Featured Session

As both the world’s largest convenience retailer and the number one immediate-consumption retailer in the U.S. with over 13,000 stores, 7-Eleven is in a unique position to provide CPGs and other partners with a differentiated solution across the full marketing and innovation funnel. The company’s integrated suite of data-driven insights is led by Gulp Media—the first retail media network to serve the convenience store industry—bolstered by its C-Shopper analytics platform, Brainfreeze Collective proprietary research panel of 250,000 customers and forthcoming 7-Eleven Lab Stores.

Punch your ticket for a guided tour of the latest new stores to open in New York courtesy of Accenture. You can expect a visual treasure trove of new and reimagined customer journeys, and insights on what today’s shoppers look for – and expect, from retail stores.

Retailers are entering a new phase of technological innovation — with artificial intelligence and machine learning at its core. AI has emerged as the most effective way for retailers to turn data into value. In this session learn how Walmart is using AI to drive growth and competitive advantage across the business.

The industry cohort most focused on financial health will discuss how they are rallying teams around goals for profitability, and a renewed focus on the retail fundamentals and strategies with a successful track record. In addition, these senior leaders will ​speak to: balancing short and long-term growth priorities, ​the CFO's take on AI, innovation and technology being green-lit for testing, ESG (given new financial reporting requirements from the SEC), and the evolving role of the CFO – increasingly at the forefront of business strategy.

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?

It’s mainstream in China, projected to bring in $647 billion this year, and we’ve talked about the broader global adoption of livestream shopping for years. With social shopping playing an increasingly larger role in commerce, is 2024 the year live shopping will take off? A group of seasoned retail and advertising executives from Fanatics, Roku and HSN will discuss different approaches their brands are taking with live shopping – and why they’re investing in the channel.

Step into the world of cutting-edge retail as we explore retail innovation from around the globe. Discover, learn and get inspired by groundbreaking strategies, business models, technologies and concepts that are reshaping the retail landscape, from seamless online-to-offline experiences to immersive store designs and transformative customer engagement.

There was a time not too long ago when, if you wanted something, you went to a store. You pretty much had to. Now, after the Supernova explosion of methods to buy merchandise that make shopping easier and more convenient, you may find yourself asking, what’s the value of having physical stores? Retailers that struggle the most keeping up with modern changes also seem to be having the most trouble with this question. Given the current plethora of easy ways to get goods to your doorstep fast, falling behind is certainly understandable but unquestionably risky.

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.

CEOs from this year’s “in” DTC brands – Bombas, Ritual, and Clare V. – come together to share what they’re focused on for 2024 and how their teams are navigating a new retail landscape (post-COVID, full of new brands). These talented leaders will discuss topics including:

• Balancing profitability with growth and a culture of innovation
• Consumer behavior shaping strategy
• Relevance of stores, and wholesale partnerships
• Marketing: What's working, what’s not; acquisition versus retention

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.