The Programme for 2027 coming July '26

Registration

Chair’s welcome address

Giles Smith, Independent Digital Product & Technology Advisor 

Opening keynote: State of the Nation for Retail Marketing

Marketing leaders explore the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the industry. From changing consumer expectations and AI to investment priorities and growth strategies, this session will provide a practical view of what's driving retail marketing today and what lies ahead.

Retail Showcase Panel: Growth under pressure

As marketing budgets come under greater scrutiny, the pressure to demonstrate value has never been higher. This session explores how leading retailers are delivering growth in challenging conditions, proving marketing effectiveness, refining their media mix and building confidence at board level. Hear practical strategies for measuring impact, strengthening attribution, balancing brand and performance investment, and ensuring every pound spent contributes to clear commercial outcomes.

Morning coffee and networking break

Insights Panel: Retail media, commerce media and measurable customer attention

Retail media is rapidly becoming one of the most important growth opportunities for retailers. This panel explores how retailers are using first-party data, commerce media and retail media networks to create new revenue streams, deliver more relevant customer experiences and demonstrate measurable marketing impact. Join industry leaders as they discuss the future of customer attention, the role of data and measurement, and how retailers can turn audience insight into meaningful commercial growth.

Retail Mega Panel: CRM, loyalty and personalisation

In an increasingly competitive market, retaining customers is just as important as acquiring them. This session explores how retailers are using CRM, loyalty programmes and personalisation to strengthen relationships, increase customer lifetime value and drive long-term growth. Hear how leading brands are balancing data, consent and segmentation with meaningful, value-led communication that builds trust, engagement and loyalty.

Lunch and networking break

Retail Spotlight: AI in retail marketing

AI is transforming every aspect of retail marketing, from content creation and creative optimisation to personalisation and operational efficiency. This session explores how retailers are using AI to streamline workflows, improve campaign performance and deliver more relevant customer experiences, while maintaining the governance, transparency and controls needed to use the technology responsibly and at scale.

Social Selling Guru Panel: Social, influencer and creator commerce

Social platforms are now powerful retail channels, driving both brand engagement and measurable revenue. This session explores how retailers are working with influencers, creators and affiliate partners to reach new audiences, build trust and convert attention into sales. Hear how leading brands are approaching creator partnerships, measuring performance, ensuring accountability and developing social commerce strategies that deliver real commercial results.

Afternoon coffee and networking break

Retail Mega Panel: Enhancing customer engagement - Brand, trust and customer experience

As consumers become more selective and value-conscious, brand trust has never been more important. This session explores how retailers are strengthening customer relationships through distinctive brand positioning, exceptional customer experiences and transparent communication. Join retail leaders as they discuss balancing pricing pressures with customer expectations, building long-term loyalty and creating experiences that keep customers coming back.

Unified Customer Data and Revenue Growth

Customer data platforms (CDPs), identity, customer insight, measurement, personalisation and revenue acceleration.

Retailers have more customer data than ever before, yet many still struggle to turn insight into measurable commercial value. This session explores how leading brands are connecting customer data, technology and marketing execution to create a single view of the customer, improve decision-making and drive profitable growth. From CDPs and customer intelligence to predictive analytics, personalisation and measurement, panellists will discuss the strategies, technologies and organisational changes helping marketing teams deliver better customer experiences and stronger business outcomes.

Chair's closing summary