Retail Digital Summit
We are entering the world of “Phygital”— physical and digital at the same time, where there is not a physical world or digital world in retail, but rather a completely connected one.
You’ll be in great company at this year’s Retail NA Summit, joining speakers from Footlocker, PetSmart, and Tiffany & Co.
Join your peers in sharing knowledge on the current and future state of the Retail industry. We’ll discuss some key industry topics including:
• Online stores in offline spaces, offline stores with digital faces
• Navigating the road to a more sustainable Retail Landscape
• The future of retail in a postcode world
• Leadership innovation: People, process and technology
Why Attend
New connections
Build new connections with likeminded senior leaders
Business trends
Stay current with emerging business trends
Key takeaways
Downloadable and actionable takeaways
New partnerships
Accelerate key projects through meaningful new partnerships
Insights
De-risk new projects by gaining a broad range of insights
New technologies
Understand the impact new technology can make
Event Agenda
09:00 - 09:15
Opening Remarks
Intro & diamond commentary
09:15 - 09:45
Keynote
Powering e-commerce supply chain with AI and ML
Join Ankit Mangal, Director for global supplier tech at Wayfair sharing about how AI and ML can help its supply chains get products to the right customers.
09:45 - 10:25
Panel Discussion
The future of retail is phygital
We are entering the world of “phygital”—physical and digital at the same time, where there is not a physical world or digital world in retail, but rather a completely connected one. Traffic in stores is almost certainly going to be down permanently. As customers get used to shopping online, what’s going to make them come to the store? How do you think about driving engagement with the brand, driving product knowledge, making it a fun experience, and removing all the friction in that experience?
As you see the shift to e-commerce, whether it’s five, ten, or 15 points, some portion of your customers are not coming back in the store or not coming back at the same frequency they used to. So being able to maximize the value of each trip is going to be incredibly important.
10:25 - 10:35
10:25 - 10:35
Insight Break
The role of images and videos in commerce conversion
Studies show that high quality images and videos increase commerce conversions and customer engagement. This research also uncovered consumers’ desire for a large quantity of visual product depictions for each listing. Additionally, there is an unceasing demand for these visual experiences to perform well on every device and channel. Join this insight break to find out how colleagues rank their progress in this area and what you can do to improve your commerce experiences with visual assets.
10:35 - 11:25
Roundtables
Track 1: Data is at the heart of phygital strategy
Sponsor:
Data is the driver for why most brands are on some form of digital transformation and investing in data lakes and unprecedented business intelligence. Whilst that may be the case, very few brands are operationalizing all the data being accumulated from both in-store and online. So, while no one is denying data is paramount, we need to ensure we're using what we have effectively and efficiently.
Be a part of the conversation and explore:
• How are you using data-driven insights to enable more meaningful and personalized customer experiences?
• How can we innovate and incentivise consumers to continue to share data?
• How do retailers remove barriers and attain enterprise-wide data insights?
• Deploying AI in retail – do we have the data we need to unlock seemingly limitless value?
• Do we have the workforce/technology to really reap the benefits and operationalize the data we have?
• How can we use data to generate value and new revenue streams?
Track 2: The importance of loyalty in a challenging economy
The cost of living crisis, war in Ukraine and Covid-19 pandemic have resulted in consumers tightening their purse strings and being more considerate when making purchases. That’s why in 2023, more than ever, retailers will need to focus on retention over acquisition.
Studies have found that it costs five times as much to attract a new customer as it does to keep a new one, so it’s definitely worth putting in the effort to keep your customers happy. Loyal customers also help to increase the reputation and awareness of your brand as they’ll talk about your company and products with their friends and family. Happy customers make great (and free!) brand ambassadors and influencers. Proposed questions: What are top three reasons your customers are loyalty to you? How can we embed personalization tactics more cohesively across channels – from the digital, all the way to the physical? What is the role of subscriptions in loyalty for Retails in 2023?
Track 3: Achieving digital excellence - the power of content
Sponsor:
In the increasingly crowded, omnichannel world of digital commerce, consumers expect personally relevant visual imagery and rich video experiences to connect with brands. Yet, the sheer volume of visual touch points has been humanly impossible for digital teams to create and manage efficiently. Fortunately, companies today are modernizing by taking advantage of new innovations in the marketplace such as cloud computing, and AI. But How do you unlock the power of your content and ensure that the right messaging is connecting to the right audience? How do you achieve this at scale to ensure productivity and accuracy for all? How are you using data-driven insights to enable more meaningful and personalized digital experiences?
11:25 - 11:30
Short Break
11:30 - 12:10
Masterclass Breakouts
12:11 - 12:41
Headline Keynote
Thinking human
Doug Zarkin, CMO of Pearle Vision takes you through the way in which he refocused the brand’s focus on “thinking human” and with it, restored the power of Pearle Vision and prominence within the crowded North American Marketplace. Today Pearle Vision is the #1 optical franchise brand in North America, #35 on Entrepreneur Top 500 Franchise Brands list and is the 5 time winner of the Women’s Choice Award.
09:00 - 09:15
Opening Remarks
09:15 - 09:45
Keynote
09:47 - 10:27
Panel Discussion
Next generation CX
Providing exceptional customer experiences is no longer optional. According to Forbes, 96% of customers say customer service is crucial when choosing loyalty to a brand.
Executives taking part in this discussion will share how innovation is bringing employee and customer experience to the forefront resulting in employee retention, customer loyalty and repeat purchases.
Some suggested questions our panelists will answer include:
• How are you getting stakeholder buy in to improve CX? Are you able to share ROI with the c-suite?
• What tools are you using to improve customer support and creating frictionless cross channel experiences?
• How are you using data-driven insights to enable more meaningful and personalized customer experiences?
• What tools are you using to improve the employee experience?"
10:27 - 10:37
10:27 - 10:37
Insight Break
10:40 - 11:30
Roundtables
Track 1: Data is at the heart of phygital strategy
Sponsor:
Data is the driver for why most brands are on some form of digital transformation and investing in data lakes and unprecedented business intelligence. Whilst that may be the case, very few brands are operationalizing all the data being accumulated from both in-store and online. So, while no one is denying data is paramount, we need to ensure we're using what we have effectively and efficiently.
Be a part of the conversation and explore:
• How are you using data-driven insights to enable more meaningful and personalized customer experiences?
• How can we innovate and incentivise consumers to continue to share data?
• How do retailers remove barriers and attain enterprise-wide data insights?
• Deploying AI in retail – do we have the data we need to unlock seemingly limitless value?
• Do we have the workforce/technology to really reap the benefits and operationalize the data we have?
• How can we use data to generate value and new revenue streams?
Track 2: The importance of loyalty in a challenging economy
The cost of living crisis, war in Ukraine and Covid-19 pandemic have resulted in consumers tightening their purse strings and being more considerate when making purchases. That’s why in 2023, more than ever, retailers will need to focus on retention over acquisition.
Studies have found that it costs five times as much to attract a new customer as it does to keep a new one, so it’s definitely worth putting in the effort to keep your customers happy. Loyal customers also help to increase the reputation and awareness of your brand as they’ll talk about your company and products with their friends and family. Happy customers make great (and free!) brand ambassadors and influencers. Proposed questions: What are top three reasons your customers are loyalty to you? How can we embed personalization tactics more cohesively across channels – from the digital, all the way to the physical? What is the role of subscriptions in loyalty for Retails in 2023?
Track 3: Achieving digital excellence - the power of content
Sponsor:
In the increasingly crowded, omnichannel world of digital commerce, consumers expect personally relevant visual imagery and rich video experiences to connect with brands. Yet, the sheer volume of visual touch points has been humanly impossible for digital teams to create and manage efficiently. Fortunately, companies today are modernizing by taking advantage of new innovations in the marketplace such as cloud computing, and AI. But How do you unlock the power of your content and ensure that the right messaging is connecting to the right audience? How do you achieve this at scale to ensure productivity and accuracy for all? How are you using data-driven insights to enable more meaningful and personalized digital experiences?
11:31 - 12:01
Innovation Exchange Keynote
12:03 - 12:33
Closing Prime Keynote
09:00 - 09:15
Opening Remarks
09:15 - 09:45
Keynote
09:47 - 10:27
Panel Discussion
Strategies to help retail leaders thrive in 2023
The past few years have forced retail businesses to embrace change and these challenges are expected to continue going into 2024. Shifts in environmental and consumer behavior indicate a necessity for leaders to develop agile strategies that enable the highest levels of customer care and brand purpose, as well as remaining focused internally on employee satisfaction and retention.
Now is the time for leaders to create new cultures with the right strategy, data and agility to reimagine themselves and grow. Alongside environmental, social and governance (ESG) and digital commitments, retailers should be laser focused on 5 ingredients to optimize chances of growth: digital, fulfillment, sourcing, talent and data.
Crucially, retailers must reset responsibly, and maintain agility to allow them to navigate the ever changing and challenging world and find profitable growth.
•What are the critical components of culture that can and need to be addressed to proactively prepare and respond to accelerating digital requirements?
• What needs to change? What needs to stay the same?
• If you could move the needle on 1 or 2 culture drivers in 2023 and 2024, where would you focus? What are challenges, opportunities and trends to watch in the sector over the coming year?
10:27 - 10:37
Insight Break
10:37 - 11:32
Roundtable Leaders Panel
11:40 - 12:10
Innovation Exchange Keynote
12:11 - 12:41
Closing Keynote
12:41 - 12:51
Insight Break -Closing Comments
Speakers Include
Meriyem Kaf
Kristin Shane
Daniel Chan
Robert Sorce
Chris Greene
Colin McDonnell
Dan Wood
Piyush Patel
Sneha Narahalli
Bob Phibbs
Lisa Ham
Michael Ross
Ashish Singru
Ankit Mangal
Shelby Britton
Stephan Lukac
Ron Thurston
Ronald Blahnik
Prasad Tangirala
Doug Zarkin
Katrina Glusac
An immersive
event experience
interactive features including:
Audience Interaction
Engage with a virtual live audience just as you would at a physical event and create meaningful conversations.
Interactive Live Polling
Keep engaged through interactive live polling and gamification tools.
Direct connections
Ask your questions face-to-face with the speakers via our leading stage technology.
Relationship building
Build stronger connections with leading executives that you will take with you through your career
Thought Leadership
Content and insight from industry experts when it matters most
Intelligent interaction
Interactive quizzes gamify your experience
Have a question…
There is no cost associated with attending a GDS Summit. In return, we ask that all senior executives in participation attend for the full duration to ensure that all attendees get maximum value and insight from the interactive roundtables, live Q&As and breakout networking sessions.
Our digital summit portfolio is designed to bring together senior decision makers from large global businesses and innovative disruptor brands to drive industry forward through addressing business critical challenges collaboratively.
If you’re keen to build new connections with likeminded leaders, de-risk your projects through new insight and establish new partnerships that can accelerate your projects then apply to attend today.
Complete our form below if you’re interested in attending the summit and you meet our application criteria. A member of the GDS team will then reach out to run you through the programme and event format and discuss your participation.
On stage: co-host a panel discussion with a group of likeminded senior executives or host a solo keynote presentation. Both slots include elements of interactive audience Q&A
Off stage: become a roundtable moderator, leading the discussion with the same cohort of executives for the duration of the summit around a specific topic you’ve agreed to focus on during the roundtable session.
We can tailor a partnership package to help meet your business objectives. This might include brand awareness, driving traffic to your site or quality editorial content via exclusive interviews and Q&As with our executive audience. Enquire today for more information.