Speaking and Media Work
Book Doug Stephens
When Walmart, Google and BMW wanted to understand the future of retail they, like dozens of other Fortune 500 companies called on Retail Prophet. As one of the world’s most sought after retail speakers, Doug offers an ever-evolving array of cutting edge and compelling topics, suitable for any business audience.
AI and the Future of Retail
In a future where AI becomes central to almost every major retail enterprise, how will any business develop and maintain significant competitive advantage? If a brand has dominated primarily by making faster and more accurate operational decisions than their competitors, how will they fare when all their competitors are using artificial intelligence to guide and speed skillful decision-making? If another organization has dominated by controlling efficiencies in their supply chains, how will they compete when all retailers possess the same capability via AI?
Join Doug Stephens as he lifts the curtain on the myriad ways that AI will shape value along every aspect of the supply, value chain and customer experience. See examples of leading-edge retail companies pioneering AI applications. And discover the surprising secret to maintaining competitive dominance in the new AI arms race.
The Retail Archetypes of the Future
There may be no other time in history when the retail sector has been rife with so much change. Permanent shifts in consumer behavior and societal norms, a rapidly transforming technological landscape and unpredictable economic conditions, all present extraordinary challenges for retailers across categories and geographies.
Against this already volatile background, global competition has reached unprecedented levels. Between direct-to-consumer players, global e-commerce giants, hyper-discounters and third-party marketplaces, the consumer has never had more choice. Thus, making the traditional strategic cornerstones of convenience, selection, price, and even product exclusivity shaky footholds from which to achieve enduring competitive success.
So how can the average retailer win?
Based on research from his most recent book Resurrecting Retail, futurist Doug Stephens will share a simple, yet profound strategy framework that enables retailers and brands to cut through the chaos in their market, prioritize investments, forge radical consumer value and achieve uncontested dominance in their category.
The Future of Physical Stores
We live in a world where “the store” is now everywhere. In every marketing text, every direct mail, every QR code and URL. The store, as we once knew it, now rests in the palm of our hand. So, what is the purpose and value of physical retail?
Join Doug Stephens as he reveals the surprising new frontier of physical retail and the fundamental mindset shift required to unlock it’s new and historic value! With up to the minute research Doug will demonstrate how everything about how we plan, build, manage and measure retail is changing and the cutting-edge companies leading the revolution.
The Future of Competitive Advantage
Join world-renowned retail Futurist, Doug Stephens, as he takes you on a journey into the exciting future of competitive advantage. In an era of unprecedented change, where the landscape of commerce is evolving at an exponential pace, we are about to witness a complete redefinition of what it means to compete in the 21st century.
Doug will guide us through a compelling exploration of how today’s challenges are poised to become tomorrow’s unparalleled competitive opportunities. As we stand at the intersection of innovation and disruption, Doug will unveil the new pillars of future advantage and what it will take for organizations to win.
Discover how leading-edge companies are already laying the foundation for what promises to be the greatest leap in competitive advantage in modern history. Doug will spotlight trailblazers who are not just adapting for the future but are actively shaping it.
The Future of Consumerism
In this fascinating talk, Doug Stephens tackles the future of consumerism. He sheds light on the key shifts in economics, demographics, technology, and media that are completely transforming the consumer landscape, and the very essence of how we buy. Who the consumer is, in addition to how, where, and even why they shop, is changing rapidly and forever. The way our stores look—and how we interact with them—are constantly in flux. Mobile technology, social commerce, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, virtual reality, big data, and a deluge of developing technologies are all conspiring to forever change how we buy.
How do we cope with all these transformations? Doug shares what smart brands are doing today to re-imagine their businesses and capitalize on these historic changes..
The Art of Retail
Technology has undeniably changed how we shop – but has it changed why we buy? How have consumers’ needs for novelty, connection, escape, and magic been satisfied? And is there more they need? In this remarkably inspiring talk, Doug explores how the world’s most amazing retailers and brands are delighting customers through sensory experience differentiation – the art of retail – in a world where hyper-technologized consumerism is ubiquitous. Re-discover how design, creativity, and content are once-again breathing magic into retail – and driving bottom-line profitability.
Event MC and Panel Moderation
As one of global retail’s go-to experts and presenters, Doug will bring a uniquely entertaining, memorable, and insightful dynamic to your event. Whether as an MC or panel moderator, virtual or live, Doug will ensure that attendees are both enlightened and entertained throughout!
Media Presenter and Contributor
Doug is an in-demand contributor to news media, business documentaries and corporate media content. Doug has appeared on MSNBC, CNN, BBC, CBC and dozens of other media outlets and has appeared in unique documentaries series like Faster: Humanity’s Quest to Save Time. Doug is a trained on-camera personality with a wealth of experience in both live and recorded productions.