24-25 March 2026 | Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

Shaping the future of physical retail in Australia

CONFERENCE | EXHIBITION | NETWORKING

Experiential Retail Design
Flagship Store Strategy
AI Retail Analytics
Retail Media Monetisation
Omnichannel
Flexible Leasing Models
Placemaking
Fresh Food Precincts
Wellness Fitness Anchors
ESG Sustainable Centres

Shaping the future of physical retail in Australia

Australia’s physical retail environment is being reimagined. As formats evolve and asset strategies come under pressure, shopping centres are shifting from places to shop into platforms for experience, data and diversified revenue. The 4th Annual Malls & Stores of the Future Summit brings together leading landlords, retailers and partners to explore where design, leasing, technology and brand thinking converge — from flagship reinvention to safety, sustainability and strategic repositioning.

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Break-out Tracks

Summit will start in...

Our Speakers

Mark Teperson

CEO, Baby Bunting

Andy Chamoun

Executive General Manager- Australia, Fitness and Lifestyle Group

Geoff Anson

Chief Strategy Officer, Mircrogrid Power Group

David Coombes

Group General Manager Property & Store Development, Accent Group

Maz Violi

National Leasing Manager, Australia & New Zealand, Nando’s

Zak Gefland

Head of Property, FunLab

Michelle McNally

Group Director – Customer & Asset Management, Vicinity Centres

Sheree Griff

Head of Retail & Place Advisory, CBRE

Stephen Dewaele

General Manager - Property Management, QIC

Kirrily Lord

Executive General Manager, Retail, Dexus

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BREAK-OUT TRACKS

Curate your learning: Experience & Engagement | Growth & Strategy | Data, Tech & Intelligence

EXPERT-LED ROUNDTABLES

Participate in outcome focused group learning sessions with peers facing similar challenges

CONNECTIONS

Build, renew and maintain important relationships with with 600+ attendees expected from across the retail spectrum

MARKETPLACE

Meet with over 40 leading solution providers and view their newest innovations in the Exhibition Area

SITE TOURS

Participate in one of two hosted tours to Melbourne Central or the Rebel Store @ Emporium Melbourne

NETWORKING FUNCTIONS

Attend high profile networking functions where you can win friends and influence people

Why Attend

What Not to Miss

EXHIBITION AREA

The Exhibition Area is undoubtedly one of the main attractions of the Malls & Stores of the Future Summit to network with key decision-makers and discover cutting-edge innovations

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ROUNDTABLES

The roundtables are focused group sessions designed to connect peers, test thinking, challenge views, benchmark and collaborate.

NETWORKING EVENTS

Networking Cocktail Party and Networking Breaks. Our event partners will also run VIP breakfasts and lunches.

CONFERENCE

The entire conference convenes in a unified forum to learn, network and source solutions that enhance the shopper experience and profitability of physical retail.

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Agenda

March 24
March 25

Day 1, Tuesday 24 March 2026

09:00

Opening remarks

Fergus Cunningham, Conference Director, FuturePlace

09:05

Chair's opening remarks

09:15

WELCOME ADDRESS - The role of retail in Melbourne’s urban and economic future

In this opening address, the Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne reflects on the vital role that physical retail plays in shaping the city’s identity, economic vibrancy and urban life. From major shopping precincts to local high streets, retail is central to how people engage with place and to how Melbourne recovers, grows and reimagines its future.

Nicholas Reece, Lord Mayor, City of Melbourne

09:25

SPECIAL ADDRESS - Built for more: The future of retail is creative, connected and human

Physical retail is evolving, not just in form, but in function. The most progressive malls and stores today aren’t just designed to transact, but to bring people together, create connection, and deliver richer brand and customer experiences. For both landlords and retailers, the goal is the same: to attract more people, keep them engaged longer, and ultimately drive greater spend. In this keynote, we explore how collaboration around creativity, community and experience is becoming a shared strategy and why success for one is increasingly dependent on the other.

Creativity as differentiation: Learn how emotionally resonant, story-led design is setting physical retail apart in a noisy, digital world

Collaboration as strategy: See how landlords and retailers are co-creating spaces that reflect shared purpose, not just shared tenancy

Community as commercial value: Understand how connection, relevance and local identity are driving footfall, brand affinity and long-term performance

Reid Nakou, Chief Experience Officer, The General Store

09:45

INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE - Global Insights: Contrasting Mall Operations and Customer Engagement in Australia vs. the Middle East

This session offers a compelling international perspective on how a mall operations and customer engagement strategies diverge between Australia and the expansive, experience-driven super malls of the UAE. We are joined by Linda Hurst, former Deputy General Manager of Al Maryah Retail Company, the property management company owned by Mubadala, a key sovereign wealth fund in UAE. Appointed six years ago to lead the development and ongoing operations of The Galleria Al Maryah Island, the landmark 160,000 sqm destination, Linda brings invaluable insights into managing one of the region’s most ambitious mixed-use precincts.

With integrated commercial towers, residential offerings, a hospital, luxury hotels, and soon to be home to the world’s largest water fountain, The Galleria exemplifies a new standard in retail-led urban development—blending lifestyle, leisure, and commerce into one dynamic hub. This session will explore how the cultural mindset in UAE drives constant reinvention.

Providing perspective on the influence of the cultural mindset that drives the UAE developments
Providing an overview of the way that The Galleria caters to the diverse customer and stakeholder expectations
Looking at how technology can be used to drive efficiency and a personalised customer journey

Structuring a streamlined retailer onboarding process

Linda Hurst, Former Deputy General Manager, Al Maryah Retail Company

10:05

PRESENTATION – Future-Proofing Retail: How Smart Energy Storage Will Reshape Asset Profitability

Future-Proofing Retail: How Smart Energy Storage Will Reshape Asset Profitability explores how shopping mall asset owners can unlock new revenue streams and boost asset value through solar, battery storage, energy management systems, and Virtual Power Plants (VPPs). These technologies not only reduce operational costs but also enable participation in energy markets and can be delivered by Microgrid Power with no capital outlay by the owner. The presentation highlights the ‘green premium’—higher valuations for sustainable assets—and enhanced ESG outcomes, positioning retail property portfolios for long-term resilience and investor appeal in a decarbonising economy.

Unlock New Revenue Streams: Learn how solar, batteries, and VPPs can turn shopping centres into energy-generating assets, reducing costs and creating new income through energy manipulation and grid services.

Boost Asset Value with the Green Premium: Discover how sustainability investments can increase property valuations and attract ESG-conscious investors and tenants.

Future-Proof Your Portfolio: Understand how integrated energy management and renewables enhance ESG performance, reduce carbon risk, and align with Australia’s net-zero transition.

Geoff Anson, Chief Strategy Officer, Mircrogrid Power Group

10:25

PANEL - Curated for performance: How leading landlords are reimagining the role of place

As consumer expectations evolve and retail economics tighten, performance now hinges on how well centres are curated, activated and governed. This conversation brings together senior leaders from Australia’s major owners to unpack how they’re shaping spaces that perform commercially, culturally and experientially. From co-investment frameworks and data-led precinct planning to brand-aligned design and retail media, hear what landlords are prioritising and what they need from partners to build environments that matter in 2026.

Performance through place: How leading owners curate mix, amenity and activation to drive both emotional engagement and financial return

Beyond the lease: Partnership models from the landlord side — shared metrics, marketing, fit-out and data transparency that move the needle

Repositioning at portfolio scale: Using data, design and brand strategy to reframe the role of the shopping centre and lift asset value

Future-forward collaboration: How owners are structuring co-investment, risk-sharing and innovation with retailers and operators

Panellists:

Michelle McNally, Group Director – Customer & Asset Management, Vicinity Centres

Kirrily Lord, Executive General Manager, Retail, Dexus

Sam Curry, General Manager - Retail Services, ISPT

Chris Forbes, Director of Asset Management, QIC

Moderated by:

Tony Doherty, , Strategic Advisor /Mentor & Board Director

11:00

Morning networking & exhibition viewing

11:40

Interactive roundtable discussions

This interactive session is designed to spark candid, peer-driven discussion across key areas shaping the future of retail real estate. Attendees will participate in two x 40-minute focused roundtable conversations, each led by a subject matter expert or industry peer.

Each roundtable will be capped to ensure open dialogue

Session topics will be shared in advance to support selection and preparation

Between each 40-minute session participants will be given 5 minutes to relocate to the next roundtable

Roundtable 1: Convenience, community & connection: the future of suburban and neighbourhood shopping centres
Facilitated by: Vicki Leavy, General Manager, JMK Retail

Roundtable 2: Reinventing the In-Store Experience: Lessons from a Boutique Retailer
Facilitated by: Simon Griffin, Managing Director, Kitten D’Amour

Roundtable 3: Building the Self-Optimising Mall: AI Agents, Design and Media
Facilitated by: Kelly Slessor, CEO, The Ecommerce Tribe

Roundtable 4: Youth as a signal! Not a segment!
Facilitated by: Anastasia Pelot, Founder, House of Context

Roundtable 5: Leveraging AI in the retail environment
Facilitated by: Phil Bolton, Managing Director & Founder, NEON Data & AI

Roundtable 6: Fostering efficiencies to save time and money, all while fostering construction best practice across de-fitting and base-building -in a compliant and sustainable way

Facilitated by:Dean McErlain, General Manager, BSG Commercial

Roundtable 7: Smart Space, Real Impact: Why Occupancy is the New Battleground for Malls & Retailers

Facilitated by:Anel Turkanovic, CEO, Vemco Group

Roundtable 8: Starting your decarbonisation journey: building revenue and meeting ESG ambitions

Facilitated by: Simon Mouat, Head of Commercial Embedded Network, Origin

Roundtable 9: Smart & Secure Shopping Malls: AI Powered Security in Shopping Mall Real Estate

Facilitated by: Matt Godward, Head of Retail ANZ, Verkada

Roundtable 10: Inside the Valuer’s Model: What Really Moves Retail Asset Value

Facilitated by: Shaun O’Sulivan, Director – Retail, M3 Property

Roundtable 11: Wayfinding as storytelling

Facilitated by: Tim Dow, Strategic Director, Tim Ron Don Dow and Jordan Rowe, Creative Director, Jordan Rowe Multidisciplinary Creative

Roundtable 12: From cost centre to profit centre – digital signage as a commercial asset

Facilitated by: Cameron Hanns, Owner/Director, Entwined Signage

Roundtable 13: Full bars = Full carts: Why connectivity is retail’s new critical infrastructure

Facilitated by: Adrian Ha, Business Development Manager Wireless Solutions, BAI Communications

Roundtable 14: From Retail to Community Hub: How Innovative Placemaking and Generational Connections Drive Social Impact in Malls
Facilitated by: Tony Rothacker, CEO & Co-Founder, Youngster.co

13:00

Lunch and Exhibition Viewing

14:00

FOCUSED BREAKOUT TRACKS

Track A:
Experience & Engagement Track B:
Growth & Strategy Track C:
Data, Tech & Intelligence

Flagships to experience centres: Retail as a living brand world

14:00

CASE STUDY - Beyond Showrooms: Designing the True Meaning of Experience in Luxury Retail

The Auckland Experience Centre by Fisher & Paykel was conceived as more than a showroom - it is a stage that redefines retail experience. Rooted in local storytelling, every design decision translated cultural narrative into spatial form, creating an environment unlike any other. This presentation shares how place, architecture, interiors, and brand ethos converged to craft a meaningful journey, illustrated through examples that bring this philosophy to life. We’ll also explore how Auckland’s success has shaped our Experience Centre ethos globally, influencing flagship spaces around the world including our recently opened Experience Centre in Melbourne. - Auckland experience centre by fisher & paykel: A future store must be more than a showroom, it must be an experience of human connection. - Designing meaningful customer journeys: How spatial planning, materiality, and narrative create immersive environments that redefine retail experience. - Global growth: How do you replicate something that can't be replicated or copied?

Kym Porter, Global GM Retail Experience, Fisher & Paykel

14:30

PANEL - Inside the Store Lab: Designing the Next Generation of Retail Spaces

This panel brings together store design, CX and innovation leaders from across retail to explore how physical stores are evolving in function, layout and brand purpose. From sustainable materials to frictionless tech, discover what future-ready retail environments look like and how brands are building them. • In-store tech strategy: Hear how brands are integrating checkout-free, loyalty-linked or sensory experiences • Format experimentation: Explore how retailers are testing new concepts through short-term or lab store models • Sustainability in fit-out: Discover how retailers are addressing emissions, waste and modularity at design stage • Narrative architecture:  How the four-level stack uses heritage as a design material to express the brand arc — from cellar discovery to dining-room finale. • Sensory and spatial storytelling:  The materiality, light, sound and pacing that shape the journey, guide movement, and create moments of reveal. • Hospitality-led curation:  How chef, sommelier and cocktail partnerships turn the store into a ritual-rich experience ecosystem — a reason to visit, stay and return

Andy Hoyne, CEO, Hoyne

Elvin Tan, Principal, ElvinTan Design

Paris Buckland, CEO, Storepro

Carly Whitelaw, Founder & Lead Advisor, CWC

Place, purpose & experience: Repositioning assets for habitual visitation

14:00

FIRESIDE CHAT - Designing an adaptive reuse retail precinct: inside the Collins Arcade transformation

David and Adrian unpack how a legacy CBD arcade at 260 Collins Street was reimagined through design to create a more intuitive, authentic and modern customer experience, while working within the constraints of an existing structure. The discussion focuses on the design intent, the trade-offs, and the practical decisions that sit behind the finished outcome: circulation, sightlines, dwell, atmosphere, and how to create a “Melbourne feel” that works for both customers and tenants. Expect a candid look at how developer ambition, design detail and constructability were aligned with Buchan, Kaipara and Buildcorp. • Rebuilding the customer journey: entries, wayfinding, sightlines and the Collins to Little Collins connection • Designing within constraints: existing structure, services upgrades, compliance, accessibility, vertical circulation and acoustics for mixed-use • Creating the “Melbourne arcade” feel: materiality, lighting, texture and moments of dwell that lift experience and support repeat visitation

David Hopper, Joint Managing Director, Kaipara Property Group

In conversation with

Adrian Vocale, Senior Architect, Buchan

14:40

FIRESIDE CHAT - Experience Anchors that Perform: Entertainment’s impact on dwell, visit frequency and spend

Entertainment Anchors that Perform: Defining the category, delivering the fit, and proving the uplift Entertainment can lift dwell, widen catchment and drive adjacent spend — but only when the format fits the asset, the operator is right, and the delivery and economics stack up. This session defines what “entertainment” means in a shopping centre context (from interactive and IP-led concepts to immersive and short-duration formats), then breaks down the landlord considerations that determine whether these uses create a genuine point of difference and repeat visitation beyond year one. • What “entertainment” means (in a major-asset context): Destination attractions vs in-centre concepts, planned vs casual experiences, duration and throughput, interactive vs passive, and IP-led formats (what translates to Australia vs what doesn’t). • Feasibility and delivery: what landlords must get right: Adjacencies and customer journey, physical constraints and services (acoustic, queueing, safety), shell/category requirements, approvals and programme timing, and typical capex / fit-out / ROI considerations. • Success measures and year 2–3 performance: Dwell time, repeat visits and market share, catchment drive-time, F&B and specialty uplift, operator performance, and how concepts refresh, adapt and stay repeatable within a fixed footprint.

Zak Gefland, Head of Property, FunLab

In conversation with

Rebecca Norton, Executive Director Retail Property Management, JLL

14:20

PRESENTATION - Reserved for Duress

15:00

FIRESIDE CHAT - Flexible Workspace: Transforming Retail Environments

Flexible workspace in Australia has evolved well beyond co-working post-COVID. Shopping centres are using workspace to diversify revenue and drive habitual visitation—blending co-working, serviced offices and hybrid, amenity-rich hubs. This session unpacks the formats, the design/amenity blueprint, and the commercial models that make workspace a viable retail anchor. - Market evolution & formats: From co-working and serviced offices to hybrid, sector-specific concepts - Design + amenity blueprint: High accessibility, natural light, intuitive wayfinding, large floorplates (≈6,000+ sqm) and stickiness via wellness, podcast studios, bowling/running tracks - Retail integration & ROI: Where it fits in centres, adjacencies/dayparting, partnership structures and KPIs, with lessons from QIC/Scentre Group initiatives

Jessie Glew, CEO, WOTSO

In conversation with

Sami Schiavi, Director - Head of Flexible Workspace, Colliers

Smarter spaces: Using data to drive decisions in retail environments

14:00

AI-Native Retail 2026: Inside the Self-Optimising Mall

By 2030, malls and retail environments become AI-native systems where operations, design, and media continuously learn and respond to demand. Multi-agent “digital staff” coordinate pricing, CX, inventory, and security in real time, while generative store design refreshes layouts and signage based on weather, footfall, and shopper behaviour. Product creation shifts earlier and faster, with AI spotting micro-trends and triggering agile manufacturing. Retail media is traded live by bots, and campaigns are pre-tested against synthetic shopper cohorts before a dollar is spent. • Self-optimising operations: Multi-agent ecosystems run pricing, CX, inventory, and security in real time. • Shape-shifting environments & products: Generative layouts and signage adapt daily; predictive design triggers on-demand manufacturing from emerging micro-trends. • Media & market proofing: Retail media is bought and sold programmatically by AI, while offers and creative are stress-tested with synthetic shoppers before launch. - Self-optimising operations: Multi-agent ecosystems run pricing, CX, inventory and security in real time—with governance and approvals embedded by design. - Shape-shifting environments & products: Generative store layouts/signage adapt daily; predictive design triggers on-demand manufacturing from emerging micro-trends. - Media & market proofing: Retail media is bought/sold programmatically by AI, while offers and creative are stress-tested with synthetic shoppers before launch.

Kelly Slessor, CEO & Founder, The Ecommerce Tribe & Tribe Gen AI

14:30

FIRESIDE CHAT - Digital Transformation in Retail Real Estate

Digital is no longer an add-on for retail real estate, it’s the backbone of how centres operate, engage and grow. In this opening fireside chat, Ramesh Narayanan, Head of Digital, QIC Real Estate, shares how QIC is approaching digital transformation to create smarter, more connected shopping environments. - Building the digital backbone for modern retail assets - Turning data into intelligence for leasing, marketing and operations - Bridging online and offline journeys to lift engagement and spend - Creating shared value through landlord–retailer data collaboration - What’s next in digital for shopping centres

Ramesh Narayanan, Head of Digital, QIC

In conversation with

Aatef Khayat, Chief Operating Officer, Glad Group

14:50

PRESENTATION - AI in Retail Security: What Works Reliably, Where It Breaks, and What’s Coming by 2030

A thought-leadership session for retail security leaders, drawing on 15 years of real-world experience deploying AI across large-scale CCTV environments. The presentation helps retail leaders separate hype from reality, what AI does well today, where it fails at the edges, and how to make confident decisions as AI reshapes malls and retail operations by 2030. • Reliable vs. risky use cases: Where AI consistently delivers value in retail security and where overconfidence creates blind spots. • The real edge cases: Lighting, crowd behavior, rare events, context and why these still trip AI up and how teams should plan for them. • Security toward 2030: How AI will evolve from detection to decision support in malls, and what security leaders should prepare for now.

Kevin Brown, CEO, icetana AI

15:20

Afternoon Tea & Exhibition Viewing

15:50

FOCUSED BREAKOUT TRACKS

Track A:
Experience & Engagement Track B:
Growth & Strategy Track C:
Data, Tech & Intelligence

Experience by design: From placemaking to the next-generation store

15:50

Retail Reimagined: Designing places people return to

In this presentation Andrew Hoyne will explore how the Experience Economy is transforming retail development through strategic placemaking. Successful retail precincts are no longer defined solely by transactions or leasable space, they thrive by delivering memorable, participatory experiences that foster community connection, cultural engagement, and economic return. Using global case studies, from immersive retail and cultural hubs to wellness-focused urban spaces, we’ll show how developers can embed experience-led placemaking from day one to create destinations that attract footfall, build loyalty, and remain relevant in a rapidly evolving market. - Community and placemaking value: Experience-driven retail precincts foster connection, engagement, and a sense of place. - Commercial return: Thoughtful placemaking and immersive experiences drive longer dwell times, higher lease premiums, and stronger tenant retention. - Future-proofing retail: Embedding experience-led placemaking ensures physical spaces remain relevant, resilient, and competitive in a digital-first world.

Andrew Hoyne, Founder & Director, Hoyne

16:10

CASE STUDY - The invisible hand behind great retail spaces: design management that lifts precinct performance

This case study explores the behind-the-scenes discipline that makes retail precincts feel effortless, coherent and commercially strong. Andrew will break down how strong design management and placemaking turn a collection of individual tenancies into a unified customer experience, keeping owners, leasing, retailers and consultants aligned from concept to delivery. The session will focus on the practical levers that shape how a place looks, moves, trades and is remembered, with examples from food courts and mixed-use precinct environments. - The “invisible hand” of precinct success: how to align leasing, design intent and delivery so the place feels curated, not piecemeal - Designing beyond the lease line: shopfronts, public realm, wayfinding, lighting, seating and activation that drive dwell time and repeat visitation - A repeatable review framework: governance, standards and design principles that protect quality while still enabling speed, flexibility and commercial outcomes

Andrew Falson, Director Place and Design, Titanium Property

16:30

Designing desire: What luxury retail teaches us about experience

From sensory design to brand theatre, luxury retail has long set the standard for physical experience. In this fireside chat, a leading brand strategist and a senior luxury retail insider unpack how expectations are shifting and what all retailers and landlords can learn from luxury’s approach to space, storytelling and service. - Experience as aspiration: Learn how luxury brands use physical design to build emotion, loyalty and cultural value - Multi-sensory environments: See how space, materiality and service create immersive, memorable moments - Curating presence: Understand how location, format and centre context influence luxury retail success

Melinda O’Rourke, General Manager, Bluebell Group

In conversation with

Vanessa Rader, Head of Research, Ray White

Making retail pay: Ops, omnichannel & new revenue

15:50

CASE STUDY - Fulfilment as Footfall: Integrating Click & Collect, Parcel Lockers and Same-Day into the Tenant Mix

Omnichannel now lives inside the centre. This session shows how Australia Post’s parcel-first micro-shop format and the rapid rollout of 24/7 parcel lockers sit alongside click & collect and same-day delivery — and what that means for leasing, design and day-to-day operations. Expect a practical walkthrough of where the logistics layer belongs in the asset, how to write it into the lease, and how to prove the uplift. - Design & siting: placing parcel-first shops, lockers and drive-up/C&C bays (car parks vs concourse), after-hours access, safety and wayfinding. - Leasing & commercials: access rights, OPEX/services, signage and data/KPI-sharing to standardise scale. - Operations & CX: staging and returns flows, staffing and queue management, and how pickups translate to cross-shop.

Belinda Quinn, Senior Transaction Manager, Australia Post

16:10

PANEL DISCUSSION - Beyond rent: Unlocking new revenue streams in retail assets

This panel explores how landlords are monetising beyond traditional leases, from retail media and brand activations to loyalty ecosystems and programmatic revenue. - Retail media networks: Monetise foot traffic through data-led in-centre advertising - Programmatic and digital overlays: Generate revenue from attention, not just transactions - Experience-as-a-service: Create activations and environments that brands pay to be part of

Alex Michael, Commercial Manager, Revelop

Stephen Dewaele, General Manager - Property Management, QIC

Ben Henderson, Chief Executive Officer, Microgrid Power Group

James Stewart, Independent Advisor, Former National Consumer & Retail Leader at KPMG

16:40

What I Learned in Retail (That Didn’t Kill Me!)

After 40 years as a restructuring and turnaround professional, often parachuted into retail organisations in financial crisis, James has just about seen it all. Drawing on his experience as a senior corporate advisor and business leader at Ferrier Hodgson & KPMG, James’ entertaining session will focus on why things go wrong in business and how to set yourself up for success. - Retail media networks: Monetise foot traffic through in-centre advertising - Monetising the Everyday:  Unlocking hidden revenue through amenities and services - Experience-as-a-Service: Create activations and environments that brands pay to be part of

James Stewart, Independent Advisor, Former National Consumer & Retail Leader at KPMG

Retail media, loyalty & personalisation: The next digital layer of place

15:50

CASE STUDY - Building a Shared Data Strategy Between Landlords and Tenants

Explore how a leading shopping centre owner and retail tenant co-developed a shared approach to data. This presentation outlines how collaboration on traffic, spend and behaviour data helped both parties optimise outcomes and reduce risk. - Unified data frameworks: Align decision-making across landlord and tenant operations - Collaborative analytics practices: Improve transparency and eliminate guesswork - Shared performance metrics: Drive better leasing, marketing and activation strategies

Arthur Raptis, Head of Leasing & Retail, Raptis Investments

16:10

CASE STUDY - Colouring in the Data Blind Spots: How Smart Data Drives Smarter Retail

The best precincts don't just count customers—they understand them. By connecting the dots between how people move, what they buy, and who they are, leading operators can transform gut-feel decisions into data-backed wins. This session unpacks a simple truth: when you know your customer's journey, you can design spaces, curate neighbourhoods, and create moments that turn browsers into buyers. Practical insights for anyone managing busy retail environments where every square metre and every minute matters. - See the full picture: Why blending movement patterns, spending habits, and customer profiles reveals opportunities traditional footfall counts miss entirely. - Friction costs money: The direct link between smoother customer journeys and bigger baskets—and how small operational fixes deliver outsized commercial returns. - Data-led design thinking: Using data to answer the questions that matter: which brands go where, what your customers actually want, and how to evolve your precinct as expectations shift.

Emma de Szoeke, Brand Strategy & Growth Advisor,

16:30

This panel brings together landlords, retailers and tech providers to explore how data is transforming the way physical retail operates. Discover the tools, partnerships and principles shaping the next wave of intelligent environments. - Behaviour-driven design: Use analytics to inform everything from leasing to store planning - Data transparency across stakeholders: Build trust and long-term collaboration - Tech-enabled retail strategy: Future-proof assets and operations with smarter infrastructure

Arthur Raptis, Head of Leasing & Retail, Raptis Investments

Ramesh Narayanan, Head of Digital, QIC

Nick Murphy, General Manager – Marketing & Insights, Mirvac

Phil Bolton, Founder, NEON Data & AI

Aatef Khayat, Chief Operating Officer, Glad Group

17:20

Cocktail Reception

18:00

End of Conference Day One

Day 2, Wednesday 25 March 2026

09:00

Opening remarks

Fergus Cunningham, Conference Director, FuturePlace

09:05

Chairs opening remarks

After years of disruption, the Australian consumer is recalibrating. How confident are they? Where are they spending? And how is this translating into performance across different types of retail assets? In this data-rich session, we explore the economic forces shaping the retail landscape, how sentiment is shifting, and what it means for malls, brands and investors.

Understand where the Australian consumer stands today: Analyse key drivers of consumer confidence and spending behaviour to inform strategy across leasing, marketing and merchandising.

See which retail formats are thriving or under pressure: Benchmark foot traffic, occupancy and performance across CBD, regional, outlet and large-format centres to guide investment and development priorities.

Track category-level shifts in discretionary vs essential spend: Gain visibility into which retail sectors are seeing growth and where consumers are pulling back to shape store mix and centre activation plans.

Forecast what lies ahead for retail in 2026: Identify emerging risks and opportunities around interest rates, inflation, global trends and evolving shopper expectations

Matt Newell, CEO & Founder, The General Store

09:10

Market Outlook 2026: Consumer Confidence, Spending Shifts and Centre Performance

Understand where the Australian consumer stands today: Analyse key drivers of consumer confidence and spending behaviour to inform strategy across leasing, marketing and merchandising.

See which retail formats are thriving or under pressure: Benchmark foot traffic, occupancy and performance across CBD, regional, outlet and large-format centres to guide investment and development priorities.

Track category-level shifts in discretionary vs essential spend: Gain visibility into which retail sectors are seeing growth and where consumers are pulling back to shape store mix and centre activation plans.

Forecast what lies ahead for retail in 2026: Identify emerging risks and opportunities around interest rates, inflation, global trends and evolving shopper expectations

Emily Dabbs, Head of Macro Consulting, Oxford Economics

09:30

Youth as signal, not segment: What Gen Z & Gen Alpha mean for the future of malls

Too often, youth are treated as just another consumer segment. But Gen Z and Gen Alpha aren’t simply a slice of the market — they are cultural bellwethers. The way they shop, socialize, and shape identity today signals where all consumers are heading tomorrow. This talk reframes youth as signals, not segments, showing how their rituals of belonging and identity rehearsal in malls and stores reveal the future of retail design, leasing, and brand strategy.

Understand Gen Z and Gen Alpha not just as shoppers, but as cultural forecasters.

Translate global youth behaviours into actionable implications for Australian centres and retailers.

Apply a “signal, not segment” lens to anticipate emerging consumer expectations across categories.

Anastasia Pelot, Founder, House of Context (USA)

09:55

FIRESIDE CHAT - Reinventing Baby Bunting: Inside the Brand and Store Transformation

Australia’s leading baby goods retailer is growing up. In this fireside chat, Baby Bunting CEO Mark Teperson joins The General Store’s Chief Experience Officer, Reid Nakou to unpack the thinking behind Baby Bunting’s ambitious rebrand and next-generation store design. From tone-of-voice to touchscreen experiences, this conversation reveals how one of Australia’s most established retail brands is redefining its identity, physical footprint and customer connection

Rebranding a retail icon: Learn how Baby Bunting repositioned its brand to feel more modern, relevant and emotionally connected

Designing for real families: See how digital tools, in-store zones and service design are supporting time-poor, high-needs customers

From big box to flagship: Understand how the new concept store balances inspiration, education and commercial performance

Mark Teperson, CEO, Baby Bunting

Reid Nakou, Chief Experience Officer, The General Store

10:25

CASE STUDY - The Market Pavilion: Reinventing Fresh Food at Chadstone

Chadstone’s new Market Pavilion reimagines fresh food as a curated, design-led destination at the heart of the centre. Housing artisanal retailers, grocers, cafés and a 700-seat dining hall under a dramatic glass canopy, the precinct blends daily convenience with premium experience. This case study explores how the project lifts dwell time and frequency, while setting a new benchmark for how fresh food can anchor engagement in retail environments.

Fresh food meets format innovation: See how Chadstone integrates convenience with elevated design and experience

Tenant curation and precinct planning: Learn how Vicinity combined major anchors with local favourites and independent producers

Atmosphere as commercial strategy: Discover how natural light, materiality and spatial planning enhance shopper satisfaction and repeat visits

Daniel Boyle, Centre Manager - Chadstone, Vicinity Centres

Mardi Ashkine, Head of Centre Marketing, Vicinity Centres

10:50

PRESENTATION - Reserved for ARA Group

This session brings together top fund managers and capital markets leaders to explore investor appetite, capital flows, transaction trends and asset repositioning in the Australian retail real estate sector. Gain insight into how long the caution will last, who’s still buying, and what retail assets must do to attract investment again.

Investor sentiment outlook: Understand where confidence is trending in the short and long term

Cross-border capital dynamics: Learn which investor types and regions are still active in Australia

Mixed-use redevelopment potential: Identify opportunities for residential and vertical intensification

Asset-class positioning: Discover what makes a retail asset attractive in today’s capital environment

11:10

Morning break & exhibition viewing

11:45

PANEL - Capital Markets in Focus: Who’s Investing, What’s Trading and Where to Next?

Investor sentiment outlook: Understand where confidence is trending in the short and long term

Cross-border capital dynamics: Learn which investor types and regions are still active in Australia

Mixed-use redevelopment potential: Identify opportunities for residential and vertical intensification

Asset-class positioning: Discover what makes a retail asset attractive in today’s capital environment

Panellists:

Lucas Forbes, Fund Manager, Centennial

Tye Van Dyk, Head of Invesments, Real Estate , Lewis Land

Andrew Coutts, Managing Director - Core Real Estate, MA Financial

Moderated by:

Nick Willis, Head of Investment, JLL

12:15

PANEL - Fitness & wellness as anchors: How shifting health habits are reshaping centre visitation

With Australians increasingly prioritising healthy, active lifestyles, wellness and fitness operators are emerging as true anchors that trade all day and change the rhythm of a centre. Gyms and clubs create habitual, membership-based visitation that lifts weekday utilisation and predictable daypart peaks, while athleisure brands are opening larger, more immersive stores and leaning into curated precincts. The result: higher dwell, repeat visits, and meaningful cross-shop into F&B, beauty and services—plus a clear point of differentiation for centres competing on experience.

Anchor logic & habitual visitation: How fitness/wellness operators function as anchors, driving repeat, membership-led traffic and predictable dayparts—and how landlords capture cross-shop uplift and value

Precinct design & placement: Getting the mix and location right (gym/club + allied health + athleisure + healthy F&B), adjacencies, access/services, and queue/noise management to maximise performance

Experience & programming that move the needle: Run clubs, classes, recovery zones, testing labs and in-store activations—plus the KPIs to track (dwell, frequency, conversion, adjacent spend)

Differentiator trends & scaling: What’s next in wellness offers (Pilates, recovery, diagnostics, aesthetics, nutrition), ESG-led fitouts, partnership models, and how to scale a successful precinct across a portfolio

Panellists:

Macauley Ryan, Store Development Manager, LSKD

Anna Strzelcykowski, Head of Property, Lorna Jane

Andy Chamoun, Executive General Manager- Australia, Fitness and Lifestyle Group

Alison Flemming, General Manager – Portfolio Management, Mirvac

Moderated by:

Sheree Griff, Head of Retail & Place Advisory, CBRE

12:45

INNOVATION SPOTLIGHT

In this session, 4 innovative companies will take the stage to showcase their solutions for improving retailer and shopper experiences. This will then be followed up by a short panel discussion.

Innovation Talk 1: Generate passive income & repeat visits with a food ordering app – David-James Nguyen, Director, Liven
Innovation Talk 2: Driving the future: Expanding EV Charging Through Partnerships and Innovation – Ben Gregory, Senior BDM Public Charging, Exploren Network Assets
Innovation Talk 3: Smarter Stores, Better Lives: Human-First AI for Retail – Puneet Kumar, Country Manager, Carrier Abound
Innovation Talk 4: Shaping performance before it plays out –Tomas Baca, Founding Partner, Virtual Retail

Moderated by:

Paris Buckland, CEO, Storepro

13:15

Networking lunch and exhibition viewing

14:20

FOCUSED BREAKOUT TRACKS

Track A:
Leasing, Tenancy & Commercial Strategy Track B:
Security & Sustainability

The new lease playbook: Flexibility, fit and forward thinking

14:20

FIRESIDE CHAT - Inside Accent Group: Sites, Deals & Scaling Winners

Leasing agent Zelman Ainsworth interviews Accent Group’s David Coombes on the rollout math behind hundreds of stores—how a multi-brand portfolio picks sites, prices deals, and scales winners: scorecards, hybrid-rent thresholds, pop-up to permanent gates, speed-to-open levers, and when to relocate or close. - The site scorecard: catchment quality, adjacencies, digital demand, rent-to-sales and four-wall targets - Deal structures that pass investment committee: base + turnover bands, staged fit-out, kick-outs/go-dark - Speed & scale: standardised formats, vendor panels, compressed approvals, pop-up to permanent milestones - Working the partnership: what Accent shares (and needs) on data/marketing, and expectations of landlords/agencies

David Coombes, Group General Manager Property & Store Development, Accent Group

In conversation with

Zelman Ainsworth, Director, Ainsworth Property

14:40

PANEL - Redefining the Deal: Partnering for Performance in a Changed Market

This panel explores how landlords and retailers are working together to create deals that deliver — financially, operationally and experientially. From turnover rent to shared marketing, panellists unpack what collaboration looks like today and what it will take to thrive in a world of shifting risk and rising expectations. - Turnover and hybrid rent models: Understand how risk is being shared - Shorter leases, faster decisions: See how timelines are compressing on both sides - Pop-up and flex strategy: Learn how brands and landlords are using space for experimentation - Collaboration beyond the lease: Discover how marketing, data and fit-out incentives are becoming part of the deal Panellists:

Maz Violi, National Leasing Manager, Australia & New Zealand, Nando’s

Leigh Dunn, National Head of Retail Leasing, ISPT

, ,

Richard Walters, General Manager – Leasing, HABEN

Moderated by:

David-James Nguyen, Director, DJN Consulting | Liven Group

Embedding sustainability and security best practice across retail environments

14:20

PANEL - Safer Spaces: Building Smarter Security Strategies Across the Retail Ecosystem

This discussion explores the fundamentals of creating safe, welcoming retail environments. Landlords, retailers and frontline leaders will share how they balance safety, dignity and trade through design, staffing, partnerships and proportionate use of technology. - Integrated security systems: Learn how AI, facial recognition and sensors are being used to monitor and respond - Vulnerable populations and complex risk: Hear real strategies for working with homeless, youth and high-risk individuals - Training for reality: Understand what today’s guards and staff actually need to stay prepared

Michael Yates, National Manager – Emergency Management & Security, GPT Group

Tony Franov, Director, ARA Fire & Security

Trav Heaven, CEO, Duress

15:00

Building a coordinated circularity clothing system for the future

Retail is at the forefront of the transition to a circular clothing economy. Seamless, Australia’s national stewardship scheme is working with industry to turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities. From improved durability and labelling to extended use, advanced recycling infrastructure, and innovative customer experiences, this session will explore how retailers can shape, benefit from, and lead in our circular clothing future. - What’s coming next: Get ahead of consumer and regulatory expectations by staying informed on global developments, including durability labelling, circular design standards, and recycling requirements that are shaping the future of fashion. - Where the opportunities lie: Learn how circular business models like resale, rental, repair, and recycling can unlock new revenue streams, strengthen customer loyalty, and enhance brand value - How retailers can lead: Learn how Seamless’ program of work empowers retailers to influence national policy, drive business efficiencies, and deliver more meaningful customer experiences through circular responsibility

Ainsley Simpson, CEO, Seamless

15:20

FIRESIDE CHAT - Circular by design: cutting fitout waste and making reuse normal in retail

Retail sustainability often gets stuck at materials and messaging. This fireside chat would unpack what it takes to design circular store fitouts and refurbishments that genuinely reduce waste, stand up to scrutiny, and can be repeated across portfolios, without making delivery unrealistic for project teams. - What “circular” looks like in a store fitout, in plain terms - Designing for disassembly, reuse, and take-back: what works in practice - How to measure impact credibly and avoid greenwash traps

15:40

End of conference

"An excellent summit that covered a diverse range of interesting speakers who shared insights and trends highly relevant to both landlords and tenants. A worthy investment of time with the additional benefit of networking with a talented group of industry professionals."

Daniel Boyle

Centre Manager – Chadstone The Fashion Capital, Vicinity Centres

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to FuturePlace for inviting me as a keynote speaker and panellist at this year’s Malls of the Future Summit. It was a pleasure to meet and exchange notes with the community of landlords and retailers from the ANZ region, and I look forward to having more meaningful engagements."

Chris Chong

CEO, Retail and Workspace (Singapore and Malaysia), CapitaLand Investment

"Stepping into the Malls of the Future Summit was like entering a dynamic realm where tenants and landlords converged, sparking synergies and outcomes that danced beyond the norm. With its stellar content and vibrant networking, it became a refreshing oasis for property professionals to collaborate and glean fascinating insights into the future of retail. Huge shoutout to FuturePlace for curating such an invigorating and thought-provoking experience!"

Anna Strzelczykowski

Head of Property & Retail Development, Lorna Jane

"Another great edition of MOTF, excellent to see an even bigger turnout. Thought provoking discussion from many leading professionals in our sector provide some valuable insights. Well organised, thanks."

Leif Olson

Director - Head of Retail Leasing Australia, CBRE

"Malls of the Future Summit is a terrific platform for property professionals to network, collaborate & hear interesting insights into what will shape the future of retail.  Thanks to FuturePlace for putting on a great event & for providing a very thought-provoking day of quality information."

Simon Dyer

Retail Asset Manager, Centuria

"I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the organisers of the Malls Of The Future summit for allowing me to share my insights. The audience's enthusiastic response to our panel presentation was truly inspiring. It was a pleasure to connect with like-minded professionals and exchange valuable ideas. I look forward to continuing the conversation and collaborating with others in the industry. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity."

Ramsey Fodda

General Manager, Leasing Retail, One Five One Property

"The Malls of the Future Summit is a unique event and one that is very much needed for the Shopping Centre industry. The platform provided by FuturePlace enabled idea exchange, networking and industry suppliers the ability to showcase their products and speak to decision makers which is invaluable."

Tim Clarkson

CEO, Chas Clarkson

“CBRE had the pleasure of being Diamond Partners at the Malls of the Future Summit which brought together industry experts, thought leaders, and innovators. The discussions were informative and engaging and allowed us to strengthen valuable relationships with like-minded professionals. I recommend this event to anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-changing world of retail.”