The UK Retail industry finds itself at a crucial time of its development. With high fixed costs and deflationary pricing, retailers' margins are being squeezed from both ends, whilst overall sales growth has slowed with changing shopping habits and dented consumer confidence. Nevertheless, despite tough market conditions, latest figures are more positive and many major retailers are innovating to become more efficient, more attractive to shoppers and more aligned to modern consumers by developing innovative services and embracing e-commerce.

"Modern Retail Strategies" offers an impressive panel of speakers who will discuss the hottest topics affecting the retail industry and how they are modernising strategies to maintain competitive advantage in a fast-paced industry.

At this stage confirmed speakers include:
Sir John Collins
Chairman, DSG International
Alan Giles
Chief Executive Officer, HMV Group
Brian McBride
Managing Director, Amazon UK
Sara Weller
Managing Director, Argos
Dr Kevin Hawkins OBE
Director General, British Retail Consortium
Mike Shearwood
Managing Director, Inditex UK
Roger Whiteside
Chief Executive Officer, Thresher Group
Patrick Lewis
Supply Chain Director, John Lewis
Luca S. Paderni
Industry Market Manager Branding EMEA, Google
Richard Ratner
Head of Equities, Seymour Pierce