Ready for two days that could transform your eCommerce strategy? Most of us head to conferences seeking solutions that actually work, insights into what the competition is doing, and connections that matter for our business growth.
The eCommerce Expo 2025 (September 24-25 at ExCeL London) delivers on all three. With 250+ exhibitors, dozens of expert talks, and networking opportunities at every turn, having a game plan makes all the difference.
We've done the research, attended the sessions, and identified what's truly worth your time. These are the opportunities you won't want to miss.
Here are our best 5 recommendations for anyone planning to attend the eCommerce Expo
1. The Growth Summit's Exclusive Benchmarking Data (If You Qualify)
This one's tricky because not everyone can get in. The IMRG Growth Summit is basically the VIP room of retail data, and you need the right credentials to enter.
Here's the deal: IMRG members who contribute data to their benchmarking program get to see everyone else's numbers, too. Real numbers. Not the sanitized case studies vendors share, but actual conversion rates, basket values, and return percentages from over 200 UK retailers managing £84 billion in sales.
Picture this: You've been losing sleep over your 2.3% conversion rate. Is it terrible? Industry standard? Actually pretty good? In this room, you'll finally know. You'll see if everyone's acquisition costs are spiraling or if it's just you. You'll discover whether that checkout abandonment rate that haunts your dreams is normal or needs immediate attention.
The brutal truth? This data never goes public. IMRG keeps these insights locked down tighter than retailers guard their Black Friday strategies. If you qualify, block out the time. If you don't, consider joining IMRG just for this alone.
2. Rory Sutherland's Behavioral Economics Session (And Why It's Different This Time)
Rory Sutherland has made a career out of being right when everyone else is wrong. The Ogilvy UK Vice Chairman is the guy who proved that making checkout harder can increase sales (yes, really) and that your customers are lying to you about what they want.
This year, he's tackling the post-pandemic challenges we're all facing. Remember 2021, when everyone said physical retail was dead? When customers swore they'd never shop in-store again? Yeah, about that...
Sutherland will explain why your digitally native customers are suddenly craving human interaction, why adding friction might save your conversion rate, and why that perfectly optimized customer journey might be perfectly wrong. His sessions are renowned for prompting attendees to question everything they thought they knew about their business.
Fair warning: You'll leave his talk at the ExCeL London event feeling slightly uncomfortable about every decision you've made in the last year. That's the point.
3. The AI Solutions Showcase (Finding Tech That Delivers Real ROI)
The TFM Technology for Marketing section brings together vendors who've moved beyond buzzwords to deliver genuine results. You'll find live demonstrations, real case studies, and actual ROI figures from businesses using these tools today.
The opportunity here is discovering solutions built for specific challenges. While the major platforms offer comprehensive transformations, some of the most valuable finds are focused tools that solve one problem exceptionally well. You might discover the company that's cracked accurate returns prediction, the startup making dynamic pricing work for fashion, or the tool that writes product descriptions your customers actually want to read.
Come prepared with specific questions about your business needs: implementation timelines, integration capabilities, and measurable results from current clients. The best vendors will share detailed case studies, show you live dashboards, and discuss both successes and learnings from their deployments.
Smart tip: explore the entire TFM section, including smaller booths where innovative companies often showcase breakthrough solutions. These vendors frequently offer more personalized support, competitive pricing, and the flexibility to adapt their tools to your specific needs.
4. The International Expansion Masterclass (Learning from Real Experience)
While most UK retailers dream of international growth, this track delivers the blueprint for actually achieving it. You'll hear from brands that successfully scaled across borders, alongside honest insights about the challenges they overcame.
The sessions cover everything that matters for UK businesses going global. How to identify which markets offer the best opportunities for your specific products. Whether to start with English-speaking markets or dive straight into Europe. The real costs and timelines for international expansion (spoiler: it's more achievable than you think, if you plan properly).
You'll discover how successful retailers adapted their approach for different markets, from payment preferences to customer service strategies. Learn which tools and platforms make international selling manageable, how to handle multi-currency pricing without losing margin, and why some brands find marketplaces the perfect entry point while others succeed going direct.
The speakers bring hard-won insights about what actually works. They'll share the partnerships that accelerated their growth, the technology that simplified compliance, and the customer insights that unlocked new markets. Check the eCommerce Expo agenda for specific sessions on international growth strategies.
5. The Smart Navigator's Guide to 250+ Exhibitors
With over 250 exhibitors showcasing the latest in retail technology, the expo floor is where deals get done and problems get solved. The secret to making the most of it? Strategy beats stamina every time.
The floor layout actually makes sense once you understand it. Similar solutions cluster together, so once you find one payment provider, you'll find five more within shouting distance. This setup lets you efficiently compare options and have informed conversations about features, pricing, and integration timelines.
Download the app before you arrive to map out your route. Book meetings with priority vendors for day one morning when everyone's energized and ready to talk business. The afternoon slots work brilliantly for discovery, when you can explore emerging solutions and stumble upon innovations you didn't know existed. Day two is perfect for follow-ups and diving deeper with vendors who caught your interest.
Here's what seasoned attendees know: some of the most innovative solutions come from newer companies with modest booths. That startup in the corner might have built exactly what you've been searching for, often with better support and more competitive pricing than the established players. These smaller vendors frequently offer more flexibility in their solutions and are genuinely excited to work with growing businesses.
The scheduling feature in the official expo app makes managing your time simple. Book your must-see meetings, but leave space for spontaneous discoveries. Build in 15-minute buffers between appointments to account for the valuable conversations that run long and the networking opportunities you'll encounter between booths.
PLUS: Don't Miss Chloë Thomas's Triple Threat Performance
While everyone else is giving theoretical frameworks and five-year predictions, Chloë Thomas will tell you what's actually working right now. The eCommerce MasterPlan founder and host of two award-winning podcasts has been solving retail problems since before most of us knew what conversion rate meant.
Her day one keynote cuts through the noise to focus on marketing strategies that UK retailers are using successfully today. Not next year, not in theory, but right now. She's talking about the email campaigns that actually get opened, the social strategies that drive sales, not just likes, and the customer retention tactics that work when everyone's cutting budgets.
Day two brings her back for a panel on brand differentiation when everyone's using the same playbook. You know the problem: every competitor has the same Shopify theme, runs the same Facebook ads, and sends the same abandoned cart emails. She'll share how to stand out without reinventing the wheel or blowing your budget on a rebrand.
The kicker? Chloë is shortlisted for the UK's Top 100 Marketing Influencers 2025, with winners announced during day one at Technology for Marketing. Having been named one of the world's top 10 eCommerce commentators and holding titles like eCommerce Marketing Expert of the Year, she's earned her spot on your must-see list.
Book early. Her sessions fill up because people know she delivers actionable tactics, not inspirational quotes.
The Bottom Line
eCommerce Expo 2025 offers something increasingly rare: practical solutions to real business challenges. You'll leave with actionable strategies for immediate implementation, connections with vendors who understand your needs, and insights into what's actually working in UK retail right now.
You'll have answers to those persistent challenges, contact details for solutions providers who deliver on their promises, and validation that your experiences are shared across the industry. Most importantly, you'll return to the office with fresh ideas and renewed energy to tackle Q4.
Book your ticket at ecommerceexpo.co.uk now to start planning. Choose comfortable footwear for the two-day event. Bring a portable phone charger to stay connected. And arrive with your top three business challenges clearly defined so you can make the most of every conversation.
The UK conference circuit has many options, but this one delivers the practical insights and connections that directly impact your bottom line.
For more info on must-attend eCommerce events, explore our list of Top eCommerce events blog or check out our full eCommerce Events Directory.
