Trailblazing Industry Figures unite at the 2nd Retail Leaders Summit
By Aira Villanueva & Mayan Sangil , PRA
The Philippine Retailers Association ( PRA ), the national organization for retailers , shopping centers , and suppliers , successfully hosted the 2nd edition of the Retail Leaders Summit ( RLS ) on October 24 , 2023 , at Dusit Thani Manila in Makati City . This highly-anticipated gathering of industry players and leaders was graced by visionary leaders and captains , providing effective strategies and innovative solutions to navigate the ever-changing retail landscape .
Under the overarching theme " Retail Rewired : Leadership in a Time of Change ," the summit empowered attendees to embark on a journey to rediscover purpose , consistently craft exceptional shopping experiences , bolster strategic capabilities , and unlock new value to achieve even greater results .
The summit commenced with its opening keynote by Amina Aranaz-Alunan , the Co-Founder and Head Designer of Aranaz De Lujo and Co-Founder of the School of Fashion and the Arts ( SoFA ) Design Institute . Amina , one of the Philippines ' most renowned accessory designers , shed light on " Framing the Future of Leadership : Bridging the Next Phase of New-Age Design and Creative Leaders ." She shared her inspiring journey , which began with a dream , accompanied by dedication , hard work , and a deep-seated passion for Filipino Creative Design .
The summit also featured dynamic learning sessions and activities focused on customer-centricity , innovation , data-driven customer experiences , winning in the next era of retail , and capturing the hearts of consumers . Topics included transitioning to an omnichannel model , leveraging hybrid experiences for sustainable growth , visual merchandising , store innovation talks , leading in a time of change , and a CEO-to-CEO panel that highlighted strategies and lessons from founders in creating a new culture of innovation , along with pitfalls to avoid and opportunities for repurposing businesses .
Closing the summit on a high note was Christophe Renoul , the Managing Partner of La Meute Design & Communication , who provided " A Strategic Guide to Effective Brand Alignment - A Must-Have for Growth ." He emphasized the significance of considering your brand as an asset of the company and how it evolves over time . Renoul also stressed the importance of maintaining consistency across channels and the need for brands to invest in innovation to strengthen and solidify their brand .
The Retail Leaders Summit was undeniably a resounding success , delivering on its promise to provide a comprehensive learning event . This achievement wouldn ' t have been possible without the support of its generous sponsors and partners , including Globe Business , SAP . iO , and FUJIFILM Business Innovation Philippines Corp . ( Premium Partners ), SM Store ( Gold Partner ), Mr . DIY Philippines , eCloudvalley Philippines , Lady Grace Intimates , and Potato Corner ( Brand Partners ), Retailgate Technologies ( Technology Partner ), InnovationOne , Inc ., and Mayani ( Program Partners ), Philippine Daily Inquirer , and The Philippine Star ( Media Partners ), Avolution ( Official LED Partner ), and Media Blitz Group ( PR Partner ).
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