In a recent development, the World Retail Congress (WRC), a prestigious event in the retail sector, has been acquired by publishing firm William Reed from Ascential, the owner of Cannes Lions and WGSN. Along with WRC, the UK trade paper Retail Week has also been sold as part of the deal. Although the financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed, this move is expected to strengthen the presence of William Reed in both global and local markets.
Charles Reed, the CEO of William Reed, has expressed his excitement about the acquisition, emphasizing the significant influence that the World Retail Congress has had on shaping the future of the retail industry since its inception in 2007. He believes that this event aligns perfectly with their strategy of owning market-leading global brands. Furthermore, Reed praised Retail Week as a well-established brand that brings great value to the retail community through its reader revenue, exceptional events, and marketing solutions.
William Reed has been actively expanding its events business, and acquiring WRC provides them with an excellent opportunity to further solidify their position in key markets. The upcoming World Retail Congress event in Barcelona, scheduled from April 25-27, is highly anticipated. With the theme of “Retail Leadership for Extraordinary Times,” this event will feature prominent speakers from renowned companies such as Primark, The Body Shop, Kids Against Plastic, Ikea, Mango, Allbirds, and Havaianas.
The acquisition of WRC and Retail Week by William Reed marks a strategic move that is expected to enhance the offerings and global reach of these well-known entities in the retail industry. With a new home under the ownership of William Reed, both the World Retail Congress and Retail Week are poised to flourish and make even greater contributions to the development of the retail sector.
Useful links:
1. [World Retail Congress official website](https://www.worldretailcongress.com/)
2. [Retail Week official website](https://www.retail-week.com/)
