Speaker Video: Bernie Brookes AM on Navigating Change, AI and Uncertainty in Australian Retail

Speaker Video:  Bernie Brookes AM on Navigating Change, AI and Uncertainty in Australian Retail

Retail Show Australia 2026 is excited to welcome Bernie Brookes AM, one of Australia’s most respected retail and business leaders, as a keynote speaker at the upcoming event in Melbourne.

In this exclusive speaker video, Bernie Brookes AM shares a preview of his keynote session, where he will examine the rapidly changing nature of retail and manufacturing in Australia—and what leaders must do to navigate an increasingly complex and uncertain environment.

Bernie currently chairs a number of listed and unlisted companies and works closely with private equity firms as well as small, medium, and large businesses. He is also Chair of the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC), the peak body representing Australia’s food, drink, and grocery manufacturing sector. The AFGC represents member companies with $162 billion in annual turnover, employs over 280,000 people, and accounts for 32% of Australia’s manufacturing output.

In his keynote, Bernie will explore how retail and manufacturing are being reshaped by a powerful combination of forces—including AI and emerging technologies, evolving consumer behaviour, and the rise of marketplaces and social commerce. He will discuss why understanding and adapting to these shifts is now critical for long-term competitiveness and resilience.

Bernie will also address the growing impact of global and geopolitical influences on Australian retail, and what this means for businesses operating in an era defined by uncertainty. From transformation and resilience to leadership and strategic decision-making, his session will provide valuable insights into how organisations can navigate disruption and build a stronger future.

Drawing on decades of leadership experience across retail, manufacturing, and corporate governance, Bernie’s keynote promises practical perspectives, candid observations, and lessons learned from a lifetime in business.