20-21 May 2026 | Crown Melbourne

THE FUTURE OF RETAIL STARTS HERE

Igniting Innovation in Retail

2026 is set to bring about a transformative shift in the retail landscape. As customer behaviours and expectations continue to shift across an increasingly digitised world, leaders must adapt rapidly to sustain growing demands. But how can brands maintain the edge amongst such uncertainty for the future?

Join Retail Leaders 2026 to debate, discuss and tackle the most pressing challenges facing the industry today. Designed with strategy and tactics at its core, the event will equip leaders with the tools, skills and connections needed to drive growth, navigate complexity and ignite the innovation needed for tomorrow’s evolving retail landscape.

Past Speaker Spotlight

Ron Johnson

Senior Vice President, Retail

Sharon Price John

Chief Executive Officer

Lord Stuart Rose

Chairman

Jennifer Child

Chief Executive Officer

Terry J Lundgren

Chairman & CEO

Natalie Davis

Managing Director

Mark McInnes

Chief Executive Officer

Tolgahan Cakaloglu

Distinguished Scientist of AI

Jack Gance

Co-Founder & Chairman

Elle Roseby

Managing Director

Ian Bailey

Managing Director

Graham "Skroo" Turner

Founder & CEO

Number of
Attendees
0 +
Expert
Speakers
0 +
Hours of Learning
& Networking
0 +
Powerful
Days
0

Content by leaders, for leaders

Our content is expertly researched and curated with insights from Connect Media’s network of industry specialists. Timely and tailored, it sparks innovation, tackles key industry challenges, and provides the skills and tools for future business success.

Key Themes

How can retailers leverage cutting-edge technology and innovation to create seamless consumer experiences in a digital-first world? 

How can retailers build agile, resilient operations that balance efficiency, sustainability, and risk management in an increasingly volatile market? 

How can retailers forge purpose-driven working cultures, attract top talent, and build collaborative partnerships to create high-performing teams and unlock new opportunities for growth? 

How can we cultivate long-term loyalty and deepen consumer engagement?

How can retailers deliver operational excellence across all levels of business?

More program details to come

Event Pricing

SINGLE DELEGATE PASS

Early bird

$995 + GST

STANDARD

$1295 + GST

GROUP: 5 DELEGATE PASSES INCLUDES 2 FREE

Early Bird

$2985 + GST

STANDARD

$3885 + GST

What’s included in my delegate pass
Access to Full Event Program
Exclusive Networking Opportunities
Executive Insights & Event Content

Delegate registration is strictly for professionals from retailers or consumer brands. Service providers, vendors and consultants within the retail industry are not permitted to register as delegates. If you are a service provider, vendor or consultant, please reach out to jackm@connectmedia.com to discuss your involvement.

Registrations will be reviewed for the correct rate, Connect Media reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone not paying the correct rate. Furthermore, we will not be responsible for travel costs if you do not pay the correct rate.

Join Our Invitation List
Subscribe now and be the first to receive updates, special offers, and priority invitations to the Forum.

Our Partners

Become A Partner

The Retail Leaders is Australia’s premier event for professionals from retailers or consumer brands. We focus on actionable insights and real-world solutions by bringing together the leading voices shaping the sector. Every year we refine our event model to unlock greater value for our partners and to ensure that our delegation’s expectations are exceeded. 

Whether you’re looking for brand visibility, lead generation or exclusive event networking opportunities, our sponsorship packages are tailor made and designed to maximise your ROI. 

Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss what these opportunities could look like for you and your brand. 

PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Jack Martin
Growth Manager
Tel: 
+61 451 548 447
Email: jackm@connectmedia.com

GENERAL ENQUIRIES

Tel: +61 2 8004 8590
Email: team@connectmedia.com

Connect with these companies attending

Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with the industry’s most prominent brands at The Retail Leaders Forum. Explore the companies already confirmed and secure your chance to network with the best in the business.

Your event expErience starts here​

Venue & Accomodation

crown Melbourne

Conference Hall, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s included in my delegate pass?

A Delegate Pass includes access to all sessions, refreshment breaks, networking lunches, and access to provided speaker presentations. Please note: Sharing of speaker presentation’s is subject to approval from the guest speaker. One delegate ticket is entry for one person only, passes cannot be shared. Organiser’s reserve the right to deny entry to anyone not registered.

 

Is there a group booking discount?

Yes – groups of 3 people or more are entitled to a discount. Full discount information is available on our registration page. If you have any questions about how group bookings work, please contact team@connectmedia.com

 

Can I transfer my pass?

A delegate pass is entry for one person only, passes cannot be shared. A substitute delegate is welcome at any time prior to the event, provided the request is made in writing to team@connectmedia.com

 

How do I receive my delegate pass?

Following the completion of your registration, you will receive an email confirmation. We will contact you via email the day prior to the event with a QR code, to make your arrival as seamless as possible have your QR e-ticket ready and visible on your device.

 

Is media registration available?

No, this is a closed and confidential event. Media registrations are not available.

 

Cancellation Policy:

A full refund less a $250 (GST Inclusive) processing fee is applicable on cancellation requests made in writing within 10 days of registration. No refunds are available for cancellations made more than 10 days after registration. Where Connect Media is required to reschedule the event in the interest of the event partner’s and guests, your pass will be automatically transferred to the rescheduled dates. Should Connect Media be unable to offer, deliver or fulfil any engagement within 12 months, you will be entitled to a full refund.

 

What is a Service Provider?

A service provider refers to an individual or organisation who supplies products and/or services to the primary audience of the event.

 

Will there be a delegate list available?

No, Connect Media does not provide delegate lists to attendees.

 

Fraudulent activities

We’ve been alerted to instances of companies proposing to purchase and sell lists of attendees for our events. Please be assured, we do not engage in the sale or distribution of event-related data. Such companies have no association with us, and we are actively working to halt these deceptive practices.

Regrettably, this type of scam is not uncommon in the media industry. Any information purported to originate from our events and offered by a third party would be completely fabricated. Should you have doubts about the legitimacy of a potential supplier, we urge you to contact us directly.

For any additional questions please contact us on 02 8004 8590 or team@connectmedia.com.

Delegate Pass:

Delegate Pass includes access to all sessions, refreshment breaks, networking lunches, networking drinks reception, and access to approved speaker presentations/on demand content. Please note: Sharing of speaker presentation’s is subject to approval from the guest speaker. One delegate ticket is entry for one person only, passes cannot be shared. Organiser’s reserve the right to deny entry to anyone not registered.

Digital Pass (only applicable for digital events):

A digital pass is valid for the use of 1 user and provides access to live content, inclusive of all keynotes, and sessions. The pass also includes access to approved speaker presentations/on demand content; this will be available to you via email in the week following the event. Please note: Sharing of speaker presentation’s is subject to approval from the guest speaker. Access must not be shared by multiple user’s or redistributed in any way. Organiser’s reserve the right to deny access to anyone who is found violating the above terms.

Payment & Discounts:

Only one promotional discount code can be applied per registrant. All prices and promotions are valid at the time of purchase only and may not be redeemed after the point of purchase.

Registrations will be reviewed for the correct rate, Connect Media reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone not paying the correct rate. Furthermore, we will not be responsible for travel costs if you do not pay the correct rate.

Organiser’s Rights:

Connect Media and Communications Group Pty Ltd endeavours to ensure the conference programme and speaker line-up is correct at the time of the event. All advertised details are correct at time of publishing. Due to unforeseen circumstances Connect Media and Communications Group Pty Ltd reserves the right to alter the programme prior to the event without notice. We also reserve the right to cancel or postpone the event. Where Connect Media is unable to run the event in the next 12 months (from the date of the event), you will be entitled to a full refund. In the unlikely event that it is cancelled or postponed, no compensation will be provided for cancelled/amended travel arrangements.

Connect Media and Communications Group Pty Ltd reserves the right to deny access to any individual that engages in or is alleged to engage in practices that are considered unprofessional and inappropriate for a business conference. We reserve the right to deny access to delegates that may affect the client / vendor ratio of attendance in favour of the interests of sponsors and commercial partners of the event.

In registering for this event, delegates grant permission to Connect Media and Communications Group Pty Ltd to take and to have full and free use of video/photographs containing their image/likeness for promotional use. Should a delegate not agree to the above image release, they must advise team@connectmedia.com.

Cancellation Policy:

A substitute delegate is welcome at any time provided the request is made in writing. A full refund less a $250 (GST Inclusive) processing fee is applicable on cancellation requests made in writing within 10 days of registration. No refunds are available for cancellations made more than 10 days after registration. Where Connect Media is required to reschedule the event in the interest of the event partner’s and guests, your pass will be automatically transferred to the rescheduled dates. Should you be provided with a credit note at the discretion of the event organisers, this credit is valid for the specified amount of passes, and not the monetary value. Should Connect Media be unable to offer, deliver or fulfil any engagement within 12 months, you will be entitled to a full refund.

Event Delivery:

In case of a change in government restrictions and advice, Connect Media reserves the right to make the decision to deliver the event completely digital, or completely in person. Should you hold a different pass, you are entitled to move your registration to digital/in person, or receive a credit for the following edition of the event.

Privacy Disclosure:

We take your privacy seriously. Information collected on this registration will be held in the strictest of confidence on a secure database. This information may be used in order to contact you regarding future events, product development and services offered. If you do not wish to be contacted please email team@connectmedia.com. To view our full privacy policy please visit: https://dashboard.connectmedia.com/privacy-policy/.

Enquiry Form

Subscribe







Event of Interest - Please select: