Main Session Hall

Main Session Hall

As the retail landscape evolves, distinguishing your brand becomes more crucial than ever. Our expert panel will delve into the strategies and tools essential for building a strong, recognizable brand identity. Learn from industry leaders who have successfully navigated the challenges of a competitive market to create memorable and impactful brands. 

Watch for Retail Leaders joining this session

Main Session Hall

Neil Patel – a New York Times Best Selling Author and one of the world’s most influential marketers according to The Wall Street Journal and Forbes joins us to explore the transformative potential of AI in retail marketing. Neil sits down for a chat about what retailer marketers can do today and what can be expected in the next few years. Discover how close we are to integrating AI in 1:1 marketing and the role of AI in the creative process from ideation to final assets to transform your process and your results.

Fast Five Sponsor Highlight

Tap into the power of a modern Brand Universe; taking one simple idea and making it expansive. Caila Stangl, Creative Director at Public Office, will share methodologies that give leading brands their edge, particularly in a noisy world where fostering connection with consumers is important more than ever before. With strong business and customer centric strategies, lead by powerful design, creative marketing execution and beyond, she shows the power of the Brand Universe as a mechanism to stay relevant in the cultural zeitgeist, translating influence into meaningful commerce all the while driving maximum growth and profit. 

Main Session Hall

Gen Z Canadians are already challenging marketing and consumer norms.  This presentation, backed by Leger’s Youth Study and Digital study, will explore how Gen Z differs from previous generations. Exclusive for Retail Marketing Conference, Leger also shares Gen Alpha insights. We will explore how their behaviour, both online and offline, is impacting retail habits. In this presentation, we will reveal insights on how various industry sectors can address these changes and remain relevant consumers. 

Fast Five Sponsor Highlight

As sustainability becomes a top priority for shoppers, learn how your business can meet the demand for eco-friendly products and build lasting customer loyalty. We’ll explore the growing concern over plastic pollution, key social media and search trends, and opportunities for retailers to embrace sustainability while avoiding greenwashing. Through real-world examples, discover actionable strategies to connect with sustainable shoppers and drive meaningful growth. 

Main Session Hall

Discover how Walmart Canada is leveraging cutting-edge technology to stay ahead in the retail industry. This session will explore the innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI) in current operations and what the future holds for this kind of tech. Learn how Walmart is enhancing both the associate and customer experience through advanced tech solutions, integrating digital convenience into the brick-and-mortar environment. Our speaker will highlight Walmart’s commitment to a people-led, tech-powered approach, driving customer satisfaction and business growth.

Kensington B

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, businesses must leverage data, addressable media, and agility to stay ahead of the competition. This panel discussion brings together industry experts to explore how these three key elements can be integrated to unlock new growth opportunities. Attendees will learn how to collect and analyze data to gain valuable insights, use addressable media for targeted and efficient marketing, and adopt agile practices to swiftly respond to market changes and innovate continuously. Join us for a deep dive into the strategies and best practices that are driving success in the modern marketplace. 

Kensington A

In a rapidly evolving retail landscape, digital visual merchandising is a game-changer, blending the immersive experience of in-store shopping with the convenience of digital engagement. Join us to discover innovative strategies for creating compelling digital shopping experiences that resonate with today’s consumers, illustrated through impactful partner case studies. 

Lunch and Learn

Discover practical ideas to drive value messaging while enhancing customer engagement as well as exploration and education in-store. Look at how you can build positive brand equity with a look at examples from leading retailers including grocery and convenience and leave with innovative ideas to take back to the team.

Sonia Carreno, President of the Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada (IAB), shares an update on the latest trends, opportunities, and standards in the expanding retail media networks landscape. Discover how the IAB is driving innovation and fostering collaboration within the industry.

Kensington B

In today’s dynamic retail landscape, new engagement rules are redefining how brands build engagement and cultivate loyalty and affinity. This session will delve into the growing demand for personalized, unique, and relevant customer experiences, challenging retailers to meet shopper needs with targeted and bespoke solutions. By exploring the transition from consumer to shopper along the path-to-purchase, you will be introduced to the proprietary pleasure Index model and the key factors driving brand choice and customer delight. Discover how the shift from the 4P’s to the 4E’s of marketing will help retailers foster enduring brand-customer relationships. 

Kensington A

Join us for a fast-paced discussion covering the current state of marketing strategy, communications, tools and tricks to reach an increasingly media saturated and diverse shopper and reluctant media consumer.

We’ll talk about what’s working, what’s changed, what’s not working and the forecast and thinking for Holiday and into 2025.

Main Session Hall

Main Session Hall

How can marketers ensure the greatest impact? In a world of fragmented consumers, media and retail, data collaboration is the glue that builds the greatest ROI. This session talks about how using first, second, and third-party data together results in impactful marketing in Canada – from analysis to activation to measurement – in a safe, effective and accessible way.

Main Session Hall

As one of the world’s most diverse nations, understanding the nuances of multicultural audiences is key to successful marketing strategies and connecting with customers. Jonelle Ricketts of IKEA Canada and Bobby Sahni of Ethnicity Matters discuss the behind-the-scenes strategy to effectively engage with diverse communities, navigate cultural nuances, and tailor inclusive messaging that resonates with consumers from various backgrounds.  This session will inspire strategies to attract, engage, and retain a diverse customer base, ultimately driving growth and success in the Canadian market.

Main Session Hall

Embark on a visual and interactive exploration of the evolving landscape of physical retail with renowned Retail Futurist Doug Stephens. From flagships and experiential concept stores to omni-channel hubs and dark stores, the role of physical stores is undergoing transformation. Join us as we delve into the future of retail to understand the surprising commonality among retailers who are optimizing their physical stores to outperform their competition. In this fast-paced session Doug will share a unique and straightforward model to apply the same winning principles to any retail business.