Retailer Roundtable: NextGen Talent in Retail: Committed, Capable and Ready to Be Seen

LEAD Network's latest Retailer Roundtable (June 17, 2026) brought together around 20 retail leaders from across Europe for a high-energy session on one of the industry's most pressing strategic questions: how do we attract, develop and retain the next generation of talent in an AI-enabled world?

Chaired by Milena Dragijska, CEO of Lidl Bulgaria and North Macedonia, and the first woman CEO within the Lidl Group, the session drew on the LEAD Network newest NextGen research to spark candid peer exchange across markets. Milena shared how Lidl is putting this into practice through targeted outreach programmes, structured AI education and a genuine two-way engagement approach that positions younger employees as partners in transformation, not just recipients of it.

The data offered a compelling counter-narrative to the usual hand-wringing about Gen Z loyalty. A striking 92% of NextGens in Consumer Goods and Retail say they want to grow their careers within the industry, slightly ahead of the 90% recorded across other sectors. Retail's reputation problem, it turns out, may be more perception than reality.

But barriers remain real. The research identified three fault lines worth watching:

• Growth: 35% of NextGens report no exposure to visible assignments;
• Fit: 30% don't feel seen by senior leaders, and 27% feel judged as less capable due to age or limited experience; and
• Readiness: a sector-wide concern about preparedness for AI transformation. When asked what would make organisations more NextGen-fit, participants pointed to personalised career development support (51%), rotational opportunities (45%) and flexible, positive work environments (41%).

Breakout discussions brought the research to life with peer exchange that was frank and forward-looking. A recurring insight: retail already has the ingredients NextGen talent is looking for: meaningful work, innovation, international scope and real career pathways. The gap is not in the offer; it's in the storytelling. Participants agreed the industry needs to meet NextGen where they are, speaking their language, on the platforms they actually use.

The roundtable closed with a shared commitment to keep the conversation going across markets, and to turn insight into action.

The research was brought to life by our Insiders:  NextGen voices from within the industry: Frédérique Rautureau, Programme Manager and Co-Chair of the NextGen Chapter at Barry Callebaut; Anais Colla, European Commercial Excellence Manager at CHEP; and Marco DiSalvo, Marketing Specialist at CHEP,  who shared their firsthand perspectives on what the data means at ground level.

Facilitating the peer exchange were our Moderators from Newton: Sophie Poolie, Retail Director; Kayleigh Brennan, People & Change Director; and Rob Kemp, Business Manager, Retail & Consumer Goods; joined by Sarah McGowan, Strategic Research Advisor at LEAD Network.

📩 Want a copy of the full NextGen report? Reach out to Tetyana Kretova at [email protected].