Future of Retail Platforms ANZ Summit '25
- Agenda -
8.30
Registration and Networking - Sovereign Foyer
9.00
Chair welcome
- Dan Ferguson, NORA Advisory Board
9.05
Welcome from Mirakl
Reflecting on the evolution of platforms across ANZ and setting the stage for the day
- Tzipi Avioiz, General Manager APAC & Global Delivery, Mirakl
9.15
Opening Keynote
The ICONIC's pivotal year of reset
In this session, Jere will discuss THE ICONIC’s evolution from a retailer to a platform business, highlighting the challenges that sparked a pivotal reset in 2024. He’ll explore the three key drivers of their growth: a bold masterbrand refresh, product-led innovation powered by AI, and the expansion of platform services. Jere will also share a glimpse into what’s ahead in 2025, the year of acceleration.
- Jere Calmes, CEO, The Iconic
9.45
Interactive Panel Discussion: The Year in Review
Dissecting a Defining Year in Marketplace Innovation
This insight-rich panel takes a hard look at the breakthroughs, challenges, and shifts that defined the past 12 months in marketplace strategy across Australia and New Zealand. From platform pivots to seller success stories, it’s a high-energy review of what marketplace mastery looked like in 2024, and what it signals for the year ahead.
Moderator: Salena Knight, Retail Strategist
Panelists:
- Paula Mitchell, Digital General Manager, Freedom Australia
-
Mark Mansour, Chief Development & Strategy Officer, Woolworths MarketPlus
-
Jere Calmes, CEO, The Iconic
10.15
Morning Tea - Refreshments & Networking - Sovereign Foyer
10.45
Leading the Charge: Best Buy Canada's Omnichannel & Marketplace Mastery - fireside chat
Join Thierry Hay-Sabourin, SVP eCommerce, Marketplace & Technology at Best Buy Canada, as he shares valuable insights from Best Buy Canada’s 10 year journey in building a successful omnichannel marketplace. Thierry will discuss:
- Strategic decisions behind early marketplace adoption
- How marketplace integration transformed omnichannel operations
- Competitive advantages gained from marketplace implementation
- Actionable takeaways for Australian & NZ retailers looking to scale or launch their own marketplace operations
- Thierry Hay-Sabourin, SVP eCommerce, Marketplace & Technology, Best Buy Canada
- Laurence Greenway, Strategy Manager, Mirakl
11.15
Platform Power Plays: What’s Driving the Next Phase of Marketplace Growth
Join leaders from eBay and AliExpress as they explore how global marketplaces are evolving to stay competitive. This session will highlight the innovations and strategies driving platform growth in the ANZ region, with a focus on empowering local sellers.
Key takeaways:
- How eBay’s trust-building programs and local seller support are boosting credibility and growth in ANZ.
- How AI is transforming marketplace success, optimising pricing, personalising experiences, and driving efficiencies.
- How AliExpress is simplifying cross-border selling and enhancing visibility for ANZ sellers with AI-powered tools and localised operations
Panelists:
- Sarah Sternau, Managing Director, eBay
- Kit Wan Maggie Yau, Government Relations & Account Director, AliExpress/Alibaba
- Gavin Watson, Senior Industry Lead, APJ, Monday.com
11.35
Navigating the Global Reset: Cross-Border Growth Strategies for ANZ Marketplace Sellers
Global trade changes are reshaping how Australian retailers sell internationally. This session offers key insights on expanding beyond domestic markets, with practical strategies around logistics, compliance, and digital growth to help ANZ sellers thrive in a shifting eCommerce landscape.
Moderator: Lou Milicevic, Managing Director Asendia AU & NZ, Board Member APAC
Panelists:
- Peter Thomas, Founder and CEO, PhotobookShop
-
Sherry Wu, CEO and Co-Founder, Belle & Bloom
11.55
Mastering Platform-Based Commerce: Leveraging Innovation for Superior CX and Scalable Growth
In an increasingly complex digital landscape, this panel explores how leading ANZ brands are streamlining operations and scaling growth through platform-first strategies. From data automation to customer experience innovation, discover how retailers are navigating platform fragmentation, enhancing CX, and driving performance across marketplaces, owned channels, and strategic partnerships.
Key takeaways:
- How to simplify multi-platform operations through smart data integration
- Real-world CX strategies from furniture, lifestyle, and loyalty-driven brands
- Where to invest for scalable growth without compromising customer trust
Moderator: Mark Gray, Managing Director, Cresco Data
Panelists:
- Rebecca Illing, National DSV Manager, Myer
- Quentin Williams, Head of Dropship, Freedom Australia
12:15
Networking lunch - Sovereign Foyer
13.00
Breaking New Ground: What TEMU’s Arrival Signals for the Future of Retail
TEMU’s rapid entry into the Australian market is reshaping consumer expectations around price, speed and platform performance. In this headline session, we explore what its arrival means for local e-commerce players, from heightened competition to emerging partnership models and how retail leaders can adapt, compete, and thrive.
Key takeaways:
- A closer look at how global marketplaces scale quickly and challenge local norms
- Insights into TEMU’s approach to logistics, pricing, and customer engagement
- Strategic guidance for staying competitive in a fast-evolving digital retail landscape
Moderator: Dan Ferguson, NORA Advisory Board
- Yinchuan Jin, Senior Business Development Manager, TEMU
- Richard Chen, Senior Business Development Manager, TEMU
- Simon, Zhang, Senior Business Development Manager, TEMU
13.30
From Innovation to Impact: AI Strategies for Modern Retail
This session brings together tech leaders from Mirakl and Best Buy Canada to explore how AI is reshaping modern retail, from product innovation to real-world implementation. Discover how AI is driving measurable impact across marketplaces, personalisation, supply chain, and customer experience, and gain practical insights on how to build, adopt, and scale AI strategically in your own retail organisation.
Moderator: Salena Knight, Retail Strategist
- Nagi Letaifa, Chief Technology Officer, Mirakl
-
David Evans, VP Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Best Buy Canada
13.50
Supercharge Your Retail Growth in APAC: Master Cross-Border Payments and Localised Checkouts to Drive Conversions
Unlock the secrets to boosting conversions and enhancing customer experience in ANZ’s booming eCommerce market. This session will equip retailers and marketplace sellers with strategies to optimise cross-border payments and checkout processes, tailored to local preferences in Australia and New Zealand.
Key takeaways:
- Tailor payment methods to local preferences (digital wallets in AU,
credit cards in NZ). - Optimise checkout with clear, localised pricing to boost conversions.
- Leverage BNPL and seasonal trends to target Gen Z and Millennials.
- Cater to cross-border shoppers with local payment options and currency displays.
Moderator: Huw Griffiths, Head of Enterprise ANZ, Airwallex
14.10
Optimising Platform Growth: Leveraging Data, Logistics and Technology for Scalable Success
In this session, we’ll explore how leading marketplaces are using distributed fulfillment, data-driven logistics, and advanced technology to scale efficiently. With a focus on building agility without owning infrastructure, we’ll dive into strategies for meeting customer expectations and operational excellence through innovative logistics solutions and platform integration.
Key takeaways:
- Scaling platforms with data-led logistics and efficient fulfilment models
- Aligning marketplace agility with corporate infrastructure and customer needs
- Strategies for empowering sellers while maintaining operational control and trust
Moderator: Salena Knight, Retail Strategist
- Constantin Robertz, Co-Founder & CEO, LOCAD
-
Kieran Boyce: General Manager, Operations, Woolworths MarketPlus
-
Doron Kushlin, Director, KG Group
14.30
Afternoon Tea - Refreshments & Networking - Sovereign Foyer
15.00
Breakout Sessions:
- BO1 – Harnessing Retail Media: Understanding how to use media to drive revenue on platform-based marketplaces.
- BO2 – Leveraging Data and AI for Growth: How to use consumer and platform data to shape better business strategies and the role of Gen AI in the acceleration of retail platform innovation
- BO3 – Building an ecosystem: How do native solutions and partnerships drive marketplace growth? How do sellers choose and manage marketplace channels efficiently? Learn how marketplaces and brands/sellers can work together to drive efficient, profitable partnerships.
16.00
Closing Plenary Session
16.30
Networking drinks - Sovereign Foyer
17.30
Close