Make sure your AI investment doesn’t create more complexity than value. This session equips retail leaders with a practical guide to evaluating and purchasing AI solutions and how to avoid costly traps. Explore common pitfalls such as hidden fees, usage-based pricing, subscription sprawl and integration challenges that can undermine ROI. The discussion will break down total cost of ownership across on-prem and SaaS models while highlighting the key questions to ask before making an investment.
CTO
Atlantis Management
Rick has spent the last 2 decades as a leader in the Energy and Convenience Sector leading teams at Conoco-Phillips, Alimentation Couche-Tard/Circle K, and most recently as the Chief Technology Officer at Atlantis Management Group in New York. As a…
Tuesday, Oct 06, 2026
This session will feature the winner of the “Smartest Store in the World” competition, announced in June 2026, that celebrates innovative and high-performing retail operations. Get an inside look at the winning store’s strategy and execution—from AI-driven insights to advanced analytics and operational excellence. Join us to see what is setting the world’s smartest store apart, and how its success can inspire the future of retail.
Tuesday, Oct 06, 2026
Discover how new technology makes unattended retail possible without sacrificing compliance. See how identity connects payments, loyalty, promotions, age verification, and more into a seamless customer experience. Consumer expectations and regulations are changing fast. Learn what retailers need to know now. How real-time reporting uncovers missed age verifications before they become violations. Learn how AI-powered search is changing customer discovery—and what you can do to stay visible. See how mobile driver's licenses and digital IDs are changing in-store verification—and what retailers
Tuesday, Oct 06, 2026
This introductory session cuts through the hype on artificial intelligence to help retailers understand what AI is and is not. Using plain language and real-world retail examples, attendees will learn the differences between automation, AI and agentic AI, along with how these tools can improve operations and customer experience. The session also addresses common misconceptions, helping retailers identify practical opportunities while avoiding costly distractions.