KOOKAI Australia’s Post

Last week we hosted our 2025 Retail Leaders Conference – Accelerate. Our Retail Leaders joined us from across Australia and New Zealand in Melbourne, to enjoy four action packed days to facilitate and celebrate their development. Set at the stunning hotel - Melbourne Place, the conference provided the perfect environment for learning and collaboration. At the heart of this conference was acceleration—accelerating leadership, business impact, and personal development. Through specialised workshops across Product, Business Enablement, Design, Branding, and People Growth, our team gained invaluable insights to drive momentum in their stores and regions. A highlight was our State Manager Masterclasses, where leaders shared the strategies that have resulted their regions to exceed key goals. This peer-led learning reinforced the power of collaboration and the ripple effect of high-performance leadership. Beyond the sessions, our team connected over inspiring experiences, including  a morning walk through the Royal Botanical Gardens, an afternoon at the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at the NGV, followed by a special dinner at Hazel with our KOOKAI owners—an opportunity to reflect and celebrate. The last day of conference particularly meaningful, complimented by International Women’s Day. We had the privilege of sitting down with the Katalyst team, deepening our understanding of the incredible impact being made in Fiji. We were honoured to hear from Ite (Katalyst Foundation Program Manager, Fiji) and Dimere (OH&S Manager, Fiji), who shared their first-hand experiences. To close conference our team contributed to a meaningful initiative—packing school bags with essential supplies for students in Bua Province, Fiji. This hands-on effort reinforced the positive impact we can make beyond our business, enabling students to succeed in their education. This year’s conference was a reminder of the strength of our retail leadership community. The energy, ideas, and collaboration we shared will continue to drive us forward in the year ahead. 💙