Octomedia, publisher of Inside Retail, has launched the 2015 Inside Retail World Retail Congress delegation, an exciting collaboration between Inside Retail and the World Retail Congress, which will be held in Rome, Italy from September 8-10.

The delegation is exclusively a C-level executive delegation that will feature Australia’s retail industry leaders.

In the lead up to the 2015 World Retail Congress, delegation manager, Catherine van der Meulen, is keeping a delegation diary.

In this latest instalment, she outlines details of the World Retail Congress Study Tour. 

If you thought spending a week in Rome for the World Retail Congress wouldn’t be enough to inspire and spark innovative thinking on the future of retail and its transformative position, we’ve just received the details of the World Retail Congress Study Tour being held in Rome on Friday, September 11.

While noted for its ancient history and culture, Rome is also a hotbed of retail excellence and novelty. The World Retail Congress Retail Study Tour provides an opportunity to explore and be inspired by Rome’s most impressive retail destinations.

Exclusively curated for the World Retail Congress, the one day tour offers insight into the latest innovations in store design with commentary throughout on the ideas, influences and thought process behind their conception.

Led by leading Italian retail expert, Beatrice Orlandini, this is your chance to find out firsthand how leading retailers are conceptualising their stores to create engaging and memorable experiences for customers.

The World Retail Congress Study Tour will visit these stores in Rome:

Coin Excelsior Department store group, Coin, has gone decidedly upscale with the new Excelsior format. The remodeling of the very central via Cola di Rienzo store, reopened in April 2014, is the confirmation of this trend. The ambition of this store, though, is to offer upscale quality and brands at affordable prices. See firsthand the upward evolution of the brand.

Forno di Campo de’ Fiori One of Rome’s oldest bakeries still has a thriving trade, serving up breads fresh from the oven and the famous pizza bianco. Behold how this traditional bakery has survived through to modern times with artful merchandising and true Roman service.

AW Lab This new urban shoe concept store from Bata Retail AW Lab uses bright, colourful and minimalist displays to showcase their merchandise. Echoing the cool, arty designs of their footwear, the store environment offers a relaxed yet engaging environment for customers

Bulgari A living room and a small treasure chest, where art, exquisite craftsmanship and glamour meet. Bulgari’s Domus, located on the upscale Via Condotti, has been designed as a small museum displaying the magnificent unique pieces that have made Bulgari’s history. The store itself is magical. Designed by architect Peter Marino, it enhances the original 1934 décor that the Greek jeweler, Sotirios Bulgari, willed for his second Roman store.

Kiko Offering a wide range of professional make-up and skincare the new KIKO concept store on Via del Corso provides a modern, clean aesthetic in which the brands own label products are on show. See how the clever use of lighting and space allows a bright, daylight simulating environment in which customers can freely test and try their innovative products

Zara Zara’s Roman flagship store in the very central Via del Corso is the first and largest zero carbon flagship store in the world. Across three levels, 5000sqm of space has been uniquely designed to ensure lower energy and water consumption (30 per cent and 70 per cent, respectively) and reduce carbon emissions cutting down on waste inside the store.

Eataly The world renowned Eataly concept chose the abandoned glass domed Air Terminal besides the Roma Ostiense railway station as its Roman location. 160,000sqm of the best artisanal food. Twenty three restaurants and cafés on four levels. Eight classrooms for cooking classes and professional courses, 14,000 SKUs.

Joining the 2015 Inside Retail World Retail Congress delegation is your ticket to participating in the World Retail Congress Study Tour and enjoying an insider’s view into the dynamic retail landscape and network with leading retail figures.

The 2015 Inside Retail World Retail Congress delegation will fly direct to Rome on September 6 and return a week later.

If you’re a C-level executive and interested in joining the 2015 Inside Retail World Retail Congress delegation, register your interest now by emailingdelegation@octomedia.com.au. Spaces are limited.

Catherine van der Meulen