Schedule & Agenda
Explore the LINK 2026 Agenda
Agenda
- Sunday Feb 01, 2026
- Monday Feb 02, 2026
- Tuesday Feb 03, 2026
- Wednesday Feb 04, 2026
- 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
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Registration & Information Desk
Pick up your registration materials here, along with answers to all your questions.
Government Issues IDs Required.
- 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
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Transportation and Logistics Committee Meeting - Invite Only
This is a private meeting for RILA members on the Transportation and Logistics Committee. We will use this time to update members on the current legislative and regulatory landscape regarding transportation issues, benchmark alongside peer companies and discuss additional industry priorities. - 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
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Supply Chain Leaders Council Meeting - Invite Only
This is a private meeting for RILA members on the Supply Chain Leaders Council, composed of the senior-most supply chain leaders from the country’s leading retailers—the executives who oversee supply chain planning/strategy, transportation/logistics, distribution, fulfillment, inventory, sourcing, returns, trade/customs, and more. These leaders are envisioning the supply chains of tomorrow, even as they’re benchmarking on the common challenges of today. - 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
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Supply Chain Advisory Board Meeting - Invite Only
This is a private meeting for RILA members on the Retail Supply Chain Advisory Board Committee. The committee is comprised of top retail supply chain executives, and is charged with the task of overseeing the structure and programming of the LINK Retail Supply Chain Conference. - 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
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Welcome Reception
Join us to kick off the LINK2026 conference at the welcome reception, where you can reconnect with industry friends, network with your peers and enjoy drinks and light fare.
- 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
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Registration & Information Desk
Pick up your registration materials here, along with answers to all your questions.
Government Issues IDs Required.
- 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
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Breakfast
Please join us for breakfast and networking before the day begins. - 8:00 AM – 8:15 AM
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Welcome to RILA LINK 2026: The Retail Supply Chain Conference
Kick off LINK with a look at the most pressing demands facing retail supply chain leaders. The omnichannel retail business demands more from its supply chains with new and variable planning cycles, unique partnerships, and personalized store experiences. From end to end, supply chains are more customer-facing and retailers must utilize the leading edge in data analytics, AI, and technology to deliver. Join us to begin the most important conversation in the retail supply chain year. - 8:15 AM – 8:45 AM
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Market Signals, Global Shocks: The Capital Perspective on Retail Supply
Interest rates, inflation, tariffs, and geopolitical risk are moving the markets—and retail supply chains—in real time. Discover how financial decision-makers read these signals, manage uncertainty, and set priorities for investment and transformation. - 8:45 AM – 9:15 AM
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Leading Transformation: A Change Management Case Study
External forces may spark change, but culture carries it forward. In this candid case study, hear how an organization restructured teams, reshaped processes, and led with purpose to deliver transformation in real time. - 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM 5 Concurrent Events
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From Fragile to Agile: Building Cost-Focused Global Logistics Operations Fit for Disruption
Nearly half of CEOs cite supply chain disruption as their top concern, according to the 2025 AlixPartners Disruption Index, a survey of over 3,000 global executives. This session will explore actionable strategies for logistics organizations to thrive amid unpredictable disruptions, making resilience a core part of daily operations. Retail industry leaders will share insights on building agile inbound logistics flows, implementing cross-functional planning, leveraging detailed flow modeling, diversifying ports and transport modes, crafting adaptive carrier contracts, and optimizing cargo consolidation and deconsolidation—all to stay ahead in today’s fast-moving environment. -
Harnessing AI for Precision Forecasting in Retail
In this session, hear how Dollar General transformed its approach to demand forecasting by leveraging AI-driven predictive analytics and machine learning. Attendees will learn how the company moved from traditional shipment-based models to a cutting-edge, AI-driven system that delivers highly accurate forecasts at both the store and distribution center levels — driving efficiency, reducing waste, and improving inventory decisions. -
Is Flexible Automation the Key for Future Distribution Operations?
Robotic warehouse automation isn't limited to huge companies. This LT Apparel (brands include adidas kids, Carhartt kids, French Toast) case study will explore how the company used robotic automation to scale operations, added 10,000 SKUs to increase overall order throughput, and managed peak volume without expanding their facility and maintaining flexibility for future growth. Learn how right-sized, blended automation strategies can boost capacity, reduce labor needs, and extend the life of your distribution center. -
Strategic Prioritization: How to Prioritize When Everything is Important
In a world where everything feels urgent, how do you decide what truly matters? This session features a panel of retail supply chain leaders bringing real-world stories and discussing practical experiences focused on navigating established supply chains and rebuilding legacy systems. Learn how they prioritized structural improvements over flashy innovations, built cross-functional momentum, and positioned their teams as indispensable partners in driving enterprise-wide transformation. -
True Omni Channel – Flexible and Efficient Solutions Under One Roof
This session showcases Ralph Lauren's journey to building a highly adaptable and scalable omni-channel operation—designed to meet both present needs and future demands. The focus is on how the company strategically aligned technology and fulfillment processes to support growth and deliver a unified customer experience across all channels. - 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
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Supply Chain Leaders Council Meeting - Invite Only
- 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM 5 Concurrent Events
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20,000+ Locations, Zero Blind Spots: Subway’s Supply Chain Transformation Story
Discover how Subway and C.H. Robinson revolutionized supply chain agility by unlocking real-time, item-level visibility and dynamic re-distribution across 20,000+ restaurants. Join this session to learn how harnessing advanced data and inventory insights can empower you to outpace disruptions, optimize costs, and transform your own supply chain strategy. -
AI in Retail Logistics: Find Fraud, Fix Waste, Fuel Margins
Retail margins are razor-thin—there's no room for error. Yet it happens every day. Silent profit drains, hiding in plain sight. Undetectable—unless you know where to look. Discover how REI leverages AI-powered anomaly detection to spot fraud, waste, and misalignment—fast, uncover costly issues that humans miss, and add margin where it counts with smarter, cleaner data. If you’re shipping at scale without AI, you’re likely leaving money on the table. You can’t afford to skip this session! -
Closing the Engagement Gap: Building a Workforce That Stays and Performs
Disengagement is more than a morale issue—it’s a financial risk. In this fast-paced session, uncover the hidden costs of a disconnected workforce and hear from leading retailers about real-world strategies to protect your operations and bottom line. -
Making Supply Chains Smarter: Unlocking Real-Time Data to Transform Supply Chains
In today’s fast-moving retail landscape, real-time data is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. This session explores how two retailers are building smarter, data-driven supply chains to make better decisions, elevate the customer experience, and improve operational efficiency. Learn how real-time visibility and predictive models are transforming every step of the journey—from inventory and fulfillment to checkout, customer care, delivery, and returns. Discover innovative tools and technologies that streamline operations, reduce risk, and create seamless end-to-end customer experiences—offering practical takeaways to help future-proof your business in an era of rising consumer expectations. -
Turn the Tables on Returns: Ask Us Anything About Making Reverse Logistics a Strategic Win
What if your returns process could actually drive profit, reduce waste, and boost customer loyalty? Bring your toughest questions to this interactive AMA-style session with leaders from Optoro, Narvar, and Happy Returns — three companies powering the returns strategies of top retailers. From AI and automation to customer-first experiences, no topic is off limits. Whether you're rethinking your returns strategy or just trying to keep up, this is your chance to get real answers from the people helping retailers transform returns into results. - 11:30 AM – 1:15 PM
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Lunch in the Expo Experience
- 11:30 AM – 6:00 PM
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Expo Experience Open
- 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
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Tabletalks: Peer-Led Retail Supply Chain Lunch Discussions
Join small-group, 45-minute lunch sessions (5–8 participants) for candid, peer-led conversations on pressing supply chain topics like AI, tariffs, logistics, and disruption. Choose up to two sessions to dive into focused, high-impact dialogue—no panels or lectures, just meaningful peer exchange. All retail and CPG attendees are welcome, and participation is included with registration. Visit the Tabletalks page to learn more. - 1:15 PM – 2:25 PM
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LINK Connect — The 1:1 Hosted Meetings
Make the most of your time at LINK 2026 with curated 15-minute meetings that connect retailers and CPGs with innovative solution providers. The double-opt-in format ensures conversations are relevant and productive, while participants enjoy exclusive benefits including complimentary registration and travel reimbursement. Visit the LINK Connect Meetings program page to learn more. - 2:45 PM – 3:15 PM
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Inventory, Forecasting & Flow Transformation
With rapid shifts in supply and demand, forecasting and flow models can’t wait for perfect data. This session examines how analytics, automation, and cross-functional decision-making are driving faster, smarter supply chains and inventory moves from source to shelf. - 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM
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Scaling Global Supply Chain Excellence
In today’s volatile landscape, the strongest supply chains aren’t static—they’re flexible and responsive. This session explores how leading organizations align sourcing, distribution, and supplier partnerships across continents to reduce friction, strengthen resilience, and deliver at speed. - 4:00 PM – 5:10 PM
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LINK Connect — The 1:1 Hosted Meetings
Make the most of your time at LINK 2026 with curated 15-minute meetings that connect retailers and CPGs with innovative solution providers. The double-opt-in format ensures conversations are relevant and productive, while participants enjoy exclusive benefits including complimentary registration and travel reimbursement. Visit the LINK Connect Meetings program page to learn more. - 4:45 PM – 5:30 PM
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Supply Chain Leaders Council Meetup - Invite Only
- 4:45 PM – 6:00 PM
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Expo Experience Reception
Join other conference attendees for this great networking opportunity.
- 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
-
Registration & Information Desk
Pick up your registration materials here, along with answers to all your questions.
Government Issues IDs Required.
- 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
-
Breakfast
Please join us for breakfast and networking before the day begins. - 8:00 AM – 8:40 AM
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Delivering on the Promise of Rural Retail
In regions where reach is harder and stakes are higher, speed and alignment matter most. This session explores how creative sourcing, localized assortments, and tailored distribution models deliver on customer promises while fueling sustainable growth. - 8:40 AM – 9:15 AM
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Innovation that Delivers: Strategies from CPG and Retail Leaders
Transformation is happening live across every retail segment. This panel reveals how retail and CPG leaders tackle common challenges—automation, visibility, and speed-to-value—while keeping teams aligned and customers at the center. - 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM 4 Concurrent Events
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From Buzz to Breakthroughs: Real AI Applications Reshaping Retail Planning and Supply Chain Visibility
AI is no longer optional – it’s a force multiplier reshaping retail logistics from the ground up. In this session, hear from top retailers on how they’re moving beyond theory to apply AI in tangible ways across supply chain visibility, planning, fulfillment, and automation. -
Pyramids to Diamonds: Evolving Your Supply Chain Structure
The fast-paced adoption of AI, automation, and digital tools is reshaping the supply chain landscape, driving a transformative shift in the skills, capabilities, and organizational structures required to stay competitive. In this session we will explore how this change impacts existing organization structures, incorporating examples from several leading retailers. In addition, you will hear how universities are approaching the evolution of their supply chain curriculum and recruitment of students to support the talent needs of these new structures. -
State of the Parcel Carrier Market – Retail Shipper Strategies for Today and into the Future
The parcel carrier market is significantly different today than it was even a few years ago, with changes actively being made that rapidly affect capacity and pricing by major parcel carriers. This session will outline some of the key changes and the state of the overall parcel market today while leading to the guidelines and questions executives have around parcel sourcing. Hear from key logistics professionals and leading retailers who are actively managing these challenging times, and some of the lessons they have learned. -
Targeted in Transit: Leveraging Strategic Alliances to Disrupt Cargo Theft Networks
Organized retail crime has moved upstream, focusing on supply chain weak points where cargo is most vulnerable. Hear how retailers’ multi-agency partnerships and coordination have led to successful takedowns and better prevention. Attendees will walk away with tactics for improving visibility, reporting, and rapid response across jurisdictions. - 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
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Distribution Committee Meeting - Invite Only
This is a private meeting for RILA members on the Distribution Committee composed of the senior-most distribution/fulfillment leaders from the country’s leading retailers. - 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM 4 Concurrent Events
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Beyond the Hype: Real Lessons from a Warehouse Modernization Project
This podcast-style session features a candid conversation with retail executives about what it really takes to modernize a legacy fulfillment center without disrupting day-to-day operations. You'll hear real-world insights on navigating site limitations, managing complex rollouts, and keeping teams aligned through every phase of transformation. Walk away with practical strategies to apply to your own warehouse upgrades. -
Data to Dollars: Shippers' Guide to Predictive Freight Intelligence & Contract Power
The aftershocks of the new tariffs combined with intense margin pressures continue to challenge retail supply chains, especially in freight finance and vendor management. This session brings together experienced retail shippers to share firsthand strategies for smarter freight spend management. They will break down how predictive analytics and centralized dashboards provide a clean, unified source of cost data to drive improved decision making and cross functional planning. Attendees will learn how this visibility powers accrual accuracy, vendor scorecards, and stronger performance-based partnerships, especially as we head into the 2026 contract negotiation season. -
Store-Based vs Central Fulfillment: Finding the Right Fit for Modern Retail eCommerce
As eCommerce continues to grow, retailers face a critical decision: should they fulfill orders from centralized facilities or leverage their existing store network? This session explores the strategic, operational, and financial implications of Store-Based Fulfillment (SBF) versus Central Fulfillment Centers (CFCs). -
The Future of Retail Supply Chains: What’s Next and What Matters Most
The next wave of disruption is coming fast. In this forward-looking session, you'll explore cutting-edge innovations—from AI-powered local planning and visual recognition in warehouses to sustainability-driven logistics and lights-out automation. Hear from leading retailers on how they are preparing for a future where barcodes may disappear, RFID could take center stage, and new tech redefines the way goods move. Attendees will leave with practical insights to anticipate, prioritize, and prepare for the biggest shifts in retail supply chain strategy over the next 5–10 years. - 11:30 AM – 1:15 PM
-
Lunch in the Expo Experience
- 11:30 AM – 6:00 PM
-
Expo Experience Open
- 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
-
Tabletalks: Peer-Led Retail Supply Chain Lunch Discussions
Join small-group, 45-minute lunch sessions (5–8 participants) for candid, peer-led conversations on pressing supply chain topics like AI, tariffs, logistics, and disruption. Choose up to two sessions to dive into focused, high-impact dialogue—no panels or lectures, just meaningful peer exchange. All retail and CPG attendees are welcome, and participation is included with registration. Visit the Tabletalks page to learn more. - 1:15 PM – 2:25 PM
-
LINK Connect — The 1:1 Hosted Meetings
Make the most of your time at LINK 2026 with curated 15-minute meetings that connect retailers and CPGs with innovative solution providers. The double-opt-in format ensures conversations are relevant and productive, while participants enjoy exclusive benefits including complimentary registration and travel reimbursement. Visit the LINK Connect Meetings program page to learn more. - 2:45 PM – 3:10 PM
-
The Future of Retail Fulfillment
As customer expectations evolve, fulfillment strategies and networks must adapt in motion. Learn how innovators are integrating automation, managing labor realities, collaborating with external partners, and scaling operations to meet demand with agility and precision. - 3:10 PM – 3:45 PM
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Beyond the Playbook: Leadership Lessons from the Field
When the clock is ticking, the right call can define the outcome. This keynote shares lessons on building culture, inspiring resilience, and leading teams through high-pressure moments—on and off the field. - 4:00 PM – 5:10 PM
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LINK Connect — The 1:1 Hosted Meetings
Make the most of your time at LINK 2026 with curated 15-minute meetings that connect retailers and CPGs with innovative solution providers. The double-opt-in format ensures conversations are relevant and productive, while participants enjoy exclusive benefits including complimentary registration and travel reimbursement. Visit the LINK Connect Meetings program page to learn more. - 4:45 PM – 6:00 PM
-
Expo Experience Reception
Join other conference attendees for this great networking opportunity.
- 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM
-
Registration & Information Desk
Pick up your registration materials here, along with answers to all your questions.
Government Issues IDs Required.
- 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
-
Breakfast
Please join us for breakfast and networking before the day begins. - 8:30 AM – 9:15 AM 3 Concurrent Events
-
Cracking the Code on Change: How Duluth Trading Company Uncovered and Overcame Silent Resistance
Even the best-laid transformation plans can stall when resistance goes unnoticed. While rolling out a new WMS, OMS, and POS across multiple sites, Duluth Trading Company saw it all—nod-and-ignore behavior, training disengagement, quiet workarounds, and teams “forgetting” what was communicated. In this session, Duluth Trading Company (a $700M retailer with locations nationwide) shares how it navigated these hidden hurdles. Attendees will learn how to identify subtle signs of resistance, foster honest feedback, and equip frontline leaders to drive lasting change—before small issues become big barriers. -
Driving the Future of Retail Logistics: Expert Insights on Transforming Transportation Operations
The retail supply chain faces relentless pressures from disruptions such as geopolitical shifts, labor challenges, and changing global trade dynamics. In this session, retail experts will share proven strategies for managing disruptions with agility, cutting costs through efficiency, building stronger collaboration across partners, and embedding sustainability into transportation practices to stay competitive and future-ready. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to modernize logistics operations and unlock new opportunities in retail transportation management. -
Making the Autonomous Supply Chain Real
Explore the practical path to building an autonomous supply chain, beyond the buzzwords. Learn where to start, how to implement AI effectively, and what organizational, change management, and business considerations are critical for success. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to make autonomy tangible and drive meaningful impact across their operations. - 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
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Women in Supply Chain Workshop: Strategic Influence Without the Title - How To Effectively Lead at Every Level
Leadership isn't about titles—it's about influence. In this interactive 90-minute workshop, participants will learn how to lead confidently from any role by applying empathetic leadership, building trust, and communicating with clarity to drive meaningful change. Attendees will gain tools to navigate resistance, gain buy-in, and use relational intelligence to move ideas, teams, and changes forward. Whether you’re early in your career or an experienced professional without a leadership title, you’ll walk away with a renewed sense of leadership purpose and a framework for leading boldly and authentically. This complimentary workshop is limited to 100 participants. Pre-registration is required.
All times listed in Eastern Time (EDT). Schedule Subject to Change.
Meet the Speakers
Hear from retail’s most influential supply chain executives and thought leaders. LINK speakers bring the experience, insight, and inspiration to help you lead through change and drive results.
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LINK Connect
Join LINK Connect at the Retail Supply Chain Conference – the premier 1:1 hosted meetings program for supply chain leaders. Get free tickets, travel perks, and curated meetings with innovative tech providers in AI, automation, robotics, and more.
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Explore Team Perks
Bring your supply chain team to LINK for greater impact. Group registration unlocks discounts and exclusive perks—plus, your team can divide sessions, align on takeaways, and return with a stronger, shared strategy.
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