Focus on AI as Shoptalk announces initial speakers for its 2026 spring event in Las Vegas
Shoptalk has announced the initial speaker lineup for its 2026 spring conference taking place from 24th-26th March at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Featuring more than 50 sessions, the conference will bring together 10,000+ attendees, with one in three holding a C-suite role at a retailer, consumer brand or tech company.
Themed ‘Retail in the Age of AI’, Shoptalk Spring 2026 will feature over 180 speakers, including senior executives from Victoria’s Secret, OpenAI, Wayfair, Reddit, New Balance, Dutch Bros, Meta, Simon Property Group, e.l.f. Beauty, Gap. and Walmart.
They will share their insights and expertise on building emotional connections with shoppers, cultivating community, fostering loyalty, the evolution of retail media, and how companies are planning and managing their businesses in an AI first world.
“Retail leaders are looking for actionable insights and meaningful partnerships that will help them navigate new opportunities. With AI as the backdrop for everything happening in retail, we’ll look at AI driven developments as well as the opportunities for more human-centered experiences,” says Zia Daniell Wigder, Global President, Shoptalk.
“Those interested in the AI revolution can take advantage of a fresh new comprehensive programme designed to help guide retail decision-makers by providing discussions, case studies and best practices in implementing AI initiatives.”
Mainstage speakers include:
Hillary Super, CEO, Victoria’s Secret
Bret Taylor, Chairman of the Board, OpenAI, and Co-Founder & CEO, Sierra
Niraj Shah, CEO & Co-Chair, Wayfair
Steve Huffman, Co-Founder & CEO, Reddit
Joe Preston, President & CEO, New Balance
Christine Barone, CEO, Dutch Bros
Nicola Mendelsohn, Head of Global Business Group, Meta
Lee Sterling, Chief Marketing Officer, Simon Property Group
Ekta Chopra, Chief Digital Officer, e.l.f. Beauty
Sven Gerjets, EVP & Chief Technology Officer, Gap
Creighton Kiper, SVP Home, Walmart
Other Shoptalk Spring 2026 speakers include:
Chris Carl, US Head of Marketing, AliExpress
Anu Narayanan, President, Women’s & Home, Anthropologie
Billy May, CEO, Brooklinen
Christie Sclater, SVP Global Marketing, Clinique
Jennifer Yue, SVP, Tapestry & Coach Strategy & Consumer Insights, Coach Collaborations and Coachtopia, Coach
Anne Mehlman, EVP & Brand President, Crocs
Ryan Den Rooijen, Managing Director, AI & Monetization, Currys
Elina Vilk, President & Chief Business Officer, David’s Bridal
Christian Fortucci, Chief Technology Officer, David Yurman
Rafe Colburn, Chief Product & Technology Officer, Etsy
Alex Richardson, Chief Technology Officer, Khaite
Joe Cano, SVP, Digital Commerce, Lowe’s
Max Magni, EVP, Chief Customer & Digital Officer, Macy’s
Karin Tracy, Group Lead, Retail & eCommerce, Meta
Heather Bennett, President, Michaels Stores
Jenna Bromberg, Chief Marketing Officer, Papa Johns
Dmitry Shevelenko, Chief Business Officer, Perplexity
Meredith Glansberg, CEO, Quip
Jessica Ozella, Chief Digital Officer, Reformation
Velia Carboni, Chief Information Officer, SharkNinja
Jennifer Brown, Head of U.S. Influencer Marketing & Talent Partnerships, Shein
Matt Baer, CEO, Stitch Fix
Dan DeMeyere, Chief Product & Technology Officer, ThredUp
Carina Ertl, Chief Marketing Officer, Tourneau | Bucherer
RTIH AI in Retail Awards
Brarista, IBM Consulting, Foundit!, Quorso, Vusion, Sensei, Reckon.ai, EE, Walkbase, Globant, Riskified, and Goddiva were among the winners at the RTIH AI in Retail Awards, sponsored by VenHub Global, 3D Cloud, EdTech Innovation Hub, and Retail Technology Show.
Our 2026 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The Barbican in Central London on Thursday, 29th January, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Lucy Porter.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “According to Amazon’s Andy Jassy: AI is a once in a lifetime reinvention of everything we know, and the largest technology transformation since the cloud.”
“Whether that’s overstating it or not, we're certainly seeing an increasing number of innovative, potentially game changing developments in this space across both traditional and digital retail spaces. And that is reflected in tonight's finalists, who are boosting customer experiences and tackling retailers' painpoints across the likes of physical stores, online, omnichannel, supply chain, and payments.”
“To quote one of our judges: I have to admit, judging these awards was so difficult. So many that would have been worthy winners. And great to see how AI has moved firmly into delivery mode. Firmly into delivering for customers and driving huge innovation.”
Congratulations to our 2026 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended our Thursday, 29th January gathering.
Stay tuned for an indepth review of the awards ceremony in the next edition of RTIH magazine.
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