Humans + agents
Rebuild roles, decision rights, and handoffs so people and agents can work together, and so the organization keeps pace with what the agents can already do.
PEOPLE. AGENTS. RETAIL.
RETAIL
AGENT CON
The agents are here. Retail is still deciding.
Agents are already changing how customers shop and how retail work gets done, and they are moving faster than most organizations have adapted. This half-day program looks at what agents are doing in retail right now, which results are real, and how people and agents learn to work together in service of the customer and the business.
HUMANS + AGENTS ↗ MERCHANDISING ↗ ORDERS ↗ INVENTORY ↗ STORES
WHERE RETAIL STANDS
The agents are ahead.
The organization is catching up.
Most retailers are still absorbing the culture change that Generative AI brought to their operations. Some are worried. Some are pushing back. A few are rebuilding how decisions get made so agents and people can work side by side.
Retail Agent Con brings retail leaders, analysts, and solution providers together for an honest look at where the industry stands across merchandising, orders, inventory, and stores: what agents are doing today, which wins are real, and what has to change for the results to hold.
Expect focused sessions, facilitated breakouts, and a practical discussion of data readiness, organizational change, and implementation.
BUILT AROUND RETAIL RESULTS
Serve the customer.
Build the business.
Work together.
THE PROGRAM
Five areas.
One connected business.
For each area: what agents are already doing, which results are real, and what has to change in the organization for the gains to last.
Merchandising
Explore agent workflows for assortment, pricing, promotions, and merchant decisions.
Order management
Examine how agents can support routing, fulfillment decisions, and exception handling.
Inventory control
Connect inventory signals to replenishment decisions, availability, and human oversight.
Store systems
Explore how agents can fit into store workflows, associate tools, and operational systems.
HUMANS + AGENTS
The company culture
is under duress due to real and perceived changes from AI.
Dr. Janet Sherlock joins the program to address humans and agents working together. Explore responsibilities, decision rights, and the changes teams need to make.
CONFIRMED VOICES
Meet the speakers.
Greg Buzek
President and Chief AI Orchestrator
IHL Group
Dr. Janet Sherlock
Founder and CEO
Org.Works
Scott Saeger
CTO
David's Bridal
Justin Emig
CTO
Artisan Lane Furniture Connection
ShiSh Shridar
Global Director Retail & CPG Startups
Gary Hawkins
CEO
Retail Mindsteps
Ricardo Belmar
RetailRazor
Cathy Hotka
Principal
Cathy Hotka & Associates
Jerry Sheldon
VP Research
IHL Group
Additional speakers and session assignments will be announced as confirmed.
NOVEMBER 17 / EASTERN TIME
A focused afternoon
of practical work.
PROPOSED PROGRAM
Session titles, timing, and speaker assignments are being finalized. The main program runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern, followed by an optional bonus demo from 3 to 3:30 p.m.
Explore the proposed running order +
The Retail Agent Readiness Brief
IHL's latest research on AI adoption, areas of success, and future plans - Are we there yet?
Humans and agents, working together
Culture, decision rights, accountability, and organizational change.
Merchandising + inventory control
From recommendations to decisions: data, guardrails, and practical workflows.
Order management + store systems
What changes when agents act across orders, stores, and associate workflows?
Break
Featured solution session
Reserved for the Title sponsor, if sold. Otherwise an editorial use-case session.
Breakouts: explore a retail workflow
Choose one facilitated room. Sponsor solution segment followed by discussion.
What's Next, Highlights from Latest Startups
Explore highlights from the latest retail startups.
From pilot to operating model
Cross-functional panel on data, integration, economics, and human oversight.
Retail leader Q&A
Bring the questions that will shape your next AI investment.
Your next-step checklist
Define a candidate workflow, an accountable owner, and a measurable pilot.
Practical Use Tips and Best Practices Demo
Optional bonus add-on session: practical guidance and demonstrations for putting the ideas to work.
PARTNER WITH THE PROGRAM
Get on the retail agenda
again before January.
Retail is on the cusp of broader agent adoption. Reach retail leaders on November 17, ahead of January. Build recognition now and give retailers a reason to continue the conversation in January. Sponsorship offers structured visibility, with speaking and breakout opportunities defined by tier.
PRIMARY SPONSOR & PRODUCER 
Title
$25,000
1 partnership · 4 vendor passes
15-minute main-stage solution slot plus an exclusive breakout. Opening co-branding, prominent promotion, distribution rights to an IHL-branded research study in your domain for thought leadership. Opt-in leads for 1 year.
Discuss TitlePlatinum
$15,000
2 partnerships · 2 vendor passes
5-minute public main-stage slot plus breakout hosting. Prominent logo placement, opt-in attendee contacts, and a short IHL-edited point of view with a quote.
Discuss PlatinumGold
$10,000
4 partnerships · 2 vendor passes
Breakout co-hosting. Logo placement and opt-in attendee contacts. IHL-authored thought leadership is excluded.
Discuss GoldSilver
$5,000
6 partnerships · 2 vendor passes
Virtual lounge/booth presence, event listing, and sponsor-page logo. Stage time, breakout ownership, and attendee lists are excluded.
Discuss SilverUSD. Formats and availability depend on agenda allocation and signed agreement. Contact sharing is opt-in only. IHL retains editorial control. Thought-leadership scope and delivery dates will be agreed in writing. No attendance or lead volume is guaranteed.
Talk sponsorship with our team ↗SAVE THE DATE
Your next agent decision
deserves a better conversation.
November 17, 2026 · 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Eastern · Virtual
Optional bonus demo: 3–3:30 p.m. Eastern
Retail leaders
Free
For retailers exploring agents across the business. Complete the registration form to join the conversation.
Register free ↗Vendors & solution providers
$695
Main-program access only. Vendor attendee passes exclude breakouts. Vendor breakout access requires sponsorship.
Register as a vendor ↗Registration requests are reviewed within 48 hours. Approved attendees receive an individual Zoom link. Sponsorship inquiries go to our team. A calendar hold does not register you for the event.
GOOD TO KNOW
Plan your participation.
Who is this program for?
Retail leaders responsible for merchandising, orders, inventory, stores, technology, and organizational change. Vendors can attend through paid seats or sponsorship.
How will the virtual program work?
The event is planned for Zoom, with main-program sessions and facilitated breakouts. Retailers and sponsor pass holders can join breakouts. Vendor attendee passes exclude breakouts. Joining instructions and room access will follow registration.
Will recordings be available?
Recording availability will be announced when the final program and speaker permissions are confirmed.
Will my information be shared with sponsors?
Sponsor contact sharing will be opt-in. Participation alone will not authorize sharing your contact information with sponsors.
How can my company participate?
Contact sales@retailagentcon.com to discuss the relevant sponsorship package and a practical retail use case.