• Programme Overview
• Day 1
• Day 2
• Day 3
• World Retail Hall of Fame
• Retail Futures Challenge
• Retail Study Tours

Day Two - Thursday 20 September 2012

07.45-08.45
The secrets of compelling retail for a new world order
As shops are increasingly used as showrooms for online purchases, how do you drive footfall AND convert sales on the spot? How do you increase share of basket and margin in a landscape ravaged by recession? What are the implications for packaging as a sales driver if the first moment of truth is no longer on shelf but in the home? Answers to these questions and many more, from the Chairman of ‘The world's most effective brand consultancy’!
Jonathan Sands OBE, Chairman, Elmwood

Driving Existing Revenue Growth Through Foot Traffic
International retailers are using people counting systems to gain a competitive advantage using foot traffic and sales conversion as key indicators. Do you know what proportion of shoppers are turned into buyers across your portfolio of stores? Could you be making more informed decisions about marketing, staffing, site selection and training? This session will focus on the uses of traffic to monitor performance and will highlight how incremental changes in sales conversion can have a multiplying effect on revenue growth. 
Presentation by Todd Starcevich, CEO, ShopperTrak EMEA
Followed by panel discussion

 

09.00-10.30
Plenary session

 

09.00-09.45
Keynote presentation
Innovate or die: putting creativity at the heart of the retail master plan
Shortlisted in the 2011 Thinkers50 list of the world's most original management thinkers, Fons Trompenaars, Co-founder of Trompenaars Hampden-Turner Consulting, has worked with some of the biggest brands and companies to help them understand today's complex world. The World Retail Congress welcomes this inspirational speaker to deliver a powerful message around the growing importance of innovation and creativity.
Presentation by Fons Trompenaars, Co-Founder, Trompenaars Hampden-Turner Consulting

 

09.45-10.30
The digital revolution gathers pace: but who is maximising its momentum?
Retailers know that they have to embrace the digital revolution and many have been re-engineering and refocusing their businesses. Others remain slow to see the radical changes being brought about by new technologies and new channels such as mobile. Welcoming back one of Google's outstanding speakers and experts on the implications of these changes for retail, this keynote will provide delegates with concrete examples of who and how is going to win over the next few years.
Keynote presenter: Dan Cobley, Managing Director, Google UK
Followed by panel discussion
Nick Robertson, Chief Executive, ASOS

 

10.30-11.00
Networking break

 

11.00-12.30
The Retail Futures Challenge Final
Now in its fourth year, the Retail Futures Challenge is a highlight of the Congress. The competing 7 teams of students from around the world will present their ideas for a brand new retail launch that starts without the hindrance of any legacy formats but instead embraces the latest market trends and future forecasts. This session will inspire and excite delegates with fresh thinking, ideas and confidence displayed by the future leaders of the retail industry.

 

12.30-14.00
Lunch break and networking

World Retail Hall of Fame exclusive lunch
Honouring the 2012 inductees into the World Retail Hall of Fame. Strictly by invitation only.

 

14.00-15.15
Choice of 5 sessions, including a special digital and m-commerce workshop in Customer Experience Lab within the networking area

 

Session 1
Consumer insight and emerging shopper trends: how to win, retail and delight your customer
In light of the impact of economic uncertainty and price sensitivity, as well as the advance of both online and mobile channels, how is customer shopping behaviour changing? This panel of high-profile retailers and thought-leaders will debate winning strategies for delivering meaningful brand experiences as well as savvy promotions across a multitude of touch-points for the socially and digitally connected customer.
Manel Adell, Chief Executive, Desigual
Elizabeth Fagan, Marketing Director, Alliance Boots
Dave Cheesewright, President and Chief Executive, Wal-Mart EMEA

 

Session 2
Country focus - India
Unstoppable momentum or more obstacles along the way? India's next retail revolution
The long hoped-for liberalisation of foreign direct investment rules is beginning to happen. But will this lead to a major new expansion of modern retailing across India with a new influx of international operators or will this huge and complex country continue to slow-down the pace of change? Leading Indian retailers provide their unique perspective.
Chaired by Arvind Singhal, Chairman, Technopak
Panellists include:
Mehul Choksi, CEO, Gitanjali Group
Sachin Marya, Group CEO, Franchise India

 

Session 3
Luxury retailing: a bubble waiting to burst or a sustainable wave?
The luxury market continues to deliver growth on the back of rising consumer demand. Interest is also being shown increasingly by investors as shown by rising M&A activity from the emerging markets as well as mature financial markets. What are viewed as the success criteria for sustainable luxury brand growth and what can other retail sectors learn from luxury retailers?
Chaired by Gilbert Harrison, Chairman, Financo
Panellists include:
Gianluca Barzzotti, CEO, Roberto Cavalli
Maurizio Barlotti, Chairman, Printemps and Barlotti Group

 

Session 4
Preparing for the omni-channel world: how retailers are delivering brand consistency and channel excellence
As retailers recognise the challenges of adjusting their business to serve their customers in an omnichannel world, this session brings together retailers with different experiences and insight. Together they will provide a clearer picture of how re-focussed businesses coupled with new and radical approaches can point the way forward.  How should retailers approach the different digital channels? And how do they fit with an existing store portfolio? A highly interactive session with latest research from Google coupled with retail case studies.
Chaired by Peter Fitzgerald, Director of Retail, Technology and Business markets, Google UK
Panellists include:
Demet Mutlu, Founder and CEO, Trendyol.com
Fritz Friedrich Fleischmann: Global Director, Retailer Services, GfK
Mike Shearwood, Chief Executive, Aurora Fashions

 

Session 5
Digital workshop in Customer Experience Lab
Reaching your customers via the latest online tools and channels
This special interactive workshop, led by channel experts, will provide real insight and practical demonstrations of the latest developments in online.
FOUR STUDENTS FROM RETAIL FUTURES CHALLENGE TALK ABOUT HOW THEY SHOP AND USE DIGITAL MEDIA

Exclusive Workshop
A unique opportunity to be involved in an intimate question and answer workshop with Fons Trompenaars. Following on from his keynote presentation Fons will answer specific questions from the audience and provide greater depth about his experience and insights.
Invitation only - limited to 50-60 people

 

15.15-15.30
Refreshment break and networking

 

15.30-16.45
Plenary Session
Defining the future: the world not as we know it
A high-profile panel of the world's most iconic retailers will share their views on retailing and the consumer of the future.
Marc Bolland, Chief Executive Marks & Spencer

 

16.45
Close of day 2 to leave time for travel to Royal Courts of Justice for 2012 Oracle World Retail Awards gala dinner including honouring of 2012 World Retail Hall of Fame inductees.

 

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