Shoptalk Europe has today revealed its full 2026 agenda, bringing together more than 180 speakers across three days (9-11 June) at Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, for the retail industry’s most senior gathering in Europe.

With 68% of speakers at C-Suite level or above, this year’s programme confronts the defining challenge facing every retailer and consumer brand right now: how to harness the power of AI without losing the human authenticity that drives lasting customer loyalty and commercial growth.

Hear from leaders across Zalando, Arc’teryx, Christian Louboutin, Vestiaire Collective, John Lewis & Partners, The Estée Lauder Companies, Sephora, TikTok Shop, Boots and more.

The 2026 theme – AI and human ingenuity taking centre stage – moves the conversation decisively beyond hype. Where previous years debated AI’s potential, Shoptalk Europe 2026 asks harder questions: which technologies are genuinely delivering returns, which operating models are built to scale, and what does it actually take to lead organisations through transformation at speed? Across keynotes, panels and closed-door sessions, speakers will share the practical insights, strategic frameworks and candid lessons learnt.

View the final agenda here: https://europe.shoptalk.com/agendas/2026-agenda

Introducing Elevate: A leadership series for senior women in retail

Shoptalk Europe 2026 will also debut Elevate, a closed-door, invite-only leadership series designed for senior women driving growth, transformation and innovation across Europe’s leading retailers and consumer brands. First premiered at Shoptalk Luxe to strong reception, Elevate arrives in Barcelona across the first two days of the event, with capacity for 40 senior female leaders per session drawn from grocery, FMCG, fashion, beauty, consumer electronics and adjacent sectors.

Each session blends strategic, commercial and human leadership lessons grounded in the challenges senior leaders are navigating right now, with an interactive format and audience Q&A built in.

Tuesday, 9 June, 12:30-1:15pm

Leading Through Transformation: Influencing Change Across Complex Retail and Consumer Brand Organisations Speaker: Marcella Wartenbergh, Former CEO, AWWG

What does it really take to lead change inside large, matrixed organisations? AWWG’s former long-standing CEO, Marcella Wartenbergh  will explore how to build credibility, influence senior stakeholders and drive execution through digital acceleration, organisational change and AI-enabled transformation. Key themes include leading cross-functional transformation across commercial, digital, brand and operations teams; building trust and influence in complex multi-market organisations; and practical lessons for leading through uncertainty and AI-enabled change.

Wednesday, 10 June, 12:30-1:15pm

Leading High-Performance Teams: Humanity, Accountability and Resilience in Volatile Times Speakers: Céline Del Genes, Founder of Global Game Shapers and former Global Chief Customer Officer of Decathlon; and  Paula Bobbett, Chief Data and Digital Officer, Boots

A people-first leadership conversation shaped by leaders who have run global brands across multiple regions and cultures. The session explores how to build trust and high performance while navigating change fatigue, commercial pressure and rising expectations from both teams and customers. Key themes include leading with empathy without lowering standards; building high-performing cultures across headquarters, field and frontline teams; and managing confidence and resilience under sustained pressure.

Register your interest to attend here: https://europe.shoptalk.com/page/elevate-sessions

 

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