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 TODAY. 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

Back in person in Rome after the pandemic, the 2022 World Retail Congress brought global retail leaders to spotlight sustainability, the return of physical stores and bold new retail models. 

2019

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

Pictured: Mark Rutte, Prime Minister, The Netherland

Global retail leaders explored how innovation, personalization, and partnerships are reshaping the industry. Speakers from Walmart, Kroger, and Yoox Net-a-Porter and more emphasized the urgent need to adapt to fast-changing consumer expectations. 

2018

MADRID, SPAIN

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

With the key theme “Innovate to  Win” challenged retailers to embrace new ideas and rethink operations. The gathering underscored that staying relevant means investing boldly in innovation, infrastructure and culture.

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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