Key themes - shaping global retail

1. The shape of things to come

Different economic recoveries around the world means the return of "LUV" - L-shaped recovery for Europe, U-shaped for America and V-shaped for the emerging markets. Retailers learning to cope with that.

2. The retail response

If conditions change, you change direction and change your strategy if you have to. You cannot sit back and do nothing.

3. Keeping retail simple

A merchant is someone who has a passion for product that people want to buy.

Gordon Segal, Founder & Chairman, Crate and Barrel

The store should always be about the people and not just the merchandise.

Michael Gould, Chairman & CEO, Bloomingdales

4. Retailers have to understand the culture of their business

It is the DNA that really matters.

5. The digital revolution is now at a tipping point

"It's time to stop differentiating between the online and the offline world - your customers don't see it that way - everything is integrated."

Philipp Schindler, Vice President, Google

6. 60% of all purchases are now researched online

1 in 5 mobiles phones sold today are smart phones. eBay sells a product every 2 seconds.

7. "Too many retailers still don't get it." – Angela Ahrendts, CEO, Burberry

"When it comes to the multi channel world. Multi-disciplinary, cross-function initiatives - that is the reality of the digital world"

Mindy Grossman, CEO, HSN

8. Leading from the top

Leadership today is knowing when to let the new generation take control.

The graveyards are full of retail CEOs who thought they couldn't be replaced.

Heinz Kroger, Chairman, Esprit

9. Consumers

.. have moved from seeing value as price and discount and now see value as quality of merchandise and service.

10. Retailers in the BRIC economies are getting stronger and stronger

One day soon, they will look for opportunities internationally.