Advisory Board Committee for C-star 2018 Retail Forum officially established

With rapid growth of technology and demand of new shopping mode, concept of ‘new retail’, ‘unmanned retail’, ‘omnichannel’, and ‘smart retail’ emerges one after another, which brings both opportunity and challenge to all retailers. What is world retail going? Will technology innovation be the best way to catch consumers? How will shopping mall follow up consumption upgrade? How does new brand survive in new retail world? What is ‘dream design’ for brand owner?

While the retail world keeps spinning, is it a real ‘people matters’ world or just blind developing world?

As the most anticipating supporting programme for C-star, this year, C-star Retail Forum thus hold the motto of ‘Shape a human centered retail world’, offering a platform where industry authorities and experts, commercial real estate developers, shopping center operation executives, retail brand owners and other renowned guest speakers discuss diversified themes such as "global retail development trends", "The future of retail world", "consumption upgrade", and "space aesthetics". This premier platform offers an outstanding venue for industry professionals to gain new industry knowledge and to expand business networks.

▲C-star Retail Forum photos over the last three years 

To further enhance the professionalism and authority of the forum, this year, we officially set up the Advisory Board Committee for C-star 2018 Retail Forum. Market Leaders and retail experts will get together to share the industry insights for retailers.
 

 Confirmed Advisory Board Committee Members include: 

Prof. Dr. Helmut MERKEL 

Chairman EURASIA Global Concept

Eurasia Global Limited

Helmut Merkel is owner of several SME’s, all focused on Retail and Retail services (Logistics, Sourcing, Brand Management) in Hong Kong, China and Europe. One of the major activities in China is managing a network of companies to introduce European Lifestyle products (Fashion, Food and Beverages) to the Chinese Consumer market.

Before he started his own business together with a Partner, he was CEO of a major European Department Store Chain, engaged with restructuring and repositioning. During a period of 5 years he was President of the national German Retail Association. For three years he was President of IGDS (International Group of Department Stores). In his prior career, he was managing a Footwear retail company with outlets all over Europe and the United States.
In parallel to his business career, he became a Professor for Economics and Computer Sciences at the University of Mannheim (Germany).

Mr. Michael Gerling

CEO

EHI Retail Institute

Michael Gerling's passion is retail. After studying economics at the University of Muenster, his first job was at one the best-known retailer for groceries in Germany. At Edeka he spent six years and then started his successful career as a researcher at EHI Retail Institute (former DHI). Since 1999 he is the Managing Director of EHI. Michael Gerling's longtime experience and profound knowlegde of retail makes him a frequently requested expert. He is Managing Director of MLF, a voluntary group of medium-sized supermarket chains, as well as Member of the Advisory Board of EuroShop, EuroCIS, ANUGA (one of the biggest grocery fair in Europe), GS1 Germany. At the Forum for International Retail Association Executives (FIRAE) he is Treasurer and Jury-member for the acclaimed award “Supermarket of the Year”.

During his career Michael Gerling worked in several projects with retailers like Breuninger, Neckermann, Tengelmann and Wal-Mart, in Germany and abroad. He is an expert in the international retail and wholesale business with a comprehensive personal network within the industry. Michael shares his views on the reatil industry through various speeches and articles.

Mr. Wang Wei

China Strategic Advisor

Australia Azurium Shanghai

Mr. Wang, China Strategic Advisor of Australia Azurium Shanghai; Executive Director of Shanghai XiAiDi Consulting Firm; EMBA of CEIBS; Senior International Affairs Advisor and Expert Member of Mall China Association; and Member of the Academic Board of Asia Pacific Commercial Real Estate College, an ICSC authorized training school, has more than 20 years of experience in the retail industry and commercial property development. He has held senior positions in various multinational companies and recognized brands such as Inchcape, FILA, Volvo, Swire and CP Group. 

Mr. Wang Wei has actively participated in the industry development for landmark projects of first tier cities in China, e.g. Super Brand Mall, Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Retail and Shanghai Center Tower. With a broad vision and professional expertise, he has contributed significantly in the roles of positioning, design coordination, marketing and leasing, facilitating the perfect bonding of advanced international trend and local culture condition in the Chinese industry market. Mr. Wang is also a most popular columnist for China’s major industry media sites including Mall China, Sina Property and Wingshang Web. He continues to share insights and inspirations that are up-to-date with the world, yet appropriate for China’s conditions. Articles such as Comparison amongst American, Australian and Chinese Malls, The Fertilizers of China Shopping Mall’s Great Leap Forward, and The Real Impacts of Online Sales have generated enthusiastic influence in the industry.

Ms. Fan Jun

Executive Vice President and Secretary General

China Commerce Association for General Merchandise (CCAGM)

Ms. Fan Jun, executive vice president and Secretary General of China Commerce Association for General Merchandise (CCAGM). With knowledge and experience in trade flow, general merchandise, retail industry and exhibition operation, Ms. Fan Jun devotes in researching, leading and promoting the development of department store retail industry.

Mr. Victor Guo

President

China Shopping Center Development Association of Mall China

Mr. Victor Guo, President of China Shopping Center Development Association of Mall China;Vice Chairman of Council of Asian Shopping Centers. Mr. Guo was previously served in Ministry of Commerce of China, Ministry of Internal Trade of China and State Bureau of Internal Trade of China respectively. He was appointed as Founding Secretary-General of China Federation of Urban Commercial Outlets Construction Administration, Vice Chairman, Secretary-General and Director of CGCC Shopping Center Professional Committee.

As one of the earliest professionals in researching and promoting shopping centers and retail property in China, Mr. Guo has more than 12 years of industry experience and has published numerous professional theories and relevant literature in commercial real estate industry, such as China Shopping Center Report, Shopping Center Research and Practice and Shopping Center Exploration and Development. Mall China Information Center & Mall China, founded in 2002 is the earliest data information service center and trade cooperation promotion platform in China commercial property. 

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