2026 RLC Global Forum 2026

Overview

What We Know So Far About RLC’s 2026 Retail Summit in Riyadh In today’s world of shifting growth patterns and evolving market dynamics, progress must be co-created; and that’s exactly what the 2026 RLC Global Forum is all about. Set in Riyadh on February 3-4, 2026, the rising hub of global influence, innovation and commerce, this two-day retail conference convenes over 2,000 of the world’s most senior leaders from retail, e-commerce, tech, shopping malls, retail real estate, investment, governance, and policy. The goal? To forge collaborative partnerships, realign business priorities and reshape the future of global retail. Whether you're a CEO, an innovator, or an investor, RLC’s 20...26 Retail Summit offers an unmatched opportunity to network, engage, and lead in this new, dynamic landscape. 2026 RLC Global Forum overview Business leaders now stand at a defining moment. With traditional models under pressure and new frontiers emerging, coordinated, values-driven growth is essential. The 2026 Retail Forum convenes at a critical inflection point, as retail and consumer industries recalibrate, supply chains evolve, and new markets emerge. The 2026 theme, “Growth Crossroads,” captures this moment of strategic urgency. To navigate this exciting but also challenging landscape, the Forum calls on decision-makers to rethink growth—through alignment, purpose, and cross-sector collaboration. From CEOs, retail leaders and retail real estate executives to policymakers and investors, the Forum brings together those shaping the future of global trade, to network and forge the strategies that will define the decade ahead. The 2026 RLC Global Forum in numbers 2,000+ participants 52% C-level leaders 50+ sessions 150+ speakers 750+ companies Why attend RLC’s 2026 Retail Summit is the flagship event for business leaders charting the next chapter of global retail, commerce, and development. Attendees gain exclusive access to: High-level insight sessions led by global retail CEOs, change-makers, and experts Market intelligence and actionable insights Strategic connections across public-private sectors Executive roundtables and curated networking Private dialogues shaping cross-sector collaboration Who will be there Expect a highly curated mix of decision-makers and visionaries, including: C-suite executives from retail, luxury, grocery, and consumer brands Shopping mall operators, retail real estate developers, and infrastructure visionaries Public-sector decision-makers and regulators Global investors, sovereign wealth funds, and private equity leaders Urban planners, destination architects, and cultural strategists Academics, economists, and global foresight thinkers Leading voices in commerce, payments, and digital platforms What to expect Rooted in world-leading global insights and best-practices, the 2026 RLC Global Forum will decipher the state of retail around the world. You’ll meet CEOs from the biggest retailers and brands, boundary-pushing disruptors and influential policymakers and investors who may be in the market for their next big move. Participants will engage in deep-dive sessions and strategic networking while navigating a multifaceted conference that includes: Deep-dive panel discussions and sessions 40+ partner exhibitions Stage tracks Strategic workshops Closed-door roundtables VIP awards dinner Deal signings Media briefings Product launches The discussions that matter Navigating the Future of Luxury: Explore how iconic houses and next-gen brands are redefining heritage, storytelling, and consumer engagement amid a rapidly shifting global luxury landscape. Leadership in Transformation: Gain insights from global CEOs, founders, and change agents on leading through uncertainty — from digital reinvention and workforce evolution to navigating geopolitical tensions and market shocks. Cross-Sector Synergies: Examine how luxury, hospitality, real estate, culture, and retail are converging into lifestyle destinations and mixed-use hubs. Public-Private Partnerships & Policy: Understand how governments and the private sector are partnering to modernize regulations, accelerate innovation, and shape the enabling environments for investment and retail transformation. Cross-Border Commerce & Global Expansion: Track how brands are expanding across regions amid rising complexity — including logistics, localization, and trade policy shifts. Grocery, Mass Market & Retail Innovation: Uncover how grocery and mass-market leaders are evolving operating models to meet shifting consumer expectations Payments, Fintech & Embedded Commerce: Dive into the future of transaction design — from frictionless experiences and digital wallets to embedded finance and platform-native commerce. A retail platform with global impact For over a decade, RLC Global Forum has been a strategic force behind paradigm-shifting discussions and transformative collaborations in retail and investment. Its guiding principle: Retail should never operate in isolation. Through its annual retail forums, executive roundtables, and partner-led initiatives, RLC enables influential leaders to co-create forward-thinking solutions that drive impact across sectors and geographies. Riyadh: A dynamic center of opportunity Under Vision 2030, Riyadh has emerged as a world-class business, culture, and innovation epicenter—a bridge between the East and the West—making it the ideal host city for the Forum. In fact, Riyadh’s transformation mirrors the event’s theme: bold, collaborative, and future-ready. From emerging luxury retail destinations to smart infrastructure and public-sector innovation, Riyadh offers a vivid backdrop for global dialogue and strategic engagement. Join the conversation The 2026 RLC Global Forum is a strategic platform to reimagine the future of global retail. Don’t miss this opportunity to be at the center of the most influential meeting point in the annual retail calendar. 🗝️ Request your invitation 👉 Visit: RLC Global Forum – 2026 Annual Forum 📩 Contact us at: community@rlcglobalforum.com “RLC blew my mind—it’s far bigger and more impactful than I imagined, in the best way possible.” — Graziano de Boni, Global CEO, Diane von Furstenberg – DVF Studio LLC // “This is a major impact on the retail sector. RLC has brought together the people who are actually the decision-makers in the retail industry.” — Michael Ward, Managing Director, Harrods Read more