Retailing: Recession to Recovery
The world of retailing has changed dramatically this year. The global economy has slowed rapidly and the United States is in the midst of a recession. Consumers are cutting back in light of job worries and spending pressures. Companies are reeling as credit markets tighten and consumers pull back. When will the retail economy improve? What will it take to drive improvement? When the recovery comes, what will the retail economy look like, and which sectors will be positioned to get more than their fair share of the recovery? This session looks at the retail market fundamentals that retailers and manufacturers need to understand and respond to as they work through the current environment and plan for the future.

Future Consumers: Conspicuous or Conscious?
As the economy rebounds, will conspicuous consumption return? Or is a conscientious, environmentally and socially conscious shopping mentality more likely to emerge? This session focuses on the issues that will shape the future of demand.

The Changing Face of Shoppers
As the U.S. population continues its inexorable shift toward becoming more diverse, it is essential for retailers and manufacturers alike to develop relevant strategies. And because these populations are not monolithic, there is no one response that covers them all. This session leverages TNS Shopper360™ research findings to profile Hispanic shopping behaviors and attitudes so retailers and suppliers can identify growth strategies that involve this important market segment.

Multi-Channel Best Practices
Although e-commerce is well into its second decade, the channel remains the fastest growing in the retail sector: Even though it is not immune to the economic slowdown TNS Retail Forward forecasts it will register double-digit sales growth through 2013. Additionally, the channel continues to play a significant role as a contributor to sales that ultimately take place in stores. Retailers and manufacturers will need to be increasingly nimble as they navigate the online landscape—a landscape that will continue to change as new technologies emerge and as shopper expectations evolve. This session profiles the latest online developments.

Top Opportunities for a Brave New World
In this two-part presentation, learn what category, consumer and competitive opportunities will provide the greatest growth potential for retailers and suppliers in the near term. We also profile what strategies and operating model capabilities—e.g., customer relationship management, the ability to execute locally, leveraging customer-facing technology—will be prerequisites for future success.