Screenshot 2024-07-09 at 08.44.21

- 24:38 Min

Markets

or listen on

What We Discovered at NRF APAC 2024 in Thriving Singapore

📍Singapore

The NRF APAC event in Singapore, held from June 11th to 13th, 2024, was a significant highlight for the retail industry, attracting 5,500 attendees from 52 countries. This episode of OFFBounds, hosted by Paula Macaggi, delves into the experiences and learnings from this highly anticipated event. Paula highlights how Singapore, with its nearly 6 million residents, pristine environment, and bustling retail scene, provided a vibrant backdrop for the NRF’s international debut. Known for its impressive Changi Airport and numerous shopping malls, Singapore demonstrated why it’s a prime location for such a prestigious gathering.

One of the standout attractions Paula discussed was the Jewel at Changi Airport, a spectacular indoor forest with a waterfall centerpiece, surrounded by retail and dining options. This feature exemplifies Singapore’s innovative approach to combining retail with unique experiences, making even transit a memorable part of the journey. Paula recounts her conversation with Ian Scott, a retail and customer experience expert, who was equally mesmerized by the Jewel’s grandeur and functionality. The seamless blend of nature and modern retail at Changi sets a high standard for future airport designs worldwide.

 

The event itself, held at the iconic Marina Bay Sands, brought together industry leaders and innovators to discuss the future of retail in the Asia Pacific region. Ryf Quail, Managing Director of ComExposium, shared insights on the strategic decision to host the NRF in this rapidly growing economic hub. The region’s demographic shifts and increasing middle-class population present vast opportunities for retailers, as highlighted by keynote speakers such as Simon Kemp of DataReportal. Kemp’s presentation underscored the importance of a tailored approach to marketing in APAC, given its diverse consumer base.

The conference also featured presentations from influential retailers like FairPrice and Don Don Donki, showcasing innovative strategies to enhance customer engagement. FairPrice’s premium chain, FairPrice Finest, and Don Don Donki’s unique, eclectic stores illustrate how retail is evolving beyond traditional formats to create immersive, enjoyable shopping experiences. Other notable sessions included insights from MasterCard’s APEC Chief Economist, David Mann, and a spotlight on technological advancements like RFID by Uniqlo, which are transforming retail operations and customer service. Overall, NRF APAC 2024 in Singapore set a new benchmark for retail conferences, emphasizing the significance of creating memorable, experiential retail environments.

Listen more

Interview

Scaling Melissa in America: Lessons in Authenticity and Community

Breaking into the U.S. market required a sharp focus on authenticity and community. Melissa didn’t rely on heavy celebrity endorsements or a copy-and-paste marketing playbook.

Breaking into the U.S. market required a sharp focus on authenticity and community. Melissa didn’t rely on heavy celebrity endorsements or a copy-and-paste marketing playbook.

Interview

Breaking into the U.S. market required a sharp focus on authenticity and community. Melissa didn’t rely on heavy celebrity endorsements or a copy-and-paste marketing playbook.

Scaling Melissa in America: Lessons in Authenticity and Community

Breaking into the U.S. market required a sharp focus on authenticity and community. Melissa didn’t rely on heavy celebrity endorsements or a copy-and-paste marketing playbook.

Book Author

The Power of Positive Leadership in Retail

Few know this better than April Sabral, who began her career as a part-time sales associate at 17 and went on to lead hundreds across global brands like Starbucks, Banana Republic, and David’s Tea.

Few know this better than April Sabral, who began her career as a part-time sales associate at 17 and went on to lead hundreds across global brands like Starbucks, Banana Republic, and David’s Tea.

Book Author

Few know this better than April Sabral, who began her career as a part-time sales associate at 17 and went on to lead hundreds across global brands like Starbucks, Banana Republic, and David’s Tea.

The Power of Positive Leadership in Retail

Few know this better than April Sabral, who began her career as a part-time sales associate at 17 and went on to lead hundreds across global brands like Starbucks, Banana Republic, and David’s Tea.

Interview

Transforming Canada’s Largest Grocer into a Digital Powerhouse

Recognizing the need for change, Loblaw took a bold approach, creating a separate digital division with its own P&L, operating outside the traditional corporate structure.

Recognizing the need for change, Loblaw took a bold approach, creating a separate digital division with its own P&L, operating outside the traditional corporate structure.

Interview

Recognizing the need for change, Loblaw took a bold approach, creating a separate digital division with its own P&L, operating outside the traditional corporate structure.

Transforming Canada’s Largest Grocer into a Digital Powerhouse

Recognizing the need for change, Loblaw took a bold approach, creating a separate digital division with its own P&L, operating outside the traditional corporate structure.

Interview

Inside Ulta Beauty’s Digital Transformation: From Personalization to Marketplace

Josh Friedman, Senior Vice President of Digital & E-commerce at Ulta Beauty, shared how the company is redefining beauty retail through a blend of personalization, innovation, and omnichannel strategy.

Josh Friedman, Senior Vice President of Digital & E-commerce at Ulta Beauty, shared how the company is redefining beauty retail through a blend of personalization, innovation, and omnichannel strategy.

Interview

Josh Friedman, Senior Vice President of Digital & E-commerce at Ulta Beauty, shared how the company is redefining beauty retail through a blend of personalization, innovation, and omnichannel strategy.

Inside Ulta Beauty’s Digital Transformation: From Personalization to Marketplace

Josh Friedman, Senior Vice President of Digital & E-commerce at Ulta Beauty, shared how the company is redefining beauty retail through a blend of personalization, innovation, and omnichannel strategy.

Interview

Why Retail Leaders at Central Retail and 2degrees Put Employees First — and Saw Results

In retail, there’s a growing realization that the customer experience can only be as strong as the employee experience behind it.

In retail, there’s a growing realization that the customer experience can only be as strong as the employee experience behind it.

Interview

In retail, there’s a growing realization that the customer experience can only be as strong as the employee experience behind it.

Why Retail Leaders at Central Retail and 2degrees Put Employees First — and Saw Results

In retail, there’s a growing realization that the customer experience can only be as strong as the employee experience behind it.

Receive new exclusive episodes


Sign up for our newsletter now!

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

3rd Party Cookies

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.