References

I came to the event to broaden my knowledge in the field. It was a great opportunity to meet professionals and make new professional contacts. The program was well structured and all the lectures and thematic sessions started on schedule. I also appreciated the good food and the excellent moderator. It had an impact on the overall experience of the day at this congress. I was intrigued by the session on sustainability, which provided new perspectives and practical information for my work. Also the panel discussion on “Where do the roads lead to the customer?”, which brought together speakers from major companies to share their views and experiences. It is very beneficial to see how different companies in the retail world perceive this topic and how they accept and address new challenges. The congress makes a lot of sense as it brings the latest knowledge and innovations in the industry and allows participants to share experiences and suggestions from the field. I like the showcase of practical experiences and working examples from the industry, it’s not just about theoretical talk.

I am deeply interested in the concept of self-service stores and was eager to hear about experiences with its deployment from both the customer’s perspective and that of the technology supplier. I am also convinced that events like this provide a unique opportunity for networking and learning about current trends in retail. In addition to the panel discussion on self-service and hybrid stores, I was particularly intrigued by Mike Antony and Toby Desforges’ presentation on adapting retail to new generations of customers. From a retail perspective, it is essential to continually ‘nurture’ new shoppers. The scientific approach to analyzing the behavior of the younger generation, which highlights the necessity of adopting different habits compared to previous generations, only underscores the importance of this topic. The congress offers a unique opportunity to share practical experiences and examples from the industry I am involved in. It’s great to be able to talk openly about common topics with people facing similar challenges.

I appreciate both the professionalism of the lecturers and the smooth running of the entire program. Of the whole congress, I was most interested in the lecture by Alza.cz, which presented an innovative and inspiring idea of packaging-free delivery of goods. The discussion on online marketplaces was also very interesting and entertaining. The event was a great source of new information and inspiration for me. It provided an opportunity to learn about current trends in the industry and to network with inspiring people.

My main motivation was to obtain up-to-date information on what is driving the retail industry, preferably from those most in the know. I also expected the opportunity to meet some of our partners and establish new relationships, and this expectation was met to a tee. I consider it a great achievement that we were able to have personalities like Mike Anthony and Toby Desforges. Their presentation on current trends, aptly dubbed ‘The Retail Revolution,’ provided a global perspective on the changes we are witnessing but often don’t fully recognize. As a representative of the technology industry, the panel discussion on fully automated retail stores resonated strongly with me. I was struck by the rapid growth in their numbers and that this trend extends far beyond just food. I don’t know where else I would have gained practical insights from operators, including the hilarious stories behind the shelves. The congress is invaluable because it provides a unique opportunity to take a closer look at the inner workings of Czech retail. I am already looking forward to the second edition.

The program was engaging, and I found the conference’s focus on reflecting the reality of the market through practical examples very appealing. For instance, sustainability is on the radar of almost every large company today, so I appreciated the opportunity to learn about interesting updates and approaches from the major retail players. I found Toby Desforges and Mike Anthony’s talk particularly useful, as it provided valuable insights into international trends. The presentation was also delivered in an attractive and humorous manner. The idea of a joint retail lunch with both speakers was also excellent. While many conferences focus primarily on trends, sharing the realities of retail in the Czech Republic is both a very interesting and beneficial concept. The topics presented are relevant to all of us.

It has always been important for us to understand the problems and challenges our customers are facing. That’s why we are interested in what’s happening in retail. The congress was very successful, and I would like to thank the organizers for their excellent work and the considerable time they undoubtedly spent preparing it. The event exceeded my expectations. For me, the topics on fulfillment services and e-commerce were particularly interesting. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such an engaging yet expert debate at a conference as the one on online marketplaces in the afternoon. It’s definitely valuable to understand the current state of retail and get a glimpse into the future and the opportunities it brings. The congress provided this insight. I am already looking forward to next year’s edition and will again be particularly interested in the section on e-commerce, though, of course, I’ll also be keen to explore other topics.

The Czech Retail Days conference left a very positive impression on me, and I consider it an inspiring event. Anyone who attended could gain valuable practical examples. I was particularly impressed by the examples from retail chains that demonstrated their efforts and successes in the area of sustainability in cooperation with their partners and suppliers. All in all, it was a great event, so be sure to attend the next edition. Maybe we will see you there.