Changing customer behaviour, demographics, technology and not losing touch with nature are lead presentations
Journalist and news presenter, Cathy Newman, will host the action-packed day – using her journalistic skills to ask questions and provide comment throughout the day. As well as presenting the news she has also led the broadcaster’s FactCheck Blog separating the truth from the spin in Westminster and appeared as a guest panelist on Have I Got News For You. Rachel Lund from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) will look at what both a challenging market environment and rapidly shifting consumer behaviour means for the UK’s garden retailers. Through interpreting the data from a number of sources, she will look at how both financial and technological pressures are driving fundamental change in the industry, bringing both obstacles and opportunities. Rachel heads up the BRC’s Insight and Analytics team and is responsible for all of the BRC’s data gathering and market analysis activities including the Retail Sales and Footfall Monitors.
Josh McBain from the Foresight Factory will present on The Ageless Society demonstrating how the changing demographic provides a huge opportunity for the garden industry with a big focus on experiences rather than material objects.
Jack Stratten from Insider Trends will look at technology in retail, highlighting the way in which developments can help to free up time to spend with customers. Tomorrow's leading retailers will behave more like tech companies than retail companies. Jack's presentation will look at how tech is changing retailers' ecosystems, the operational side of businesses and how it can improve the store experience. The retailers who make the most of tech will create businesses that are easier to run, connect with customers in more human ways than ever - and supercharge their profits.
Professor Alistair Griffiths from the RHS will look at the role of gardens, gardening and horticulture, ensuring that humans don’t lose touch with nature and how it can be used to provide preventative natural health and wellbeing care services. In a rapidly urbanising world, gardens, gardening and horticulture had a key role to play in ensuring that humans don’t lose touch with nature. Professor Alistair Griffiths will draw attention to horticulture potential in supporting environmental resilience and in providing preventative natural health and wellbeing care services.
Rachel Lund from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) will look at what both a challenging market environment and rapidly shifting consumer behaviour means for the UK’s garden retailers. Through interpreting the data from a number of sources, she will look at how both financial and technological pressures are driving fundamental change in the industry, bringing both obstacles and opportunities. Rachel heads up the BRC’s Insight and Analytics team and is responsible for all of the BRC’s data gathering and market analysis activities including the Retail Sales and Footfall Monitors. 
