The positive outlook of China's retail industry has attracted eyeballs of international retailers and investors. With the expanding middle class population, the country's retail market is expected to remain strong in 2012 amid the gloomy global economic situation. According to the preliminary data released by the National Bureau of Statistics, in 2011, retail sales of consumer goods in China totaled CNY18.12 trillion (USD2.88 trillion), up 17.1 percent from 2010. This March, World Retail Congress Asia Pacific will set its stage in Beijing. Lucy van Den Heede, conference producer of the event, shares the top event agenda with Retail in Asia, highlighting all the insights and hot topics that retailers leaders must know about the rising Asian powerhouse.

RIA: World Retail Congress Asia Pacific 2011 was held in Hong Kong. What is the reason for the congress to move to Beijing in 2012?

Lucy Van Den Heede (LH): We take Beijing as this year's venue because Beijing is the capital of one of the fast growing and exciting retail markets in the world. The 2012 event is co-hosted by Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce (BJCOC) and China Chain Store and Franchise Association.

RIA: What is the focus of this year's event? What are some of the hot topics?

LH: As today's retail market increasingly looks to Asia-Pacific as the new powerhouse for growth, this essential event provides insight into the array of challenges and opportunities facing both domestic and international retailers.

The agenda has been developed in association with the industry's leading figureheads. Retailers, visionaries and suppliers from across the Asia-Pacific region have shared their experiences, knowledge and thoughts ensuring the Congress is timely, relevant and truly reflects the CEO's agenda.

We have a list of hot topics for the World Retail Congress Asia Pacific 2012. They include:

• Super-trends in China: the rise of the new consumer power
• Asia's hidden heroes: the dynamic Asian markets offering unrivalled opportunities for growth. Special focus on Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand
• Leveraging brand power to delight existing customers and win new ones
• The future of technology and its impact on shopping experiences
• Visionary leadership: retaining and nurturing talent in a fast-moving market-place
• Tailoring strategies for sustainable growth and prosperity
• Understanding the real-estate landscape: the race for space
• Retail formats: the importance of convenience, inspiration and innovation
• The luxury phenomenon: satisfying the needs of the affluent but complex consumer
• Global sourcing and supply chain: capitalising on the re-balance of power
• Harnessing the power of online: how ecommerce is opening doors to new markets

RIA: Who are some of the feature speakers in the upcoming congress? What topics are they going to talk about? How are these topics related to retailers' concern?

LH: This year, Dr Peter Lau, chairman of Giordano International will talk about "How to engage, excite and delight the new Asian consumer". In light of the burgeoning middle classes and rising disposal incomes across many Asian economies, this keynote session from a visionary retail industry leader will offer an insight into how the retail market-place is developing across Asia, as well as recognising and examining the powerful and increasingly dominant role Asia plays on the world-stage.

David Sancho, senior vice president International Expansion, Mango and Scott Price, chief executive, Walmart Asia will host the section on "Driving growth in Asia: examining the success of international retailers". The panel of the world's leading international retailers will each present a short briefing on their insights into growing your business across Asia, and then participate in a panel that debates the game-changing opportunities that lie upon the horizon.

Another highlight of the event will be the closing address "Changing Asia, changing the world" by Daniel Zhang, president of Taobao Mall. With a population of more than 4 billion, the economy set to more than double in the next 10 years, and domestic consumer power growing at a phenomenal speed, the opportunity for retailers in enormous. This powerful final session will offer a future-gazing view on Asia's incredible potential, identifying influential trends, key markets and sharing a visionary perspective on what lies ahead for the world's economic powerhouse.

RIA: How was the audience feedback for the event in 2011? What results do you expect to see in 2012?

LA: We received much excellent feedback and positive testimonials for last year's event. Audiences think World Retail Congress Asia Pacific is the forum to exchange ideas and insights into the important fast-growing consumer market. It provides great opportunity for them to learn and communicate with existing and potential partners. Some may think there were too many fashion speakers last year, but this has been addressed for 2012 with all sectors of retail represented, including speakers from AEON, Spar and Wumart. You can learn more about what people think on our website: www.worldretailcongressasia.com/who-will-i-meet.cfm

RIA: Networking section is always a highlight at a business event. Will there be any special networking section in the World Retail Congress Asia Pacific 2012 ?

LA: This year, we will have a study tour that takes people around shops and department stores in Beijing.

We will also have a gala dinner where people can meet each other, drink, eat and relax. Other networking chances include a master class and some interactive debate sessions. We also have a pre-event networking email tool – Congress Connect – which allows our visitors to log into our website and email other attendees.

RIA: What are the benefits that retailers can get from World Retail Congress Asia Pacific 2012?

LA: At the World Retail Congress Asia Pacific 2012, audience can: research, commissioned with our key partners;

• Hear exclusive insights into the latest consumer trends, growing markets and emerging brands from original World Retail Congress
• Network, form alliances and share best-practice through interactive sessions and debates with peers, partners and experts - plan your meetings and leverage your contacts through pre and post online networking tools;
• Benchmark your business through knowledge sharing with a 600+ strong delegate audience;
• Benefit from strategic insights into global retailing through a wide range of seminars, case-studies, country briefings, and expertise-sharing talk sessions;
• Discuss regions in-depth: interactive focus studies on China, Indonesia and Thailand;
• Tailor your experience with 15+ business streams, roundtables and networking opportunities, allowing you to personalise your agenda.

The World Retail Congress Asia Pacific is the most senior-level strategic event for retailer leaders doing business in the region.  Providing ideas, insights and strategies for fuelling continued growth and prosperity, the Congress brings together the finest retail business leaders for two-days of learning and debate, as well as invaluable networking opportunities with global peers. The event will be held at Beijing International Hotel on 28 and 29 March 2012. For more information about this event, visit World Retail Congress Asia Pacific.