ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has launched the agenda for its biggest ever annual event, Conference23, on 25 April next year.
Taking place at the Vox in Birmingham alongside the National Convenience Show, ACS Conference23 is a must-attend event for anyone in the convenience sector looking to grow their business, build valuable relationships, and get exclusive insights on how to prepare for the future.
This year’s conference will feature two sessions with practical ideas for everyone to take back to their businesses, whether attendees are single site retailers or international suppliers.
Recession Proofing Your Business: The cost of living crisis has dominated the agenda in 2022, with the result being a recession that could last throughout and even beyond 2023.
In this session, attendees will hear from senior experts about the way that consumer behaviour is changing as a result of the recession and how retailers and suppliers to the sector can prepare to stay relevant to customers. This will be followed by a panel of leaders in convenience to hear how they’re adapting in 2023.
Future Proofing Your Business: The second session of the day will look ahead to get new insight into how the sector might look in years to come. It will explore how disruptors like technology, delivery, productivity, categories, sustainability and store formats are shaping the store of the future, and where the opportunities to invest are.
The session will then check in with the second panel of convenience leaders for their strategies on future proofing.
Speakers and panellists already confirmed for Conference23 include:
• Lisa Hooker, Leader of Industry for Consumer Markets at PWC
• Claire Fox, Partner at PWC
• Peter Batt, Managing Director at Nisa Retail
• Paul Dobson, Wholesale Director at Morrisons
• Guy Swindell, Joint Managing Director at Parfetts/Go Local
• Colm Johnson, Retail Managing Director at Booker
James Lowman (pictured), Chief Executive at ACS, the conference chair, commented, “We’ve designed Conference23 to give everyone involved with the convenience sector valuable insights to take back to their businesses.
'There has never been a better time to come together as a sector and prepare for the challenges that we’re facing now, whilst looking ahead to growth in the future.
“This year’s conference is an unmissable opportunity to get a huge variety of input, from award winning independent retailers and industry leaders to outside experts, all sharing their strategies to help bring the best out of your business.”