The vibrant heart of Sentosa buzzed with excitement as eTail Asia 2024 unfolded at the Equarius Hotel RWS, drawing together the brightest minds and leading innovators in the eCommerce and digital marketing sectors. This premier summit, held from 14 to 16 May, showcased an array of insightful discussions, groundbreaking technologies, and forward-thinking strategies tailored to the retail industry’s dynamic landscape.
Event at a Glance
Focus Day: Untangling Tech Stacks and Innovations
The event kicked off with the FOCUS Day on 14 May, dedicated to tackling one of the most pressing challenges in modern retail: technology integration. The sessions emphasised the importance of aligning tech investments with business value, featuring a keynote interview with May Chin, Head of Product Growth & Analytics at Zalora, and Inderpreet Singh, eCommerce Director at Bata Group. Their discussion centred on shifting from assumptions to decisive actions in tech investments to maximise efficiency and impact.
Attendees participated in roundtable evaluations of cutting-edge technologies, engaging directly with leading providers such as Mastercard and Airwallex. This interactive format allowed participants to scrutinise the latest innovations and determine their suitability for their specific business needs.
Highlights from Main Conference Day
The conference days, spanning 15 and 16 May, were marked by a series of high-profile keynote speeches, panel discussions, and expert talks. The opening session on 15 May set a powerful tone, featuring insights from industry leaders like Danni Peirce, CEO of 7-Eleven, and Danny Ho, Executive Director and CFO of SaSa International. They explored transformative strategies for overhauling tech architectures to drive efficiency and growth amidst economic challenges.
Key Topics Covered
- Radical Tech Transformation: Leaders discussed overhauling operational models to improve customer experience and facilitate overall expansion.
- Outsmarting Inflation: A keynote panel, moderated by Ben Wong of Adyen, explored innovative payment processes to enhance cost efficiency and customer loyalty.
- Loyalty Mastery: Experts from Little Farms, StashAway, and Love Bonito shared strategies for integrating effective loyalty programmes to foster customer engagement and retention.
One of the standout sessions was a keynote interview on Generative AI, featuring Kelferd Hor from RHB Banking Group and Mal Chia from Ecom Nation. They demystified the hype surrounding Generative AI, providing practical insights into its real-world applications and transformative potential for the retail industry.
Networking and Interactive Sessions
The summit facilitated extensive networking opportunities, with dedicated sessions such as “Invite Only” Lunch and Learn events hosted by Adyen and Similarweb, where attendees delved into the nuances of retail payments and digital marketing strategies.
Afternoon meetings offered deep dives into specific areas like AI & Machine Learning, retail landscape challenges, and interactive solution rooms for peer-to-peer learning. These sessions were chaired by industry veterans including Simon Hearn, founder of SJH Partnerships, and provided a collaborative environment for exploring the latest industry trends and solutions.
Looking Ahead
eTail Asia 2024 not only highlighted the current state of eCommerce and digital marketing but also set the stage for future innovations and collaborations. The summit underscored the importance of leveraging technology to enhance customer experiences, streamline operations, and navigate the evolving retail landscape.
As the final curtain descended on eTail Asia 2024, it left behind a trail of inspiration and strategic insights. For AtisfyReach, this event was more than just a gathering—it was a dynamic platform for forging fresh connections and absorbing actionable strategies to turbocharge organisational growth and innovation in the ever-evolving retail landscape.
