WORLD RETAIL CONGRESS news and archive

World Retail Congress sold to William Reed

Event organiser and trade magazine publisher William Reed has bought World Retail Congress (WRC) for an undisclosed sum. William Reed also bought trade publication Retail Week, which was also owned by WRC parent Ascential. Retail Week reported the news and cited William Reed CEO Charles Reed as saying: “We are delighted to welcome our new...

4 Jan 2023

RetailFeatured

Tendam CEO at WRC 2022: ‘Soft skills will be key for future CEOs’

Jaume Miquel, the president and CEO of Spanish fashion retailer Tendam Group, was one of the attendees of the World Retail Congress (WRC) 2022, which took place in Rome from April 5 to April 7. Miquel gave a presentation about what the post-pandemic era might look like for the retail sector, and explained his role within Tendam, which is the...

11 Apr 2022

People

Aesop chief customer officer awarded Lifetime Achievement award

The World Retail Congress presented Suzanne Santos, chief customer officer at Aesop, with the Isidoro Álvarez Lifetime Achievement Award for the brand’s outstanding contribution to retailing. The award recognises individuals that have made an outstanding contribution to retailing, and Santos was honoured for being “instrumental in the founding...

7 Apr 2022

BusinessFeatured

Retailers not on track to meet sustainability targets

A new report states that the retail industry must “work harder and faster” to make a meaningful impact to deliver on climate change commitments. Research from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in partnership with the World Retail Congress, found that less than 20 percent of major retailers are on track to hit the Paris Agreement climate targets. The...

6 Apr 2022

PeopleFeatured

YNAP CEO Federico Marchetti to step down, search for successor underway

Yoox Net-a-Porter Group CEO Federico Marchetti is stepping down from his position after 20 years at the company’s helm. Marchetti, whose contract is set to expire in 2021 but will stay on as chairman, founded Yoox in 2000 in the very early days of online fashion. In 2009, the company was publicly listed on the Milan stock exchange, before...

5 Mar 2020

RetailFeatured

Slower retail: Has the industry hit its speed limit?

Amsterdam - Keeping up with the pace of technology-driven change is essential for retailers, but there is also value in slowing down. That was one of the key messages at this year’s World Retail Congress in Amsterdam, as industry leaders discussed how they’re adapting to cope with the new wave of high-velocity retail. “I would say that the...

20 May 2019

Fashion

Nike scoops Retailer of the Year Award at World Retail Congress

US sportswear giant Nike has been named Retailer of the Year at this year’s World Retail Congress in Amsterdam. Presented on Thursday evening, the award was given to Nike for its “ability to adapt and thrive amidst changing consumer expectations and trends” and for its ability to maintain “authentic and sustainable relationships with its...

17 May 2019

Retail

Lord Stuart Rose on the ‘overblown’ death of the high street

Amsterdam - The retail industry is changing faster than at any time in the past 40 years, but the death of the high street is being “overblown”, said Lord Stuart Rose at World Retail Congress in Amsterdam. Lord Rose, who was the former chairman at Marks and Spencer and now holds the same position at Ocado, said during his talk on Friday: “I get...

17 May 2019

Fashion Featured

Levi's to allow shoppers to customise their own 'greener' jeans

Amsterdam - Levi’s is launching a new feature on its website that will allow shoppers to customise their own pair of "greener" jeans using laser finishing technology. The feature, announced by Levi’s president of direct-to-consumer, Marc Rosen, on Wednesday at World Retail Congress, will allow online shoppers to design their own products from a...

15 May 2019

Fashion Featured

Yoox Net-a-Porter CEO: One day we will see a ‘made by humans’ label

Amsterdam - “I’d like to make a prediction,” said Yoox Net-a-Porter CEO Federico Marchetti on Tuesday at the World Retail Congress. “Today we see labels like ‘British made’ or ‘Swiss watches.’ I think that one day we will see another label: 'made by humans'.” According to Marchetti, despite continual advancements in technology, the human touch...

14 May 2019

RetailFeatured

Walmart International CEO on data privacy, the failed Asda merger and leveling the playing field for women

Amsterdam - With over 11,000 stores, 270 million customers a week and a turnover of half a trillion dollars, Walmart is without a doubt a powerhouse in the world’s retail landscape. Founded in 1962, the company now operates over 11,300 retail units under 58 banners in 27 countries. Judith McKenna, president and CEO at Walmart International, was...

14 May 2019

Fashion Featured

What to expect in fashion news from week 20, 2019

What’s going on in the world of fashion this week? FashionUnited takes a look ahead at the upcoming news and events for the 20th week of the year. Below are the main points from the editorial agenda in the period between 13-19 May, 2019. Ralph Lauren Q4 (14 May) Ralph Lauren Corporation's net revenue grew 5.1 percent (or 6.3 percent in constant...

13 May 2019