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Retail futurist & AI commerce expert

Doug Stephens

Transform retail strategy with Doug Stephens, renowned retail futurist and AI commerce expert. Doug equips Fortune 500 brands to navigate consumer behavior shifts and leverage emerging technologies, delivering actionable frameworks for market dominance. Bestselling author advising Walmart, Google, LVMH, and BMW globally.

Trusted by Walmart, Google, LVMH, BMW

Doug Stephens, Speaker | Retail Futurist & Author
Doug Stephens

Doug Stephens

Vancouver, Canada

Typical fee range

$11k–25k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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Vancouver, Canada

Starting from

$11k–25k

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loading@getapeptalk.com

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+44 203 835 2929

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Doug Stephens's biography

At a glance

  • Retail industry futurist influencing global brands
  • Founder and CEO of Retail Prophet consultancy
  • Author of international retail business bestsellers
Doug Stephens is a retail industry futurist whose insights shape how global brands navigate the future of commerce. His intellectual work influences Fortune 500 companies including Walmart, Google, LVMH, and BMW as they adapt to rapidly evolving consumer landscapes. As founder and CEO of Retail Prophet, Doug brings over 20 years of senior retail industry experience to his consultancy work. He has authored three international bestsellers, including Resurrecting Retail, and serves as a nationally syndicated retail columnist for CBC Radio while advising multiple corporate and academic boards. Doug helps organizations decode seismic shifts in consumer behavior, technology integration, and competitive strategy. His research identifies how AI is transforming retail operations, how physical stores must evolve beyond traditional functions, and how brands can establish uncontested market dominance amid unprecedented global competition. His framework enables retailers to cut through market chaos, prioritize investments, and forge radical consumer value. Audiences gain practical insights on leveraging emerging technologies like AI and virtual reality, creating distinctive sensory experiences that drive profitability, and building sustainable competitive advantages in an era where traditional retail cornerstones no longer guarantee success. Book Doug to transform how your organization views retail's future and position your brand to thrive in commerce's next revolution.

Doug's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

The Retail Archetypes Of The Future
Doug Stephens unpacks a retail landscape reshaped by permanent shifts in consumer behavior, global competition, and relentless technological change. Traditional advantages such as price, convenience, and exclusivity are no longer reliable foundations for success. Drawing on research from his book Resurrecting Retail, he introduces a clear strategic framework that helps brands prioritize investment, cut through market noise, and build uncontested category leadership amid accelerating disruption.
The Future Of Physical Stores
Doug Stephens reframes the role of the physical store in a world where commerce now lives everywhere from mobile devices to digital touchpoints. As boundaries between online and offline dissolve, he reveals why brick-and-mortar has entered its most transformative era yet. Using up-to-the-minute research and global examples, he shows how planning, design, and performance measurement are being reinvented to unlock entirely new forms of retail value.
The Future Of Competitive Advantage
Doug Stephens explores how competitive advantage is being radically redefined as innovation and disruption collide at unprecedented speed. Long-standing sources of market leadership are giving way to new pillars shaped by technology, data, and changing consumer expectations. Through vivid case studies of global trailblazers, he reveals how leading organizations are no longer reacting to the future but actively constructing it as a source of long-term dominance.
The Future Of Consumerism
Doug Stephens examines how economics, demographics, technology, and media are reshaping not only how people buy, but who today’s consumer fundamentally is. From artificial intelligence and social commerce to virtual reality and big data, powerful forces are converging to rewrite the rules of engagement between brands and customers. He reveals how the most adaptive businesses are reimagining their models to thrive amid these historic, permanent shifts in behavior.
The Art Of Retail
Doug Stephens explores why, even in a hyper-technological world, the emotional drivers of novelty, connection, and wonder remain central to why people buy. Showcasing the world’s most imaginative brands, he reveals how sensory design, storytelling, and experience differentiation are redefining profitable retail. This session reconnects commerce with creativity, demonstrating how the artistry of retail is once again a decisive strategic advantage.

Why we recommend booking Doug

Doug Stephens, renowned retail futurist and bestselling author, delivers transformative insights that help global brands like Walmart, Google, and BMW navigate the complex future of commerce with practical strategies for leveraging AI, creating distinctive customer experiences, and building sustainable competitive advantages. Book Doug today to position your organization at the forefront of retail's next revolution and unlock uncontested market dominance in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Check Doug's availability

Trusted by Walmart, Google, LVMH, BMW

Testimonials

An outstanding discussion this morning. Best executive series I’ve attended. Thank you for sharing.

Walmart

Your contribution to our conference as immeasurable and by far the most well-received presentation.

Reed Exhibitions

Doug’s passion for retailing and connection with consumer trends, attitudes, and behaviours brought a fresh perceptive and energy to Citi Retail Services’ annual leadership conference. We valued his willingness to push the boundaries of how retailers can better serve their customers and how our company can be a strong partner in ensuring their success.

Citibank

Citibank

Featured Projects

Doug Stephens - Retail Prophet podcast cover
Doug Stephens - Resurrecting Retail book cover
Doug Stephens - Reengineering Retail book cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Doug Stephens for my next event?
Email doug.stephens@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Doug's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
What is Doug Stephens's speaking style like?
Doug Stephens structures sessions around a research-backed strategic framework drawn from his published work, supported by case studies of global organisations to illustrate how brands can build category leadership amid retail disruption.
What topics does Doug Stephens specialise in?
Doug Stephens speaks on retail archetypes and strategic frameworks, the evolving role of physical stores, and the redefinition of competitive advantage in an era of technological disruption. He is the founder and CEO of Retail Prophet, author of three international bestselling books including Resurrecting Retail, and a retail futurist whose work has influenced Fortune 500 companies such as Walmart, Google, LVMH, and BMW.
Can PepTalk help plan the speaker programme for my event?

Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.

What does 'typical fee range' mean?

Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.

What logistics should I prepare before my speakers arrive?

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Life happens! Most speaker bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker, but PepTalk handles all the details & contracts transparently upfront so there are no surprises. Our team supports you through any changes, making the process as smooth as possible.

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Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

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Can I book entertainment and speakers as a package?

Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.

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How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

Help, I need a last-minute speaker for my event!

No problem! We often handle last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, comedian, awards or event host quickly — almost anywhere in the world. However, speaker availability might be limited as the event date approaches. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.