Conference Overview > About CERR

About the Colloquium on European Research in Retailing

History

The idea to establish a platform for European retail researchers who focus on marketing as well as operations was born in 2010 at a conference in France. The founding members consist of Professors Xavier Brusset (SKEMA Business School, France), Herbert Kotzab (University of Bremen) and Christoph Teller (University of Surrey, UK).

The inaugural edition of the Colloquium on European Research in Retailing (CERR, pronounced /’s3:(r)/) took place in Paris in 2012. Thereafter, two more bi-annual events have taken place – CERR 2014 at the University of Bremen and CERR 2016 at Toulouse Business School.

The 2018 edition took place at Surrey Business School, Guildford. The next edition, in 2020, then moved to Spain and was held in Valencia. That edition, under the blight of the pandemic, was followed up in 2021 and was held on the French Riviera: Sophia Antipolis, on the campus of the SKEMA Business School.

In 2022, the University of Zagreb hosted CERR in Zagreb, Croatia. In 2023, scholars gathered again in the United Kingdom at the University of Portsmouth. The 2025 edition was successfully hosted in Sweden, and we are now delighted to welcome our next host in Austria, with CERR 2026 taking place in Linz.

Since the first edition, the International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management has supported this effort by offering to publish special issues with the best papers submitted to the colloquium. In particular, its Editor-in-Chief, Professor Neil Towers, has proved a staunch supporter.

The founders’ main focus ever since has been that CERR creates a collegiate environment that sparks ideas, initiates discussions and establishes networks within the retail community in Europe and beyond. Currently, the founding members represent the senior advisory board of CERR and ensure that its key values are reflected in each edition of the colloquium.

Vision
CERR inspires and enables a better, more effective and collegiate retail research community in Europe and beyond. In doing so, CERR furthers advances in rigorous research of contemporary retail phenomena that have managerial relevance.

Mission
To establish a vibrant and supportive community of retail scholars by markedly expanding opportunities for delegates to connect and explore ideas.

Values

Inclusiveness: Open to researchers from all continents and career stages, and to scholars as well as practitioners.
Collegiality: A positive and creative environment where critical discourse and supportive mentoring are the norm.
Rigour: Aspiring to the highest scientific standards and extensive feedback to support development.
Relevance & impact: Research that is ultimately of managerial relevance and impact for the industry.
Mentorship: Special attention to junior delegates (PhD students and early career researchers) through tailored sessions and feedback.

Association for Retail Research & Education (ARRE)

This association, founded in 2018, assembles like-minded professors and researchers devoted to the community of students, professionals, and researchers in areas where retailing, marketing, operations and logistics overlap.

Visit the website to learn more about this community and its activities here.

Senior Advisory Board

Prof Xavier Brusset
Chair in Supply Chain Management
Director of the Centre for Analytics and Management Science
SKEMA Business School, France

Prof Marta Frasquet Deltoro
Depto de Comercialización e Investigación de Mercados
Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain

Prof Herbert Kotzab
Director, Crowley Center for Transportation and Logistics
Marketing and Logistics Department, Coggin College of Business
University of North Florida
Office: 42/3236

Prof Christoph Teller
Institute for Retailing, Sales & Marketing
Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria

Privacy | Accessibility