Talking Retail Grocery and product news for independent retailers
This year’s conference will feature two sessions with practical ideas for everyone to take back to their businesses, whether you’re a single site retailer or international supplier.
The cost of living crisis has dominated the agenda in 2022, with the result being a recession that could last throughout and even beyond 2023. In the session ‘Recession Proofing Your Business’, senior experts will discuss the way that consumer behaviour may change as a result of a recession and how retailers and suppliers to the sector can prepare to stay relevant to customers. This will be followed by a panel of leaders in convenience to hear how they’re adapting in 2023.
‘Future Proofing Your Business’, the second session of the day, will focus on how the sector might look in years to come.
It will explore how disruptors like technology, delivery, productivity, categories, sustainability and store formats are shaping the store of the future, and where the opportunities to invest are. A second panel of convenience leaders will then share their strategies on future proofing.
As part of Conference23, ACS will be debuting a new video series ‘10 habits of successful retailers’ which will explore what makes some of the leading independent retailers tick, looking not only at what they do but why and how they implement these values and actions in store.
This series will provide delegates with an exclusive look into these fantastic businesses through tours of the stores and interviews with some of the most exceptional independent retailers from across the sector.
Speakers and panellists already confirmed for Conference23 include:
- Lisa Hooker, leader of industry for consumer markets at PWC
- Claire Fox, partner at PWC
- Peter Batt, managing director at Nisa Retail
- Paul Dobson, wholesale director at Morrisons
- Guy Swindell, joint managing director at Parfetts/Go Local
- Colm Johnson, retail managing director at Booker
- Sarah Lawler, managing director at One Stop
- Rebekah Duncalfe, music psychotherapist, Meraki Creative Therapies
- James Lowman, chief executive at ACS (conference chair)
James Lowman said: “We’ve designed Conference23 to give everyone involved with the convenience sector valuable insights to take back to their businesses. There has never been a better time to come together as a sector and prepare for the challenges that we’re facing now, whilst looking ahead to growth in the future.
“We’re confident that any retailer would take away several practical learnings and a great deal of inspiration from hearing from about the 10 habits of successful retailers. This year’s conference is an unmissable opportunity to get a huge variety of input, from award winning independent retailers and industry leaders to outside experts, all sharing their strategies to help bring the best out of your business.”
Throughout the day, ACS will also be running three workshops that provide opportunities to get hands on with key issues affecting the sector. This year’s workshop rooms will focus on wellbeing, identifying illicit products, and how to make everyone feel welcome in store.
To book a place visit https://www.acs.org.uk/events/conference23
