Agenda

Dans le cadre de L’événement STORE 25, le CCCD organise le fameux cocktail Québec, le Cinq à sept. Tous les membres du secteur du détail sont invités à prendre part à cette réception gratuite afin de réseauter avec les délégués francophones du Québec et de l’ensemble du Canada. 

In an era defined by economic volatility, demographic transitions, and evolving social trends, retailers face unprecedented challenges and opportunities in the global business landscape. Ira Kalish, Chief Global Economist with Deloitte explores how macroeconomic factors such as inflation, supply chain disruptions, and international trade policies intersect with shifting consumer demographics and social expectations. 

AI is the biggest inflection point in 50 years. For retailers, it’s no longer optional; it’s an imperative. As we move from thinking about the future to building it out, retailers shift to an AI-First approach. Drawing on IBM’s unmatched experience from thousands of successful AI projects, this session will discuss five themes for successfully transforming your retail operations including actionable steps to create organizational momentum around this next wave of transformation.

Sponsor Spotlight 

For 175 years, American Express has built its brand on trust, security, and service while evolving to stay relevant. In this session, Kerri-Ann Santaguida, VP & GM of Merchant Services, will share strategies for retailers to deepen customer loyalty through innovation, strategic partnerships, premium experiences, and exclusive access.

Discover how Google Canada is unlocking the secrets of consumer behavior to help businesses thrive in an evolving retail landscape. This session will explore cutting-edge tools, insights, and strategies to connect with today’s empowered shoppers and drive growth through data-driven decision-making.

How do leading brands maintain brand relevance and foster lasting loyalty – especially among Gen Z and Millennials? This dynamic panel will bring together top retail leaders to discuss their strategies for deepening customer connections, adapting to meet the needs of today’s younger consumers, and creating long-term brand affinity. 

In this panel, we will explore the transformative power of AI in retail stores for customers, colleagues and operations. The session will examine how generative AI can provide contextual personalised assistance and experiences, how computer vision can monitor merchandising performance, customer behaviour, store productivity and detect suspicious activities. In addition, we will discuss the growing use of event orchestration to optimize performance and robotic automation in stores to accelerate replenishment and fulfilment. The session will facilitate open discussion, shared experiences and questions, so that participants can learn about opportunities, challenges and best practices for AI-powered stores. 

Lunch and Learn

As retail faces increasing pressure to balance operational efficiency with employee satisfaction, Indigo is taking a proactive approach to workforce management. Lisa Nordin, VP of Retail Experience and Operations at Indigo, sits down with Laurence Painell, Chief Product & Technology Officer at Quinyx, to explore how AI-powered flexible scheduling, labor optimization, and demand forecasting are transforming the way retailers operate. Gain insights into how Indigo is driving agility, reducing costs, and creating a more engaged workforce in an ever-changing retail landscape. 

Lunch and Learn

Consumer spending continues to be a hot topic of discussion as Canadian consumers and merchants navigate uncertain economic times. Sean McCormick, Vice President of Business Development, Moneris Data Services, will share Moneris spending data from key consumer spending categories, including apparel, grocery and more. Sean will also highlight how major events are impacting consumer spending and discuss how businesses can adapt to the quickly changing economic climate, leveraging data and insights to anticipate shifts and enhance consumer engagement. Session attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how to navigate consumer spending shifts in their specific industries and optimize their approach in response to dynamic market conditions.

Lunch and Learn

Explore the future of retail real estate and store design in this insightful session led by creative director Oscar Bertola. Delve into the evolving landscape of brick-and-mortar stores, the rise of experiential retail, and the innovative concept of pop-up shops. Learn about adaptive reuse of retail spaces and urban retail strategies that are shaping the industry. Gain a unique perspective on how creativity and design can transform retail environments to meet the demands of modern consumers. This session is a must-attend for anyone looking to stay ahead in the dynamic world of retail. 

Join Leger as they explore the evolving retail landscape and the pivotal role newcomers play in shaping its future. This session will reveal how retailers can better serve Canada’s growing newcomer population by embracing multicultural offerings, celebrating cultural events, and addressing unique challenges. Drawing from Leger’s extensive research, they’ll uncover insights into newcomers’ shopping habits, integration challenges, economic hurdles, preferred retailers, and the influence of loyalty programs and community ties. With a special focus on the grocery sector, this presentation will empower brands to engage more meaningfully with diverse communities, building loyalty and driving growth. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain actionable insights and position your brand as a champion of inclusivity and innovation in retail. 

Join retail analytics expert and author Mark Ryski in this must-see session as he shares insights from his latest book, Store Traffic Is a Gift: The Retailer’s Guide to Converting Visits into Sales. Discover strategies to bridge the traffic-conversion gap, adapt to post-pandemic shopping patterns, and leverage store traffic data for operational efficiency. Learn how leading retailers are improving in-store conversion through better data, training, and discipline. Don’t miss this opportunity to transform store visits into sales amidst shifting consumer behavior and economic uncertainty. 

Join KPMG for an engaging fireside chat with Mary Ann Vitale, VP of Merchandising at Group Dynamite Inc. Fresh off Group Dynamite’s IPO, they will discuss the company’s identity, the evolution of retail, modernization efforts, future market trends, merchandising strategies, and keys to success in fashion retail. Key takeaways from this session will include discovering how retailers are using innovative technology to enhance efficiency, learning about trends affecting retail such as shifts in consumer behaviors and building resilient value chains, and understanding how innovations will reshape the value chain and improve consumer experiences.

Sponsor Spotlight

In today’s retail industry, consumers hold all the power, expecting convenience and choice in their payments experience. As one of the largest payment processors, Worldpay publishes the annual “Global Payments Report” (GPR), offering insights that help businesses—from Big Tech to SMEs—understand evolving customer preferences and refine payment strategies. The GPR addresses current trends and forecasts up to 2030. Phil will highlight changing consumer preferences and their impact on the retail industry globally.

Watch for speaker announcements coming soon! 

All STORE attendees and Excellence in Retailing Awards guests are invited to attend a networking reception following the final conference session of the day- complete with food, drinks, and great opportunities to mingle and connect.

A gala event recognizing the year’s most innovative retailers in a variety of categories.

Submissions open until March 28th. To purchase tickets and tables click HERE.

Hockey legend Brian Burke shares powerful insights on leadership and team success from his storied career in the NHL and Team USA Olympic hockey. Drawing on decades of experience, Burke outlines three pillars of effective leadership: operating like a business, engaging your audience, and fostering community impact. With captivating stories and actionable advice, this session offers a fresh perspective on building resilient, high-performing teams in any field.

In today’s competitive marketplace, brands must adapt to a rapidly changing landscape to grow. Join us as we explore evolving consumer behaviors, and the importance of brand loyalty, and community building. Learn how data-driven personalization and insights drive success, and why brand authenticity and transparency build trust. Discover strategies for adjusting to changing styles and shopping habits, and how refreshing retail footprints enhances customer service. 

Dive deep into the transformative power of AI with visionary futurist and former Head of Global Key Accounts at Alibaba, Sharon Gai. Through exclusive interviews with trailblazing retail leaders, discover groundbreaking insights and unparalleled opportunities that will redefine the future of retail. This session will deliver actionable steps for businesses to harness AI for a competitive edge—streamline operations, automate workflows, and make smarter, data-driven decisions to drive growth and profitability. Leave inspired to harness AI’s potential and reshape your business for success!

As retailers transition from print flyers to digital, they risk an unintended trade-off—gaining brand dollars through retail media while losing critical trade and shopper marketing investment from vendors. This session will explore how retailers should approach their vendor strategies and operational systems to capture all three types of vendor investment—trade, shopper marketing, and brand dollars—without sacrificing one for another. Attendees will gain insights into the structural changes required within merchandising and retail media teams to ensure a holistic, winning approach in the digital age.

Don’t miss this exclusive chance to learn from industry leaders about harnessing RFID to drive retail innovation. Join experts from Deloitte, Mark’s, and Avery Dennison for an insightful session on RFID’s transformative power. Hear firsthand from retailers and partners as they reveal how RFID streamlines retail operations and inventory management, enhances supply chain efficiency, and elevates the customer and employee experience. Gain key insights into best practices, challenges overcome, and the game-changing impact of this cutting-edge technology. 

In this session, we will explore innovative workforce optimization strategies tailored for retail environments facing the challenges of rising minimum wage and pay compression. Join us as we discuss effective approaches to restructuring store pay structures, implementing creative compensation solutions, and enhancing employee engagement. Attendees will gain actionable insights and best practices to ensure their workforce remains motivated and productive while adapting to the evolving economic landscape.

Explorez l’avenir de l’immobilier de détail et de la conception de magasins dans cette inspirante conférence, qui s’attardera à l’évolution des magasins physiques, l’essor du commerce de détail expérientiel et le concept innovant de boutique éphémère. Apprenez-en davantage sur la réutilisation adaptative des espaces de vente au détail et les stratégies de commerce de détail urbain qui façonnent l’industrie. Profitez d’une perspective unique sur la façon dont la créativité et le design peuvent transformer les environnements de détail pour répondre aux attentes des consommateurs d’aujourd’hui. Tous ceux qui cherchent à garder une longueur d’avance dans le monde dynamique du commerce de détail ne voudront absolument pas rater cette importante conférence. 

From the start 2025 has proven to be a year of chaos.  Geopolitical tensions, economic upheaval and intense technological shifts, have all combined to create tremendous disruption for businesses across categories.  However, if viewed through a different lens, such moments of crisis can also unlock breakthrough strategies and opportunities for those with the courage to seize them.  Join bestselling author and global industry futurist, Doug Stephens as presents an entirely new way of thinking about the chaos currently engulfing our industry and lays out a means of turning it into a competitive super-power.

Sponsor Spotlight

At CGI, we empower Canadian retailers through end-to-end solutions and a legacy of proven delivery excellence. From consulting to innovation, we help clients enhance customer experiences, optimize operations, and drive growth. With deep industry expertise and a global-local approach, CGI is your trusted partner in shaping the future of retail. 

Join Loblaw President & CEO Per Bank as he provides his candid thoughts on the state of the retail industry – both here in Canada and internationally – gleaned since taking over as leader of the country’s largest grocer and pharmacy network in late 2023. Faced with an inflationary crisis, a trade war and more, Per’s time with Loblaw has been nothing short of unique and unprecedented. 

Grand Prix New Product Awards guests are invited to attend a networking reception prior to the awards dinner. 

Enjoy industry recognition of your work, reunite with colleagues, and make new connections. Click HERE to purchase tickets and tables.