RISE Program
Next Program Date: May 11 - May 15, 2026
In-Person Program
Retail Innovation, Strategy & Excellence (RISE)
Retail has entered a new era of opportunity and disruption. Consumers are shopping in stores while demanding seamless omnichannel experiences. Advances in AI and data are transforming how retailers make decisions about pricing, assortment, and marketing. At the same time, retailers face persistent pressure from inflation, supply chain volatility, labor shortages, and rising expectations from employees and society. In this environment, success requires more than operational efficiency. It demands leaders who can create customer value, make smarter decisions using data and AI, and translate strategy into consistent execution across the organization. This intensive program equips retail leaders with the frameworks, insights, and practical tools needed to drive performance today while building the capabilities required to compete in a rapidly evolving retail landscape.
Program Goals
Participants will develop the ability to:
- Create customer and firm value by understanding the drivers of modern retail demand and translating insight into strategic priorities.
- Leverage data, analytics, and AI to improve critical retail decisions and identify high-impact opportunities for innovation and growth.
- Achieve execution excellence through stronger commercial discipline, operational effectiveness, and workforce capability.
- Lead transformation and organizational change to scale new capabilities and sustain performance in an increasingly complex retail environment.
Who Should Enroll?
This program is designed for retail leaders who are responsible for shaping strategy, driving performance, or preparing for broader leadership roles. Participants may include directors, senior directors, and vice presidents in larger retail organizations, as well as senior executives, founders, and owners of growing retail businesses. The program is also well suited for high-potential leaders being prepared for expanded strategic and operational responsibilities. Individuals from merchandising, marketing, digital, operations, strategy, analytics, and related functions will benefit from the integrated perspective offered throughout the week.
“RISE is truly an outstanding executive program for retail leaders. The program was structured extremely well covering content in macro strategy, innovation, transformational leadership, and more. The guest speakers and presentations were very effective in delivering content that was not only educational, but actionable. So much so that I'm continuing conversations with two of the guest speakers following the completion of the program. Thank you to the David Sobey Retailing Centre for a great experience”.