The World Retail Congress convenes the world’s most senior retail leaders to share insight and debate the forces shaping the industry. The Retail Accelerator Programme supports the next generation of leaders just below board level, delivering expert-led deep dives that broaden industry understanding, strengthen networks, and accelerate progression to top leadership.

Sessions are led by a faculty of experienced retail “Professors”, senior industry leaders who have run major retail businesses across sectors and markets.

The Retail Accelerator Programme

  • Designed for senior executives in a retail business currently one or two levels below the Executive or Main Board 
  • Nominated by their senior management, as part of a delegation or with a Boardroom Package
  • Limited to 40 participants for close-contact learning
  • Access to exclusive, intimate workshops curated for the Accelerator Programme and the full World Retail Congress main programme

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Retail Accelerator Programme

Monday 27th April:

09:30 - 12:00 - The Future of Retail Hack: Where Retail Consumers and AI Collide

Accelerator Programme delegates have priority access to this exclusive session run in partnership with Hackmasters.

his 2 ½ hour session will be led by a team from internationally acclaimed futures studio, Hackmasters, who work with governments, businesses and specialist advisors to imagine the future and create strategic responses.  

In being part of the World Retail Congress Future of Retail Hack you will: 

  • Hear from experts about the drivers of retail change across behaviour, business models, environment and regulation 

  • Interrogate the consumers of 2030 through Hackmasters’ unique synthetic future customers AI tool 

  • Begin building future opportunities based on the identified drivers of change 

In an increasingly uncertain world, the Future of Retail Hack will act as your bridge between the present and the future. A perfect way to begin your World Retail Congress experience.

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13:30 - 17:00 - Flagship Store Tours

Accelerator Programme attendees are guaranteed access on one of the brilliant Flagship Store Tours. Take your learning to the streets as you are guided around Berlin's top retail concepts by CEOs and Executive Teams.

Tuesday 28th April:

14.00-14.40 - Exclusive insights into the year ahead 

Understanding the macro-economic and geo-political factors that will influence every retail business around the world is absolutely critical. The Congress is delighted to welcome back one of the most sought-after experts and speakers who will share his analysis of the economic prospects for the next 12 months. 

Dr Ira Kalish, Chief Global Economist, Deloitte 

 

14.40 - 15.20 - Lessons in Retail Leadership 

The Retail Accelerator Programme aims to support those senior leaders who could soon join main Boards. What should executives expect from that move and how can you prepare yourself to take executive decisions on all the factors that impact and shape a retail business?  

  To help share her experiences and insights, we are delighted to have one of America’s acknowledged leading retail leaders join us. Mindy Grossman has spent a lifetime in retail helping lead iconic brands and businesses such as Polo, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, HSN, WW and Warnaco. She has also been included in the Forbes list of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World and the FT’s Top 50 Women in Business. Mindy was inducted into the World Retail Congress’s Hall of Fame in 2023.   

Mindy Grossman, Director, VF Corporation and Partner, Vice-Chair, Consello Group

Wednesday 29th April:

11.30 - 12.00 - How do you prepare for the 2030 consumer? 

Putting the consumer at the heart of a retail business is critical for success but is becoming ever harder as consumer trends, tastes and behaviours move with breathtaking speed. To help understand more about a world shaped by social media, influencers, technology and now AI, we have invited one of the world’s leading experts in consumer change to help make sense of it all and suggest how to develop strategies to embrace the disruption.  

Janet Levine, Chief Strategy Officer, Mediahub Worldwide and former Global Strategy Lead, Unilever  

  

12.00 - 12.50 - Speed Mentoring: Your Roadmap to 2030 

Following its highly successful introduction into the programme last year, this session brings together a team of highly experienced retail leaders who will act as “speed mentors” in sharing their career journeys and insights about how to successfully lead a retail organisation in today’s retail world. Your opportunity to open up a dialogue to ask questions in this private, informal “Speed Mentoring” session. 

Moderated by: Lucy Harris, CEO, Altrua 

Judith McKenna, Non-Executive Director, Unilever and Delta Airlines and former CEO, Walmart International

  • Building and leading productive teams within a constantly evolving global platform

Helena Helmersson, Non-Executive Director, MANGO and On and former CEO H&M Group

  • Delivering sustainable and commercial growth, whilst inspiring followship as a leader

Mary Homer, Executive Chair, Loaf and Board Member Breast Cancer Now and Coach

  • Making a successful transition from CEO to Board and the importance of having a Coach

Louise Greenlees, Strategic Advisor, Business & Culture.  Mentor to and former SEVP Group President, TJX Companies

  • Making a positive impact and leaving a legacy on culture and performance; in equal balance 
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Accelerate your career or nominate a peer    

Want more information on the programme or to nominate yourself or a peer?