Morning – Afternoon

Flagship Store Tours 

• CEO-led, behind-the-scenes visits to Berlin’s most innovative retail concepts

• Five curated tour themes: Technology, High Street, Modern Choice, Everyday Innovation and Food

• Limited-capacity experiences designed for practical, real-world learning

Afternoon – Evening

Congress Opening Reception

• Hosted at an exclusive Berlin retail location

• Informal networking with senior global retail leaders

• Official start of World Retail Congress 2026

Morning

Main Stage Sessions Begin

• CEO and C-suite keynotes

• Strategic insights aligned to the Retail Roadmap to 2030

• Themes include growth, innovation, customer insight and leadership

All Day

Accelerator Programme 

• Closed-door leadership sessions for future C-suite leaders

• Focus on strategy, technology and leadership development

Afternoon

Breakout Sessions & Workshops

• Interactive discussions and deep dives

• Exclusive research presentations

• Peer-led learning and benchmarking

 

Evening

International Women in Retail Reception

• Celebrating senior female leaders across global retail

• Networking, mentoring and presentation of the Woman of the Year Award

Morning

Main Stage Sessions Continue

• Forward-looking insights on AI, innovation and global retail trends

• Perspectives from leading retailers, economists and industry experts

Afternoon

Final Breakouts & Networking

• Practical takeaways to inform post-Congress strategy

• Curated peer-to-peer connections

 

Evening

World Retail Congress Hall of Fame Dinner

• Exclusive, invitation-only event

• Honouring three of retail’s most influential leaders

• On-stage reflections from inductees on leadership and legacy