UK Retail Innovation Council reveals 2026 agenda
The senior leadership forum for innovation in retail exclusively reveals the top priorities and trends its Executive Committee members will explore in early 2026
In late January, the UK Retail Innovation Council (RIC) will reconvene its Executive Committees for the first working sessions of 2026.
These invite-only committees run online, and enable the Council to bring together senior retail leaders and expert contributors from across the UK and Europe to share priorities, pressure-test ideas, and exchange practical insight on the decisions shaping the year ahead.
The Executive Committees are convened by RIC, which is chaired by a Board of senior retail executives who help set the Council’s direction and ensure the programme remains practical, retailer-led, and outcome-focused. With a network of around 200 senior retail leaders across the UK and Europe, RIC’s committees are designed to provide a trusted peer forum where members can compare approaches, identify what’s working, and leave with actionable takeaways—not just discussion points.
Staying ahead of the curve
Retail is moving fast across every function: customer expectations continue to rise, cost pressures remain acute, supply chains are being reshaped, and organisations are accelerating the adoption of data, AI, and automation. RIC’s Executive Committees provide a structured environment for leaders to benchmark their thinking and make better decisions, faster. Sessions are built around three core aims:
- Shared priorities and challenges – what is changing in 2026 and where leaders are focusing time and investment.
- Practical insight exchange – what peers are doing, what’s delivering measurable impact, and what to avoid.
- Collaboration and follow-through – identifying opportunities for deeper working groups, partner-led deep dives, and cross-functional connections across the Council.
The committees are designed around the real priorities of the members, and agendas are set by members themselves to ensure each session stays focused on the challenges they are actively working through.
Each committee is centred on a functional theme and curated for seniority and relevance, typically including directors, departmental heads, and C-level leaders. Running the sessions online ensures broader participation and enables RIC to include the most relevant expertise regardless of location—strengthening cross-market learning between the UK and European retail community. Where appropriate, themes that cut across functions—such as operating model design, measurement of outcomes, responsible innovation, and effective scaling of AI—are consistently explored across the programme.
January 2026 committee schedule
All sessions take place online at 11:00 am or 2:00 pm GMT.
- Tuesday 20 January 2026 – Buying and Merchandising
- Wednesday 21 January 2026 – Supply Chain and Logistics
- Thursday 22 January 2026 – People and Culture; Retail Operations
- Tuesday 27 January 2026 – Ecommerce; Data and AI
- Wednesday 28 January 2026 – Tech and Innovation; Customer Experience
- Thursday 29 January 2026 – Marketing and Retail Media; Sustainability
Setting member expectations
Across the series, the Council said committees will focus on the real-world priorities behind the headlines: how retailers are balancing growth and margin, improving customer experience, driving productivity, and building the capabilities required to compete in an AI-enabled world. Members can expect a consistent emphasis on measurable outcomes, practical implementation, and learning directly from peers navigating similar challenges.
RIC’s Executive Committees are a cornerstone of the Council’s mission: to convene senior retail leaders and partners to accelerate innovation through shared insight, trusted dialogue, and a clear focus on what works.
Sandeep Arora, UK Retail Innovation Council Chair, stated: "We look forward to welcoming members to the January sessions and building momentum for a highly collaborative year ahead."
Senior UK or European retail leaders looking to find out more about the RIC and its Committees should contact the Council here.
Retail Technology magazine announced a media partnership with the Council at the end of 2025, and will cover the key talking points from the Committee meetings (under Chatham House rules) in due course.
