Dr. David Sobey, CM at the National Retail Innovation Awards.
The David Sobey Centre for Innovation in Retailing and Services at Saint Mary's University is hosting a series of online events and discussions on the retail industry this October as part of Retail Month.
Retail Month, hosted by the David Sobey Centre, celebrates the retail industry and leads discussions to uncover the latest trends, practices and future predictions in retail.
"We have hosted several well-received Retail Weeks over the past several years, and one of the main comments we kept receiving was why only a week," says Dr. Ramesh Venkat, the director of the David Sobey Centre. "Retail Month offers industry leaders, and members of the retail sector increased opportunities to discuss trends and innovations they see in the sector. The pandemic has created unusual challenges and opportunities for the retail sector, making this year's Retail Month even more valuable."
Retail Month reach extends beyond the business community to students. There are many opportunities for university students and graduates in the retail sector. With many companies promoting employees from within, recent graduates have extensive growth opportunities when joining the industry.
Speakers for Retail Month events include senior executives from national retail companies such as Sobeys Inc., Hudson's Bay Company, Staples, IKEA, and Dillard's. Representatives from these companies, and more, will be sharing their experience in various panel discussions. The topics are e-commerce and the future of retailing, women in retail, and sustainable retailing.
As part of Retail Month, the 4th annual National Retail Innovation Awards will occur on Thursday, Oct. 29. The National Retail Innovation Awards celebrates Canadian retailers' achievements and retailers who have demonstrated innovation and excellence in the industry. This year the award categories are retail business model innovation, retail technology innovation, and community service innovation. The award categories reflect the areas where retailers had to successfully adapt their business practices during the global pandemic.
The Sustainability Case Competition is also taking place during Retail Month. Students will participate in a case competition to support a local, sustainable retailer. This competition is in partnership with the 2nd Annual Sobey School of Business Responsibility Conference hosted by the Sobey School of Business.
For more information on Retail Month and the speaker series, visit: https://www.bigmarker.com/series/retail-month-20201/series_summit.