Designing the Future of Hospitality and Retail: Our student social media team had the chance to attend this year’s conference and share a few of their favorite sessions.
Looking ahead, what topics should we address in 2027?
Spring ‘26 Retail Trek to @kop_mall 🛍️
During this experience, students were able to engage directly with professionals from Bulgari, Netflix House, Eataly, Simon Property Group, and Lafayette 148, and more.
Missed this trek? Head to our website and sign up for future event/email updates 📧
Last week, we brought some of the sharpest minds in hospitality and retail together @whartonschool ’s Tangen Hall. Kicking off our inaugural “Designing the Future of Hospitality & Retail” conference, guests had a full day of honest conversation about where the industry is headed.
Hotel owners and operators. Wellness innovators. Sports teams building cities within cities. Chefs and club founders redefining what it means to gather.
Thank you to every speaker who showed up and gave the room something real, along with everyone who made it happen: Paul Hastings LLP, Wharton Travel + Hospitality, Wharton Real Estate Club, PE/VC Club, and Penn Carey Law Real Estate Club.
#Hospitality #Retail #Wharton #Penn
Spent last week in Las Vegas at @shoptalk.spring 2026, for three days with 10,000 retail leaders talking about where this industry is actually going.
From AI reshaping how people discover and buy, to the evolving role of brand loyalty and what it really takes to build emotional connections with shoppers — the discussions were sharp and the insights real.
The best way to shape the next generation of retail innovation? Be part of the conversation.
#Shoptalk2026 #BakerRetailingCenter #Wharton
Insights from Amanda Baldwin (WG06), CEO @olaplex , and Oliver Chen (WG06), Managing Director @td_securities , our latest Exec. Speaker Series guests.
🏡Next up: April 1, Matthew Seigel (C02), Co-founder @lantern_realestate
Some of our favorite moments from this year’s Wharton Graduate Retail Conference in NYC: “Beyond the Basket: Re-Imagining Retail & Consumer Life.”
LVMH on diversity in luxury. Daydream on reimagining how we shop. Premium brands navigating resale. And Revlon’s Michelle Peluso closing it out with 6 principles worth writing down.
What a day. 🙌
We were lucky to have @breitling CEO, Georges Kern, join us recently for an insightful discussion with our students. The Executive Speaker Series continues on Feb. 19 with @dagnedover ’s Melissa Mash (WG12), Co-Founder & CEO.
More info/RSVP on our website.
#BakerExecutiveSpeakerSeries
Recent retail headlines we’ve been paying attention to:
💻 Amazon is tightening control as AI shopping agents from OpenAI and Perplexity push closer to the point of purchase.
💌 Valentine’s Day spending keeps expanding beyond couples.
👟 New brands like Stoke are quietly targeting everyday utility instead of hype.
⏱️ Gold prices are putting pressure on watchmakers.
🛒 Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus are navigating bankruptcy after a failed merger.
Stay in the industry loop — subscribe to Baker’s monthly Retail Rundown on our website (link in bio).
Our MKTG 1010 retail simulation winners braving the chilly NYC temps for meet and greets at LVMH, Sotheby’s, and the Madison Avenue Business Improvement District.
#NYC #Baker #Retail
