Speaking
Book Doug Stephens

When Walmart, Google and BMW wanted to understand the future of retail they, like dozens of other Fortune 500 companies called on Retail Prophet. As one of the world’s most sought after retail speakers, Doug offers an ever-evolving array of cutting edge and compelling topics, suitable for any business audience.

The Retail Archetypes of the Future

There may be no other time in history when the retail sector has been rife with so much change. Permanent shifts in consumer behavior and societal norms, a rapidly transforming technological landscape and unpredictable economic conditions, all present extraordinary challenges for retailers across categories and geographies.

Against this already volatile background, global competition has reached unprecedented levels. Between direct-to-consumer players, global e-commerce giants, hyper-discounters and third-party marketplaces, the consumer has never had more choice. Thus, making the traditional strategic cornerstones of convenience, selection, price, and even product exclusivity shaky footholds from which to achieve enduring competitive success.

So how can the average retailer win?

Based on research from his most recent book Resurrecting Retail, futurist Doug Stephens will share a simple, yet profound strategy framework that enables retailers and brands to cut through the chaos in their market, prioritize investments, forge radical consumer value and achieve uncontested dominance in their category.

The Art of Retail

Technology has undeniably changed how we shop – but has it changed why we buy? How have consumers’ needs for novelty, connection, escape, and magic been satisfied? And is there more they need? In this remarkably inspiring talk, Doug explores how the world’s most amazing retailers and brands are delighting customers through sensory experience differentiation – the art of retail – in a world where hyper-technologized consumerism is ubiquitous. Re-discover how design, creativity, and content are once-again breathing magic into retail – and driving bottom-line profitability.

The Psychology of Trauma: How to Re-engage the Post-Pandemic Consumer

How do consumers respond to crises? What are their cognitive and emotional states? When can we expect them to return to stores? And what permanent shifts in behavior are we likely to see post-Covid-19?

Drawing on research spanning events such as 9/11, The Great Recession, The Depression and the 1918 Pandemic, this fascinating talk explores the post-crisis mental and emotional state of consumers and the deep-seated psychology governing every decision they make.

This talk is a must-see for any marketer and or business leader looking to understand when and how re-engage their customers.

Leading Through Crisis: Lessons From the Frontlines of Disaster

There has been, perhaps, no other time in modern history when so much hinged on effective leadership and communication. In times like these, steady-handed leadership is the only thing that sits between strategic cohesiveness and organizational chaos. And yet the pandemic has also shown us how few leaders truly rise to the occasion when the moment demands it. And with Black Swan events becoming ever more frequent, the question is how can leaders hone a new level of skill and effectiveness in preparation for the next crisis?

In this fascinating presentation, we lay out the 4 key principles of effective leadership through any crisis, including Covid-19. Filled with examples from both the current and previous global crises, we show you the surprising secrets of the world’s most effective leaders.

The Future of Brick and Mortar Retail in A Post-Pandemic World

Before Covid-19, physical retail was experiencing a renaissance. Stores were being reimagined as experiential hotspots aimed more at customer acquisition than product distribution. In a post-Covid-19 landscape however, these same spaces will be viewed as viral hotspots, that consumers may be reluctant to return to anytime soon.

This uniquely visual and interactive talk will be a roadmap for retailers seeking to understand the new role of physical retail and how stores will need to adapt to a post-pandemic world, in order to leverage the power of experiences.

The Future of Supply Chains

The pandemic has put into sharp contrast many of the inherent problems in global supply chains, the dependencies they create and their lack of resilience. Today, companies are rethinking how their products get to market and what they must do to become resilient to crisis.

Born out of the most current research, this talk is a deep-dive into the structural, technological, human and geographic choices savvy companies are making today to build flexibility and responsiveness into their supply chains for the next social or economic crisis.

The Future of Consumerism

In this fascinating talk, Doug Stephens tackles the future of consumerism. He sheds light on the key shifts in economics, demographics, technology, and media that are completely transforming the consumer landscape, and the very essence of how we buy. Who the consumer is, in addition to how, where, and even why they shop, is changing rapidly and forever. The way our stores look—and how we interact with them—are constantly in flux. Mobile technology, social commerce, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, virtual reality, big data, and a deluge of developing technologies are all conspiring to forever change how we buy.

How do we cope with all these transformations? Doug shares what smart brands are doing today to re-imagine their businesses and capitalize on these historic changes..