WRC brings worldÂ's retail elite to Paris and prepares for launch of new events for Latin America and Africa

World Retail Congress is recognised as the pre-eminent meeting place in the retail calendar and over the last six years has brought together over 6,200 of the global retail industry's most influential business leaders and decision makers. 

Paris welcomes 1,200 delegates and over 150 speakers

At World Retail Congress 2013, held in Paris from 7 – 9 October, leading retail business heads were brought together to challenge current thinking, discover the latest technologies and innovations and address the key issues faced by the industry today.  Highlights this year included keynote addresses from Georges Plassat, Chief Executive Carrefour; Sir Philip Green, Founder & CEO Arcadia Group; Ian Cheshire, Group Chief Executive Kingfisher Plc; Sandy Douglas, Global Chief Customer Officer The Coca-Cola Co; Yves Carcelle, Chairman (1989-2012) Louis Vuitton; Nicola Mendelsohn, VP of EMEA Facebook; Jacques-Antoine Granjon, Chief Executive and Founder vente-privee.com; Mickey Drexler, Chairman and CEO J.Crew Group and Martha Stewart Founder Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.

Over 150 speakers from companies including eBay, FNAC, Waitrose, Planet Retail and Mastercard addressed the congress delegates and 3 retail legends (Martha Stewart, Daniel Bernard Chairman of Kingfisher and Michael Kok former Group CEO The Dairy Farm Group) were inducted into the World Retail Hall of Fame.  World Retail Awards were also given in a number of categories to winners including ASOS, LVMH, Whole Foods and Tesco.

World Retail Congress Latin America brings something unique to a growing market

Taking place from 31 October – 1 November 2013 at the WTC Sheraton, Sao Paulo, Brazil, World Retail Congress Latin America will build on the success of World Retail Congress and bring together retailers and their stakeholders from the region.  The Congress will address the dynamics of the Latin American retail markets, examine emerging trends, challenges and growth opportunities and discuss best practice.  By offering a comprehensive overview of the retail industries in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Mexico, World Retail Congress Latin America will support retailers in keeping up with the pace of changes and making the most of the opportunities on offer. 

Over 60 industry expert speakers, including representatives from Proctor & Gamble, Mango, Wal-Mart Brazil and Amazon, will address delegates and present case studies with a specific regional focus as part of a tailored agenda to provide thought leadership, essential strategic content and high level networking opportunities. 

World Retail Congress Africa addresses the key issues in the African retail revolution

As part of a targeted expansion plan, World Retail Congress will also be launching in Africa with the first event taking place from 4 – 6 November at The Maslow, Johannesburg, South Africa.  Offering a chance to engage with and learn from those steering pan-African retail businesses, the Congress will welcome representatives from domestic and international bodies including leading retailers, property developers, equity houses, government and regulatory bodies and associations.   It will address the trend of international retailer expansion into Africa, offer strategic insight into key business models and consider the new African consumer, as well as discussing other crucial areas of interest.  Some 50 speakers, including representatives from Coca-Cola, Unilever, Diageo and Groupon, will be taking part and covering sectors including FMCG, food retail, wholesale, apparel, health and beauty, furniture and fashion.

Giles Cummings, Divisional Director, i2i Events Group, comments, “2013 is a pivotal year for World Retail Congress.  Whilst our main event goes from strength to strength, we are delighted to be branching out into new regions which represent huge areas of growth and change for the retail industry of the future.â€'

Ends.

WRC Latin America 31 October – 1 November 2013, Brazil www.worldretailcongresslatam.com

WRC Africa 4 – 6 November 2013, South Africa www.worldretailcongressafrica.com

WRC 2014 29 September – 1 October 2014, Paris www.worldretailcongress.com