Business Breakfast: The Future of Retail

20 May, 08:30 - 11:00

This Business Breakfast is an intimate, high-level introduction to Retail Forum 2026, bringing together senior leaders, brands, and partners for a strategic look at the year ahead. It sets the tone for a focus on customers, journeys, and growth, exploring how connected stores, data-driven retail media, and social commerce can work together to deepen relationships and drive profitable outcomes.

Bringing big retailers together with smaller players, the morning showcases partnerships across the sector and the learnings that come from real collaboration – from joint in store experiments to shared approaches to data, media, and innovation. Through a curated conversation and room-wide discussion, participants will exchange practical experience on turning insight into action, elevating in store execution, and building trusted, personalised journeys that keep customers coming back.

About SCC UK’s Business Breakfasts

SCC UK Business Breakfasts bring together tailored, carefully curated groups in an intimate setting for high-quality discussion and insight. The format can range from interactive roundtable conversations to mini-theatre style sessions featuring strong speakers and focused themes. Always informal and conducted under the Chatham House Rule, these breakfasts encourage open dialogue, meaningful exchange, and valuable connections.

Booking information

Please register your interest to attend this event. Participant lists are curated with the theme of each Business Breakfast in mind, for all attendees to get the most out of the discussions. You will be notified if your participation has been confirmed. Payment will be made upon confirmation for non-members.

Speakers

Karen O’Rourke

Managing Director UK/IE

H&M Hennes & Mauritz UK Ltd

Featured Speaker

As Managing Director for the UK and Ireland, Karen is responsible for all UK & Ireland subsidiaries of

H&M. This includes overseeing around 7,000 colleagues, the operations of over 200 physical stores,

our digital platforms, and the development of the brand and growing customer base in one of H&M’s

most significant markets globally.

Karen brings over 25 years of experience at H&M to her role, beginning her journey on the shop floor,

she has held 14 roles across store operations, area management, and sales markets, most recently

serving as Sales Market Manager for the Nordics. Her career is marked by a deep understanding of

retail operations and leadership, and a proven ability to drive growth and transformation. Karen has

successfully led cross-functional teams to elevate customer experience across multiple regions

Partners

Location

TBC

TBC, London, Greater London, United Kingdom

Delegate

Jan Ståhlberg

Founder & Managing Partner

Trill Impact

Emmie Jones

Partner

White & Case

David Samuelson

Partner

Nordic Capital

Register interest to attend

SCC UK Member

£0.00

YP Member

£0.00

Non-Member

£30.00

Terms & Conditions

Bookings are non-refundable, but at the discretion of the organiser, you can change the name of the person attending. For this, please contact events@scc.org.uk.