The platform for global retail

Connecting people, policy and ideas to address retail’s most pressing challenges and emerging opportunities.

The RLC Global Forum tracks and unpacks the key drivers of change for global leaders with the power and influence to change the world, empowering decision- makers to create lasting impact through a global retail strategy that promotes sustainable growth and innovation.

The logo for the 2026 RLC Global Forum Annual Meeting.

February 2026
Riyadh

2026 Annual Forum
February 2026
Riyadh

Held in Riyadh on February 3 & 4, the 2026 RLC Global Forum brings together the leaders shaping global retail—across business, policy, investment, and academia—for high-impact dialogue, actionable insights, and sector-shifting collaboration.

2026 Annual Forum

Held in Riyadh on February 3 & 4, the 2026 RLC Global Forum brings together the leaders shaping global retail—across business, policy, investment, and academia—for high-impact dialogue, actionable insights, and sector-shifting collaboration.

RLC Fashion Summit Logo
The logo for Fondazione Altagamma, an organization dedicated to promoting Italian high-end cultural and creative industries.

June 2026
Milan

RLC Fashion Summit
June 2026
Milan

Held in Milan on September 25, 2025, during Fashion Week, the inaugural RLC Fashion Summit brings together global CEOs, institutional leaders, policy-makers, and Italian industry stakeholders for a high-level dialogue on the future of fashion, luxury and the forces reshaping global growth.

2026 RLC Fashion Summit

Taking place in Milan on June 3-4, 2026, the  RLC Fashion Summit brings together global CEOs, institutional leaders, policy-makers, and Italian industry stakeholders for a high-level dialogue on the future of fashion, luxury, and the forces reshaping growth.

RLC Global Forum Logo
The logo for the Baker Retailing Center at the Wharton School.

CEO Summit

October 2026
New York

2025 CEO Summit
October 2026
New York

Co-hosted by Wharton’s Baker Retailing Center and the RLC Global Forum, the 2025 CEO Summit is an exclusive, invitation-only gathering of the most influential minds in retail and brand leadership, held on October 16 in New York.

2026 CEO Summit

Co-hosted by Wharton’s Baker Retailing Center and the RLC Global Forum, the CEO Summit is an exclusive, invitation-only gathering of the most influential minds in retail and brand leadership, held in October 2026 in New York.

Retail Insights

Souq7 in Jeddah Launches as the Largest Open-Air Saudi Retail Destination

Inaugurated under the patronage of the Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region and graced by [...]
Nighttime view of Souq7 in Jeddah featuring illuminated fountains, vibrant lights and a drone show forming the Souq7 logo in the sky.
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A smiling family is carrying Christmas gifts while shopping in a shopping mall decorated with festive lights.

A Three-Market Review of Global Holiday Shopping Dynamics

How is global holiday shopping shaping up this year? A look at Hong Kong, Germany, [...]
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Crowd attending the launch of Westfield Dammam, with the Westfield and Cenomi Centers logos illuminated on the mall’s exterior and lights projecting into the night sky.

Cenomi Centers Rebrands Nakheel Mall as Westfield Dammam

Westfield Dammam, the first Cenomi Centers asset to carry the Westfield brand, marks a major [...]
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Digital rendering of earth at night, showing with glowing city lights and a network of blue connection lines.

Retail in the Polycrisis Economy: The New Realities of Global Commerce

The certainties that once underpinned global retail are eroding. In their place stands a polycrisis [...]
|

Souq7 in Jeddah Launches as the Largest Open-Air Saudi Retail Destination

Inaugurated under the patronage of the Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region and graced by [...]
|

A Three-Market Review of Global Holiday Shopping Dynamics

How is global holiday shopping shaping up this year? A look at Hong Kong, Germany, [...]
|

Cenomi Centers Rebrands Nakheel Mall as Westfield Dammam

Westfield Dammam, the first Cenomi Centers asset to carry the Westfield brand, marks a major [...]
|

Retail in the Polycrisis Economy: The New Realities of Global Commerce

The certainties that once underpinned global retail are eroding. In their place stands a polycrisis [...]
|

What is
the RLC Global Forum?

What is the RLC
Global Forum?

We are dedicated to facilitating discussions that lead to impactful, actionable outcomes, propelling the retail sector towards sustainable growth.

Trusted
Community

We cultivate a network where trust, respect, and shared ambition drive progress, embodying RLC’s vision of meaningful connections and partnership-building among diverse stakeholders.

Innovative
Framework

We provide a platform for the emergence of bold ideas, addressing urgent challenges and uncovering emerging opportunities, in line with RLC’s approach to fostering innovation through cooperation.

Cross-Industry
Collaboration

Reflecting the RLC’s commitment to multi-stakeholder engagement, we encourage collaboration across the entire retail value chain, bridging retail with diverse sectors and creating partnerships that drive collective industry impact.

Global Reach,
Local Impact

We combine international expertise with local knowledge, providing a platform that fosters globally informed, locally relevant action-oriented strategies. By addressing key retail trends, we help businesses navigate an evolving landscape with confidence—supported by global market insights that inform strategic decisions.

Trusted
Community

We cultivate a network where trust, respect, and shared ambition drive progress, embodying RLC’s vision of meaningful connections and partnership-building among diverse stakeholders.

Innovative
Framework

We provide a platform for the emergence of bold ideas, addressing urgent challenges and uncovering emerging opportunities, much like RLC’s approach to fostering innovation through cooperation.

Cross-Industry
Collaboration

Reflecting the RLC’s commitment to multi-stakeholder engagement, we encourage collaboration across the entire retail value chain, bridging retail with diverse sectors and creating partnerships that drive collective industry impact.

Global Reach,
Local Impact

We combine international expertise with local knowledge, providing a platform that fosters globally informed, locally relevant action-oriented strategies. By addressing key retail trends, we help businesses navigate an evolving landscape with confidence—supported by global market insights that inform strategic decisions.

10+ Years of Leadership

For more than a decade, we have been a leading voice in shaping the retail sector, creating platforms that foster meaningful connections and collaboration among industry leaders.

Our commitment to facilitating global dialogues, addressing critical industry priorities, and shaping a comprehensive global retail strategy, has positioned Retail Leaders Circle (RLC) as a premier hub for industry partnership and insight. The RLC Global Forum marks the new chapter in our evolution.

Key Facts 2024 - 2025

Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum

3

Iconic Locations

2

0

+

Flagship Events

5

0

+

Countries

1

,

3

5

0

+

Industry Leading Speakers

The Global Gathering
for Retail Leadership

The global
gathering for
retail leadership

Held annually, the RLC Global Forum convenes senior voices from retail, investment, policy, and academia to exchange ideas, share strategic foresight, and drive collaboration that redefines the future of global commerce.

RLC Global Forum Post Event Report and Speaker Spotlight
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum

Ready to
Unlock Retail?

Download the 2025 post-event report and gain a comprehensive view of the high-caliber audience, discussions, and networking opportunities that the RLC Global Forum consistently delivers. Discover valuable retail trends, key takeaways, and future-forward strategies that will inspire your business’s growth and success.

Steve Sadove CEO Summit Testimonial
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The topics and the format of the CEO Summit are terrific. Some really interesting speakers. I believe there’s a good amount of dialogues and the mix of content and participants is really quite good.

Steve Sadove
Principal at Stephen Sadove and Associates
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
A testimonial from Laurent Claquin, Chief Brand Officer at Kering.
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This CEO Summit is all about quality: quality of the speakers and moderators and quality of the audience. The dialogue with them is very constructive and very inspiring. I am actually going to stay here the whole day because the line up is incredible!
Laurent Claquin

Chief Brand Officer, Kering

Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
A testimonial from Patrick Chalhoub, Executive Chairman of Chalhoub Group.
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What the RLC Global Forum has built over the years is extraordinary — bringing us together, pushing us forward, and shaping the future of our industry.

Patrick Chalhoub

Executive Chairman, Chalhoub Group

Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum
A testimonial from Geoffroy van Raemdonck, Former CEO of Neiman Marcus Group and Luxury Retail Expert.
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The 2025 RLC Global Forum was outstanding. The fact that it’s held here in Riyadh also reminds us that the Middle East is an area of investment, an area of growth, an area of optimism.
Geoffroy van Raemdonck
Former CEO, Neiman Marcus Group and Luxury Retail Expert
Global Retail Leadership and Innovation | RLC Global Forum RLC Global Forum