UNEVEN
FUTURES
RLC Annual Forum
February 1-2, 2027
Riyadh, KSA
Where retail leadership, policy, and market insight come together
Organized by the RLC Global Forum, the RLC Annual Forum is the defining gathering for the global retail industry. An invitation-only event held annually in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, it is where the most influential minds in commerce, investment, and brand leadership come together to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and shape the direction of the industry.
2027 Themes
The New Geography of Growth
New centers of demand, capital and opportunity are redrawing the global map and reshaping the pathways to expansion, investment and partnership.
The Intelligence Shift
AI is moving from capability to impact, transforming decisions, customer relationships and human potential.
The Multipolar Consumer
Value, aspiration and identity increasingly coexist within consumers, challenging assumptions about demand, loyalty and relevance across markets.
The Economics of Adaptation
Persistent volatility is reshaping the economics of efficiency, raising the value of flexibility, resilience and long-term investment.
The Power of Place
Places must increasingly earn their relevance, turning experience, connection and belonging into enduring economic and cultural significance.
Leadership in an Age of Divergence
Growing fragmentation raises the stakes for leadership: where to place conviction, when to act and which partnerships to build.
Why we convene
the rlc annual forum experience
The RLC Annual Forum combines executive dialogue with curated experiences that bring together global leaders to exchange perspectives, strengthen relationships and advance collaboration across retail, consumer industries and global commerce.
Hybrid Hall
Discover landmark retail destinations, transformative developments and industry solutions presented by leading organizations shaping retail, consumer industries and destination development.
RLC Honors
An invitation-only evening celebrating exceptional leadership and recognizing individuals whose achievements have left a lasting mark on the global retail and consumer industries.
Networking Reception
A private gathering on the eve of the RLC Annual Forum, where global leaders reconnect, exchange perspectives, and strengthen relationships.
Strategic Workshops
Deal Signings
A trusted platform for announcing strategic partnerships, launching new initiatives and advancing collaborations across the global commerce ecosystem.
Roundtables
Invitation-only executive roundtables where business and government leaders exchange perspectives, align priorities and advance practical industry solutions.
Media Studio
A dedicated media platform where global leaders share perspectives, announce strategic initiatives and contribute to conversations shaping the future of commerce.
NextGen Retail Challenge
A flagship initiative showcasing the next generation of entrepreneurs as they develop practical solutions to industry challenges and present their ideas to global leaders at the Forum.
By the Numbers
The scale and influence of the 2026 RLC Annual Forum, at a glance.
speakers
sessions
attendees
brands & retailers
2026 RLC Annual Forum in Review
Discover the conversations, leadership perspectives and strategic insights that defined the 2026 RLC Annual Forum in one comprehensive Post-Event Report.
The RLC Soirée
The evening before the RLC Annual Forum, a select group of global leaders gathers for an invitation-only reception designed to strengthen relationships, exchange perspectives and begin the conversations that continue throughout the Forum.
An exclusive event
Partner with RLC
Level up your growth, reach your target audience, and strengthen your brand among a dedicated audience of industry leaders and key decision makers.
Why attend
Join senior leaders from across retail, real estate, technology, and finance for two days of high-level access, strategic collaboration, and the partnerships that follow.
Insights
Stay updated on retail’s latest news, insights & trends with a focus on disruptive innovation. Powered by RLC Global Forum’s powerful, global community.
What
thinks about RLC Global Forum
RLC stands as the foremost gathering
in this region, thoughtfully curated for
enterprises and visionary trailblazers.
What
thinks about RLC Global Forum
…… the best industry event to absorb
wisdom and insights from a diverse array
of leading CEOs and policymakers.
What
thinks about RLC Global Forum
A meeting of visionaries and game-changers.
It’s truly remarkable how RLC combines rich thought
leadership with an unparalleled showcase of innovation.
FAQs
1. Why Riyadh?
Riyadh has rapidly emerged as one of the world’s most important business destinations, driven by unprecedented investment, economic transformation and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. As global companies reassess where future growth will come from, the Kingdom is becoming an increasingly important destination for business, investment and international partnerships.
Hosted in Riyadh, the RLC Annual Forum places global CEOs, investors, policymakers and industry leaders at the center of these conversations. Bringing together the international retail, consumer and commerce community in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, the Forum provides direct access to the ideas, partnerships and market opportunities shaping long-term growth across the Middle East and beyond.
2. Who attends?
Designed as an invitation-only retail forum, the RLC Annual Forum brings together a carefully curated community of global CEOs, founders, board directors, investors, policymakers and senior executives from retail, consumer industries, real estate, technology and global commerce.
The result is a trusted environment where senior decision-makers exchange perspectives, strengthen strategic relationships and explore opportunities for collaboration across industries, markets and geographies.
3. What are the RLC Annual Forum themes?
The RLC Annual Forum explores the ideas, industries and strategic priorities shaping retail, consumer industries and global commerce. Bringing together global business and government leaders, the Forum’s agenda examines the opportunities and challenges influencing investment, innovation, consumer markets and long-term growth, providing a trusted platform for executive dialogue, strategic collaboration and informed decision-making.
4. How is the RLC Annual Forum agenda developed?
Planning for each RLC Annual Forum begins shortly after the conclusion of the previous edition. Guided by the Forum’s International Advisory Board, the RLC Global Forum follows a year-round editorial process that includes advisory consultations, executive roundtables, retail CEO surveys and sector research and analysis. This process helps identify the strategic priorities, market shifts and emerging opportunities shaping retail, consumer industries and global commerce, ensuring every session reflects the issues most relevant to senior decision-makers.
5. What is the format of the RLC Annual Forum?
The RLC Annual Forum combines plenary conversations with carefully curated experiences designed to encourage meaningful dialogue and strategic engagement. Across two days, participants move between the main stage, flagship track stages, Executive Roundtables, the Hybrid Hall, the RLC Soirée, the RLC Media Studio and private meeting spaces, creating an experience that extends well beyond a traditional retail conference.
6. How do I request an invitation to the RLC Annual Forum?
Attendance at the RLC Annual Forum is by invitation only. Senior business leaders interested in participating may request an invitation by completing the online application form. Every application is individually reviewed by the RLC Global Forum team to preserve the Forum’s carefully curated community and the quality of executive dialogue. Approved applicants will receive a confirmation of their participation.
7. How do attendees access the RLC Annual Forum agenda and event information?
Confirmed attendees receive access to the official RLC Annual Forum app, offering a seamless way to navigate the agenda, connect with fellow participants, explore speakers and partners, and stay informed throughout the Forum.