IMRA Convention to Focus on Consumer Insight

Understanding the consumer and optimizing the global supply chain will be key themes at next month's annual convention of the International Mass Retail Association (IMRA).

The event, set for Sept. 13-16 in Orlando and geared to mass retailers and their suppliers, will kick off Saturday with a golf tournament sponsored by Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Co. and then feature behind-the-scenes tours Sunday of two retail facilities. The convention's opening session on Sunday, "Knowledge Is Power: Building Your Customer Relationships Through Information," will feature insights from a panel of retailers, including Kathleen Mason, CEO of home fashions retailer Tuesday Morning.

Other consumer-focused sessions will include: "Love the One You're With: Maximizing Lifetime Customer Loyalty," providing out-of-the-box strategies developed and implemented by companies in a variety of industries; "Trendy Teens - If It's 'In,' They'll Spend," offering a panel discussion plus results of a research study; and "The Multicultural Marketplace," featuring data on growing ethnic groups, their lifestyles and how to grow multicultural business.

Supply chain strategy also is a prevalent subject on the convention's agenda. Kurt Salmon Associates will sponsor a general session, "Innovating for Supply Chain Efficiency," focusing on how several leaders in supply chain innovation integrate merchandising strategy, operations, logistics, IT and marketing. Other supply chain-oriented sessions will include: "Strategic Sourcing - How It Can Work For You" and "Integrating Your Global Supply Chain for a Competitive Advantage."

The final general session of the event, "Financial Success in Economic Uncertainty," will feature perspectives from a panel of executives, including VF Corp. chairman, president and CEO Mackey McDonald.

The convention also will offer the IMRA's Business Development Forum, including a meeting space where product suppliers can review business plans with current and potential retail clients and a traditional product exhibition area.

formoreinformation

IMRA 2003

Sept. 14-16, Orlando, FL

International Mass Retail Association (IMRA)

www.imra.org