Celebrating the 15th Anniversary of Australia’s Best World Retail Study Tour
The Westfield World Retail Study Tour first took off in 1996. Every year since then we have explored the world of retail, bringing back fresh learnings and inspiration from the major markets on the planet. In 2010 it’s a new decade, and we will be covering brand new retail territory, taking in not only the best of Japan, the US and UK, but also for the first time Spain.
For our 15th Anniversary Tour, we have carefully selected what are arguably the five most exciting retail cities on earth – Tokyo, Los Angeles, New York, London and Barcelona – to immerse you in the very latest in retail best practice over a condensed two week period.
Designed for busy retail professionals
Your time is valuable, so we aim to make the most of it on the Westfield World Retail Study Tour. We’ve scheduled the itinerary so on the tour you will spend only 12 working days away from the office.
Retail stimulation, inspiration and education The stimulation starts the moment you get on the plane. You’ll join a group of people who are just as passionate as you are about retail – senior retailers, executives, designers and marketing executives.
Along the way you’ll network and share your experiences as you:
• Meet some of the world’s best retailers.
• Learn first hand how they continually refine their brands and businesses.
• See the latest store formats, merchandising techniques and innovations
• Absorb case studies
• Get a picture of how new technology is being applied
• Attend workshops
• Contribute your own ideas and point of view
It’s all designed to give you fresh perspectives that you can immediately put into practice in your own business back home.
No-one opens doors to retail like the Westfield Retail Study Tour
The secret to the success of the Westfield World Retail Study Tour is the unparalleled exclusive access you gain to leading retailers and retail experts, plus behind-the-scenes tours of retail environments.
Yes, you can visit markets on your own, but you will never get the inside knowledge and insights gained with Westfield.
Like a mini MBA in retail
Previous tour participants proudly list the Westfield World Retail Tour on their CV’s, like a post-graduate qualification. It truly is a mini MBA with the difference being the world is your classroom. And just like a mini MBA, the Study Tour is tough, but rewarding work.
You will be “going hard” from early morning to early evening 7 days a week, learning, observing and sharing your knowledge with your retail peers.
“A full on Study Tour again with lots of high quality speakers and tours of businesses. I always find it a wonderful time to reflect on my business and to soak up new ideas. Just do it!” - Jim Harriott, General Manager, Roy Young Chemists
Tour Highlights
Tokyo
Tokyo will assault your senses with colour, sound, people and most of all ideas. You’ll stay at the legendary Imperial Hotel and be briefed thoroughly on culture and customs on arrival. Your visit will take
in the Ginza, home to some of the world’s best landmark stores including the Sony Store, Giorgio Armani, Prada, Yohji Yamamoto and Dior. You’ll also visit Harajuku, with its boutiques and edgy fashion, Aoyama and Roppongi Hills Shopping Centre.
Los Angeles
We love LA for the remarkable diversity of retail, from the funky fashion stores on hip Robertson Boulevard, to the pure glitz of Rodeo Drive, to the slick, state-of-the art shopping mall that is Westfield Century City. Your hotel is the historic Beverly Wilshire, famous for the film Pretty Woman and literally steps from Rodeo Drive and some of Los Angeles’ most famous restaurants like Spago. In two hectic days here, you’ll cover the length and breadth of LA including the charming 3rd Street Promenade strip in Santa Monica. And we guarantee you’ll come away with some great ideas.
New York
New York is buzzing with inspiring retail right now and you’ll take it all in from your base at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in midtown Manhattan. You’ll experience the full range of retail experiences, from the funky, edgy stores in the Meat Packing District and nearby SoHo, home of the Top Shop and Uniqlo flagship stores, to high-end merchants like Bergdorf Goodman and Saks on Fifth Avenue. You’ll see the world’s most stunning Apple Store, Hollister’s new flagship and Tiffany’s iconic 5th Avenue store. We’ll also take you out of town to tour exciting new stores at Westfield Garden State Plaza, and you’ll witness world’s best practice in factory outlet retailing in upstate New York.
London
In London you’ll see some of the most imaginative retail concepts in the world – from Dover Street Market to Harvey Nichols. You’ll stay at The Langham Hotel, right on Regent Street, which in itself has an array of incredible retail, including Desigual, the brand new Anthropologie, and the Banana Republic flagship store. Naturally you’ll get a VIP guided tour of Westfield London, now one of the top 10 shopping destinations in the UK. While in London, you’ll also enjoy guided tours to some of the best high street shopping in the world, including Old Bond Street and Marylebone High Street.
“We’ve put everything into making the 15th Anniversary Tour our most memorable ever. It promises to be an unforgettable trip and a great learning experience. ”Jack Hanrahan, head of Westfield Retailer Relations
Barcelona
Barcelona is one of Europe’s most stylish cities and a natural magnet for the fashion-conscious. No wonder it features the most exciting flagship stores from legendary Spanish retailers Zara and Mango. But Barcelona is also home to inspiring small single-store boutiques. The city has been heavily influenced by the incredible imagination of architect Antoni Gaudi, and this is reflected in some fantastic and experimental retail concepts. You’ll stay right on the city’s most famous street, La Rambla, with access to Barcelona’s best shopping and an infinite array of small outdoor cafes where you can rest and enjoy a refreshing drink with some tapas.
High quality presentations
Westfield Tours are famous for insightful presentations delivered by senior retailers and retail observers. Speakers for 2010 are still being finalised, but on the 2009 tour participants took in 58 separate presentations including talks by:
• GAP
• Bloomingdales
• Whole Foods
• Bergdorf Goodman
• Kinokuniya
• Mary Portas
• Echochamber
• And many, many more
“I found the tour educational, exhausting and lots of fun. It took me almost a week to get my physical energy back once I arrived back in Sydney. I met some terrific contacts in the retail industry and have found the whole tour a very valuable experience.” - Jane Jones, Managing Director, Wanted Shoes
Tour Details
Who should attend?
If you are a senior manager or executive involved in retail, you should secure your place on the Study Tour:
• Chief Executive Officers
• Managing Directors
• Chief Operating Officers
• Marketing Directors
• Marketing Managers
• Regional and State Managers
• Merchandising Managers
It’s also an ideal incentive for young high achievers in your organisation.
Can you afford not to attend?
You may question whether you can afford the investment to attend the Study Tour. Instead, the question should be: can you afford not to attend? The Westfield World Study Tour will provide you with ideas and techniques to give your business an edge, critical as we move into a new decade. If you’re not on the Study Tour, your competitors may well be.
Costs and inclusions
Costs for the 2010 Westfield World Study Tour are as follows:
• $13,604 – Economy Class, twin share, including:
– Economy class airfare (including taxes and fuel surcharges)
– 5 star accommodation
– Welcome reception in Tokyo
– Team dinners in Tokyo, New York and Barcelona
– Tips and porterage
– Airport transfers
– Ground transportation by luxury coach
– Conference sessions and room hire
– Local escorts in all cities
– Goldman Travel representative to travel with the group throughout the entire trip
– Compendium detailing full overview of cities, presentations and speakers
• $3,000 – Single Room supplement*
• $8,225 – Business Class supplement**
Tour variations
If you would like to extend your trip, please contact Goldman Travel Corporation Pty Limited for assistance.
We have a limit of 40 places on the Westfield World Retail Study Tour. Before promotion even commenced, 20 places were reserved. Demand is particularly strong for our 15th Anniversary Tour, so book your seat early.
www.retailstudytour.com
“No-one gives you the behind-the-scenes access that Westfield does. It’s simply the best retail study tour out there.” - Jon Bird, CEO, IdeaWorks