Attendee Portal

The World Retail Congress is taking place at the London, Hilton on Park Lane hotel. We recommend that you Book your stay in the London Hilton on Park Lane, where we have preferential rates for the venue for a limited time.

Address: London Hilton on Park Lane, 22 Park Lane, London, W1K 1BE, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 20 7493 8000

The event programme will be launched in December, however in the meantime you can explore the 2025 themes here

Each year, the World Retail Congress brings together a world-renowned collection of speakers, panelists and contributors to the stage to share stories of challenges and victories. This agenda of keynotes, panels and workshops is carefully crafted in order to allow delegates to be inspired, take away practical lessons for their business and dive into the subjects that matter most to them.  

Alongside its main agenda, the Congress is also home to a number of fringe programmes; events, sessions and tours that complement the learning happening elsewhere. These fringe programmes are designed for specific groups to connect, learn and share with each other – giving all attendees a more dynamic and personal experience of the Congress.  

In 2025, we are delighted to share that many fringe programmes have been expanded and developed with insight from our incredible advisory board and wider WRC community: 

Flagship Store Tours 

Physical retail is special. The joy of discovery, the deeper connection with a brand and the immersion in a shopping experience that cannot be replicated. And what better city than London to explore new, exciting developments in-store? 

In 2024, the World Retail Congress reinvented the “store tour”. Driven by guidance from our community, Flagship Store Tours were the result. These incredible, in-depth tours give attendees the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes at some of the world’s most iconic stores that are defining the industry. 

Participants choose from a selection of impressive flagships to visit and are greeted and guided through the store by their CEOs and senior executive teams. Taking place ahead of the official opening of the Congress on Monday 12th May, this programme is designed to spotlight the most inspirational in-store experiences in the city and allow attendees to truly see London retail like never before.  

This is a unique opportunity to put questions directly to the minds behind top retail businesses and get an unprecedented view of some of the most iconic retailers. 

Sign-up only. Spaces limited. Monday 12th May, 2:00 – 4:00pm 

Confirmed stores: 

Primark, led by Paul Marchant, CEO 

Tesco

Selfridges

More stores will be confirmed in due course

Accelerator Programme 

In working closely with those leading the industry, along with our Advisory Board, one thing that is clear is how important it is to nurture the talent within retail businesses that exists just a few levels below the Executive or Main Board.   

The World Retail Congress Accelerator Programme is a specially designed agenda for those senior executives within retail businesses looking for a wider knowledge and understanding of the industry and preparing for top leadership. In private, invitation-only sessions run alongside the main Congress agenda, delivered by a line-up of the top voices within the industry, participants in the Accelerator Programme will get a fast-track through lessons in running successful global businesses: from leadership advice from those who have been-there and done-it to specific workshops around transformation.  

This curated group will receive a truly incomparable education through behind-the-scenes access to leaders ready to share their years of experience and advice as well as a peer group of global executives to learn from and share with.  

Participants must be nominated and accepted on the programme. Spaces limited. 

Agenda to be released. 

Future Retail Challenge sponsored by Tendam

Each year, the Congress puts future retail talent at the heart of the event with a special competition based around a specific retail “challenge” which we set for teams of students from retail, fashion and business colleges from around the world. Over the years we have welcome teams from New York, London, Lille, Milan, Hong Kong, Amsterdam, Tokyo and Mumbai. Our panel of retail judges set the annual challenge which focuses on a relevant topic that resonates with all retail leaders. Up to six college teams work on their proposals addressing the challenge and then present them in an open session at the Congress. Every year, our audience are full of praise for the innovation, confidence and ideas that the Gen Z students bring together. Speak to any alumni from previous years, and they all say that their experience of competing and attending the World Retail Congress was personally and professionally transformational.  

Women in Retail 

The Women in Retail programme at World Retail Congress brings together top female retail executives to celebrate and champion the achievements of women in the industry, whilst facilitating mentoring and discussion. 

For the last nine years, the programme has consisted of the International Women in Retail networking reception, combining a wonderful venue such as the Burj al Arab in Dubai or the Dior flagship store in Paris with inspirational speakers. The evening is also highlighted by the presentation of the Woman of the Year Award.  

This award is presented to a remarkable woman within the industry who is leading from the front, supporting and championing other women in the industry and celebrates an inspirational career. Providing an exclusive, intimate and women-centered space at the heart of the World Retail Congress agenda, our Women in Retail reception is the ideal space to unwind and relax in the company of influential women making a difference in the industry.   

It is our goal for Congresses in the future to achieve gender parity on stage and off. We want more women within the industry to have a seat at the table, have their voices heard and be visible leaders. To achieve this, the Congress is dedicated to create spaces to provide support through networks, mentors and learning. 

Sign-up only. Spaces limited. Tuesday 13th May – 6:30pm. 

All sessions are scanned by World Retail Congress to evaluate their popularity and improve the content of our future events. All data is stored securely in compliance with the new GDPR regulations. 

If the session you attend is sponsored, your details may also be used by that sponsor, so they can contact you via email to share information about their products and services. If you would prefer that your data is not used by a World Retail Congress sponsor, please visit our customer care centre and talk to our team who will ensure that you are opted out.   

Please note that if your badge is scanned by a sponsor elsewhere across the event, they will separately hold your details on their database and may contact you in the future. If you wish for this not to occur, you may ask them not to scan your badge.

All attendees of World Retail Congress must register their details ahead of arriving onsite. If you have any issues with your registration, please contact natalie.wilkins@worldretailcongress.com 

If you wish to buy more passes, please contact Milan.Maksimovic@worldretailcongress.com