People
Culture, leadership, inclusion and the employee experience.
THE PAN-AFRICAN FORUM FOR RETAIL PEOPLE LEADERS
Where Africa's retail people leaders shape what's next.
Practical retail case studies, senior peer discussions and recognition of outstanding people leadership—bringing African workforce priorities into focus for 2027.
27–28 January 2027 two focused daysFour Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg Johannesburg, South AfricaPeople · Performance Technology · Future of Work
THE CASE FOR THIS SUMMIT
Retail's biggest transformation challenge is not technology alone. It is people.
Across African markets, retail leaders are balancing growth, skills shortages, frontline pressure, new technology and changing employee expectations.
This summit creates the senior, practical conversation often missing from broad HR conferences: a focused forum where retail people leaders can compare what is working, challenge assumptions and leave with ideas they can use.
Why this summit matters ↗CONTENT PILLARS
Four priorities.
One connected agenda.
Every session is designed around the decisions retail people leaders are making now.
Performance
Frontline productivity, retention, reward and workforce planning.
Technology
AI, people analytics and HR technology that improves work.
Future of work
Skills, new operating models and the evolving retail workforce.
WHY ATTEND
Useful insight.
Relevant connections.
Retail experience you can apply
Explore frontline retention, store-manager capability, workforce planning and responsible technology through a retailer-first programme.
Relevant people and conversations
Connect with retail HR, people, talent and operations leaders, alongside selected solution providers.
Recognition for meaningful impact
Discover and celebrate the leaders, teams and organisations improving people practices across African retail.
2027 SPEAKER FACULTY
The people doing
the work.
We are building a speaker faculty of senior practitioners, operators and specialists with evidence—not sales pitches.
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Bring the case study
the industry needs to hear.
We are inviting CHROs, HR directors, people leaders, retail operators and selected experts to contribute original, practical perspectives to the 2027 programme.
Propose a session ↗What makes a strong proposal
01A real challenge and a clear point of view
02Evidence, outcomes or lessons from implementation
03Practical value for a senior retail audience
04A topic aligned to one of the four summit pillars
PROGRAMME PREVIEW
Retail people strategy.
Real operating impact.
A retailer-first programme connecting workforce priorities with store performance, customer experience and responsible technology.
DAY ONE
KeynoteAfrica’s Retail Workforce 2027: From People Strategy to Store Performance
DAY ONE
Executive PanelAfter the Peak: What the 2026 Festive Trading Season Revealed
DAY ONE
Executive PanelThe Store Manager Challenge: Building the Leadership Layer Retail Depends On
DAY TWO
KeynoteAI on the Shop Floor: Redesigning Retail Work Without Losing the Human Advantage
DAY TWO
HR Technology Buyers’ ForumWhat Retail People Leaders Will Invest In—and What They No Longer Need
DAY TWO
Executive PanelSkills for Omnichannel Retail
WHO BELONGS IN THE ROOM
Built for leaders with
work to do.
01Chief Human Resources Officers02Chief People Officers03HR & People Directors04Talent & Learning Leaders05Retail Operations Executives06Employee Experience Leaders07Reward & Wellbeing Leaders08HR Technology Leaders
PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Connect Your Solutions With
Retail Workforce Priorities
Explore partnership opportunities around frontline engagement, workforce planning, recruitment, learning, wellbeing and HR technology.
According to agreed package terms, opportunities may include retail-relevant case studies and discussions, exhibition space and brand visibility, networking opportunities and tailored partner participation.
Sponsorship packages are separate from the Solution Provider Delegate Pass.
Request Sponsorship DetailsNOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
Africa Retail HR Awards 2027
Recognising the leaders, teams and organisations delivering meaningful, measurable improvements in people practices across African retail.
Free to enter · Attendance not requiredSubmit a Nomination ↗
Watch the awards introduction · 54 secondsIllustrative campaign visualSUMMIT REGISTRATION
Choose Your Summit Pass
Africa Retail HR Summit & Awards 202727–28 January 2027Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg
1 delegate
Retail & Consumer Brand Leader Pass
For one eligible in-house delegate from a retail, hospitality or consumer-brand organisation. Not available to vendors, consultants or commercial solution providers.
USD 399
per delegate
Standard rate from 1 November
USD 599 per delegate
Retail registrations are subject to eligibility verification.
Includes 3 delegates
Retail Team Pass
For three eligible in-house delegates from the same retail, hospitality or consumer-brand organisation.
USD 999
total for three delegates
Standard rate from 1 November
USD 1,499 total for three delegates
Retail registrations are subject to eligibility verification.
1 delegate
Solution Provider Delegate Pass
For one delegate from a technology provider, consultancy, recruitment firm, advisory company or other commercial solution provider.
USD 1,999
per delegate
Standard rate from 1 November
USD 2,499 per delegate
Delegate attendance only. Does not include speaking participation, exhibition space, branding, sponsorship benefits or attendee data.
Included with every pass
For each covered delegate:
- Access to both summit days and conference sessions
- Networking opportunities
- Lunches and refreshments
- Digital event materials
- Admission to the Africa Retail HR Awards & Retail Leaders Reception
Looking for exhibition space, brand visibility or a wider partnership? Explore sponsorship opportunities.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Questions,
answered.
Senior HR, people, talent, learning, reward, employee experience and retail operations leaders working across African retail and adjacent consumer businesses.
27–28 JANUARY 2027 · JOHANNESBURG