World Retail Congress to be held in London, 19th – 21st September 2012

Over 70 leading retailers and industry experts from more than 20 countries have already been confirmed to speak at the 2012 World Retail Congress, which this year is taking place at ExCeL London from 19-21 September.

The Congress organisers are predicting that there will be record attendance across the three day programme, which last year welcomed almost 1,000 delegates from over 60 countries.

To mark the start of the Congress, Burberry, one of the worlds’ leading and fastest growing luxury brands, will open the doors of its major new flagship store on Regent Street to delegates for an exclusive reception on the evening of September 18th.

Across the three days, the Congress will honour and recognise some of the world’s most outstanding retailers. At London’s Royal Courts of Justice, the World Retail Awards gala dinner will take place on the evening of September 20th. This year’s inductees into the World Retail Hall of Fame will be honoured at a celebratory lunch and again at the World Retail Awards.

The Retail Futures Challenge student competition, to identify the next generation of retail leaders, will culminate in the award of overall global winner, chosen from the five regional finalists..

Delegates will also be given exclusive access to the very best of London retail on study tours taking place on September 18th and 21st.

Among more than 70 speakers confirmed for the Congress programme are:

• Philip Clarke, CEO of Tesco
• Sir Philip Green, owner of Top Shop and Arcadia
• Ian McLeod, CEO of Coles
• Alexis Maybank, Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Gilt Groupe
• Maurizio Barlotti, chairman of Printemps
• Jonathan Ramsden, CFO of Abercrombie & Fitch
• Mickey Drexler, president and CEO of J Crew
• Rajan Mittal, vice chairman and MD of Bharti Enterprises
• Muwaffaq Jamal, CEO of Panda
• Steve Sadove, chairman and CEO of Saks Inc.

New speakers are being added each week and Congress sessions will be focussed on the most important topics affecting the retail industry today including:

• The effects of the global economic crisis on retail
• How to adapt to the “omnichannel” retail world
• Understanding the future of the store
• The changing consumer, international growth and the world’s fast growing economies
• How to deliver competition-beating promotions and private label

Ian McGarrigle, Chairman of the World Retail Congress said: “Now in its 6th year, the World Retail Congress has become one of the most important and largest gatherings of senior retail industry leaders. We are delighted to be holding this year’s event in London, during a year when the global spotlight is firmly on one of the world’s greatest retail cities. We anticipate welcoming a record number of delegates to the Congress to participate in discussing some of the most important issues facing our industry today.”

Franchiseek contacts are encouraged to attend with an exclusive 25% discount off standard rates, which you can claim by quoting R203-FRSE-EM-25DIS when registering (- this applies to new bookings only). To take advantage of your discount please quote your priority code when calling +44 (0)20 7554 5808 to register.