The Future-Ready Retailer: Tools, Tech & The Mindset To Win

Crystal Vilkaitis, Rooted In Retail

This is a session you can’t afford to miss – literally. Discover the AI tools, strategies, and mindset shifts that are saving indie retailers thousands in expenses and earning them even more in sales. You’ll walk away with future-forward best practices, jaw-dropping tech tools, and real-life use cases that will help you work smarter, market better, and reclaim your time. You will:

• Discover the top AI tools and apps that save time, reduce costs, and help you make smarter business decisions instantly.
• See real-life retailer use cases of AI in action from marketing and merchandising to customer experience and content creation.
• Adopt the future-ready mindset that helps retailers stay relevant, grow profitably, and lead confidently in a rapidly changing market.

Crystal Vilkaitis, known as The Wolf of Main Street, is the founder of Rooted in Retail and the Independent Retailers Association (IndERA), two platforms advancing the future of independent retail through resilience, innovation, and community. She hosts the Rooted in Retail podcast, sharing real-world strategies and inspiring stories to help retailers thrive. A dynamic speaker, Crystal is known for her bold approach to modern retail and unforgettable customer experiences.