A quarterly
Exchange of Ideas
RetailX Salon is a quarterly, off-the-record meet-up series that supports the exchange of ideas.
The informal, confidential and peer-led programme balances ideas, experience and discussion. Modelled upon peer think tanks, the format has been used for intimate Salons to full-day events (like RetailX Events’ CommerceAI and Retail MediaX Summits). We create a space of stimulus, discussion and exchange – somewhere you can make and change you mind!
We cover topics of commercial interest to leaders in direct to consumer commerce. We cross sectors – retail, leisure, grocery, hospitality, FMCG, travel, finserv – and business models. Our focus is where commerce and the customer connect.
Our Salons have been running since May 2024, and selected past events and upcoming ones are noted below.
The Salon is a space to make and change your mind!
Format ☕️
- An inspiring and cozy venue (the penthouse at the Treehouse in London, The Dylan in Amsterdam, Soho House in Berlin…)
- A lifebalance-friendly time (afternoon, 2.30~5.30pm)
- Expert thought-seeders and provocateurs kick-start discussion
- A hand-picked, invited group of peers to contribute, challenge and exchange
- Powered by afternoon tea, cakes and savouries
- All discussions are held in confidence, under the Chatham House Rule.
RetailX supports the topics with a prepared Board Brief for both prep and reference afterwards.
Background ✏️
Over the years RetailX has hosted over 150 175 200 executive networking dinners, and a growing sentiment has been the desire to spend more time talking with and learning from each other.
At the end of 2023, at a Podcast Alumni dinner, some guests volunteered to share expertise, others suggested topics, and the Salon series was born.
Practicalities 📋
We invite commercial leaders, researchers and pioneers into the Salon programme. Invitees may attend one think tank in the series or several, based on the agenda. We conduct research and create a topic briefing, and arrange the Salon. Delegates receive the briefings, a summary of proceedings, along with information on the previous/subsequent sessions in the series.
2026 Programme
UK Salon Series - 2024~5
With a broad focus on the current and future consumer and how we understand, engage and transact. The UK RetailX Salon is presented in partnership with Adobe
European Salon Series - 2025
The European Salon tours Amsterdam, London, Copenhagen and Berlin, creating a year-round network discussion digital Product Development. Mapping and anticipating the centrality of digital products to D2C, this programme is made possible by Shopify
People👨🏼🦳
Ian Jindal
Ian Jindal is the Founder of RetailX.net and CustomerX.net. You can connect with Ian via https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianjindal/
Who is this for?🙋🏽♀️
Commercial leaders in digital D2C businesses. Whether retailers and brands from the UK500 or EU1000 ranking, marketplace leaders, or selling experiences to consumers in hospitality, entertainment, leisure… The conversation is driven by D2C professionals and so the Salon is not suited to B2B suppliers, agencies or consultants to the industry. If you’re unsure as to fit, relevance or criteria please contact Ian to discuss.
Join the Salon 🛋️
Membership means that you are part of the year-round cohort of research, Dinners and the RetailCraft network. If you can’t join us in person then you’ll still get the Board Brief and the Learning Points document post-events.
Don’t be reserved – tell us of your interest or nominate a peer!
Register for RetailX Salon
Register your interest for RetailX Salon. Places are limited to c.24 attendees per session. We will contact you to confirm session availability.
