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, retail leaders who have taken opposite paths on the road to expansion and monetization will share what their journeys are like, helping delegates understand what is the best path forward for them.

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's the best way to build a loyalty program?

Should you look to build your own platform, make use of the features of another, or simply go old-school in an increasingly tech-heavy world?

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.

How do we go about finding, solving and funding solutions to retail's biggest problems?

Most retail innovation dies in the "pilot phase" because of a failure to align tech aspiration with enterprise reality. In this session, the architects of transformation from two of the world’s most iconic brands, Nike and Walmart, distill 25 minutes of high-stakes lessons on moving beyond the hype.

Instead of broad trends, we’ll dive into the specific friction that arises across the innovation commercialization journey from ideation to market ready, including financial, technical, and operational pinch points.

Returns. Unlimited stock. Free Delivery. Hidden costs are rarely discussed when it comes to e-commerce adoption for companies across Asia Pacific.

There are incredible levels of competition in retail-adjacent spaces such as delivery services, and the expenditure required to organize and process returns of products (while also trying to salvage them for re-sale) means that the true cost of e-commerce adoption can sometimes be staggering.

With customers demanding free (and faster) deliveries, and many APAC countries like Indonesia and the Philippines posing fearsome logistical challenges with thousands of islands and mountainous terrain, is this need for speed unsustainable? Could any other country other than India implement Quick Commerce? And last but not least, will e-commerce continue to democratize retail, or slowly become the province of just big players?

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.

China looms large over the Asia Pacific landscape. Understanding her consumers and the environment they operate in has been a goal of APAC retailers for decades. Join us as we pull back the curtain.

From understanding demographic splits, to shopping habits, and making sense of China's myriad technological and payment mechanisms, we speak to a member of China's academia to learn more about