2025 Retail Success Summit

Registration Is Closed

Stay Tuned For Updates On The 2026 Retail Success Summit

Imagine a world of possibilities – where innovation meets community and local charm intertwines with cutting-edge retail strategies. It’s not just an event; it’s 3 fantastic virtual days dedicated to the vibrant tapestry of independent retailers everywhere.

Whether on a small town street or a big city boulevard, in a suburban shopping center or a vacation destination, indie retailers are the heart and soul of their community!

You see, Main Street isn’t a place… It’s a state of mind, a way of doing business. 

It’s what you dreamed of when you opened your business. Giving customers a truly exceptional experience, not merely providing a space to shop. Making your town or city distinctive, alluring, and unique (unlike the rows of monotonous chain stores). Being the employer of choice for everyone, from first-time job seekers to highly skilled executives. Delivering massive economic impact for your family and your community. 

And yes, having FUN at a job you LOVE. 

That’s what the Retail Success Summit 2025 is all about! Together, let’s imagine a bright, dynamic world of retail – where every storefront tells a story, and every business thrives through connection, creativity, and collaboration.

“I am so thankful for the Virtual Retail Success Summit! I am reminded of the amazing things we learned each and every day. Every change we implement, no matter how small, is a step forward. Thank you Bob and Susan!”

– Stacey Williamson, Center of the Yarniverse, Ashland, VA

Get great information to improve EVERY area of your business – from finance to social media, staff training to store ops – and more! You’ll get both high-level concepts and proven tactical techniques to help you succeed. Learn from some of the best minds in the retail industry, including Bob & Susan Negen, plus a phenomenal lineup of other experts.

Tired of doom and gloom headlines? At the Retail Success Summit, you’ll get re-energized, refreshed, and refocused. There’s lots of GOOD news… uplifting real-life stories, unexpected innovations, and incredible opportunities. Come connect with a huge group of smart, focused, optimistic, creative indie retailers whose businesses are flourishing.

In your comfiest clothes and with a click of your mouse, you’ll enter the fantastic virtual world of the Retail Success Summit and instantly access everything this industry-leading event has to offer. No travel. No time away from your family. No hassles. Even easier, you’ll be able to instantly access the recordings and re-visit the virtual world for a full 30 days!

The normal in-person Summit is a great experience and worth every single penny, but there’s no denying that this year’s virtual conference will save you money. No plane fare. No hotel bill. No meal expenses. With unclear economic conditions ahead, this is a good time to be smart (by attending the Summit) and be frugal at the same time.

NOT Just Another Zoom Room!

The Imagine Mainstreet virtual world captures the vibrant feel of “in real life” experiences while still delivering the easy, affordable experience of a virtual event. Check this out…

  • An Entire Virtual World To Explore – On the first day of the Retail Success Summit you’ll enter into a virtual world filled with blue skies, fluttering flags, and other participants just like you heading toward the conference center. Inside, you can visit the Lounge to network with other retailers, visit the Exhibit Hall and connect with sponsors, get support at the Help Desk, and, of course, make your way to the Auditorium for the day’s presentations.
  • The Main Stage + Expert Guest Speakers – Once inside the virtual Auditorium, you’ll be immersed in best-in-class training for independent retailers delivered by Bob and Susan Negen plus some fantastic guest speakers. Sure, we’ll give you some breaks to explore the virtual world, but come ready to be inspired!
  • Real-Time Chat & Sharing – You’re only able to whisper to a few nearby people during a “real-world” presentation, but in our virtual world, you can instantly mastermind with everyone in the room – sharing thoughts, giving examples, brainstorming new options, and asking questions. Not only will you get ideas from the speakers, but also from the collective wisdom and experiences of all the participants. It’s POWERFUL!
  • Round Table Discussions – Find a discussion group that you’re interested in and join the conversation led by expert facilitators. Maybe it’s a hot topic, or maybe it’s an industry discussion group – this is your chance to ask lots of questions and talk with other people who share your passions or your concerns. This is a feature you’ve been asking for, and the virtual setting makes it happen.
  • Browse the Exhibit Hall – Each of the sponsors at the Retail Success Summit brings valuable tools, services, insights, and ideas specifically for indie retailers. In the virtual sponsor booths, you can have a video chat, learn more about the companies, get free downloadable resources, or watch a demo. These are the people in your corner, helping you to succeed!
  • Set Meetings With Key Sponsors – Once you’ve browsed the Exhibit Hall, set up some meetings for dedicated one-on-one time with the folks you’re most interested in talking to. Ask detailed questions specific to your store and learn more about how they can help you, individually. And don’t forget to add your meetings to your personalized schedule!
  • Build Your Own Schedule + Reminder Notifications – Create your own personalized schedule for the entire Summit. Plan for the main stage sessions, add your favorite breakouts, and automatically add your sponsor meetings. You’ll get instant notifications to remind you where to be and when – what could be easier?!
  • Find & Talk To Your Retail BFFs – One of the best parts of the in-person Summit is running into and re-connecting with your favorite retail friends – and we’ve made it happen inside the virtual conference center. You can easily look for specific friends, start a one-to-one video chat, or create a chat room for a group of your BFFs. You could even have lunch together and catch up on all the news!
  • Meet A NEW Retail Friend – Whether you’re mingling during the breaks or standing in line at Starbucks (true story!), the random connections you make at the Summit can turn into business-boosting, life-changing friendships. In the virtual world, your chances of making a meaningful connection go way UP. Use Smart Matchmaking to meet and network with others who share your interests, your industry, or other common characteristics.
  • Photo Booth – Take a selfie in the virtual photo booth and share who you are, express your personality, or even let us see inside your store! It’s all about having fun together and connecting with each other. What kind of photo props are YOU going to bring to the Summit?
  • Scavenger Hunt & Fun Prizes – Earn points and win prizes by exploring the virtual world, playing along, and participating in events. There will be lots of ways to engage, many ways to win! I mean who doesn’t like a great prize?
  • Your Digital & “IRL” Swag Bag – In addition to some great “in-real-life” swag you’ll in the mail, you can also pick up your digital swag bag at the Lounge inside the virtual conference center. Stuffed will all kinds of fun, whimsical, valuable, useful, and thought-provoking digital goodies – you’ll want to grab it first thing!
  • 30-Day Extended Experience – For a full 30 days after the Retail Success Summit ends, you’ll be able to head back to the Imagine Mainstreet virtual world. Did you take some notes you can’t decipher? Go watch the presentation again to get clarity. Were there two simultaneous breakouts and you really wanted to see both? Pop back in and watch any of the sessions at your convenience. Go back and pick up any digital resources shared by speakers or sponsors that you left behind. It will all be waiting for you…

“Thank you, Bob and Susan, for all the amazing ideas, inspiration, and constant positivity!! And for creating this awesome community of like-minded individuals who are all here to share and lift each other up and keep everyone succeeding. So THANKFUL for all you do for us!”

– Lori Teed, Toy & Party, Barrie, Ontario, CANADA

3 Days Of World-Class Retail Education

The Retail Success Summit is the industry’s most comprehensive retail conference, filled with inspiring, practical content that has the power to transform your business. As we gather thought leaders, industry experts, and passionate entrepreneurs, we’ll explore what it truly means to “Imagine Main Street.”

For 18 years, retailers from all over the world have been blown away by the:
 

  • Ideas… from huge, breakthrough revelations to smaller, instantly actionable tips, what you learn at the Summit will push your business forward now and for years to come.
  • Inspiration… that will expand your confidence and motivate you to become better, bigger, bolder, and go after your dreams.
  • Skills… so you have the know-how to competently and profitably run your business, lead your team, and serve your customers,
  • Strategies… that will make all of the tactics you use more powerful and strengthen the connections you have with your customers and your community.
  • Insights… into both exciting new opportunities and potential dangers that lie ahead.
  • Tools… that allow you to work more efficiently and get more done – without having to reinvent the wheel.

In the words of Retail Success Summit attendee, Heidi Hardman, “Even after 30 years in retail, I’m learning things I never knew.”

“The Virtual Retail Success Summit has been full of so much great information. I’ve hated to see each day end! From the info, to the great sessions and getting to talk to others, it’s been incredible.”

– Chef Darin, Chef Darin’s Kitchen Table, Savannah, GA

Who Attends The Retail Success Summit?

Summit attendees are mostly independent retail store owners and managers. And there are often service businesses like restaurants, limo companies, or dog washes in the mix. But within that general category, there are a WIDE VARIETY of businesses that attend.

Inside the virtual world, you’ll find a diverse range of business sizes, from single stores to multi-store chains. Every size is celebrated—whether you’re a team of one or 100, our speakers present ideas that will work in your size company.

Connect with a spectrum of businesses, from brand-new startups to seasoned, multi-generational retailers who have stood the test of time. The oldest business attending the Summit (that we know of) was founded in 1880! You’re never too old or too young to get great ideas and inspiration to grow your business.

Immerse yourself in a melting pot of industries, from boutiques to bike shops, antiques to automotive, and beyond—there’s something for everyone. With over 40 industries represented, you’re guaranteed to find like-minded retail professionals in your niche, ready to network and collaborate.

Unlike some trade shows or conferences that focus only on a specific industry or a specific topic, the Retail Success Summit is all about learning from every industry and delivering the information in every part of your business that you need to succeed.

Bottom line… if you’re a retailer, The Retail Success Summit is for you.

What Past Attendees Are Saying

Meet Our 2025 Sponsors