Convenience Retail Formats and the Consumer Experience
Presented by Ted Zittell, McMillan Doolittle

Convenience is emerging as a key driver of occasion-based consumption across channels and markets around the world. Enlightened retailers are refining and delivering new shopper-focused formats and segmented offerings--often in partnership with suppliers-- that aim to drive traffic and increase frequency and depth of impulse and solution sales. Building on the global insights of Nielsen's presentation, McMillan Doolittle will illustrate these trends and innovations, exploring best-in-class executions in the the growing convenience and value sectors here in North America and around the world. This provocative overview includes traditional industry players and and new competitive offerings, as it challenges legacy definitions of formats, and the accepted wisdom around our understanding of consumer's perceptions of convenience and value.

About Ted
Ted Zittell consults internationally to market leaders who seek his expertise in retail formats and trends, branding systems, marketing communications and design. He focuses his considerable visual and verbal abilities on interpreting, creating and managing profitable consumer experience. A partner in Chicago-based McMillan|Doolittle, he is also the principal of his own business, Ted Zittell & Associates Inc. of Toronto, Canada, where he lives with his family. As senior partner and strategic counsel in the former Watt Design Group for 17 years, Ted developed and executed segmentation, brand and communications strategies at leading retail, consumer product, and service clients around the globe. As President‐Managing Director of Cott Corporation’s Retail Brands International, he led the creation and launch of dozens of premium retailer brand programs worldwide, including extensive work in the UK, Western Europe and Asia.

Foodservice Trends
Presented by Kevin Higer, Technomic

Foodservice expert Kevin Higer of Technomics will examine food trends across global markets and channels including restaurants, grocers, and convenience. Imperative to the discussion is the consumer perception of food and foodservice and, using Technomic’s valuable research, Kevin will discuss perception of the consumer as it pertains to the retail environment. This engaging and strategic discussion will give you ideas you can bring home that have been proven successful in markets across the world.

About Kevin
Kevin Higer is the director of operator product development for Technomic. He specializes in strategic planning, competitive and market analysis, consumer insights, customer service, culinary trends and brand positioning. Kevin has consulted with a large number of foodservice operators, suppliers, and trade groups, as well as various Top 500 companies. Prior to joining Technomic, Kevin spent 12 years with Brinker International, most recently as the organization's corporate external strategist. During his tenure, he worked extensively with every Brinker brand, including Chili's, Macaroni Grill, On The Border, Maggiano's, Corner Bakery and Big Bowl. Higer earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Distribution, as well as an MBA from Texas A&M University.

What Happens When Your #1 Category Disappears?
Presented by Liel Miranda, Imperial Tobacco Canada

Across the globe and to some extent in the United States, legislators are imposing strict regulations on tobacco products. Liel will share insights on this very important category. Additionally, Liel will examine strategies retailers use in areas that have gone dark.

About Liel
Liel Miranda joined British American Tobacco in 1992 in his native country of Brazil with a rounded marketing career in brand, trade and insights. Liel held senior positions in the company’s head office in the United Kingdom from 2002 to 2004, and in its Chinese subsidiary from 2005 to 2007. Liel graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and with a Masters Degree in Business and Marketing.