Greg Ellis
Business and retail experts continue the impressive lineup of speakers continues at The Illawarra Connection in July and August.
The Silver Anniversary black-tie dinner on August 7 at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach will feature The Mentor himself Mark Bouris, of Yellow Brick Road.
But registrations are being taken now for the annual TIC lunch on July 11 at Villa D’Oro.
Retail Doctor Group chief executive Brian Walker will talk about some of the major upheaval in the retail industry with players such as Amazon entering the Australian market, and changes in consumer behaviour that impact on all businesses, not only retail.
TIC president Graham Lancaster said Mr Walker will speak about some of the ‘game changers’ in the retail world and the potential impact on our region.
“As well as changes in consumer behaviour more generally and the implications for all organisations with customers,” he said.
As the principal and founder of Retail Doctor Group Mr Walker brings considerable senior experience gained in the specialty retail, franchising and shopping centre sectors through line-management, consulting, advisory and board roles.
He has successfully led change teams in multi channel retail arenas and has been instrumental in the development and implementation of many notable, integrated retail channel strategy projects.
That has included working with organisations such as Optus, Hutchison Telecommunication, Global Brands Group, National Australia Bank.
Mr Walker has also successfully advised and operated on boards and associations in retail strategy and deployment.
He is a featured columnist for Inside Retailing and Smart Company and the contributing author of on-going articles for publications such as BRW, Australian Business Solutions, RetailBiz, Tech Trader, AFR, Sydney Morning Herald and My Business.
He is also a media commentator on retail issues for ABC, Channel 9 News and A Current Affair and Channel 7 Today Tonight.
Mr Walker will draw on his 20 years of experience in retail senior management with leading retailers such as The Athletes Foot, Optus, Angus & Coote, Westfield, KFC and Woolworths.
As a result he has become a sought after keynote speaker on all aspects of retail and consumer behaviour.
Mr Walker founded the Retail Doctor Group in 2005.
RDG specialises in the development and transformation of retail strategy into increased asset performance, increasing client sustainable differentiation models underpinned with independent systems and frameworks increasing revenue and profitability.
First published on Illawarra Mercury on June 19, 2018