Retail Institute Briefing Conference 2026

Join us 1 Oct 2026 at Leeds Beckett University for the Retail Institute Annual Briefing — packaging, sustainability & retail insight.
About this Event

Get Ready for the Retail Institute Briefing Conference!

Join us on Thursday 1st October 2026 at Leeds Beckett University for a full day exploring the future of sustainable retail and packaging.

The Retail Institute Annual Briefing brings together retail leaders, packaging designers, sustainability professionals, brand marketers, and health experts for a day of sharp, practical insight into the trends reshaping the industry.

What we'll cover:

📦 Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)
🎨 Structural packaging design
💎 Premium & luxury brand packaging
🔄 Circularity & digital transformation
⚕️ GLP-1 & the future of consumer health
🏷️ Food labelling

Featuring speakers from:
Valpak, APS Group, Polytag, and Leeds Beckett University's Obesity Institute — bringing real-world case studies and research-led perspectives on the issues shaping retail today.

The day includes:
✔️ Full day of expert-led sessions
✔️ Networking lunch

Spaces are limited — book your place today to secure your seat.

Agenda

🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Registration & Networking Luncheon
🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:00 PM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Host: Olga Munroe, Head of the Retail Institute
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:20 PM
Do we really want warning labels on food?
Host: Dr Beverley O'Hara, Leeds Beckett University
🕑: 01:25 PM - 01:45 PM
Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)
Host: Harry Russell, Research Lead – Valpak
🕑: 01:50 PM - 02:10 PM
Refreshment Break
🕑: 02:10 PM - 02:30 PM
Designing for Impact: A Strategic Approach to Structural Packaging
Host: John Kirkby Leeds Beckett University
🕑: 02:35 PM - 02:55 PM
Shelf Appeal: How packaging design drives premium and luxury brand sales
Host: Tony Massey, Group Director The APS Group
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:20 PM
Refreshment Break
🕑: 03:20 PM - 03:40 PM
Enabling Circularity via Digital Transformation
Host: Virlina Choquette, Head of Client Experience & Delivery,
🕑: 03:45 PM - 04:05 PM
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Market-Shaping Technologies
Host: Dr Jamie Matu, Reader - School of Health, Leeds Beckett
🕑: 04:10 PM - 04:30 PM
Collaborative Group – Future of Packaging
Host: Olga Munroe & Dr Ben Mitchell, The Retail Institute
🕑: 04:35 PM - 05:00 PM
Closing Remarks
🕑: 05:00 PM - 05:30 PM
Networking Reception