World Retail Congress confirms line-up

The 2012 World Retail Congress is heading to London for this year’s annual conference and has secured more than 100 speakers.

The three day congress, which takes place between September 19 and 21 at the London ExCel Centre, will see more than 900 delegates from across the globe meet to discuss some of the key issues affecting the retail industry today.

Joining Arcadia owner Sir Philip Green and Mickey Drexler, president and CEO of J Crew on the line-up are Michael Massey, CEO, Collective Brands and Fifth & Pacific Companies Inc’s CEO, William McComb who will be discussing key themes including the global effects of the economic crisis, how to adapt to the “omnichannel” retail world, and understanding the future of the store.

The three day programme includes not only the World Retail Congress but the World Retail Awards, the Retail Futures Challenge student competition, and the World Retail Hall of Fame, which this year will be honouring British fashion designer Sir Paul Smith and former Marks & Spencer chairman Sir Stuart Rose.

Ian McGarrigle, Chairman of the World Retail Congress said: “Now in its 6th year, the World Retail Congress is now firmly established as one of the most important and largest gatherings of senior retail industry leaders.

“We are delighted to be holding this year’s event in London during 2012, when the global spotlight is firmly on one of the world’s greatest retail cities. We are particularly pleased to be welcoming a record number of delegates to the Congress to participate and look forward to discussing some of the most important issues facing our industry today.”