Welcome to The Delivery Conference 2026
The Delivery Conference 2026 opens with a warm welcome from our Master of Ceremonies, Bob Phibbs, who covers essential housekeeping and sets the tone for the day ahead. He then introduces Auctane CEO, Al Ko, for the official conference welcome and a brief scene‑setter that leads directly into the keynote session he will be hosting next.
Opening Keynote – The Human Touch: Reclaiming Retail in a Tech-Driven Delivery World
In an age of AI-powered logistics and predictive delivery, what truly secures customer loyalty? This keynote brings together two visionary thinkers: Mary Portas, from the frontline of retail reinvention, and Arka Dhar, from the frontier of human-centric AI, to explore how technology and empathy must coexist in the future of commerce. Together, they challenge us […]
Unveiling the Future of Intelligent Delivery
In this forward-looking session, Metapack and ShipStation introduce their latest product innovations, highlighting powerful new AI and data-driven capabilities. Attendees gain insight into how both brands are advancing delivery intelligence, driving smarter automation, enhancing operational agility, and empowering retailers and carriers to adapt quickly in a fast-changing logistics landscape.
Delivery That Delivers: Turning Fulfilment into a Strategic Advantage
In this dynamic session, Chloe Thomas, Commerce Strategist, Author & Podcast Host, is joined by standout retail brands H&M and The Cheeky Panda, both of whom have successfully embraced intelligent delivery. Together, they explore how these businesses have transformed shipping from a cost centre into a competitive differentiator, leveraging technology to build flexibility, resilience, and […]
Debrief: 2026 Delivery Trends
A newly-conducted study led by Retail Economics, in partnership with Metapack and ShipStation, explores how AI is reshaping delivery operations, predictive analytics, and the customer experience across retail and logistics. In this data-rich debrief, Richard Lim unpacks the key findings, from shifting consumer expectations to operational efficiencies, and offers actionable insights for retailers, 3PLs, and […]
Closing Keynote – The Next Era of Intelligent Delivery
Delivered by acclaimed writer, presenter, and cultural commentator, Richard Ayoade, the closing keynote will explore the cultural, societal, and technological shifts shaping the future of logistics and ecommerce. Known for sharp wit and incisive storytelling, Richard brings a fresh lens to the delivery landscape, blending humour, observation, and real-world insight in a session that reinforces […]
Predictive Shipping: How AI Forecasts Demand, Route, and Delivery Times
Late or missed deliveries come at a cost, lost sales, strained customer trust, and rising operational expenses. In this session, we explore how predictive modeling is reshaping delivery strategy, helping retailers move from reactive firefighting to proactive precision.
Warehouse Automation: From Pick-and-Pack to Last Mile Utility
From robotics and AI‑driven order batching to mobile‑first picking workflows, retailers and logistics providers are embracing automation to cut costs, accelerate operations, and elevate the customer experience. In this practical panel, moderated by Adam Coventry, former Director of Warehousing at Boots UK and now Executive Director at global supply chain and logistics consultancy SCALA, experts […]
The Flexible Fulfilment Advantage: Scaling With Drop Ship, Marketplaces & Ship-From-Store
Ecommerce growth now hinges on fulfilment flexibility. This session examines how retailers scale through drop ship, marketplace, and ship-from-store models while shifting from single-node to distributed fulfilment networks. As orders flow from more locations, maintaining a consistent post-purchase experience becomes more complex. Attendees learn how leading brands preserve visibility and control across delivery, tracking, and […]
Smart Costing: Speed Without the Spend
As delivery expectations rise, the cost of managing customer experience rises with them. This session explores how retailers are using AI-driven CX automation to deliver fast, reliable service while reducing operational costs. We discuss how automating post-purchase and delivery-related CX workflows, such as handling exceptions, resolving issues proactively, and deflecting avoidable support contacts, helps retailers […]