In a world defined by unrelenting change, shaping the future of retail has never been more urgent—or more complex. Yet, global leaders uniquely positioned at the intersection of change can influence the trends that will define the industry for decades to come. The 2025 RLC Global Forum, February 4-5 in Riyadh stands in a critical moment in time. This gathering of visionaries collaborates, innovates, and acts decisively in the face of disruption.

The 2025 RLC Global Forum is an engaging CEO club where industry pioneers address real-world challenges with real-world solutions. Emphasizing innovation as the foundation for resilience, the Forum is an exclusive, invitation-only community where thought-provoking conversations will translate into concrete action plans, demonstrating its commitment to creating measurable impact in the retail industry.

A Decade of Visionary Leadership

The evolution of the Retail Leaders Circle into the RLC Global Forum is more than a name change; it’s a bold step into their future. For over a decade, the RLC has hosted transformative dialogues and provided actionable insights and meaningful collaboration. Now, it embarks on an expanded mission: to unite retailers, brands, policymakers, ecosystem partners, and academia in a global conversation that tackles retail’s most pressing challenges.

With the forward-thinking vision of its founder and chairman, Panos Linardos, the Forum has evolved into a powerful platform designed to anticipate retail’s future challenges, while fostering partnerships that transcend borders and sectors. The goal is to predict the trends and disruptions that are reshaping the industry by offering a vantage point that helps leaders not only prepare but also thrive. This proactive ethos makes the RLC Global Forum a must-attend event for those committed to future-proofing their businesses.

Retail Resilience in Action

The 2025 RLC Global Forum is more than just a conference. It’s an engaging CEO club, where industry pioneers address real-world challenges with real-world solutions. Emphasizing innovation as the foundation for resilience, the Forum is an exclusive, invitation-only community where thought-provoking conversations translate into concrete action plans, demonstrating collaborative commitment to creating measurable impact in the retail industry.

Contact us for information on attending and being part of this global conversation.

Riyadh: At the Intersection of Vision and Opportunity

Riyadh, a city at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, represents more than a geographic epicenter—it’s a symbol of transformation. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, guided by its Vision 2030, is rapidly diversifying its economy to become a global leader in commerce, technology, and culture.

Hosting the Forum in Riyadh underscores its theme, “Rebuilding a Shared Future,” by aligning with a region actively shaping its own destiny. Riyadh’s burgeoning status as a global business powerhouse makes it the perfect setting for the Forum’s critical discussions.

2025 Trendlines: The Forces Shaping Retail’s Future

Next year’s agenda focuses on the resilience required to navigate today’s uncertainties while preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities. It is designed to provide practical, innovative strategies that participants can implement in their businesses. Critical themes include:

• A New World Order

Inflation, rising operational costs, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, climate change, evolving market dynamics, and geopolitical tensions are adding further complexities to the global retail landscape, testing its adaptability and requiring innovative solutions. In Riyadh, senior leaders from every corner of the retail industry will discuss ways to mitigate these risks and define opportunities for future growth.

• AI: The Engine of Innovation

Artificial intelligence is at the core of retail transformation, reshaping operations and redefining customer experience. By 2030, AI is expected to contribute $320 billion to the Middle Eastern economy alone, signaling its transformative potential.

The Forum will highlight how AI-powered chatbots, machine learning algorithms, and predictive analytics are being used to optimize inventory, personalize marketing, and improve supply chain efficiency. Retailers will also explore the ethical implications of AI and how to build customer trust in this rapidly evolving landscape.

• Retail Without Borders

The rise of cross-border ecommerce has redefined shopping behaviors, with international consumers increasingly looking beyond domestic retailers. A recent report highlights that global cross-border ecommerce is expected to grow 17 percent annually, driven by faster logistics, localized marketing strategies, and improved digital payment systems.

At the Forum, experts will tackle the logistical challenges and competitive pressures that arise in this borderless market. Discussions will include innovative fulfillment models, navigating regional regulations, and creating seamless customer experiences in diverse geographies.

• Luxury in Transition

Luxury retail is experiencing seismic change as it responds to new consumer preferences, macroeconomic challenges, and technological innovations. The global luxury market is expected to dip by two percent in 2024 (approximately €363 billion) so, the pressure on profitability is mounting.

The Forum will explore strategies for maintaining relevance amid economic uncertainty and generational shifts. Topics will include the integration of AI and predictive analytics to anticipate customer trends, the role of sustainability in shaping purchasing decisions, and the expanding influence of Gen Z and millennial consumers. Retail leaders will uncover how to balance tradition and innovation to achieve sustainable, long-term growth.

• Novel Lifestyle Destinations

Retail spaces are no longer just transactional, they’re experiential. The convergence of retail and hospitality is creating destination-worthy environments where consumers shop, dine, exercise, work, and immerse themselves in culture.

The Forum will examine how retailers can transform physical spaces into vibrant lifestyle hubs, blending commerce with tourism, entertainment, and wellness. From luxury malls incorporating art exhibitions to retail spaces integrating well-being services, the discussion will highlight the opportunities to create deeper consumer connections while boosting real estate value.

• Acceleration of Social Commerce

Social commerce is no longer an experiment; it’s the new battleground for retail. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and emerging players are reshaping how consumers discover and buy products. By 2028, social commerce revenues are projected to surpass $1 trillion, up from $570 billion in 2023.

The Forum will do a deep dive into leveraging these platforms to drive growth, uncovering insights on data privacy, algorithmic targeting, and building trust in a hyper-digital marketplace. With social commerce penetration expected to hit 25 percent by the end of 2024, it’s clear that this trend is not just disruptive—it’s transformative.

A Conversation Worth Having

The 2025 RLC Global Forum is not just another industry event; it’s a call to action for the world’s most visionary leaders. When global retail CEOs, policymakers, and innovators converge, the result is more than the sum of its parts. It’s a movement. And in a time of increasing fragmentation, it is also a reminder that collaboration is the key to resilience and that the future of retail lies not in isolated efforts but in shared vision and action.

In Riyadh, this February, the RLC Global Forum will prove that “Rebuilding a Shared Future” is not just a theme—it’s an invitation to reshape the future of an industry on the brink of reinvention.

Note: The RLC Global Forum is a Robin Report Collaborative Partner.  Click here for more information.