Mr. Chris Akrimi reports

MANDATORY PARTNERS WITH NUORDER BY LIGHTSPEED TO REDEFINE MARKET CONNECTIONS, ANNOUNCES DIGITAL TRADE SHOW EVENT

Recognizing the geographical limitations of physical shows, Mandatory has taken a bold step forward by partnering with Lightspeed Commerce Inc.'s NuOrder by Lightspeed, a leading global B2B (business-to-business) commerce platform, to offer a digital trade show that will run in tandem with its next in-person event taking place in Copenhagen from Jan. 28 to Jan. 30, 2025.

With buyers travelling less and carefully selecting events, Mandatory is reshaping the way the industry operates. By providing a focused platform where brands and buyers can connect effectively, Mandatory emphasizes specificity, integrity and a waterproof storytelling approach to stand out in the competitive market.

"The postpandemic retail landscape has shifted," said Mads Petersen of Mandatory. "Consumers are more knowledgeable than ever, and retailers face a smaller, more challenging landscape. Now, more than ever, collaboration between retailers and brands is critical to create strong, sustainable relationships that drive long-term success."

Innovative collaboration with NuOrder

The digital trade show with NuOrder by Lightspeed will provide an opportunity for brands to share a preview of their collections ahead of the event and connect with international buyers not in attendance. NuOrder's cutting-edge technology breaks down outdated barriers within the industry, creating new opportunities for brands and retailers around the world to discover each other and strengthen their businesses.

"As a brand, being able to receive orders year-round without the limitations of geography is a game changer," said MajLa Pizzelli, founder and chief executive officer of ATP Atelier. "NuOrder's platform allows us to showcase our collections to the right buyers any time, anywhere, extending our reach and streamlining our processes. It's a level of convenience and efficiency we've never experienced before."

Commenting on the partnership, Clara Leone, co-owner of Mandatory, emphasized the critical role of human connection in leveraging technology: "In challenging times, it's more important than ever to blend human values, personal relationships and authenticity with technology. NuOrder allows us to combine the efficiency of digital tools with the warmth and trust that only personal connections can bring, creating a one-of-a-kind community where connections and businesses grow and thrive together."

In addition to partnering on the launch of the digital trade show, buyers including Rinascente, Peek and Cloppenburg, Illum, Highsnobiety, and Slam Jam, which are part of the NuOrder by Lightspeed network, will be attending the in-person trade show. This initiative demonstrates Mandatory's commitment to creating new opportunities for brands and buyers alike to build new relationships and expand their global footprints.

"Mandatory and NuOrder together represent the future of industry connectivity," added Chris Akrimi, head of B2B at Lightspeed. "We aim to provide a 360-degree partnership for brands, helping them connect with relevant buyers globally. This integration sets new standards for collaboration, ensuring that brands and retailers can expand their networks, grow their businesses and deepen their partnerships."

A new era of regional industry events

Mandatory is committed to hosting innovative, industry-changing regional events that redefine how contemporary brands interact with the market. By merging NuOrder's technological prowess with Mandatory's vision, the partnership lays a foundation for a stronger, more connected future for the industry.

About NuOrder by Lightspeed

NuOrder by Lightspeed is a leading B2B commerce platform powering wholesale buying and selling. NuOrder offers a full suite of commerce solutions engineered to streamline the way brands sell their products all around the world while providing retailers with the insights they need to make better buying decisions. Today, more than 3,000 brands and more than 100,000 retailers use NuOrder to transform their wholesale operations. Lightspeed acquired NuOrder in 2021.

Powering the businesses that are the backbone of the global economy, Lightspeed's one-stop commerce platform helps merchants innovate to simplify, scale and provide exceptional customer experiences. Lightspeed's cloud commerce solution transforms and unifies on-line and physical operations, multichannel sales, expansion to new locations, global payments, financial solutions, and connection to supplier networks.

Founded in Montreal, Canada, in 2005, Lightspeed is dual listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange. With teams across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, the company serves retail, hospitality and golf businesses in over 100 countries.

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