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AI in Retail

Executive Roundtable with John Vary

Unlock practical insights on AI adoption in retail from pilot to execution, risk management, and what “AI-ready” really means.

What to expect

Date: Thursday, 21st May 2026
Time: 12:00 to 15:00 
Venue: Private Dining Room, City Social, London, EC2N 1HQ
Format: Short keynote, moderated Q&A, guided roundtable lunch
Who’s it for: Senior retail leaders, decision-makers, and those responsible for strategy or system execution

Male shop worker looking at inventory
  • Real-world learning: Hear from senior retail leaders and John Vary about what’s actually working with AI, and what isn’t
  • Challenge & solution: Discuss the tough parts of scaling AI, but also share what’s helped others move forward
  • Risk & resilience: Get honest perspectives on risk, data, cost and customer trust, plus tips for balancing innovation with operational stability
  • Peer networking: Connect with other decision-makers facing similar challenges, in a closed, discussion-led setting
Woman working behind a shop counter on the phone and looking at a tablet

Running a retail business in the UK is tough, and AI is changing the game fast. This roundtable is designed to help you:

  • Cut through the hype and get real about what AI can do for your business
  • Learn from others’ mistakes and successes
  • Leave with actionable takeaways you can use for your business
Two women paying for online shopping
  • Moving from AI experimentation to execution
  • Where AI is delivering genuine commercial value
  • Challenges in scaling AI from pilot to live operations
  • Managing AI-related risk (data, cost, customer trust)
  • What “AI-ready” looks like in practice
  • Balancing innovation with resilience
Male shop worker looking at inventory Woman working behind a shop counter on the phone and looking at a tablet Two women paying for online shopping
Meet the guest of honour

John Vary is a strategic advisor working with senior leadership teams on AI adoption, organisational change and long‑term strategy, with a particular focus on how emerging technology affects risk, readiness and decision‑making.

 

He has over 15 years’ experience working across large, complex organisations, including FTSE‑scale and multinational businesses such as John Lewis Partnership, Burberry, Virgin Group and Persimmon Homes. His work typically supports executive and board‑level teams as they move from early AI experimentation to practical, well‑governed deployment in live commercial environments.

 

John is known for grounding future‑focused thinking in real operational and financial realities, helping leaders assess where AI can add value, where it introduces new risks, and how to make decisions with greater confidence in uncertain conditions.

 

If you’d like to learn more about John’s background and work, you can view his LinkedIn profile here

Register today!

Thank you for registering for our AI in retail event. We look forward to seeing you.