Global Retailing Ideas Summit 2025: Innovation, Insights, and Inspiration

Today
Naomi Alintoff
GR Ideas Summit

The Global Retailing Ideas Summit 2025 has wrapped up, leaving students and attendees with valuable insights, new connections, and a deeper understanding of the future of retail. This year’s summit brought together industry leaders, students, and professionals for discussions, fireside chats, and networking opportunities.

Throughout the event, attendees had the opportunity to hear from some of the most influential voices in retail, including:

  • Terry Lundgren, Former Chairman & CEO of Macy’s, Inc., reflected on his career journey and shared his expertise on leadership, innovation, and the evolving retail landscape.
  • Stacey Bendet, CEO & Creative Director of alice + olivia, shared insights on building a fashion empire and staying true to yourself, no matter the circumstances.
  • Tam Patrick, Former Global Head of Learning and Development at NIKE, discussed the importance of creating a professional profile tailored to you and your personal brand.
  • Sarah Quinlan, Founder and Chief Economist at SAQ Economist Advisory LLC, provided a deep dive into the financial and economic factors shaping the industry’s future and what this could mean for retail.

Student Takeaways:

Students in attendance were inspired by the opportunity to hear from leaders in the field and expand their professional networks. Here’s what the students had to say:

  • "I really enjoyed the fireside chats and speaker series, and I believe it was extremely beneficial to me and my academic pursuits."
  • "I would be extremely likely to attend this event again because I enjoy participating in events that will better me professionally. I think it's important to step out of my comfort zone and attend events like this, where I can talk to business professionals and learn from their experiences."
  • "I would love to come to another event like the Summit. It was informative, and it's always fun to get dressed up for events and hear advice from people you hope to be like one day!"

Post-event surveys revealed that:

  • 95% of attendees had a great experience.
  • Over 85% would attend again (those who wouldn’t were mainly graduating seniors!)

A heartfelt thank you to Terry and Tina Lundgren for their unwavering dedication to the future of retail and their continuous support of student education and career development. Their commitment to fostering innovation and leadership in the retail industry has allowed countless students to learn from the best, gain real-world insights, and build meaningful connections. Their generosity and vision have equipped the next generation of retail leaders with the knowledge and inspiration to shape the industry’s future.

Missed the event? Check out the recording here: Student Global Live Stream