A Global Forum for Retail Leadership

Since 2007, World Retail Congress has brought together the global retail leadership community, connecting CEOs, C-suite executives and influential voices from across the industry. In 2027, the Congress heads to Milan, a city where fashion, luxury, design, technology and creativity comes together.

Across three days in Milan, leaders will gain fresh perspectives on innovation, consumer behaviour, AI, growth and transformation, while connecting with the people shaping what comes next. The Congress will bring together the insight, experiences and conversations that matter most to retail leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.

Following the 2026 Congress in Berlin, explore the conversations and insights that shaped the last edition, and look ahead to the ideas, connections and opportunities that await in Milan.

2026 HIGHLIGHTS

Experience the energy of World Retail Congress 2026, where global retail leaders connected in Berlin to share strategies and shape the future of retail.

Join us in Milan 2027 to be part of the Retail Roadmap to 2030.

 


 

PREVIOUS EDITIONS

2026

BERLIN, GERMANY

In 2026, World Retail Congress headed to Berlin, one of Europe’s most influential retail destinations and a city renowned for its bold, creative and fast-moving retail scene. From established global brands to emerging concepts and innovative new formats, Berlin provided the perfect backdrop for a Congress focused on the forces reshaping retail and the new opportunities for growth.


 

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.

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%

JOIN THE PREMIER MEETING PLACE FOR GLOBAL RETAIL LEADERS

Drive faster, bolder, smarter growth at your organisation. 

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.


 

DISCOVER WHAT DELEGATES EXPLORED IN BERLIN 2026

The sessions, speakers and insights that shaped the next wave of retail.

 

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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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 …
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