2026 Forecast - Leaders' Lunch
This is our first senior retailer gathering of the year and it kicks off with the most important details- We’ll be revealing IMRGs forecast for 2026 trading and give a full review of how 2025 performed. With this free-to-attend event, you’ll get all the insight and data you need to set you up for a successful Q1 and beyond.
The potential for increases in efficiency and productivity is clear, yet the real benefit has yet to be realised in most cases. Could this be the year that those implementations really start to deliver on the promise of AI? What combination of solutions work best, where is AI ‘ready’ to make a difference?
This event, designed to enable senior retailers to sit together and discuss challenges and opportunities in ecommerce, we will address these questions head-on, as IMRG share research into how retailers are using AI, as well as our revenue forecast for 2026 and general expectations for trade.
Why Attend
Exclusive first reveal of IMRG’s 2026 forecast: IMRG have carefully created a forecast that you can use to pitch your strategy against.
Benchmark your AI adoption: Discover where your business stands compared to your retail peers and learn what’s driving measurable results.
Learn what’s working in practice: Hear real-world examples of how senior retailers are using AI to improve conversion rates, streamline operations, and boost profitability.
Turn insight into action: Collaborate in small groups to develop AI-driven strategies that tackle shared eCommerce challenges and unlock new efficiencies.
Accelerate your AI roadmap: In quickfire 1-2-1 sessions, connect with peers facing similar implementation hurdles and exchange ideas for scaling AI impact faster.
Event format
This one-day event brings together over 40 senior retailers to reflect on performance, spot opportunities for growth, and anticipate trends for 2026.
You can expect:
- Five-course dining in an intimate, private setting
- IMRG presentations on 2025 performance and 2026 forecast
- Rotating roundtables focussing on optimising various eCommerce metrics
- Pre-matched 1:1 networking opportunities
- Access to IMRGs powerful Digital Dashboard rankings & benchmarking data
Event venue
The Loft, Ivy Club, London
Held at The Ivy Club, this exclusive lunch pairs premium insights with five-star dining in one of London’s most distinguished settings.
Event Agenda
| Time | Content |
| 11:00 – 11:50 | Registration & Champagne Reception |
| 11:50 – 12:05 | Are we ready for AI? – Find out from our retailer survey how sophisticated retailers are in their use of AI; in which areas is it delivering the best ROI? Presented by Andy Mulcahy, IMRG |
| 12:05 – 12:35 | Retailer roundtable discussion |
| 12:35 – 12:45 | Did 2025 deliver? – What health is the UK ecommerce market in as we launch into another year? Where will the opportunities for growth be this year? Presented by Andy Mulcahy, IMRG |
| 12:45 – 12:55 | Expert solution-generator Q&A: A chance for delegates to get technical insight into specific challenges they are facing |
| 12:55 – 13:25 | Retailer roundtable discussion |
| 13:25 – 14:15 | Peer-to-peer idea generator – IMRG’s quickfire engaging format sits everyone in the room together with five different people individually, in eight-minute bursts, to discuss challenges and share ideas around how to progress them |
| 14:15 – 14:25 | Category performance analysis – Where is demand expected to be good for the coming year and which sub-categories are finding growth difficult? Presented by Matthew Walsh, IMRG |
| 14:25 – 14:55 | Retailer roundtable discussion |
| 14:55 – 15:05 | Expert solution-generator Q&A: A chance for delegates to get technical insight into specific challenges they are facing |
| 15:05 – 15:15 | Quantifying expectations – what is the forecast for revenue growth for the ecommerce market in 2026? Presented by Matthew Walsh, IMRG |
| 15:15 – 16:30 | Networking Drinks |
Am I eligible?
The event is free to attend for retailers. To ensure a relevant experience for all attendees, limited free seats are available for non-members who meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Retailers who hold a position in the following: C-Suite, Directors, and Head of’s
- Retailers who represent a retail business with an annual turnover of £10 million or more.
How can solution providers get involved?
This event is only free to attend for retailers.
This is a rare opportunity to engage senior retailers as they shape their 2026 strategies.
Sponsorship offers exclusive access to a highly curated audience.
Book time with us to explore tailored partnership opportunities.
Thank you to our Sponsors
