The World Retail Congress brings together the most senior retail industry leaders and influencers from around the world to learn, share, debate and discuss the issues that are shaping retailing. In working closely with those leading the industry, along with our Advisory Board, it is clear how much importance is placed on nurturing the talent within retail businesses that exist just a few levels below the Executive or Main Board.
The Retail Accelerator Programme over the three days has been designed to provide deep-dive sessions on topics critical for senior executives in retail businesses looking for a wider knowledge and understanding of the industry and also leadership issues.
The Programme is unique and invaluable - taught by a line-up of “Professors” from the retail industry who each have wide-ranging experience in running retail businesses at all levels and sectors.
The Retail Accelerator programme package:
- Aimed at senior executives in a retail business currently one or two levels below the Executive or Main Board
- Nominated by their senior management
- A special reduced delegate rate
- Limited to 50 participants
Tuesday 16th April: 10.00-12.00
Accelerator Workshop #1: Being a high-performance retail leader
Led by: Lucy Harris, Founding Partner, Altrua
Before this opening session of the Retail Accelerator programme, delegates will have the opportunity to meet and network over coffee with further opportunities during the mid-morning break.
Presentation 1 – The shape of the industry today
Our first Retail Accelerator Professor will give a high-energy deep-dive into the short to medium term forces that are shaping retailing and which the delegates will have to face into as they take on main board level roles. Followed by facilitated open discussion led by the Accelerator programme Professors.
Professor: Dr Ira Kalish, Chief Global Economist, Deloitte
Presentation 2 – Your personal considerations to become a high-performance retail leader
This session will be led by a top global motivational business coach. Highly interactive session to help you as you look towards the step up to the main Board and the wider responsibilities that brings in helping lead the whole company.
Professor: Alain Goudsmet, Founder, Mentally Fit. 20 years an Olympic and national coach before turning his attention and experience to business leaders in order to help them deliver personal and team excellence.
Presentation 3 – To be a purpose-driven leader
The next retail leaders will have to embrace the need to embed a genuine sense of purpose throughout the business and in the way it communicates with its customers and stakeholders. But they will also need to drive a desire for action and change in delivering challenging sustainability targets. Hear from a proven change-maker.
Professors:
Susan Viscon, VP & Executive Director, Path Ahead Ventures, REI
David Boynton, Former CEO, The Body Shop
Wednesday 17th April: 13.00-14.00
Accelerator Workshop #2: So how well do you think you know your customers?
Led by: Lucy Harris, Founding Partner, Altrua
As future leaders, it is vital to ensure that you but also the whole focus of the business is customer centric. This session, led by expert Retail Accelerator Professors will provide:
- Latest insight into future consumer trends
- Share unique insights into what a customer centric retailer should look like
- Provide the toolkit for putting the customer and customer data at the heart of the business
Professor: Beth-Ann Kaminkow, Global CEO, VMLY&R Commerce
Thursday 18th April: 14:00 - 15:00
Accelerator Workshop #3: Business transformation and change management
Led by: Lucy Harris, Founding Partner, Altrua
The pace of change across the global retail industry is unprecedented. And the only certainty is that today’s uncertain times are with us for the foreseeable future. Which means that today’s retail leaders have to become experts at focusing on the short, medium and long-term strategic and operational requirements of the business. This important session will introduce Retail Accelerator Professors who can share invaluable lessons and insights in driving change and transformation at all levels of retail.
Professor: Philip Mountford, Chair, Needle + Thread