retail events. |
| Frankfurt Messe (Germany) Leading trade fair venue, home to major events like the Frankfurt Book Fair. |
| Canton Fair (Guangzhou, China) China’s largest biannual trade show showcasing diverse products. |
| Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour (London) Luxury design hub with high-end showrooms and events. |
BUYERS AND SELLERS
The trade mart function will bring together buyers and sellers and showcase products and services.
METAVERSE
The physical presence of the trade mart showrooms will be extended in the metaverse (more).
VERSUS RETAIL
In contrast to retail, trade marts require fewer visitors to be financially successful.
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Showcase Critical Products and Services, and Connect Buyers and Sellers
A trade mart is a central hub for businesses to showcase products, fostering transactions, relationships, and innovation. Complemented by trade shows, these venues attract more business visitors than other types. Unlike retail spaces, trade marts don't rely on constant foot traffic or the high costs of residential conversions.
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The Real Estate Case for Trade Marts
| Expands Market Reach The metaverse allows businesses to reach a global audience, removing geographical limitations and increasing visibility for exhibitors and buyers. This virtual environment is especially valuable for small and medium-sized businesses that may not have access to physical trade marts. |
| Enhances Engagement Interactive 3D environments foster deeper engagement between buyers and sellers, making the experience more immersive and impactful compared to traditional trade marts. Buyers can interact with products in new ways through virtual tours, real-time customization, and demonstrations. |
| Pre-event Sell Virtual booths can be accessed before events, enabling early exploration of products and pre-orders, extending the sales window. Businesses can generate interest and leads even before the main event, maximizing exposure. |
| Post-event Sell Virtual showrooms remain accessible after events, allowing businesses to continue selling and following up on leads. This post-event presence extends the lifespan of the trade mart and keeps products visible to prospective buyers. |
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Trade Mart vs. Retail
| Foot Traffic Dependence Retail relies heavily on daily consumer foot traffic to generate sales, whereas trade marts do not. Trade mart visitors are business buyers attending specifically to make deals. |
| Tenant Turnover Retail spaces tend to have higher tenant turnover, especially in changing markets. Trade marts, on the other hand, attract long-term tenants like manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors. |
| Operational Costs Retail spaces incur higher operational costs due to customer service, stock management, and regular upkeep. Trade marts have lower day-to-day operational costs, with fewer service needs. |
| Flexibility in Use Retail spaces are limited to consumer-driven sales, while trade marts offer flexible use for events, exhibitions, and showrooms, ensuring consistent business traffic. |
| Conversion Costs Converting properties into retail or residential spaces often requires significant infrastructure changes. Trade mart conversions are typically less expensive, requiring fewer adjustments. |
Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour
London
This business model helped create a design cluster in Chelsea Harbour. Each square foot of showroom space supports 2.5 square feet of office space. Chelsea Harbour also hosts Design Week, with the next event in May 2025.
Trade Shows
offer Temporary Exhibits
While trade marts are permanent B2B and B2G facilities, trade shows are temporary events that focus on industry networking and sales. Trade shows are part of Carbon Zero's portfolio of events.
| TRADE SHOW EXAMPLES |
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| Canton Fair China's largest trade fair in Guangzhou, featuring a broad range of products. |
| Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Annual event in Las Vegas, showcasing the latest in consumer technology. |
| Hannover Messe One of the world's largest industrial technology fairs, held in Germany. |
| Bauma Leading trade fair for construction machinery, held in Munich, Germany. |
| Mobile World Congress (MWC) The largest global exhibition for the mobile industry, held in Barcelona. |
| IFA Berlin Major trade show for consumer electronics and home appliances in Germany. |
| SIAL Global food industry marketplace, held in Paris, France. |
