Our Story

The Retail Summit was founded in 2018 by friends and colleagues, Gary Thatcher and Marc Howard.

Whilst working at large, corporate events businesses they became disillusioned by the lack of community building and market immersion due to high churn (and high turnover).

Determined to create a truly global platform that brings together and serves the wider retail community, together they set out to develop a relevant, strategic event that inspires and directly meets the needs of retail leaders across the world.

We embody our core values – to deliver high-level, content-led meeting places that facilitate meaningful networking at director level. We treat our speakers like family, we want to truly understand our partners and we strive to create the premier, annual meeting place for global retail leaders to learn, discover and network.

Over the last 2 editions (the global pandemic may have stopped us hosting physical events, but it certainly didn’t dampen our spirits or resolve) the Summit has brought together 1500+ business leaders. They have seen over 170 legacy retailers and disruptive brands share a platform to shape the future of retail.

2022 saw us launch the regional Roadshow Series, bringing inspirational presentations and global speakers to the UK, Denmark, Sweden and Netherlands… and we are off to Germany in November 2022.

We are honoured to serve the retail community and look forward to being part of the sector’s ongoing growth and transformation.

TICKETS

Expert speakers

Embrace cross-sector ideas
Join the pioneers
Meet global icons

SPEAKERS

Hard hitting content

Catch up on-demand
Get to the point
New ways of learning

AGENDA

Real connections

Build lasting relationships
Discover new brands
Celebrate diversity

EXPLORE PARTNERS

Embrace cross-sector ideas

Next-generation customer experience and incredible branding isn’t unique to retail. Learn from the trend-setters in parallel industries including F&B, hospitality and lifestyle who are leading the way. Bring back a new outlook and fresh ideas to your organisation.

Join the pioneers

Turning the spotlight on disruptors from across the world, be the first to hear from new, innovative brands changing the face of retail. Get inspired and take away new thinking from the trailblazers! The Summit features these brands on the same platform as the legacy names too – so there’s no searching for them in graveyard shifts or breakout rooms!

Meet global icons

Get closer to the industry legends who have shaped the retail world. Hear stirring, personal insights from the most inspirational names in retail and connect with them through intimate interviews and spotlight sessions. Leave with a reignited passion for the industry.

"Once again, thanks for an excellent Summit, and I mean it. Quality of speakers, specially the keynotes, was superb. I look forward to next year’s summit."

VIKRAM IDNANI, CIO, Reliance Retail

"It's a great experience to network with fellow retailers, see what's happening around the world. I think there is a great line up of speakers. Lots to learn, lots to share, a lot of networking. That's what I'm looking for here."

SONYA JOSE, Head of Marketing & E-Commerce, Al Futtaim Ace

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