What: The IADS attending the 2024 edition of the Retail Summit, held in Dubai on 22, 23 and 24 April, which gathered 790 participants from 35 different countries and 57 different nationalities. The purpose of the conference was to gather brands, retailers and industry leaders to discuss current challenges such as physical retail in the omnichannel business, growth, AI, Gen Z and sustainability. While it addressed pivotal themes, the event was also an interesting opportunity for networking.

Why it is important: The discussions at The Retail Summit 2024 underscored a transformative era in retail, characterised by digital innovation, omnichannel operations, sustainability, and the pivotal role of Gen Z. AI was part of almost all discussions, but the future role of this technology is not clearly defined yet. The insights shared reflect a retail landscape that is increasingly becoming customer-centric, where data strategies are not just supportive elements but central to business operations. Moreover, the summit highlighted the critical role of physical stores in creating immersive consumer experiences. This report is a selection of the most relevant insights gathered for our members.

The Retail Summit 2024 IADS report