RLC Global Forum

What an incredible day at the 2024 CEO Summit! A heartfelt thank you to all our speakers and attendees for making this event a transformative experience!??? Here are some key discussion points from our influential community, aligning with the theme of the event, "Innovate for Impact": ? ? The State of Retail: John Furner of Walmart US during his discussion with Matthew Shay of the National Retail Federation, emphasized the shift in consumer shopping habits since the pandemic, noting that digital grocery delivery is Walmart’s fastest-growing category, with deliveries under three hours experiencing rapid growth. This trend underscores consumers' increasing preference for convenience and instant gratification in retail. ?Rethinking Fashion’s Footprint: The author Dana Thomas moderated by the journalist Teri Agins, addressed the sobering reality of the fashion industry, with stats showing that garments are often worn just seven times, contributing to a staggering 92 million tons of textile waste generated globally each year—calling for immediate action toward sustainability. AI Transforming Retail: The Wharton School Professor Ethan Mollick shared insights on how companies utilizing AI technologies have seen productivity improvements making it a game-changer for enhancing operational efficiency and creativity in retail. ? Shareholder Activism: Mark DesJardine, Associate Professor at The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, emphasized the critical need for proactive strategies in shareholder engagement, revealing that 23.4% of companies acknowledge activism as a growing risk, urging leaders to strengthen relationships with long-term investors. ?The Power of Women's Sports: Colie Edison from WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) and Naveen Lokesh from New Balance discussed with the journalist Daniela Pierre-Bravo the incredible growth of women's sports, noting a 247% surge in Gen-Z engagement with the WNBA, highlighting the significance of authentic brand partnerships. ?Election Economic Crossroads: Kent Smetters, Professor at The Wharton School, offered a critical analysis of proposed budget models, emphasizing the potential for a 33% increase in tax revenue needed to meet fiscal obligations. ? Read more interesting insights in our blog post: ?? cc Jay H. Baker Retailing Center - The Wharton School - US ? #rlcbaker2024 #tbt #ceosummit #retail #leadership?

#ThrowbackThursday Ali Mansour, CEO of eXtra (United Electronics Co.), believes that embracing change is essential to avoid obsolescence in the technologically advanced society that is KSA. Read more about the session he participated in #rlcmena24 discussing the essence of leading in today's context, emphasizing the need for adaptable and forward-thinking leadership approaches: https://lnkd.in/dvuBkF7r #tb #retail #leadership #summit

A fantastic night at the Retail Excellence Award Dinner where we had the honor of celebrating Mary Dillon, President and CEO of Foot Locker, Inc.! ?? Mary’s remarkable journey, from transforming Ulta Beauty to leading Foot Locker through digital transformation, exemplifies visionary leadership in our industry. A big thank you to all who joined us to recognize her significant contributions to retail. Congratulations, Mary, on this well-deserved recognition! ?? Jay H. Baker Retailing Center - The Wharton School - US #rlcbaker2024 #tb #rlcglobalforum #retailexcellenceaward

We are excited to announce that Panda Retail Company – Savola Group is our strategic partner for the 2025 RLC Global Forum. ?? As a leading retailer, Panda is committed to empowering communities and enhancing lives through its initiatives and services. Together, we aim to drive strategic discussions and deliver impactful solutions for the region's evolving retail landscape. ?? https://lnkd.in/d_des_tu #rlc2025 #rlcglobalforum #pandaretail #leadership #riyadh

Sourcing Journal dives into John Furner's (Walmart) conversation with Matt Shay (National Retail Federation) about the superstore's strategy for a changing consumer, supply chain issues and more, at our recent CEO Summit w/RLC Global Forum. https://lnkd.in/eTcDfaCQ

The speakers and moderators at our 2024 CEO Summit are visionary retail and brand executives across the industry. We’re excited to hear their insights on navigating economic challenges and adapting to shifting consumer preferences and behaviors within their companies. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dKK8BqYH cc Jay H. Baker Retailing Center - The Wharton School - US #rlcbaker2024 #retail #ceosummit #nyc

Next Monday, Mary Dillon, CEO of Foot Locker, Inc., is being honored with the Retail Excellence Award at our 2024 CEO Summit co-hosted with the Jay H. Baker Retailing Center - The Wharton School - US. Mary is a highly respected leader known for her consumer marketing and operational expertise. Having also served as Executive Chair of Ulta Beauty, Mary made history by becoming the third woman to lead two Fortune 500 companies. https://lnkd.in/dKK8BqYH #rlcbaker2024 #retail #retailexcellenceaward #nyc

From the transformation of global retail to the integration of AI, and the critical need for ethical digital inclusion to the complexities of international trade and sustainability, the goal of the 2025 Annual Meeting is to foster collaboration and cooperation among global leaders by addressing the biggest topics of the day while generating actionable solutions and bridging divides in a polarized landscape. Find out more about the key theme and the topics to be discussed on February 4 & 5 selected to capture the essence of our times. https://lnkd.in/d_des_tu #rlc2025 #RLCGlobalForum?

Teri Agins, award-winning journalist, lecturer, consultant, and former senior special writer and 'Ask Teri' columnist at The Wall Street Journal, will interview Dana Thomas, author of Fashionopolis, at our 2024 CEO Summit, co-hosted with Jay H. Baker Retailing Center - The Wharton School - US. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dKK8BqYH #rlcbaker2024 #ceosummit #retail

At our 2024 CEO Summit, we will hear from Matthew Shay, President and CEO of the National Retail Federation, and John Furner, President and CEO of Walmart U.S. We look forward to their insights on the evolving retail landscape and the future of the industry. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dKK8BqYH Jay H. Baker Retailing Center - The Wharton School - US #rlcbaker2024 #retail #walmart #nrf