Retail Day 2026

The first session of the conference will focus on the current situation and key processes of the domestic and international retail market. Our invited experts will review the key trends that are currently shaping the sector's operations and will outline the responses to the most pressing challenges facing the sector. The discussion will also focus on the macroeconomic factors that fundamentally affect retailing, including the labour market, the inflationary environment, the increasing complexity of supply chains, and the impact of an increasingly volatile regulatory environment.

As consumer habits change, the boundaries between online and offline commerce are increasingly blurred, and retail operating models are organised into a complex, multi-channel ecosystem. Today, offline stores must not only offer an alternative to e-commerce, but also fit functionally and strategically with online channels and experiential and service-oriented solutions. The session will explore how digitalisation and changing consumer expectations are shaping retail models and how the role of physical stores is being redefined in the era of online-offline integration. Particular attention will be paid to hybrid solutions in which stores act not only as points of sale but also as experience, service and logistics hubs. In this changing environment, the rapidly evolving RE-Commerce is adding new functionality to the retail ecosystem through the resale of second-hand products. This session will show how re-commerce is becoming complementary to traditional retail models in a growing number of segments, from fashion to electronics, and where it is creating real business and consumer value without being a trend reversal for the market as a whole.

Generation Z and Generation Alpha are not only digital natives, but also "generations of discovery": they discover brands and products through social media, content creators, games and online communities. The needs of young shoppers are changing rapidly and this demands new solutions for retail. Experiential, multi-channel shopping models, quick pick-up points and quick commerce, or fast retail, are all key to brands staying relevant, responding quickly and attracting new, active customer groups at the boundary between digital and physical space. The session will show participants how to turn the consumer habits of the next generations into a strategic advantage, how to effectively target them through decisions and tools, and how responding to the needs of young shoppers can become a driver for long-term retail growth.

The session will examine the structural and operational challenges facing the retail sector in a rapidly changing economic and technological environment. Increasing cost pressures, changing consumer expectations and intensifying competition are creating a complex situation in which technological improvements and efficient supply chain management have become key competitive factors. The development of the retail-tech ecosystem, in particular AI-driven solutions, will play a central role. The session will review the most prominent technology trends, innovation focus areas and how they contribute to increasing operational efficiency, improving decision support and optimising the customer experience. The impact of technological advances is closely intertwined with logistics and supply chain solutions, which are under increasing pressure. The session will cover the rapid expansion of last-mile delivery and fulfilment services, as well as the business and operational implications of "fast retail" and "quick commerce" models. How to ensure that consumer demand for speed is met without compromising service quality, reliability and long-term sustainability will be a key issue.

Be our guests for a glass of champagne after the technical programme, don't miss the opportunity to network with the conference participants and speakers!

It was a great Retail Day 2025 - don't miss it this year!