Big Grower Executive Summit  2014
 
Doug Stephens, Founder, Retail Prophet
Doug Stephens is one of the world’s foremost retail industry futurists. His intellectual work and thinking have influenced many of North America's best-­‐known retailers, agencies and brands including Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, Disney, Crayola, WestJet, Citibank, Razorfish and Air Miles. Prior to founding Retail Prophet, Doug spent 20 years in the retail industry, holding senior international roles including the leadership of one of New York City's most historic retail chains. Doug is the author of the ground breaking book The Retail Revival: Re-­‐ Imagining Business for the New Age of Consumerism. He is also the consumer technology contributor on the acclaimed television series App Central TV, as well as the retail contributor for CBC Radio Canada. Doug sits on the advisory board of the Dx3 Digital Conference. He speaks regularly to major brands and organizations across North America and Europe about the future of retail and consumerism. 

The Retail Revival

It’s the end of an era in retail.  The uniquely favorable conditions that gave meteoric rise to mega-retailers like Walmart, Home Depot and Target are unraveling quickly, giving way to an entirely new and far more precarious consumer marketplace. Who the consumer is, in addition to how, how and even why they shop, is changing rapidly and forever.  For brands unwilling to embrace these changes, this new consumer age will bring almost certain disaster.  However, for savvy, courageous businesses both big and small, this sea of disruption offers unprecedented opportunities for growth and success. 

 This fast-paced and entertaining talk sheds light on the key shifts in economics, demographics, technology and media that are completely transforming the consumer landscape and the very essence of how we buy.  You will gain insight into what smart brands are doing to re-imagine their businesses and capitalize on this historic shift.  You’ll leave this session with new ideas and perspective to fuel a new era of innovation in your businesses. 




BGES 2014 featured presenter, Doug Stephens,
discusses the future of retail on this
YouTube video.