2025 Agenda

What will the store of tomorrow look like?

This question will be discussed by an all-star panel that will seek to answer the following questions and more:

• What are the new demands of hybrid consumers?
• How do retailers incorporate bleeding-edge technology?
• Where do retailers need to start when re-imagining the retail journey?

With NTUC investing heavily in its grocery store of the future concept since 2021, and Mecca Brands on the cusp of launching their largest ever (and most technologically advanced) retail store in Melbourne, Australia, our panelists are uniquely positioned to offer insight into the future of store formats, while offering advice on how to navigate the challenges of building the retail experience of tomorrow.

What are the challenges of moving to a more sustainable future?

In this session, our panelists discuss :-

o Cutting through the “noise”

o Meeting the ever-changing needs of the customer, and the lack of alignment between customer ideals and behaviour in store

o The ‘corporate confusion’ between identity and politics

o The role of certifications and standards – program execution within corporates while also ensuring transparency for external stakeholders

Brooke and Sharon will share insights about the sustainability journeys that Coles Australia and DFI Retail Group have been on, and the importance of prioritizing collaboration, innovation and the value proposition of sustainability in today's retail landscape.

The retail landscape in Australia is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by evolving customer expectations, rising operational costs, and a growing emphasis on seamless technology experiences.

In this exclusive fireside chat, Diebold Nixdorf and RETHINK Retail Top Retail Influencer will unveil the findings from a latest study developed by IDC that focused on the perspective of Australia’s retailers and the consumers. This research provides rare, data-driven insights into the current challenges and opportunities facing the industry—straight from the voices of both retailers and consumers.

Why Attend?

This session is designed specifically for retailers seeking practical, actionable strategies to future-proof their businesses, boost customer satisfaction, and improve profitability through better checkout and self-service experiences.

Key Takeaways:

· Exclusive first access to IDC’s latest research findings on the Australian retail sector

· Insights into consumer preferences around self-service and tech-enabled checkouts—and how they influence buying behavior

· A clear understanding of what’s driving (and blocking) retailers from successfully implementing next-generation checkout technologies

· A comparative analysis between retailer strategies and consumer expectations—highlighting key gaps and how to close them

· Best practices from local and global retail leaders who are transforming the checkout into a competitive advantage