Breakfast of Big Ideas: Winning Against The Odds
7:30 – 11am
Across retail, pressure is mounting. Costs are rising, demand is shifting and traditional growth levers are breaking down. Through four unfiltered sessions, hear from the leaders shaping what comes next — from breakthrough growth to bold pivots, this is how retailers are winning against the odds.
Speakers
Program
7:30am – Registration and Networking
8:00am – Ragtrader Welcome
8:05am – The Data Doesn’t Lie: Where Fashion Retail Growth Is Actually Happening
Exclusive Analytical Deep Dive | Presented by BDO
In a market defined by uncertainty, this session cuts through the noise with a clear, data-led view of performance across fashion retail. Drawing on fiscal results, LTS data and trading benchmarks, BDO delivers a forensic analysis of where growth is truly coming from—and where it isn’t.
This hard-edged, no-fluff session designed to give decision-makers a definitive view of the market, grounded in evidence, not opinion.
8:25am – Outperforming the Market: How the Best Retailers Are Winning Now
Universal Store Group CEO Alice Barbery, GAP Australia COO Melissa Trovato and Tapestry ANZ head of brand Ebony Milosavljevic
While much of retail battles softening discretionary spend and macro pressure, a select group of brands continues to grow revenue and expand margins. This session brings together leaders from high-performing retailers to unpack what’s driving that outperformance — and the decisions making it possible.
From capital allocation and cost-base reinvention to protecting demand in a volatile market, we’ll explore the operating strategies helping these businesses outperform when conditions are working against them.
9:00am – Break for Breakfast and Networking
9:30am – Challenger Brands: Where Growth Is Being Won Today
Showpo head of operations David Ibanez, VRG GRL co-CEO Cale Suesskow and Lioness brand director Daniella Johnston
Challenger brands are still compounding growth despite rising CAC, intensifying competition and mounting pressure on unit economics. This session explores how they’re continuing to take share while others stall.
We unpack the strategic decisions driving that performance — from sequencing expansion and scaling sustainably to protecting contribution margin and maintaining brand relevance. The discussion also examines best-practice strategies in a more demanding market environment.
10:05am – Retail Turnarounds: Stories of Reset and Recovery
Cue Clothing Co CEO Melanie Remai, David Jones CEO Scott Fyfe, APG & Co CEO Elisha Hopkinson and Seafolly Group CEO Brendan Santamaria
As structural pressure reshapes the retail landscape, turnarounds have become one of the defining challenges of the cycle. More than a return to growth, a successful turnaround demands a reset of focus, operating model and capital priorities. This session explores how brands are rebuilding performance after disruption.
Drawing on leadership experience across current and past turnarounds, we examine the inflection points that changed trajectory, the decisions that reshaped priorities and the strategies that restored momentum.
10:40am – Formalities conclude. Extended networking begins
11:00am – Event closes
Sponsors
Platinum Partner
Gold Partner
Silver Partners



Why Attend?
World-class speakers
Competitive insights
Professional development
Unparalleled networking
Venue
7:30 – 11am
Redfern NSW 2016










