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Shaping Retails Future – Trends Recap 2023 (By Mike Smollan)

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Edge Global Insights Report

Leading retailers and brands will have to have disciplined, measured, and innovative programs that allow for business strategies that sense, vet and experiment to reimagine and transform themselves

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, December 7, 2023/APO Group/ — 

By Mike Smollan, Chief Growth and Innovation Officer, Smollan (https://Smollan.com).

As per the Edge Global Insights Report 2023 – overall, the retail industry this year has navigated the lingering effects of the pandemic, embraced digital transformation, addressed sustainability concerns, and tackled supply chain challenges. Coupled with the disentanglement of major market dynamics from the clutter that is, supply chain disruptions, rising inflation and the pros and cons of new tech. As well as making critical choices in the ecommerce space and pushing to deliver exceptional shopping journeys in the context of seamless omnichannel customer experiences.

Undeniably the FMCG retail trade remains under enormous pressure with many retailers and brand owners bracing for conditions to worsen in the near term, yet despite this they are continuing to innovate, to serve shoppers, and turn a profit. Adding to the mix – innovation, flexibility, and agility, the benchmark for competitive advantage.

Leading retailers and brands will have to have disciplined, measured, and innovative programs that allow for business strategies that sense, vet and experiment to reimagine and transform themselves. For example, by optimising investments with data-driven creativity, through powerful mediums such as Netflix and Hulu (with a collective 480+ million subscribers) to get in front of a much larger consumer market. Or in crowded ecommerce spaces, where sales are projected to exceed $7 trillion by 2025, digital marketplaces are having to continually evolve, by offering more opportunities to engage with customers (source, Insider Intelligence). In line with that, retailers and brand owners are plugging into physical retail experiences in which physical elements and tech coexist, bringing brands closer to their customers and making sure the in-store and online space make a seamless connection (source, www.RetailTouchPoints.com).

Disruptors going forward that will create space for winning solutions (sources, Edge Report & Edge by Ascential ‘Store of the Future’ 4th Edition) include, the need for stores to transform even more to offer exceptional shopping experiences to customers. The aforementioned digital integration and new technologies that will shape the retail environment of the future, offering personalised experiences, optimised operations, innovation, as well as meeting evolving consumer demands across the shopping journey. Coupled with a deep understanding of the various markets as growth in the West and China is expected to slow in the medium-term, while Latin America and other developing markets such as Nigeria and Indonesia are expected to be more resilient to global economic slowdown.

At a high level, the following trend developments are on the radar as the retail industry transformation continues (sources, Edge Report & www.RetailTouchPoints.com):

Digital Commerce

The integration of online and offline channels increased mobile usage, AI and a growing emphasis on sustainability, digital commerce is expected to continue its rapid growth and evolution.

The integration of online and offline channels increased mobile usage, AI and a growing emphasis on sustainability, digital commerce is expected to continue its rapid growth

Social Commerce

An important ecommerce sub-channel, social commerce in 2024 will continue to blend the worlds of social media and ecommerce, offering seamless and personalised shopping experiences on their favourite social platforms.

Quick Commerce

Is expected to offer consumers even faster and more convenient delivery options, with a focus on personalisation, sustainability and seamless integration off mobile apps and online platforms.

D2C

Models will continue to be leveraged to connect with consumers with D2C expected to grow in popularity. Allowing companies to collect valuable customer data, enabling personalisation and a better understanding of target markets. As well as greater control over pricing and branding.

Third-Party Marketplace

One significant trend that may arise next year is the consolidation of third-party marketplaces where larger marketplaces acquire smaller ones or form strategic partnerships to expand reach. This could lead to increased competition resulting in improved services and features for both sellers and buyers.

Store & Warehouse of the Future

Both spaces are likely to undergo significant transformations in 2024 as technology advances and consumer expectations change yet again. From automation and robotics, to personalised experiences, seamless omnichannel integration, sustainable practices and enhanced data collection and analytics.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Smollan.

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Liberia to Preview Next Oil & Gas Licensing Round Strategy at Houston Investor Day

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The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority will host operators, investors and partners in Houston on August 19 to preview future licensing opportunities and showcase the exploration potential of its offshore basins

HOUSTON, United States of America, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –The Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) will present its strategy for the country’s next offshore licensing round at Liberia Investor Day Houston on August 19, bringing together international exploration companies, investors, service providers and energy leaders to discuss the next phase of Liberia’s upstream development.

Hosted in partnership with Energy Capital & Power, the event will provide a platform for the LPRA, led by Director General Hon. Marilyn T. Logan, to outline Liberia’s regulatory framework, investment priorities and plans to attract new participation across the country’s offshore sector. Discussions will focus on upcoming licensing opportunities, exploration prospects and the subsurface data supporting future investment decisions.

Liberia’s offshore sector is entering a new phase of exploration activity, with renewed international participation and a growing pipeline of opportunities. Following the award and ratification of eight Production Sharing Contracts in 2025, Liberia has re-established itself as a frontier exploration destination, with international operators advancing work programs designed to further evaluate the country’s petroleum potential. TotalEnergies is progressing exploration activities that include offshore geochemical surveys, 3D seismic acquisition and seabed mapping, while Oranto Petroleum has also signed contracts to explore Liberia’s offshore.

At the Liberia Investor Day Houston, the LPRA will provide industry stakeholders with insight into the priorities shaping the next licensing round, including the anticipated process, qualification requirements, available acreage and access to technical data. The engagement will give prospective investors a clearer view of Liberia’s exploration landscape and the opportunities emerging across its offshore basins.

The event will also facilitate direct dialogue between LPRA and the global upstream community, connecting companies with policymakers and industry stakeholders involved in shaping Liberia’s next chapter of petroleum development.

As exploration companies continue to seek new frontier opportunities, Liberia Investor Day Houston will highlight the role of regulatory certainty, data availability and strategic partnerships in unlocking long-term investment across Liberia’s offshore sector.

Registration is now open for attendees. Companies interested in Liberia’s emerging offshore opportunities are invited to join LPRA, investors and upstream leaders in Houston for insights into the country’s licensing strategy and exploration outlook. For more information contact info@energycapitalpower.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

 

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Beyond Stabroek: Guyana’s Offshore Basin Attracts New Wave of Exploration Investment

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As ExxonMobil advances appraisal activity in Stabroek and new operators target frontier acreage, Guyana is attracting global capital and building a diversified offshore portfolio designed to sustain long-term growth

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, August 7, 2026/APO Group/ –Guyana’s transformation into one of the world’s fastest-growing oil producers is entering a new phase, with a growing network of IOCs expanding exploration activity across the country’s offshore basin. Beyond the landmark discoveries that first put Guyana on the global energy map, new drilling campaigns and licensing partnerships are creating a broader exploration ecosystem designed to support long-term production growth.

At the center of this momentum is ExxonMobil’s continued exploration and appraisal activity in the prolific Stabroek Block. The company has submitted a proposal for a 35-well exploration and appraisal drilling campaign, expected to run from 2028 through 2033, pending regulatory approval. The program would build on more than 30 commercial discoveries already made in the block, with drilling activity focused on evaluating new prospects and appraising existing discoveries to support future development opportunities.

Exploration activity is also extending into Guyana’s frontier acreage, with ExxonMobil advancing drilling operations at the deepwater Canje Block. The company has deployed the Noble Stena Carron drillship for exploration activity, highlighting continued industry interest in evaluating Guyana’s underexplored offshore potential beyond the established Stabroek Block.

Guyana’s strong exploration outlook comes as the country’s economy continues to benefit from rapid oil sector expansion, with hydrocarbons expected to remain a key driver of exports, government revenues and economic growth. As production scales up, attracting additional investment across exploration, services and infrastructure will be critical to supporting the next phase of development.

That momentum is being reinforced through partnerships established under Guyana’s 2023 offshore licensing round. A consortium comprising TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy and Petronas is advancing exploration activities in Block S4 under a five-year production sharing agreement signed with the government in late 2025. The award represents one of the first major outcomes of the licensing round and demonstrates continued international confidence in Guyana’s offshore resource potential.

Beyond the largest operators, a diverse group of companies is also expanding activity across Guyana’s offshore basin. Eco Atlantic is advancing exploration at the Orinduik Block; CGX Energy and Frontera Energy are progressing work in the Corentyne Block; Occidental is evaluating opportunities in the Roraima Block; while Ratio Guyana and Cataleya Energy hold interests in the Kaieteur Block. Together, these partnerships are broadening Guyana’s exploration landscape, increasing competition for acreage and creating opportunities for future discoveries.

As Guyana transitions from an emerging producer to a global energy hub, the next challenge will be converting exploration success into sustainable investment, local value creation and regional growth. These opportunities will be explored at Caribbean Energy Week 2027, held under the theme “Unlocking the Caribbean Energy Corridor: Oil, Gas, LNG & Investment for a New Global Hub.” Bringing together governments, IOCs, investors and technology providers, the event will examine how Guyana’s expanding partnerships can accelerate offshore development, strengthen regional energy cooperation and attract the capital needed to support the Caribbean’s evolving energy landscape.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Energy Capital & Power Establishes London Entity, Expanding Global Platform for Energy and Mining Events

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The move strengthens ECP’s presence in the UK and Europe, and its ability to connect African and South American markets with global investors

LONDON, United Kingdom, August 6, 2026/APO Group/ –International events company Energy Capital & Power (ECP) (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com) has officially established its UK entity in London, marking a milestone in the company’s growth strategy and reinforcing its ability to deliver world-class energy and mining events and campaigns in the UK and Europe.

By establishing a presence in a key hub like London – the pre-eminent energy and mining finance center – ECP actively shapes the global energy conversation. The expansion positions ECP to better serve clients, partners and investors seeking to develop business opportunities between Africa, Europe, the Americas and energy markets worldwide.

Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital

The milestone comes as ECP strengthens its reach through a series of investment platforms that connect global capital to energy and mining projects. These include the Venezuela Energy Week London Showcase on July 30 – with over 300 delegates registered – and the annual Invest in African Energy Forum, held in Paris as the premier event connecting global investors to Africa’s energy transformation.

ECP hosts high level summits and investor conferences in leading energy and minerals producing countries in Africa and South America, including: Venezuela Energy Week; Angola Oil & Gas; MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power; African Mining Week; Libya Energy & Economic Summit; Congo Energy & Investment Forum; South Sudan Oil & Power; and Caribbean Energy Week. The company has hosted investor forums and supported licensing round roadshows in Houston, London and Paris since 2016.

“Opening our UK company brings ECP closer to key investors in the global energy finance capital,” states CEO James Chester. “Having a permanent presence in London further cements our footprint in Europe, enabling us to fulfil our mission to bring minerals and energy investment to diverse global markets.”

With teams located across Africa, Europe and the Americas, ECP has long-facilitated strategic engagement, market intelligence and industry convening, uniting investors with leading energy and mining projects.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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