Retail CEOs Get Candid at Annual Forum

RILA just concluded a very successful 2020 Retail CEO Forum, which brought together 75 CEOs and retail leaders for two full days of meeting, networking, and exchanging ideas. This annual event is a rare opportunity for the most influential U.S. retail and product manufacturer CEOs to come together share business insights, assess trends and spark new ideas.

Prior to the start of the Forum, RILA held its semiannual board of directors meeting. In addition to setting our focus for the year, the board elected Ulta Beauty CEO Mary Dillon as our new chairperson. We look forward to the next two years under her leadership, and we thank Target CEO Brian Cornell for his service as our chair the last two years.

Some of the important issues discussed at this year’s meeting were ensuring responsible, profitable retailing in today’s disruptive environment, the evolution of the American workforce and its possible economic impacts, and the implications of the growing importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria for evaluating company performance.

In addition, participants were treated to an inside look at top performer Dollar General from its CEO Todd Vasos, a case study highlighting a successful acquisition of a nimble startup, AI innovator Dynamic Yield, by a large, legacy corporation –McDonalds, and an interactive session focusing on leading teams with radical candor with Silicon Valley veteran Kim Scott.

And finally, attendees took home candid political insights from veteran journalist Chris Wallace, and lessons in leadership from Admiral William McRaven, retired Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, based on his 40-year career in the U.S. Navy and Joint Special Operations.

Plans are already underway for the 2021 Retail CEO Forum, which will be held January 17-19, 2021 in Tucson, Arizona, at the beautiful Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain. Mark your calendar today for this important event.
 

Tags

• Retail CEO Forum