The retail industry is undergoing the biggest shift in our generation and arguably the biggest since the advent of the regional shopping mall in the early 1960's. The causes are numerous, but the reality is that many retailers will not survive the great seismic shift that is occurring as we speak.

 

In the new digital world, the balance of power has shifted from the retailer to consumers who now expect to purchase products and services whenever and wherever it suits them. And today's consumers can easily find the lowest price with free shipping increasingly universal.

 

The retail industry must reinvent itself for this new consumer, and at the same time retailers must figure out how to win against a growing number of new and deft competitors. This conference will not only frame the complex issues but also provide pragmatic solutions that you can apply to your own business, no matter what role you play in the retail ecosystem.

 

We touched on the tip of the iceberg at January’s RMS overflow luncheon meeting which featured Robin Lewis, CEO, The Robin Report, and a contributor to the book "Retail's Seismic Shift." Now, in our half-day conference, we will take a deeper dive, exploring the following themes through the eyes of our keynote speaker and four panels comprised of leading industry experts who live and breathe these challenges every day.

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Registration/Light Lunch/Welcoming Remarks

(12:00 noon - 12:45 pm)

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Keynote Speaker: Michael Dart, A.T Kearney Partner and Author of "Retail's Seismic Shift"

(12:50 pm - 1:30 pm)

     

The Causes - Supply/Demand Imbalance, Dematerialization, Demography, Fragmentation

Panelists: Jan Rogers Kniffen, J Rogers Kniffen, WWE, LLC; Andrew Knight, A.T. Kearney; Charles O'Shea, Moody's Investors Services

Moderator: Richard Jaffe, Research Analyst

(1:35 pm - 2:15 pm)

      

How to Attract Loyal Customers - New Consumer Values, Future of Stores, Gen Z

Panelists: Charisse Jacques, A.T. Kearney; Karen Tillson, Bloomingdale's; Richard Shapiro, The Center for Client Retention

Moderator: Marie Driscoll, Driscoll Advisors 

(2:20 pm - 3:00 pm)

 

Break: Coffee & Dessert

(3:00 pm - 3:15 pm)

    

What Will the Future Look Like? - The New Retail Landscape, Geopolitics

Panelists: Pano Anthos, XRC Lab; Michael Brown, A.T. Kearney; Paul Raffin, The Merchant Matrix

Moderator: Liz Dunn, Pro4ma Inc.

(3:20 pm - 4:00 pm)

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How to Win - Small is Beautiful, Becoming a Brand, Amazon & The Distribution Century

Panelists: Adheer Bahulkar, A.T. Kearney; Dan Bonoff, Goode Partners LLC 

Moderator: Richard Baum, Consumer Growth Partners

(4:05 pm - 4:45 pm)       

 

Wrap Up/Networking

(4:45 pm - 5:30 pm)

Our event sponsors are the consulting firm A.T. Kearney, who was involved in much of the research that went into the publication of the book, and FIT Professional Studies. 

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Registration Fees:                                  

$130 for RMS members

$180 for non-members and guests 

                                

Student rate: $75 with student ID*

*Offer limited to currently enrolled students only; bring student ID; preregistration required.

There is no charge for FIT students and faculty but FIT students and faculty must confirm in order to attend by calling (212) 217-4617 to be added to the roster.  

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Time:

12:00 noon-5:30 pm

(Check-in & Light Lunch: 12:00 noon-12:30 pm)

 

Location: 

Fashion Institute of Technology

John E. Reeves Great Hall - The Conference Center

Entrance: South side of 28th St. off 7th Ave. (between 7th & 8th Avenues), NYC

 

To register, click here.