The 2014 World Retail Congress is your chance to engage with and learn from those steering the world\'s leading retail businesses. Recognised as the pre-eminent meeting place in the retail calendar, over the last seven years the Congress has brought together over 6,200 of the global retail industry\'s most influential business leaders and decision makers to challenge current thinking, unveil the latest innovations and shape the direction of the global retail industry.

For an additional 10% discount please mention CODE: REP2014

RETAILING IN A DISRUPTED WORLD World Retail Congress is the only meeting place where global industry leaders come together to define the future of retail. Over 170 leading retail speakers and industry experts will provide in-depth focus on the next wave of technology, the future role of the store, responsible retailing and the ever important engagement and understanding of the changing global consumer.

New to this year’s agenda are the latest hot topics the global retail industry is talking about. The agenda has global retail intelligence at its heart, being structured around integral European and International markets including APAC, India, Russia, China and the new MINT countries, international and domestic retailer expansion strategy, and operational excellence and innovation.

For the first time the World Retail Expo will open its doors to visitors offering more opportunities to network, an expanded exhibition of the latest products, solutions and services as well as a new 2-day educational visitor programme.

The World Retail Awards are your unrivalled chance to network with the industry’s elite. Hosted at the iconic Salle Wagram in the heart of Paris, the 2014 re-energised Awards will present the best and most exciting examples of modern retailing in the world today.

2014 is the year of change, disruption and the consumer centric approach. Join us at the Congress for unmissable opportunities to learn how to benefit from this new era and experience first-hand the new directions the industry is taking.

WORLD RETAIL CONGRESS Global Series World Retail Congress has grown to be the most significant global annual meeting of the retail calendar. The Congress has seen a consistent increase in international attendees since it’s inception. Over the past few years, the World Retail Congress has launched four geo-located events that enable retail industry discussions on a regional level.

World Retail Congress Global Series includes:
World Retail Congress is the largest multi-channel retail event for international decision makers, where industry leaders meet annually to network and make new business connections. With 1,500+ attendees from over 60 countries, this year’s event in Paris is set to be the biggest yet.
2013 stats: - 149 International Industry Speakers
- 1274 Attendees
- 80% Director level and above
- 66% Retailer delegates
- 137 Press

Key Themes for 2014

THE RETAIL DISRUPTORS
Understanding the new kids on the block
With new business models, retail formats and brand engagement campaigns retail has been infiltrated with a new generation of retail ‘disruptors’ who are shaking up the system. A series of sessions will chat with these innovative, entrepreneurial business founders discussing their views on the industry, their assessment of today’s consumer and the ideas behind their new enterprise models.

MILLENNIAL SHOPPERS
Getting to grips with this new customer demographic
While Millennials are already a potent force, they will truly come into their own by 2020 with a spending power that is projected to reach $1.4 trillion alone. The programmes ‘Millennial sessions’ will assess how retailers can understand and connect with this key demographic.

RE-DEFINING CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
Meeting the ‘I need it now’ culture
In the face of consumers whose expectations have grown exponentially over the last few years, inventory optimization, supply chain agility and visibility across channels are business imperatives. Sessions will assess how retailers are providing cross channel fulfilment to ensure a better customer experience.

EMERGING MARKETS
New growth market opportunities
Insights from successful international and domestic retailers will help you understand and navigate the potential of some of the worlds untapped new growth markets, including the MINT countries, Eastern Europe, MENA & The Americas.

INNOVATIVE OPERATING MODELS
Re-designing business culture and structure
Mastering fulfilment across the myriad of channels that exist requires a proactive, agile and responsive operating model, but what does this look like to succeed? Is the pure-play format dead? What role does the store now play? Is there an alternative to the Amazon model? Retailers will share their views on the winning operating models of the future.