More than two dozen leaders from retail, technology and business will be among the headline speakers as over 37,000 retailers from nearly 100 countries gather in New York in January to address the latest trends, innovations and strategies for transformation at the National Retail Federation’s 108th annual convention.
“Retail today is more than just a store or a website; it’s about offering unique experiences to consumers,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Everyone in this lineup of speakers is finding ways to effectively connect and engage with their customers through multiple channels. Each one of these outstanding leaders was handpicked to challenge, inspire and encourage attendees to redefine their brands, explore opportunities to work together, enhance customer experience and constantly embrace change.”
Details for sessions at NRF 2019: Retail’s Big Show will be announced later, but top keynote speakers will include:
Alibaba Group President Michael Evans
Since joining the Alibaba Group as president in 2015, Evans has spearheaded the company’s international strategy to globalize the business and expand outside of China. Prior to working at Alibaba, Evans held various leadership roles at The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. ranging from vice chairman of the company to chairman of Asian operations.
Bluemercury CEO and Co-founder Marla Beck
Bluemercury is a high-growth luxury beauty retail chain acquired by Macy’s Inc. in 2015. Bluemercury is widely recognized as a disrupter in the beauty retail industry for its unique retail model and creative approach to beauty. The company’s exponential growth–currently at 174 store locations–is guided by Beck’s leadership and passion for entrepreneurship. Beck is also a cosmetics brand developer, having co-founded M-61 Laboratories, makers of M-61 Powerful Skincare and Lune+Aster Cosmetics, in 2008.
Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. Chairman and CEO Edward Stack
Since 1984, Stack has led the nation’s largest full-service sporting goods retailer through a period of growth from just two stores in upstate New York to its current status as a Fortune 500 corporation with 730 Dick’s locations, 95 Golf Galaxy stores and 35 Field & Stream stores.
Lowe’s President and CEO Marvin Ellison
Ellison joined Lowe’s in July and leads 310,000 associates as they serve more than 18 million customers a week across North America through an omnichannel presence that includes 2,390 home improvement stores. Ellison has more than 30 years of retail leadership experience at companies including The Home Depot, Target and J.C. Penney Co., where he was chairman and CEO. He serves on the boards of Lowe’s and FedEx Corp.
Nordstrom Inc. President of Stores Jamie Nordstrom
Named to the position in 2014, Nordstrom and his team support the strategic direction and daily success of the company’s 123 locations and have supported the opening of several new stores, including the company’s first international store in Calgary, Canada, and its first stand-alone men’s store in New York City.
Former Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen
As the first woman to serve as head of the central bank, Yellen oversaw a period of strong job growth and the start of monetary policy normalization. Serving under both Presidents Obama and Trump, Yellen helped sustain a period of economic prosperity during which U.S. stock markets outperformed the rest of the world, inflation remained stable and the unemployment rate declined.
Target Corp. Chairman and CEO Brian Cornell
Cornell, who joined Target in 2014, is responsible for Target’s global business, including the company’s more than 1,800 U.S. stores, digital properties and nearly 350,000 team members. His past experience includes time as both a vendor partner and a competitor to Target, and he brings insights from those roles to the company today.
The Kroger Co. Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen
McMullen joined Kroger in 1978 as a part-time stock clerk in Lexington, KY. During his career with Kroger, he has served in numerous leadership positions and was elected to Kroger’s Board of Directors in 2003. He became president and chief operating officer in 2009 and assumed his current position in 2014. McMullen was named chairman of the board in 2015.
Other Notable Speakers will Include
- Allbirds co-CEO and co-founder Tim Brown
- BJ’s Wholesale Club Chairman, President and CEO Chris Baldwin
- Burrow Co-founder and CEO Stephen Kuhl
- Casper Senior Vice President of Experience Eleanor Morgan
- Chico’s FAS Brand President Diane Ellis
- Deloitte Vice Chairman and U.S. Retail, Wholesale and Distribution Practice Leader Rod Sides
- First Insight founder and CEO Greg Petro
- Former Ford Motor Company Group Vice President of Global Design and Chief Creative Officer J. Mays
- Framebridge founder and CEO Susan Tynan
- Getaway co-founder and CEO Jon Staff
- Gwynnie Bee/CaaStle founder and CEO Christine Hunsicker
- JD.com Head of Global Business Development of Fashion Harlan Bratcher
- Keds Chief Marketing Officer Emily Culp
- Keeps co-founder Steven Gutentag
- Kohl’s Executive Vice President of Product Development Michael Gilbert
- Levi Strauss & Co. Executive Vice President and President of Global Retail Carrie Ask
- L2 founder Scott Galloway
- Chief Purpose Officer Shannon Schuyler
- rue21 Chief Analytics Officer Mark Chrystal
- Signet Jewelers Ltd. Vice President of Corporate Affairs David Bouffard
- Snowe co-founder and Co-CEO Rachel Cohen
- StubHub President Sukhinder Singh Cassidy
- The Hershey Company Chief Digital Commerce Officer Doug Straton
- The Neiman Marcus Group Inc. Director and Innovation Lab founder Scott Emmons
- Walmart Executive Vice President and CIO Clay Johnson