Greggs CEO Roisin Currie (right) talks with Retail Week editor-in-chief Charlotte Hardie  2100x1400

Greggs CEO Roisin Currie (right) talks with Retail Week editor-in-chief Charlotte Hardie during the Retail Week Live event in March

Live by Retail Week X The Grocer, a new event, conference and exhibition focusing on the retail and FMCG sectors, will take place next year.

The two-day event promises to deliver unrivalled business intelligence, networking and inspiration to attendees, including those involved in the baking industry.

It has been created through a collaboration between publishing brands The Grocer and Retail Week, and will be held at Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge, London, on 12 and 13 March 2024.

The conference is set to feature some of the industry’s biggest names including Amazon UK boss John Boumphrey, M&S head of people partnering store ops and property Katie Shaw, Co-op campaign and public affairs director Paul Gerrard, new Matalan CEO (and former Co-op Food boss) Jo Whitfield, and Primark CEO Paul Marchant, with more to be announced.

Boumphrey described the event as a “key moment” in retail industry calendar, and a place where “leaders can learn from each other and discuss innovative ideas”.

Whitfield said it was “an absolute honour” to be invited to talk at Live 2024. “I am really excited to be able to share some of my experiences across both fashion and food, but also to learn from the fantastic retail community about how we continue to drive this industry forward,” she added.

Multiple stages at the venue will host a programme of panel discussions led by journalists from The Grocer and Retail Week, and comprising industry insiders, analysts and suppliers, who will delve into big sector issues and provide actionable insight. Subjects to be addressed include sustainability, people & wellbeing, consumers, and tech & digital.

The event logo for LIVE by Retail Week X The Grocer

The event is an extension to its predecessor Retail Week Live, which welcomed more than 1,000 attendees over two days in March this year and featured the likes of Greggs CEO Roisin Currie as a keynote speaker.

This year’s collaboration comes after the acquisition of Retail Week by British Baker and The Grocer owner William Reed in January.

“This is an historic moment for two heavyweight brands within their respective fields,” commented Lorraine Hendle, William Reed managing director of Retail, Manufacturing and Hospitality. “We are immensely proud and excited to bring our readers and customers a progressive and inspiring event that provides a true 360-degree view of the issues and opportunities the sector faces now and in the future.

“Those attending Live will be better armed to navigate a changing and complex retail landscape than ever, in an event that will give delegates great value in terms of time and money, through the collaboration,” Hendle added.

To register your interest or find out more information about Live 2024, visit the event’s website here.