This is the area of the event where start-ups have a presence. There is also a stage here, where a selection of start-ups will pitch to groups of retail expert judges across the two days. On day 2 a start-up of the year is announced. 

Confirmed judges: 

• Debra Lees, Senior Director, Corporate Strategy, Asda

• Martin Bell, Ecommerce Director, Hotel Chocolat 

• Michelle Wilk, Investor, Retail & Beauty, Founders Factory 

• Morgan Fowles, Former COO, Spoke 

• Stuart Ramage, Head of Digital Strategy & Innovation, M&S

• Julie Austin, Marketing & Digital Director, Bravissimo 

• Simon Leesley, MD, Stitch Fix 

• Nigel Blunt, Group Ecommerce Director, Sainsbury’s

• Nicola Thompson, COO, Made.com