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Retail Lunch · September edition

The Retail Lunch, on the water

On Wednesday 16 September, retail and e-commerce leaders came together aboard a private canal cruise through Amsterdam for three talks, lunch and drinks. Thank you to everyone who joined us on the water.

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The day at a glance
Date Wednesday, 16 September
Attendees 19 retailers
Speakers 3 guest speakers
Location Private canal cruise boat, next to the AWS office
The September edition

Aboard a private canal cruise boat

Hosted aboard a private canal cruise boat, this edition was a unique setting to exchange ideas while cruising through the city — lunch, drinks and good conversation from late morning into the afternoon.

This edition featured three guest speakers from leading retail brands who shared practical experiences and lessons learned from the frontlines of digital transformation.

Speakers

Three sessions, from the frontlines of digital transformation

Jeffrey Schouten

Jeffrey Schouten

E-commerce Director at MS Mode

Jeffrey Schouten, E-commerce Director at MS Mode, took the audience through MS Mode's journey: the conversion improvements they are achieving and how they support these across multiple areas through the adoption and implementation of AI.

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Carsten Klomp

Carsten Klomp

Co-owner of Brighting

Carsten Klomp, former Omnichannel IT lead and later CIO of HEMA and now co-owner of Brighting, explained how to scale Agentic AI across an organization, using the Agentic AI platform implementations at ASICS as real-world examples.

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Marcel Visser

Marcel Visser

Global Retail Lead at AWS

Marcel Visser, Global Retail Lead at AWS, introduced Rufus, AWS's latest Shopping Assistant solution, and explored how AI is transforming the future of online shopping.

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Whether you're evaluating composable commerce, modernising your technology stack, or exploring how AI can create business value, the Retail Lunch is a chance to learn from peers, exchange ideas, and expand your network in an informal setting.

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Some of the brands who joined us this time
ASICSHEMAANWBOmodaBevernexeyeMaxeda DIY GroupKamera Express123inktTreatwellRefresco
Previous editions Retail Lunch — November '25
About the Retail Lunch

A quarterly table for retail leaders

Every quarter we bring together a select group of retail leaders for an inspiring gathering focused on the future of composable retail.

Each edition features two guest speakers from leading brands such as HEMA, Asics, and MS Mode, who share real-world stories and lessons learned. Expect lively discussions on topics that matter most right now, including:

01The real benefits of moving away from monoliths like SFCC or SAP Commerce
02How composable commerce enables personalised promotions
03Building a CDP from scratch and what pitfalls to avoid
04Key considerations when selecting a new PIM or CMS
05The role of AI in Retail and preparing for an OpenAI-powered future, where your customers use ChatGPT to find the right product

If you're exploring or already transitioning to a composable setup, this is the place to learn, share, and connect with peers who are on the same journey.

Next edition

Join the next Retail Lunch

The Retail Lunch returns every quarter, and seats are limited. Leave your details and we'll be in touch with an invitation to the next edition, including the date, boarding location and parking.

Questions? info@brighting.nl +31 20 210 13 90