As the world continues to change faster and more fundamentally than ever before, expectations towards retail are increasing. The retail industry is transforming at a rapid pace and it is increasingly digital. It is no longer enough to deliver high-quality products at low prices with good availability. They need to be delivered in a way that is sustainable. And as cycle times from design to consumer are shortening, how do footwear designers and suppliers cope and adjust?

Building on three previous successful editions, and with this understanding of the current footwear retail landscape, the Global Footwear Retail Conference (GFRC) developed a bold programme and enrolled footwear retail experts to support it, including experts from the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), co-organiser of the event with APLF.

Among the GFRC’s strategic priorities for the year 2018 are:
• Consumer shifts and how it is impacting sales and stores: A panel discussion on millennials to Gen Z on how to understand and capitalise on younger generations new purchasing habits and product demands;
• Retail Technology and platforms changing how we do business: A panel discussion on technologies and innovations changing how we identify, connect and sell to consumers, and how stores and ecommerce platforms are adjusting to create new experiences;
• Material innovations and suppliers adjustments: How raw material suppliers and factories are changing their business models as retail demand radically changes.

“The GFRC sparked relevant business conversations which resulted in shaping the direction of our business plans for 2017 and beyond. The networking was amazing”, commented Leslie Gallin, President of Footwear, UBM Americas & Board Member of American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) and TWO TEN, USA.

Global Footwear Retail Conference (GFRC) will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Room N107) on the 15^th of March during APLF Leather & Materials+ and Fashion Access. For more information about the event please refer to the website: www.fashionaccess.aplf.com.