Conference Day One - Tuesday, February 25
8:00 am Registration & Networking
9:00 am What it Takes to Make a Leap a Reality
9:10 am Chair’s Opening Remarks
Maximising Retention Strategies for a Committed, Long-Term Workforce
9:20 am Discover: Leveraging Authenticity in the Workplace to Strengthen Employee Engagement & Reduce Turnover
Synopsis
- Learn how meaningful employee feedback can shape an AVP that aligns with the values of current and prospective
- Explore how maintaining cohesive messaging across regions strengthens employee connection to company values
- Discover how the “Bring Your Flavor” initiative specifically helped Albertsons lower turnover rates by creating a culture where employees feel valued, contributing to increased retention and engagement across their diverse workforce
9:40 am Develop: What Strategies Can HR Leaders Employ to Leverage Authenticity in Order to Enhance Employee Engagement & Retention?
Synopsis
Question & Answer Session Facilitated by the Chair
- How can initiatives that emphasize authenticity, such as creating a values-aligned workplace culture, contribute to improved engagement and lower turnover rates?
- What role does consistent and cohesive messaging across regions play in reinforcing an organization’s core values and enhancing employee connection?
- How can HR leaders balance budget limitations with the need for structured career pathways to attract and retain skilled employees in a competitive environment?
9:50 am Action: How Can You Integrate Meaningful Feedback & Career Advancement Opportunities to Build a Stronger Talent Pipeline in Your Retail Organization?
Synopsis
Output Focused Action Session Facilitated by the Chair
- What are effective ways to gather and utilize employee feedback to shape initiatives that resonate with both current and prospective employees?
- How can retail organizations create skill-building pathways that support employee development and reduce turnover, particularly in field and frontline roles?
- What strategies can be used to align talent development programs with recruitment efforts to enhance an organization’s brand appeal to potential hires?
10:10 am Networking Break – Retail Organization By Size Networking
Synopsis
In this dedicated networking session, you will have the chance to connect with retailers of a similar size, allowing for tailored discussions and the opportunity to share best practices relevant to your organization’s scale.
Empowering Retail’s Future with Innovative Talent Strategies & Frontline Excellence for Lasting Success
10:50 am Discover: Implementing Virtual Interview Technology to Increase Candidate Experience & Quality of Talent
Synopsis
- Reduce no-shows, open positions, and increase retention within the first 30 days of a new hire, ensuring our stores are optimally staffed
- Implement interview technology, optimizing recruiter’s time, and offer the ability to empower our applicants by meeting their interview flexibility needs
- How RaceTrac reorganized their TA team to conduct online interviews, fill roles quickly with quality talent to decrease the number of hiring needs in stores, which ultimately increases the new hire experience and retention of new staf
11:10 am Discover: Empower Your Retail Associates: Drive Performance, Safety, & Connection
Synopsis
This session, drawing on Axonify’s Deskless Report and MOHR Retail’s expert analysis, explores how leaders can empower frontline retail associates for sustainable success. We’ll delve into three key areas:
- The Power of the Frontline: Understand the critical impact frontline associates have on customer experience, sales, and operational efficiency.
- Leading for Empowerment: Discover how leaders can cultivate a culture of motivation, driving business success and customer loyalty.
- Sustainable performance: See how associate empowerment fuels both immediate performance and long-term success by boosting retention, engagement, and leadership development.
11:30 am Develop: What Effective Strategies Can Retail Organizations Use to Enhance Candidate Experience & Empower Frontline Associates for Improved Performance & Retention?
Synopsis
Question & Answer Session Facilitated by the Chair
- How can implementing virtual interview technology improve candidate experience and retention, especially within the critical first 30 days of employment?
- What are some practical ways to empower frontline associates to drive performance, customer satisfaction, and safety on a day-to-day basis?
- How can reorganizing the talent acquisition process, including remote interviewing, help retail organizations fill roles efficiently with high-quality talent and ensure stores remain fully staffed?
11:50 am Action: How Can You Leverage Technology in Recruitment & Empowerment Initiatives to Optimize Talent Quality & Foster a High Performing Workforce?
Synopsis
Output Focused Action Session Facilitated by the Chair
- What are effective approaches to using interview technology that both meet candidate flexibility needs and streamline recruiter efficiency in high-turnover retail environments?
- How can retail leaders foster a culture of empowerment that supports frontline associates’ development and builds engagement, retention, and operational effectiveness over time?
- What role does data from tools like virtual interviews and associate empowerment reports play in optimizing talent quality and aligning hiring with long-term workforce needs?
12:10 pm Lunch
Streamlining Leadership Pathways to Attract & Retain Top Talent
1:10 pm Discover: Introducing Streamlined Pathways to Leadership to Attract & Retain Skilled Employees in a Competitive Retail Environment
Synopsis
- How can retailers effectively retain talent and promote employee career advancement within budget constraints?
- Rethinking the integration of innovative talent development strategies with talent acquisition to enhance the overall brand image among prospective candidates
- Hear from the Navy Exchange Service Command on how they are building non-competitive progression pathways to facilitate associate skill development while addressing talent retention challenges
1:30 pm Develop: How Can Retail Organizations Build Leadership Pathways to Enhance Talent Retention & Development?
Synopsis
Question & Answer Session Facilitated by the Chair
- What are the best strategies for creating affordable leadership pathways that encourage career progression and reduce employee turnover, particularly in frontline positions?
- How can retailers align their talent development initiatives with recruitment strategies to enhance their employer brand and attract highquality candidates?
- In what ways can employee feedback be leveraged to tailor leadership programs that meet the needs of both current and future talent?
1:50 pm Action: What Approaches Can You Take to Develop Leadership Pathways That Enhance Talent Retention & Growth?
Synopsis
Output Focused Action Session Facilitated by the Chair
- How can you design leadership development pathways that effectively nurture talent and reduce turnover, particularly among frontline employees?
- What methods can retailers use to align talent development with recruitment strategies to attract and retain top-tier candidates?
- How can employee feedback be harnessed to shape leadership programs that foster long-term growth and align with evolving workforce needs?
2:10 pm Networking Break
Evaluating Competitive Benefits to Strengthen TA & Retention
2:50 pm Discover: Pulling Back the Curtain: Understanding Benefit Brokerage & Advocating for the Right Benefits for Your Employees to Offer a Competitive Package
Synopsis
- What goes on behind the scenes when negotiating with your employee benefits broker?
- Aligning with your broker to ensure your organisation is offering a competitive package for talent attraction
- Learn from Topco how to utilise SHRM survey data to evaluate changing employees benefit expectations
3:10 pm Discover: Using Employee Input to Develop the Design of Benefits Plans Through Conjoint Analysis
Synopsis
- Learn to apply analysis results to design a benefits package that boosts workforce engagement
- Explore the challenges retail companies face in offering competitive benefits that balance cost and employee retention
- See how Blain’s Farm and Fleet used conjoint analysis to identify and align benefits with employee needs
3:30 pm Develop: What Approaches Can HR Leaders Use to Create Competitive Benefits Packages that Align with Employee Expectations?
Synopsis
Question & Answer Session Facilitated by the Chair
- How can HR leaders collaborate effectively with benefit brokers to ensure the packages offered remain competitive and support talent attraction?
- What are the key benefits trends revealed by data sources, like SHRM surveys, and how can these insights help shape benefits offerings?
- How can understanding the negotiation process with benefits brokers enable organizations to better advocate for employee needs while managing costs?
3:50 pm Action: How Can You Leverage Employee Input & Data Analysis to Design Benefits Packages that Drive Engagement & Retention?
Synopsis
Output Focused Action Session Facilitated by the Chair
- What methods, like conjoint analysis, can help HR teams gather meaningful employee input to align benefits with workforce needs and expectations?
- What challenges do retail organizations face in designing cost-effective yet attractive benefits, and how can employee feedback help overcome these?
- How can HR leaders apply data-driven insights from employee input to refine benefits packages that balance retention goals with budget constraints?