World Retail Congress 2027

Put your brand at the heart of global retail leadership

Connect with CEOs, founders and C-suite decision-makers from across the global retail industry in a premium environment designed to create high-value relationships, meaningful conversations and commercial opportunities.

01

Connect with senior retail leaders

Meet the executives shaping the future of global retail face-to-face and build relationships with the people leading some of the world's most influential brands, businesses and emerging challengers.

02

Build high-value relationships

Position your business within a carefully curated Congress environment created for meaningful connection. World Retail Congress 2026 brought together more than 800 senior retail leaders from over 45 countries.

03

Turn visibility into commercial impact

From thought leadership and content to networking, experiences and high-impact brand visibility, the Congress team can create bespoke partnership opportunities around your business objectives.

Enquire about sponsorship

CONNECT DIRECTLY WITH RETAIL'S MOST POWERFUL LEADERS

World Retail Congress brings together the most senior and influential leaders from across the global retail industry. Sponsoring puts you front and centre of the CEOs, founders and C-suite executives driving the future of retail. Be in the room with the world’s most iconic brands, fastest-growing innovators and disruptive challengers.

This is a carefully curated environment where every conversation is high-value and every connection can spark meaningful business opportunities. Beyond established leaders, you’ll also meet the next generation of executives through our Accelerator Programme, those poised to shape the industry’s future.

By sponsoring, you place your brand at the centre of these powerful conversations, aligning yourself with retail’s decision-makers and ensuring you are part of the strategies and partnerships that will define the decade ahead.

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World Retail Congress 2026 Highlights

World Retail Congress 2026 brought together 800+ senior retail leaders from 45+ countries, creating powerful connections, fresh thinking and conversations that shaped the future of the industry.

Sponsorship gives your brand the opportunity to build relationships with decision-makers, showcase your expertise and stand out in a trusted global retail community.

Following the success of 2026, World Retail Congress 2027 is set to bring even more opportunities to connect, influence and grow.

Put your brand at the heart of the conversation.

ENQUIRE ABOUT SPONSORSHIP (opens in a new tab)


 

WORLD-CLASS IDEAS.

INDUSTRY-DEFINING RELATIONSHIPS.

Meet top c-suite executives from retail's most inspiring businesses face-to-face and develop lasting relationships that have real impact.

Get close to your target market in a curated environment that’s built for cultivating connections. World Retail Congress content is tailored with the involvement of our Advisory Board and community at all times, ensuring that the insights shared attract the most senior leaders in retail.

Secure millions in business through connections and conversations that start at the event. The World Retail Congress team are well-versed in devising bespoke solutions, with a range of potential opportunities, that will support your business objectives and ensure you are front-of-mind for retail's elite.

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HOW YOU CAN PARTNER WITH US

Partnerships with World Retail Congress are bespoke and tailored to your objectives and what will be of most benefit to our senior retail audience. Below you’ll find some of the ways that you can join in the conversation:

 

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Branding (opens in a new tab)

          

INSIGHT

KNOWLEDGE PARTNER
  • Partner with us to create a custom-built report aligned with one of our 2026 key pillars.
  • Benefit from a 3-month omnichannel marketing campaign, averaging 500 downloads per report.
  • Share your findings in a dedicated speaking slot within our curated programme.
  • Our 2025 Knowledge Partners were: AlixPartners | Deloitte | EY | Russell Reynolds Associates

CONTENT SESSION

  • Collaborate with our expert content team to develop a session aligned with one of our 2026 key pillars.

  • Benefit from a 3-month omnichannel marketing campaign that promotes your session across our platforms.

  • Present your insights in a dedicated speaking slot within our curated programme. and to this list

 

 

DIGITAL INSIGHT

  • Showcase your expertise through digital channels such as podcasts, reports, and newsletters.
  • Benefit from a 3-month omnichannel marketing campaign that amplifies your message.
  • Expect an extended reach through our digital channels and sustained engagement with the WRC community

 

 

CONNECTIONS

ACCELERATOR PROGRAMME

Gain exclusive access to tomorrow's retail leaders

  • Co-sponsor the highly valued and respected Accelerator Programme: tailored for leaders on the path to C-suite

  • Build relationships at the pivotal moment when influence and insight matter the most

  • Participate in a number of closed-door, private workshops led by industry icons and connect with the next generation of leaders.

BESPOKE PRIVATE FUNCTIONS

  • Host a bespoke private function with a guestlist of senior retailers

  • Bespoke events including breakfasts, luncheons, dinners and more can be hosted in special London locations to further build relationships that matter

  • Design a curated invitation process alongside the WRC team to provide a highly personalised experience to a targeted group of leaders

  • Connect and share a memorable experience 

 

FLAGSHIP RETAIL TOURS

  • Position yourself at the helm of our reimagined Flagship Tours, a highly acclaimed aspect of World Retail Congress.

  • Before the Congress commences, we take a group of retail leaders on a tailored tour of some of the most iconic retail concepts in our host city

  • Participants choose from a selection of behind-the-scenes visits to flagships across the city, to be led by senior leadership from the brand

 

BRANDING

SPEAKER & VIP LOUNGE

  • The Speaker and VIP Lounge, located in the main networking area of the show, is the main area for speakers to relax, prepare and network at World Retail Congress

  • Position yourself front-of-mind for these special attendees with branding and gifting opportunities

  • All Lounge users are “tapped-in”, giving you valuable data from the most senior attendees.

 

 

 

 

CONGRESS OPENING RECEPTION

Make your mark from the very first moment

  • Hosted in an exclusive Berlin venue, the Opening Reception offers a high-impact opportunity to position your brand at the heart of the Congress experience, capturing attention and building connections from the outset

  • This special reception brings together Congress attendees to relax and connect in a more informal atmosphere as they prepare for the days ahead 

  • From private areas to event activations, put a personal and memorable stamp on the event

LANYARDS & REGISTRATION

  • Open conversations and build name-recognition across the event

  • This highly coveted branding opportunity gives you the chance to connect your brand with the World Retail Congress experience for all attendees 

  • Providing something vital that our delegates need across the duration of the event, yours is a name that’s sure to be front of mind

 

 

 

 

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE?

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GUIDED BY GLOBAL LEADERS

The 2027 Advisory Board features visionaries including Judith McKenna (former Walmart International CEO), William Kim (Shinsegae International CEO), Gaston Bottazzini (El Corte Ingles CEO) and Jennifer Foyle (President, American Eagle Outfitters), ensuring the agenda addresses retail’s most urgent challenges.

The Advisory Board brings together retail’s most influential voices, ensuring the programme tackles the industry’s defining challenges and opportunities. By joining us in Milan, you gain direct access to the people shaping retail’s roadmap to 2030.