Retail is the second largest employer in most national economies (Retail Industry Leaders Association, 2007). Tomorrow's retail landscape will welcome 1 billion new consumers from emerging economies such as Russia, China and India. Retail's reliance upon its talent in the face of predicted talent shortages and increasingly tight profit margins demands both established and up and coming brand leaders to continuously adapt and re-invent retail business models to make the most of consumer trends, technology, collaboration and innovation. The design and execution of successful retail business models relies on workforce planning that incorporates talent demographic shifts and delivers return on a significant investment in human capital.

Finding, developing and engaging the right talent depends on realizing potential at all levels for retail organizations so people can perform at their best. Beyond challenges retail shares with other industries-- such as career mobility and leadership development - how can they leverage opportunities that set them apart - such as measuring performance in hourly sales, and being close to the customer to rapidly evolve new products? Whether you are a retail executive, field manager or in HR, this track will cover the talent management imperatives of maintaining competitiveness in the retail sector.