Farfetch to stage retail innovation event in London

Farfetch will stage an invitation-only event in London in the spring to showcase its retail innovations to brands, retailers and other industry members.

Chief executive Jose Neves told WWD the online luxury platform, which also owns iconic London boutique Browns, would invite 200 decision makers to the event which takes place on 12 April and the new Design Museum.

The free-to-attend event, which may be held annually and will welcome 200 guests, would not be a typical sales conference or thought leader event, he told the publication. “It’s a different type of hybrid. And hopefully it’s going to be exciting,” he said. “We want to make it a decision-maker’s event."

Farfetch was founded as a platform to unite luxury multi-brand boutiques in one place but has also branched into hosting sites on behalf of brands and retailers. Last year it acquired Browns with a view to using it as test bed for its Store of the Future project, which is dedicated to enhancing customers' in-store experience using technology.

The concept will be demonstrated at the April event and Farfetch will also work with consultants Bain & Co on a study to be revealed at the event. Speakers from the organisation will present their vision for the industry for the next three to five years.