The e-commerce Day by Kaufland:

From a small-scale industry get-together to one of the most important trade fairs for online sales

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Since 2010, the e-Commerce Day has brought together numerous e-commerce enthusiasts once a year excluding the pandemic years when it could not take place. What started as a small industry get-together with about 1,000 m² of exhibition space, 18 exhibitors and 300 participants has, over time, developed into one of the most important trade fairs for online sales. At the most recent e-Commerce Day in April, we welcomed over 2,000 participants! 

Participant Structure

Source: Kaufland

But through all the years of growth, one thing has never changed: The location. 

The e-Commerce Day has been held at the RheinEnergieSTADION since 2010.

Source: Kaufland

In recent years, the continuously growing target group of online sellers, shop owners, industry insiders, commerce specialists, manufacturers and more has also included well-known brands. 

The e-Commerce Day has become an annual highlight for networking with relevant industry personalities. This is where the industry gathers for in-depth discussions of “pains and gains”, current trends and the future development of e-commerce, and to take a closer look at the central developments and trends in e-commerce – both on and off stage. Or, more accurately, on the stages! We’ve sized up to three stages, which offer space for more than 30 presentations.

Every year Kaufland invites exciting speakers to share their expert knowledge with attendees. Whether it’s long-term e-Commerce Day fixtures like e-commerce veteran Johannes Altmann (from 2010) or Claudia Studtmann (from 2018), multifaceted motivational speakers like Joey Kelly (or, for the upcoming e-commerce Day, extreme athlete Jonas Deichmann), officials from outside the industry such as Ralf Rangnick and Matthias Sammer, entrepreneur Frank Thelen, politician Christian Lindner or music legend Smudo from the German hip-hop band Die Fantastischen Vier the guests on the e-Commerce Day stages have never failed to inspire us with their huge range of insights!

VIP speaker excerpt of recent years ECD

Source: Kaufland

The list of exhibitors who have attended the e-Commerce Day over the past few years is just as diverse and impressive as the list of speakers. From Hermes and Idealo to DHL and the German Federal Association of Online Retailers, the number of exhibitors per event has increased more than fivefold since the event began! The first e-Commerce Day welcomed 18 exhibitors. 2019 was the year we first broke the 100-exhibitor mark, and after the forced pandemic-related break, we were glad to welcome a three-digit number of exhibitors from the areas of marketplaces, shop systems, payment, online marketing and logistics. 

 

Once blue, now red: Even the logo has changed, though the spires of the Cologne Cathedral have stayed part of the design!

Old logo:

ECD Logo alt

Source: Kaufland

New logo:

ECD Logo neu

Source: Kaufland

A continuously increasing number of participants, lectures, stages and exhibitors; a new logo; versatile speakers – among all these changes, one constant has characterised the e-Commerce Day since the beginning: the RheinEnergieSTADION. However, the exhibition space utilised has virtually quadrupled since 2010. Now, visitors can enjoy 4,000 square metres of exhibition space, excellent catering and a relaxed networking atmosphere every year. The location offers the optimal conditions for the event – a definite score for the e-Commerce Day, even if the home football games sometimes don’t see that many goals! 

Foto des RheinEnergieSTADIONs

Source: Kaufland

More than just a location: The RheinEnergieSTADION is more than just a venue. The exclusive guided tours are an integral part of the e-Commerce Day programme. 

Another advantage of the event location is its proximity to Cologne’s Playa Beach Club, where the warm-up event takes place every year on the evening before the actual event. Come rain or come shine, in warm or cold weather the relaxed beach atmosphere, including a barbecue buffet, cocktails and beach volleyball tournament, always ensures a great atmosphere and the perfect start to an unforgettable event! 

Beach BBQ

Source: Kaufland

And it continues on April 11, 2025 – we look forward to the next e-Commerce Day! You can find more information here: www.ecommerceday.de.