Retail’s Big Show APAC Convenes More Than 6,000 Global Leaders in Singapore

For more than a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies.

And for more than a century, NRF has gathered global retail, technology and business leaders in New York City for our annual convention and expo — Retail's Big Show.

While New York remains the epicenter of retail, our industry has become a truly global and interconnected enterprise. We must incorporate new voices and new ideas from across the globe to help retail grow and innovate into the future.

This week, we brought the expertise, knowledge and partnerships NRF has honed over the last 100 years to Singapore for the first-ever Retail's Big Show Asia Pacific.

Asia Pacific is one of the world’s fastest growing markets with limitless opportunities in retail — opportunities to expand stores and production and reach a growing consumer market.?

More than 6,000 business leaders representing 300 brands from Asia Pacific’s retail ecosystem joined us at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre for educational programming, a sold-out Expo with more than 300 of the last retail technology solutions, and the chance to forge new industry connections.

On the keynote stage, I sat down with Laurent Boidevezi, president of Asia Pacific, Global Travel Retail & Private Sales at Mo?t Hennessy, to learn more about his vision for the company’s future and the role physical retail plays in the luxury and wine and spirits markets. Here are my top takeaways from our conversation:

1.??? Craft experiences: Through all shopping channels — but especially in physical stores — retailers should think about selling experiences, not products. Mo?t Hennessy has done this through a variety of offerings in stores like bottle engraving and customization, master classes from wine and spirits experts, and opening a bar in the store environment.

2.??? Keep an eye on the future: The Mo?t Hennessy team is focused on elevating product desirability and making sure its family of brands will be more appealing in 50-100 years than it is today through creativity and innovation.

3.??? Learn from luxury: It’s a cultural change for Mo?t Hennessy, a wine and spirits brand, to be investing in direct-to-consumer retail channels versus strictly wholesale channels. Boidevezi said high-end wine and spirits brands are following the journey of luxury brands across the fashion, beauty and accessories world to explore what successful direct-to-consumer retailing looks like.

I also joined Bloomberg TV live from Singapore to discuss how inflation on services is outweighing goods and driving higher prices, and how retailers are working hard to deliver value to meet consumer demand.

After a highly successful inaugural year, I’m pleased to say we will be returning to Singapore for an even bigger Big Show Asia Pacific next year, June 3-5, 2025.

We hope to see you there.