
App0 is thrilled to be heading to Shoptalk 2025 in Las Vegas. This premier event is a must-attend for anyone passionate about the future of retail and ecommerce. With a focus on cutting-edge technologies and innovative strategies, Shoptalk promises to deliver invaluable insights that can transform your business as well as give E-commerce leaders a valuable opportunity to connect in person.
Shoptalk 2025 is set to be an innovative experience, bringing together industry leaders and disruptors to explore the latest trends and technologies shaping the future of retail. From AI-powered personalization to seamless omnichannel experiences, the event will cover a wide range of topics crucial for staying ahead in today's competitive market.
We’re particularly excited about the following sessions that promise to delve into the intersection of artificial intelligence and E-commerce, and how these advancements can be leveraged to enhance customer engagement and drive sales.
Join me as we explore the key sessions and agenda items that you won’t want to miss at Shoptalk 2025.
Shoptalk Day 1: Setting the Stage for Innovation
The first day of Shoptalk 2025 is packed with sessions that delve into the heart of modern retail strategies.
10:10 AM: The Vision Stage - Endless Versus Edit: Blending Data and Experience to Curate Product Selection
Kicking off the event on the Vision Stage, this session features an impressive lineup of speakers: Liza Lefkowski (Chief Merchant, VP of Stores, Wayfair), Josh Friedman (SVP Ecommerce & Digital, Ulta Beauty), April Lane (Chief Merchandising Officer, Thrive Market), and Barrie Scardina (President of Americas Retail Services, Cushman & Wakefield).
The discussion will revolve around a crucial shift in merchandising philosophy: moving away from the "endless aisle" to the "best aisle." As Tony Spring, CEO of Macy’s, has emphasized, curation is key. This session will explore how retailers are blending intuition with data-driven insights to meet ever-changing shopper preferences.
Today customer behavior is more complex and multifaceted than ever before, and understanding it is essential in ecommerce. By leveraging AI and analytics, retailers can identify trending products, regional specialties, and personalized recommendations, ensuring that their shelves—both physical and virtual—are stocked with items that resonate with their target audience. This session is a must-attend for anyone looking to optimize their merchandising strategy and enhance customer satisfaction.
11:00 AM: The Hospitality Stage - Leveraging Technology to Enable Human Connections
Following a merchandising discussion, the Hospitality Stage will host a session on leveraging technology to enhance human connections. Speakers include Matt Baer (CEO, Stitch Fix), Alex Richardson (Chief Technology Officer, Khaite), Mariam Naficy (Founder & CEO, Arcade.ai), and Sonia Lapinsky (Partner & Managing Director, Head of Fashion Retail, AlixPartners).
This session explores how AI and other technologies can foster more welcoming, human, and inspirational retail experiences. From automating mundane tasks to enabling seamless online interactions, technology plays a vital role in enhancing customer engagement. By freeing up staff to focus on personalized interactions and providing valuable insights into customer preferences, retailers can create more meaningful connections.
There’s not much closer to the App0’s product’s core than leveraging AI to enhance the customer journey, so we’re very excited about this one. By providing personalized recommendations and seamless shopping experiences, AI-powered shopping assistants can help retailers build stronger relationships with their customers.
4:05 PM - The Hospitality Stage - Track Keynote: Anticipating Customer Needs to Deliver Convenience, Speed, and Delight
The Hospitality Stage continues with a Track Keynote featuring Hali Borenstein (CEO, Reformation) and Gabrielle Fonrouge (Retail Reporter, CNBC). This session focuses on delivering fast, convenient, and delightful shopping experiences.
With so much choice at their fingertips, modern consumers expect seamless and efficient shopping experiences. By leveraging technology to anticipate customer needs and streamline processes, retailers can enhance customer satisfaction and drive loyalty. This session will explore how AI and data analytics can help retailers understand customer behavior, optimize workflows, and deliver personalized experiences.
Shoptalk Day 2: AI and the Future of Customer Engagement
The tracks we’re most excited about on day 2 of Shoptalk 2025 focus on the transformative power of AI in customer engagement.
1:30 PM: The Gold Standard Stage - Keynote: Using the Power of AI to Reach Customers Wherever They Are
Clara Shih (VP of Business AI, Meta) and Zia Daniell Wigder (Chief Content Officer, EMARKETER) will take the stage to discuss how AI is revolutionizing customer outreach. This session will explore how AI-powered tools can help retailers connect with customers across various channels, delivering personalized and engaging experiences.
Personalized and guided customer experiences are so essential these days to drive conversions and build loyalty. By leveraging AI to understand customer preferences and behaviors, retailers can deliver targeted messages and recommendations that resonate with their audience.
2:25 PM: The Vision Stage - Inspiration and Discovery in Digital Shopping
The Vision Stage will host a panel discussion featuring Sapna Parikh (Chief Digital Officer, Kendo Brands , Alexis Hoopes (VP, Global Fashion, eBay), Elizabeth Garry (VP of Ecommerce, Pandora Jewelry), Patrick Buchanan (SVP, Marketing, Lulus), and Lindsey Mazza (Global Retail Lead, Capgemini).
This session will explore the evolving landscape of digital shopping, focusing on the intersection of search and discovery. As search becomes more conversational, retailers must adapt their strategies to provide both efficient search functionality and inspiring discovery experiences. AI and machine learning are transforming search and discovery, we are excited to hear about the best practices enabling retailers to deliver personalized recommendations and enhance customer engagement.
Day 3: Optimizing Operations and the Future of Retail Agencies
The final day of Shoptalk 2025 will focus on optimizing store operations and exploring the future of retail agencies.
1:35 PM: The Inspiration Stage - Store Operations that Blend Engagement and Efficiency
Cedric Clark (EVP, Store Operations, Walmart), Vijay Alagarasan (VP, Digital & Customer Facing Engineering, Tractor Supply Company), and Giri Agarwal (Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Incisiv) will discuss how retailers are optimizing store operations to enhance customer engagement and efficiency.
Customers today expect seamless experiences across all touchpoints. By leveraging technology to streamline operations and enhance customer service, retailers can create more engaging and efficient in-store experiences.
2:25 PM: The New Market Stage - The Agency of Tomorrow
Adam Constantine (Founder & CEO, ACE Creatives), Molly Hop (EVP & North America Lead for Havas Media Network), and Sam Knights (CEO, SMG) will discuss the future of retail agencies. This session will explore how agencies are adapting to the evolving retail landscape, focusing on the impact of retail media and generative AI.
At App0, we’re particularly interested in how agencies that support E-commerce businesses perceive the market and the technology evolving to support it. Their aggregate view across their clientele makes them uniquely positioned to react and support a variety of E-commerce use cases in excellence.
Embracing the Future of E-commerce and AI at Shoptalk 2025
Shoptalk 2025 promises to be an extraordinary event, offering invaluable insights into the future of retail and E-commerce. From the nuanced blend of data and intuition in merchandising to the AI-driven personalization that's redefining customer engagement, the agenda reflects the questions and themes on the mind of E-commerce pros worldwide.
This year’s Shoptalk isn’t just about observing trends though; it’s about actively shaping them. The discussions on leveraging technology to foster human connections, optimizing store operations for better customer experiences, and the evolution of retail agencies in the age of generative AI are critical for any business aiming to thrive in the years to come.
For E-commerce professionals, this conference provides a great opportunity to gain a competitive edge. The insights shared by industry leaders will provide actionable strategies for enhancing customer satisfaction, driving conversions, and building brand loyalty. We highlighted the sessions most relevant to App0, but the programming for the entire event has something for everyone.
Will you be among the thousand of other industry professionals in Las Vegas March 25-27 exploring the future of retail? App0 will be there learning and representing, and we’d love to connect with you.