2026 Agenda

Half a decade after COVID shutdowns, APAC is experiencing a renaissance in retail construction and renewed brand experiences.

Megamalls in multiple countries are becoming destinations for retail tourism, with many looking like Instagrammable theme parks. Department Stores are launching their own interpretations of the ‘store of tomorrow’, providing new and engaging experiences that can’t be found anywhere else. Everything from layouts to decor and design is being carefully examined and optimized. 

Driven by customers that are showing an appetite and appreciation for more emotional involvement in their retail journeys, the retail industry is relishing the opportunity to create increasingly emotive touchpoints for their audience. Is this trend here to stay, or is it just a passing fad?

The pace of development and innovation in APAC isn't just a question of developed vs developing markets.

With Search & Generative AI disrupting shopping behavior, and differing levels of technological adoption across the region, understanding how platform trends are developing is key to growth and aspiration. Where does that road take us?

For retailers looking to expand into new markets, the age-old question comes up - find a partner, or go it alone?

In this session, join us for a chat with Brian Murray, as he discusses what retailers need to look for when looking for new partners in new markets.

The APAC E-Commerce experience is one of the best in the world. But the omnichannel experience is still years behind the west.

Join us as we explore what retailers need to get right to build a world-class omnichannel shopping experience in this part of the world.

What happens at the intersection of sports, pop culture and retail?

Join us as we sit down with Samuel Sanghyun Kim, former CEO and current Senior Advisor of LOTTE Retail, and Adrian Staiti, APAC President for CAA's Sports division, on what retailers need to do to maximize opportunities at this unique confluence of the world's most intriguing spaces.

From zero to USD30 billion in revenue in 9 years, retail's latest platform for revenue is going great guns.

But what exactly are retailers supposed to make of its success? Should it be viewed as a branding opportunity to reach a new audience, or is it just one part of a wider strategy for monetization? Join our panel of experts for a deep discussion about retail's latest platform for shopper engagement.

Agentic AI isn't just about saving money or technological adoption for the sake of it. It could literally change your entire business.

Join us for a case study in Agentic AI implementation that even the leader of the organization carrying it out, CEO Jamie Lim, didn't realize how impactful it would end up being - from solving a human resources crisis to integrating siloed legacy systems.

With relentless media hype and conflicting narratives about changes in consumer behaviour, what should merchants and brands really prioritise in the months ahead, and what can they safely take off their to-do lists?

In this data-rich session, Chase Buckle and Simon Kemp from Manochi share exclusive findings from their huge new study into evolving purchase journeys, identifying the “musts”, exposing the myths, and charting actionable paths to retail success in APAC.

Most retailers have run more pilots in the last three years than the previous decade. Most are dead. The technology was rarely the problem.

Greg Merrill and Debra Langley have sat on both sides of deals that worked and deals that did not. This conversation moves past "startups and enterprises speak different languages" to diagnose what actually kills pilots: innovation teams disconnected from operational budget holders; procurement processes that filter out the best AI partners; and measurement frameworks that are the wrong instrument for how AI creates value.

If your team is still evaluating AI pilots on uptime and deployment timelines, you are using the wrong scorecard and will consistently approve the safest vendors over the most valuable ones.

Attendees leave with a data readiness diagnostic that separates viable pilots from expensive disappointments, and a framework drawn from partnerships that succeeded outside normal procurement channels.

This is not a session about innovation strategy. A session about what your team does differently the next time a startup asks for thirty minutes of your time.

Best suited for: Operations leaders, transformation leads, and innovation heads with active or planned tech pilots

There's an e-commerce revolution coming for companies across Asia Pacific. Some might argue it's already here.

The E-Commerce revolution is driving us towards a future that's more immediate, urgent and fast-paced.

Retailers need to prepare for NEXT, and why they need to start doing that right NOW in the e-commerce space, with even stronger emphasis on immediacy in delivery, infrastructure & ecosystem development.

This session will also explore the hidden cost of what will happen if retailers don't prepare for this, today.

Nestle Japan is making strides that many a brand would not have dreamt of making. This is their story.

Join us as we capture the story of Nestle Japan's transition from a packaged goods brand to a retailer, covering aspects such as organizational transformation, customer engagement strategies, and the a broader look at how Nestle Japan's operations and direction sit within the global Nestle approach through the eyes of one of its most senior champions, Shimakawa Motoi - Nestle Japan's Managing Executive Officer of its Beverage Business Group.

There's massive disruption happening in the world of search and discovery, as Gen Z finds new ways to find purchase what they need.

SEO got you ranked. AEO gets you found. GEO gets you trusted. ACO gets you bought. As AI agents move from recommending products to completing purchases autonomously, the rules of product discovery and conversion are being rewritten - the brands winning in 2027 will be those optimising not just for discovery, but for AI-driven transactions.

Content is the next battleground in the war for consumer attention. How can retailers stand out in an increasingly content-saturated world?

In this session, join our panel as they dive into the evolution of content in commerce and how it shapes consumer choices. With shorter attention spans, research vs irrational purchasing decisions, Gen AI usage for quicker asset creation and the need to combat algorithmic saturation, the value of creating impactful and commercially-viable content that hooks consumers is more important than ever.

Want to get ahead? This is where you need to be.

Operational losses are often considered the 'cost' of doing business in APAC. We're here to tell you that no longer needs to be the case.

With APAC companies across the region facing pressures to optimize margin and increase revenue, the idea of reducing and mitigating losses is severely underrepresented as a viable method for margin management.

Join our expert Sophie Wong as she shares the playbook on turning loss into opportunity, and taking the guesswork out of where to start your retail journey towards better efficiency.