Brands Forum

First theme: From Standardized Retail to Unique Experience
Doug Stephens, Founder, Retail Prophet

Prior to founding Retail Prophet, Doug spent over 20 years in the retail industry, holding senior international roles including the leadership of one of New York City’s most historic retail chains. He is the author of two groundbreaking books, The Retail Revival: Re-Imagining Business for the New Age of Consumerism and Reengineering Retail: The Future of Selling in a Post-Digital World. Doug is also the nationally syndicated retail columnist for CBC Radio and sits on multiple advisory boards, including the David Sobey Centre for Innovation in Retail & Services at St. Mary’s University.

His unique perspectives on retailing, business and consumer behavior have been featured in many of the world’s leading publications and media outlets including The New York Times, The BBC, Bloomberg Business News, TechCrunch, The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal and Fast Company.

Second theme: How to enhance customer experience and drive traffic to stores?
Chihiro Koga, General Manager Business Development and Corporate Planning Division, Company Executive, LINE Corporation

At LINE Corporation, Chihiro has been leading variety of project in the area of business strategy, partnership and new business development including launch of “LINE Ads Platform”. Also serving as a member of Board of Directors in digital marketing company, ad technology company and Japan Interactive Advertising Association. Prior to LINE, he has demonstrated his leadership through U.S. FMCG company, U.S. investment bank and consulting firm for delighting consumers and brands.

Third theme: How to reinvent offline and online consumer engagement?
Seiya Tsuzuki, General Manager, L'Oréal Luxe / Lancôme Division

Seiya has built his career for 18 years in French luxury beauty and recently managing the brand Lancôme in Japan, one of the most strategic brands of NIHON L'ORÉAL. He has managed to turn-around its performance through sharper choices in hero product strategy and distribution focus strategy to engage deeper with the target brand tribes enabling the longer customer life time value both online and offline. He also serves in strategic pilot projects regarding the distribution roadmap toward year 2025 shaping the future touch points of luxury cosmetics.

Minori Amaya, Chief Retail Officer & L’Oréal Luxe Retail Director, NIHON L'ORÉAL K.K.

Minori has lead several luxury brands and contributed to the business growth since joined Nihon L’Oreal K.K..  In the most recent position –Kiehl’s General Manager -. she has made the business turnaround by developing and implementing the holistic strategy from strategic vision to field oriented approach. Her contribution to the company’s business especially for understanding Luxury cosmetic retail resulted her appointment as a L’Oreal Chief Retail Officer from 2018. She oversees retail business strategies of stores for all L’Oreal brands along with the career programs and trainings for our beauty advisors.