The 2026 Programme

09:15–09:20 Loading profile...	Chair’s Welcome Address Darren Sanderson-Williams, Specsavers Loading profile...
08:45–09:15	Registration
09:20–09:50	Retail Opening Address: Strategy with purpose – adapting to a volatile and unpredictable world Our opening keynote speaker will explore how retail leaders are navigating macroeconomic pressures, balancing cost and innovation, and shifting from survival mode to growth through smarter, more purposeful technology and digital investment strategies. Macro pressures, cost management, and resilience From survival to growth: leadership priorities Hybrid models and smarter digital investment
09:50–10:30	Retail Insights Panel: Relevance, loyalty, and the new commercial logic for growth Our expert panel of speakers will examine how retailers are redefining loyalty and relevance in a rapidly evolving market, including the role of AI in personalisation, customer acquisition and retention, and why traditional brand loyalty can no longer be taken for granted. Loyalty isn’t dead – kill or cure? AI in digital marketing: acquisition, personalisation, retention Why brand loyalty can no longer be assumed
10:30–11:00	Morning Coffee & Networking
11:00–11:45	Retail Experts Panel: International expansion strategy – growth, grit, and global vision This session explores how retailers are scaling internationally, balancing global ambition with local nuance, and using technology, marketplaces and AI to drive sustainable growth in new markets. Scaling internationally with local nuance Marketplace strategies for global growth Tech and AI to drive marketplace scale
11:45–12:30	Retail Mega Panel: Partnerships & new revenue models under margin pressure A deep dive into how retailers are unlocking new revenue streams through partnerships, retail media and data collaboration, while navigating tightening margins and evolving commercial ecosystems. Retail media evolution and 'non-traditional' formats Data collaboration and commerce media opportunity Partner ecosystems: brands, retailers, agencies
12:30–13:00	Retail Fireside Chat: The CFO perspective – building the business case This practical discussion from a finance lens, will explore how to articulate the value of technology investments, manage operational realities and successfully build the business case for innovation. Communicating value to finance Inventory pressures and operational realities Navigating peak season challenges
13:00–13:45	Lunch & Networking
13:45–14:15	Retail Spotlight: Bridging stores and systems – unified commerce in action This session brings unified commerce to life, showcasing how retailers are connecting physical and digital operations to create seamless customer journeys and more agile, integrated business models. Transitioning to unified commerce Connecting digital and physical retail strategies
14:15–15:00	Retail Showcase Panel: Retail tech meets human reality This discussion will be an exploration of how technology is being embedded into retail organisations, focusing on empowering store teams, balancing automation with human connection and ensuring successful adoption at every level. Embedding AI into organisations and culture Empowering store teams with technology Balancing automation with human connection
15:00–15:15	Afternoon Coffee & Networking
15:15–15:45	Retail Fireside Chat: AI, people, and the future operating model This session examines how AI is reshaping operating models, from workforce transformation to organisational design, and why investing in people is critical to unlocking the full potential of AI. Agentic AI and workforce transformation AI-enabled teams and organisational design Investing in people to accelerate adoption
15:45–16:30	Retail Insights Panel: Execution - turning strategy into measurable ROI Our panel of speakers explore how to translate strategy into tangible outcomes, with insights on smart digital investment, employee engagement and delivering customer experiences that drive measurable. Smart digital investments that deliver results Employee engagement and frontline feedback loops Customer experience: why basics still win
16:30	Chair’s Closing Summary