CARL
BOUTET
AUTHOR, SPEAKER & RETAIL PRESCRIPTOR |
TOP 10 MOST INFLUENTIAL RETAIL THINKERS | TOP 100 IN RETAIL TECHNOLOGY, BUSINESS STRATEGY, EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES, AND DIGITAL DISRUPTION
“ The only constant is change. Most importantly, how we adapt.”
Carl Boutet is a Montreal-based business strategist and executive advisor with over 30 years of diverse experience spanning operational, marketing, and retail executive roles. He has navigated various business landscapes throughout his career, empowering leaders to excel in an ever-evolving market.
As the founder of StudioRx.world, Carl advises executives, B2C and B2B solution providers, and ecosystem partners on adapting their strategies to meet their customers' shifting needs and building effective commercial strategies. He holds an MBA from Queen's University and professional certificates from Stanford, Harvard, and MIT.
Carl is actively involved in the technology startup and innovation ecosystem, both as an advisor and investor, and serves on the boards of several retailers, global brands, and industry associations.
He is the principal advisor for the McGill University Retail Innovation Lab. He teaches as a faculty lecturer in McGill's Masters in Retail Innovation program (covering emerging technologies and new business models) and as adjunct digital marketing faculty at the Asian Institute of Technology MBA School of Management.
Rethink Retail and other industry publications have recognized Carl as one of the Top 10 Most Influential Retail Thinkers worldwide. He also appears in several Top 100 rankings in Retail Technology, Business Strategy, Emerging Technologies, and Digital Disruption. Carl has been a keynote speaker, chair, and moderator at major retail conferences around the world and remains a regular contributor to global news networks.
In 2021, Carl published his first book, The Great Acceleration, exploring how the Covid-19 pandemic spurred digital transformation and the strategies businesses need to thrive in its wake.
In December 2024, he published Blindspot, which explores the many unforeseen impacts of technology on commerce.
TOPICS:
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BLIND SPOTS: ANTICIPATE THE RISKS AND MAXIMIZE THE POTENTIAL OF MAJOR CONSUMER TRENDS
In a world where consumer behaviors and expectations are shifting at unprecedented speed, it’s essential to identify weak signals and understand the deeper dynamics reshaping markets. This conference highlights the often-overlooked strategic blind spots and reveals actionable insights to stay relevant and competitive. It offers a clear and pragmatic look at emerging trends and provides concrete pathways to navigate rapid change with agility.
This talk can be fully tailored to the specific challenges of your industry.
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RETAIL UNDER PRESSURE: ANTICIPATING AND ADAPTING TO GEOPOLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CHALLENGES
The interconnection of North American markets exposes Canadian businesses to the political and economic decisions of the United States, making supply chain management more complex than ever. Fluctuating tariffs, new regulations, and commercial uncertainties demand strategic adaptation and resilience.
In this conference, Carl Boutet analyzes the impact of geopolitical and economic tensions on the retail sector and offers concrete solutions to help businesses navigate these challenges.
Key Topics :
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The impact of trade tensions
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How businesses can adapt
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The critical role of technology
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The evolution of consumer behavior
Case Studies and Real-World Examples: Explore real-life cases of businesses that have successfully—or unsuccessfully—navigated complex geopolitical environments, extracting key strategic lessons.
In an uncertain global landscape, businesses must be able to quickly adapt to geopolitical shifts to maintain their competitiveness and long-term viability.
Whether through a keynote conference, a private discussion with your executive team, or a brainstorming session with your leadership, operations, or employee teams, this session provides a clear and strategic perspective to better understand and anticipate upcoming challenges.
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THE GREAT ACCELERATION: THE RACE TO RETAIL RESILIENCE
In an ever-evolving world, how can companies not only survive, but thrive? Carl Boutet explores the dynamics of the great acceleration and how companies can build enduring resilience. He shares key strategies from his book The Great Acceleration - The Race To Retail Resilience, and discusses the best practices to adapt to rapid market changes.
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CONSUMER TRENDS: IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC AND STRATEGIES FOR RECOVERY
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly transformed consumer behavior. Carl Boutet examines these changes and proposes strategies to help businesses restart and revitalize their operations. Drawing on recent data and analysis, he provides valuable insights to understand the new trends and adapt effectively.
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INTERNATIONAL MARKETING AND RETAIL: DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM THE BEST PRACTICES AROUND THE WORLD
In a globalized world, learning from international best practices is essential to stay competitive. Carl Boutet shares his observations on the most effective retail and marketing strategies around the world. He presents case studies and inspiring examples from different regions, thus offering enriching perspectives for industry professionals.
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CONSUMER SCIENCES: WHAT ARE THE NEEDS TODAY, TOMORROW HOW TO ADAPT TO IT?
Understanding the needs of current and future consumers is crucial for any business. Carl Boutet explores consumer sciences and provides tools to effectively anticipate and respond to these needs. Through in-depth analysis and practical examples, he helps businesses stay relevant and innovate according to consumer expectations.
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RETAIL: WHAT ROLE FOR TECHNOLOGY AND DATA SCIENCE?
Technology and data science play a crucial role in transforming retail. Carl Boutet examines how these tools can be used to improve operations, personalize the customer experience, and stimulate growth. He presents concrete examples and use cases to illustrate how companies can leverage technology and data for success.
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LOCATION : MONTREAL, QC
PODCAST:
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The Great Acceleration, instigated by the many profound impacts of the greatest global pandemic of the past century opened several portals into the future.
Following The Great Depression and The Great Recession, The Great Acceleration exposed many business model frailties that we knew needed addressing, yet didn’t expect to occur so rapidly. A rapidly blurring of physical and digital commerce was expected to only occur a decade later. Hence a race to resilience began. Looking to rapidly placate those shortcomings with the proper human and technological resources.
As the lines between physical and digital commerce continue to blur, Blind Spot by Carl Boutet sheds a stark light on the hidden risks shaping the future of retail. After the pandemic triggered a wave of transformation, many businesses hoped for a return to stability. But they hadn’t anticipated the meteoric rise of artificial intelligence.
Carl’s revelation came in Hanoi, while teaching an MBA class. A student demonstrated an AI tool that could write, translate, and structure content in real time—redefining expectations. The true disruption, he realized, wouldn’t come from visible competitors, but from our blind trust in systems we barely understand.
Blind Spot explores this paradox: how the relentless pursuit of optimization can make companies blind to innovation. By placing humans, ethics, and vigilance at the center of technological progress, Boutet delivers a clear—and urgent—vision of commerce in the AI era.
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