The Retail Conference 2012 Agenda

We will publish the final agenda by 1st September 2012, to view the outline agenda for the day see the link on the right.

The Retail Conference asks registered delegates to personalise their own agenda for the day, based on the options offered. This means you can create a day uniquely tailored to your interests and objectives, making best use of your time.

You will have the opportunity to participate in:

• Up to 5 of 10 Workshops - to delve a little deeper into specific topics
• Up to 15 Keynote Seminars - to hear from retail expert speakers sharing insights and real-life case studies from their own experiences.
• An Interactive Panel Discussion - exploring relevant, current issues with the expert panellists

The Retail Conference 2012: Agenda Template

Global Retail: Theme for The Retail Conference 2012

As 2012 is the year when London hosts the Olympics we've chosen the theme of 'Global Retailing'. On their registration forms many of the 2011 delegates stated that their biggest challenge was international expansion. As a result The Retail Conference 2012 will focus on this as our main theme for the day.

Based on feedback from delegates we will focus on 3 topics:

1. Global Retail Expansion: With the UK saturated and many retailers seeing like for like declines, UK retailers are looking to other markets for growth.
2. Global Consumer: Looking at the importance of the global shopper, tourist spend, and the international customers to UK retailers. We'll review the impact of the 2012 London Olympics on UK retailers and discuss how retailers now have to consider a 'globally connected consumer' thanks to the increasing take up of mobile technology and easy access to social media. We'll reflect on how a truly successful global retailers are the sum of many local success and how those how thrive have balanced retailing in a global economy whilst still presenting a relevant local offer in each community they serve.
3. Global Supply Chains: Retailers have long taken advantage of global supply chains, but with rising raw materials, labour, and shipping costs, will that continue to be viable? How can retailers secure supply sources at best price, best quality, most flexibility and with least environmental impact?

With this content we can focus on both the core commercial retail practices AND future developments and opportunities. A great agenda is shaping up...