Retailers From Around The World To Convene In New York City for Retail's BIG Show

Bringing together innovative retailers from around the globe, the National Retail Federation's 101st Annual Convention and EXPO is set to commence next week offering the best educational programs available to the retail industry. The four-day event, being held January 15-18, 2012 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City, will feature topics ranging from digital and mobile retailing to the evolution of the retail store to economic trends and trends in consumer spending. NRF's 2012 BIG Show is expected be the biggest and best yet — drawing more than 22,000 retail professionals and hosting more than 420 exhibiting companies, with 82 different countries expected to be represented.

This year's Convention will place a special emphasis on retail's significant role in driving the economy, offering ways for attendees to get engaged in NRF's Retail Means Jobs campaign to advance innovation and growth in the retail industry.

Also new this year, Shop.org, NRF's digital division, will host its First Look Track during the Convention. Educational content will include a look back and ahead at E-commerce trends, social media and social commerce and, embracing the "tablet shopper."

Scheduled Super Sessions at Retail's BIG Show include:

Digital Retailing: New Growth Drivers for Success
Sunday, January 15, 3:00 — 4:00 p.m.
Moderator: Jeffrey Rayport, Operating Partner, Castanea Partners
Speakers: Jennifer Hyman, CEO and Co-Founder, Rent the Runway; Doug Mack, CEO, One King's Lane
This session will look at new digital growth strategies and innovation for the global retail industry. Attendees will discover how digital retailing pillars like mobile, local and social can support top-line growth through superior customer engagement.

NRF Update and Retail's Big Picture
Monday, January 16, 8:00 a.m. — 8:20 a.m.
Speaker: Matthew R. Shay, President and CEO, National Retail Federation
Kicking off the show Monday, NRF's President and CEO Matthew Shay will discuss NRF's accomplishments in 2011 to strengthen the retail industry, top retail trends for 2012, and the importance of retailers supporting a Jobs and Innovation agenda. Shay will also announce NRF's 2012 retail sales forecast.

The Next Evolution: Store 3.0™
Monday, January 16, 8:30 — 9:15 a.m.
Speakers: Bonnie Brooks, President and CEO, The Bay (Hudson's Bay Company); David Jaffe, CEO, Ascena Retail Group (Dress Barn); Alison Paul, Vice Chairman and U.S. Retail and Distribution Leader, Deloitte LLP.
This session will provide a forward-looking view into what the in-store retail consumer experience may be like in a few short years, and how stores and brands will need to evolve in order to attract, engage and serve tomorrow's customers.

Embracing our Common Humanity
Monday, January 16, 11:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.
Moderator: Terry Lundgren, Chairman, President and CEO, Macy's, Inc.
Speaker: President Bill Clinton
President Bill Clinton, Founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation and 42nd President of the United States, will describe the challenges of globalization during this keynote address, as he shares his unique perspective on the world's growing interdependence. After the Keynote address, President Clinton will participate in a special Q & A with Macy's Chairman, President and CEO, and Chairman of NRF's Board of Directors, Terry Lundgren.

Keeping a Classic Brand Modern
Tuesday, January 17, 8:30 a.m. — 9:45 a.m.
Speakers: David Lauren, Executive Vice President of Advertising, Marketing, and Corporate Communications for Ralph Lauren Corporation
David Lauren, who has tasked himself with keeping the iconic brand modern, will share his evolutionary vision through use of technology.

Conscious Capitalism
Tuesday, January 17, 10:00 — 11:00 a.m.
Speakers: Walter Robb, Co-CEO, Whole Foods Markets, Inc.; Jonathan Sokoloff, Managing Partner, Leonard Green & Partners, L.P.; Kip Tindell, Chairman and CEO, The Container Store
This session will examine the four tenets of Conscious Capitalism and how retailers are seeking a competitive advantage by properly balancing the needs of all stakeholders — employees, suppliers, customers, community and investors.

Retail Never Sleeps — Delivering Transformative Leadership
Wednesday, January 18, 11:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.
Moderator: Stephen Sadove, Chairman and CEO, Saks, Inc.
Speakers: Marty Albertson, Chairman, Guitar Center, Inc.; Brian Devine, Chairman, PETCO; Brenda Malloy, Managing Director and Global Retail Practice Leader, Russell Reynolds Associates This session will explore the continuous evolution of the retail landscape in an ever-dynamic marketplace and how to identify and develop the next generation of transformative retail industry leaders.

In addition to the featured Keynotes and Super Sessions, NRF's 101st Annual Convention and EXPO will present a series of breakout sessions, store tours, receptions, luncheons and a one-of-a-kind EXPO floor, showcasing hundreds of supplier and associate exhibitors.

NRF's Annual Convention and EXPO serves as the world's leading retail event, bringing 22,000 retail professionals and vendors from more than 65 countries together for educational and networking opportunities. NRF's EXPO floor, open on Monday and Tuesday of the Convention, hosts more than 420 exhibiting companies and features special sessions produced by NRF covering a wide range of topics such as sustainability, visual merchandising and the global economy. NRF's Convention has been ranked as one of the Top 200 events in North America, as well as one of the 50 fastest-growing events.

As the world's largest retail trade association and the voice of retail worldwide, NRF represents retailers of all types and sizes, including chain restaurants and industry partners, from the United States and more than 82 countries abroad. Retailers operate more than 3.6 million U.S. establishments that support one in four U.S. jobs — 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.5 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation's economy. NRF's Retail Means Jobs campaign emphasizes the economic importance of retail and encourages policymakers to support a Jobs, Innovation and Consumer Value Agenda aimed at boosting economic growth and job creation. www.nrf.com.