WORLDEF ISTANBUL 2026 Welcomed 22,000 Visitors From 82 Countries

WORLDEF ISTANBUL 2026, which focused on the e-commerce, retail and artificial intelligence ecosystems, concluded with strong participation and significant international representation. The event brought visitors from 82 countries together in Istanbul. Brands shaping digital commerce, technology companies, retail leaders, logistics players, entrepreneurs, investors and decision-makers came together under one roof. WORLDEF CEO Omar Nart said, “WORLDEF ISTANBUL 2026 was not merely a trade fair or a conference; it became a powerful platform that enabled the e-commerce, retail, artificial intelligence and digital commerce ecosystems to grow together.”

WORLDEF ISTANBUL 2026 hosted 22,000 visitors over three days between June 11 and 13, 2026. At the event, 187 brands from different sectors exhibited at booths, while 250 speakers took part in the stage programs. Foreign visitors accounted for 35 percent of participants. As a result, WORLDEF ISTANBUL became a strong meeting point for the regional and global e-commerce and retail ecosystem.

At the event, which featured companies operating in e-commerce, retail, artificial intelligence, technology, logistics, fintech, SaaS, digital marketing and cross-border e-commerce, new collaborations, strategic meetings, brand gatherings and networking opportunities stood out. WORLDEF ISTANBUL 2026 brought together not only brands in Türkiye but also companies seeking to expand into global markets with international stakeholders.

Omar Nart: It became a powerful platform that enabled digital commerce ecosystems to grow together

WORLDEF CEO Omar Nart stated that WORLDEF ISTANBUL 2026 achieved significant success for the e-commerce, retail and artificial intelligence ecosystem, saying: “WORLDEF ISTANBUL 2026 was not merely a trade fair or a conference; it became a powerful platform that enabled the e-commerce, retail, artificial intelligence and digital commerce ecosystems to grow together. Welcoming 22,000 visitors from 82 countries in Istanbul once again demonstrated Türkiye’s potential to become a regional trade hub. The collaborations and connections established throughout the event generated highly valuable and productive results for brands seeking to expand into global markets.”

Omar Nart also underlined WORLDEF’s global vision, stating: “Digital commerce has now become an ecosystem that transcends borders, is strengthened by technology and grows through collaboration. As WORLDEF, our goal is to carry brands emerging from the MENA region and Türkiye to the world, bring global brands together with the region’s strong players, and build a sustainable business network that shapes the future of e-commerce and retail. The strong interest we witnessed at WORLDEF ISTANBUL 2026 shows that this vision has been strongly embraced by the industry.”

It offered new opportunities for the e-commerce, retail and artificial intelligence sectors

Stage sessions, panels and special meetings held as part of the event addressed artificial intelligence, digital transformation, next-generation retail, cross-border e-commerce, logistics technologies, marketplace strategies, customer experience and global growth models. Leading speakers from the industry shared their experiences and future visions regarding the transformation of digital commerce with participants.

With its exhibition booths, stage programs, special networking events and global participant profile, WORLDEF ISTANBUL 2026 offered new opportunities for the e-commerce and retail sectors. The event stood out as an important platform where trends shaping the future of digital commerce were discussed, brands evaluated their strategies for entering new markets, and international collaborations were developed.

WORLDEF’s next event will be held in Antalya

WORLDEF will continue to support brands’ growth journeys through events that bring the e-commerce and retail ecosystems together on a global scale in the coming period. WORLDEF’s next event will be the “WORLDEF PRIME Matchmaking Summit,” which will be held in Antalya between December 8 and 10, 2026.

The summit, which will bring together e-commerce and retail professionals from around the world, is positioned as a special matchmaking platform designed to establish important connections among decision-makers, brand executives, investors, technology providers and industry leaders. The organization, to be held at Antalya Kremlin Palace, will bring together industry representatives from more than 50 countries. One-on-one meetings and strategic sessions held throughout the event will contribute to the expansion of global e-commerce networks.