Retail Summit 2024: New markets, new opportunities. But you need to open your mind first
Published Retail 26. 2. 2024
Published Retail 26. 2. 2024
Czech retail is facing significant changes. What should we focus on, where will we find people for it, and how much will it cost? And will our customers respond positively to these changes? The 30th anniversary edition of the Retail Summit conference which will take place at the Prague Congress Centre from the 25th to the 27th of March 2024, will bring answers through insights from retail experts from the Czech Republic and other countries in the region.
“Opening Minds & Markets” is the subtitle of the upcoming Retail Summit edition suggesting to explore new opportunities you have to open you mind first. Challenges are numerous: economic situations and related changes in customer behaviour, digitization, the infiltration of AI into various industries, and increasing demands for sustainability in all aspects of production and trade.
Tomáš Prouza, the President of the Czech Confederation of Commerce and Tourism, will deliver the opening speech at the beginning of the main program. The morning program block will focus on research, forecasts, and trends. David Marek (Deloitte) will present the background of the current state of the domestic economy. In addition to official debt, he will also discuss hidden aspects such as infrastructure and energy modernization, demographic changes, technological developments, etc. AI expert Josef Holý will delve into how work models are changing with the rise of the AI.
In his keynote speech "The Illusion of Efficiency - How to Solve Hidden Costs of Retail," a business strategist JP Castlin will focus on the strategic consequences of new business approaches and outline new paths to growth.
From data to corporate practice
Lenneke Schils from CPS GfK or Lucie Zajícová from NIQ will present fresh data and insights into market development and consumer habits. A duel between a retailer and a manufacturer, Martin Dlouhý from Rohlik Group and Roman Trzaskalik from Plzeňský Prazdroj, will be based on personal experience and specific examples from practice. Petr Kraus (Sportisimo) and Jozef Škorvánek (A3 Soft) as a duo of a retailer and a solution provider will share their case study on expanding into new markets. Adriana Jahňáková, Vice President for Marketing at The LEGO Group, will provide insights into the corporate culture and mind-set of the iconic brand that has risen from the ashes several times in its history and continues to attract new customer groups. The latest technologies, especially artificial intelligence, as well as self-service devices and 24/7 stores, will also be discussed.
The morning session will include the presentation of the three finalists in the Innovation of the Year category in the Mastercard Retailer of the Year competition. Jan Žák (Dr. Max), Jan Jindra (Makro Cash & Carry ČR), and Luboš Rejchrt (Plaček Pet Products) will introduce their latest innovative projects, and the audience will vote for the winner. The winner, along with the winners of other competition categories, will be honoured during the gala evening.
Afternoon parallel program sections will cover topics such as the transformation of retail from business models to leadership and corporate culture, or how marketing should respond to new challenges. The evening award ceremony of the Mastercard Retailer of the Year competition will be followed by a concert by popular Slovak singer Jana Kirschner.
Technology and the future of people in retail
Traditionally, the second day is dedicated to two series of parallel sessions discussing various aspects of retail in detail. Panels on e-commerce, technology, agriculture, price promotions, the supply chain, and human resources will be featured.
Moreover, Retail Summit offers specialized workshops each year. The Czech Promotion agency, TOMRA, a specialist in reusable packaging and recycling, and APIR, a platform associating manufacturers of unmanned technologies will prepare the workshops’ program on March the 25th.
Retail Summit as a top-level meeting of retailers and manufacturers, has been supported by commercial partners such as Mastercard, Czech Promotion, Gondella, and Plzeňský Prazdroj.
Martin Veselovský, a popular moderator, will guide the audience through the main program. Simona Babčáková will ensure a fantastic atmosphere at the gala evening. The complete program, including annotations for each speech, can be found here.
The conference created by Blue Events, known today as Retail Summit, has changed its name twice, changed its logo three times, and replaced the venue five times over the past 30 years. It played a crucial role in opening the free market and the beginning of modern commerce in the 90s. It helped opening retailers’ eyes to new opportunities. Throughout its existence, it has provided a platform for networking and exchanging experience for retailers, manufacturers, and solution providers from the Czech Republic and other countries in the Central European region. Directors and top managers represent a half of its attendees. The last edition welcomed a record number of participants, nearly 1300 people.
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Reviews:
"I am convinced that Retail Summit has been, is, and will be a catalyst for positive change, not only in retail."
Alena Střížová Deputy Manager
Head of Human Resources Department, dm drogerie markt
"I can hear it in corridors and feel it everywhere, that Retail Summit helps sharing great energy and appeals well-disposed people."
Jannis Samaras, Owner, Kofola
"The level of production and appeal the event has for the audience is growing year after year."
Jiří Nehasil CEO, MAKRO Cash & Carry ČR
"I think that in today's time, with so many changes happening in retail, this conference is very important. Retailers all gather in one place, exchange views on the future, and discuss the challenges of digital transformation. Providing them with space and opportunity for that is very valuable."
Albrecht Hornbach Chairman of the Board, Hornbach
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Contact:
Kateřina Paterová
PR & Media Specialist
+420 776 117 282
[email protected]
https://www.blueevents.eu/en
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