2024 Agenda

With consumers and governments demanding effective urban planning that considers the needs of a changing, more energy-conscious world, this breakfast has been expertly crafted to allow retailers to discuss the future for shopping destinations within this changing landscape.

This special session at World Retail Congress brings together a stellar line-up of retail CEOs and leaders to discuss their key takeaways from the conversations so far and take a look at the upcoming day.

Who is the customer of tomorrow? What do they expect from retailers? How do you speak to them? This session will kick-start our day by delving into creating an experience that attracts, retains and impresses the customer of tomorrow

In this special presentation and panel discussion, World Retail Congress Knowledge Partner, Deloitte, will showcase unique research into how organizations can adapt to shifting consumer expectations and align their strategy, platform, people and partners to data-driven experiences that win attention and loyalty. This research into the consumer of tomorrow will give you new insights into how consumers are changing and the retailer outlook on their needs. Hear world-class case-studies from organisations who have transformed their operations to unleash new possibilities for customer engagement and take away practical lessons to drive more memorable, impactful experiences. 

Guillaume Motte, President & CEO of Sephora, will share his perspectives on what makes Sephora a global leader in Prestige Beauty retail and a worldwide Loved Brand.     

This expert panel brings together retailers that are winning with new customers to explore what is working to attract and keep the loyalty of a whole new consumer base

Department Stores have long been seen as a dying format - but these leaders are redefining the category and guiding their special stores to new heights. Learn how they have expanded the role of the department store and created new, memorable experiences for customers.

In these unique, open-floor sessions, the students attending World Retail Congress take the lead: expect probing questions and important debates. 

Who is the “TikTok generation”? How do they shop? What are the key demands they have of retailers? Join this session as retailers have the chance to put their questions directly to this ready-formed focus group and get a better understanding of the future generation of consumers. 

Online retail has grown up and consumer behaviour through this essential channel is quickly evolving. From high expectations around convenience and speed to new payment types – online shoppers seem to want it all! Take a moment to truly dive into the changing attitudes of this shopper and how to define a best-in-class experience that keeps pace with their needs. 

79% of all customer contacts in B2C retail are digital. This makes it even more important to discover the potential of digital communication´s impact, particularly social media and its rapid evolution in shaping consumer preferences and attitudes from branding to sales. This session will provide strategic and data based insights on how to improve digital communication between brand and sales, highlighting the central role of social media as a key touchpoint in the digital customer journey. Learn about the key drivers of digital communication strategies and gain actionable insights into best practices, such as HUGO BOSS, on how retail brands can strengthen their digital presence to master engagement and drive sales.

The retail sector in the Gulf countries has seen an extraordinary surge since 2020 and is forecasted to sustain its high growth trajectory to 2027 and beyond, driven by large scale developments in the luxury retail, hospitality, culture, and tourism sectors. Abu Dhabi is positioning itself to become one of the leading global retail destinations and the Gateway into the region, with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) supporting international brands innovation and development. This session will present the mega projects scheduled for 2025 and 2026, the growth opportunities for retailers and the government incentives that are supporting the accelerated transformation of the retail industry.  

Join this essential session to dive into the transformative power of AI in retail and gain a true understanding of its ability to drive value and solve challenges at unprecedented speed. Explore the benefits of a Connected Retail Store enabled by Generative and Predictive AI, and discover how AI empowers merchandising teams to overcome those tough Monday morning trading meetings. Don't miss this opportunity to envision the future of retail! 

Norwegian online food retailer Oda has demonstrated through technology and logistics and a continual focus on improvement that it can deliver that elusive profit.

Retail within Africa is set to transform in the coming decade: from the rapid rise of the expanding middle class to the increasing adoption of technology, there is a prime landscape for growth in the region. With a continent representing 55 independent states, each with a unique economy and customer profile, developing a nuanced strategy for expansion in this region is essential. Join this deep look at the region and the strategies for success.  

Are you making the most of the post-purchase experience to continue to delight customers? This expert case-study panel will explore how to make the most out of the moment of fulfilment - and turn that into a growth opportunity.

Grocery retail was at the forefront throughout the worst of the pandemic as an “essential” retail service in keeping society fed via stores and accelerated online channels. Since then, the industry has had to reassess the future channel mix and formats at a time of rising food inflation and supply chain challenges. This panel of grocery retailers and brands will discuss the future of food retail. 

From exciting new activations in-store to combining with different entertainment and hospitality centres, there is a dynamic and interesting future for retail. Hear from those truly defining the future of physical retail

Retail Media is quickly maturing from a welcome source of extra revenue to a strategic component of the retailer’s business. This shift is driving increased demand for control and flexibility over retail media technology, data and commercial models. Market leaders are increasingly adopting cloud and AI driven data architectures to drive this change and unlock the benefits.

In this age of modern technology, information is critical and having the ability to make data driven decisions is a retailers best tool for success. Even with an omni-channel tech stack, mixing different technologies between platforms makes integrations very complex and costly.  This private lunch briefing will lead participants through the concept of Unified Commerce and over the common hurdles to achieving it!

In exclusive research developed by Euromonitor, join this deep dive exploration of the digital shopper trends that will have the biggest impact on retailers and brands this year.  

Artificial Intelligence could represent one of the greatest opportunities for the retail industry. But where is it best applied? What should you expect from its application? What do you need to be wary or cautious of? And what will an AI future look like for retail? In this special session, we have assembled some acknowledged experts and practitioners who will share their experiences and insights and answer your questions.  

Many retailers have found success exploring the new world of Marketplaces - this session will dive into the potential opportunities - and pitfalls - with this business model.

Growth should be carefully planned with longevity in mind; brands who are finding success and building great retail businesses are those who are able to ensure the customer experience they offer translates from offline to online and scales with the size of their business. No matter the scale of retail business, consumers are demanding flexible and unique experiences that allow them to interact where, when and how they want. Join this panel of experts as they discuss the ways in which they have developed these memorable customer touchpoints and are making growth plans with experience at their heart.

Is your retail business keeping pace? For industry leaders, establishing a solid data foundation is essential for maintaining a competitive edge. Join us in this panel session hosted by Snowflake, where experts from Etam Group, Picnic, and Kraft Heinz will explore the importance of a robust data strategy in fostering effective collaboration and addressing vital business challenges.

The ‘Store as a Medium’ is no longer science fiction. It’s now! This special session explains why retailers and brands need to get on board – or miss their share of a $100 billion a year revenue boost. In-store media is already delivering fun, personalised content that enhances the customer and brand experience – and drives sales.  

What is the magic DNA? To unlock this and to find out how to replicate it across the business, the World Retail Congress with KultraLab has undertaken a major study in collaboration with retailers around the world.

Gen Z consumers are flourishing in Africa – and with Kenya named the global leading country in terms of usage of TikTok by consumers in a recent 2023 report – understanding the new African consumer and their behaviours is essential for any brand wishing to enter this market. In this session, dive into who the Gen Z African consumer is and how you can better access them. 

The iconic parisian department store has been a force of innovation for more than 150 years. In this session, we will explore how the innovation agenda has been accelerated in the last couple of years ...

In this session, we will explore the main areas of innovation investment of retailers, best practices for igniting your innovation engine, and typical pitfalls and how to mitigate for those.

An insight into the turnaround of Australia’s Myer department store and the Customer First strategy that has set the foundation for future growth. 

Anchored around latest research by Coca Cola Retail Research Council on recruitment and retention crisis in the retail industry and the solutions with panel of 3 leading retailers

Regular presenter and store design expert, John Ryan, believes there is more to physical retail than in-store digital technologies. In this whistlestop global tour he will highlight his top 10 new store designs which he believes deliver outstanding customer experiences.     

This special session at World Retail Congress brings together a stellar line-up of retail CEOs and leaders to discuss their key takeaways from the conversations so far and take a look at the upcoming day.

In this special opening address for day 3, the Congress is delighted to welcome back Bobby Jones, author and consultant to global businesses focused on the power of purpose.

We are living increasingly in an age where all of us have access to more information than ever before via more channels than ever imagined. But what it is doing is changing the dynamic by which retailers interact with consumers. One of the biggest social impacts is the rapidly declining attention span coupled with an ever-harder battle to win that attention in the first place. This is felt most acutely in-store but also online. What does this all mean and what can be done to connect in this age of mass distraction”. 

Take away behind-the-scenes insight into the success of this purpose-led business from the ground-up and how purpose and profit can find harmony.

Join this group of industry-defining brands as they discuss the ways in which they have developed communities of consumers and how this has impacted their growth.

The global climate for retail is difficult. With half of the world destined to go to the polls this year, the relationship between the industry and global governments has never been more important to ensure a bright and protected future for our important industry. Hear from a line-up of global retail association leaders as they reflect on the Congress and the work that needs to be done. 

In these unique, open-floor sessions, the students attending World Retail Congress take the lead: expect probing questions and important debates. 

How will flexible working continue to evolve? What is the focus on DEI? How are jobs being enhanced and changed in retail by technology? Join this session as students are given the floor to ask questions of retailers as potential future employers, and gain a better understanding of the needs and wants of this new generation of employee. 

At the core of great design and genuine brands are well-told stories. Innovation is an essential tool in bridging retail strategy to deliver a meaningful in-store and digital customer experience.  Now put this in context of retail design and all the factors that make or break the customer experience.  

Hear from this expert panel of retailers on how they have chosen to embed their purpose in different ways across the business, and how that has impacted attracting and retaining customers

Along with deep insight into what the consumer of tomorrow needs, this panel will bring together experts from across the industry to explore the new retail models that are answering these needs – and how you can keep up. From on-demand production to higher sustainability efforts, hear from businesses that are creating a buzz, and what trends you need to be aware of.

What role do your store staff play in creating a memorable, exclusive experience? How can development of this role take the brand of store shopping to the next level? Be inspired in this short deep-dive into how a new generation of store associates can be defined and how jobs can be augmented with technology, giving customers a next-generation experience in-store. 

Join this expert panel as they discuss the steps needed to move towards a circular economy and how retailers can start with small, impactful steps.

Expect challenging ideas and insights. From those founding new brands that speak to their peers and have found success through this deep understanding of their target consumer to future leaders, determined to drive change across retail

In a fast-moving retail landscape, brands and retailers must collaborate to drive growth and create a seamless customer journey. Understanding where products are selling best, and why, gives brands the tools they need to make the most out of their retail partners – and retailers to get the most of their brand partners.  

In this exclusive private lunch briefing, hosted by SKYPAD, dive into the lessons learnt by luxury brand, Jacquemus, as they have leveraged better retail partner data to adjust their strategy and achieve better performance. Please enquire for interest.

Speedsize

The dilemma is dead. Retail brands no longer have to choose between brand building and short-term sales – even in a world driven by the search for value. Industry leaders WPP BAV and Similarweb have fused data sets to power a new report being launched in collaboration with the World Retail Congress. For the first time ever, we’ve linked brand equity data, digital performance metrics and share price. The evidence is clear: having a strong, influential brand is what actually drives the digital metrics that matter. Pick up your copy of the report, along with sector-specific action points for growth in department stores, pharmacies, online grocers and more. The CMO and CFO can now be friends; our data proves it. 

In this inspiring presentation, watch creativity and commerce converge to deliver retail experiences with real competitive advantage. This exclusive report, delivered in partnership with retail innovation experts, The General Store, Ebeltoft Group and Oresa, covers global innovations in food, fashion, wellness, convenience and more.  

Brunswick will present findings of an exclusive study of 5,000 consumers across the US, UK, France, Brazil and Japan conducted on behalf of the World Retail Congress  

This exclusive session will dive into the lessons learnt from setting up new channels, models and teams and getting to the high-performance of today by one of the most important brands operating today.