|| 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.