Forum Retail 2026: humanoid robot, barista on demand and live podcast. Innovation you can experience first-hand

Not just conferences, meetings and insights into the trends transforming commerce: at Forum Retail 2026, visitors will also be able to experience new technologies up close, engage with industry leaders and build professional relationships in innovative and informal settings.

Forum Retail 2026, the flagship event for the retail community conceived and organised by Ikn Italy, returns on 11 and 12 November at Superstudio Più in Milan. Alongside the conference content, the programme offers a wide range of experiences combining experimentation, insights and networking.

More than 1.500 retailers, 300 speakers and 150 tech providers are expected for two days dedicated to the challenges and opportunities of a constantly evolving sector, from artificial intelligence to digital transformation, from new consumer habits to the innovation of business models.

The experiences are spaces where innovation moves beyond theoretical debate to become tangible, accessible and, in some cases, surprising.

Retail On Air: the voices of retail leaders become a podcast

Retail On Air, the live podcast that brings managers, entrepreneurs, innovators and figures from the worlds of digital and sport to the microphones for conversations about market transformations, business strategies and professional experiences, returns to the event.

Among the featured guests are Giorgio Santambrogio, CEO of Gruppo VéGé, Annalisa Ferri, chief marketing officer of Sammontana Italia, Pierpaolo Coli, head of franchising at McDonald's Italia, Alessandro Martire, associate partner at Bain & Company, Matteo Flora and Mirko Bruni, respectively founder & board director and CEO of The Fool, and Massimo Cortinovis, head of digital strategies at Lega Basket.

The conversations, recorded live during the two days, from 12:00 to 16:00, will remain available after the event as an archive of content to listen to and share.

Retail Tech Space: discover innovation in the field, including over a coffee prepared by a robot

The Retail Tech Space makes its debut in the 2026 edition, an area dedicated to the meeting of technological innovation, the scouting of new solutions and insights into the trends redefining the sector.

Here, participants will be able to join the Retail Tech Space Tour, guided tours of the stands of the most innovative companies, accompanied by industry experts, to discover technologies and practical applications for retail up close.

Technology also comes to the coffee break: before setting off on the tour, participants will be able to enjoy an espresso prepared by Barista on Demand, Rhea's self-driving mobile coffee shop, an example of how automation and innovation can also become part of service experiences.

The area will also host Start Up Galaxy, dedicated to meeting startups and discovering new technological solutions, and the Retail Tech & Innovation Stage, featuring talks on artificial intelligence, retail media, data governance and quantum computing. The companies represented include Decathlon, Amplifon, Google Cloud Italia, Bricocenter Italia, Intesa Sanpaolo and Coop Alleanza 3.0.

Shopping Cube presents The Cube, Europe's first immersive and interactive virtual showroom

Real models will walk the catwalk in The Cube and, with the help of AI and next-generation software, will digitally wear different personalised garments tailored to each person's exact measurements, without actually changing clothes.

The presentation will take place on Wednesday 11 November at 11:00 at Forum Retail (Stand C11).

Artificial intelligence takes shape: Fausto, the humanoid robot, arrives at Forum Retail

Among the most intriguing highlights of the 2026 edition will be Fausto, Gulliver's humanoid robot, present in the exhibition area on both days.

Fausto makes it possible to observe up close how artificial intelligence is moving beyond the boundaries of digital environments to find applications in the physical world through advanced robotic systems, opening up new possibilities for retail too. And for those who wish, there will also be the opportunity to take a selfie with the humanoid robot.

Have your portrait taken by a robot: when artificial intelligence becomes art

At Forum Retail 2026, even a portrait becomes a technological experience. At the stand of Kuoni Tumlare and 20Action, visitors will be able to have their portrait taken by a robot which, starting from a photograph and using artificial intelligence, will create a personalised drawing, stroke by stroke. An experience that combines creativity and innovation, turning technology into a keepsake to take home.

Retail Wellness Experience: wellness becomes a journey to experience

Cosmetics, nutrition, personal care and new technologies applied to wellness will be at the heart of the Retail Wellness Experience, an area where, over the two days, visitors will be able to discover and try products and services through demonstrations, personalised consultations and opportunities to interact with brands.

Among the experiences on offer, Benu Farmacia will present the Magic Mirror, a device that analyses the skin in real time and provides personalised beauty advice, as part of the Benu Beauty Circle experience.

There will also be space for new products and trends: KoRo, a German brand specialising in snacks and natural foods, will be present with a dedicated truck; Bufarma will offer tests of its skincare products based on buffalo milk, while CoolMate will introduce visitors to, and offer tastings of, a drink made from organic yerba mate.

A journey showing how wellness and personalised experiences are taking on a central role in the relationship between brands and consumers.

Themed Breakfasts: networking starts at 8:30

Networking is also evolving, starting with the first event of the day. On 11 and 12 November, at 8:30, the Business Connection Lounge will host two Themed Breakfasts, designed to encourage discussion among professionals in an informal and stimulating setting.

On the morning of 11 November, together with Unobravo, the discussion will focus on corporate wellbeing, with a focus on strategies and best practices for building stronger, more motivated and productive teams.

On 12 November, it will be the turn of Woman in Retail, the themed breakfast with The Circle, dedicated to professional connections, discussion and the sharing of experiences in the retail world.

Two events that turn breakfast into an opportunity to expand one's network, exchange ideas and initiate new collaborations.

With these initiatives, Forum Retail 2026 is strengthening its experiential dimension, supplementing its programme of conferences and B2b meetings with new ways of learning, experimenting and building relationships. An evolution that reflects the evolution of retail, where technology, content, services and experience are increasingly closely connected.

For information and the full programme: https://ikn.it/forum-retail/

This article was translated from the original Italian version with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In case of discrepancies, please refer to the original Italian version.