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Deloitte at World Retail Congress 2026
Monday, 27 April 2026 8:00 a.m. CET

In-person - Event

Event language: English

27 - 29 Apr. 2026

08:00 a.m. CET

Deloitte at World Retail Congress 2026

About 2026 World Retail Congress: Retail's Roadmap to 2030 

Retail’s “new normal” is being shaped by economic uncertainty, shifting consumer confidence, and fast-changing customer expectations. At the same time, AI and accelerating technology adoption are compressing the timeline for meaningful transformation. Retail leaders are balancing today’s performance demands with targeted moves that build lasting advantage. 

In 2026, the World Retail Congress will showcase the growth drivers that will set industry leaders apart. The conversation will focus on how leading retailers can turn volatility into advantage by elevating day-to-day execution, protecting margins, and accelerating capabilities in AI, customer insight, retail media, and omnichannel experiences.

Find out more about the 2026 World Retail Congress:

Visit the event website
Deloitte's programming at the WRC26

Attendees will join us in Berlin for executive keynotes and industry panel discussions on the retail topics shaping the year ahead. Deloitte experts will share insights on global forecasting and how data-driven experiences can help retailers improve performance and stay ahead of evolving customer expectations.

Exclusive store tours:

As the exclusive Store Tours Partner, Deloitte will welcome delegates for rare, behind-the-scenes access to some of Berlin’s most iconic retail destinations, alongside each brand’s senior leadership.

  • Date: Monday, 27 April 2026
  • Time: 13:00-15:30 CET
  • Meeting point: Delegates will meet at the Marlene Restaurant, Intercontinental Berlin before the tours.
  • Tour details: Coaches will take delegates to landmark stores, with tours led by the retailer’s leadership team.
  • Engagement opportunity: Delegates will have a unique opportunity to engage directly with CEOs and senior leaders, gaining unprecedented behind-the-scenes access and an insider view of some of the world’s most iconic retailers.
  • Confirmed stores: Tech: Zalando | High Street: Adidas, HOKA, Mango | Modern choice: Manufactum, KaDeWe | Everyday innovation: Action 

Opening reception:

Following the store tours, delegates will gather to unwind and connect with peers high above Berlin at KaDeWe, in a relaxed setting.

  • Date: Monday, 27 April 2026
  • Time: 17:30 – 19:00 CET
  • Location: 6th Floor of KaDeWe Berlin

Keynote session: 

Session title: Global forecasting and economic update 

Date: Tuesday, 28 April 2026  

Time: 10:20 CET

Description: The retail industry is navigating a rapidly shifting macroeconomic landscape, shaped by economic and environmental uncertainty. In this keynote, Dr. Ira Kalish will explore the most likely global developments over the next 12 months and what they could mean for retailers. Join this forward looking session to gain insights on how organizations can stay agile, build resilience, and position themselves to respond quickly as conditions evolve. 

Speaker: Dr. Ira Kalish, Deloitte Chief Global Economist 

Plenary Session

Session title: Knowing your customer

Description: As consumers adopt new technologies faster than businesses, one of retail’s biggest challenges is understanding what drives customer expectations and behavior. To stay relevant, retailers must decode generational shifts, evolving trends, and emerging technologies. These insights are essential to navigating the path to 2030.

Date : Tuesday, 29 April 2026

Time : 9:30 CET

Moderator: 

Evan Sheehan

Evan Sheehan

Global
Global Retail, Wholesale & Distribution Sector Leader

Panelists:

  • Alexandra von der Gruen, VP Retail and Franchise Europe, Adidas
  • Rachel Acheson, SVP Chief Strategy Officer, Lululemon
  • Kristin Wolf , SVP Enterprise Strategy and New Growth, Ulta Beauty

WRC Hall of Fame dinner

The World Retail Hall of Fame was launched in 2007 to recognize the outstanding retailers who had created or helped build iconic retail brands as well as contributing to the success of retailing generally. Each year, new names from around the world are inducted into the World Retail Hall of Fame.

Date: Wednesday, 29 April 2026

Time:  19:00 – 22:30 CET

Venue: InterContinental 

Deloitte x World Retail Congress client podcast series 2026

The Deloitte and World Retail Congress podcast series is back for this year’s Congress, featuring conversations with leaders from across the global retail landscape. The series explores how shifting consumer behaviors, emerging technologies, and evolving expectations are reshaping the retail industry, and what it will take for retailers to stay relevant through 2030. 

More details, including participating speakers, themes, and release dates, will be shared closer to the World Retail Congress. In the meantime, stay tuned for thought-provoking discussions that bring the future of retail to life-provoking discussions. 

Watch our leadership videos from WRC25

Explore insights and conversations from Deloitte leaders at the 2025 World Retail Congress in London.

    Meet our leaders

    Evan Sheehan

    Evan Sheehan

    Deloitte - Global
    Evan Sheehan is the Retail, Wholesale & Distribution leader for Deloitte Global. In this role, he is responsible for developing the global sector strategy and integrating businesses and go-to-market solutions across the Deloitte network.
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    Katie Weir

    Katie Weir

    Deloitte - Global
    In addition, Katie has held a Deloitte US role as a consultant for nearly 20 years, in which she has led transformations for many of the world’s most iconic and prestigious consumer brands. Katie also serves as the operations leader for the Deloitte Global Consumer industry, setting the strategic and eminence agendas for the organization’s 10,000+ Consumer industry professionals worldwide. Katie is passionate about consumer psychology and regularly shares her perspectives on luxury and retail trends. She co-founded ConsumerSignals, a real-time, longitudinal exploration of spending intent in the largest 20 economies globally. Prior to Deloitte, Katie worked in finance at the Walt Disney Company. Katie earned her MBA from The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and lives in North Carolina with her husband, Pete, and their three children. She is an active angel investor and mentor for leaders of women founded consumer product companies.
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    Egbert Wege

    Egbert Wege

    Deloitte - Global
    Egbert is a Partner at Deloitte Consulting in Germany with more than 20 years of experience advising clients in the retail and consumer goods sector. He supports clients in addressing strategic challenges and driving digital transformation. Egbert leads the Consumer Industry as well as the Retail and Consumer Products sector in Central Europe.

    Our thinking

    Global Powers of Retailing 2025

    The Global Powers of Retailing 2025 report offers a detailed analysis of the world’s Top 250 retailers and their performance across markets and product sectors.
    Research
    5 minute read

    ConsumerSignals

    ConsumerSignals provides a view into consumers’ everyday finances and the spending strategies being used to navigate an unpredictable world. We invite you to explore our interactive data dashboard, collection of proprietary consumer indices, and deep-dive articles.

    Global Powers of Retailing 2025

     This report examines the fastest-growing retailers, new market entrants, and the strategies retailers are using to navigate the dynamic economy. 
    Research
    5 minute read

    ConsumerSignals

    There are a few sources for data driven insights to help consumer businesses understand spending behavior. ConsumerSignals delivers a monthly pulse on financial well-being, intentions, and planned purchases across 12+ countries.