June 24, 2025

- 18:09

Markets

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What NRF APAC 2025 Revealed About the Future of Retail

Earlier this month, I attended NRF APAC 2025 in Singapore, and it was nothing short of extraordinary. With over 9,500 attendees from 72 countries gathered at the iconic Marina Bay Sands, the event was a true melting pot of ideas, cultures, and bold innovations that are shaping the future of retail in the Asia-Pacific region. But what made it truly special wasn’t just the scale, it was the regional depth. The stories, the challenges, the nuance of operating across geographies like Indonesia, India, and Korea, these were conversations the global industry needs to hear.

That’s why I’m proud to introduce a new six-part APAC series on OFFBounds, created in partnership with NRF. In Episode 75, I kick things off by sharing the most powerful moments, insights, and encounters from the event, from a surprise bus ride with the CEO of Alfamart (a retailer with 22,000 stores!) to in-depth discussions on AI-driven supply chains, emotional intelligence in leadership, and the booming quick commerce ecosystems across Southeast Asia and India.

You’ll hear how companies like Lotte are merging online and offline into seamless ecosystems, why conversational commerce via WhatsApp is exploding in Indonesia, and how India’s fashion market has a lot of potential fro growth, meaning the next wave of retail transformation is just beginning. I also recap a live panel I had the pleasure of moderating on stage, featuring leaders from Central Retail and 2degrees, where we explored how happier employees create better customer experiences, a theme that kept echoing across the entire event.

This episode is just the beginning. In the coming weeks, you’ll hear from leaders shaping APAC’s retail future, from Korean superbrands and Australian beauty disruptors to India’s e-commerce trailblazers. If you’re curious about what’s next in retail, this series will take you where it’s already happening. Because in many ways, the East isn’t just catching up, it’s leading.

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What NRF APAC 2025 Revealed About the Future of Retail

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What It Really Takes to Turn Around a Retail Business

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The Strategy Behind TCL’s Rise: Culture, Data, and Challenger Thinking

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Rohlik Group: Europe’s Best-Kept Secret in Online Grocery

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From Points to Participation: What Actually Drives Loyalty

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