FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Center for Retailing Excellence in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas is sponsoring its ninth annual full-day conference for the retail industry, titled “World Trends in Retailing.”

The conference, designed for members of the retail and vendor industry, will be held Thursday, Oct. 1, at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. For more information and registration, call 479-575-6812 or online at: http://cre.uark.edu/571.asp.

“We are very excited to be able to present such a dynamic program this year,” said Claudia Mobley, director of the Center for Retailing Excellence. “With ever-advancing technology, connected consumers, a wavering economy and pressures for more environmentally friendly business practices, the retail industry has many opportunities to take advantage of these global challenges. Our speakers will address many of these issues and give participants ideas for succeeding in a changing retail world.”

The “World Trends in Retailing” Conference speakers include:

• Doug McMillon, president and CEO, Wal-Mart International
• J. Walker Smith, executive vice chairman, Futures Company; and president, Yankelovich Monitor
• Jeffrey K. Schomburger, president, Global Wal-Mart Team, Procter & Gamble
• Andy Murray, president and global CEO, Saatchi & Saatchi X
• Jerry S. Wilson, senior vice president, The Coca-Cola Co.
• Frank Higgins, president, Nestlé, Wal-Mart Team, Nestlé USA
• Matthew A. Waller, professor, Garrison Endowed Chair in Supply Chain Management, Walton College

Sponsors of the conference include Idelle Labs Ltd., Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, Saatchi & Saatchi and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

A continental breakfast will be held during check in, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., with the conference beginning at 8:30 a.m.

The Center for Retailing Excellence was established in the Walton College in 1998 with a portion of the $50 million endowment from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation and created to bridge the gap between university faculty, students and the retail industry. The center is focused on research and the development of students as future leaders in the retailing and related industries.