The CMJ is set to elevate its events to the next level with the introduction of a dynamic new Digital Zone at its Autumn Trade Event, which will take place at the state-of-the-art ICC Wales on 14–15 August 2022.

The zone will feature leading businesses that will focus on developing the digital elements of CMJ members’ businesses, ensuring they remain relevant to changing consumer expectations. They have been specially selected to offer a range of services for all levels of business size and digital development requirements.

For those members looking to improve their B2C offering, Lionsorbet specialises in Shopify-based ecommerce, strategic digital marketing and SEO. Meanwhile, Elk Design offers support across a range of platforms including Magento, WordPress, Shopify and Squarespace.

Also exhibiting will be Maybe*, a social media management platform that gives businesses a way to compare their social media performance with any other business, all the tools and insights they need to use social medial effectively, and access to resources and training. The CMJ will be sponsoring an account for 12 months, which will give each retailer member free market-leading data and support including unlimited content scheduling, competitor insights and hashtag monitoring.

Existing CMJ suppliers PicUp Media, Pursuit and Clarity & Success will also be exhibiting in the Digital Zone. PicUp Media will be showcasing its augmented reality platform and brand new GemLightBox Pro, Clarity & Success will demonstrate the results of looking closely at the differences between Bransom and Clarity & Success to ensure that user needs are well represented within its development roadmap for 2022.

Jen Marsden, CMJ Market Insights and Digital Development Manager, said of the Digital Zone: “We have been working closely with CMJ members to evaluate and develop their omnichannel offerings. The Autumn Trade Event is the perfect place to bring our selected consultants and experts together to advise and support our members to ensure they are maximising their online reach, whether that be via website development, digital communications, social media best practice or the latest in fields such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality.”