Oracle has announced that it is participating in the 4th annual World Retail Congress, being held in Berlin, October 25-27.

Oracle’s session on ‘How to serve our changing customers’ will examine the impact of the global macroeconomic environment on consumer behaviour. Chaired by Oracle Retail’s Senior Vice President and General Manager Duncan Angove, the panel will include Bernie Brookes of Myer, Matt Rubel of Collective Brands and Paul Alexander of Beyond Analysis.

Oracle is also leading a session on ‘Re-appraising the growth potential of the emerging markets.’ Sarah Taylor, Oracle’s Senior Director, Retail for EMEA & Asia Pacific, will chair a panel featuring Bijou Kurien of Reliance Lifestyle, Mark Olbrich of Komex, Jeffrey Klinefelter of Piper Jaffray and Lucy Wu Ruiling of the Chinese Chainstore & Franchise Association.

Oracle remains headline sponsor of the prestigious Oracle World Retail Awards, which recognise excellence, innovation, responsibility and creativity in retail organisations around the world.

Finalists for the Oracle World Retail Awards 2010 include Teknosa, Truworths International, X5 Retail Group, Anthropologie, American Eagle Outfitters, New Look, Argos and Woolworths in South Africa. Oracle will present the Oracle Retailer of the Year Award.

Additionally, Oracle is continuing its involvement in the Retail Futures Challenge, following its launch in 2009. The 2010 Retail Futures Challenge has grown to feature seven teams of retail business students competing to win the coveted title, including a team from last year’s winners, the Fashion Retail Academy in London, which is sponsored by Oracle.

Representing retail industry’s future leadership talent, each of the colleges is developing a retail concept that best represents the brand values of their home cities and will showcase their ideas to a live panel at the World Retail Congress.

Supporting Quote

“The World Retail Congress provides a unique platform for retailers to come together and discuss the primary issues, challenges and opportunities impacting retail businesses around the globe today. Oracle is delighted to support and contribute to discussions on the Congress agenda and sponsor the World Retail Awards as part of celebrating the success of those retailers delivering growth, tackling change and winning market leadership through innovation,” said Duncan Angove, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Oracle Retail.