

The way we do business has fundamentally changed. Customer behaviours are quickly evolving, the future of in-store experience is in flux and the shift toward consumer e-commerce is accelerating faster than ever.
So, what's next for the retail industry?
Connect with leading retail experts on business critical challenges and disruptive technology and drive industry forward collaboratively.
Connect with 70+ senior leaders for a curated agenda focused on tackling your current business critical challenges and driving industry forward. Our summits are designed to help you:
Build new connections with likeminded senior leaders
Stay current with emerging business trends
Understand the impact new technology can make
De-risk new projects by gaining a broad range of insights
Accelerate key projects through meaningful new partnerships
Downloadable and actionable takeaways
09:00 - 09:20
Intro & Challenger Panel
3 Roundtable moderators
09:20 - 09:50
Customer Experience as a key differentiator
In a world of constant change, how did shifts in consumer behavior and industry become the catalyst for Swarovski's digital brand transformation, how Swarovski is embracing change and turning challenges into opportunities, and how the brand is following its "brand in mind, customer at heart" mantra and treating Customer Experience as a key differentiator to rethink the role of the store and retail staff, revive the magic of in-person experiences, and ignite retail in the future.
09:55 - 10:35
The Experience Expectation is real. But what does great customer experience at scale really look like?
Amazing customer experiences are one of the last competitive differentiators left at retailers’ disposal, and the potential rewards of delivering against soaring customer expectations are huge. So how do you do it?
10:35 - 10:45
10:45 - 11:45
Track 1: Digital Commerce – Fine tuning your online strategy
The accelerated shift in online is here to stay and there is a renewed importance to an organisation’s need to adapt and keep pace with improving technology and evolving consumer expectations in the online space. Platforms introducing features that manage everything from in-app purchasing to customer management are gaining maximum exposure for retailers. Not only are customers more receptive to buying products via a brand’s social channel but they’re also becoming more reliant on it as part of their omnichannel journey where choice is paramount.
Track 2: Getting creative with customer experience - anticipating the conversation
Retailers must consider and create messages, experiences, and offers that resonate with individuals’ unique needs and expectations, whether that’s online, in-store or through social. A successful pivot to an agile customer experience channel strategy not only meets customer needs as they unfold but also anticipates the conversation.
Track 3: Consumer Commerce – A new era for retail
How can thinking from a customer backwards help a retailer thrive in this new era? And how can you identify and embrace transformative tech to meet the customer where they are?
11:50 - 12:20
Putting Operations in your Digital DNA
We’ve all been in the situation where we’ve purchased something from a site that has a fantastic user experience, sadly when it comes to getting your hands on the item, it’s a different story. The focus of Sathya’s discussion is how we transform the DNA of businesses to have the right balance of user experience on your digital platforms and operationally fulfilling your commitment - keeping your customers coming back.
09:00 - 09:10
09:10 - 09:40
How we shop is changing: inspiring customers of the future at every touch point
We are currently experiencing an exciting revolution of physical retail and the brands that will succeed are those that embrace this revolution, creating new ways to attract people into store. Westfield centres attract brands that create connected experiences that seamlessly integrate digital and physical, giving shoppers a reason to visit – this is the future of retail.
09:45 - 10:25
A new era for consumer commerce – Meet your customers where they are
How can thinking from a customer backwards help a retailer thrive in this new era? And how can you identify and embrace transformative tech to meet the customer where they are?
10:25 - 10:35
10:35 - 11:35
Track 1: Digital Commerce – Fine tuning your online strategy
The accelerated shift in online is here to stay and there is a renewed importance to an organisation’s need to adapt and keep pace with improving technology and evolving consumer expectations in the online space. Platforms introducing features that manage everything from in-app purchasing to customer management are gaining maximum exposure for retailers. Not only are customers more receptive to buying products via a brand’s social channel but they’re also becoming more reliant on it as part of their omnichannel journey where choice is paramount.
Track 2: Getting creative with customer experience - anticipating the conversation
Retailers must consider and create messages, experiences, and offers that resonate with individuals’ unique needs and expectations, whether that’s online, in-store or through social. A successful pivot to an agile customer experience channel strategy not only meets customer needs as they unfold but also anticipates the conversation.
Track 3: Consumer Commerce – A new era for retail
How can thinking from a customer backwards help a retailer thrive in this new era? And how can you identify and embrace transformative tech to meet the customer where they are?
11:40 - 12:10
Omnichannel: from complexity to value
Omnichannel is frequently referred to as a winning model in today’s retail environment. Yet in reality, pure online players have largely outperformed omnichannel retailers over the past decade. This raises three questions: How can you avoid the negative impacts of omnichannel on your e-commerce business? Which elements of omnichannel actually generate the most value for customers and your business (and which drive more complexity)? And what are the prerequisites you need to put in place in order for the omnichannel model to really work for you?
09:00 - 09:10
09:10 - 09:40
Outlook for 2022 - Transitioning to Consumer Commerce
Over the last 2 years one of the few certainties has been the lack of therof. In this session I will provide an outlook for the retail sector in 2022 and beyond and how I believe the industry will evolve. Increasingly businesses are selling products and services to consumers, that do not have a legacy in physical stores.
09:45 - 10:25
How Embedded Finance is Bridging the Gap between Brands and Banking
Embedded Finance or Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) is consistently named as one of the big trends of 2022. Analysts predict that the embedded finance market will be worth over $138 billion by 2026, from just $43 billion in 2021. But, why should retailers care?
Vodeno will share the results of their research and discuss how embedded finance is helping retailers to improve customer journey, increase customer loyalty and drive revenue growth.
10:25 - 10:35
10:35 - 11:35
11:40 - 12:10
Stepping up collaboration to reach environmental sustainability goals
Last year, the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published a landmark study. It confirmed that the climate crisis is now affecting every corner of the world, and that every degree of warming makes life on earth more dangerous. That said, every bit of action makes it more liveable.
Engage with a virtual live audience just as you would at a physical event and create meaningful conversations.
The ultimate live polling and gamification tools, keeping your audience engaged.
Enabling our team to help you control your session experience.
Interactive quizzes to gamify your session
Content and insight from industry experts when it matters most
There is no cost associated with attending a GDS Summit. In return, we ask that all senior executives in participation attend for the full duration to ensure that all attendees get maximum value and insight from the interactive roundtables, live Q&As and breakout networking sessions.
Our digital summit portfolio is designed to bring together senior decision makers from large global businesses and innovative disruptor brands to drive industry forward through addressing business critical challenges collaboratively.
If you’re keen to build new connections with likeminded leaders, de-risk your projects through new insight and establish new partnerships that can accelerate your projects then apply to attend today.
Complete our ‘apply to attend’ form on the event page if you’re interested in attending the summit and you meet our application criteria. A member of the GDS team will then reach out to run you through the programme and event format and discuss your participation.
On stage: co-host a panel discussion with a group of likeminded senior executives or host a solo keynote presentation. Both slots include elements of interactive audience Q&A
Off stage: become a roundtable moderator, leading the discussion with the same cohort of executives for the duration of the summit around a specific topic you’ve agreed to focus on during the roundtable session.
We can tailor a partnership package to help meet your business objectives. This might include brand awareness, driving traffic to your site or quality editorial content via exclusive interviews and Q&As with our executive audience. Enquire today for more information.
Still have a question contact us below
You will leave the summit with best practices to immediately apply back to your organisation and new connections from meaningful conversations.
If you haven’t been to a GDS Digital Summit, you will be incredibly impressed. It’s far more engaging than most digital event experiences. It’s a very interactive environment.
I connected with peers that I know I’ll stay in touch with, including suppliers which have presented a fantastic opportunity for 7-Eleven Global in the future. It may well be the most valuable summit I’ve attended in many years
Thank you so much! Great Summit - an outstanding 3 days that culminated in this Award ... I am humbled and honored. Congratulations to you all for pulling off a Hybrid Summit with Augmented Reality features that are truly unparalleled in the Industry! Collaborative, Interactive & showcasing leading edge technology ... GDS Summits really set the bar so high that a return to physical conferences might be re-evaluated in the Industry. You are an amazing Team of Professionals & I am truly honoured to have been a part of this Summit.