The Event

Smart Retail Tech Expo ExCeL London · 11-12 Nov 2026

Smart Retail Tech Expo showcases the technology reshaping in-store and online retail, from point-of-sale systems to connected devices and smart store hardware. It's part of the same four-event ExCeL cluster running the same November dates, all covered by a single free ticket. For electronics and retail tech brands, it's a direct look at what UK and EU retailers are buying.

For a general ecommerce founder outside electronics or retail tech, this show alone is a lower priority: the exhibitor floor is built for hardware and POS buyers, not DTC brand builders. It earns its place on the itinerary mainly because it's free to walk given you're already at ExCeL for the co-located shows.

What this means for EU expansion

The Room

Who's expected at Smart Retail Tech Expo 2026

Smart Retail Tech Expo brings together retail technology buyers, vendors and integrators focused on point-of-sale, connected devices and in-store hardware. For electronics brands specifically, it's a chance to see what UK and EU retailers are actively buying, and to scope compliance requirements before shipping product into either market.

Retail Technology Buyers Electronics Brands POS & Hardware Vendors Retail IT Teams

For a growing brand seeking the next step up, is Smart Retail Tech Expo 2026 a good fit?

Consider this a walk-through rather than a primary reason to travel, unless electronics or retail hardware is your core category.

Best fit

Electronics brands and retail tech vendors will get the most direct value; general ecommerce founders will find it a useful secondary stop within the ExCeL cluster.

Compliance angle

A good place to start conversations on CE marking, WEEE and battery compliance before committing to a UK or EU product launch.

Part of the ExCeL cluster

Same dates and venue as White & Private Label Expo, Retail Supply Chain & Logistics Expo, and E-commerce, Packaging & Labelling Expo, all under one free ticket.

Programme

What's on at Smart Retail Tech Expo 2026

Three tracks anchor the confirmed agenda.

01 Connected Devices & IoT

Exhibitors and sessions covering connected retail devices and IoT hardware, relevant to electronics brands assessing UK and EU market fit.

Connected device trends in retail
IoT hardware for smart stores

02 Point of Sale & Payments

Coverage of modern POS systems and in-store payment technology, showing how UK and EU retailers are modernizing checkout experiences.

Next-generation POS systems
Contactless and mobile payments
Unified commerce technology

03 Electronics Compliance for the UK & EU

Sessions and exhibitor conversations relevant to any electronics brand needing to understand CE marking, WEEE and radio equipment rules before launch.

CE marking basics
WEEE and battery compliance

Live Intelligence

What's being said about Smart Retail Tech Expo 2026

Themes shaping the November 2026 event.

Connected device exhibitors continue to grow

ECOMMERCE EVENTS CALENDAR · JUL 2026

The share of connected device and IoT exhibitors has grown as UK and EU retailers invest further in smart store technology. Electronics brands entering these markets are increasingly expected to have wireless and connectivity compliance sorted from day one.

Compliance conversations are a growing draw

INTELLIGENCE UPDATE · JUN 2026

Exhibitor and attendee interest in CE marking, WEEE and radio equipment rules has increased at this event over recent editions. This reflects growing awareness among electronics brands that EU compliance is a launch prerequisite, not a formality.

Unified commerce remains a dominant theme

INTELLIGENCE UPDATE · MAY 2026

Retailers continue to prioritize connecting online and in-store systems into a single view of inventory and customers. This trend touches any brand selling both direct-to-consumer and through UK or EU retail partners.

The bigger picture

Electronics compliance is the real homework here

For electronics brands, this event is less about buying retail hardware and more about understanding the compliance bar for selling in the UK and EU. The full set of requirements is more involved than most US brands expect, and it's worth mapping before committing to a launch date.

CE marking is required for electronics sold in the EU, alongside UK-specific marking requirements post-Brexit.
WEEE registration and battery rules apply to most electronics products, adding cost and lead time to a launch plan.
Anything wireless needs to meet radio equipment rules in addition to general electronics compliance.
An EU Responsible Person is required under GPSR for most consumer electronics, and a US brand cannot fill that role itself.

Map the full compliance set before you commit to a launch date, not after.

Compliance areas for electronics

Electronics brands need CE marking, WEEE registration, battery compliance, and radio equipment rules all mapped and budgeted before committing to a UK or EU launch date.

4+CE, WEEE, batteries, radio equipment

Germany/France EPR

Germany and France apply extended producer responsibility to packaging, batteries, and WEEE from the very first unit sold, with no minimum threshold before registration is required.

Day-oneno threshold for packaging

Co-located ExCeL shows

Retail technology, sourcing, logistics and packaging shows share ExCeL's venue and November dates, so one free ticket covers all four events in a single trip.

4one free ticket

Good to Know

Questions about Smart Retail Tech Expo 2026

What kind of retail technology does Smart Retail Tech Expo cover?

In-store and ecommerce retail technology, from point-of-sale systems to connected devices and smart store hardware, relevant to electronics brands and retailers alike.

Is this event useful for a US electronics brand entering the UK?

Yes, both as a place to see UK retail technology trends and to understand the compliance landscape electronics brands face when selling into the UK and EU.

Is a separate ticket needed for Smart Retail Tech Expo?

No, it's covered by the same free ticket as White & Private Label Expo, Retail Supply Chain & Logistics Expo, and E-commerce, Packaging & Labelling Expo.

Is Smart Retail Tech Expo worth the trip on its own?

On its own, it's more adjacent than core for most ecommerce founders. It's best treated as one stop in the shared ExCeL cluster rather than a standalone reason to travel, unless your product is electronics or retail hardware.

What do I need to sell electronics in the EU?

CE marking, restrictions on hazardous substances, WEEE registration, battery rules where relevant, and radio equipment rules for anything wireless. Map the full applicable set before launch.

What is an EU Responsible Person and do I need one?

A Responsible Person is an entity based in the EU (or UK) that takes legal responsibility for a product's compliance and acts as the contact for authorities. Since GPSR applied from late 2024, most consumer products sold in the EU need one, and a US brand cannot fill the role itself.

Make Your Move

Heading to ExCeL London?

If you're an electronics brand thinking about a UK or EU launch, it's worth having your CE marking, WEEE and Responsible Person groundwork mapped before you commit stock.

Expandly's Global Expansion Pathway (GEP™) covers the full compliance set electronics brands need for the UK and EU, alongside VAT and fulfillment setup. We're happy to brief you before the show on what a realistic compliance timeline looks like for your product range. Want to talk through it ahead of November?