THE 2026 RETAIL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT STUDY
Leading in Uncertain Times
Building on the success of our 2025 report - downloaded by more than 3,000 retail leaders - the 2026 Study expands to 1,200+ voices worldwide to uncover what it truly takes to lead with clarity in unpredictable times.
2025 Set the Standard. 2026 Raises It.
Shared across major retail networks, podcasts, and leadership events
The 2025 Retail Leadership Study revealed a truth many organizations had overlooked: Retail leaders are carrying more than their titles suggest.
They’re navigating people, pressure, performance, and rapid change often without enough support.
Those insights sparked internal conversations across brands, leading to new leadership initiatives, mentorship redesigns, and renewed investment in leader development.
The Next Chapter: Leadership in Uncertain Times
The environment leaders are operating in hasn’t settled. If anything, it’s more unpredictable.
Policies shift.
Customer behavior changes overnight.
Technology, labor, and expectations collide.
This year, the 2026 Study dives deeper into the realities reshaping leadership:
- Leading in Uncertain Times: How leaders make decisions when clarity is in short supply
- Retainability: Why the most effective leaders are the ones organizations work hardest to keep
- AI + Human Judgment: What leaders believe AI will change and what they hope it won’t
- Future Skills: The capabilities leaders are developing to stay effective through constant change
Trusted by the Leaders Who Shape Retail
The Retail Leadership Study attracts high-intent decision-makers - Directors, VPs, and C-Suite leaders - who rely on insights that help them lead teams, strengthen culture, and navigate the realities of retail.
They’re data-minded.
They’re development-focused.
And they value honest insight over corporate noise.
Be Part of the Insights That Shape the Industry
Sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 Study are now open. Align your brand with the insights helping retail leaders lead through uncertainty and reach one of the most engaged leadership audiences in the industry.
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