Leadership and Strategy

Sunday
January 14
8:15 am8:30 am
Walmart U.S. president and CEO and Chairman of the National Retail Federation, John Furner provides NRF 2024’s welcome and opening remarks including a brief state of the industry and NRF, and why decisions made today matter more than ever.
Sunday
January 14
10:30 am11:00 am
During the past three years, Northern Tool + Equipment has grown revenue by 44 percent, in part by prioritizing and investing in initiatives that provide value for customers and team members. With more than 130 store locations across 23 states, Northern Tool has a strong national retail presence featuring a wide variety of tools, equipment, and service offerings via ecommerce and a superior omnichannel experience.
Sunday
January 14
10:30 am11:00 am
Learn how Kmart Australia doubled down on clarity of purpose and innovation to develop a strategic blueprint and operational architecture to transform its business model, moving it from a traditional discount chain to an innovative, modern, hybrid retailer. This session offers takeaways on how to overcome barriers, challenge the status quo, guidance on leadership and adopting technology solutions to empower the organization.
Sunday
January 14
11:30 am12:00 pm

Target continues to invest in building capacity to meet guest demand—an approach that utilizes the company’s stores-as-hubs strategy and growing sortation center network. Target’s sortation centers help drive speed, productivity and cost efficiency to improve the guest experience. Hear from Target’s Chief Supply Chain & Logistics Officer Gretchen McCarthy on how Target’s stores-as-hubs strategy and guest-centered supply chain capabilities are bringing next-day delivery to more Target guests.

Sunday
January 14
12:10 pm12:40 pm

Having responded with innovation and agility to the headwinds of the last three years, how will North American grocers deal with the continued fallout, now exacerbated by inflation and geopolitical uncertainty? Will the current dynamics that have seen a squeeze on growth capital, a surge in private label, higher slotting fees, and stagnant labor growth, have a long-term impact. And how will grocers respond?

Sunday
January 14
12:10 pm12:40 pm
How brands serve and engage with their communities is now a measure of true worth, valued by customers, employees, shareholders and other stakeholders alike. In this session we will discuss how transparency and authenticity are core to pushing the boundaries that will elevate the customer experience across sport, lifestyle and fashion communities.
Sunday
January 14
12:45 pm1:15 pm
Well managed supply chains can drive significant cost-savings, generating additional value for the business. Across the supply chain, common themes have emerged, from the explosion of e-commerce to the need for real-time visibility, and ultimately a synchronized and resilient supply chain. Achieving that synchronization with its customer base and resiliency, however, can be a challenge, requiring broad coordination throughout the organization.
Sunday
January 14
2:30 pm3:00 pm
Moët Hennessy, the wines and spirits division of LVMH, includes twenty-six Maisons, many of which have been around for centuries, while others are just starting their journey. The high-end wine and spirits group creates exceptional luxury experiences to engage consumers in its world of brands. Moët Hennessy CEO, Philippe Schaus, will share his vision for the division’s retail strategy and the role of retailers in Moët Hennessy consumer engagement strategy. He will explore the company’s consumer experience journey and its key learnings along the way.
Sunday
January 14
3:00 pm3:30 pm
The focus on sustainable business practices has become an imperative now more than ever. But what are the implications retail businesses must be aware of as they continue to venture into the sustainability space? How have Frito-Lay and Quaker focused on consumer preferences while keeping a pulse on ESG? Join Michael Jeschke, Deloitte Consulting's Retail & Consumer Products leader, and Steven Williams, CEO of PepsiCo Foods North America, for a candid discussion on some of the steps needed to make positive change for people and the planet.
Monday
January 15
8:15 am9:00 am
NBA Hall of Famer and member of the original Dream Team, Earvin “Magic” Johnson has become one of the most powerful and respected African American businessmen and philanthropists in the world. Having left the basketball court for the boardroom, Johnson has successfully parlayed his skills and tenacity into the business world as Chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE), providing high-quality products and services that focus primarily on ethnically diverse and underserved communities. Johnson made history in 2023 when he became co-owner of the NFL’s Washington Commanders.
Monday
January 15
9:00 am9:30 am
Starting his retail career at a young age, executive chairman Ed Stack has led DICK’S Sporting Goods through decades of remarkable growth with tremendous business acumen and ingenuity. His story demonstrates how the retail industry is unmatched in its opportunity and impact. Throughout his tenure, Ed has stood by his convictions and dedication to making a difference.
Monday
January 15
9:30 am10:00 am
Over the years, the role of beauty and cosmetics has evolved far beyond what people put on to look their best. Today, it’s a powerful tool with transformative capabilities that can inform consumer behaviors, drive innovation, cultivate communities, and nurture growth, all while empowering authentic self-expression and wellbeing.
Monday
January 15
11:20 am11:50 am
Confident and changeable, Gen Z are demanding that brands communicate with them on their own terms. Brands that understand how to reach this valuable, yet challenging customer cohort are building digital strategies to stay agile in a dynamic landscape. In this session learn from leading brands the strategies driving digital initiatives, how they measure success and remain at the forefront of innovation.
Monday
January 15
11:20 am11:50 am
Will inflation continue to decline? Will the economy continue to grow?  Will the job market remain tight? Will fraught relations between China and the US lead to major supply chain changes? And what will it all mean for consumers and retailers? Join Ira Kalish as he navigates the headwinds and tailwinds facing retail businesses. 
Monday
January 15
12:10 pm12:40 pm
The analogue world is behind us. Only advanced tech can solve the retail challenges and turn the tide on stagnating productivity. Discover what impacts this will have on physical retail, e-commerce and sustainability, as well as consumer’s shopping behaviors. This session with futurist and trends expert, Kate Ancketill, will posit optimism for the tech-enabled future.
Monday
January 15
12:10 pm12:40 pm
The last few years have been a roller coaster ride as retail companies scrambled to serve shoppers who shifted their buying patterns from physical to digital and tweaked assortments to align with consumer’s changing mindset. As the world moves back on its axis, retailers are doing the same - returning to customer service, inventory management, merchandising and pricing strategy fundamentals. Hear from a top executive at Target discussing the retailers’ commitment to moving forward while keeping a firm grasp on the principles that anchor success.
Monday
January 15
2:00 pm2:30 pm
BÉIS was founded on Shopify five years ago and has quickly become the go-to DTC brand for luggage and travel accessories through their innovative digital marketing and product that prioritizes form and function at a competitive, yet accessible price. Glossier has transformed the beauty industry as a pioneer of direct-to-consumer. On the heels of a blockbuster hit partnership with Sephora, they are entering their next phase of growth and ten years after founding, they still have down-the-block lines at their retail locations every weekend. Both brands are powered by Shopify.
Monday
January 15
3:00 pm3:30 pm
Join us for a captivating conversation with Stephanie Linnartz, CEO of Under Armour, a brand synonymous with athletic excellence. Stephanie will share Under Armour's strategies for enhancing the athletic experience, from high-performance sportswear and elevated sportstyle to cutting-edge technology, and how they cater to the diverse world of athletes by being “athlete first.” Learn about the company's commitment to building long-lasting customer relationships, fostering high lifetime value (LTV) customers, and harnessing innovation to push the boundaries of performance.
Tuesday
January 16
8:30 am9:00 am
Dig into the art of maintaining corporate values in a high-growth environment in this dynamic fireside chat with Tractor Supply Company CEO Hal Lawton and PwC partner Kelly Pedersen. This insightful discussion will examine the opportunities and challenges Tractor Supply has faced in preserving its unique company culture amid unprecedented growth, while exploring the concept of trust as a corporate asset, the real meaning of purpose and how culture can impact a company’s success and growth prospects.
Tuesday
January 16
9:00 am9:30 am
Marc Metrick, CEO of Saks, the premier digital platform for luxury fashion, joins CNBC Senior Retail Reporter Courtney Reagan for a conversation about the company’s strategy to evolve the luxury experience for today’s online luxury shopper. Marc will share key insights into serving the full continuum of luxury consumers and Saks’ efforts to build lasting and meaningful customer relationships, prioritizing high lifetime value (LTV) customers.
Tuesday
January 16
9:30 am10:00 am
In the fast-paced world of business, it is valuable to learn from those who have achieved great success. Arianna Huffington, Founder and CEO of Thrive Global and founder of The Huffington Post will be joined on stage by Signet Jewelers CEO Gina Drosos and The Honest Company CEO Carla Vernón to discuss building a foundation of well-being as a leader of an organization and creating a culture for anyone to thrive in the workplace.
Tuesday
January 16
10:30 am11:00 am

Shifting spending patterns and global events are causing consumers to reprioritize their lives – from how they shop to how they experience life. Customers expect more than ever from brands, and brands need more ways to attract them. We’ll discuss how to help future proof connections to shoppers that have long lasting implications.

Tuesday
January 16
10:30 am11:00 am
Stories of resilience and determination are powerful reminders that businesses often have to overcome obstacles and chart a new course in the quest to win back shoppers' hearts and wallets. Join us as Crocs and Claire’s share their unique journeys from setbacks to success on the road to brand and business reinvention.
Tuesday
January 16
11:20 am11:50 am
In this session we will identify strategies to future-proof retail businesses, examining the global drivers that are shaping macroeconomic and business landscapes, as well as exploring the forces that will influence society, technology, the environment, politics, industry and creativity.
Tuesday
January 16
11:20 am11:50 am
How do retailers unify multiple channels in ways that create a compelling, consistent and personalized experience for their customers? And at the same time, how does their unified commerce strategy deliver both profit and growth? Hear from our panel of retail leaders to understand the elements common to every successful omnichannel business, as the route to building or reinforcing your own roadmap. What are the cultural, organizational and technological barriers to success and how have our leaders overcome them?
Tuesday
January 16
12:10 pm12:40 pm
In this session, Vogue Business Head of Advisory Anusha Couttigane will share insights from the latest Vogue Business Index, a bi-annual study of the top 60 global luxury brands, driven by consumer research across 11 markets. Luxury remains extremely resilient, in spite of prevailing economic challenges, but some territories present specific social, economic and cultural trends that directly impact both consumer attitudes and behavior. This presentation will look at how these key shifts are manifesting across global markets. 
Tuesday
January 16
12:10 pm12:40 pm

Shein and Temu have been two of the most successful US consumer brand launches in recent history. Both share some common tactics as well as some distinctive differences. This session will provide an overview of their success and the tactics they used to achieve that success. With a focus on what existing brands can learn to apply to their own marketing efforts. You’ll leave with a better understanding of one of the most significant evolutions of the US market, and specific strategies you can employee to accelerate growth of your own brands.