The European Central Bank will take centre stage at the World Retail Congress in Berlin next month, 25-27 October 2010.
Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell, member of the executive board will join a panel chaired by Patience Wheatcroft, editor-in-chief at the Wall Street Journal Europe and panellists including Philipp Schindler, vice president, Northern & Central Europe, Google; Dr Ira Kalish, director of global research, Deloitte; Sir Stuart Rose, Marks & Spencer chairman; Mindy Grossman, HSN CEO; and Heinz Krogner, Esprit chairman..
The opening session will focus on how retail should respond to the challenges of a post-recession world whilst providing context and inspiration for retailers as they continue to battle the economic storm. Over the last 18 months, retailers have had to contend with the effects of the deepest recession for over 60 years – turbulence in the financial markets, a changing consumer and a move towards the online world as well as major disruption to international travel and tourism caused by volcanic ash.
This session will look to set the scene of the current market, the challenges it’s faced thus far and the challenges on the horizon. As one of the most dynamic and fast paced industries, retail is a key economic driver and this gathering of experts will look to identify ways in which retailers can ensure they are catering for the changing needs of the consumer as well as responding to turbulent market conditions.
The World Retail Congress will take place in Berlin from 25 to 27 October and has at its heart a three day agenda of plenary sessions, business streams and networking events. In 2009, the event was attended by over 1000 people with more than 100 speakers representing some of the biggest and most important names in retailing around the world.