Agenda

Main stage and concurrent sessions packed with dynamic discussions on retail’s most relevant topics.

October 27, 2022

7:30 AM - 4:00 PM PST
Registration
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM PST
Networking Breakfast
8:30 AM - 8:45 AM PST

Welcoming Remarks

Diane J. Brisebois

President & CEO

Retail Council of Canada

Michael E. LeBlanc

Senior Retail Advisor

Retail Council of Canada

8:45 AM - 9:15 AM PST

Leading with Purpose to Transform Canada’s Authority on Play, with Mastermind Toys’ CEO Sarah Jordan

Sarah Jordan

CEO

Mastermind Toys

Mastermind Toys’ CEO Sarah Jordan shares her journey of reinventing a beloved Canadian brand, while empowering their renowned team of Play Experts in stores, their Warehouse and Play HQ, to deliver moments of wonder for customers. Sarah dives into lessons learned in leading a purpose-driven or...

9:15 AM - 9:55 AM PST

Digitally Empowered Experiences

Today’s remarkable retail experiences are empowering and engaging the customer enabling them to shop however, wherever and whenever they want. In this session retailers discuss opportunities to leverage digital engagement for customer empowered experiences be it online or in-store. Learn what ...

Eleanor Lynch

Retail Operations Executive

David Lui

CEO & President

Korite

Stephen Bailey

Chief Marketing Officer

John Fluevog Shoes

Andrew Cherwenka

Head of Ecommerce

Vega

9:55 AM - 10:00 AM PST

Connectivity to Cloud

Rick Snook

Director of Business Development

Telus

Fast Five Sponsor Highlight

Digitization for retail is top of mind and understanding how to take your security technology to the next level will enable you to make it a profit centre. Rick Snook, Director Business Development, Telus Business, shares the more important informat...

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM PST

Economic Impact on Consumers Today

Steve Mossop

EVP, Vancouver

Leger

The uncertainty isn’t over as Canadians face a significant shift in economic conditions with skyrocketing inflation. How will this impact decision making for customers and what opportunities does it present for retailers? Attend this session for an informative update from Leger’s Steve Mosso...

10:30 AM - 11:00 AM PST

Supporting Supplier Diversity

Leading retailers are not only driving diversity through their HR strategy, but also developing initiatives to increase diverse representation through the products they sell. Santo Ligotti, VP Marketing and Member Services with Retail Council of Canada chats with Best Buy’s Zayn Jaffer and Ind...

Zayn Jaffer

Vice President and Category Officer, Home Theatre, Portable Audio & Emerging Business

Best Buy Canada

Conner MacLeod

Director, Marketplace and Dropship

Indigo

Santo Ligotti

VP Marketing and Member Services

Retail Council of Canada

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM PST
Networking Break
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM PST

Capitalize on Investments in Data and the Digital Universe

Winning the War for Talent in a Competitive Market

12:15 PM - 1:30 PM PST
Networking Lunch
12:30 PM - 12:50 PM PST

Reach, Relevance and The Impact of Flyers in 2022

Patrick Brayley

Senior Vice President of Distribution

TC Transcontinental

Lunch and Learn

As inflationary pressures impact consumers and retailers alike, flyers are as or more than relevant ever. This session will debunk many misconceptions related to the flyer, discuss the relationship between physical and digital flyers, and help retailers underst...

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM PST

The Power of Driving Discovery Commerce

Commerce, Collaboration & Community Growth

2:15 PM - 2:45 PM PST
Networking Break
2:45 PM - 3:15 PM PST

How The Chinese Market is Influencing Retail’s Evolution in Canada

Kostya Polyakov

National Industry Leader for Consumer and Retail Practice

KPMG Canada

Retailers across Canada are eager to understand the mindset and behaviours of the more than 1.8 million Chinese-Canadian consumers. In a reality where shopping is truly becoming boundless, what is the new learning retailers can incorporate from the behaviours of Chinese consumers as it relates t...

3:15 PM - 3:20 PM PST

Straight Talk on Sprains and Strains in Retail

Megan Martin

OHS Consultation & Education Services

WorkSafeBC

Fast Five Sponsor Highlight

In 2021, the retail industry in B.C. had an injury rate of 2.32, which was higher than the provincial average of 2.24. In addition, time-loss claims costs in the industry totaled nearly 95 million dollars. More than one-third were due to sprains and...

3:20 PM - 3:50 PM PST

What Innovation in Grocery Looks Like Now

Calgary Co-op’s CEO Ken Keelor is shaking up the future of grocery by reimagining how their co-operative can better serve its members while creating a more sustainable future. Ken Keelor sits down for a fireside chat to discuss how the in-store experience is evolving, becoming more sustainable...

Ken Keelor

CEO

Calgary Coop

David Ian Gray

Principal and Retail Strategist

DIG360 Consulting Ltd.

3:50 PM - 3:55 PM PST

Democratizing Fulfilment to Ensure “Prime” Level Service Accessibility

Reza Bafandeh

CEO

Darwynn Ltd

In modern operations, as retailers become more reliant on a global, multi channel, multi platform sales stream, organizations are becoming more dependent on the use of data to further improve their operational capabilities. Reza Bafandeh, CEO with Darwynn Ltd shares how they are helping retailer...

3:55 PM - 4:25 PM PST

Global Footprint to Modern Start Ups: This is Retail Strategy Now

As retailers emerge out of a pressure filled period that accelerated plans and instigated change, leaders are charting a new path. Christine Day, co-founder and CEO of The House of LR&C, joins us to discuss the evolution of retail strategy with insights that include 20 years experience as he...

Christine Day

Co-Founder & CEO

The House of LR&C

Michael E. LeBlanc

Senior Retail Advisor

Retail Council of Canada

4:25 PM - 4:30 PM PST
Closing Remarks
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM PST
Networking Reception