Agenda

8.30-9.10: Breakfast and networking 

9.10-9.30: Keynote speech | Green is the new gold standard: how conscious consumers are driving a retail revolution 

Nearly two-thirds of the UK shoppers surveyed by Retail Week (60%) rank ‘the sustainability of products’ as an important influence on their shopping behaviour, but what drives them to act on it at the checkout?  
 
In this keynote session, we’ll unpack the behavioural science and emerging trends in consumer shopping preferences and whether shoppers’ good intentions really do manifest in greener spending.  

9.30-10.00: Panel | Responsible retail tech: bridging innovation and ethics  

87% of retail leaders say they are using AI across their businesses. But as adoption accelerates, how can we ensure innovation doesn’t outpace responsible use? 

We bring together retailers and industry experts to explore how brands can implement AI and emerging technologies with integrity and protect their brands from potential cyber threats along the way.  

We’ll examine: 

• The importance of transparent data practices, accountable AI deployment and inclusive tech cultures, and how they serve customers and colleagues alike.
• The tools and tech designed with responsibility in mind, from controllability and bias reduction to transparency and governance.
• How retailers are fortifying new innovations against cyber breaches, and the robust protection measures and effective training programmes they’re putting in place.

10.00-10.25: In conversation | The cost of going green: balancing budgets and environmental impact

Sustainability is fundamental to retail today, but so are profits.

While going green won’t necessarily break the bank, it can come at a cost for retailers, which, amid a volatile economic landscape, can provoke tension between green targets and financial realities.  

In this session, we will bring together leading retailers and industry experts to explore:  

• Which sustainability initiatives have the strongest business case, with real-world examples of cost-effective wins.
• How to balance sustainability and cost KPIs, and measure and compare their effect across business functions.  
• Strategies for improving internal stakeholder alignment to boost collaboration between sustainability, finance, procurement and operations teams.

Speakers include:

• Terry Gardner, Account Director, Acopia

10.25-11.00: Coffee and networking 

11.00-11.30: Panel | Who is really responsible for driving ethical and sustainable consumption?  

The challenges of sustainable retail transformation can’t be tackled by retailers alone.  

Customers should be adopting more ethical consumption practices, suppliers should be ensuring supply chain evolution and transparency, and the retail sector as a collective should be connecting the dots to drive sustainable messaging forward.  

But, when push comes to shove, who does the buck sit with when it comes to driving ethical and sustainable retailing?  

In this session, we’ll explore:  

• The strategies leading brands are employing to engage customers as active participants in their CSR strategies.
• How partnerships are helping logistics operations become more sustainable.
• Case studies from retailers successfully democratising the sustainability function across their businesses, and what works to engage employees at all levels.

Speakers include:

• Natasha Fry, Head of Sales, Mer UK
• Cathy Moscardini, Head of Sustainability, Depop  
• Emma Reynolds, Global Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Mars Food

11.30-11.55: In conversation | Four days, five generations, one workforce: rethinking responsible recruitment and retention  

Recruitment and retention aren’t just about keeping boots on the ground.  

They’re about building inclusive, flexible and value-led cultures that reflect the evolving expectations of workers and customers alike.  

The retailers failing to listen to their colleagues, adapt their recruitment and retention practices, and employ the right technologies to support HR functions will get left behind.  

In this conversation, we’ll unpack:  

• What’s working, and what isn’t, when it comes to inclusive and cross-generational hiring strategies.
• The future of hybrid and flexible working patterns, such as the four-day week.
• What’s driving the cultural shift to prioritising wellbeing and purpose in the workplace? 
• What role should AI be playing in colleague recruitment and retention?

Speakers include:

• Michelle Parczuk, Chief People Officer, Avon 

11.55-12.25: Panel | Walking the talk: how to responsibly communicate ESG claims

Customers, investors and employees are asking more of brands – not just to act responsibly, but to communicate those actions transparently and authentically.  

How can retailers find the right balance in communicating their ESG claims, saying enough to build trust without overpromising or oversimplifying?  

From product claims to company-wide commitments, in this session we’ll discuss how retailers can ‘walk the talk’. We’ll cover: 

• Getting your green and ethical claims right to win customers and stay compliant.
• Why collaboration between sustainability, marketing, legal and product teams is key.
• Moving beyond required reporting and how to share what stakeholders want to know.

Speakers include:

• Karl Arpon, ESG Engagement Manager, Kingfisher 
• Ed Ayton, Ethics & Sustainability Advisor, Abel & Cole