2nd HR Retail Africa
Connect with Africa’s Leading Retail CHROs and HR Innovators
HR Retail Africa is the continent’s only summit dedicated to HR leaders in the retail sector. Taking place on 24-25 February 2027 in Johannesburg, the event brings together CHROs, HR Directors, and talent innovators to explore how digital transformation, shifting employee expectations, and new workforce realities are reshaping African retail. Over two days, delegates will share strategies, exchange insights, and build resilient people operations that drive business success and customer loyalty.
Who’s Speaking
A line-up of voices that matter in African retail HR.
Explore the sessions and insights shaping HR in African retail
Day 1: February 24
- Opening Keynote: The Human Edge: Why Social-Emotional Skills Are Retail’s Scarcest Asset
- Panel: HR at the AI Table: From Implementer to Co-Strategist in African Retail
- Keynote: Culture That Performs: Rebuilding Belonging & Purpose on the Frontline
- Presentation: Flatter, Faster: Leading Retail Through Uncertainty as Middle Management Shrinks
- Presentation: Winning the Hiring Race: Speed, Mobile-First & Cutting Candidate Drop-Of
- Presentation: Time Sovereignty: Fair, Predictable & Flexible Scheduling as a Retention Weapon
- Presentation: The Reward Reset: Pay Transparency, Fairness & Financial Wellness
- Panel: Winning & Keeping Gen Z on the Shop Floor: The 2027 Talent Battle
- Closing Keynote: The Store Manager as Multiplier Raffle Draw & Prizes · Closing Remarks by the MC
Day 2: February 25
- Presentation: The Workforce on the Balance Sheet: Human-Capital Metrics, Reporting & the Board
- Legal Insights: Who Governs the Algorithm? Trust, Fairness & the Law in AI-Driven Scheduling, Performance & Pay
- Case Study: The Skills-Based Retailer: From Rigid Jobs to an Internal Talent Marketplace
- Panel: Transformation, Belonging & Recognition: Making DEI Real on the African Shop Floor
- Presentation: From Dashboards to Foresight: Predictive People Analytics That Prevent Turnover
- Presentation: AI Fluency for HR & Reinvesting the AI Dividend
- Panel: Show Me the Receipts: Did Our AI & HR-Tech Actually Move Turnover, Time-to-Hire and Service?
- Presentation: Everboarding: AI-Coached Learning in the Flow of Retail Work
- Closing Fireside Chat: Beyond the Fear: Technostress, Rest & Wellbeing for Retail’s Always-On Teams
Why Attend HR Retail Africa?
Inspiring Keynotes: Hear from visionary leaders driving workforce transformation in African retail.
Actionable Panels: Gain insights on talent strategy, employee wellbeing, DEI, and HR tech innovation.
Unparalleled Networking: Connect with CHROs, HR innovators, technology providers, and retail executives from across Africa.
Hands-on Workshops: Equip your HR teams with tools for workforce planning, upskilling, and hybrid work models.
Join us to
Redefine Workforce Strategy
Close skills gaps, reduce turnover, and retain talent
Harness Technology & AI
Leverage analytics and automation to boost HR efficiency.
Elevate Employee Wellbeing
Support mental health and inclusive workplace culture.
Design Flexible Work Models
Build hybrid and shift models that fit retail realities.
Advance Policy & Compliance
Stay ahead of labour laws, ESG, and inclusion standards.
Build Future-Ready Skills
Reskill teams for tomorrow’s retail.
All of Africa’s Leading Retailers. In One Room
From established giants to fast-growing disruptors, HR Retail Africa brings together the retailers shaping the future of the industry. Whether in fashion, grocery, e-commerce, or food and beverage, our agenda is built around the challenges and opportunities driving people strategy in African retail today.
Our Sponsor
Media Partner
Our Previous Sponsors
Venue
Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch, Johannesburg
Located in the heart of Johannesburg’s vibrant Melrose Arch Precinct, the Marriott Hotel offers a premium setting for HR Retail Africa 2026. Delegates will enjoy a modern conference environment designed for both learning and networking, surrounded by one of the city’s most dynamic retail and lifestyle hubs.
