Postcard from Dallas – International Retail Design Conference

Today, here in Dallas, leading global retailers, strategists and designers will convene for the annual IRDC conference – beginning with a keynote opening by Burt Tansky, President and CEO of Neiman Marcus.   

 Retail markets are over one year into plummeting sales figures, with recent results sliding along a slower decline. This cycle has caused a great deal of reflection and the development of new strategic directions for many industry leaders.   

I expect this creative and dynamic group will be brimming with new ideas and energy as they stride forward into the changed marketplace.  Change will be the key in moving forward, in regaining the lead, leading change. For three days, the best minds in the industry will share their insights and strategies.  

Successful leading retailers have change in their DNA – it’s how they live, and act every day. Retail must be a reflection of the moment, and on the pulse of the future to survive. 

Along with industry experts on international retail trends from around the globe, I will be presenting a talk on the state of retail in Asia and India. That’s just a little more than half of the population of the planet, and the engine of exponential change in retail culture. From luxury brands declining in Japan to new boutiques in India, to the Barbie flagship in Shanghai and global brands moving in to Vietnam, it’s a lot of ground to cover.  

The range of countries and cultures will provide us all with new strategies for the future of retail. I’ll keep you posted on what I hear and learn.