Sri Lanka Retail Forum 2023 to reignite flame of growth

The Sri Lanka Retailers’ Association (SLRA) is set to host the retail industry’s premier knowledge event, the Sri Lanka Retail Forum 2023, commencing at 9 a.m. on 19 October, at the Shangri-La Hotel Colombo. 

Conducted this year under the theme “Sparking Success: Reigniting the Flame of Retail Growth”, the forum will explore emerging trends in retail both locally and globally, and explore innovative strategies to enhance retail operations and consumer reach. 

Aiming to inspire and invigorate the Sri Lankan retail industry, the sessions have been curated to explore key aspects of the retail industry, in order to identify current industry challenges, share innovative best practices, and spotlight key turning points. 

Participants will have the opportunity to hear from national and international industry leaders, gaining insights on emerging opportunities for Sri Lankan retailers to capitalise on, key challenges that need to be addressed to ensure sustainable growth, as well as leveraging emerging international trends in the local context. While the first two sessions of the Forum will focus on the current industry dynamics and its pivotal role in bridging products and consumers, Sessions 3 and 4 will expand this discourse and explore the way forward. 

Session 3 titled ‘Beyond the Retail Walls; Outside – In’, will integrate perspectives of external stakeholders and examine the influence of retail on Sri Lanka’s economy. Speakers at this session will be JB Securities Ltd. CEO Murtaza Jafferjee and Employers’ Federation of Ceylon Director General and CEO Vajira Ellepola, while panellists will comprise HNB PLC former Chairperson Aruni Goonetilleke, Colombo Port City Economic Commission and Board of Investment Chairman Dinesh Weerakody, with Advocata Institute CEO Dhananath Fernando, moderating the session. 

Session 4 titled ‘Exploring the Tourism-Retail Nexus’, will hear from John Keells Leisure Senior Vice President Global Alliances and Partnerships and JKH Head of Corporate Affairs Dileep Mudandeniya, and with panellists, Shangri-La Hotels Centre Director Sid Solanki and Colombo Fashion Week Founder and Managing Director Ajai V. Singh, with Echelon Magazine Co-founder and Chief Editor Shamindra Kulamanage, moderating the session. 

Founded in 2015, the Sri Lanka Retailers’ Association serves as the foremost authority on organised retailing within Sri Lanka. Its mission is dedicated to the pursuit of ‘Retail Excellence’ and the representation of the retail industry’s interests throughout the nation. The SLRA comprises members from a diverse range of sectors, including FMCG, Clothing, Fashion and Jewellery, Household and Consumer Durables, Footwear and Accessories, E-Commerce, Entertainment and QSR, and Healthcare and Wellness.

The Sri Lanka Retail Forum 2023 is coordinated by The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. For more information and registration details, please contact Shehara de Silva via +94-11-5588882 or +94 714983824.