Recession or not, there has never been a better time for technology to come to the fore and prove its worth within the retail environment. Attitudes towards technology are changing in that the hard times may come and go, but consumer expectations do not. And retail technologists now have the perfect opportunity to help shape a better retail experience for the future.

Those retailers that are seen to continuously innovate to improve their customer proposition and levels of service in spite of economic constraints will reap the benefits of loyal customers willing to act as advocates to their peers in future.

Beneath this, the retailer first has to understand which are their best and worst stores and/or channels and where back-office processes are lacking or could be streamlined to further contribute to a tighter bottom line. And again, technology is key here.

Contact and communication with suppliers, staff and partners, as well as customers across multiple channels, is critical in enhancing processes that improve the overall retail experience. Many retailers are heeding the signs and continuing to invest in the brick-and-mortar experience, despite burgeoning online sales.

These retailers truly understand the value of technology and its benefits if harnessed intelligently. This is why on the advice of our Analyst Partners and end-user Advisory Panel, GDS has elected 50 of the most well respected CXO decision makers in the European Retail industry.

Invitations are based on the investments these executives are currently making in the market. Many of these executives have worked closely with us on previous events.

The Next Generation Retail Summit will provide a number of different networking channels to execute and promote business. Our business model is built around the success of networking and focused interactive workshops. Senior decision makers will engage in business meetings with solution providers who are specific to their business challenges and areas of future investment.

The delegation is comprised of the most well respected executives in the European Retail industry, and the 40-minute meeting format is designed to surpass the traditional exchange of business cards and allow executives to have a good discussion on a personal level. There will be a ratio of 2:1 retail executives to sponsors.

Who should attend? CEOs, CIOs, VPs Technology, Logistics and Operations.

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