About Summit | Retail Summit

Feedback from participants

Stanislav Zrcek

Vice President Retail Segment Eastern Europe & Channel Director EMEA, Diebold Nixdorf

We take part in the Retail Summit every year and it is still better and better, I must say. Actually this year was one of the best Retail Summits ever. It is a unique place to meet people from retail, technologies, supply chain, manufacturers … and sharing our opinions is the best about it.
Stanislav Zrcek

Vice President Retail Segment Eastern Europe & Channel Director EMEA, Diebold Nixdorf

We take part in the Retail Summit every year and it is still better and better, I must say. Actually this year was one of the best Retail Summits ever. It is a unique place to meet people from retail, technologies, supply chain, manufacturers … and sharing our opinions is the best about it.
Alena Střížová

HR and Regional Lead, dm drogerie markt

I am convinced the Retail Summit has been and will be a catalyst of positive changes and not only in retail.
Alena Střížová

HR and Regional Lead, dm drogerie markt

I am convinced the Retail Summit has been and will be a catalyst of positive changes and not only in retail.
Jannis Samaras

CEO, Kofola

The fact that Retail Summit has a fantastic energy and people are in a great mood, can be heared around in corridors and you could feel it everywhere.
Jannis Samaras

CEO, Kofola

The fact that Retail Summit has a fantastic energy and people are in a great mood, can be heared around in corridors and you could feel it everywhere.
Albrecht Hornbach

Chairman of the Board, Hornbach

I think in these times with so many changes in retail industry it is very important conference to get all retailers together at one point and exchange their views of the future and address the challenge of digital transformation. I think it is very valuable to create this space and opportunity for it.
Albrecht Hornbach

Chairman of the Board, Hornbach

I think in these times with so many changes in retail industry it is very important conference to get all retailers together at one point and exchange their views of the future and address the challenge of digital transformation. I think it is very valuable to create this space and opportunity for it.
Jiří Nehasil

MAKRO Cash & Carry ČR

This event of the year is getting better and more attractive for participants, year by year.
Jiří Nehasil

MAKRO Cash & Carry ČR

This event of the year is getting better and more attractive for participants, year by year.
Zdeněk Jahoda

CEO, EMCO

I have always been happy enough to get one good idea during the whole Retail Summit. It's enabled me to develop further. And that's all you need. Nowhere else but in the environment full of experienced people like here, you can get such ideas.
Zdeněk Jahoda

CEO, EMCO

I have always been happy enough to get one good idea during the whole Retail Summit. It's enabled me to develop further. And that's all you need. Nowhere else but in the environment full of experienced people like here, you can get such ideas.
Tomáš Vala

CEO, Siko koupelny a kuchyně

I consider my presentation in the main program at Retail Summit 2019 in front of about 800 people to be a turning point in my life. Until then I was only a "hardworker", since then I have been a "networker" thanks to the Retail Summit and I practically haven't stopped
Tomáš Vala

CEO, Siko koupelny a kuchyně

I consider my presentation in the main program at Retail Summit 2019 in front of about 800 people to be a turning point in my life. Until then I was only a "hardworker", since then I have been a "networker" thanks to the Retail Summit and I practically haven't stopped
Stefan Hoppe

Board-Member, Kaufland International

Anyone who wants to be a business leader in the Czech Republic should not miss the Retail Summit. I am glad that Kaufland participates in this event regularly and can bring new trends and inspiration togheter.
Stefan Hoppe

Board-Member, Kaufland International

Anyone who wants to be a business leader in the Czech Republic should not miss the Retail Summit. I am glad that Kaufland participates in this event regularly and can bring new trends and inspiration togheter.
Petr Bena

Vice Chairman of the Board, Alza

The Retail Summit is a unique event that encompasses the world of retail in all its diversity. An ideal place for inspiration or contacts.
Petr Bena

Vice Chairman of the Board, Alza

The Retail Summit is a unique event that encompasses the world of retail in all its diversity. An ideal place for inspiration or contacts.

The first 30 years of Retail Summit at a glance

It changed the name twice, the logo three times and the venue five times. Retail Summit was involved in the expansion of the free market and the beginning of modern retail in the 1990s by opening eyes and new opportunities. Take a look at how the number of Retail Summit participants has evolved.

Total numbers till 2023:

228 hours of speeches in the main program
585 hours of discussions
563 speakers in the main program
1 749 panellists
1 336 partners
23 848 participants

2024

1 433 Attendees

Main topic: Opening Minds & Markets

Prague Congress Centre

Keynote Speaker
JP Castlin

World-renowned strategist

Albert, Lidl, Penny, Tesco and others increase wages for employees in stores
Another marketplace (Trendyol from Turkey) is entering the Czech Republic

2023

1 271 Attendees

Main topic: Let's bet on change

Prague Congress Centre

Keynote Speaker
Peter Hinssen

expert for innovation, nexxworks

Coop announces plan to open 50 stores 24/7 by the end of 2024
Kaufland and Lidl are testing the take-back of PET bottles and cans

2022

1 094 Attendees

Main topic: Meaningful Future: Humanity, Sustainability, Efficiency

Prague Congress Centre

Keynote Speaker
Viktor Mayer-Schönberger

professor, Oxford Internet Institute

Allegro takes over Mall Group
Lego opens the first own store
Rohlik has its 1st automated distribution center „AutoStore“

2021

1 020 Attendees

Main topic: The new retail reality. What's changing and what's staying?

3 times the date of Summit is postponed, finally it takes place in September

Prague Congress Centre

Keynote Speaker
Tomáš Čupr

founder, Rohlik Group

Launch of Primark and Action
Start of Wolt Market

2020

1 125 Attendees

Main topic: New Retail Ecosystem

The first Slovak New Retail Summit. An online special „Retail Summit Action“ airs in May

Clarion Congress Hotel Praha

Keynote Speaker
Wijnand Jongen

president, Ecommerce Europe

Covid and the closure of most brick-and-mortar stores
A number of retailers have launched their own e-shop, such as COOP or Makro (Muj obchod)

2019

1 100 Attendees

Main topic: Customer Experience: from experience to enjoyment

Clarion Congress Hotel Praha

Keynote Speaker
Ralf Kleber

CEO, Amazon Germany

Wolt comes to the market
The advent of packaging-free stores

2018

1 065 Attendees

Main topic: Finding Balance in a New Market

Clarion Congress Hotel Praha

Keynote Speaker
Albrecht Hornbach

Chairman, Hornbach

dm drogerie launches e-shop
Alza opens the Store of the Future

2017

1 118 Attendees

Main topic: ONE. One customer. One market. One retail

Clarion Congress Hotel Praha

Keynote Speaker
Tim Mason

retail expert, Eagle Eye

Lidl launches an e-shop with non-food goods
No more free plastic bags

2016

1 027 Attendees

Main topic: How to Return Value to Retailing?

Clarion Congress Hotel Praha

Keynote Speaker
Olaf Schmitz

Head of Business Development Europe, Amazon

Establishment of Mall Group and DODO startup
Ikea and Hornbach launch on-line

2015

1 085 Attendees

Main topic: Finding new ways

Clarion Congress Hotel Praha

Keynote Speaker
Michael Carl

Consultant, 2bAHEAD

Launch of MOL
Baumax leaves

2014

1 032 Attendees

Main topic: How to succeed in uncertain times?

Clarion Congress Hotel Praha

Keynote Speaker
Jannis Samaras

Chairman of the Board, Kofola ČeskoSlovensko

Spar sold its subsidiaries to the Ahold Group
Start of Rohlik.cz and Kosik.cz
Billa and Shell open stop&shop
The first Alzabox

2013

936 Attendees

Main topic: Future... And how to live to see it

Clarion Congress Hotel Praha

Keynote Speaker
Lucy Neville-Rolfe

president, EuroCommerce, later UK Business Secretary

The first system Scan&Go introduced at Globus Čakovice
Mastercard became the partner of Retailer of the Year

2012

818 Attendees

Main topic:

Změna místa konání

Clarion Congress Hotel Praha

Keynote Speaker
David Bosshart

CEO, Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute

Start of itesco.cz
Schlecker sold to and rebranded by Teta

2011

845 Attendees

Main topic: Innovate or Die!

Top Hotel Praha

Keynote Speaker
Thomas Bruch

Partner, Globus Holding

The first contactless card payments
mobile payments with NFC
the first hypermarket with a zero CO2 footprint (Tesco Jaroměř)

2010

861 Attendees

Main topic: How to get back up

Top Hotel Praha

Keynote Speaker
Götz Werner

Founder, dm-drogeriemarkt

Act on Significant Market Power
Decathlon enters the market

2009

833 Attendees

Top Hotel Praha

Keynote Speaker
Noel Robbins

CEO, Tesco CEE

Effects of the economic crisis
Penny and Billa take over Plus stores

2008

743 Attendees

Top Hotel Praha

Keynote Speaker
Alain Caparros

CEO, REWE Group

the first self-service checkouts in Tesco

2007

788 Attendees

Top Hotel Praha

Keynote Speaker
Günter Fergen

Member of the management of the Schwarz Group

Delvita leaves, Billa takes over its stores

2006

745 Attendees

Change of name to Retail Summit

Top Hotel Praha

Keynote Speaker
Peter Mandelson

European Commissioner for Trade

The Czech economy has the best results in history
Mortgage crisis begins in the US

2005

937 Attendees

Change of the venue

Sazka (nowadays O2) Arena, Praha

Tesco takes over stores of Carrefour and Edeka
Ahold takes over stores of Julius Meinl
Opening of SC Chodov

2004

753 Attendees

10th year and new name Czech Retail Summit

Hotel Voroněž, Brno

the Electrocity chain of electronics stores has closed
Screening of the film Czech Dream about a hypermarket that in true did not exist

2003

770 Attendees

Hotel Voroněž, Brno

The first stores Lidl and H&M

2002

719 Attendees

Hotel Voroněž, Brno

Introduction of the EURO into circulation in 12 EU countries

2001

752 Attendees

Hotel Voroněž, Brno

The first hypermarket Carrefour (Smíchov)

2000

580 Attendees

Change of the venue

Hotel Voroněž, Brno

bilezbozi.cz was founded (the predecessor of Mall.cz)
Supermarkets Mana are rebranded as Albert