On October 29–30, Retail Expo 2026 — the tenth annual Ukrainian retail congress — took place in Kyiv. The event brought together more than 500 participants: representatives of retail chains, manufacturers, developers, technology companies, and industry experts. More than 55 speakers, two days of professional discussions, practical case studies, and meetings.
The main theme of this year’s congress was “More Than Resilience / Beyond Resilience.” Today, Ukrainian retailers must not only adapt to constant challenges but also find opportunities for development. Preserve their teams, ensure stable supplies, maintain sales and service quality. And all this amid war, staff shortages, and constant uncertainty.
How is the Ukrainian consumer changing? Where can efficiency reserves be found? How can employees and customers be retained when resources are limited? These questions formed the basis of the Retail Expo 2026 program.
Participants discussed consumer trends, retail automation and digital transformation, personnel management, sales, customer experience, retail real estate development, and partnerships between retailers and suppliers.
Representatives of Mars Ukraine, Kantar, METRO Ukraine, Checkbox, Silpo, COMFY, Aurora, JYSK, VARUS, Brocard-Ukraine, INTERTOP Ukraine, PUMA Ukraine, Roshen, TSUM Kyiv, Respublika Park, and many other companies shared their experience and practical solutions.
Special attention was paid to technologies that are already helping businesses operate more efficiently, as well as new approaches to service and communication with customers. An important part of the program consisted of frank discussions about staff shortages, team exhaustion, the operation of shopping centers, and business preservation during wartime.
Retail Expo is not just about presentations from the stage. Over two days, participants explored solutions in the Expo Zone, held negotiations, exchanged experiences, and found new opportunities for cooperation.
This year, the congress was held directly in a shelter, making it possible to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of the business program even during air raid alerts.
“This year, we held Retail Expo under extremely difficult conditions. Kyiv is subjected to constant shelling, while retail facilities, warehouses, and logistics infrastructure are being destroyed. But it is precisely now that it is especially important for the market to come together, share experiences, and jointly seek solutions. Because only by supporting one another will we be able to withstand these challenges, preserve our businesses, and continue developing,” said Tetiana Semenova, Chief Producer of Retail Expo 2026.
The tenth Retail Expo once again demonstrated that even in the most difficult times, Ukrainian retail does not stop. Businesses continue operating, seeking solutions, supporting one another, and moving forward.
Open4business is the official information partner of the event.
