Department for International Trade to lead retail tech trade mission overseas

True, Europe’s retail, consumer and leisure investment firm, is leading a trade mission to New York and Chicago, in collaboration with the UK Department for International Trade (DIT) and Capital Accelerate and Scale Tech Superstars.

True will host over 20 leading international consumer and retail corporates across the five days, including 7-Eleven, TJX and Abercrombie & Fitch Co, introducing these companies to 15 of the UK’s retail and consumer technology startups.

The trade mission seeks to introduce the participating delegates to the participating global retail and consumer group corporates, that are continually searching for transformative technologies to implement within their operations.

True and DIT will also be organising networking events throughout the week to build and expand relationships between the participating delegates and members of the Chicago and New York venture capital communities.

In preparation for the trade mission, True has also organised a series of supportive sessions, in partnership with pre-eminent US technology law firm, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, that will help the delegates further refine their US expansion plans and strategies.

Mike Tattersall, True’s chief commercial officer, said: “Building on the success of True’s inaugural US trade mission in 2017, we’re delighted to be once again working with the UK’s Department for International Trade.

“On this trade mission, we are aiming to make introductions that result in commercially valuable implementations of technology within some of the world’s leading retail and consumer groups.

“True’s model is built on delivering reciprocal advantage to everyone in our Live Network of over 5,000 global retail and consumer professionals and industry leaders - and the Trade Mission is an exemplary demonstration of our model in action.”

Ross Allen, British director for International Trade, added: “With the inaugural mission generating an estimated £5m in pending contracts for UK companies, expanding this year’s mission in size and reach reflects the UK’s strengths in the category.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with this delegation of enterprising companies, and I look forward to a bright future for each of them in the US market and beyond.”