5:30pm - 7:30pm

Cocktail & Networking Reception

Location: Toronto Ballroom Foyer

8:30am - 9:00am

Registration & Networking Breakfast

Location: Toronto Ballroom Foyer

9:00am - 9:05am

Opening Remarks  

Location: Toronto Ballroom

9:05am - 9:40am

Plenary Session

Navigating Economic Uncertainty and a Fast-Changing Global Landscape

Location: Toronto Ballroom

Amid supply chain disruptions, tariff risks, and heavy reliance on imports, Canadian businesses face growing exposure to global economic shifts. This keynote will examine the impact of inflation, high interest rates, and changing consumer confidence on spending and discretionary retail. Attendees will gain insights into how evolving trade dynamics, rising costs, and economic uncertainty are shaping the market and influencing business strategies.

9:40am - 10:10am

Plenary Session

Fireside Keynote 1 

Location: Toronto Ballroom

10:10am - 11:00am

Breakout Sessions

Biggest Threats & Opportunities for Canadian Retail CMOs –

This session explores the key lessons from 2025 and what 2026—and the next three years—may hold for Canadian retail marketing leaders. We’ll examine emerging trends, evolving consumer behaviors, and the ideal marketing and media mix to help CMOs navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and drive growth in a rapidly changing landscape.

Competition & How to Scale – Present-Day Challenges 

Strategies to compete with large domestic and global players and scale operations effectively.

Strategies to compete with large domestic and global players and scale operations effectively.
Competition from global giants and large domestic chains continues to intensify, driven by superior scale, buying power, and logistics. As e-commerce growth levels off and consumers demand seamless omnichannel experiences, this session explores the challenges smaller retailers face—and the strategies needed to scale and compete effectively.

11:00am - 11:20am

Morning Coffee & Networking Break

Location: Toronto Ballroom Foyer

11:20am - 12:00pm

Retail Real Estate – Is a Physical Store Still Worth It?

Location: Toronto Ballroom

Operating physical stores has never been more challenging. Rising costs for staffing, utilities, and upkeep, combined with declining foot traffic, are putting pressure on traditional retail formats. At the same time, the crash in consumer real estate has weakened liquidity and confidence, impacting categories like home furnishings and renovations. Despite Canada’s population growth, many malls and shopping centres are struggling to regain momentum. This session examines whether maintaining a physical presence still makes sense, and explores strategies for retailers and landlords to adapt, recover lost ground, and thrive in a changing retail landscape.

12:00pm - 12:30pm 

Plenary Session

Keynote with Sid Lee

Location: Toronto Ballroom 

12:30pm - 1:30pm 

Networking Lunch

Location: Toronto Ballroom Foyer

1:30pm - 2:00pm 

Plenary Session

Keynote 3

Location: Toronto Ballroom 

2:00pm - 2:40pm 

Plenary Session

Opportunities – What Retailers Can Do to Stay Ahead

Location: Toronto Ballroom 

Retailers can gain a competitive edge by leveraging AI and data for smarter forecasting and personalization, enhancing omnichannel experiences, emphasizing local sourcing, and offering value-driven loyalty and payment options. Streamlining technology and prioritizing trust, transparency, and sustainability further position retailers to thrive in a rapidly evolving market.

2:40pm - 3:00pm 

Networking & Coffee Break

Location: Toronto Ballroom Foyer

3:00pm - 3:40pm

Breakout Sessions

Social Commerce 

Social commerce is reshaping the retail landscape, turning platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Meta into fully integrated storefronts. From one-click purchases in videos and live streams to leveraging influencers for conversions rather than just messaging, retailers can create seamless digital paths to purchase. This session explores the convergence of commerce and content, the rise of live stream shopping, and how brands can thrive in the “everywhere store” era.

Buy Canada – Leveraging Canadian Identity as Brand Value 

As consumer preference for supporting Canadian businesses grows, retailers have an opportunity to strengthen their brand through authenticity, sustainability, and local sourcing. This session explores how emphasizing Canadian identity and ethical practices can resonate with shoppers and drive loyalty beyond 2025.

3:40pm - 4:20pm 

Plenary Session

Integrated Panel / Q&A: Future of Canadian Retail

Location: Toronto Ballroom 

Speakers synthesize insights from the day’s sessions, answer audience questions, and provide actionable takeaways.

4:20pm  - 4:40pm

Closing Remarks & Key Takeaways

Location: Toronto Ballroom