Preparations for the 3rd International Adam Smith Institute Ukrainian Retail Forum are well under way. This year the forum will take place on 9th – 11th December 2008, at the Premier Palace Hotel, Kyiv

The UKRAINIAN RETAIL FORUM is the premier international event for all senior executives involved or interested in the Ukrainian retail industry. With over 200 top-level delegates attending last year, the 2008 Forum promises, once again, to be THEkey business gathering for all of the region’s retail professionals.

Axel Hluchy, Managing Director, Metro Cash & Carry Ukraine

Igor Tsybenko, President, Vester Ukraine

Vladimir Koloduk, President, Holding Unitrade Group

Alexandr Golovchenko, President & CEO, MKS

Anatoliy Balyk, Chairman of the Board, Dia West

Valeriy Vlasenko, CEO, Fozzy Group Silpo Chain

Denis Khrustalev, CEO, Euroset

Alexandr Grantovsky, Independent Director, Fozzy Group

Xavier Taffet, CEO, Mosmart Ukraine

New Features for 2008:

1. New - Exclusive Guest Speaker
Michael Bergdahl, Ex Director Wal Mart HQ

One of the most sought-after retail experts in the World arrives in Ukraine. Michael Bergdahl, close confidante and a pupil of the legendary Sam Walton, founder of the largest corporation in the World – Wal-Mart, will share his insights into the competitive world of retail. Having occupied the position of Director of ‘People’ for the most successful company the World has ever seen, Mr. Bergdahl will share his expertise on best practices covering a wide range of subjects, including: customer retention, talent management, pricing policy, and many more. After his presentation there will be an exclusive book-signing session of his latest book, recently translated into Russian, “What I Learned from Sam Walton:  How to Compete and Thrive in a Wal-Mart World”.

2.  Special Focus Day on the Ukrainian Regions – Strategies for Growth.  The Focus Day will concentrate on the economic prospects for the retail sector in the Ukrainian regions. You will receive detailed analysis on how the regions have developed so far, what strategies are planned for their further economic development, and how best to take advantage of the new opportunities that the Ukrainian regions offer to retailers.

3.  Power Panel: Top Executives Discuss Industry Trends. Join top retail executives as they give frank commentary on what's going on in the retail environment today. The Power Panel brings together major retail leaders to discuss strategic trends in the retail industry: Wall Street pressures, consolidation in the sector, attracting and retaining the right people, global sourcing, risk management in the supply chain, and more.

4. Ukrainian Regional Governments - Regulatory Panel. In keeping with our long-standing tradition for innovation, we are pleased to offer this unique and exciting opportunity for our clients to take part in an exclusive debate involving key officials from the Ukrainian regional governments. During this debate you will be able to learn their plans and vision for their specific regions, quiz them on what measures they have in place to assist retailers and developers in their attempts to enter their regions, and ask them directly about their policy for land and real estate allocation, as well as many other issues.

5. Four Parallel Sector-Specific Retail Round Tables. In-depth analysis and interactive discussions on plans and prospects for specific retail segments, including: DIY, health and beauty products (cosmetics, perfumes and pharmaceutical), fashion retail (clothes, shoes, sportswear and children’s wear), and grocery retail

6. Executive Debate on Regional Expansion Strategies. How do retailers decide which region represents the best growth prospect? What are the most common mistakes when expanding into the regions and how best to avoid them?

7. Retailer CFO Panel Discussion. As the Ukrainian market matures and retailers develop into bigger and bigger companies, the role of the Finance Director is changing rapidly; faced with changing economic and trading conditions, swift business decisions are required. Key issues regarding the financing of retail development will be discussed during this significant interactive debate between retailer CFOs.

8. Five Parallel ‘Special Focus’ Round Table Discussions.  In-depth analysis and interactive discussion on specific ‘hot topics’ in the retail sector, including: private label strategy, category management, customer relationship management (CRM) & loyalty programmes, marketing & sales promotions, and retail innovations