We’re exploring this year’s InternetRetailing Conference (IRC 2016) through a series of previews and interviews. Last month we looked at Track 1: Engage. Today we focus on Track 2: Growth.
The potential for both marketplaces and international sales to drive ecommerce and multichannel retail growth will be explored in the Growth track of InternetRetailing Conference 2016.
Speakers in the track hail from traders as varied as Vente Privée and Alibaba, as they make the case for international expansion via marketplaces, while retailers from Urban Outfitters to C&A will share insights into their strategies for overseas growth.
“This track,” says conference director Lisa Ploude, “will strategies for overcoming significant challenges of planning, establishing and growth retail operations in multiple countries, in new territories.”
The track follows on from the plenary session of IRC 2016, which features speakers including James McClure of Airbnb, Tony Rivenell of Halfords and InternetRetailing’s own Ian Jindal.
Sally Scott, managing director UK of Vente-Privée, gives the opening keynote address, considering the role of marketplaces in helping retailers to achieve international customer-centric service. The keynote, Online marketplaces as a route to international growth, is at 11.20am.
Jonathan Sheard, head of enterprise sales UK at Klarna, the track sponsor, follows with an analysis of the role of the web checkout in the customer experience. Online checkout – the conversion killer! Isn’t it about time things changed? is at 11.55am.
Leah Zhang, responsible for international business development at Alibaba.com, then looks at opportunities for UK retailers in the Chinese market. Speeding up market entry in Asia is at 12.30pm, and is followed by a break for lunch and networking.
David Williams, ecommerce director, Deckers Brands, follows with a session on localising ecommerce. Going global, thinking local and making the international customer fall in love with your product! is at 2pm.
Experts on Latin America then provide answers to questions on trading online in that part of the world. Melanie Frutig, ecommerce manager, Electrolux; Andre Beisert, head of ecommerce, C&A Brasil; Luciano Xavier de Miranda, director of ecommerce at Grupo Boticário and Juan Romero, VP marketing, Fravega Argentina are the panellists on the Ecommerce in Latin America – cashing in on new opportunities post-Brexit.
Franco Kölliker, director of ecommerce at Möbel Pfister AG, shares insights into the company’s personalisation strategy in a case study. Pfister – driving conversion rates by 49% thanks to intelligent personalisation strategy is at 3.15pm.
The closing keynote comes from Andrew McClean, head of international and chief operating officer at Urban Outfitters. Top tips for burgeoning international retail markets is at 4.30pm.
InternetRetailing Conference 2016 is held on October 12. To find out more about the event, and about sister conference eDelivery Conference, being held on October 11, visit www.internetretailingconference.com.
