Programme

New Zealand Retailers Association Conference 2011

Wednesday 6 April 2011, ASB Showgrounds, Auckland

The programme for the 2011 National Conference is a full day programme beginning at 8.30 in the morning and concluding with a networking cocktail function from 5.15pm onwards, where the Retail Hall of Fame inductees for 2011 will be named.

8.30-9am Opening Remarks

John Albertson (NZ) – CEO New Zealand Retailers Association

Cameron Brewer (NZ) – Auckland City Council

 9-10am Opening Keynote

Jack A. Smith (US) – The Sports Authority

The Sports Authority was the first ‘big box’ sports retailer in the US. But rather than competing using the more traditional discounter model, The Sports Authority decided to take a different approach and offer full service. Jack will discuss how they made this work and how they used the name of the store as a fundamental part of their positioning strategy.

10-10.30am Morning Tea

10.30-11.15am

John Hartmann (US) – CEO Mitre 10

John will look at how the changing nature of the market has affected DIY customers and looking ahead will speculate on what changes are likely. John will also reflect on his time with The Home Depot and look at the differences between a typical US DIY and NZ DIY customer.

11.15-12.15pm

Annah Stretton (NZ) – The Stretton Group

Annah will share her story around developing the fashion brands under the Stretton Group label and how those brands, intertwined with Annah herself, have come together as a unique positioning tool within the highly competitive fashion market.

12.15-1.45pm – Extended Break for Lunch and The NZ Retail Show viewing

1.45-2.30pm

Tim Edwards (NZ) – COO Noel Leeming Group

Technological innovation is happening at an alarming rate and consumers are keen to take advantage of those changes in technology. In this highly competitive retail segment, Tim will discuss how Noel Leeming is managing technological change and consumer demand.

2.30-3.30pm

Caroline Dewe (NZ) – Alphero Limited

Caroline will help to demonstrate the types of things a customer wants from your retail store in terms of the application of technology and how you as an organisation can enhance that experience for your customer.

3.30 – 4pm Afternoon Tea

4 - 4.30pm

Rugby World Cup - Ministry of Economic Development, New Zealand Ltd

The group will get a quick overview of Rugby World Cup 2011 and the expected economic benefits it is expected to bring to New Zealand, and look at how retailers can capture a slice of the action without falling foul of the rules around rights protection and ambush marketing. 

4.30 - 5.30pm Closing Keynote

Martin Butler (UK) Author ‘The Art of Being Chosen’

After interviewing 100 of the world’s top retail CEO’s, Martin identified a range of principles, which he will discuss with reference to the emergent themes of the day. Martin will also share with us some personality traits of those in retail that have made it to the top.

5.30pm Onwards Cocktail Function and Retail Hall of Fame Awards