Hosted by the David Sobey Retailing Centre

RetailNEXTStudent Summit

Discover Retail. Build Your Network. Find Your Future.

Dates: October 16–17, 2026
Location: Saint Mary's University
City: Halifax, Nova Scotia

Students networking with industry professionals at a David Sobey Retailing Centre event

An experience designed to inspire

The next generation of retail leaders starts here

RetailNEXT is a national student conference designed to inspire and prepare the next generation of retail leaders. Bringing together students from across Canada with retail executives, entrepreneurs, innovators, and recruiters, the conference explores the future of retail through competition, collaboration, and career development.

The retail industry is one of Canada’s largest employers and offers more career opportunities than most students realize. As retail continues to evolve through advances in technology, artificial intelligence, changing consumer expectations, and new business models, RetailNEXT provides students with an opportunity to discover the vast career opportunities within this dynamic and rapidly changing industry while building meaningful connections with industry leaders.

What will students experience?

Two days, six ways to grow

Hear from industry leaders

Retail executives, entrepreneurs and innovators from across Canada share keynotes, fireside chats and panels on the future of retail, emerging trends and career opportunities.

Build a national network

Connect with retail executives and students from universities across Canada, and develop relationships that lead to internships, mentorships and careers.

Solve real retail challenges

Put classroom knowledge into action through a hands-on case competition and retail hackathon, working in teams on real-world problems.

Discover career possibilities

Explore the many paths available in retail — marketing, merchandising, e-commerce, technology, analytics, supply chain, operations and more.

Develop employer-ready skills

Build practical experience in problem-solving, creativity, teamwork, communication, leadership, presentation and critical thinking.

More than a conference

Students leave with new perspectives, practical experience, valuable connections and a clearer sense of where a career in retail could take them.

Agenda

Friday evening to Saturday night

Friday, October 16 | 6:00–8:30 PM

Evening Dinner Reception

Join retail executives and students from across Canada for an evening of dinner, conversation and connection. Retail leaders are seated throughout the student tables, so students can ask questions, hear career stories and build meaningful connections.

Dinner Reception
Keynote
Julia Knox, Chief Retail Officer, Sobeys Inc.
Remarks from VIPs
Open Networking

Saturday, October 17 | 7:45 AM–6:15 PM

Summit Day

7:45 – 8:25 AM
Registration & Breakfast
8:30 – 8:40 AM
Event Kickoff
8:40 – 9:25 AM
Retail Executive Keynote
Speaker to be announced
9:30 – 11:30 AM
Retail Case Competition
11:30 – 11:40 AM
Refreshment Break
11:40 AM – 12:30 PM
Design Thinking Workshop and Hackathon
12:30 – 1:30 PM
Networking Lunch & Keynote or Fireside Chat
David Lui, CEO, Kit + Ace & Co-Founder, Unity Brands
Tara Conway, Partner, CommerceRewired (Moderator)
1:35 – 3:00 PM
Hackathon Continued
3:05 – 3:50 PM
The Future of Retail: What's Next? – Panel Discussion
Dave Stevens, Chief Technology Officer, Groupe Dynamite
Nickolas King, Senior Director, Country Project Management Office, IKEA
Mark Innes, Associate Partner, Retail & CPG, IBM (Moderator)
4:00 – 5:00 PM
Building Your Career in Retail – Panel Discussion
Debbie Lai, VP Marketing, Staples Canada
Tanbir Grover, Former Chief Marketing & Digital Officer, Pet Valu
John Francis, VP Shopper Engagement, NSLC
Michelle Bourassa, Senior HR Manager, Ardene
Jeff Levy, Dealer, Canadian Tire
Candice Walker, Director, eCommerce & Digital Retail, Best Buy
Jackie Ross, Founder & CEO, JRoss Retail Recruiters (Moderator)
5:00 – 5:10 PM
Announce Competition Winners
5:10 – 6:15 PM
Post Event Networking Social

Speakers

Leaders Shaping Canadian Retail

Julia Knox

Chief Retail Officer

Sobeys Inc.

Dave Stevens

Chief Technology Officer

Groupe Dynamite

David Lui

CEO, Kit + Ace

Co-Founder, Unity Brands

Mark Innes

Associate Partner, Retail & CPG

IBM

Debbie Lai

VP Marketing

Staples Canada

Tanbir Grover

Former Chief Marketing & Digital Officer

Pet Valu

Jackie Ross

Founder & CEO

JRoss Retail Recruiters

Michelle Bourassa

Senior HR Manager

Ardene

Candice Walker

Director, eCommerce & Digital Retail

Best Buy Canada

John Francis

VP Shopper Engagement

NSLC

Nickolas King

Senior Director, Country Project Management Office

IKEA Canada

Tara Conway

Partner

CommerceRewired

Jeff Levy

Dealer

Canadian Tire

REGISTRATION

Secure Your Spot Today

Registration is FREE but space is limited to 100 students, and teams are confirmed on a first-come basis.

There will be two competitions that require you to be in teams of 3-5. If you already know who will be on your team, please register all members. If you do not have a team, you can register individually or in pairs and we will make time during the event to find your remaining team members.

For questions or more info about RetailNEXT please email: davidsobeycentre@smu.ca

RetailNEXT

Shaping the next generation of retail leaders.