Stephen Ogden Barnes

Stephen Ogden Barnes is a retail business specialist focusing on global retail trends, retail innovation, multi-channel retailing, retail strategy, and consumer trends and sales promotion.

Since 2002 “Steven” has been a Program Director at the ‘Australian Centre for Retail Studies’ (‘ACRS’), where he delivers retail education programs, seminars and retail consultancy. Steven also speaks at conference within Australia, and across the Asia-Pacific region.
Consulting extensively to many of Australia’s and the regions best retailers Steve understands what is happening in retail. He has completed extensive studies, including a Bachelors and a Masters in Retail Management. Steve is in the final stages of completing a Doctorate PhD at Deakin University, researching sales promotion effectiveness and marketing decision-making, specifically in relation to promotional competitions, Steve also annually leads study groups looking at retail trends and issues.
Stephen Ogden Barnes has an extensive background and experience in retail both as a manager and in academia. Prior to joining ACRRS Steve lectured in retail management and corporate strategy in the UK. He also had a retail career spanning 15 years, including new store development, retail store management and management development. Steve has also been an active member of The City of Melbourne Retail Advisory Board for the past three years.
Steve’s co-authored research paper “Greydollarfella: endangered species or market opportunity?” was published in the leading US Journal ‘Business Horizons’, and focuses on the retail mindset of the mature male shopper, which was reviewed positively by both The Economist and the Financial Times. Steve contributes regularly to articles and publications in the business media.
Stephen Ogden Barnes is sought after in the media and is a regular Interviewee for ‘The Age’, ‘The Australian’, ‘The Herald Sun’, ‘BRW’, ‘ABC Radio’, ‘3AW’ and ‘Today Tonight’ on retail and consumer issues.
Each year Steve delivers relevant and insightful in-company retail and consumer trends insights seminars and programs for ACRS members and clients including, KPMG (in Australia, Hong Kong and Thailand), ACNielsen, Greys Worldwide, Toyota, Telstra, Body Shop, New Zealand Retailers Association, ICPDA, Gold Coast Government, Hudson’s Recruitment, PlaceMakers (NZ), The Pharmacy Guild of Victoria, Oracle, PMP, B&Q (China), Provision, Myer, CPM, John Danks, Docklands Chamber of Commerce and Centro Properties.
Steve’s seminars can cover a diversity of retail subject areas, including global retail trends, marketing and sales promotion decision making, trends in store design, consumer behaviour, the rise of the value retailer, and key lessons for more effective retailing.