| Field |
Details |
| Event Name |
Retail Fest |
| Event Date |
11–13 May 2027 |
| Event Status |
Upcoming |
| Venue |
Gold Coast Convention Centre |
| City |
Gold Coast |
| State / Region |
Queensland |
| Country |
Australia |
| Organizer |
Retail Global |
| Official Event Website |
retailglobal.com.au |
| Event Type |
Retail conference, exhibition, hosted meetings, and networking event |
| Primary Category |
Retail & Consumer Commerce |
| Secondary Applicable Categories |
IT & Technology; Business Services; Food & Beverages; Apparel & Clothing; Home & Office; Logistics & Transportation |
| Audience Reach |
National, with Australia-wide retail and brand participation; some international solution providers likely |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall |
2,000 attendees (website claim) |
| Attendance Data Reliability |
Confirmed by organizer website as a promotional claim; attendance figure not independently audited |
| Main Purpose of Event |
Retail education, networking, solution discovery, hosted meetings, and commercial growth for retailers, brands, and suppliers |
Retail Fest is positioned as a retail-focused conference and business community event built around practical growth strategies, hosted meetings, workshops, and an exhibition environment for retailers, brands, and solution providers. The official website emphasizes AI, operational efficiency, and commercial execution, with content designed for decision-makers seeking actionable retail improvement rather than broad general-interest programming.
The event matters because it brings together buyers and solution providers across retail, ecommerce, consumer goods, marketing, and retail technology. It is especially relevant for sourcing, digital transformation, retail operations, brand growth, customer experience, and supplier partnerships, making it a useful event for B2B lead generation and buyer profiling.
1. Who Attends: Buyers / Attendees
| Buyer / Attendee Segment |
Typical Organizations |
Buying Role or Influence |
Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
| Retail owners and founders |
Independent retailers, franchise groups, SME retail brands |
Final decision-makers for software, services, fixtures, and growth solutions |
Very high for revenue, ecommerce, POS, fulfillment, and marketing vendors |
| Retail operations leaders |
Multi-site retail chains, consumer brands, specialty retail networks |
Influence store operations, labor, inventory, and execution tools |
High for operational tech, workforce optimization, and process automation |
| Ecommerce and digital commerce leaders |
Omnichannel retailers, DTC brands, online marketplaces |
Own conversion, CX, retention, and online revenue stack |
Very high for ecommerce platforms, analytics, CRO, and martech providers |
| Procurement and sourcing teams |
Retail groups, brands, FMCG companies |
Vendor selection, contracting, commercial negotiations |
High for packaging, logistics, merchandising, fit-out, and supplier services |
| Merchandising and category teams |
Retailers, supermarkets, specialty chains, marketplaces |
Assortment, category strategy, vendor selection, trading terms |
High for suppliers of consumer goods, display, analytics, and category support |
| Marketing and growth teams |
Retailers, brands, ecommerce operators, agencies |
Demand generation, campaigns, customer acquisition, brand partnerships |
High for media, martech, CRM, loyalty, and customer engagement vendors |
| IT and digital transformation leaders |
Retail chains, ecommerce businesses, SaaS-enabled brands |
Own systems selection, integrations, cybersecurity, AI, and data tools |
Very high for ERP, POS, ecommerce, AI, cloud, and integration providers |
| Brands and manufacturers |
Consumer brands, FMCG companies, apparel, beauty, electronics suppliers |
Channel strategy, distributor relations, retail partnerships |
High for go-to-market, retail media, packaging, and channel support suppliers |
| Investors and advisors |
VCs, growth equity, retail consultants, advisors |
Market insight, partnerships, and portfolio development |
Moderate relevance for strategic partners and emerging retail tech vendors |
2. Event Location and Attendee Geographic Origin
| Geographic Area |
Likely Attendee Origin |
Buyer Concentration |
Notes |
| Gold Coast host city |
Local retailers, tourism-linked consumer businesses, agencies, and service providers |
Medium |
Strong local participation expected due to venue and accessibility |
| Queensland |
Statewide retail chains, brands, ecommerce operators, wholesalers |
High |
Likely strongest domestic buyer concentration after host city |
| New South Wales and Victoria |
National retail headquarters, major brands, agencies, and technology providers |
High |
Key Australian business hubs feeding national retail decision-makers |
| Other Australian states and territories |
Independent retailers, multi-location operators, distributors, service firms |
Medium |
National relevance for retail education and supplier discovery |
| New Zealand |
Retail brands, ecommerce operators, and solution providers with ANZ footprint |
Low to Medium |
Possible cross-Tasman participation based on regional retail alignment |
| Asia-Pacific / global solution providers |
Retail tech, SaaS, logistics, payments, CX, and digital agencies |
Medium |
Likely among sponsors, exhibitors, and hosted meeting participants |
3. Audience Reach
4. Sample Buyer Companies and Websites
| Buyer Company / Organization |
Buyer Type |
Why It Is Relevant |
Website |
Best Job Titles to Target |
Evidence Level |
| Coles Group | Retailer / supermarket | Large-scale retail, omnichannel, supply chain, and digital transformation buying needs | colesgroup.com.au | CIO, Head of Ecommerce, Procurement Manager, Category Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Woolworths Group | Retailer / supermarket | High-value retail technology, merchandising, and supplier management target | woolworthsgroup.com.au | Chief Procurement Officer, IT Director, Operations Director, Category Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| JB Hi-Fi | Consumer electronics retailer | Relevant for consumer electronics, retail systems, and category management solutions | jbhifi.com.au | Merchandising Director, Procurement Manager, Ecommerce Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| The Reject Shop | Discount retailer | Value retail, sourcing, supply chain efficiency, and store operations focus | rejectshop.com.au | Operations Director, Sourcing Manager, Category Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Kmart | Mass retail | Large retailer with strong need for store operations, supply chain, and digital efficiency | kmart.com.au | Procurement Director, IT Director, Supply Chain Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Bunnings | Retailer / home improvement | Major retail operator with procurement, logistics, and customer experience needs | bunnings.com.au | Operations Director, Procurement Manager, Category Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Cotton On Group | Apparel retailer / brand | Apparel, ecommerce, brand growth, and omnichannel retail buyer profile | cottonon.com | Ecommerce Director, Digital Marketing Director, Procurement Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Boost Juice | Franchise retail / food service | Franchise operations, retail growth, and supplier/brand support fit the event audience | boostjuice.com.au | Franchise Operations Manager, Procurement Manager, Operations Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Aristocrat Leisure / gaming retail channels | Consumer tech / entertainment supplier | Relevant where retail tech, entertainment, and consumer engagement intersect | aristocrat.com | Business Development Director, Partnerships Director, Product Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Metcash | Wholesale / distribution | Distribution, retail supply chain, and independent retailer network relevance | metcash.com | Supply Chain Director, Procurement Manager, Category Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Amazon Australia | Marketplace / ecommerce | Marketplace, retail technology, logistics, and seller services relevance | amazon.com.au | Category Manager, Vendor Manager, Operations Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Officeworks | Retailer / home and office | Retail operations, category management, digital commerce, and supply chain fit | officeworks.com.au | Category Manager, Ecommerce Director, Procurement Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
5. Job Profiles, Industries and Event Type
| Priority |
Job Title / Function |
Department |
Seniority Level |
Why This Role Matters |
| 1 | Chief Executive Officer / Founder | Executive | C-level / Owner | Key decision-maker for business growth, partnerships, and solution adoption |
| 2 | Chief Procurement Officer | Procurement | C-level | Owns supplier strategy, commercial sourcing, and contract decisions |
| 3 | VP / Director of Procurement | Procurement | VP / Director | High-value sourcing and vendor evaluation role |
| 4 | Director of Ecommerce / Digital Commerce | Ecommerce | Director | Owns online revenue stack, platform, and conversion investment |
| 5 | Operations Director | Operations | Director | Responsible for execution efficiency, store operations, and workflow tools |
| 6 | Supply Chain Director | Supply Chain | Director | Evaluates logistics, inventory, and distribution improvements |
| 7 | Category Manager | Merchandising / Category | Manager / Senior Manager | Influences assortment, supplier selection, and pricing strategy |
| 8 | IT Director / CIO / CTO | Technology | Director / C-level | Decision-maker for retail technology, AI, security, and systems integration |
| 9 | Marketing Director / Head of Growth | Marketing | Director / VP | Strong fit for retail media, CRM, loyalty, and CX solutions |
| 10 | Franchise Operations Manager | Franchise / Operations | Manager | Relevant for brands and multi-unit retail systems and services |
| 11 | Business Development Director / Partnerships Director | Partnerships | Director | Evaluates commercial partnerships, channel expansion, and co-marketing |
| 12 | Program Manager / Project Manager | Delivery / Transformation | Manager | Coordinates implementation and vendor rollout |
| Priority |
Apollo Industry |
Why It Fits the Event |
Best Buyer Use Case |
| 1 | Retail | Core attendee and buyer base | Retail operators, chains, and independent retailers |
| 2 | Consumer Goods | Brands selling through retail channels | Brand partnerships, category strategy, route-to-market |
| 3 | Information Technology & Services | Retail tech stack, digital transformation, support services | ERP, POS, integrations, managed services |
| 4 | Computer Software | SaaS solutions for commerce and operations | Ecommerce, CRM, CDP, analytics, AI tools |
| 5 | Marketing & Advertising | Retail marketing, acquisition, loyalty, media | Agencies, martech, retail media, promotions |
| 6 | Logistics & Supply Chain | Inventory movement and fulfillment are critical retail concerns | Warehousing, distribution, last-mile, demand planning |
| 7 | Wholesale | Distributor and channel partner audience | B2B retail supply, resale, and procurement relationships |
| 8 | Import & Export | Many retail suppliers depend on cross-border sourcing | Sourcing, trade, supplier networks |
| 9 | Apparel & Fashion | Major retail vertical represented on the site | Fashion brands, omnichannel retail, merchandising |
| 10 | Food & Beverages | Food retail and FMCG are listed by organizer | Grocery, foodservice retail, consumer packaged goods |
| 11 | Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing | Consumer electronics and tech retail solutions | Electronics brands, device suppliers, channel sales |
| 12 | Consumer Electronics | Directly relevant vertical on the organizer site | Retailer-buyers of electronics, accessories, and services |
| 13 | Computer Networking | Retail infrastructure and connectivity needs | Stores, head office, and distributed operations |
6. Estimated Attendance
7. Key Focus Areas and Buyer Engagement
| Focus Area |
Typical Buyer Need |
Buyer Engagement Opportunity |
Relevant Supplier Offering |
| AI | Efficiency, personalization, forecasting, automation | Executive and operations workshops | AI tools, predictive analytics, automation platforms |
| Ecommerce | Conversion, scale, platform resilience | Demo-led meetings with digital leaders | Commerce platforms, PIM, CRO, checkout optimization |
| Retail operations | Labor efficiency, process control, execution | Operational case studies and peer benchmarking | Workforce management, task management, workflow software |
| Procurement and sourcing | Better supplier terms and category value | Hosted buyer meetings | Supplier services, sourcing support, contract solutions |
| Customer engagement | Retention, loyalty, and lifetime value | Panels and sponsorship demos | CRM, loyalty platforms, CDP, messaging tools |
| Logistics and fulfillment | Inventory availability and last-mile performance | Solution discovery from supply chain leaders | WMS, TMS, 3PL services, demand planning tools |
| Marketing and media | Acquisition, brand lift, retail media returns | Networking with brand and agency decision-makers | Martech, media buying, creative, analytics |
| Factor |
Assessment |
Explanation |
| Buyer relevance | Very High | Retailers, brands, and solution buyers are the event’s core audience. |
| Decision-maker availability | High | Website messaging highlights founders, CEOs, VPs, and hosted meetings. |
| Data collection potential | High | Sponsor, exhibitor, workshop, and hosted buyer content creates strong prospecting data. |
| Apollo targeting potential | Very High | Clear retail, ecommerce, technology, and procurement title mapping. |
| Geographic targeting potential | High | Easy to focus on Australia, Queensland, and major retail hubs. |
| Best outreach approach | Hosted meetings + pre-event email + LinkedIn | Decision-maker-led outreach works best due to the event’s commercial orientation. |
| Overall lead quality | High | Strong event for retail buyer list building and supplier prospecting. |
| Best use case | Lead generation, appointment setting, and retail buyer profiling | Suitable for B2B attendee list sales, exhibitor targeting, and account-based outreach. |
| Limitations / risks | Attendance list not publicly published | Current-year attendee names are not confirmed on the public website, so prospecting must rely on official participant categories and prior-market fit evidence. |
| Filter Type |
Recommended Filters |
Purpose |
| Apollo industries | Retail; Consumer Goods; Computer Software; Information Technology & Services; Marketing & Advertising; Logistics & Supply Chain; Wholesale; Import & Export; Apparel & Fashion; Food & Beverages | Focus on the most relevant buying organizations and solution providers |
| Departments | Procurement; Operations; Ecommerce; IT; Marketing; Supply Chain; Merchandising; Partnerships; Executive | Target actual decision-makers and influencers |
| Seniority | C-level; VP; Director; Head; Senior Manager | Prioritize budget holders and strategic stakeholders |
| Job titles | CEO, Founder, Chief Procurement Officer, Procurement Director, Ecommerce Director, IT Director, CTO, CIO, Operations Director, Supply Chain Director, Category Manager, Merchandising Director, Marketing Director, Partnerships Director | Build highly qualified prospect lists from event-relevant functions |
| Geography | Australia; Queensland; New South Wales; Victoria; New Zealand | Match the event’s domestic core plus regional extension |
| Employee size | 11–50; 51–200; 201–500; 501–1,000; 1,001–5,000; 5,000+ | Covers SMB retailers through enterprise chains |
| Keywords | retail, ecommerce, omnichannel, procurement, sourcing, store operations, inventory, AI, loyalty, POS, CX, retail media, supply chain | Improve query precision for event-relevant buyers |
| Company type | Private; Public; Franchise; Multi-location; Marketplace; Distributor; Brand owner | Capture the most relevant buyer organizations |
| Technologies | Shopify, Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle, SAP, Adobe, HubSpot, NCR, Lightspeed, AWS, Google Cloud | Useful for identifying likely retail tech users and buyers |