The 2006 National Retail Forum, organised by Australian Exhibition Services and held 19 -21 September at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, will feature more than 25 new local and international speakers, in a bid to bring Australian retailers up to speed with quickly evolving global trends.
The Australian Centre for Retail Studies, a key provider of retail sector knowledge, information and education, is the Conference Partner for the Forum, and has been collaborating with Forum organisers to select experts across five areas of retail business operation: Retail World, Retail Performance, Retail Customers, Retail Design and Retail People.
The conference theme is “Optimising Retail Performance” and topics for discussion include: the secrets behind strategic retailing; how to establish a strong, defendable market position; the future for franchising; international retailing and technology; evolving consumer trends; and strategies for maximizing employee performance.
Among the distinguished line up of presenters is David Jenkin A.M., one of Australia’s leading retail industry authorities. Jenkin will reveal strategies for retail success, based on his book “What Great Retailers Do – 50 Keys to Make your Shop a Winner”, set to be launched in July 2006.
Glenys Shearer, 2005 National Winner of the Australian Government Private & Corporate Sector Award in the Telstra Australian Businesswomen of the Year Awards, will discuss her challenge of engaging a changing workforce comprising of 90 per cent women. Shearer will draw upon her experience as Commercial Director of the Just Group, which encompasses 780 stores and six major brands including Portmans, Just Jeans, Dotti, Jacqui E, Jay Jays and Peter Alexander.
Dr Elizabeth Gibson, internationally recognised behaviour change and organisational learning expert will discuss her leading role in the historic change effort that saw US major retailer Best Buy achieve 1400 per cent stock growth in five years.
Carmel Hill, Instructional Design Consultant, API Brands, will impart practical and workable solutions to maximize training success in a retail store environment, based on her role in planning and implementing Priceline’s national retail learning initiative.
Chris Botham, franchise owner of book reseller Dymocks Carousel (1999-2006) will document the journey that saw his suburban Perth store win a string of State and National retailing awards including National Franchisee of the Year (2002).
Fred Harrison, CEO of Ritchies Supermarkets, will present on the subject of retail leadership, with particular emphasis on leadership challenges, tailoring leadership styles to reflect different cultures within an organisation, and communication strategies necessary for retail leadership success.
The National Retail Forum is Australia’s leading retail industry event, and will take place alongside two concurrent exhibitions: Shopfit Display & Design and Retail Business Technology.
