This year’s Retra Conference will see the industry coming together to celebrate 80 years of the organisation.
Themed around ‘The Challenge of Change’, the one-day event (April 5, the Double Tree by Hilton, in Coventry) promises a great line-up of speakers, including Dave Andrews, Specialist Sales Channel Head, Sony BV, Richard Hartigan, Google’s industry manager for technology, GfK’s client director for market intelligence, Nick Simon, and AMDEA’s chief executive, Paul Hide.
AMDEA are the main conference sponsor, which will be chaired by journalist and broadcaster, Declan Curry, who will also give delegates his views on the state of the economy.
Retail and brand expert, Mark Pilkington, will give a video presentation, and there will also be a guest speaker from BSH talking about the white goods market, and presentations on the road to net zero.
A panel, including Robert Hughes, chairman of Hughes Electrical, Sirius Buying Group managing director, Steve Jones, AMDEA’s Mr Hide, Retra chief executive, Howard Saycell, and a representative of Euronics, will debate questions supplied in advance by Retra members.
There will also be an independent retailer panel, chaired by Sean Hannam, editor of Retra’s Alert magazine. A full list of presenters will be published in due course on the Retra website.
Commenting on the event, Howard Saycell, Retra’s chief executive, said: “I am delighted that we will once again be able host a face-to-face Retra Conference, on April 5. By that time, it will have been three long years since we last came together as an association and industry.”
AMDEA’s Mr Hide said: “AMDEA is delighted to be partnering with Retra to sponsor this year’s conference. We, along with our members, recognise the significant importance of independent electrical retailers in reaching and serving our mutual end customers.”
He added: “More than ever, we need strong and vibrant independent retailers to support a growing appliance (large and small) market, explain new technologies, support the circular economy, and add value through ‘one stop’ integrated kitchen design and installation services.”
To celebrate the return of the conference, the Retra board has decided to give away up to 125 free places to members and hold a networking event on the evening before the conference. This event, which is supported by Sony and will include a display of Retra memorabilia, will be free to anyone attending the conference the next day.
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