Programme

Opening Keynote Session
The Asia Pacific market–Economic overview
Following a period of sustained growth and an explosion of international investment the Asian retail market has not been immune to the global economic crisis. Yet as retail markets around the world begin to show signs of recovery is Asia well placed to capitalise? This dynamic opening session will see a panel of experts and leading retailers review the economic outlook, the long term impact of the global recession on the Asian markets, and the projected growth and opportunities for expansion in the region.  

•  What is the impact of the global recession on Asia’s consumer markets in both emerging and developed countries and how will that consumer change?
• Lessons gleamed from the collapse of the Japanese market in 1990’s and what can be learned? 

Business Streams
Option 1: Emerging Markets of Asia  Whilst China and India are established as the key emerging markets in the region, there remains significant opportunity and potential in the region. Whilst some markets have seen a significant slow down there remains significant opportunity for expansion.  Vietnam has long been touted as a prime retail market and Indonesia and Thailand are showing increased sophistication and popularity. This session will review which markets are primed for growth, the impact on the Asian market and how retailers can capitalise?

Option 2: Future of Retail in Asia –the role of Western and Asian retailers The last ten years have witnessed a huge increase in international retailers entering the Asian retail market as they strive to take advantage of an upwardly mobile consumer, and improved distribution. Asian retailers have focused on mirroring western retailer’s formats and structures.  As the market grapples with the global recession, what does the future hold? 

• Will the Asian market continue to be an attractive investment opportunity for international retail and how should Asian retailers respond? 
• Is international competition a challenge or an opportunity for Asian retailers?   This panel of retailers both international and Asian will review the changing landscape of Asia, the emerging centres of growth and the impact of the new consumer on the retail market.

Business Streams
Option 1: India Focus: the Challenges and opportunities  As India has elected a more liberal government there is widespread optimism from both and domestic and international retailers that there will be a relaxation of FDI rules.  Thus the Indian market presents a huge opportunity for retailers. Yet the global economic crisis has dampened consumer sentiment and the cost of prime retail space has dropped by 20/30% in the last 6 months.  

• Foreign v domestic retail –Who will be the key benefactors?
• The changing demographics of the Indian consumer 
• The impact of India on the Asian Pacific retail market 

This session will review the challenges and opportunities that the market faces and review the future of retail in India and what this means for Asia.

Option 2: China Focus: The Challenges, opportunities and changing consumer  As the market continues to show growth and equity investment increases, the Chinese region represents a huge opportunity in the Asian retail market. This session will review the changing face of retail in China, the opportunities it presents and the impact on the retail market in Asia Pacific. A panel of retailers and experts will discuss: 

• The changing demographics of the Chinese Consumer and how retailers must respond 
• Creating a culture of ‘consumerism’ in China 
• Retail Formats and the future of mega mall retailing 
• Creating Chinese ‘superbrands’ 
• Retail expansion into Tier 1, 2 and 3 cities 

Plenary Session
The Changing face of the Asian Consumer 
Asian demographics have undergone seismic changes in recent years.  Consumers are becoming more affluent and sophisticated and demand more from retail businesses. The emergence of an aspirational middle–class and mass market retail has fundamentally changed the retail landscape in Asia. Retailers increasingly need to place the consumer at the heart of their business strategy in order to succeed. As western retailers with sophisticated consumer strategies enter the market customer centric retailing is paramount. This session will review the changing face of the Asian consumer and how retailers must respond in order to survive. 

• Exploring young upwardly mobile demographics of the Asian Consumer 
• Looking beyond the label: The demand for value and the cost conscious consumer 
• Redefining the retail market and the personalisation of shopping in Asia 
• Capturing the emerging middle class as loyal customers 
• The trend towards personalisation and customisation 

Business Streams
Option 1: Creating and sustaining Asian Super brands
As the Asian market becomes more competitive and the consumer more sophisticated it is essential that retailers focus on branding and marketing.  As retailers increase advertising spend and western retailers with sophisticated marketing strategies, it is essential that retailers adopt a best in class marketing strategy buck’ This session will review: 

• Creating and maintaining brands that appeal directly to the needs, values, and aspirations of Asian consumers
• Creating brand differentiation in an emerging and established retail market
• Using customer data to drive retail experience and merchandising strategy
• Maximising advertising budget to improve customer sentiment in a challenged market
• Creating Asian brands for the Asian consumer
  

Option 1: The business of luxury 
The Asian consumer has historically had an insatiable appetite for luxury goods with Asia providing the world’s largest luxury market. Yet has the global downturn irrevocably changed the face of luxury retail in Asia? A panel of experts will explore the evolving luxury market, the Asian consumer psyche and the future of luxury in Asia. 

• How will the shift in consumer demographics challenge the luxury retail markets? 
• Will China overtake Japan as the leading luxury markets?
• Is there room for a luxury Asian brand for Asian consumers? 
• Capturing the aspiring middle class in Asia 
• Creating the ultimate shopping experience

Business Stream
Option 2: World Class Retail Destinations 
Prior to the economic downturn the retail property market in Asia had witnessed dramatic development.  Retailers embraced new formats and the popularity of the ‘mega mall’ spread across the continent and destination shopping was embraced by the Asian consumer.  The region is home to some of the world’s largest malls and retail developments, yet there is a huge excess capacity exacerbated by the economic situation.  

• What is the future of retail property in the region is the excess space a threat or an opportunity? 
• How will the property developers respond? 

This session will review the world–class retail developments of Asia, and the future of retail formats in the region.

Option Two:  Sourcing and Supply Chain 
In order to compete and offer world class retail destinations Asia needs to ensure it has world class supply chain facilities. This session will explore:  

• The consumer demand for western products and the challenges of a global supply chain
• China and India: retail and distribution challenges that leading companies face in operating in these markets
• Running truly ethical and sustainable supply chains
• Supply chain cost and risk management 
• Promoting Asia as a destination of choice for global sourcing   

Plenary Session
Multichannel or bust: Capitalising on the online opportunity
The value of internet retail in Asia Pacific retail is set to double by 2012.To capitalise on this opportunity retailers must ensure they have an effective multichannel strategy and the infrastructure to support a growing online operation. True multichannel integration is fundamental to success, yet to many retailers it remains the holy–grail. This session will review the opportunity and provide you with the knowledge to align your business for multichannel success in the Asian Market. 

• How is the multichannel and ecommerce opportunity developing in Asia?
• What is the potential prize and value to the retail market in Asia?
• What does the future e–commerce and multi–channel landscape in Asia hold?
• Creating engaging, innovative and personalised shopping environments 
• Who will be the key players–international players, local start–ups or both? 

Closing Address
A new order in Asian retail
As the world’s largest producer and consumer the eyes of the world are firmly focused on Asia. As the economy recovers from the global downturn what will be the future of retail in Asia? This closing session lead by a leading futurist and featuring a panel of retailers will define the new order in Asian retail 

• What will be the impact of the changing consumer? 
• Who will be the key players in the new Asian order?
• Will investment continue in Convenience stores, hypermarkets? 
• What comes after luxury: what retail sectors will fuel growth in the next decade? 
• What innovations will take place? 
• How will the multichannel growth affect retail market? 
• How can retailers harness innovation to ensure Asia remains a world class retail market?