2:00-2:55
Supply Chain: Achieving Efficiencies and preserve Pricing
In this session, Newell Rubbermaid will demonstrate how it manages enterprise level data, and customer point-of-sales data in conjunction with innovative presentation layer tools to effectively drive bottom-line growth with key retailers.    The Newell Rubbermaid team will also demonstrate the ongoing collaboration data, and key metrics used to align their supply chain and category management teams to effectively address customer opportunities.  The result is Newell Rubbermaid's ability to enjoy enhanced visibility into supply chain issues, facilitate the order flow process, synchronize order patterns for logistics productivity gains, and make faster adjustments to replenishment strategies based on demand at the point of sale.     Additionally, the rapid development and automation of presentation decks enable enhanced collaboration opportunities with the retailers and their supporting sales & marketing teams.

• Steve Sigrist, VP Sales Operations & Supply Chain,  Newell Rubbermaid
• Chad Zimmerly, Director, Wal-Mart Category Management, Newell Rubbermaid
• This session is not available in a recorded version at the request of the speaker(s).

3:00-3:55
Grocery Panel Discussion: Post-Modern Natural Supermarket Strategies
Whole Foods Market has been one of the rare shooting stars of grocery retailing this decade, but indications are the natural supermarket segment may have turned a corner. Rising supply costs and consumer belt-tightening have tempered the chain's performance this year, along with nagging challenges from the FTC over the merger with Wild Oats. One could argue that WFM's success was achieved by creating a mass market for upscale, high-margin natural food and specialty gourmet, much in the way Starbucks taught Americans to drink $4 cups of coffee. But now that consumers are accustomed to this level of quality, how do competing grocers satisfy "free-range, duck sausage tastes on a Jimmy Dean budget"?  As natural/organic products are integrated into mainstream categories, will the differentiation with Whole Foods blur? Should grocers rebrand or create specialty formats to meet WF head to head, or incorporate strategies within existing mainstream formats?
Facilitated by: Al McClain, CEO, RetailWire

• Todd Hale, SVP – Consumer & Shopper Insights, Consumer Panel Services, The Nielsen Company
• Gina Bingham, Senior Category Manager, Pepsi-Cola NA

11:30-12:25
Predictive Analytics: Weather Impact Planning
Two case studies with 'how to' advice about integrating weather planning in your category analysis...
Introductions by Bill Kirk, CEO and Co-Founder, Weather Trends International

• Tracey Johnston, Senior Hardlines Buyer III, Wal-Mart, retired
• Joel Sobaszek, Category Manager - Target Account, Jarden Consumer Solutions

2:00-2:55
In-Store Implementation - ISI Best Practices Update
With the publication of the working paper “In-Store Implementation: Current Status and Future Solutions” in May, the ISI Sharegroup launched an industry-wide dialog about the critical opportunity that lies in improved store-level compliance and measurement. Consciousness has been raised. Now it’s time for industry leaders to roll up our sleeves and tackle the ISI Best Practices that can transform merchandising effectiveness, empower Shopper Marketing and take Category Management to the next level. Learn how your organization can benefit. Join a panel of ISI Sharegroup core member companies as they outline the next steps for the ISI Sharegroup and detail the initial best practices initiatives.

• Joe Patti, Vice President Retail Planning and Category Management, Anheuser Busch
• Dr. Brian Harris, Co-Chairman, The Partnering Group
• James Tenser, Principal, VSN Strategies
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

3:00-3:55
Evolution vs. Revolution of the Middle East Retail Sector
Ahmad Khan brings his passion for retailing and his decade and a half of experience in the retail industry in Saudi Arabia and the emerging markets to generate a 360 degree perspective on category management: where is it today and what can YOUR company do as an industry expert to play a role in what’s in store for tomorrow?

• Ahmad Khan, Retail Commercial Director, Al Nahdi Medical Company, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Ahmad Khan Bio
Ahmad Khan has an extensive career in manufacturing, retail and related service industries in both the U.S. and the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, much of it in training related areas. He has worked for PepsiCo in the U.S. as well as their franchise bottler in the Middle East, Al Raya Supermarkets – an upscale supermarket in Saudi Arabia, as well as The Nielsen Company, where he was most recently the Managing Director of Saudi Arabia.

Ahmad has recently joined Al Nahdi Medical Company  as the Retail Commercial Director. He is responsible for managing the entire retail operation of over 400 pharmacies and their mix of SR1.2 billion (US $350 million). He will be focusing on instituting category management throughout the organization.

10:30-11:25
The Great Indian Retail Circus
India has woken up to organized retailing and is moving at very high speed alongside building the infrastructure for the country. The traditional channels of retailing co-exist with the new malls, while the country experiences a boom in consumerism. Every retailer from across the globe is coming in with expertise and many of them have already adapted to the local know-how. There is so much to share and gain – for every player – if we get this right. This session shares the challenges and needs of the Indian market as it gallops ahead to serve one of the world’s largest consumer bases with the best of products and services and, above all, a provide a great experience.

11:30-12:25
International Best Practices Panel
Facilitated by Paul Martin, Manager Global Services Sales Team, Planet Retail
Paul manages the Global Services Sales Team at Planet Retail that is responsible for dealing with companies that provide services to the retail sector. Furthermore he is responsible for Planet Retail's Business Development activities in key emerging markets such as India and Brazil where he is a frequent speaker at trade events and conferences.  Paul has a Masters Degree in Foreign Affairs and Modern European History.

• Luis Herrera, Merchandising Co Director (Sub Director de Mercaderias) HEB Mexico 
• Barry Thomas, Wal-Mart International Team Director, Category Development, Coca-Cola  
• Carlos Adalid, CPG CatNet Latin American Chapter Coordinator
• Mark Yoko, CPG CatNet South Africa Chapter Coordinator  
• Roger McCallen, VP Category Management, Kraco Canada 
• R.V.Bala Iyer, Vice President Training, Reliancedigital Retail Limited, India 
• Ahmad Khan, Retail Commercial Director, Al Nahdi Medical Company, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
     
     

Carlos Adalid, Category Ideas
CPG CatNet Latin American Chapter Coordinator