Preparing for a digital future: why winning in ecommerce is a marathon not a sprint

The pace of change for consumer packaged goods brands has never been faster. In an ever-evolving marketplace, it’s important to balance traditional retailer relationships with optimising new channels like Amazon in order to drive growth in 2020 and beyond.

Kicking off our Digital Commerce stream, Profitero’s VP Strategy & Insights Andrew Pearl is joined by Scott Doherty, Head of eCommerce at Ferrero. Andrew and Scott discuss the importance of developing the right team structure to support ecommerce growth. Plus, they'll reveal how to define and measure ongoing success through implementing ecommerce performance analytics with clear KPIs.

Keeping you up to date on the implications of channel consolidation and evolving shopper trends - Guy introduces you to the programme and Michael will bring you latest insight from IGD. Plus, Sean will share the benefits Costcutter is realising from ranging for local catchments.

We then hear from Andrew Thornton on his initiatives to answer another shopper need – the removal of plastic packaging!

Hear how leading UK retailers are delivering great convenience stores nationally, regionally and locally. Understand the implications and benefits of ranges tailored to local shoppers and learn how you can align your plans with this new reality.

A session not to miss – we start with Young Foodies and Waterbomb, new businesses delivering growth in the convenience channel through by challenging the norms.

If you are a branded goods supplier then you won’t want to miss this second instalment of shopper needs, where Michael focuses on shoppers' attitudes to branded products and private label.

And for what this means to suppliers, we can think of no better example where this balance of needs is being played out through the Co-op Nisa partnership; Ayaz and Ben will bring you up to date on the evolving partnership.

Leadership and culture to unlock growth

Creating growth and value

With around 8,500 forecourts in the UK, many of which have changed ownership in recent years, we have asked two industry experts to share their insight on how you can maximise the opportunities.

Michael will share his comprehensive knowledge on the fuel sector giving you the inside track on the dealership operations now dominating the sector in the UK.

Following Michael, we will hear from Budgens' Mike Baker on what Booker Retail Partners needs from suppliers to maximise its recent gains in this vibrant retail environment.

New engagement app *shopt has transformed the way that brands communicate with the convenience channel. In this session Andy Buck and Matt Gouldsmith share the story of how *shopt and LRS have partnered to deliver amazing results, and give a glimpse of how we engage and communicate with our retailers in the future.

In response Martin and Jackie will share their view of the vibrancy of the independent sector and the benefits of investing in it. Plus, we're delighted to welcome newly-appointed SPAR MD Louise Hoste, who will be speaking alongside Jackie.

There is much to learn from the Convenience Channel in Asia – Charles will bring us IGD’s latest insight on the Asian Convenience market as well as great examples of retail execution and use of digital in retail from across the region.

James then brings us back to the UK for his perspective on the vibrancy and future of UK convenience as well as the challenges retailers face.

James will then lead an interactive Q&A.

Finding new routes for growth

Closing address:
Creating a UK retail business for the future