Leading retailers gathered on September 11, 2025 to network and share discussions on current industry topics which included innovation trends, talent acquisition and retention and the continued focus on standing out while staying relevant. Sponsored partners (Advarics, Rithum, Shopline, and Syrup) provided technology expertise on AI powered software and the role AI is playing in driving profit through personalization, operational efficiencies and better product and data management.
Columbus Consulting CEO, Jon Beck, kicked-off the morning with his “What’s on the Horizon” presentation, headlining the top 4 areas retailers are prioritizing; namely:
- The age of artificial intelligence
- Connected business processes and decision making
- Technology as necessity and as a fuel for growth
- The long and short-term impact of tariffs
The rest of the morning was dedicated to retailer networking and panels/conversations moderated by Beck, Charlotte Kula-Przezwanski and Andrew Jennings, OBE centering on innovation, leadership and talent.
Panel Insights Summary
- Innovation
AI offers powerful acceleration for tasks like onboarding and forecasting, but success hinges on three pillars: clean data, strong internal champions, and cross-functional collaboration. Not every challenge needs a tech solution—many are rooted in people and processes.
Formula: AI + Human Expertise = Excellence.
Key Takeaway: Technology only delivers value when deeply integrated with people and process. Data should empower decisions—not overwhelm them.
- Leadership
Modern leadership is about more than direction—it’s about follow-through, communication, and alignment with mission and vision. As we look to 2025, leaders must lead with empathy, optimism, and solutions-focused thinking.
Trust and relevance are hard-won and easily lost; relationships are everything. And remember: the higher you climb, the more you must listen.
Key Takeaway: Think big, act with purpose, and cultivate your leadership brand with intention.
- People, Diversity & Gen Z
There’s a growing AI skills gap—71% of the workforce is untrained or unaware of AI’s potential. While academia evolves, industry still leans too heavily on outdated tools. Gen Z demands more: empathy, sustainability, and clear values. They value cross-functional collaboration, and reject siloed ways of working.
Key Takeaway: Embed values into daily work. Use AI to amplify human connection, not replace it.
Overall, retailers shared their priorities to strategically incorporate artificial intelligence to better serve their customers and improve their business processes and operations. They confirmed the continued need to acquire and maintain accurate data to best leverage AI and new technologies. In addition, they solidified the need to keep retail “human” with strong leadership and a commitment to teams and talent.
Want to learn more about this event, Columbus Consulting and its global practice? Contact us: https://www.columbusconsulting.com/contact-us/
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