Nick Gray Joins Retail Show Australia 2026 as Featured Speaker

Retail Show Australia is proud to announce that Nick Gray, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of IGU Global, will join the speaker line-up for Retail Show Australia 2026, taking place 22–24 September 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).



With more than 25 years of global retail and brand experience, Nick brings a unique perspective that bridges strategy, creativity, technology, and human behaviour. His career spans some of the world’s most influential retail and lifestyle brands, including Adidas, Nike, Diesel, Sneakerboy, and Westfield, where he has led initiatives across brand transformation, customer experience, and commercial growth.

A Leader at the Intersection of AI and Human-Centred Retail

As the Founder and CEO of IGU Global, Nick works with leading retailers and brands to unlock growth through AI-driven strategy, emotional intelligence, and customer psychology. His approach focuses on helping organisations balance advanced technology with authentic human connection — a challenge facing retailers globally.

Nick’s insights have been featured in Inside Retail, and he has been recognised by Rethink Retail as one of the Top Retail Experts, reflecting his influence on the future direction of the industry. Known for his practical frameworks and thought-provoking perspectives, Nick challenges leaders to rethink how performance, culture, and customer trust are built in an increasingly data-led world.

Session Highlight: The Human Operating System

Session title: The Human Operating System: Why Emotional Intelligence Will Define the Next Decade of Retail

In this session, Nick will explore why emotional intelligence is becoming a critical capability for retail leaders navigating rapid technological change. As AI, automation, and data analytics reshape operations and decision-making, Nick argues that human-centred leadership will be the defining advantage of successful retailers.

Key themes will include:

• How data and AI can coexist with empathy, creativity, and human judgment
• Why emotional intelligence is essential for building resilient retail teams
• The role of trust and psychology in customer loyalty and brand performance
• Practical strategies for leaders to future-proof their organisations

Attendees can expect actionable insights that connect leadership, culture, and customer experience — offering a clear roadmap for thriving in the next decade of retail.

Part of a World-Class Speaker Line-Up

Nick Gray joins a growing line-up of influential speakers at Retail Show Australia 2026, where industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers will come together to explore the forces shaping the future of retail across Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Retail Show Australia 2026 will deliver three days of thought leadership, innovation showcases, and networking opportunities — covering topics from retail technology and AI to leadership, customer experience, and commercial strategy.

Join us at MCEC this September to hear from Nick Gray and other industry experts redefining what’s next for retail.