The Retail International Conference, under the title The future of retailing: from local challenges to global opportunities is to be jointly organised by the University of Minho and the Chamber of Commerce of Braga.  It will be convened in 19-20 September 2014, venue GNRation, in Braga. It is a unique event which brings together academics and professionals, whilst envisaging to give special emphasis to the major challenges that commerce faces, as well as the role this sector plays on the agenda of the sustained economic and social growth in Portugal and in Europe.

In order to make this event as comprehensive as possible, its thematic component focuses upon the context of the ongoing  strong economic restructuring in Portugal and in Europe, taking into account the growing need for adaptation of the economic agents, in particular, as regards the use of Information and Communication Technologies, Innovation and Modernisation and Consumer Trends.

We would very much like to invite researchers, irrespective of their geographical or institutional affiliation, to present their ongoing theoretical and/or practical research, on the following themes:

1. Modern Commerce

2. Commerce and the cities

3.  Commerce and associations

4. Commerce and internet