Featured Session

Next generation artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms will drive competitive advantage for retailers, which as an industry drives more than 4000 exabytes of data annually increasing by 3.5X in the next four years. This requires building intelligence into supporting systems to harness in real time the enormous data set tied to decision making and retail operations. From seasonal merchandise planning to in-store fraud detection, organizations computing with AI applications will hold the cards.

The recent macroeconomic and pandemic era challenges have brought about significant changes in the role of the retail industry's CIO. With the sudden shift toward online shopping and remote work, CIOs have had to quickly adapt and implement new technologies to support these changes. In addition to their traditional responsibilities, CIOs have also taken on a more prominent role in driving digital transformation and innovation within the organization.

The retail industry has undergone significant changes in recent years, with the rise of e-commerce, mobile commerce, and social commerce disrupting traditional retail models. In this session, Publicis Chief Commerce Officer, Jason “Retail Geek” Goldberg, will provide an overview of the current state of commerce in retail, including trends, challenges, and opportunities.

At the core of Sam’s Club is its member obsessed culture. Its best-in-class warehouse membership model is changing the game when it comes to convenience for its associates, members, and advertisers. When Sam’s Club started its transformation journey, innovation was a key factor in future proofing the business. Throughout this time, Sam’s Club has seen tremendous growth. In this engaging session, Chief Product Officer Tim Simmons and Chief Technology Officer Vinod Bidarkoppa will discuss Sam’s Club’s innovation journey, where it’s been and where it’s going.

This conference session will explore the challenges and opportunities of creating an effective omnichannel strategy for retailers. The session will focus on the infrastructure and resources needed to deliver a seamless customer experience across online, mobile, and in-store channels. Topics will include inventory management, technology integration, and staffing considerations. Speakers will share insights and best practices for building an effective omnichannel infrastructure, as well as experiences with the latest tools and technologies for managing and optimizing omnichannel operations.

The past few years has seen a trend to focus on big data and to believe it can provide everything needed to understand the customer. While big data has its place and value, it is only one piece of the puzzle. Another key yet barely tapped piece of the puzzle is the human side of data and business. Focusing on individual customers and what they care about, desire and value helps move companies from a product-centric approach to be more customer-centric.