Retail’s Playbook for Next-Gen Data Analytics
Sponsored by First Insight
Recent research reveals 93 percent of retail executives believe that the pandemic has accelerated the need for digital transformation within design, development, and merchandising. But the truth is that the retail industry hasn’t mastered data analytics. Why? Retailers, brands, and manufacturers need to better understand the importance of putting the customer at the center of everything and be more in tune with consumers than ever before. Forward-thinking predictive analytics can help provide direct feedback from consumers on products, experiences, and services.
For further information, please visit FirstInsight.com.
The New Sustainability
Sponsored by Cotton Inc.
Technological innovations are helping industries meet and measure their sustainable business goals. The apparel textile supply chain is rich with examples of technologies addressing everything from supply chain sustainability and inventory management to manufacturing efficiencies. How willing is the supply chain to embrace these technologies and which sectors are likely to be early adopters? How important is the focus on sustainability to consumer marketing and to day-to-day supply chain operations?
For more intelligence and insights on sustainability, visit www.cottontoday.com, the resource for cotton and the environment.
Changing Up the Wholesale Model
Sponsored by Bamboo Rose
The traditional wholesale to retail model is no longer sustainable and retailers need to become nimbler, hold less inventory and increase the speed to market.
Who is the real winner? The consumer! Brand leaders and tech innovators discuss how direct-to-consumer, vendor collaborations throughout the supply chain and partner fulfillment models make retail more effective and help reduce the environmental footprint of the fashion industry.
PARTICIPANT BIOS
Ajoy K. Sarkar, PhD
Ajoy K. Sarkar, PhD is Professor and Assistant Chairperson in the Textile Development and Marketing department at the Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York, NY. Following his undergraduate education in India, he earned MS and PhD degrees…
Bill D’Arienzo
Bill D’Arienzo is the founder & Chief Brand Officer of WDA Brand Marketing Strategies, has created & lectures in the “Brand Management” & “Brand Strategies for Driving Sustainability” Certificate Programs at FIT/NYC, and often presents in various venues on ESG…
Chirag Patel
Chirag Patel is the President of Bamboo Rose and has more than 25 years of experience in the software, merchandising, and retail industries. Patel has previously served as Bamboo Rose’s Chief Customer Officer, positioning him perfectly to understand the current…
Jesse Daystar, PhD
Jesse Daystar PhD is Cotton Incorporated Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer. Prior to joining the Company, Dr. Daystar was the Assistant Director at the Center for Sustainability at Duke University, where he collaborated with the Company on a wide…
John Gottula PhD
John Gottula PhD is Director of Crop Science at SAS Institute in Cary, NC. Dr. Gottula grew up in Lubbock Texas and worked in a cotton research lab throughout his undergraduate experience at Texas Tech University. At SAS, he applies…
Kim Kitchings
Kim Kitchings is the Senior Vice President of Consumer Marketing at Cotton Incorporated. Kim leads consumer and trade advertising, public relations, corporate strategy, global market insights, and strategic alliances. In this role, Kim’s primary goals are to motivate consumers and…
Liz Hershfield
Liz Hershfield is Senior Vice President & Head of Sustainability for J Crew Group, as well as Senior Vice President of Sourcing for Madewell. Ms. Hershfield joined the company in October of 2019, focusing on Madewell, overseeing Sourcing & Sustainability.…
Richard von Hirschberg
Richard von Hirschberg is a merchandising process and systems consultant with 25 years’ experience in designing and implementing merchandise processes and associated systems at major retailers in the U.S., Europe and South Africa. He held management and executive responsibility for…
Ronnie Robinson
Ronnie Robinson is a Sourcing/Supply Chain leader with 30+ years of extensive retail, sourcing, supply chain and manufacturing experience in specialty apparel and related footwear and accessories. A leader with strategic management and production experience both domestically and internationally. Progressive…
Shannon Maher
Shannon Maher is the Interim Dean for the Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology, overseeing the school’s four associate and 10 baccalaureate programs. Dean Maher served as a faculty member and chair of the school’s Home Products…
Shelley E. Kohan
Retail expert Shelley E. Kohan is the Chief Strategy Officer of The Robin Report, and is a highly accomplished and driven senior retail executive and consultant with more than 25 years of success in the retail industry. She has worked…