Asia Pacific's urban population to jump to 2b by end-2020

Find out what experts think on the retail market's future.

The retail sector in Asia Pacific is witnessing rapid change. The region’s urban population is set to rise to 2 billion by the end of the decade and combined with rapid economic growth in many countries, wealth levels are set to significantly increase. In the same period India and China alone will have a billion new consumers, with noticeable spending power and a mobile generation more advanced than anywhere else in the world, Asian consumers are engaging with brands differently. 

Consequently an aspirational middle class is emerging in many Asian countries and over the next 10 to 15 years, shopping in luxury malls and event shops will be a status symbol for this new class. The younger generation in Asia, in particular, will be setting the global trends – especially where the use of technology in stores is concerned. Online retailing has a powerful future, but traditional forms of shopping, such as markets, will begin to disappear in the medium term. 

The 5th annual Retail Congress Asia Pacific will unite senior retailers to share their insights, experiences and future thinking on the Asian retail market. The Congress, brought to you by i2i events group, will gather hundreds of senior domestic and international retail figures from over 35 countries. 

“It is vital to be part of the thought leadership that traces the shapes the evolution of the Asian retail landscape, and use the insights gleaned from the Congress to relate to customers better and Retail Congress Asia Pacific has been developed in close consultation with the industry's leading figureheads. Successful retailers from across the region have shared their experiences, knowledge and thoughts ensuring the Congress programme is timely, relevant and truly reflects the CEOs agenda. The resulting programme provides over 30+ hours of content offering practical case studies and active solutions to entering and succeeding within these new, emerging markets. 

Key themes on the 2015 Agenda

ASEAN integration and intra-regional expansion: As the region seeks to create a single and highly competitive market, analysts and retail experts assess the impact, highlight retail opportunities for regional and international retail players and outline strategies to ensure successful growth.

Phygital retail: synergy of the physical and virtual worlds – Future thinking perspectives on what exciting opportunities the merging of digital capabilities via new technology and mobile devices can offer physical retail. 

The war on talent – As competition for talent heightens, retail leaders assess how the industry can attract, retain and empower the next generation retail workforce.

Retail-tainment – satisfying the experience hunters – Exploring how retailers will create new experiential spaces, personalised services, and synchronised online and offline value propositions to satisfy demand for immediacy and service.

Growth markets on the horizon – Discussing the emerging markets including the Philippines, Vietnam and Myanmar which present interesting retail growth prospects over the next five years.

Mobile first: Deemed as the region where mobile retail services are having the biggest impact, sessions consider key trends and strategies to engage with the mobile

Over 65 expert speakers will be sharing their insight and experience into how they will be developing their strategy to respond to the changing market dynamics. 

 enhance their shopping experiences.” Terry O’Connor, CEO Courts Asia

 Masatada Kobayashi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Rakuten Asia Pte Ltd

 Chee Nian Tze, Group General Manager – Human Resources, Robinsons & RSH Group

 Dr Alan Treadgold, Independent Global Retail Advisor and member of the Advisory Board of the Oxford Institute of Retail Management, The University of Oxford

 Roger Egan III, Chief Executive Officer, Redmart

 Jose Gomez, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Mango

 Ken Ma, Head of International Business Development – Asia Pacific, International B2C Division, Alibaba

 Terry O'Connor, Group Chief Executive Officer, Courts Asia

 Anil Konidena, Chief Operating Officer, RSH

 Tobias Wasmuht, Managing Director, SPAR China, Board Member, SPAR International

 Ganesh Subramanian, Head of New Initiatives, Myntra.com

 Ben Flintoff, National Operations Manager, Palm Oasis Ventures, Baskin-Robbins Australia

 Ravi Thakran, President, LVMH South, South East Asia and Middle East

 Himanshu Chakrawarti, Chief Executive Officer, The Mobile Store

 Jonathan Yabut, Chief of Staff, AirAsia

Alongside this, the Congress offers 10+ hours of dedicated networking where face-to-face meetings can be arranged and lasting business partnerships established with Asia Pacific’s retail elite. 

The Retail Study Tour, visiting top retail destinations around Singapore, offers an unrivalled day of creative inspiration and insights into the latest in store design and innovation lead by leading retail expert KH Wong from the Asia Academy for Retailing. Store visits and presentations will be held at The Hour Glass Malmaison Store, Tangs Department Store, SPACE Asia Furniture and many more.

This essential date in the retail calendar will give businesses the competitive advantage in this exciting and profitable region. 

For more information please contact the Retail Congress Asia Pacific Team:

Call: +44 (0) 203 033 2288

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.retailcongressasia.com