The platform for global retail

Connecting people, policy and ideas to address retail’s most pressing challenges and emerging opportunities.

The RLC Global Forum tracks and unpacks the key drivers of change for global leaders with the power and influence to change the world, empowering decision- makers to create lasting impact through a global retail strategy that promotes sustainable growth and innovation.

Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum

September 25
MUDEC, Milan

RLC Fashion Summit
September 25 MUDEC, Milan

Held in Milan on September 25, 2025, during Fashion Week, the inaugural RLC Fashion Summit brings together global CEOs, institutional leaders, policy-makers, and Italian industry stakeholders for a high-level dialogue on the future of fashion, luxury and the forces reshaping global growth.

RLC Fashion Summit

Held in Milan on September 25, 2025, during Fashion Week, the inaugural RLC Fashion Summit brings together global CEOs, institutional leaders, policy-makers, and Italian industry stakeholders for a high-level dialogue on the future of fashion, luxury and the forces reshaping global growth.

Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum

October 16
New York

2025 CEO Summit
October 16, New York

Co-hosted by Wharton’s Baker Retailing Center and the RLC Global Forum, the 2025 CEO Summit is an exclusive, invitation-only gathering of the most influential minds in retail and brand leadership, held on October 16 in New York.

2025 CEO Summit

Co-hosted by Wharton’s Baker Retailing Center and the RLC Global Forum, the 2025 CEO Summit is an exclusive, invitation-only gathering of the most influential minds in retail and brand leadership, held on October 16 in New York.

Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum

February 3 & 4
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

2026 Annual Forum
February 3 & 4 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Held in Riyadh on February 3 & 4, the 2026 RLC Global Forum brings together the leaders shaping global retail—across business, policy, investment, and academia—for high-impact dialogue, actionable insights, and sector-shifting collaboration.

2026 Annual Forum

Held in Riyadh on February 3 & 4, the 2026 RLC Global Forum brings together the leaders shaping global retail—across business, policy, investment, and academia—for high-impact dialogue, actionable insights, and sector-shifting collaboration.
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum

2025
CEO Summit

October 16, New York

Co-hosted by Wharton’s Baker Retailing Center and the RLC Global Forum, the 2025 CEO Summit is an exclusive, invitation-only gathering of the most influential minds in retail and brand leadership, held on October 16 in New York.

Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum

2026 RLC
Global Forum

Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum

February 3 & 4, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Held in Riyadh on February 3 & 4, the 2026 RLC Global Forum brings together the leaders shaping global retail—across business, policy, investment, and academia—for high-impact dialogue, actionable insights, and sector-shifting collaboration.

Retail Insights

Inside The $2 Trillion Wellness Economy Trends That Took Over Retail

Evolving consumer priorities, technology, and value-driven purchasing; These are the latest wellness economy trends making waves in 2025.
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
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Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum

Asian Luxury Consumers Are Balancing Global Prestige and Local Identity in 2025

Craftsmanship over logos. Quiet luxury and local niche brands. A booming appetite for experiences. Asian luxury consumers are changing their ways, turning to global allure and local ethos to define what luxury means today.
|
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum

True Luxury Through Consumer Profiles Behind Its Next Chapter

Luxury loves a success story. But this year’s BCG x Altagamma report makes it clear: brands that underestimate consumer profiles aren’t starring in one.
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Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum

The Uneasy Elegance: Why Macroeconomic Anxiety Is Reshaping Global Luxury Demand

In a world shaped by war, inflation, and uncertainty, even the most resilient shoppers are hitting pause. Can global luxury demand chart a new course?
|
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum

Cross-Border Ecommerce and China’s Unstoppable (?) Rise in Europe

Can Europe compete with €3 dresses and 72-hour shipping? Chinese cross-border ecommerce platforms are betting it can’t and they’re moving in fast. What will the fallout be?
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Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum

Can Luxury Brands Still Command a Premium?

With price tags climbing higher and economic uncertainty testing even the most brand-loyal shoppers, the real question is: can raising prices still raise desire?
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Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum

The Power of Hybrid Grocery: Winning Online and In-Store

The old rules of grocery retail—physical stores and traditional operations—can’t keep up with today’s shoppers. As consumer habits move across channels, retailers must adapt fast. This is the age of hybrid grocery.
|

Inside The $2 Trillion Wellness Economy Trends That Took Over Retail

Evolving consumer priorities, technology, and value-driven purchasing; These are the latest wellness economy trends making waves in 2025.
|

Asian Luxury Consumers Are Balancing Global Prestige and Local Identity in 2025

Craftsmanship over logos. Quiet luxury and local niche brands. A booming appetite for experiences. Asian luxury consumers are changing their ways, turning to global allure and local ethos to define what luxury means today.
|

True Luxury Through Consumer Profiles Behind Its Next Chapter

Luxury loves a success story. But this year’s BCG x Altagamma report makes it clear: brands that underestimate consumer profiles aren’t starring in one.
|

The Uneasy Elegance: Why Macroeconomic Anxiety Is Reshaping Global Luxury Demand

In a world shaped by war, inflation, and uncertainty, even the most resilient shoppers are hitting pause. Can global luxury demand chart a new course?
|

Cross-Border Ecommerce and China’s Unstoppable (?) Rise in Europe

Can Europe compete with €3 dresses and 72-hour shipping? Chinese cross-border ecommerce platforms are betting it can’t and they’re moving in fast. What will the fallout be?
|

Can Luxury Brands Still Command a Premium?

With price tags climbing higher and economic uncertainty testing even the most brand-loyal shoppers, the real question is: can raising prices still raise desire?
|

The Power of Hybrid Grocery: Winning Online and In-Store

The old rules of grocery retail—physical stores and traditional operations—can’t keep up with today’s shoppers. As consumer habits move across channels, retailers must adapt fast. This is the age of hybrid grocery.
|

What is
the RLC Global Forum?

What is the RLC
Global Forum?

We are dedicated to facilitating discussions that lead to impactful, actionable outcomes, propelling the retail sector towards sustainable growth.

Trusted
Community

We cultivate a network where trust, respect, and shared ambition drive progress, embodying RLC’s vision of meaningful connections and partnership-building among diverse stakeholders.

Innovative
Framework

We provide a platform for the emergence of bold ideas, addressing urgent challenges and uncovering emerging opportunities, in line with RLC’s approach to fostering innovation through cooperation.

Cross-Industry
Collaboration

Reflecting the RLC’s commitment to multi-stakeholder engagement, we encourage collaboration across the entire retail value chain, bridging retail with diverse sectors and creating partnerships that drive collective industry impact.

Global Reach,
Local Impact

We combine international expertise with local knowledge, providing a platform that fosters globally informed, locally relevant action-oriented strategies. By addressing key retail trends, we help businesses navigate an evolving landscape with confidence—supported by global market insights that inform strategic decisions.

Trusted
Community

We cultivate a network where trust, respect, and shared ambition drive progress, embodying RLC’s vision of meaningful connections and partnership-building among diverse stakeholders.

Innovative
Framework

We provide a platform for the emergence of bold ideas, addressing urgent challenges and uncovering emerging opportunities, much like RLC’s approach to fostering innovation through cooperation.

Cross-Industry
Collaboration

Reflecting the RLC’s commitment to multi-stakeholder engagement, we encourage collaboration across the entire retail value chain, bridging retail with diverse sectors and creating partnerships that drive collective industry impact.

Global Reach,
Local Impact

We combine international expertise with local knowledge, providing a platform that fosters globally informed, locally relevant action-oriented strategies. By addressing key retail trends, we help businesses navigate an evolving landscape with confidence—supported by global market insights that inform strategic decisions.

10+ Years of Leadership

For more than a decade, we have been a leading voice in shaping the retail sector, creating platforms that foster meaningful connections and collaboration among industry leaders.

Our commitment to facilitating global dialogues, addressing critical industry priorities, and shaping a comprehensive global retail strategy, has positioned Retail Leaders Circle (RLC) as a premier hub for industry partnership and insight. The RLC Global Forum marks the new chapter in our evolution.

Key Facts 2024 - 2025

Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum

3

Iconic Locations

2

0

+

Flagship Events

5

0

+

Countries

1

,

3

5

0

+

Industry Leading Speakers

The Global Gathering
for Retail Leadership

The global
gathering for
retail leadership

Held annually, the RLC Global Forum convenes senior voices from retail, investment, policy, and academia to exchange ideas, share strategic foresight, and drive collaboration that redefines the future of global commerce.

Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum

Ready to
Unlock Retail?

Download the 2025 post-event report and gain a comprehensive view of the high-caliber audience, discussions, and networking opportunities that the RLC Global Forum consistently delivers. Discover valuable retail trends, key takeaways, and future-forward strategies that will inspire your business’s growth and success.

Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum

The topics and the format of the CEO Summit are terrific. Some really interesting speakers. I believe there’s a good amount of dialogues and the mix of content and participants is really quite good.

Steve Sadove
Principal at Stephen Sadove and Associates
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
This CEO Summit is all about quality: quality of the speakers and moderators and quality of the audience. The dialogue with them is very constructive and very inspiring. I am actually going to stay here the whole day because the line up is incredible!
Laurent Claquin

Chief Brand Officer, Kering

Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum

What the RLC Global Forum has built over the years is extraordinary — bringing us together, pushing us forward, and shaping the future of our industry.

Patrick Chalhoub

Executive Chairman, Chalhoub Group

Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
The 2025 RLC Global Forum was outstanding. The fact that it’s held here in Riyadh also reminds us that the Middle East is an area of investment, an area of growth, an area of optimism.
Geoffroy van Raemdonck
Former CEO, Neiman Marcus Group and Luxury Retail Expert
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum