RETHINK Retail- Global Top Retail Expert & 2026 Top AI Leader!
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Martin Bailie CEO and founder and MWB Advisory
As the industry descends upon the Javits Centre for National Retail Federation 2026: hashtagRetail’sBigShow, I am incredibly honoured to return for my fifth consecutive year as a RETHINK Retail Global Expert.
This year holds even greater significance as I have also been recognised as a hashtag2026TopAILeader.
For MWB Advisory Ltd, these accolades underscore our commitment to not just following the retail narrative, but actively rewriting it. With a network spanning five continents and deep expertise across the full retail spectrum—from the leanest discount models to complex global supply chains—our focus is on bridging the gap between AI potential and operational reality.
The Top Retail Expert (TRE) ecosystem is the industry’s premier engine for collective intelligence. It is a “global brain” that synthesises trends from every corner of the globe to help retailers navigate an increasingly complex world.
The crown jewel of the week remains the RETHINK Retail Gala. It is the most prestigious evening of the show—a moment for the Global Top 50 to step away from the noise and engage in the high-level collaboration that defines the “hashtagNextNow.”
“True global leadership in 2026 is the ability to synthesise insights from five continents into a single, surgical strategy. Innovation is a distraction unless it is anchored in flawless execution.”
A massive thank you to Julia Hare and Paul Lewis. Your vision has created a global family that champions excellence and innovation. It is an honour to contribute to this community.
I also want to extend my warmest congratulations to the newly appointed 2026 Top Retail Experts. Welcome to the front lines of retail transformation—I look forward to the “rethinking” we will do together.
At MWB Advisory, we don’t just talk about transformation; we build the systems that sustain it.
“In 2026, the competitive moat isn’t just your tech stack; it’s your speed to clarity. My mission is to provide leaders with the ‘scar tissue’ and global foresight required to turn disruption into a durable advantage.”
Let’s Connect in NYC
I am currently booking a few final “Strategic Clarity” sessions during NRF and will be at the RETHINK Gala.
Take a bow my FRIENDS!!
