2025 Preliminary Agenda:
Retail's Power Players. One Critical Moment

Uncertainty is the only constant and retailers can’t afford to play defense. From tariffs and supply chain shocks to economic swings and policy whiplash, this session dives into how the most resilient brands are staying one step ahead with scenario planning that’s built for chaos. Hear how forward-thinking leaders are stress-testing their operations, modeling for disruption, and turning unpredictability into competitive advantage. Whether it’s pricing, sourcing, or go-to-market strategy, learn how to plan for anything without losing your grip on today.

Retail is being rewritten in real time and the most resilient brands are ditching rigid models for flexible formats. This session explores how pods, pop-ups, and agile inventory systems are enabling faster, smarter unified commerce in an era of unpredictability and mounting price pressure. But it's not just about efficiency. These nimble formats empower brands to experiment with store design and merchandising, testing new concepts without the long-term risk. Learn how retailers are staying lean, moving fast, and making every square foot count.

When disruption is nonstop and every move affects the bottom line, insights alone aren’t enough. Action is everything. Agentic AI is ushering in the next era of operational intelligence, going beyond analysis to make and execute decisions across the supply chain with speed and precision. This session spotlights breakthrough technologies leveraging agentic AI to automate complex workflows, adapt in real time, and drive unprecedented efficiency where it matters most.

In a world where consumer behavior shifts overnight and stability is hard to come by, agile brands are showing up everywhere their customers are, without losing their voice. This high-energy session explores how top players are navigating the chaos: launching in new channels without fracturing their identity, scaling storytelling across digital, physical, and social spaces, and staying culturally sharp while juggling serious operational complexity.

Supply chains are no longer just behind-the-scenes operations; they’re frontline drivers of innovation and resilience. In this high-impact session,retail and brand leaders reveal how they're overhauling traditional production models to move faster, smarter, and more flexibly. From reimagining sourcing strategies to integrating real-time digital tools, learn how aligning design, development, and delivery is key to staying competitive in an unpredictable world. 

In a market where trends shift fast and budgets are tighter than ever, product strategy needs to be as agile as it is intentional. This session explores how brands are rethinking their product mix to stay ahead by blending cultural influence, smart inventory bets, and consumer insight to drive relevance and results. From cutting dead weight SKUs to doubling down on high-impact winners, learn how to make faster decisions, test smarter, and build assortments that can flex with demand.

Great products both inspire and deliver. This session explores how leading brands are turning bold ideas into high-performing, scalable offerings. Learn how teams are harnessing consumer insights and optimizing production to bring innovative products to market without compromising the bottom line.

In today’s scroll-fast, shop-smart world, your creative has seconds to make an impact — and algorithms are calling the shots. Learn how brands are evolving their creative strategies to thrive in a landscape where discovery is automated, attention is fleeting, and shoppers are more price-conscious than ever. From rapid testing to balancing brand storytelling with ROI-driven design, hear how top teams are optimizing every asset to not just get seen, but get results. Because when performance is the metric and algorithms are the gatekeepers, creativity needs to be both art and science.

Margins are tighter, markets are shifting, and the pressure to grow is relentless. This session explores what it really takes to steer a business through volatility by making tough calls, cutting through noise, and finding new ways to drive value without losing momentum. From pricing strategy and operational efficiency to smarter investments in product, people, and platforms, learn how to keep your business strong while the world is in flux.

In a market where yesterday’s playbook no longer works, brands are being forced to rethink everything. But reinvention doesn’t mean abandoning your identity. This session dives into how visionary leaders are making bold, high-stakes pivots while staying rooted in what their customers love most. From product overhauls and channel shifts to brand repositioning and operational rewiring, learn how to evolve your core without losing your audience. Because in volatile times, the brands that win aren’t the ones that cling to what was; they’re the ones brave enough to change, without letting go of who they are.

This dynamic session dives into how brands are embracing bold innovations, from sustainable materials to new product formats and cutting-edge digital tools. Hear how leaders are moving beyond test environments to embed these ideas deep into their product strategies, transforming one-off experiments into end-to-end business drivers across design, production, and delivery.

In a world where attention is scarce and value matters more than ever, brands have seconds to make an impression and even less time to inspire action. This session explores how smart teams are building bold, cohesive brand expression that not only stands out across platforms, but drives conversion in every scroll, tap, and swipe. From TikTok to storefront, discover how to tailor content, tone, and storytelling to meet consumers where they are without diluting your message or blowing your budget.

In a market defined by delays, disruptions, and demand swings, yesterday’s org chart won’t cut it. This session dives into how brands are rewriting the rules and reimagining teams to move faster, work smarter, and respond quickly. From streamlining decision-making to building cross-functional muscle, hear how organizations are being restructured to meet the moment.

AI may be rewriting the rules of ecommerce but it’s far from flawless. In a retail climate where speed matters and trust is everything, this panel takes a sharp look at where AI is delivering game-changing results and where it’s missing the mark. From powerful personalization to automation pitfalls, hear how the smartest brands are embracing AI’s potential while navigating its blind spots. If you want to scale smarter, move faster, and stay accountable in a high-stakes digital world, this is a conversation you can’t afford to miss.

In unpredictable times, one thing is certain: forgettable shopping experiences won’t cut it. Today’s winning brands are turning every touchpoint into a moment of meaning by blending storytelling, smart design, and emotional connection to turn browsers into buyers and buyers into believers. This session dives into how immersive physical spaces and frictionless digital journeys can work in tandem to spark connection, boost conversion, and build brand love that lasts.

This session dives into how cultural intelligence is helping the most resilient brands stay relevant, authentic, and deeply connected to their audiences. From decoding emerging subcultures to tapping into real-time social shifts, discover how today’s leaders are using cultural insight to shape brand identity, guide product decisions, and spark loyalty. In times of volatility, staying relevant isn’t just about marketing; it’s about knowing exactly who you are and who you're speaking to.

In a world rocked by social movements, economic uncertainty, and global disruption, brand leaders can’t sit on the sidelines; they have to show up with clarity, conviction, and agility. This session dives into how global moments are reshaping not just messaging, but the very core of what brands stand for. Hear how bold leadership, cultural awareness, and consumer empathy are driving authentic responses to real-world change and what it takes to stay relevant without losing your identity. 

The world of retail is changing at light speed. Legacy systems, siloed data, and rigid approaches just can’t keep up with today’s pace. This session dives into what modern retail needs to look like to survive and thrive in a time of nonstop disruption. In three research presentations we’ll provide brand new insights on the forces shaping retail, what is really happening, and how companies can respond.

In today’s competitive commerce landscape, storytelling isn’t just about inspiration; it’s a strategic tool for conversion. This session explores how leading brands are translating purpose, values, and vision into messaging that drives measurable outcomes. We’ll look at how immersive formats—like live shopping and interactive video—are transforming storytelling into shoppable, high-conversion experiences. Learn how to align your brand narrative with customer motivations, personalize messaging at scale, and move consumers from awareness to action while bridging the gap between emotion and engagement.

In today’s high-pressure, budget-conscious market, mass messaging just doesn’t move the needle. The brands winning right now are the ones using powerful personalization engines to deliver tailored experiences that convert quickly. This session spotlights the tech driving smarter segmentation, adaptive content, and real-time campaign optimization across channels. Learn how these solutions are helping marketers turn insight into impact, boosting ROI without bloating spend. Because in a world where every click counts, personalization isn’t a luxury, it’s a performance play.

In a retail landscape defined by rapid shifts and razor-thin margins, the smartest strategies aren’t always born in boardrooms. They're shaped on the store floor, in fulfillment centers, and behind customer service desks. This session explores how frontline insights are shaping smarter decisions in the C-suite, from pricing and staffing to product and customer experience. Hear how executives are bridging the gap between corporate strategy and day-to-day operations and why remaining closely connected to what’s happening on the ground is essential to staying agile and ahead.

A seamless path to purchase does more than drive conversions; it sets the tone for lasting loyalty. This panel explores how top brands are transforming the digital shopping experience to drive conversions while laying the foundation for repeat engagement. From smarter search and personalized discovery to seamless checkout, learn how each step of the journey strengthens customer relationships and boosts ROI. 

In today’s unpredictable retail landscape, shoppers expect a smooth, consistent experience no matter where, when, or how they buy. Behind the scenes, that means brands need unified commerce tools that can handle complexity without slowing things down. This session highlights the technologies helping retailers integrate systems, sync inventory, and connect customer touchpoints in real time. From cart to curbside, discover how the right tools are creating seamless journeys for customers and smarter, leaner operations for businesses.

When everything is in flux, keeping customers isn’t just important, it’s mission-critical. In this session, we’ll explore how the most resilient brands are turning uncertainty into opportunity by doubling down on loyalty, relevance, and trust. Hear from leaders who are evolving retention strategies in real time: rethinking value, reimagining engagement, and finding smart ways to stay connected when customer expectations are anything but predictable. 

Purpose has power, but what happens when it collides with shrinking budgets, shifting priorities, and growing pressure to deliver short-term results? In this session, we explore how brands are holding onto their values while navigating the messy realities of an unpredictable market. From sustainability and social impact to ethical sourcing and brand activism, hear how leaders are making tough calls, staying authentic, and making purpose work without abandoning it. Because in today’s world, the challenge isn’t just having a mission; it’s sticking to it when it’s inconvenient, expensive, or hard to defend on a spreadsheet.

Customer behavior holds the clues to loyalty; if you know how to decode it. Learn how to turn a browsing patterns, purchase history, and engagement signals into strategic moves that boost repeat purchases and increase lifetime value. Expect actionable frameworks from brands that are using behavioral insights to build retention and strengthen customer relationships. 

In a world where every pixel and placement matters, retail media isn’t just part of the strategy: it is the storefront. As shopper behavior shifts and commerce becomes content, brands are reinventing the digital shelf into a dynamic, data-fueled engine for conversion. This session dives into how sponsored placements, personalized promos, live shopping, and shoppable video are collapsing the gap between marketing and transaction.

In today’s market, speed isn’t just a competitive edge; it’s a necessity. This session dives into how brands are turning bold ideas into live campaigns, activations, and product moments faster than ever before. No bloated timelines, no endless approvals — just sharp thinking, tight teams, and creative hustle. Hear how top marketers are building agile workflows, cutting through red tape, and launching work that resonates and performs without sacrificing quality. Because when every dollar matters and momentum moves markets, execution speed can be your biggest creative weapon.

In an unpredictable market, bold leadership requires more than instinct—it demands conviction, clarity, and a willingness to take risks that challenge the status quo. This session brings together visionary executives who are making bold decisions to reinvent their businesses, reshape categories, and push brand boundaries. From product innovation to cultural investment, we’ll explore the motivations, frameworks, and leadership philosophies behind today’s most daring strategic moves.

Personalization isn’t just about closing a sale. It’s about making customers feel seen, understood, and valued. In this session, case studies show how customization drives stronger first purchases and lays the groundwork for ongoing loyalty. Hear how companies are using adaptive content and individualized product suggestions to keep customers coming back.

In a market rocked by inflation and shifting consumer behavior, traditional pricing playbooks are getting tossed. Discover how bold brands are leaning into the volatility by using exclusive drops, member-only perks and real-time pricing strategies to drive urgency without diluting value. Learn how to craft promotional plans that feel intentional, premium, and loyalty-driven, not panicked or commoditized. Because in times like these, pricing isn’t just a tactic. It’s a brand statement.

In a market where attention is scarce and loyalty is fleeting playing it safe won’t move the needle. This session spotlights the gutsy campaigns, unique partnerships, and creative risks that are breaking through the noise and driving real impact. Hear from the teams behind today's boldest brand moves: what sparked them, how they got internal buy-in, and why taking chances (even in a cost-conscious climate) can pay off big. Because in unpredictable times, the biggest risk might be playing it too small.

In a time when pressure is high and predictability is low, the best leaders aren’t clinging to old playbooks; they’re rewriting them. This session dives into the mindset shifts, bold moves, and people-first strategies that are setting today’s top leaders apart. From navigating uncertainty with transparency to driving performance without burnout, discover how standout leaders are building trust, adapting fast, and turning volatility into momentum.