A spectrum of leaders from major retail, fashion and technology companies — Macy’s, Apple, Google and Walmart among them — will converge next month at the Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing’s annual Global Retailing Conference to discuss fast-moving changes in the industry, seamless shopping and connecting better with customers.
The conference, being held April 20 and 21 at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort in Tucson, Ariz., is an annual think tank for retail professionals, industry analysts and academics. The theme of the upcoming conference is “What’s In Store” with discussions and presentations on channel integration, marketing tactics, innovative store concepts and personalization included in the agenda.
“The retail landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace as shoppers demand new, more personal ways to engage with businesses. Innovative concepts and a faster to-market approach are the keys to success for any retailer working to adapt to omnichannel shopping,” said Terry J. Lundgren, chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s Inc., who will deliver opening remarks.
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This year’s conference, Lundgren said, “will be focused on what is next and how a variety of retailers are implementing seamless shopping experiences across mobile, in-store and online that help create more meaningful, impactful relationships with consumers.”
Besides Lundgren, speakers scheduled for day one of the conference include:
- Sarah Quinlan, senior vice president, market insights, MasterCard
- Juan Carlos Escribano, ceo, El Palacio de Hierro
- Steve Bratspies, chief merchandising officer, Walmart U.S.
- Brian Amkraut, PetSmart’s executive vice president of real estate, strategy, store operations and services.
- Alex Komoroske, lead product manager at Google
- Jeffery R. Sears, ceo of Pirch
- Luke Chatelain, vice president of innovation, West Elm
- Chris Kobus, vice president of marketing and e-commerce, Sunglass Hut
- Gregg Throgmartin, general manager, Fabletics
Those scheduled for the second day of the conference are:
- Jeff Gennette, Macy’s Inc. president and soon-to-be ceo
- Angela Ahrendts, Apple’s senior vice president of retail and online stores
- Kendra Scott, designer and ceo of Kendra Scott
- Marla Malcolm Beck, cofounder and ceo, Bluemercury Inc.
- Barry Beck, cofounder and chief operating officer, Bluemercury Inc.
- Beck Besecker, cofounder and ceo, Marxent
- Chris Wantlin, chief digital officer, global e-commerce, Ashley Furniture HomeStore
- Susan Hart, global retail practice leader, Spencer Stuart
Details on the conference are posted on www.globalretailingconference.org, with pages on Facebook.com (keyword Global Retailing Conference) and Twitter.com/globalretailcon. Information can also be obtained by e-mailing Kimberley Brooke, associate director of the Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing, at kbrooke@email.arizona.edu.
The Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing is part of the University of Arizona’s John and Doris Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences.