May 6, 2026 | Toronto, Ontario | 8:45 AM - 5:30 PM
The Canadian Retail Collective Conference returns on May 6, 2026, bringing together Canada’s leading retail executives, innovators, and academic researchers for a one-day forum focused on shaping the future of retail. The conference’s goal is to bridge industry and academia, creating a space where real-world challenges meet evidence-based insights, and where meaningful conversations lead to practical, forward-looking solutions.
Attendees will gain strategic perspectives on emerging trends, consumer behaviour, technology and retail innovation, while building valuable connections across the retail ecosystem. Whether you are driving retail strategy and transformation, shaping customer/employee experience or conducting cutting-edge research, the conference offers a unique opportunity to learn, collaborate, and help define what’s next for retail in Canada.
Canadian Retail Collective Conference 2026
Opening Featured Speaker
Purpose-Driven Retail: Fireside Chat
Selwyn Crittendon, CEO & Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA Canada
The conference will kick-off with a special opening fireside chat featuring Selwyn Crittendon, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer of IKEA Canada. This engaging conversation will explore the evolving role of purpose in retail, from sustainability and affordability to community impact and customer experience.
Selwyn will share insights from his leadership journey and discuss how IKEA embeds purpose into everyday decision-making, balances economic realities with long-term sustainability goals, and delivers meaningful value to customers across both physical and digital channels. Attendees will gain a forward-looking perspective on the future of purpose-driven retail and the opportunities for emerging leaders and the academic community to shape the industry.
2026 Speakers Include
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Francesca Cardarelli
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, MCDONALD’S CANADA
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Tanbir Grover
FORMER CHEIF MARKETING & DIGITAL OFFICER, PET VALU
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Shannon Stewart
EVP, CHIEF MERCHANDISING OFFICER, HARRY ROSEN
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Hardeep Kharaud
SVP, FOOD BASICS, METRO INC.
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Hicham El Chazli
PARTNER & HEAD OF HYBRID CLOUD MIGRATION & MODERNIZATION, IBM
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Sophie Marai
VP, CLIENT STRATEGY, ENVIRONICS ANALYTICS
A Look Back at Last Year
Our inaugural Canadian Retail Collective Conference, held on May 7, 2025 at Toronto Metropolitan University, brought together over one-hundred industry leaders and academic experts for a day of powerful insights and collaboration. From keynote presentations to dynamic panel discussions and research showcases, the event explored the most pressing topics shaping the future of retail in Canada. Enjoy a look back at the moments that made our first conference such a success as we begin gearing up for an even bigger 2026 event.
