Singapore Retailers Association (SRA) launched its 29th annual Retail Conference on 15 November 2022 at Huone Events Hotel, the largest annual gathering of retail leaders in Singapore after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic restrictions. Opened by Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Senior Minister of State of Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Manpower, the one-day event themed “Engage, Enable, Empower” saw about 400 attendees from the retail industry, Institutes of Higher Learning and trade associations, as well as an esteemed line up of speakers from Singapore who shared insights, findings and case studies on the evolving consumer dynamics, manpower developments and technological advancements in the industry. The event also highlighted the importance for retailers to enable and empower themselves to engage their employees and customers to stay abreast if not ahead, to stay relevant and remain sustainable.
SMS Zaqy addressing the delegates
In his welcome address, Mr Pang Fu Wei, Treasurer, SRA and also Group Managing Director of Mothercare (S) Pte Ltd, shared about the newly launched SRA’s transformation roadmap and how the Singapore Retail Industry Conference & Exhibition (SRIC.E) remains a key cornerstone of SRA’s mission, which is to advance the interest of the retail industry via insights, education and strategic collaborations.
During the event, SRA was announced as Workforce Singapore’s programme partner for the revamped Career Conversion Programme for Retail Industry. Under this Career Conversion Programme, retailers now have the flexibility to customise their own structured on-the-job training programme for their new hires or reskilled staff. They can also receive up to 90% of salary support for a period of up to six months from Workforce Singapore.
Mr Pang Fu Wei announcing the launch of the Career Conversion Programme for Retail Industry (CCP-RI)
Senior Minister of State Mr Zaqy Mohamad and SRIC.E 2022 Delegates witnessed the MOU signing between SRA and 21 retailers and 5 Skills Development Partners. The partnership with retailers aims to support the transformation of their employees through job redesign, reskilling and upskilling to meet the demands of the new retail landscape and manpower challenges. The workforce transformation journey will be supported by the revamped Career Conversion Programme for Retail Industry. For Skills Development Partners, the partnership will allow SRA and Skills Development Partners to work collaboratively to provide the retail industry with a myriad of dynamic and diverse training programmes with hand-holding consultancy and technology to enable retailers to transform with speed.
Retailers and Skills Development Partners MOU Representatives
Supported by Workforce Singapore and VE Capital Asia, the event, encompassed an exhibition themed “Elevation Hub”, with presentations and panel discussions which aided retailers in transforming their retail business and learnt how they can manage the talents of today for tomorrow! From Journeying into the Store of the Future, to Re-imagining Retail Manpower for Tomorrow, SRIC.E 2022 speakers and panellists addressed much of the above and more. A Global Talent Trends presented by Mercer also looked at the future of work conversations.
Ms Lin Mei Juan, Head of Retail, Sephora Singapore Pte Ltd with her keynote address
Ms Hannah Lennon, , Associate Principal, Mercer sharing insights on global talent trends
Delegates also benefitted from case studies of leading retailers and stimulating panel discussions by retail experts and specialists from Singapore retail stakeholders. Workshops such as Whatsapp marketing were well received by delegates because covered the important considerations for retailers’ marketing efforts in this new era, whilst a panel discussion looks into collaboration and retailing in the metaverse. Further considerations for tech adoption by retailers was also revealed in a presentation on reimagining ways to retain frontline staff beyond conventional means.
Our respected panelists sharing their knowledge and experience in a wide-array of topics
Delegates of SRIC.E 2023
Watch out for SRIC.E 2023 – whatever the size of your business, you will gain an insight into the retail industry’s future, and find the knowledge you need, the ideas you want, and the solutions that you can expect from industry leaders, discovering the newest concepts, strategies and advancements in retailing.
Also, benefit from a focused exhibition of key solutions identified by SRA as central to the transformation of the industry. Contact anwar@sra.org.sg to register your interest today !