Conference program

Importance for Malls and Retailers

This panel will focus on shopping tourism as a growing and valuable segment for malls and retailers, especially in the context of post-pandemic recovery. We’ll explore the high spending power and experience-driven behavior of tourist shoppers, and how their presence benefits the broader ecosystem. Strategies to attract them—like tax-free services, travel partnerships, and social media marketing—will be discussed. Panelists will share success stories from Europe and beyond, including outlet villages and urban luxury hubs. We’ll also address current challenges such as reliance on international travel, and how to diversify and adapt to changing tourism trends.

Smartgifty

Smartgifty

Meet the brands: Poland

Meet the brands: Poland

Meet the brands: Austria

Meet the brands: Austria

OPTIM AI

OPTIM AI

Meet the brands: Italy

Meet the brands: Italy

Shopingy

Shopingy

Customers shopping in-store today expect more than just a place to buy products - they seek unique, immersive experiences that reflect brand values and connect with them on a personal level. By blending digital and physical elements, from interactive displays to personalised service touchpoints, to community-focused experiences, consumer brands and retailers are transforming their physical spaces into vibrant destinations that inspire loyalty, foster community, and drive sales.

Redevelopment & Extensions

This panel will focus on how underperforming retail locations can be revitalized through thoughtful redevelopment and strategic extensions. We’ll explore why evolving consumer behavior and urban trends make redevelopment a necessity—not an option. Panelists will share approaches like tenant mix refresh, mixed-use integration, and “live-shop-play” concepts that bring spaces back to life. We’ll also discuss the practicalities of building up or out, infrastructure needs, regulatory hurdles, and financing models. The session will highlight how successful projects balance vision, flexibility, and community relevance to create lasting impact.

This panel provides a high-level look at the current market landscape, highlighting key trends, challenges, and opportunities. Industry experts will share perspectives on market performance, consumer behavior, emerging technologies, and future growth directions, helping participants better understand where the market stands today and where it is heading.

This panel explores effective approaches to increasing property value in a competitive and changing market. Industry professionals will share insights on strategic renovations, efficient property management, sustainable improvements, and understanding market demand. The discussion will also highlight how data-driven decisions, location trends, and timing can help owners and investors maximize returns and long-term value.

This panel explores how AI is already transforming the entire retail value chain—from customer experience to supply chain operations. We’ll discuss its role in personalization, marketing, virtual shopping tools, and customer service. Operationally, AI is enabling smarter demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics. We’ll also address ethical and strategic issues, including workforce impact, data privacy, and evolving EU regulations. Panelists will close by sharing real-world successes and failures, highlighting where AI is driving real value—and where it's falling short.

Women shaping retail - Breakfast Meetup

This panel will explore the evolving role of supply chain management (SCM) as a critical driver of retail success, especially post-COVID. We'll begin by discussing the current state of retail SCM, including trends and differences across European markets. The conversation will then shift to key opportunities such as digital transformation, AI, nearshoring, and sustainability. We'll also address major challenges like logistics disruptions, lack of visibility, regulatory complexity, and forecasting issues. Finally, panelists will share real-world insights and case studies, highlighting what has worked—and what hasn't.

Are We Doing Enough?

This panel will examine whether the retail industry is keeping pace with rising security threats—physical, digital, and procedural. We'll begin with current challenges like shoplifting, organized crime, and the impact of understaffing, followed by the growing risks of cyberattacks and data breaches. The discussion will also cover the importance of employee training, internal theft prevention, and building a strong security culture. We’ll explore new technologies such as AI surveillance, behavior analytics, and their ethical implications. Ultimately, the panel will highlight how security, when treated as a strategic priority, protects not just assets—but brand trust and customer experience.

Agilitas

Agilitas

Meet the brands: Asia

Meet the brands: Asia

BH TELECOM

BH TELECOM

Goodylabs

Goodylabs

Monri Payments

Monri Payments

Evalarm

Evalarm

VEMCO Group

VEMCO Group