The Initial Agenda
of the 7th Modern Distribution Congress
26.05.2025, The Westin Warsaw Hotel
8:30-9:00 A.M.
Registration of Guests
9:00-9:10 A.M.
Opening of the Congress
9:10-9:20 A.M.
The Inaugural Presentation held by the Chairmen of the Advisory Board
TRADE IN AN ERA OF CHANGE AND CHALLENGES
9:20-9:30 A.M.
The global trade in the times of sustainable tsunami
Speech by the Representative of the European Commission
9:30-9:40 A.M.
Poland's Presidency of the EU
Speech by the Representative of the Prime Minister's Office
9:40-10:00 A.M.
Challenges for Trade and Expectations from the Presidency
Speech by the President of EuroCommerce
10:00-10:40 A.M. The Future of Polish Trade
Debate:
- The impact of the Polish presidency on trade development
- Secure Europe - Secure Trade
- Food security in the EU
10:40-11:20 A.M.
Trade 360 - trends, transformations and future directions
Debate:
- Scope of change and directions of development and adaptation in retail
- Dynamic political and economic changes and their impact on the development plans of retail chains (geopolitical situation, economic growth, legislative processes, pricing policy)
- Challenges of the future, new technologies, sustainability, demographics
- Long-term strategies for retail chains - the future of the market
11:20-11:40 A.M.
COFFEE & NETWORKING BREAK
HUMAN EXPERIENCE - BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS IN TRADE
11:40-11:55 A.M.
Studying Consumer Choices with Technology – How to Interpret Customer Intentions and Increase Sales?
Presentation/Report
11:55-12:10 P.M.
New loyalty – how are changing consumer habits redefining sales strategies?
Presentation/Report
12:10-12:50 P.M.
Consumer choices and their determinants
Debate:
- Personalization and digitalization - changes in retail industry formats and strategies
- Ideas and technology in purchasing - customer values and beliefs vs. digital communication - purchasing decisions and their impact on building competitive advantage
- Create purchasing strategies using technology (AI, VR, BNPL, seamless payments, advanced mobile applications)
- How are loyalty programs and subscription payments changing attitudes toward shopping?
- How do generational changes affect customer behaviour?
12:50-1:05 P.M.
Modern Payments in Retail – Convenience, Security, Customer
Debate:
- How do innovative payment methods impact the shopping experience?
1:05-1:20 P.M.
Switch Print to Digital – Winning Strategies for Retail Chains in Poland
- Why transitioning from print to digital is becoming essential for retail chains
- How to save money through this transformation
- How data-driven strategies enhance efficiency and revenue
- Best practices from retail chains that have successfully made the transition
1:20-1:40 P.M.
Retail MILLION, or building new revenue streams for retail chains + reaching a larger audience
Firechat:
- Revenue diversification - how can retail chains earn more?
- Use of new business models (marketplace, subscription services, retail media)
- Expansion of offerings to include complementary products and services
1:40-2:00 P.M.
The digital world – how can we meet new expectations?
Debate 2+1:
- Managing employees in retail chains. Building customer relations
- To what extent can we replace the employee with technology, that is, which areas of the industry require a human presence? Modern tools to support employee
- How to maintain the authenticity of the service? The role of training and upskilling in modern commerce
DIGITAL MARKETING ISSUE #RETAILTECH
2:00-2:10 P.M. Digitalization of logistics processes - modern warehouse monitoring. How to digitise and automate warehouse processes?
Presentation
2:10-2:20 P.M. Traditional trade goes off the charts - new technologies in trade
Presentation
2:20-2:50 P.M. E-commerce - priorities and development directions
Debate:
- Multichannel sales as a part of brand strategy
- How to ensure an increased level of security for online shoppers? Where does the responsibility lie - the customer or the seller?
- How to stay ahead of threats? - Consistent strategy in action against cyber criminals (employee education, security systems - solutions)
- Using AI for crime prevention and data protection
2:50-3:40 P.M.
LUNCH
SUSTAINABLE GOALS OF THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR
3:40-4:05 P.M.
Bailout system - the future of packaging collection and recycling
Debate 2+1:
- Integrity of the bail system. Key areas for improvement
- Efficient waste management - managing the process of returning and recycling packaging and depositing packaging waste
- EPR and bail system - complementarity of goals. How can the collaboration of these systems increase recycling and reduce waste
4:05-4:35 P.M.
Sustainability as the foundation of modern trade
Debate:
- ESG in the foreground! Does the profitability of companies depend on their commitment to environmental activities?
- Sustainability and circular economy as long-term actions of companies
- Legislative requirements, CSRD and expanded ESG reporting obligations for companies
- Increase retail chains' energy-saving efforts
- Climate targets in the supply chain - what are the environmental costs in the global supply chain, and how can they be reduced? The product path from start to finish - perspectives on collaboration and creating an ecosystem with manufacturers and suppliers.
- Sustainability, innovation and competitiveness in trade
4:35 P.M.
The End
*The organizer reserves the right to change the agenda.
