There’s still time to book your place at ACS’ biggest ever annual event, Conference23, taking place on 25th April at the Vox in Birmingham alongside the National Convenience Show.
ACS Conference23 is a must-attend event for anyone in the convenience sector looking to grow their business, build valuable relationships, and get exclusive insights on how to prepare for the future.
We are delighted to announce Safetell, COOK, Rockstar, DoubleCOOL and FIFO as sponsors of Conference23. Sponsorship opportunities for Conference23 are still available. For more information, contact Will Nelson at [email protected] and download the 2023 sponsorship pack here.
This year’s conference will feature two sessions with practical ideas for everyone to take back to their businesses, whether you’re a single site retailer or international supplier.
Recession Proofing Your Business: The cost of living crisis has dominated the agenda in 2022, with the result being a recession that could last throughout and even beyond 2023. In this session, we’ll hear from senior experts about the way that consumer behaviour may change as a result of a recession and how you as retailers and suppliers to the sector can prepare to stay relevant to customers. This will be followed by a panel of leaders in convenience to hear how they’re adapting in 2023.
Future Proofing Your Business: In the second session of the day, we’ll look ahead to get new insight into how the sector might look in years to come. We’ll explore how disruptors like technology, delivery, productivity, categories, sustainability and store formats are shaping the store of the future, and where the opportunities to invest are. We’ll then check in with our second panel of convenience leaders for their strategies on future proofing.
As part of Conference23, we will be debuting a new video series 10 habits of successful retailers which will explore what makes some of the leading independent retailers tick, looking not only at what they do but why and how they implement these values and actions in store. This series will provide delegates with an exclusive look into these fantastic businesses through tours of the stores and interviews with some of the most exceptional independent retailers from across the sector.
Speakers and panellists confirmed for Conference23 include:
- Lisa Hooker, Leader of Industry for Consumer Markets at PWC
- Claire Fox, Partner at PWC
- Peter Batt, Managing Director at Nisa Retail
- Paul Dobson, Wholesale Director at Morrisons
- Guy Swindell, Joint Managing Director at Parfetts/Go Local
- Colm Johnson, Retail Managing Director at Booker
- Sarah Lawler, Managing Director at One Stop
- Natalie Berg, Retail Analyst and Author
- Colin McLean, Chief Executive Officer, CJ Lang & Son Limited
- Louise Hoste, Managing Director, SPAR UK
- Rebekah Duncalfe, Music Psychotherapist, Meraki Creative Therapies
- James Lowman, Chief Executive at ACS (conference chair)
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “The Conference23 lineup is now complete and we’ve designed this event to give everyone involved with the convenience sector valuable insights to take back to their businesses. There has never been a better time to come together as a sector and prepare for the challenges that we’re facing now, whilst looking ahead to growth in the future.
“We’re confident that any retailer would take away several practical learnings and a great deal of inspiration from hearing from about the 10 habits of successful retailers. This year’s conference is an unmissable opportunity to get a huge variety of input, from award winning independent retailers and industry leaders to outside experts, all sharing their strategies to help bring the best out of your business.”
Brand new for Conference23, we’ll be running the ACS Advice Hub! Got a question about how deposit return schemes would work in your business? Not sure about what’s coming next on HFSS? Want more info on how to run a home delivery service responsibly? Throughout the day at Conference, you can drop in to the Advice Hub and ask us anything. We’ll also have drop-in rooms looking at the importance of wellbeing and how to identify illicit products. The drop-in rooms will include representatives from the Bank of England, Surrey and Buckinghamshire Trading Standards, Alzheimer's Society, GroceryAid, Bottom Line and Knights.
To book your place at Conference23, visit https://www.acs.org.uk/events/conference23
