The insights below are drawn from the World Retail Congress 2025 End of Year Report, bringing together key themes and perspectives from across the industry. The full report is also available on this page, offering the complete analysis and strategic context shaping retail in 2026.
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The top new stores of 2025
08 Dec 2025
John Ryan, Managing Director, Newstores
Which were the most outstanding new stores of 2025? We asked store design expert, John Ryan, Managing Director, Newstores, for his annual selection of the very best from around the world.
Five of the Best: AI Case Studies Transforming Retail in 2025
08 Dec 2025
True Global
If 2024 was the year retailers began seriously exploring what AI could do, 2025 became the year they demanded evidence. Across the industry, leaders are shifting from experimentation to accountability …
Singles’ Day’s New Springboards for Growth
04 Dec 2025
Deborah Weinswig - Coresight Research
China’s Singles’ Day which Alibaba helped develop into one of the world’s biggest shopping festivals is widely recognized as being the launch pad for new online initiatives and technologies. We asked …
Best Holiday Windows of 2025
04 Dec 2025
International Association of Department Stores
The World Retail Congress is proud to be working in partnership again with the International Association of Department Stores to bring together the annual review of this year’s Holiday windows from ar …
The Big Interview: Helena Helmersson
04 Dec 2025
Helena Helmersson, the former CEO of H&M, was one of the most highly rated speakers from this year’s World Retail Congress. Her passion for the industry, her experience working in many markets and her …
Best AI Implementations 2025
04 Dec 2025
Jon Stine
Artificial intelligence emerged in 2025 as a priority topic for retail executives. For the best in the industry, AI in 2025 was more about value creation and less about technology.
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A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE FORCES SHAPING GLOBAL RETAIL
World Retail Congress' 2025 End of Year Report brings together data, analysis and expert insight to help senior leaders understand the shifts in consumer behaviour, technology adoption and market performance that will define the year ahead.
Use it to benchmark your strategy, identify emerging opportunities and pressure-test your priorities for 2026.
