Harry Bijl grew up in an entrepreneurial retail environment and discovered his passion for the industry at an early age. He worked in shops from a young age, learning the business from the ground up before progressing to roles as a buyer, manager and ultimately director at various family-owned businesses and large corporations. This strong practical foundation underpins his forward-thinking perspective on the sector. Today, he works as an inspirator at Koninklijke INretail, where he takes a strategic approach to developments in non-food retail. Driven by curiosity and a positive outlook, he sees himself as a “treasure hunter”, constantly searching for innovation, improvement and new opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Harry Bijl as a Speaker
As a speaker, Harry Bijl knows how to engage and inspire his audience while encouraging them to take action. His presentations are visual, practical and refreshingly clear. He speaks the language of entrepreneurs and distils complex trends into their essentials: what do they mean for you, today? His style is energetic and engaging, with plenty of examples and minimal text. He deliberately takes an open approach, offering direction and inspiration rather than rigid blueprints or strong opinions. Harry avoids jargon and translates strategy into concrete actions, always focusing on the customer experience. He regularly speaks to entrepreneurs, policymakers, students and technology partners, effortlessly bridging the gap between vision and practice.
Career
Harry began his career on the shop floor and progressed to become a buyer and manager at various retail businesses. His experience in both family-owned businesses and larger corporations gave him a broad perspective on the sector. He eventually held several executive positions and became a sought-after sounding board for entrepreneurs and industry stakeholders.
Since joining Koninklijke INretail as an inspirator, Harry has focused on strategic challenges and future developments in non-food retail. He maintains daily contact with entrepreneurs, students, stakeholders and technology partners. He participates in expert groups and serves on juries, sharing his insights through columns, blogs, interviews and presentations. He continually broadens his knowledge by following the latest developments, both locally and internationally. His mission is to inspire and strengthen the retail sector and prepare it for the future.
