Necessity is the mother of invention – Women as retail innovators and pioneers

It is argued “necessity is the mother of invention,” however despite living in a world for men and designed by men (Criado Perez 2019), women are great product inventors and pioneers of retail change, yet they are very much under celebrated. 

Our event brings together a panel of retailers, media commentators, entrepreneurs and academics to discuss the role that women have had in changing retail operations and as the inventors of much needed products.

Did you know that these products were all created by women?

• Circular saw
• Computer algorithm
• Dishwasher
• Medical syringe
• Monopoly
• Bullet proof fibre

Did you also know that these retail brands were also created by women:

• Reformation
• Rent the Runway
• Glossier
• Away Luggage

Despite being great inventors and changing the shape of the high street, women are often not visible as retail innovators, therefore we seek to celebrate the great women that have changed how we shop and what we buy.

We anticipate lively debate around this topic and great audience interaction.

The end result is that we hope that men as inventors will not be the default, but rather women as mothers of invention.