Over recent months we’ve explored this year’s InternetRetailing Conference (IRC 2016) through a series of previews and interviews. We asked each of our interviewees what they were most looking forward to at the event. Here we round up some of the highlights from the series.
IRC 2016 is on October 12, at the Novotel, Hammersmith, while sister event eDelivery Conference is the previous day.
Mike Durbridge, director of omnichannel at B&Q
“I love going to IRC because there’s always a huge variety of different organisations that are sharing their learning. You can take away from that some great tips, tricks and quick wins that you say what a great idea, we could try that in our organisation. I always get the fact of how many of us, whether we’re retailers, financial services, telcos, leisure and hospitality, are all facing really similar challenges. There’s so much we can learn from each other just by connecting.
“The network is so important at the event as well – there are so many great things that are happening out there, it’s a beautiful place to share, learn and trade some ideas and thoughts, find some kindred spirits with similar problems. There are always different approaches that people are trying to some familiar problems that can be really helpful to you as an organisation. I get a lot from these events because I always come away with a list of things that we should think about, try, do, test. It’s a great source of inspiration and best practice.”
Mike Durbridge of B&Q is speaking in the Transform track at IRC 2016. His session, Harmonising communications and experience to create continuity between online and physical stores is at 12.30pm.
James McClure, general manager, UK & Ireland, Airbnb
“In terms of speakers, I think Lego is in a very interesting period in time. It’s one of the most loved and iconic brands that there is around the world, and is successful in providing high quality things that people love. But then as a retail distributor, it’s about the mix of your own online store and how you work with external partners. Then there are other arms to the Lego business, from licensing to movie production to doing co-marketing with Star Wars, as well as the theme parks.
“It’s all about how you look to draw that stuff together as a true omnichannel network. That should be a fascinating session.”
James McClure will be a keynote speaker in the plenary session at IRC 2016. His presentation, New horizons for marketplaces, is at 9.10am on October 12.
Richard Hewitt, head of digital stores at M&S
The thing I’m really excited about doing is meeting other retailers facing similar challenges to the ones that we are. As a technologist, the ones that I’ve drawn out for me as being particularly interesting would be the workshops around innovation, a subject which is very close to my heart.
Richard Hewitt, of M&S , will be taking part in a panel discussion in the Transform stream at IRC 2016. Technology and Data to Drive Innovation and Business Growth is at 2.35pm.
Neil Sansom, CEO at Woolovers
“I am interested in hearing the Airbnb talk: what can we learn in retail from these new disruptive models?”
Neil Sansom is speaking in the Engage stream at IRC. He is speaking in the panel discussion on Multichannel Integration – Enhancing Customer Experience, Fulfillment and Delivery at 2.35pm.
Click here too to find out more about the InternetRetailing Conference and sister event eDelivery Conference held on October 11, and about how to buy tickets for the events.
