Since 2007, World Retail Congress has been the global meeting place for retail’s most influential leaders. Each year, the Congress brings together senior executives from across the industry for three days of cutting-edge insight, strategic thinking and high-impact networking.

Designed for leaders navigating a fast-changing landscape, the programme tackles the most critical issues facing retail today and tomorrow. It features fresh perspectives not just from inside retail, but from the worlds of economics, academia, politics and NGOs.

With a new host city each year, the 2026 edition will take place in Berlin, where global decision-makers will come together to build connections and shape the future of retail.

     

WHO ATTENDS? 

Geographic attendance

 

 

Each year, World Retail Congress welcomes the most powerful and influential executives from the retail industry. Sit alongside CEOs from companies turning over $2bn -$50bn+ a year, who account for 77% of our audience.

Turnover of Retail Companies Attending World Retail Congress 2025:

  • $50BN+ = 20% 
  • $10BN–$50BN = 16%
  • $2BN–$10BN = 41%
  • $500M–$2BN= 16%
  • <$500M = 7%

RETAIL'S ROADMAP TO 2030:

WINNING CUSTOMERS TOAY. SECURING THE FUTURE.

The World Retail Congress returns to Berlin in 2026, a city full of inspirational retail concepts, to identify and discuss the opportunities that will set those at the top of the industry apart. As we plan the retail roadmap to 2030, solving the challenges of today and strategizing for tomorrow, we would love you to be part of the conversation. 

LEGENDARY SPEAKERS WHO HAVE TAKEN TO THE STAGE

Since 2007, World Retail Congress has welcomed a truly outstanding list of senior retailers from across the globe. Take a look at just a few who have graced the stage.


 

PREVIOUS EDITIONS

2025

LONDON, UNITED KINGDON

2025 saw the World Retail Congress return to London, a bustling retail capital, home to some of the world's most exciting retail concepts. Our theme focused on Faster, Bolder, Smarter: The New Retail Growth Drivers, pushing delegates to focus on the new drivers of growth in the industry and taking their organisations to the next level.


 

2024

PARIS, FRANCE

2024 took the World Retail Congress to one of the most exciting retail captials of the world in their Olympic year. Conversations centred around High Performance Retail, allowing delegates to dive into stories of retailers truly performing at the top of their category. 

2023

BARCELONA, SPAIN

Building on a exhilarating return to an in-person Congress in 2022 in Rome, Barcelona 2023 did not disappoint. Retail leaders from 32 countries, representing 6 continents explored, debated and devised strategies around the four core pillars - Resilient Retail, Purposeful Retail, Transformational Retail and Customer-Focused Retail.

 

2022

ROME, ITALY

Pictured: Ron Johnson, Founder & CEO, Enjoy

2019

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

Pictured: Mark Rutte, Prime Minister, The Netherland

2018

MADRID, SPAIN

Pictured: Laura J. Alber, CEO, Williams-Sonoma

CONGRESS RESEARCH & INSIGHTS

To ensure attendees come away with actionable intel, exclusive research reports are published each year around the key themes and challenges.

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Adapting to a New Growth Path for Retail
Download the EY and World Retail Congress Report Now The retail industry stands at a turning point. The world’s most forward-thinking retailers are embracing bold strategies to reinvent how they grow. …
Beyond the hype: Realising AI’s Potential in Retail
Download the AlixPartners and World Retail Congress Report Now The retail industry stands at the precipice of great change, and there is no turning back. In the next year, the choices you make around …
Chairman's Review 2024
The World Retail Congress wrapped up in April 2024, seeing industry giants including Alexandre Bompard, Group CEO, Carrefour, Nicolas Houzé, CEO, Galeries Lafayette, Janet Hayes, CEO, Crate and Barrel …
Chairman’s Review 2023
The World Retail Congress wrapped up in April 2023, seeing industry giants including Professor Scott Galloway of NYU Stern School of Business, Jennifer Foyle of AE & Aerie, Stuart Machin of M&S and Do …
Disrupt or Be Disrupted
This report by AlixPartners and World Retail Congress explores one of the 2024 Congress pillars 'Winning Business models'. A powerful combination of forces is disrupting retail. The digital revolution …
Future Business Models
How can you ensure sustainable growth? In the latest report from World Retail Congress, in partnership with OC&C, discover which are the successful retail business models today and in the future, crea …
How to Build and Retain the Future Retail Workforce
Retail businesses will be facing strong headwinds for years to come and employers will now need to think very differently about their workforce if they are to thrive in the new trading environment. In …
Investing in the Future
In this new report from Boston Consulting Group and World Retail Congress, one of the five congress themes is explored 'Winning with Innovation' and how that can be done. Social media where shoppers m …
Purposeful Retail Report
World Retail Congress and Deloitte, with real-life case studies from Google Cloud, have devised an in-depth report, diving into new and innovative ways retailers are driving sustainability using the l …
Retail Reimagined
This years report from Deloitte and World Retail Congress explore one of the five themes for the 2024 Congress 'Winning with Customers'. In luxury retail, customer experience has always been paramount …
Supply Chain 2024
Your peers’ top supply chain and tech investment priorities How retailers are innovating Exclusive ranking of retailers and brands Case studies from JD Sports, New Look and more... Get Instant Access …
The Global Innovation Report: 18 Retailers Blazing a Trail
Produced by Retail Week and World Retail Congress, The Global Innovation Report takes a detailed look at retailers and brands spanning 18 international markets for inspiration on new thinking, technol …
Transformational Retail Report
World Retail Congress is partnering with AlixPartners, a global management consulting firm, on a research study about digital transformation. Discover all of the illuminating findings from the survey …
Why Inclusive Leadership Matters Now More Than Ever
Download the Russell Reynolds Associates and World Retail Congress Report Now In a time of transformation, retail needs bold, inclusive leadership. This powerful new report from Russell Reynolds Assoc …
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