08.00 - 9.15 | Registration | |
09.15 - 9.20 | FoF welcome from Sophie McCallum, Senior Producer, The Retail Hive | |
09.20 - 09.45 | Opening Panel: The future is fulfilment: Resilience, reinvention & retail at the edge Resilience redefined: How retailers are designing supply chains and fulfilment models that can adapt to constant change - from global volatility to unexpected surges in demand. Responding to real pressures: What are brands doing right now to manage labour shortages, rising wages, and stricter service-level expectations - while still staying profitable? Spotting the real innovation: From robotics and AI to digital twins and demand forecasting - where is tech actually delivering impact, and who’s making it work? Building future-ready operations: What it takes to create a fulfilment strategy that’s: Data-driven (visibility across the chain), Talent-smart (upskilling & retention in automation-heavy environments), and AI-powered (predictive, agile, and customer-focused) Speakers confirmed: Ian Howes, Logistics & Fulfilment Director, Sainsbury’s Richard Brodrick, Head of Customer Fulfilment & Repairs, Signet Jewellers Daria Krolik, Head of Customer Supply Chain, Charlotte Tilbury Bobby Amirahmadi, Senior Director of UK Supply Chain and Delivery Operations, HelloFresh |
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09.50 - 10.30 | Roundtables Round 1 Pick your priority topic and join 8-10 retailer peers to share your stories and find solutions for you and your business. Closed Door. Open Mind. Chatham House Rule. The Warehouse Automation & Robotics Explore the latest advancements in warehouse robotics and their impact on operational efficiency. - Address labour shortages and cost pressures through scalable automation strategies. - Explore ROI and implementation pitfalls of robotic picking, packing, and AMRs. - Learn from real-world automation rollouts, what's worked, what hasn’t. Storyteller: Kieron Colclough, Senior Solution Design & Operational Support Manager, New Look Optimising Shed Space Discuss strategies for maximising storage capacity in warehouses including vertical storage solutions, layout optimisation, and the use of data analytics to assess space utilisation. - Maximise capacity in growing DTC and multichannel environments with smarter layouts. - Leverage data to balance SKU growth, inventory buffers, and picking efficiency. - Assess vertical storage, mezzanine builds, and modular design without full re-fits. Storyteller: Phillip Keates, Warehouse Senior Manager (UK), LoveHoney Distributed Order Management: Orchestrating the Omnichannel Supply Chain at Speed In a world where customers expect fast, flexible fulfilment, Distributed Order Management (DOM) is the engine powering unified commerce. - Explore how leading retailers are using DOM to intelligently route orders, enable ship-from-store, manage complex returns, and meet client expectations without sacrificing profitability. Moderator: Onestock Integration of Warehouse Management Systems Discuss the importance of WMS in modern warehousing, including features to consider when choosing a WMS and how it can streamline operations. - Understand how modern WMS supports automation, stock transparency, and scale. - Evaluate key features: multi-node fulfilment, APIs, and real-time insights. - Avoid integration pitfalls across ERP, OMS, and 3PL partners. Storyteller: Simon Hardwick, Warehouse & Logistics Manager, OXFAM The Business & Customer Preparing operations for macroeconomics headwinds Understand how macroeconomic trends influence operations and prepare for shifting market dynamics. - Build agility in logistics amid inflation, rate hikes, and shifting demand. - Manage capex and opex decisions under cost scrutiny. - Scenario-plan for FX swings, customs changes, and supply volatility. Moderator: Rob Hodge, Account Manager, Infor Optimising Distribution Networks for Reduced Costs and Emissions This roundtable will focus on how to optimise distribution and logistics networks for transformative cost reductions. - Understand how evolutionary computing, AI and data-driven decision making can help you maximise tradeoffs between cost, sustainability and resilience. - Learn how to accelerate transformation for even the most complex networks. Moderator: Hack and Craft Balancing Cost and Customer Experience Learn how to deliver exceptional experiences while maintaining cost-effective fulfilment operations. - Explore cost levers (e.g. batching, zone skipping, returns) without CX trade-off. - Use delivery choice and comms to reduce WISMO and failed deliveries. - Define when speed matters — and when it doesn’t — for different segments. Moderator: Stephen Williams, Co-founder & Director, Fidelity Fulfilment The Network U.S. Tariff Shock – The Next Wave Is Coming De minimis has already been scrapped for China and Hong Kong origin goods — and now it’s set to hit every market. Soon, every shipment into the U.S. will face duties, no matter where your goods are sourced. UK brands face sudden cost spikes, shrinking margins, and delivery models thrown off course. - What the end of de minimis really means for UK–US e‑commerce trade. - Cross‑border delivery strategies to keep costs under control. - Navigating customs changes and keeping shipments moving at pace. Moderator: Beth Chapman, Managing Director, Starlinks Global Carrier Management and Collaboration Discuss best practices for managing carrier relationships and collaborating for better outcomes. - Driving consistency and performance across a multi-carrier strategy - Aligning commercial terms with service expectations and brand experience - Enabling end-to-end visibility through integrated platforms and data-sharing Storyteller: Penny Clay, Fulfilment Optimisation Manager, Hotel Chocolat Moderator: Ash Luker, Sales Director, nShift Building Retail Marketplaces As more retailers launch their own marketplaces to broaden product offerings, explore how pairing advanced front-end marketplace solutions with integrated 3PL fulfilment can overcome the logistics challenges - Managing fulfilment complexity and SLA consistency across multiple third-party sellers - Ensuring seamless customer experience despite decentralised inventory and shipping models - Leveraging 3PL partnerships to scale rapidly while retaining operational control and brand integrity Storyteller: Jermoe Gauvin, Chief Product Officer, Weavenn Moderator: Bruce Carnaby, Business Development Manager, CEVA | |
10.40 - 11.20 | Roundtables Round 2 Pick your priority topic and join 8-10 retailer peers to share your stories and find solutions for you and your business. Closed Door. Open Mind. Chatham House Rule. The Warehouse Enhancing Inventory Accuracy Discuss tools and techniques to achieve real-time, precise inventory management across all channels. - Ensure real-time inventory sync across e-commerce, retail, and marketplace channels. - Reduce shrinkage and mispicks with barcode scanning, RFID, and AI tools. - Align stock visibility with CX expectations (e.g. accurate delivery slots and returns). Storyteller: Shayley Mann, Head of Supply Chain Transformation, Mountain Warehouse Moderator: Georgia Leybourne, CMO, Linnworks Strategies for International Warehousing Learn how to optimise warehousing operations globally to support international growth. - Designing flexible warehouse networks to support multi-region fulfilment - Standardising processes while adapting to local regulations and customer needs - Leveraging data to drive inventory accuracy and optimise regional stock allocation Storyteller: John Jones, Head of Group Logistics Development, Holland & Barrett Adopting Sustainable Packaging Solutions Explore innovative, eco-friendly packaging solutions that reduce waste without compromising performance. - Implementing scalable, recyclable and returnable packaging models - Reducing packaging costs without degrading the unboxing and brand experience - Collaborating across supply chain partners to adopt sustainable material standards The Business & Customer Evolving Customer Expectations and Delivery Trends Explore how changing customer demands are shaping delivery strategies and fulfilment innovation. - Meeting growing demand for fast, flexible, and transparent delivery options - Balancing speed and cost while protecting margins and sustainability targets - Designing customer-centric fulfilment models that adapt in real time Preparing Operations for Macroeconomic Headwinds Understand how macroeconomic trends influence operations and prepare for shifting market dynamics. - Building supply chain resilience amid inflation, labour shortages, and currency volatility - Re-evaluating cost structures, partnerships, and demand forecasts - Investing in agility and scenario planning to maintain service during disruption Moderator: Rob Hodge, Account Manager, Infor Fulfilment Strategies for eCommerce Unlock smarter fulfilment solutions to meet growing eCommerce demands and exceed customer expectations. - Scaling fulfilment capacity without compromising on speed or cost - Deploying tech-driven models like micro-fulfilment or automation to increase throughput - Creating seamless integration between online channels and warehouse operations Storyteller: Gordon Heywood, Warehouse & Logistics Manager, Jigsaw De-Risking and Optimising Supply Chain Transformation Balance tech investment with resilience and near-term ROI. Tackle change management fatigue - especially across legacy systems. Prioritise initiatives that reduce dependency on single points of failure. The Network Building Agility into Cross-Border Logistics Learn how to enhance delivery flexibility and scale operations to meet growing demands. - Reconfiguring logistics networks to adapt to trade shifts, duties, and customer demand - Leveraging nearshoring and multi-node fulfilment to reduce lead times - Using technology to orchestrate cross-border inventory and enable real-time re-routing Moderator: Siebrand Wiltjer, Key Account Manager, Bleckmann Carrier Management and Collaboration Discuss best practices for managing carrier relationships and collaborating for better outcomes. - Building a diversified carrier strategy to mitigate risk and protect service - Aligning SLAs with brand expectations and holding partners accountable - Driving collaborative forecasting and tech integration to reduce inefficiencies Storyteller: Amy-Marie Allen, Head of Supply Chain, Selfridges Optimising Last-Mile Delivery - Adapting to urban delivery constraints while meeting same/next-day demands - Reducing failed deliveries through smart routing and real-time communication - Exploring alternative delivery models—lockers, pick-up points, crowd-sourced fleets Storyteller: Ryan Walker, Lead Product Owner: E-Fulfilment, Dyson | |
11.35 - 12.35 | Workshops Choose the workshop that matches your priorities to dig deep in a collaborative interactive session. Workshop 1: Improving Returns Management Hosted by: Blue Yonder Workshop 2: Improving accuracy and inventory control for urban replenishment Hosted by: RideLogix Workshop 3: Rethinking Fashion: Turning Damages into Demand Step inside Bleckmann’s Renewal Workshop, where returns, defects, and damages no longer mean loss. See how leading fashion brands are turning inventory challenges into revenue, showing that circularity is not just a claim Hosted by: Bleckmann Workshop 4: Unlocking efficiency: driving cost savings through continuous improvement Explore how retailers can leverage continuous improvement to drive cost efficiencies in the warehouse without compromising on quality or performance. Hosted by: Russell Atkinson, Managing Director – Fashion, GXO | Meet The Partner - Solution Zone |
12.40 - 13.40 | Networking Lunch |
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13.45 - 14.15 | Preparing for Circularity and Compliance Key upcoming regulations, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Digital Product Passports (DPP) Focus on European policy shifts with implications for global retailers How circular design, recycling, and lifecycle thinking are reshaping compliance Speaker confirmed: Aimee Campanella, Development Director, Textiles EPR, Reconomy |
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14.20 - 15.20 | Workshops Choose the workshop that matches your priorities to dig deep in a collaborative interactive session. Workshop 5 Robotics & Automation: The Tech Uprising Revolutionising Retail Supply Chains Retail is constantly evolving, and to keep pace with growing demand, high-volume operations need to be significantly simplified. Join us in this session as we explore the importance of automating solutions in today's market. Talking on real examples of how we transformed our operations from what was once just a nice idea, into an innovative, large-scale deployment of over 1,000 additional robots across the UK. And, highlighting the tangible results this has achieved, such as reducing physical strain on staff, enhancing productivity, increasing speed, and decreasing stock damage. Hosted by: DHL Workshop 6 Cybersecurity in supply chains As Supply Chains become more and more digitized, is there a greater cybersecurity threat and how should we mitigate it? Workshop 7 From Agentic-AI to Dynamic Fulfilment; Solving Inventory & Order Management Challenges at Scale Optimising order management, supply-chain and fulfilment is particularly challenging for commerce businesses as they seek growth and efficiency. In this session you’ll learn how to better manage your inventory and fulfilment at scale using innovative technology including Agentic-AI. - The hidden business cost of poor inventory visibility - How to gain competitive advantage with dynamic inventory management & order orchestration - Improve customer experience and reduce cost with Agentic-AI Hosted by: Fluent Commerce Workshop 8 Using digital twins to build agile fulfilment networks Uncover how to make low-risk, high-confidence decisions about infrastructure, tech investments, and logistics flows | Meet The Partner - Solution Zone |
15.25 - 15.50 | Automation Unleashed: Scaling Smarter, Faster, and Leaner Tomorrow’s supply chain won’t just move products, it will think, adapt, and self-optimise. In this forward-looking session, industry leaders explore how intelligent automation is transforming every link in the chain, from high-velocity warehouses to adaptive delivery networks. |
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16.00 - 18.00 | Happy Hour Unwind and continue the conversation with your industry peers! |