Agenda

the ritz-carlton, riyadh, february 19 - 20, 2024

Click on each session for an expanded overview of the agenda

day1 19/02/2024

07.30 - 9.00
Registration & Refreshments
09.15 - 09.25
Welcome Address
09.25 - 11.10
Plenary Sessions 1

Opening Keynote

Visa’s Outlook: Shaping the Year Ahead

KSA Consumer 2035, What to Expect?

As Saudi Arabia propels towards Vision 2030, understanding the evolving consumer landscape becomes crucial. What are the future consumer trends, contrasting them with present-day behaviors and examining their impact on key retail sectors. How will these shifting consumer patterns and preferences shape the retail future in sectors like Grocery, E-commerce, and more in Saudi Arabia? An exclusive launch of the global McKinsey report “The Future of Consumer in 2035”.

The State of Retail

With the retail sector approaching a pivotal year, what are the transformative forces at play? Focusing on evolving consumer trends, the competitive landscape, and strategic market shifts, what innovative strategies and initiatives are top retailers considering to redefine success in the retail landscape of 2024?

Exclusive Launch: The 2024 Global Development Index

What’s Saudi Arabia’s progress and standing in the global retail arena? The 2024 Global Retail Development Index analyzes KSA’s significant strides in cultivating a retail environment primed for investment and enhanced customer experiences. How do these developments position Saudi Arabia in the global retail landscape, and what implications do they hold for the future of retail in the Kingdom?

11.10 - 11.30
Networking Break
11.30 - 13.20
Plenary Sessions 2

Building Global Brands That Matter

In an uncertain world, building brands that connect and endure has never been more critical to long term business performance and growth. How do we create brands that thrive shifting from a culture of “transaction” to a culture of “connection”?

Retail in the Age of AI

What are the latest innovations driving retail forward and the challenges of integrating AI technologies? What possibilities does AI unlock for retailers and consumers alike, and how will it shape the industry’s evolution?

In Conversation: The Race to Diversity & Inclusion

Explore the dynamic landscape of DEI in the retail industry and the crucial role of women empowerment in shaping a diverse and inclusive workplace. How can businesses accelerate their journey towards a more inclusive and equitable future, and what is its impact on driving business growth and innovation?

Winning in Saudi Retail Ecosystem

Dive into the evolving consumer landscape, with focus on Saudi Arabia, where shopping experiences are increasingly merging with entertainment, creating a new paradigm of ‘Retailtainment.’ Snapchat’s impact on mobile engagement, highlights how innovative AR technology is driving change in retail and entertainment with successful collaborations like the Middle Beast initiative. What is augmented reality’s role in transforming omnichannel experiences and what is the potential of retailtainment partnerships?

Generative AI – The Next Technology Frontier in Retail

Generative AI, one of the most discussed technologies recently, holds significant potential impact for the Retail sector. Explore how Generative AI is revolutionizing industries, with a focus on emerging use cases in Retail. Get to know the leadership considerations, future strategic planning, ethical concerns, and the role of regulatory bodies in this evolving landscape. How might these developments shape the future of Retail?

13.20 - 14.20
Lunch Break
14.20 - 15.20
Track Sessions (In parallel)
Retail Real Estate Forum

Navigating the New Retail Real Estate Order: Innovations & Opportunities

In a landscape where consumer behavior and market dynamics are constantly evolving, this power session addresses the urgent need for retail real estate stakeholders to adapt. How are developers and operators addressing the shifts in consumer behavior and market dynamics? What innovative strategies are being employed for the integration of technology and personalization at scale? How can effective collaboration between landlords, tenants, and technology partners can build organic growth in this new retail real estate environment?

The Mall: How to Transform

Shopping centers are being impacted by huge changes in resource, distribution, and technology forces. What are the evolving dynamics between retailers and landlords as retailers rethinking their portfolio and modify their use of stores in the future. What does the new consumer want from their retail experience, what’s changing and what will the shopping center of the future look like? How can effective collaboration between landlords, tenants, and technology partners can build organic growth in this new retail real estate environment?

Hybrid Retail: The New Norm

The evolution from multichannel to Omnichannel retailing is allowing communication, experience, interaction within online and offline channels. Are we ready to the step further, heading to the integration of channels, payment systems, products, customer data to deliver a seamless, integrated, measurable and frictionless experience?

 

Tech Frontiers Stage

Accelerate Your Business With the Power of Formula 1

In today’s fast paced world where the volume of data across all industries has proliferated; it is imperative for retailers to identify and act fast on what is significant to stay ahead of the ever-changing demands of their customers. Explore the themes and factors which drive winning performance in Formula 1 and how Retail & Consumer organizations can benefit from next generation thinking on Data.

Retail Innovation vs. Customer Expectation: Who is falling behind?

The Saudi Economy continues to see consumer demand in digital-led, curated experiences as part of their shopping and complimentary journeys. Given the speed of change, retailers are “catching up” and overcoming adoption barriers – both internal and systemic. In this context, Snap and Kearney have recently launched a paper that understands these challenges in detail and offers pragmatic and specific solutions. How can retailers effectively apply these insights to their successful digital transformation journey?

Personalizing Retail in the Age of AI

AI plays a significant role in creating exceptional experiences across various touchpoints in the retail and business landscape. How can businesses leverage AI technologies to create more personalized, responsive, and interactive experiences for consumers, ultimately building stronger relationships and increasing customer loyalty?

Navigating the New Retail Real Estate Order: Innovations & Opportunities

In an ever-evolving landscape, the necessity for stakeholders in retail real estate to adapt is more urgent than ever. How can retail innovations address shifts in consumer behavior and market dynamics? What is their potential to improve quality of life, and how can the urban design of the future refine the retail experience in the new retail real estate order?

Integrating F&B in Retail: Beyond Food Courts

F&B integration is becoming an essential aspect of retail real estate, enhancing customer experiences and driving foot traffic. What are the innovative approaches to incorporating F&B in retail environments, from gourmet experiences to immersive F&B concepts that go beyond temporal trends? How can retailers and developers leverage F&B integration to create unique and memorable shopping environments that attract and retain today’s experiential consumers?

The Mall: How to Transform

Shopping centers are being impacted by huge changes in resource, distribution, and technology forces. What are the evolving dynamics between retailers and landlords as retailers rethinking their portfolio and modify their use of stores in the future. What does the new consumer want from their retail experience, what’s changing and what will the shopping center of the future look like? How can effective collaboration between landlords, tenants, and technology partners can build organic growth in this new retail real estate environment?

15.20 - 15.40
Networking Break
15.40 - 17.30
Plenary Sessions 3

Saudi Arabia in a Global Digital Context

Discover the future of retail and e-commerce through an insightful presentation that unveils first-ever forecasts for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE markets, showcasing their rapid growth. Based on data from over 50 countries what are the emerging global retail trends?

Growth Accelerators: The Tourism & Entertainment Pursuit

The convergence of retail, hospitality, and entertainment is reshaping the tourism landscape, turning these sectors into decisive factors that influence where travelers go and how they experience destinations. What is the strategic interplay between these industries and their collective role in building cross-sector growth? This power panel will shed light on visionary strategies leading this transformation and understand how they are collectively elevating the experience of global visitors.

Collaboration as Catalyst: Retail’s Collective Action to Positive Change

In an unprecedented roundtable forum, the CEO’s of the leading retail conglomerates converge to explore the transformative power of collaboration in the retail sector.

day2 20/02/2024

07.30 - 08.30
Registration & Refreshments
08.45 - 09.00
Recap Day 1
09.00 - 11.00
Plenary Sessions 1

Sustainability Leadership in Retail

COP28 demonstrated the importance of sustainability for the world. But what is it for retailers in the region? What do they need to do to contribute to this important agenda for the planet encompassing, securing the food system, sustainability, procurement, and energy efficiency. How can they integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into their strategy?

State of Fashion 2024: The KSA Opportunity Among Global Headwinds

Overview of the findings of McKinsey’s flagship State of Fashion 2024 report, outlining the most relevant industry trends for business leaders to pay attention to in the coming year and drawing implications for the KSA fashion opportunity.

Engineering Growth: Actioning Homegrown for Global Reach

How can regional retailers transform their revenue streams by elevating homegrown brands from niche to global market leaders? Discover how CEOs navigate the complex balance of fostering local identity while maintaining global partnerships and the impact on market dynamics, innovation, and profitability. Uncover the challenges and opportunities in altering revenue models, amplifying local brands, and redefining the norms of the retail landscape. What strategies can successfully pivot local brands to global prominence?”

Urban Retail Renaissance: The New Lifestyle Paradigm

What’s the profound impact of retail in shaping modern urban communities and crafting unparalleled experiences, be it in living spaces or shopping environments. How are these urban developments redefining the order of the industry, turning large-scale mixed-use spaces into lifestyle-centric hubs? How can the synergy of life, work, entertainment, and culture in these spaces, revolutionize both the retail and leisure in modern urban landscapes?

View from the Top: Shaping the Future with Purpose

-Retail Leadership Perspectives
Strategies and purpose-driven leadership that shape the future of the industry.
-Advocacy in Action
A strategic conversation on the role of advocacy in fostering sustainable and purposeful business practices within the Kingdom.

What Comes Tomorrow: The Future of Payments

As the retail landscape rapidly evolves, the future of payments becomes increasingly central to shaping consumer experiences. What are the challenges, opportunities, and the future direction of retail payments, emphasizing the importance of security, compliance, and collaborative efforts between fintech companies and retailers to enhance consumer engagement and drive business growth.

11:00 - 11.20
Networking Break
11.20 - 13.00
Plenary Sessions 2

Blending Retail and Investment: A Women-Led Journey to Redefining Success

Explore the dynamic intersection of retail innovation and investment strategies. How can retail acumen combined with savvy investment approaches ignite groundbreaking success, drive innovation, and fuel transformation across multiple sectors? How can this innovation leap redefine standards and practices, highlighting inclusion not as an abstract notion but a critical factor that facilitates business growth in different sectors?

Upending Paradigms: Leadership in the New Normal

Against a backdrop of ongoing and frenetic change in an ever-evolving retail landscape that embraces disruption and rewards future-focused leadership, successful organizations are those that can deftly turn tructural industry changes into profit. How are retail leaders redefining their strategies to harness these changes for growth? What strategies have been successful when tackling disruptive trends in the past, and in what will they continue to work in the years to come?

The Evolution of the Shopping Centers

Charting the Unchartered: Transformation Crossroads

In the dynamic landscape of the GCC retail sector, transformation is not an option, but a necessity, placing profitability of retailers on the spotlight, and demanding a thorough approach to store networks, merchandise, costs, and more. Discover the effective strategies of retail executives on their profit transformation journey and the key drivers of success, including change management. What are the critical factors in achieving sustainable results in retail transformation?

Fashion in the Age of Technology

Delve into how technology is revolutionizing the fashion industry, from the design process to the retail experience. What are the innovations like AI in design, virtual try-ons, e-commerce personalization, and how these technologies are reshaping consumer expectations and industry dynamics?

Global Trends, Local Identity: Fashion’s New Frontiers

Navigate the intersection of global fashion trends and local cultural identity, a dynamic space that encourages creativity, inclusivity, and mutual respect. This session will shed light on how designers and brands are blending global influences with local traditions to create unique fashion narratives, fostering a global dialogue on culture and identity.

Disrupting the Traditional in Fashion and Beauty

Spotlight emerging fashion startups that are challenging the status quo. Explore how these innovative companies are navigating the fashion landscape with unique business models, disruptive technologies, and creative designs, offering insights into the future of the fashion industry.

13.00 - 14.00
Lunch Break
13.50 - 15.20
Track Sessions (In parallel)
Lifestyle Destinations Stage

Towards Deeper Collaboration Between Government and the Private Sector

What are the incentives to boost private sector involvement, especially in the critical areas of retail and real estate and how can joint efforts between the government and the private sector spur innovation and foster sustainable growth across these key sectors?

Integrating F&B in Retail: Beyond Food Courts

F&B is in a state of flux ; never before has the sector scene such rapid change. So, where does that leave F&B in food courts, malls and mixed-use developments? This panel will address hot topics such as the potential for food halls, thriving entrepreneurialism in the Kingdom, the continued evolution of the coffee sector and innovative ways in which developers and asset owners can approach evaluating F&B space and mix.

Retailtainment: Crafting the Future of Immersive Experiences

The blend of retail and entertainment transforms shopping into an immersive journey beyond traditional boundaries. Delve into successful strategies, emerging trends, and the transformative impact of ‘retailtainment’ on consumer engagement. Learn how cutting-edge technologies and experiential marketing are reshaping the retail landscape. What are the secrets to crafting memorable, shareable experiences that captivate audiences and boost foot traffic?

Towards Deeper Collaboration Between Government and the Private Sector

What are the incentives to boost private sector involvement, especially in the critical areas of retail and real estate and how can joint efforts between the government and the private sector spur innovation and foster sustainable growth across these key sectors?

Integrating F&B in Retail: Beyond Food Courts

F&B is in a state of flux ; never before has the sector scene such rapid change. So, where does that leave F&B in food courts, malls and mixed-use developments? This panel will address hot topics such as the potential for food halls, thriving entrepreneurialism in the Kingdom, the continued evolution of the coffee sector and innovative ways in which developers and asset owners can approach evaluating F&B space and mix.

Retailtainment: Crafting the Future of Immersive Experiences

The blend of retail and entertainment transforms shopping into an immersive journey beyond traditional boundaries. Delve into successful strategies, emerging trends, and the transformative impact of ‘retailtainment’ on consumer engagement. Learn how cutting-edge technologies and experiential marketing are reshaping the retail landscape. What are the secrets to crafting memorable, shareable experiences that captivate audiences and boost foot traffic?

15.20 - 15.40
Networking Break
15.40 - 17.30
Plenary Sessions 3

The Future of Grocery

Explore the complexities of emerging trends shaping the future of grocery retail and the cutting-edge innovations focused on efficiency, immersive shopping experiences, and tailored content delivery. Discover the key factors driving change and the innovations that are redefining the grocery shopping experience. How will the grocery retail evolve and what is needed to stay ahead in this dynamic market?

Venturing into the Future: Investments for a New World

In a rapidly evolving landscape, Saudi Arabia’s venture capital leaders converge to shed light on the ever-shifting world of investments. What is the state of investments today, what are the emerging trends, and the strategies that drive success. How can we navigate these uncharted territories and seize the winning opportunities of tomorrow?

Growth Accelearator 2.0: The Customer Experience Catalyst

Exceptional customer service and experience are not just value-adds, but essential drivers for growth and success in the competitive retail sector. What are the successful strategies to meet evolving consumer expectations, enhancing customer engagement, and ultimately fueling business growth? How can prioritizing customer experience be a powerful catalyst for sustained growth in the retail industry?