Douglas Stephens

Douglas Stephens

Keynote Speaker: Retail and Consumer Futurist; Founder of Retail Prophet.

  • Speaking Fee:
    Live Event Fee: $20,000 - $30,000
    Virtual Event Fee: Contact us for details
    More Fee Info

Douglas Stephens Biography

Douglas Stephens is one of the most influential retail futurists on the planet. His talks are required listening for any company that orbits the retail world. In fully customized and thoroughly researched keynotes, Stephens shows you how to stay ahead of the changing mega-trends in demographics, economics, and technology that are resetting your industry—and, what it takes to be truly innovative.

The founder of Retail Prophet, Doug Stephens is one of the world's foremost retail and consumer futurists. His research and insights have helped major organizations—such as Air Miles, Home Depot, Disney, and Intel—understand exactly how mega-trends in demographics, economics, technology, and media are forever altering consumer/brand relationships. And, what they need to do to adapt, evolve, and innovate. Drawing on his 20 years of experience, Stephens analyzes media trends, financial climates, demographic shifts, emerging technologies, and everything in between to provide an unrivalled insight into consumer trends. Too often, companies make the mistake of reacting purely to what's going on right now, instead of understanding what's going to happen. Douglas Stephens gives his audiences a clear view of what's on the horizon. Stephens' thinking has influenced many of North America's best-known retailers and brands including Target, WestJet, Crayola, and Microsoft. Prior to founding Retail Prophet, Stephens spent 20 years in retail, holding senior international roles, including the leadership of one of New York City's most iconic retail chains. He is a regular guest expert on CTV's acclaimed tech television series App Central; co-host of new retail-focused web series The Future In Store; and a regular retail business contributor to CBC Radio.



Stephens' new book (and his first), The Retail Revival, documents the rise of an incredible new era of consumerism leading to a complete redefinition of what retail is.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Douglas Stephens and other top speakers and celebrities.

Douglas Stephens Speaking Topics

Lessons from the World’s Most Innovative Companies

In a world where mediocre will no longer cut it, what are the common strengths that the world’s most dominant brands bring to market? How exactly do top companies innovate to create uncontested market space? Most importantly, what pitfalls do great innovators avoid that most others fall into? Referencing years of research, this inspiring talk examines the surprising links between the world’s most successful businesses and provides actionable ideas and steps to emulate their success. It’s an uplifting and mind-expanding peek into the realm of radical innovation and strategy.

The Future of Consumerism

In this fascinating talk, Doug Stephens tackles the future of consumerism. He sheds light on the key shifts in economics, demographics, technology, and media that are completely transforming the consumer landscape, and the very essence of how we buy.

Who the consumer is, in addition to how, where, and even why they shop, is changing rapidly and forever. The way our stores look—and how we interact with them—are constantly in flux. Mobile technology, social commerce, location-based services, machine to machine connection, big data, and and a deluge of developing technologies are all conspiring to forever change how we buy. How do we cope with all these transformations? Stephens shares what smart brands are doing to re-imagine their businesses and capitalize on these historic changes.

Big Data And The Retail Revolution

90% of the data that exists today was created within the last two years. And while the sheer volume and velocity of data is definitely astonishing, what’s even more compelling is our growing capacity to gather, analyze, and make sense of it all. From social media streams, videos, and reviews to weather, traffic, and machine-to-machine communication, each day a virtual universe of data is being created. Smart brands are honing their understanding of that data and its potential impact on every aspect of their customer’s experience with their brand. This talk will provide a a clear view into the future of retail by examining this new and amazing data deluge and how pioneering brands around the world are turning it into a new world of opportunity.

What's In-Store?

Douglas Stephens is an expert on retail business strategy, and he brings his wealth of experience and in-depth knowledge to your company in this highly customizable keynote. What are the latest retail trends within your industry or category? How are demographic and technological shifts affecting your customer base? What can your company do to stay ahead of the curve? To help your company excel in the ultra-competitive realm of retail, Stephens is constantly collecting data and case studies—in a variety of fields—to give you strategies that are broad in scope, yet focused in purpose.

How do I book Douglas Stephens to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Douglas Stephens for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Douglas Stephens, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Douglas Stephens or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Douglas Stephens for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Douglas Stephens, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $20,000 - $30,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Douglas Stephens, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

Who is the agent for Douglas Stephens?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Douglas Stephens for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Douglas Stephens for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Douglas Stephens or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Douglas Stephens is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Douglas Stephens for live events is $20,000 - $30,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. Douglas Stephens can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Michelle Young, Brad Gilbert and Shannon Stewart. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Douglas Stephens for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 19/03/2025.

Douglas Stephens Speaking Topics

  • Lessons from the World’s Most Innovative Companies

    In a world where mediocre will no longer cut it, what are the common strengths that the world’s most dominant brands bring to market? How exactly do top companies innovate to create uncontested market space? Most importantly, what pitfalls do great innovators avoid that most others fall into? Referencing years of research, this inspiring talk examines the surprising links between the world’s most successful businesses and provides actionable ideas and steps to emulate their success. It’s an uplifting and mind-expanding peek into the realm of radical innovation and strategy.

  • The Future of Consumerism

    In this fascinating talk, Doug Stephens tackles the future of consumerism. He sheds light on the key shifts in economics, demographics, technology, and media that are completely transforming the consumer landscape, and the very essence of how we buy.

    Who the consumer is, in addition to how, where, and even why they shop, is changing rapidly and forever. The way our stores look—and how we interact with them—are constantly in flux. Mobile technology, social commerce, location-based services, machine to machine connection, big data, and and a deluge of developing technologies are all conspiring to forever change how we buy. How do we cope with all these transformations? Stephens shares what smart brands are doing to re-imagine their businesses and capitalize on these historic changes.

  • Big Data And The Retail Revolution

    90% of the data that exists today was created within the last two years. And while the sheer volume and velocity of data is definitely astonishing, what’s even more compelling is our growing capacity to gather, analyze, and make sense of it all. From social media streams, videos, and reviews to weather, traffic, and machine-to-machine communication, each day a virtual universe of data is being created. Smart brands are honing their understanding of that data and its potential impact on every aspect of their customer’s experience with their brand. This talk will provide a a clear view into the future of retail by examining this new and amazing data deluge and how pioneering brands around the world are turning it into a new world of opportunity.

  • What's In-Store?

    Douglas Stephens is an expert on retail business strategy, and he brings his wealth of experience and in-depth knowledge to your company in this highly customizable keynote. What are the latest retail trends within your industry or category? How are demographic and technological shifts affecting your customer base? What can your company do to stay ahead of the curve? To help your company excel in the ultra-competitive realm of retail, Stephens is constantly collecting data and case studies—in a variety of fields—to give you strategies that are broad in scope, yet focused in purpose.

  • How do I book Douglas Stephens to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Douglas Stephens for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Douglas Stephens, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Douglas Stephens or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Douglas Stephens for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Douglas Stephens, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $20,000 - $30,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Douglas Stephens, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • Who is the agent for Douglas Stephens?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Douglas Stephens for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Douglas Stephens for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Douglas Stephens or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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