Senior Writer
Fortune
Phil Wahba is a senior writer at Fortune primarily focused on leadership coverage. His award-winning features include profiles of CEOs at Costco and Kohl’s and an examination of how private equity transformed the retail sector. Phil joined Fortune in 2014 from Reuters, where he covered retail, corporate bankruptcies, the stock exchanges, and wrote a weekly column about IPOs. He has also worked as a trade commissioner in New York for the Canadian government. He holds a B.Comm from HEC Montréal and an MBA from the University of Ottawa. In 2007, he graduated from Columbia University with a Masters in Journalism. He is also a CFA charter holder.
Tuesday Jan 13
9:45am - 10:15am
Javits North, Level 5, Vusion Theatre
Join Régis Schultz, CEO of JD Sports Group, in conversation with Phil Wahba, Senior Writer at Fortune, for a deep dive into the evolving sportswear market and JD’s strategic positioning in the U.S. and globally. Régis will unpack what’s driving growth across the industry, from fast-growing sportswear categories and premiumization trends to shifts in consumer behavior, and how JD is capturing opportunity through its differentiated portfolio of banners, multi-brand proposition blending agility with trend-driven innovation, and vibrant, innovative store and digital experiences.
The conversation will explore JD’s place in the U.S. retail landscape, including how the Group builds a moat against deep discounters and mass merchants with flagship concepts, in-store and digital engagement, and brand partnerships. With over 2,500 stores in North America across fascias including JD, DTLR, Shoe Palace, and Hibbett, JD Group is a sports fashion retail powerhouse. JD is redefining sports fashion retail in North America, its largest market representing c.40% of its global sales. Join us to understand the Group’s unique approach to omnichannel retail, its progress in rolling out the JD banner across the U.S., how it is leveraging its complementary retail brands to expand its market share, and the evolution of key strategic supplier relationships. Attendees will come away with a clear view of JD’s strategic priorities for sustained growth.
