KYOTO, JAPAN
Global Summit
Official Programme
This session will explore the concept of human and planet well-being in Japan, showcasing the initiatives and policies that are being implemented to promote healthy and sustainable living. We will discuss the challenges and opportunities that Japan faces and gain a deeper understanding of the country’s unique approach in promoting well-being for both its citizens and the planet.
This session will provide an opportunity to explore and discuss the essence of the model for improving disutility, resilience, and wellbeing that Kyoto has constructed over its long history from various perspectives, including government, academia, Zen, and business.
This session will explore the realities around the future of business and the daily challenges practitioners face in collaborating for impact. Participants will delve into the importance of being aligned on the long-term strategy and getting past short-termism to drive industry progress on health and sustainability, with a focus on customer needs and sustainability. Join us to gain insights and strategies for effective collaboration in the face of complex challenges.
How Retail Media is Changing the Game for CPG Brands
The rise of Retail Media is unprecedented, with Retailers around the world changing the face of the advertising industry. Indeed, their first party data eco-systems allow Brands to understand in detail who buys and how to target them with the right message at the right time. When retail media is done correctly, Retailers and Brands provide a better experience for shoppers, throughout their buying journey in a personalised, relevant, and efficient manner.
Presentation Theatre
When Sustainability Is No Longer Enough
Sustainability has been a clarion call for the Consumer industry for some time. We know we need to act quickly and decisively to address the Climate Emergency. However, having a well-written, nicely packaged Sustainability Strategy is not enough but that’s where most companies are today.
If we want to succeed then Sustainability must be developed into a holistic, integrated approach. We need sustainability to become part of every organization’s DNA, not a green washed silo.
We’ll address 3 major concerns and provide pragmatic advice on…
• What do companies need to do to achieve this?
• Where do you start?
• And what steps do you need to take to maximize the opportunity for success?
Presentation Theatre
This session will explore the current state of food tech business, including the key challenges facing the industry. Panelists will highlight the latest developments in food technology and provide insights into the benefits and challenges of these emerging technologies, as well as their potential for transforming industry.
This session will provide an in-depth look at the retail industry in India, discussing the current trends and challenges currently being faced. Our expert speaker will share insights on growth opportunities and strategies.
This session will explore the urgent need to accelerate the global transition to a Net Zero society, highlighting innovative solutions and policies that can help achieve this goal. Speakers will discuss the challenges and opportunities of moving towards a sustainable future and share practical strategies for accelerating the Race to Zero.
How to Reimagine Transformational Innovation for the CPG and Retail Industries
Innovation is vital for brands and retailers to harness outside-in innovations, increase speed-to-market with new products, and improve the success of new item introductions.
To differentiate in the current consumer products landscape, brands must reimagine what it means to innovate in a transformational fashion. This type of new-age innovation requires a convergence of the digital and physical worlds, where precision, speed, and details matter.
Let us take you on a journey to highlight transformational innovations across industries and connect this to the world of consumer products and retail.
Presentation Theatre

Winning in the Age of Disruption
High inflation, slowing growth, shifting consumer preferences, and an increasingly uncertain environment have challenged consumer products companies over the past year. In the 4th Annual AlixPartners Disruption Index, the consumer products industry was only one of two industries (the other being energy) that reported higher levels of disruption for 2023. However, we found that those companies that are growth leaders in consumer products are doing more to respond to – and take advantage of – the forces buffeting their industry. Join us to learn more about what growth leaders are doing differently to win in the age of disruption.
Presentation Theatre
Uncovering the Global Consumer Say/Do Ratio for Sustainability
When it comes to sustainability, what consumers say and what they actually do are two very different things.
Many consumers speak to their desire of living sustainably, but do their actions reflect the same level of commitment? For many, buying sustainably is becoming an important part of their personal identity. For others, it continues to exist as a buzz word in conversation but not in action. While sustainability is top-of-mind, it begs the question: In an era of extreme inflation and tighter wallets, will consumers still pay a premium for products that are good for the planet? In this special session, NIQ will present an exclusive look at the consumer say/do ratio for sustainability, linking global sentiment with NIQ sales data. The session will provide a full view into the sustainability consumer landscape and will also explore the sweet spot of sustainable responsibility across brands, retail, consumer and government.
Room B1 – Floor 2
From chaos to control: harnessing the possibilities of data
Facing a volatile world, leaders must pivot faster and more precisely to remain resilient and relevant. Leading brands have been insatiable in their appetite for data, but struggle to unlock its full value. They’ve become data-rich, but insight-poor – left wondering how to translate disparate data points and the latest breakthroughs in AI technologies into competitive superiority.
Getting ahead requires leaders to bring control to what can feel like chaos – and to coalesce single points of data into compelling constellations of insight. From this comes the ability to unlock significant value; drive innovation; carve out product and service advantage; and create new levels of resilience.
Join PA data science and AI experts Alwin Magimay and Richard Chamier, along with leaders from Unilever and Microsoft, to explore how industry leaders are successfully navigating these data challenges. Discover how they bring greater control to the dynamic data landscape so they can move forward with optimism and unlock new, data-driven opportunities.
Room B2 – Floor 2
The Digital Shift in Japan: How AEON Next is Using Advanced Technologies to Transform Business and Enable Sustainability Success
While many companies have been on a digital transformation journey for several years and have made sustainability commitments, not many have successfully integrated both into their long-term operational plans. AEON Next will share how integrating two advanced technologies of highly efficient digitally automated fulfillment with excellence in data management and governance is integral to them leaping forward to best serve the customers for AEON, Japan’s leading retailer. Increased control, collaboration and management of the end-to-end data supply chain ensures that their customers have the best information to make healthy and sustainable choices.
Join Adrian Carr from Stibo Systems and Bharat Rupani from AEON Next to hear AEON’s story.
Three takeaways:
• New technologies can improve data quality, benefit ecommerce and aid in reaching sustainability goals.
• The data supply chain is becoming as crucial to efficient business operations as the physical supply chain.
• The importance of collaboration to ensure that you meet the sustainable and healthy living needs of customers.
Room A – Floor 2
The future of packaging in the circular economy – 5 actions for long term success
As we approach the midpoint of the Decade of Action, packaging, and in particular plastic packaging, continues to be a priority for consumer goods companies in their efforts to deliver both business and sustainability
As we approach the midpoint of the Decade of Action, packaging, and in particular plastic packaging, continues to be a priority for consumer goods companies in their efforts to deliver both business and sustainability value. Packaging remains a persistent challenge. It is a tremendously difficult problem to solve given the complexity of the packaging value chain and the frequent lack of acknowledgment of a circular business case. Current regulations along with increased stakeholder pressure add urgency and reinforce how interconnected sustainability and business efforts have become.
Wesley Spindler – Global Lead for Circular Economy at Accenture , E.J. Kenney – Senior Vice President for the Consumer Products Industry at SAP, Christine Montenegro McGrath – Senior Vice President and Chief Impact & Sustainability Officer at Mondelēz International and Dave Muenz – Director, Managing Executive Officer & Senior Vice President, ESG Division, Responsible for Strategic Public Relations at Kao Corporation will form a panel to identify and discuss five strategic actions that leading companies must embrace to build a more circular future.
- • Embrace authenticity and transparency
• Re-imagine packaging R&D
• Invest in infrastructure and communities
• Grow, reuse and explore circular business models
• Collaborate to scale
Room D – Floor 1
Join us for a thought-provoking session, where we will delve into the latest trends in SMART packaging, automation, and retail technology that are transforming the industry. At the same time, we will explore the changing set of employee expectations that are redefining the relationship between employers and employees. Our esteemed keynote speaker will provide a unique perspective on the future of innovation in the retail industry, pushing attendees to think beyond conventional boundaries, by exploring the profound influence of technology on the retail workforce and the importance of adapting to the dynamic and evolving landscape.
Join us for a cutting-edge session on innovative e-retail experiences, where we will explore the latest trends in the e-retail industry. Our expert speakers will delve into the influencer business model and the shift from traditional advertising models to new and innovative ones. They will discuss the importance of understanding the return on investment for digital spend, and why it is crucial for businesses looking to thrive in the digital marketplace. What is more, focus will be given to the opportunities and capabilities needed for RMNs and how the industry can move RMNs towards the true promise they present for all stakeholders.
As Generation Z enters the workforce, CEOs of global companies must adapt to meet their needs and expectations. In this session, we will explore how companies can continue to grow and thrive while also prioritising the well-being of their employees and successfully navigate today’s challenges.