---
title: 2023 Retail Insights Conference
description: Join us for two full days as we reveal our retailer and shopper expectations for the coming year. Learn the strategies you'll need to succeed with core channels and emerging growth platforms over the long term.
image: https://retailiq.kantar.com/hubfs/LinkedIn_Facebook_Full%20Bleed%20Image.png
---
[](https://retailiq.kantar.com/?hsLang=en)
- Solutions
- [Retail IQ](https://retailiq.kantar.com/iq)
- [Shopper Insights](https://retailiq.kantar.com/shopper)
- [Category IQ](https://retailiq.kantar.com/categoryiq)
- [Access the Experts](https://retailiq.kantar.com/access-the-experts)
- Insights
- [Insights for Purchase](https://retailiq.kantar.com/reportsforpurchase)
- [Complimentary Insights](https://kriq.kantarretailiq.com/en/p-iq/insights/insights-on-demand)
- [Experiences](https://retailiq.kantar.com/experiences)
- [Events](https://retailiq.kantar.com/events)
- [Webinars](https://kriq.kantarretailiq.com/en/p-iq/experiences/webinars)
- [Podcasts](https://retailiq.kantar.com/retail-sound-bites)
- [About Us](https://retailiq.kantar.com/about-us)
- [Newsroom](https://retailiq.kantar.com/newsroom)
- [Login](https://kantarretailiq.com/Login.aspx)
- [Request a demo](https://retailiq.kantar.com/contactus)
[](https://retailiq.kantar.com/?hsLang=en)
## Retail Insights Conference
[Register](https://retailiq.kantar.com/2023-retail-insights-conference#REGISTER)
[Download 2023 Agenda](https://retailiq.kantar.com/hubfs/2023%20Events/Kantars%202023%20Retail%20Insights%20Conference%20Agenda.pdf?hsLang=en)
13 & 14 December 2023
Virtual
**Retail in 2024 and beyond:
Turbulent transformation**
Navigating a path to growth during a period of economic volatility and rapid digital acceleration
Socioeconomic change and generational values will profoundly impact how retailers and brands win shoppers. New media platforms, touchpoints, and ecosystems that create and convert demand will become business-critical assets.
Success in 2024 and beyond means discovering innovative ways to win and build your brand through collaboration, partnerships, and a total view of the shopper. While technology and AI will increasingly enable and power retail, forging genuine human-centric connections will be what matters most.
#### By attending this virtual event you will gain:
- A clear understanding of the mega trends and seismic shifts impacting retail
- Actionable insights to ignite your short- and long-term strategic plans
- Confidence in knowing where to place your bets for maximum returns
- Future-focused thinking to identify what’s next and, crucially, what it means
- Powerful insights into the forces shaping shopper behavior and attitudes
Kantar’s experts define six forces to help you navigate a period of turbulent transformation with a path to long-term growth:
Planning on uncertainty: Eliminating short-term growth barriers while remaining focused on long-term strategies for success
Shifting power dynamics: Why tracking demographic upheaval, innovative models, and the rise of challenger brands and private label matters
Striking a balance: Achieving the perfect balance between escalating business costs and profit pressure and future-focused investment and digital transformation
Value as a virtue: Why delivering shopper convenience, experience, and purpose while aligning with personal values will create lasting shopper connections
Digital revolution: How accelerated retail digitalization calls for new ways to meet demands for seamless shopping experiences
Sustainable pledges: Assessing whether we can deliver on sustainability pledges while remaining price-competitive as investment priorities constantly evolve
what to expect
## Conference Agenda
*Check back for updates on our agenda.*
DAY 1: Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023 DAY 2: Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023
10:00-10:15 AM ET
**Welcome and setting the stage**
*Malcolm Pinkerton, Global Head of Retail Insights
Leigh O'Donnell, Head of Shopper and Category Insights *
10:15-11:00 AM ET
**The global retail landscape (all themes)**
*Rachel Dalton, Head of Retail Insights, North America
Paida Mugudubi, Head of Retail Insights, Global *
- Get caught up on the major retail trends and drivers making headlines around the world.
- Size up channel winners and losers and major retailer dynamics.
- Evaluate the main implications for the US and key global markets.
11:00-11:30 AM ET
**Sticking the landing in a turbulent economy **
*Doug Hermanson, Principal Economist*
- Identify macro vulnerabilities in retail.
- Understand where the economy is likely to land in 2024.
- Discover growth opportunities shaped by the macro environment.
11:30 AM-Noon ET
**Seeking solid ground: Shopping shifts in a tumultuous time **
*Julie Craig, Vice President, Shopper Insights *
- What market forces (healthcare, economy, politics, etc.) are most likely to impact current and future shopping behavior?
- Who are the shoppers under the most financial pressure, and who should brands and retailers target?
- What changes can brands and retailers expect shoppers to make under different 2024 scenarios, and how can they be ready to win?
Noon-12:15 PM ET
**Break**
12:15-12:45 PM ET
**Transforming retail with AI **
*Amar Singh, Senior Director, Retail Insights*
- Explore how automation is deployed in retail.
- Identify the role of analytical AI in forecasting and planning.
- Uncover how personalization and engagement are evolving thanks to generative AI.
12:45-1:00 PM
**Key takeaways from morning sessions**
*Leigh O'Donnell, Head of Shopper and Category Insights
Malcolm Pinkerton, Global Head of Retail Insights *
1:00-1:30 PM ET
**Break**
BREAKOUTS
1:30-2:00 PM ET   
**Retail media networks: FMCG challenges and opportunities**
*Barry Thomas, Senior Retail Commerce Thought Leader
Jed Meyer, Senior Vice President, Media Insights*
- Trace the growth of retail media networks with a CPG perspective on this asset.
- Survey the evolution and effectiveness of retail media networks.
- Learn how to organize your resources to make the most of retail media networks.
1:30-2:00 PM ET **  **
**The health-centric drug channel**
*Amar Singh, Senior Director, Retail Insights
Andriana Bantra, Senior Insights Consultant, Retail Insights *
- Learn how drugstores are transforming into health centers.
- Find out how assortment and merchandising decisions are evolving.
- Understand the role of digital assets, retail media, and social commerce in driving growth.
2:00-2:05 PM ET
**Break**
2:05-2:35 PM ET   
**Digital transformation and the evolution of online retail **
*Rachel Dalton, Head of Retail Insights, North America *
- Explore the key levers driving growth in online retail.
- Examine how digital transformation is reshaping the retail experience.
- Evaluate the future of digital commerce and where to invest to win.
2:05-2:35 PM ET   
**US grocery: National vs. regional power dynamics **
*Ross Cloyd, Director, Retail Insights
Chris Miles, Senior Analyst, Retail Insights *
- Gain an understanding of how national and regional grocery retailers are repositioning strategies in an evolving market.
- Get a break down of retailer ecosystems and how physical and digital retailing interconnect.
- Understand today’s grocery landscape challenges and the opportunities of tomorrow.
2:35-2:40 PM ET
**Break**
2:40-3:10 PM ET  
**Global merchandising innovation and US implications **
*Marie Humbert, Senior Insights Consultant, Retail Insights
Gina Logan, Principal Analyst, Retail Insights*
- Learn how merchandising is evolving globally.
- Draw inspiration from emerging and transformative merchandising initiatives.
- Get a read on the outlook for merchandising and what it means for your brands.
2:40-3:10 PM ET   
**Critical customer planning consideration for key US retailers **
*Rachel Dalton, Head of Retail Insights, North America
Karen Kelso, Vice President, Retail Insights *
- Discover how to customize your approach with your retail customer in mind.
- Balance looking backward and forward to successfully plan for growth opportunities.
- Learn how to move beyond transactions to build connectivity and partnership.
3:10-3:15 PM ET
**Break**
3:15-3:45 PM ET  
**Shopper Check-In: Live! **
*Julie Craig, Vice President, Shopper Insights
Renata de Moura, Senior Director, Shopper Insights
Misha Jethwa, Manager, Shopper Insights
Mary Brett Whitfield, Senior Vice President, Head of Shopper Insights *
- Tune in for our nominees for the ShopperScape® insight stat of the year.
- Learn the most important shopper data points to track and key things to watch for.
- Get our expert POV on what shopper behaviors matter most now and in the future.
3:15-3:45 PM ET   
**How leading global retailers are navigating the turbulence**
*Moderator: Kate McGee, Partner, Syndicated Retail Platforms
Panelists: Karen Kelso, Vice President, Retail Insights
Simon Johnstone, Senior Director, Retail Insights
Amar Singh, Senior Director, Retail Insights
Anna Brennan, Senior Analyst, Retail Insights
Marie Humbert, Senior Insights Consultant, Retail Insights *
- Gain insights into how retailers are allocating resources to support growth and how key global retailers are performing.
- Analyze critical tactics to manage the “permacrisis” environment.
- Discuss future growth initiatives and where global retailers will be placing their bets.
10:00-10:15 AM ET
**Welcome and setting the stage**
*Leigh O'Donnell, Head of Shopper and Category Insights
Malcolm Pinkerton, Global Head of Retail Insights *
10:15-10:45 AM ET
**Planning for new disruptive spaces and formats **
*David Marcotte, Senior Vice President, Global Retail and Technology *
- Find out why some of the fastest-growing formats are creating new tensions among existing retailers and vendors.
- Gauge how these formats are shifting the merchandising and financial demands on vendors.
- Understand why success with these popular formats will take longer-term planning.
10:45-11:15 AM ET
**The value triumvirate **
*Simon Johnstone, Senior Director, Retail Insights *
- Identify the intersection at which retailers, shoppers, and suppliers define value.
- Evaluate which channels are poised to win in the short and long term.
- Review the capabilities needed to manage changing value relationships.
11:15-11:45 AM ET
**Pragmatic sustainability: How ESG supports EDLP **
*Karen Kelso, Vice President, Retail Insights *
- Determine how resource availability influences retailer strategies.
- Explore the connectivity between aspirational goals and P&L performance.
- Consider the short- and long-term benefits of regenerative business tactics.
11:45 AM-Noon ET
**Break**
Noon-12:45 PM ET
**Future of commerce**
***Moderator:** Ted Riedel, North America Practice Lead
**Panelists:** Barry Thomas, Senior Retail Commerce Thought Leader
J. Walker Smith, Knowledge Lead
Dianne Graham, Senior Vice President, Retail Advisory
Leigh O’Donnell, Head of Shopper and Category Insights*
- Explore some of the biggest strategic disruptions facing the FMCG industry and recommendations for how to navigate one of the most turbulent periods of our industry.
- Understand how winning FMCG firms are upskilling their workforce as data science alters the nature of work.
- Learn how FMCGs are rethinking competitive advantage with new data, data science tools, ways of working, and leadership strategies.
12:45-1:00 PM
**Key takeaways from morning sessions**
*Malcolm Pinkerton, Global Head of Retail Insights
Leigh O'Donnell, Head of Shopper and Category Insights *
1:00-1:30 PM ET
**Break**
BREAKOUTS
1:30-2:00 PM ET 
**Managing margins in mass and club**
*Karen Kelso, Vice President, Retail Insights *
- Find out why making money has become harder since the pandemic.
- Examine how retailers’ profit sources are evolving.
- Predict the new retail profit models’ risks, rewards, and potential impacts on your business.
1:30-2:00 PM ET 
**Retailer sustainability trade toolkit **
*Georgia Plummer, Senior Insights Consultant, Retail Insights
Anna Brennan, Senior Analyst, Retail Insights
Lauren Winkler, Vice President, Category Insights *
- Get an overview of the US sustainability landscape.
- Learn how to talk to retailers about sustainability and manage expectations and strategic initiatives.
- Find out how to adapt sustainability with a category/brand vision.
2:00-2:05 PM ET
**Break**
2:05-2:35 PM ET  
**Future of food service: Innovation and partnerships **
*Barry Thomas, Senior Retail Commerce Thought Leader*
- Step through six ways restaurants are reinventing their business models to create new revenue streams and build brand affinity.
- Review restaurant examples across all six areas with insights for FMCGs, retailers, and restaurants.
- Get summary learnings and implications for food service and retail industry players.
2:05-2:35 PM ET 
**Why private label is poised to steal dollar share**
*Sophie Carroll, Associate Director, Retail Insights
Colombe Bommelaer, Senior Director, Category Insights
Chris Miles, Senior Analyst, Retail Insights *
- Understand the growth momentum of private label.
- Learn about the key strategies at play for private label.
- Find out what the private label outlook means for A-brands.
2:35-2:40 PM ET
**Break**
2:40-3:10 PM ET  
**The Gen Z conundrum: Values vs. value **
*Julie Craig, Vice President, Shopper Insights
Michelle Brisson, Senior Consultant, U.S. MONITOR*
- How does Gen Z define value?
- How are Gen Z shoppers shopping based on their personal values and beliefs?
- How can brands/retailers navigate these opposing viewpoints?
2:40-3:10 PM ET   
**Value of a dollar: Maximizing the dollar store opportunity**
*Simon Johnstone, Senior Director, Retail Insights*
- Assess the real size of the prize that dollar stores represent.
- Review a snapshot of individual retailer strategies.
- Discern the elements of best-in-class supplier partnerships.
3:10-3:15 PM ET
**Break**
3:15-3:45 PM ET   
**Understanding the local food revolution **
*Taylre Stumpf, Senior Analyst, Retail Insights
Anna Brennan, Senior Analyst, Retail Insights *
- Examine the factors driving shopper interest in locally sourced products.
- Discuss the potential advantages for retailers in incorporating local products.
- Learn how retailers and brands can leverage local sourcing for brand differentiation.
3:15-3:45 PM ET  
**The state of grocery trips **
*Mary Brett Whitfield, Senior Vice President, Head of Shopper Insights
Renata de Moura, Senior Director, Shopper Insights*
- Uncover the top retailers shopped and grocery trip missions.
- Understand the current state of grocery shopping, including the role of online shopping and fulfillment methods.
- Learn about the top drivers of grocery shopping satisfaction.
How to attend
## Available tickets
SEATBLOCK HOLDER?
[Talk to our event team ›](mailto:events@kantarconsulting.com)
Coming SOON! Meet the experts
## Event Speakers
*Check back for our speaker updates.*
We’re here to amplify your potential. Bringing exceptional experience across industries and organizations. Delivering a deep understanding of retailers and shoppers. We’ll help you meet and exceed your goals.
Malcolm Pinkerton
Global Head of Retail Insights
Leigh O'Donnell
Head of Shopper and Category Insights
Rachel Dalton
Head of Retail Insights, North America
Paida Mugudubi
Head of Retail Insights, Global
Doug Hermanson
Principal Economist
Julie Craig
Vice President, Shopper Insights
Amar Singh
Senior Director, Retail Insights
Barry Thomas
Senior Retail Commerce Thought Leader
Jed Meyer
Senior Vice President, Media Insights
Andriana Bantra
Senior Insights Consultant, Retail Insights
Ross Cloyd
Director, Retail Insights
Chris Miles
Senior Analyst, Retail Insights
Marie Humbert
Senior Insights Consultant, Retail Insights
Karen Kelso
Vice President, Retail Insights
Renata de Moura
Senior Director, Shopper Insights
Misha Jethwa
Manager, Shopper Insights
Mary Brett Whitfield
Senior Vice President, Head of Shopper Insights
Simon Johnstone
Senior Director, Retail Insights
Anna Brennan
Senior Analyst, Retail Insights
David Marcotte
Senior Vice President, Global Retail and Technology
Ted Riedel
North America Practice Lead
Georgia Plummer
Senior Insights Consultant, Retail Insights
Lauren Winkler
Vice President, Category Insights
Sophie Carroll
Associate Director, Retail Insights
Colombe Bommelaer
Senior Director, Category Insights
Taylre Stumpf
Senior Analyst, Retail Insights
Dianne Graham
Senior Vice President, Retail Advisory
Michelle Brisson
Senior Consultant, U.S. MONITOR
Want to learn more?
## Experience Kantar’s Expertise
Best-in-class events. Industry experts. Insights turned experience. Join the curious and thought leaders alike at our next event, webinar, or ShareGroup.
Uncover more to open the door to greater possibilities.
#### Events
Don’t just dream of winning in retail. Experience it. Access our industry’s best and brightest through thought-provoking presentations, inspiring conversations, and hands-on working sessions. It’s time to set yourself apart in the new era of retail.
[Learn More >](https://connect.kantarconsulting.com/events?hsLang=en&__hstc=136488175.73c477f0bae663ed07b0b3de87688914.1542307095871.1604974326044.1604976178363.97&__hssc=136488175.2.1604976178363&__hsfp=4091651231)
#### Webinars
Open the door to what’s possible. With enterprise access, your team will join the curious and cutting edge through bite-size power sessions and interactive Q&A. Kantar’s experts illuminate market insights and provide actionable recommendations.
[Learn More >](https://retailiq.kantar.com/contactus?hsLang=en)
#### ShareGroups
Join like-minded peers and share ideas, tips, experiences, and insights. Kantar ShareGroups and ShareDays offer exclusive interactions for members through facilitated discussions and noncompetitive working groups.
[Learn More >](https://retailiq.kantar.com/contactus?hsLang=en)
Lorem ipsum
## Kantar's new immersive experience
Focused on providing you with opportunities to network and engage with your peers and our content. Introducing, Kantar Connect.
Attendees will receive a link to virtually access the event prior to the event.
If you do not receive this link, please email [events@kantarconsulting.com](mailto:events@kantarconsulting.com)
**Experience Kantar’s expertise. Connect with our retail and shopper experts around the globe.** [Learn More about 2026 Events](https://retailiq.kantar.com/events?hsLang=en)
Copyright © 2026 Kantar
#### Company
- [Terms of use](https://www.kantar.com/Terms-and-Conditions)
- [Kantar Retail IQ Privacy Policy](https://retailiq.kantar.com/privacy-policy)
- [About Kantar](https://www.kantar.com/About)
- [Privacy](https://www.kantar.com/Cookies-Policies)