The second edition of the Retail & Brand Experience World Congress (RBEWC) has started to confirm its first participants. The event, organised by Fira de Barcelona and which will be held from 12th to 14th May in the Gran Via venue, will feature important speakers from the world of retail and brands who will share experiences on how to face challenges such as the arrival of new generations, sustainability, the birth of new business models and brands, digital transformation and agility in the supply chain.

The 150 speakers who are expected to participate in the congress part of the event include: Juvencio Juvencio Maeztu, CFO and Deputy CEO Ingka Holding BV (Ikea); Taku Nagahara, General Manager Muji Europe; Philip Raub, CEO B8ta; Vanessa Alcalá, Head of Man Sourcing H&M; Bea Reyero, Global Head of Development eBay; Juan Galiardo, CEO Uber Spain; Irene Cano, General Manager Facebook Spain; Sean Coxall, President of Supply Chain Solutions Li & Fung, un dels majors operadors mundials especialitzats en l’aprovisionament i la distribució de moda; Susi Bilbao, PWM Iberia Goldman Sachs; Alex Wagenberg, Managing Director/Partner The Carlyle Group; Fuencisla Clemares, General Manager Google Spain; Linda Campbell, General Manager The Body Shop, o Dae Ryun Chang, Professor Marketing, Yonsei University of Seul (Corea) and non-gender marketing expert.

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Trade under a new paradigm
The congress will be structured around 5 major themes: generational change and its influence on consumption; sustainability as a key to the future of retail; digital transformation and its impact on the customer experience; the circular economy and innovation in the supply chain; and new business models in retail and DTC (direct-to-consumer) brands.

Based on these themes we will address issues such as employee branding and how the correct recruitment of talent in stores turns employees into the main brand ambassadors; the gender-neutral trend as an opportunity to innovate in products and services; cases of new companies that have incorporated sustainability in their business strategy; the impact on the customer experience through predictive data analysis; cases of new formats, concepts, spaces and digital solutions in hospitality capable of providing unique and personalised experiences; new payment systems; intelligent distribution and its impact on the city; how circular business models and new variants in the supply chain can create new opportunities in sustainable supply; disruptive formulas in DTC models; and the increase in female leadership in this type of new brands.

Other experts joining the first preview of the programme of the second edition of the RBEWC are: Bernard Meunier, CEO Europe, Middle East, North Africa, Nestlé Purina PetCare; Beatriz Pardo, Vice President Siren Retail Group (Starbucks); Antonio Pascual, Global Supply Chain Director Mango; Alberto Álvarez Ayuso, CEO Media Markt Iberia; Alistair Corden-Lloyd, Senior Portfolio Specialist Global Brands Morgan Stanley, Matti Yahav, Head Rest of World SodaStream International, Eraldo Polleto, CEO-Brand President Stuart Weitzman (former CEO Ferragamo & Furla); Javier Goyeneche, Founder Ecoalf; Martijn van der Zee, C&A VP Sourcing EMEA, Alberto Festa, CEO Pomellato; Eva Baquedanol, Strategic Project Management Officer Loewe; Allison McPartland, Category Manager Wayfair, among others.

In addition, firms such as Puig, Knotel, McKinsey, Value Retail, Intent HQ, Country Road, WeEQUAL and Vasquiat have also confirmed their participation in the congress.

The event will also have an exhibition area with a hundred companies presenting technological solutions for commerce; the Retail Startup & Innovation space, open to the participation of emerging companies; the Innovation Academy, where training in digital skills will be given; guided tours of the stands; and a route through unique establishments and shops in Barcelona.