Event News

RETAIL CONGRESS ANNOUNCES LATEST GLOBAL SPEAKERS

- Allan Leighton (George Weston), Phil Wrigley (New Look), Bob Willett (Best Buy International), Bijou Kurien (Reliance Retail), Philip Clarke (Tesco International) and John Donahoe (eBay Inc) join prestigious speaker roll call for World Retail Congress –

Organisers have today announced the latest leading industry figures that will join a prestigious line up of 100 speakers when the World Retail Congress convenes at the CCIB International Conference Centre in Barcelona from 6 to 8 May 2009.
 
Allan Leighton, Deputy Chairman of George Weston, John Donahoe, President and COO of eBay, Bijou Kurien, President and CEO Lifestyle Division of Reliance Retail, Philip Clarke, CEO of Tesco International, Phil Wrigley, Executive Chairman of New Look, John Demsey, Group President of Estee Lauder Group of Companies, and Bob Willett, CEO of Best Buy International, have all joined the roll call of retail luminaries that will lead the debate on a wide range of business critical issues during the Congress.

As businesses throughout the globe continue to battle the toughest economic conditions in recent memory, it becomes increasingly clear that as the current business challenges are the direct consequence of a new integrated global economy, so too are the solutions.  Retailers can no longer afford to operate or think in isolation, and will congregate in Barcelona to collectively debate the strategies that will see them safely through the consumer spending famine and position their businesses for long term stability and growth.

The World Retail Congress has welcomed more than 2,000 retail leaders since its launch in 2007, and has quickly established itself as one of the most important events in the retail calendar.  This year, the discussions promise to be the most challenging yet, as retailers address a wide range of business critical issues, such as driving growth in international markets, the science behind innovation, the people agenda, e-commerce, the changing consumer and maximising business efficiencies.

The programme has been set in extensive consultation with the industry and the Congress Advisory Board, which includes some of the era's most inspirational retailers, ranging from O Boticario to Myer, Mango, Harvey Nichols, Tesco, and Gap.

The World Retail Congress is organised by Emap Communications, in association with key sponsor, Deloitte.

For further information, please contact FD:
Victoria Wallin, + 44 (0)20 7269 9360
Tanya Bolton, +44 (0)20 7269 7296
Or email wrcenquiries@fd.com

Notes to editors:

WORLD RETAIL CONGRESS 
Created in direct response to the demands of retailers, and supported by major international players including Tesco, Carrefour, Ikea, Alshaya, and Best Buy, the World Retail Congress will once again bring together the world’s retail leaders for high-level debate with international policy makers.

The aim is to drive growth in the global retail economy, promote the benefits of global retail excellence and gain sustainable, competitive edge in domestic and international markets. With thousands of key retail professionals and politicians expected to attend, the focus will be on discussing and influencing the issues for change.  Further details are available online at www.worldretailcongress.com or by emailing info@worldretailcongress.com.