Knowledge Takes Center Stage at Retail Congress 2026
MM Rahmatullah: The 8th edition of
Bangladesh Retail Congress 2026 convened leading voices from across the
country’s retail landscape on Saturday, spotlighting the growing importance of
knowledge-driven strategies in shaping the future of the sector.Organized by the
Bangladesh Retail Forum in collaboration with the Bangladesh Brand Forum, the
day-long summit was held at the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel. Presented by
SHWAPNO and powered by Singer and Bata, the event brought together retailers,
FMCG leaders, supply chain experts, marketers, and business strategists under
the theme “Transforming Retail Through Knowledge.”The congress featured a
dynamic agenda comprising three keynote sessions, three panel discussions, and
two insight sessions, all focused on addressing the evolving challenges and
opportunities within Bangladesh’s rapidly expanding retail sector.In his opening remarks,
Sajid Mahbub, Group CEO and Executive Editor of Bangladesh Brand Forum,
emphasized the critical role of actionable knowledge in modern retail. He noted
that businesses must effectively translate consumer insights and operational
data into strategies that drive growth and resilience.Keynote speakers
offered diverse perspectives on the sector’s transformation. Ashraf Bin Taj,
Managing Director of International Distributions Company Bangladesh PLC,
highlighted the shifting role of distribution partners in optimizing supply
chains and adapting to changing consumer demands. Shadman Sadikin of Unilever
Bangladesh Ltd stressed the importance of embedding purpose at the core of
retail operations to ensure sustainable growth. Meanwhile, Sami Ashraf, CEO of
Omni StrateG, underscored the need for alignment across data, channels, and
operations to build responsive and efficient retail ecosystems.Panel discussions and
insight sessions explored key themes including emerging retail trends, the
balance between purpose, profit, and people, and the transformation of
Bangladesh’s apparel value chain. Speakers also highlighted the growing role of
technology in enabling personalization at scale and improving operational
efficiency across mass retail.The event featured
participation from prominent industry leaders such as Faria Yasmin of Bata
Bangladesh, MHM Fairoz of Singer Bangladesh Ltd, Dipesh Nag of Grameen Danone
Foods Limited, and representatives from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers
and Exporters Association (BGMEA), among others.The congress concluded
with a strong call for collaboration across industries to build agile,
consumer-centric, and technology-enabled retail models. Participants agreed
that as Bangladesh’s retail sector grows in complexity, platforms like the
Bangladesh Retail Congress will remain essential in fostering knowledge
exchange and driving sustainable development.
The event was supported
by several partners, including BGMEA as strategic partner, the Marketing
Society of Bangladesh as knowledge partner, and Turkish Airlines as the
official carrier.
