A decade of swift and stunning change has profoundly affected the psychology of shoppers and consequently, how, when and why they shop and buy.

Back by popular demand, consumer psychologist, Kit Yarrow, from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, will take attendees on a tip-filled guided tour of the radically revised minds and hearts of today’s shoppers. Revealing, for the first time, new data and examples from her upcoming book, Decoding the new consumer mind: How and why we shop and buy, to be published in March 2014, Yarrow will describe how three dynamic, socio-cultural shifts have transformed shoppers and will outline four essential strategic shifts that businesses need to make to connect with a new shopper mentality.

Yarrow, who has won awards for her research in consumer psychology, is the author of Gen BuY, published in 2009, and a regular contributor to The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Good Morning America, and a variety of other media.

Speaking

Kit Yarrow, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Psychology
Golden Gate University

At a time when shoppers are bombarded with messages from a myriad of media, breaking through is more challenging than ever. Michelle Adams will share data from the recently completed POPAI shopper engagement study to explain the in-store decision-making process and to analyze the differences between male and female brains. What do shoppers respond to in-store? What are personal drivers of choice? How much does our emotional, irrational behaviour explain a large majority of how we shop? Discover, through examples, how your brand can break through the clutter to connect with today's emotion-driven shopper.

Adams is the founder and president of Plano, Texas-based Marketing Brainology, where she examines the latest findings from virtual shopping, behavioral science and neuroscience, and translates them to corporations. She previously worked as PepsiCo's VP, customer strategy and shopper insights. 

Speaking

Michelle Adams
President
Marketing Brainology

Retail has entered the era of Big Data as growth-focused brands recognize that data is the key to survival in the crowded retail-scape. Meanwhile mobile tech continues to be a game-changer in the world of shopping.

Aimia's, Cincinnati-based VP knowledge development, Rick Ferguson, will share new research on the behaviour of mobile-assisted Canadian shoppers and will explore how Big Data is set to transform the world of retail and customer loyalty management. He will examine how retailers and manufacturers can work together to build more profitable relationships with best customers and use data more effectively.

Ferguson has responsibility for the development of loyalty marketing thought leadership, research and best practices for a global audience of loyalty marketers.

Speaking

Rick Ferguson
VP, Knowledge Development
Aimia