Retail Podcast

Retail is undergoing a fundamental shift—from product-driven transactions to experience-led ecosystems.In this episode of 5 Things Friday, we break down the most important retail trends shaping 2026:Gymshark is launching its first physical gym, signalling a move from apparel brand to community-driven experience platform.Selfridges is doubling down on ultra-premium retail with its exclusive VSP ecosystem, blending luxury, access, and loyalty.Vodafone and Three are rolling out co-branded retail stores, rethinking the role of the high street.We also explore the macro shift in consumer behaviour:Shoppers are splitting into essential vs discretionary spending—forcing brands to rethink how they create value, loyalty, and engagement.If you're in retail, ecommerce, brand strategy, or marketing—this episode gives you a clear view of what's coming next.⸻

AI is fundamentally changing how consumers search, discover, and buy.In this Asia-Pacific edition of 5 Things Friday, we explore the next wave of retail transformation:* The rise of Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) and how AI search is replacing traditional SEO* Why zero-click commerce is reshaping customer journeys and reducing friction* China's rapid retail and technology expansion into Southeast Asia* How super apps like WeChat and Alipay are redefining loyalty and ecosystems* The growth of experiential retail brands like Chagee (霸王茶姬) across Asia-PacificWe also break down the most important shift:

World Retail Signals breaks down the retail shifts that matter most right now.In this episode, Alex is joined by Ian McGarrigle, Chairman at World Retail Congress, and Niamh Stone, Programme Director at World Retail Congress, to explore the trends reshaping global retail — from AI-driven discovery and stronger store leadership to sustainability, profitability, and the return of physical retail.They unpack why search is changing, why frontline teams matter more than ever, and why retailers are shifting from chasing scale to driving more value per customer.A sharp weekly take on the signals shaping retail next.Here's an even tighter version if you want it more YouTube-native:World Retail Signals is your weekly read on the biggest shifts in global retail.Alex is joined by Ian McGarrigle, Chairman at World Retail Congress, and Niamh Stone, Programme Director at World Retail Congress, to unpack AI-driven discovery, store performance, sustainability, profitability, and the retail trends leaders need to watch now.A fast, focused look at what's shaping retail next.

Physical retail isn't dead, boring retail is.This episode breaks down the smart retail moves winning right now: collabs, pop-ups, experiences, and loyalty that works across ecosystems.In this episode of Five Things Friday, the conversation covers the retail stories shaping the week — from Adidas and ASOS taking their collaboration into physical retail, to the continued rise of experience-led stores, regional expansion, pop-up strategy, and loyalty programs becoming more flexible and currency-like.The episode opens with Simon, co-founder and CEO of Need It For Tonight, who explains how the business powers instant retail delivery through both a marketplace app and a rapid delivery checkout plugin for retailers.From there, the discussion moves through five standout themes:Adidas x ASOS expanding womenswear collaboration into physical retailWhy more brands are borrowing each other's channels instead of owning everything themselvesWhy physical retail still works when the experience is strongNew store and pop-up concepts from Boots, FatFace, and RefyWhy Nectar points being used on Uber and Uber Eats could signal a major shift in loyalty strategyThis episode is a sharp snapshot of what modern retail looks like right now: more collaborative, more experiential, more local, and more integrated into everyday customer behavior.Chapter timestamps00:00 Intro and rough start to Five Things Friday00:17 Guest intro: Simon from Need It For Tonight00:32 What Need It For Tonight does: instant delivery infrastructure for retail00:51 Adidas and ASOS expand their womenswear collaboration01:15 Why physical retail matters for a digital-first brand like ASOS01:36 Brands borrowing each other's channels instead of owning everything02:18 Bigger baskets: full looks, accessories, and considered audience strategy02:46 Why physical retail is performing when experience is strong03:42 The rise of third spaces and brands expanding beyond London03:50 Boots launches a more premium opticians concept04:08 Different ways brands are selling the same category through experience04:52 FatFace expansion in regional locations05:23 Refy's Soho pop-up and turning customer service into an experience06:13 Nectar points can now be used on Uber and Uber Eats06:44 Why loyalty is starting to behave more like currency07:29 Why this is smart for both Sainsbury's and Uber08:08 What's coming next week and closing thoughts#Retail #Ecommerce #RetailStrategy #Loyalty #PhysicalRetail #BrandCollabs #ExperientialRetail

In this episode of Five Things Friday APAC Edition, Ryf Quail, Managing Director of NRF APAC, is joined by Ngai Yuen Low, Managing Director of AEON360, for a sharp discussion on the retail issues shaping the region right now.They unpack Amazon's planned 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge, why that move could redefine platform economics, and how shipping is shifting from a hidden backend cost to a visible commercial lever.The conversation also explores the rise of re-commerce across APAC, with strong growth in smartphones, electronics, fashion resale, and luxury, plus the role of Gen Z and government policy in accelerating adoption.They then turn to returns, customer trust, and why return policies matter even more during periods of uncertainty and cash preservation.The episode closes with a broader debate on fuel dependency, supply shocks, government response, renewable strategy, inflation-aware retail journeys, and how retailers can stay aligned with changing customer realities.Topics coveredAmazon's 3.5% fuel and logistics surchargeWhy shipping is becoming a core retail costRe-commerce growth in APACPrivate label, value-seeking customers, and trade-down behaviorReturns as a trust and margin battlegroundPower Retail and Click Frenzy liquidation in AustraliaEnergy disruption and what it means for retailRenewable strategy and operational resilienceInflation-aware CRM and customer journey design#Retail #Ecommerce #APAC #Amazon #Recommerce #ReverseCommerce #RetailStrategy #Logistics #Returns #NRFAPAC #AEON360Chapter timestampsThese are drawn from the topic shifts in the transcript.00:00 Intro: Five Things Friday APAC Edition00:31 Amazon's 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge02:14 Customers trading down and the rise of re-commerce03:54 Returns, trust, and cash preservation in uncertain times05:11 Power Retail and Click Frenzy liquidation in Australia06:53 Why this podcast started: spotting retail shifts early07:30 Global e-commerce scale and retail channel reality08:12 Sustainability, renewable materials, and retail transition08:48 Fuel dependency and the coming energy shock10:35 How retailers should respond to inflation and stress11:36 Government intervention, fuel prioritization, and market differences13:23 Closing thoughts: renewables, resilience, and standing with customers

In Part 2 of this conversation, Matthew Brown — Retail Trend Futurist & Keynote Speaker — joins Alex to break down some of the most innovative retail concepts in the world right now.From Pop Mart in Bangkok and Nespresso's Flatiron flagship to Restoration Hardware, Gentle Monster, and Louis Vuitton's immersive Shanghai concept, this episode explores how leading brands are transforming physical retail into something far bigger than a store.Topics covered in this episode include:experiential retailflagship store innovationhospitality in retailsocial-first store designstorytelling through physical spaceretail trends shaping Gen Z and Gen Alphathe future of luxury and lifestyle retailMatthew explains why the most successful stores today are built around immersion, surprise, local relevance, and shareability — and why Asia continues to set the pace for retail innovation globally.Brands and concepts discussed include Pop Mart, Nespresso, Restoration Hardware, Gentle Monster, Louis Vuitton, Zara, and Lefties.If you work in retail, brand, customer experience, design, innovation, or commercial strategy, this episode is packed with practical insight and standout examples.#RetailInnovation #MatthewBrown #FutureOfRetail #StoreDesign #ExperientialRetail #LuxuryRetail #CustomerExperienceChapter Timestamps00:00 Pop Mart and Asia's social-first retail model00:47 Why the Pop Mart Bangkok flagship stands out01:35 Local design, hospitality, and retail theatre02:22 Nespresso's Flatiron flagship in New York03:10 The basement lounge, vinyl, and hidden speakeasy03:46 Bringing coffee to life through scent and storytelling04:26 Restoration Hardware and aspirational lifestyle retail06:01 How Gentle Monster inspired a new flagship vision07:06 Inside House Nowhere and immersive concept retail08:41 Why Gentle Monster was ranked number two09:07 Louis Vuitton's standout retail spectacle in Shanghai10:46 Can retail keep getting more innovative?11:06 One store that just missed the top ten11:33 Closing thoughts

Welcome to World Retail Signals, the podcast from World Retail Congress, hosted by Ian McGarrigle, Chairman at World Retail Congress, and Niamh Stone, Programme Director at World Retail Congress.In this episode, the conversation spans Europe, Asia and the US, exploring the retail signals shaping decision-making right now. The discussion covers the reinvention of physical stores, the rise of data and loyalty ecosystems, how AI is being applied across retail, the growing importance of customer-first innovation, and the evolving impact of recommerce, demand planning and consumer behaviour.Key themes in this episode include:Why the physical store must evolve beyond a transactional spaceHow retailers are rethinking store formats and omnichannel experiencesThe growing role of loyalty, retail media and AI-driven personalizationWhy retailers must balance personalization with consumer trustWhat leaders in Asia are signaling about the future of AI in retailHow AI could help tackle overproduction and wasteWhy every AI decision should be measured against customer valueRetail insights from the US, including GLP-1-driven consumer behaviour shifts, recommerce, and the future of demand sensingIf you work in retail leadership, strategy, innovation, stores, ecommerce, customer experience, supply chain or brand growth, this episode gives you a sharp view of the ideas shaping the sector now.Hosts:Ian McGarrigle – Chairman, World Retail CongressNiamh Stone – Programme Director, World Retail CongressSubscribe for more global retail insight from World Retail Signals.Chapter Timestamps00:00 Welcome to World Retail Signals00:01 Meet Niamh Stone00:01 Meet Ian McGarrigle00:02 Europe signal: reinventing the physical store00:03 Ikea and the shift to smaller city-centre formats00:04 Loyalty ecosystems, data and retail media00:05 Asia signal: AI and the future of retail00:06 Project B, lifestyle and sport-meets-retail00:07 Using AI to reduce overproduction and waste00:08 The customer-first test for AI in retail00:09 US retail signals from Shoptalk00:10 GLP-1s, consumer behaviour and recommerce00:11 Personalized stores, changing formats and demand sensing00:12 Closing thoughts#Retail #RetailTrends #AI #WorldRetailSignals #RetailInnovation #Omnichannel #RetailMedia #Loyalty #Recommerce #PhysicalRetail

Retail is evolving fast and this week's UK retail breakdown covers the strategies brands are using to stay relevant, drive footfall, and win customers.We unpack five key retail stories shaping the industry right now:Selfridges' Golden Goose pop-up turning retail into theatrePrada activating experiential retail in LondonPeachy Den expanding with a strong community-led strategyNew Look investing in omnichannel “omni hub” storesDyson entering outlet retail to capture value-driven shoppersFrom experiential retail and community-first brands to outlet strategy and in-store tech, this episode breaks down what's actually working—and why.If you're in retail, eCommerce, or brand strategy, this is your weekly signal check on where the industry is heading.

This week's Five Things Friday breaks down a growing global retail crisis and why it's much bigger than consumer confidence.We unpack how geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are triggering a ripple effect across Asia Pacific retail, impacting everything from energy costs to supply chains, packaging, and investment markets.Key topics include:Why 60% of Asia's energy dependence on the Middle East is a ticking time bombHow rising oil prices are hitting retailers across operations—not just consumersThe hidden supply chain crisis: freight costs, shipping disruptions, and delayed inventoryWhy plastic packaging costs are quietly destroying marginsThe shift in consumer behavior: trading down from premium to essentialsThe emerging investment freeze—and how strong brands are becoming vulnerableWe also explore a real-world case where a well-known retail group faces recapitalisation challenges, highlighting how even high-performing brands can be caught in a macroeconomic storm.⏱️ CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Intro & Five Things Friday setup01:14 – The global crisis and retail impact begins01:37 – Why this is an “all of business” problem02:02 – Asia's dependence on Middle East energy02:23 – Energy costs and retail operations impact02:47 – Supply chain disruption and freight costs02:59 – Packaging costs and margin pressure03:28 – Economic slowdown and consumer behaviour shifts03:50 – Regional differences across Asia Pacific04:13 – Investment shock and market reaction04:33 – Case study: Retail group under pressure05:13 – Debt, recapitalisation, and market timing risk05:33 – Private equity opportunity in distressed brands06:27 – Why strong brands are suddenly vulnerable07:22 – NRF conversations and industry sentiment08:02 – Global vs regional impact differences09:15 – SaaS, stock markets, and investor nervousness09:49 – Inflation, interest rates, and consumer behaviour10:10 – What happens next if the crisis continuesThis episode is essential listening for:Retail leaders, brand operators, investors, and anyone trying to understand where global commerce is heading next.

US retail just crossed $1 trillion in a single holiday season. First time in history.In Episode 1 of the ITAB Group Podcast, recorded LIVE at EuroShop 2026 from the ITAB Group stand, Alex Rezvan sits down with Jill Dvorak — SVP Content at the National Retail Federation (NRF) — fresh off the ITAB Speaker's Corner keynote.This is the first in an exclusive series of conversations recorded with every keynote speaker from the ITAB Stage at EuroShop 2026 — one of the most concentrated collections of senior retail thinking captured at a single event.00:00 — Welcome & introduction01:30 — The K-shaped economy: 10% of earners now represent 50% of US spend03:45 — Why US retail hit $1 trillion in holiday 2025 — and what it means06:00 — Retail resilience: from COVID to tariffs, why the sector keeps growing08:30 — AI in retail: why you must test with KPIs before you scale11:00 — Where does AI live in a retail organisation? (Every department, it turns out)13:30 — Loss prevention: the silent margin killer draining store performance17:00 — Store formats evolving to protect margin, not just improve experience20:30 — The one-SKU store model making a comeback23:00 — What Jill observed shopping in Germany vs the US26:00 — Final reflections from EuroShop 2026━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Retail is changing fast, and store formats are evolving even through crisis. In this episode of the Retail podcast, Alex sits down with Matthew from Echo Chamber to unpack what the best physical stores in the world are doing differently right now.Drawing on nearly three decades of studying retail, Matthew explains why the top end of physical retail keeps getting more immersive, more inspiring, and more operationally sophisticated. The conversation spans global retail hotspots including Seoul, Bangkok, Madrid, Melbourne, Dublin, and New York, and explores how beauty, fashion, food, and department-store concepts are all pushing the in-store experience forward.This episode covers:why Asia is leading retail innovationwhy Madrid is emerging as a standout city for new retail formatshow value brands are creating premium-looking experienceswhy flagship stores need more than product to winwhat brands can learn from MECCA, Donnybrook Fair, Lefties, Hoff, and a new concept department store in New Yorkwhy the “push for posh” is forcing the mid-market to evolve or disappearIf you care about store design, customer experience, retail strategy, and the future of physical retail, this conversation is packed with ideas worth stealing.Featured in this episode: Echo Chamber, global retail trends, flagship strategy, immersive store design, store format innovation, Madrid retail, beauty retail, food retail, department store reinvention.Chapter timestamps00:00 Cold open: Zara Serrano almost makes the list00:00:22 Why store formats are changing globally00:01:25 Meet Matthew from Echo Chamber00:02:18 Where store formats are heading now00:03:07 Why retail keeps getting more immersive00:03:29 Asia, Seoul, Bangkok, and Madrid as innovation hubs00:05:34 MECCA Melbourne and the modern beauty flagship00:07:09 Donnybrook Fair and food retail done right00:08:30 Lefties Madrid and the “push for posh”00:10:20 Why premium value is crushing the mid-market00:11:11 Hoff Madrid and building retail around culture and community00:14:12 New York's concept department store experiment00:15:45 Does experiential retail actually convert?

World Retail Signals is a new global retail intelligence show co-produced by The Retail Podcast and World Retail Congress — a monthly look at the top retail narratives shaping executive thinking around the world.This prelude episode goes behind the scenes of World Retail Congress 2026, happening in Berlin, April 2026. Host Alex Rezvan is joined by Ian McGarrigle, founder and chair of World Retail Congress, to discuss:→ Why Berlin was chosen as the 2026 host city (and what Zalando has to do with it)→ The theme for WRC 2026: Retail's Roadmap to 2030→ How retail has shown extraordinary resilience across 20 years — financial    crash, e-commerce disruption, Covid, and now AI→ What aspiring retail executives will take from the Congress→ The short-term vs long-term pressures facing retail CEOs right now→ Why geopolitics, inflation, and technology are converging in 2026⏱️ CHAPTERS━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━00:00 Introducing World Retail Signals01:30 Who is Ian McGarrigle?03:20 The origin story of World Retail Congress06:10 20 years of retail: resilience as the constant09:45 Why Berlin for WRC 2026?13:00 What young retail executives will gain from the Congress17:30 WRC's Accelerator Programme for rising leaders20:45 Retail's Roadmap to 2030 — the theme for this year24:30 What CEOs will leave Berlin thinking about27:00 Preview of World Retail Signals weekly show

is week's 5 Things Friday is a fast, solo rundown of the biggest stories shaping UK retail right now.With a lot happening across the market, this episode covers five standout updates: JD.com launching Joybuy in the UK, Amazon facing fresh competition, Alexa+ and Amazon's next AI push, Tesco increasing pay for frontline store colleagues, The Perfume Shop expanding its beauty recycling and refill push, and Greggs sponsoring the UK edition of Saturday Night Live with a free sausage roll activation in London.In this episode: • JD.com expands Joybuy across the UK and other European markets • What it could mean for Amazon and last-mile delivery • Alexa+ and Amazon's latest smart assistant upgrade • Tesco raises pay for hourly-paid store workers • The Perfume Shop pushes refillable products and empty bottle returns • Greggs leans further into culture-led brand marketingThis is a quick, opinion-led snapshot of the retail stories worth watching now.Chapters00:00 Intro00:00:48 JD.com launches Joybuy in the UK00:02:59 Amazon upgrades Alexa with Alexa+00:04:05 Tesco increases frontline worker pay00:04:39 The Perfume Shop expands beauty recycling and refill00:05:27 Greggs sponsors Saturday Night Live UK activation00:06:11 Wrap-up and next week's schedule#UKRetail #RetailNews #Amazon #JDcom #Joybuy #Tesco #Greggs #AlexaPlus #ThePerfumeShop #RetailTrends

In this episode of Five Things Friday US Edition, we break down five retail and commerce stories shaping the week.We cover Target's $6 billion turnaround push, including store refits, price cuts, and a bigger AI focus; Amazon's expanded one- to three-hour delivery rollout across more cities and suburbs; and OpenAI's pivot away from direct in-app checkout toward partner-led commerce rails.We also get into Clinique's campaign featuring Tara and Hunter Woodhall, and why the brand's social approach feels aligned with its identity, plus Nuuds' wholesale expansion into Nordstrom and what it says about DTC brands, physical retail, repeat customers, and distribution strategy.If you follow retail news, ecommerce strategy, AI in commerce, consumer trends, brand marketing, and omnichannel growth, this episode gives you a fast, useful read on what matters now.Topics in this episode:Target turnaround strategyAI in retailAmazon fast delivery expansionOpenAI checkout pivotClinique brand marketingNuuds x NordstromDTC to wholesaleRetail customer acquisition and repeat purchase behavior00:00 Intro: Five Things Friday US Edition00:36 Target's $6B turnaround push: AI, price cuts, and store refits02:26 Amazon expands one- to three-hour delivery04:04 OpenAI shifts checkout toward partners05:24 Clinique's campaign with Tara and Hunter Woodhall07:49 Nuuds expands into Nordstrom10:14 OutroLinks mentioned in the episode are below.Target AI / turnaround storyhttps://www.linkedin.com/news/story/target-puts-ai-at-the-center-of-its-6b-turnaround-push-7096604/Amazon fast delivery expansionhttps://www.aboutamazon.com/news/retail/amazon-fast-delivery-ordersOpenAI checkout / commerce pivothttps://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2026/03/06/openai-shifts-checkout-plans-agentic-commerce-strategy/?utm_source=chatgpt.comTarahttps://www.instagram.com/_taarra_/Nuudshttps://www.instagram.com/nuuds/reels/https://www.glossy.co/ 

Edition of Five Things Friday, Ryf Quail and Yuen Low, Managing Director, AEON360, break down five retail developments shaping Asia right now.This episode covers:Baby Bunting's store-of-the-future turnaroundWhy frontline retail roles are being redesignedIndia's accelerating retail growth storyHow Ramadan and Eid are being shaped by food and hospitalityWhy AI literacy is becoming essential in retailOne of the biggest takeaways from this conversation: retail leaders need to stop thinking about frontline teams only as a labor cost and start designing roles that improve conversion, basket size, loyalty, and customer experience.The episode also looks at how store design can deliver measurable payback, why India feels like one of the most exciting retail markets in the world right now, and how festive spending is shifting toward broader lifestyle and hospitality-led experiences.If you work in retail strategy, store operations, customer experience, merchandising, or digital commerce across Asia-Pacific, this episode gives you a sharp snapshot of where the market is moving.Chapters00:00 Intro00:00:46 Top five things moving the needle in Asia00:01:05 Baby Bunting's store-of-the-future concept00:03:34 The payoff: sales lift, margin, basket growth, payback00:05:18 Why frontline retail roles are changing00:07:17 Experience-led service and hospitality examples00:08:12 Tech-enabled frontline efficiency00:08:31 Hiring for personality, recommendations, and insight00:09:18 Why India's retail market is surging00:12:48 Ramadan, Eid, and hospitality-led festive spending00:14:27 When Eid and Lunar New Year begin to converge00:15:02 Retail AI glossary and final thoughtsComment below: what's the biggest retail shift you're seeing in your market right now?

In this episode of The Retail Podcast, we sit down with Gauri Sarma, Founder of Be Athletica, to unpack how she's building a sportswear brandABOUT THIS CHANNEL Welcome to the official channel of The Retail Podcast, your hub for global retail intelligence.Whether you are an executive refining your strategy, a vendor connecting with major players, or an innovator tracking the latest tech, this channel connects you to the pulse of the industry.What to expect:Expert Analysis: Breaking down insights from major global conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, Web Summit, MAPIC; Euroshop and EuroCIS.Diverse Perspectives: Hosted by a rotation of industry veterans and regional experts (APAC, US, EU).Actionable Strategy: We move beyond the headlines to discuss real ROI, digital transformation, and the future of commerce—from AI agents to luxury fashion and grocery trends.As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, we help you cut through the noise to find what actually works in modern retail.

Welcome to Five Things Friday – USA Edition.Each week we break down the most important signals shaping retail in the United States in under 15 minutes.This week Jill Dvorak joins the conversation to unpack major shifts across AI commerce, value retail expansion, festival marketing, celebrity entrepreneurship, and global brand strategy.In this episode we discuss:• ChatGPT pausing “agentic commerce” and what it means for retailers• Why off-price retailers like Ross, TJX and Burlington are expanding rapidly• Primark's US growth strategy and the rise of value retail• How brands like PacSun are using festival culture to reach Gen Z• Paris Hilton's 11:11 Media initiative supporting women entrepreneurs• Uniqlo's community-driven retail strategy, from Formula 1 collaborations to local cultural partnershipsThe conversation explores how retailers are navigating AI disruption, shifting store formats, experiential marketing, and new consumer behaviors.About the ShowFive Things Friday is a fast-paced retail briefing highlighting the five biggest retail developments each week.Hosted conversations focus on retail innovation, consumer trends, ecommerce, AI, logistics and brand strategy.Key Retail Topics CoveredAI shopping and agentic commerceOff-price retail growth in the USPrimark US expansion strategyFestival marketing and Gen Z retail engagementCelebrity entrepreneurship and retail fundingUniqlo collaborations and community retailChapters00:00 Introduction – Five Things Friday USA00:00 Jill Dvorak returns to the show00:00 ChatGPT pauses agentic commerce and AI shopping00:01 Why AI commerce is difficult to scale00:02 Why retailers benefit from the pause00:02 AI glossary for retail leaders00:03 Off-price retail expansion in the US00:03 Ross planning 110 new stores00:04 TJX, Burlington and BJ's growth strategy00:04 Smaller store formats replacing mall anchors00:04 Primark expanding across the US00:05 Festival season and brand marketing00:06 PacSun's strategy at music festivals00:07 Building brand relevance with Gen Z00:08 Paris Hilton supporting women entrepreneurs00:09 Retail initiatives through 11:11 Media00:10 Uniqlo collaborations with Disney and Formula 100:10 Uniqlo's New York community partnerships00:11 Why Uniqlo balances staples and culture00:11 Episode wrap-up and closing

It's Friday 13 March, and this week's Five Things Friday UK Edition breaks down the retail stories worth watching right now.In this episode, we cover:Links mentionedSHEIN Xcelerator – https://sheinxcelerator.com/John Lewis TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@johnlewis/video/7614188535574285590John Lewis TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@johnlewis/video/7614188535574285590Otiumberg Reels – https://www.instagram.com/otiumberg/reels/Footasylum at Silverburn – https://www.shopsilverburn.com/shop/footasylum/Asda George concept rollout – https://corporate.asda.com/newsroom/2026/26/02/asda-kicks-off-10-store-george-concept-rollout-with-peterborough-relaunchWhole Foods new store openings – https://www.wholefoodsmarket.co.uk/newstoreopeningsWaitrose Haslemere transformation – https://www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/media-centre/latest-news/2026/23868Exploring London TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@exploringlondon/video/7616363419817495830What gets discussedSHEIN Xcelerator is positioned as a platform giving brands access to SHEIN's supply chain, logistics, fulfillment, and direct customer reach. The episode frames the opportunity clearly, but also asks the harder question: does speed and scale outweigh the reputational trade-off?John Lewis is discussed through the lens of AI-powered shopping and social commerce, while Waitrose is highlighted for its multi-million-pound Haslemere transformation, including upgraded service counters, redesign work, and bakery improvements.The episode also touches Otiumberg's in-person retail play, Footasylum's Silverburn presence, George at Asda concept expansion, Whole Foods' London growth, and Tesco Mobile's “frozen” Clubcard-price-themed froyo activation. Footasylum is listed at Silverburn Glasgow, and Whole Foods UK is actively promoting new store openings.Chapters00:00 Intro: Friday the 13th and opening banter00:01 Meet Simone Oloman and Need It For Tonight00:02 SHEIN Xcelerator and the supply chain debate00:05 John Lewis, AI shopping and TikTok beauty00:06 Otiumberg's physical retail move00:07 Footasylum, giant store formats and shopping centres00:07 George at Asda concept stores00:08 Whole Foods opening six new London stores00:09 Waitrose store transformation and bakery growth00:10 Tesco Mobile froyo pop-up at King's Cross00:11 Wrapping up and next week in Brussels#Retail #UKRetail #JohnLewis #SHEIN #WholeFoods #Asda #Footasylum #TescoMobile #RetailNews #RetailStrategy #StoreFormats #SocialCommerce #AIShopping #Logistics #Ecommerce

Recorded live from the show floor at EuroShop, this episode features Vahan Vardanian, Founder and CEO of Kerpak, demonstrating an AI-powered autonomous retail platform that can transform almost any cabinet, fridge, freezer, or kiosk into a 24/7 unattended store.The idea behind autonomous retail is simple:take the store to where the customer already is.For years retailers focused on getting customers into stores. But with AI-powered retail infrastructure, brands can now place products exactly where they are needed.In this quick demo, Kerpak shows how a customer can:• Tap a bank card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay• Open a smart retail cabinet• Take the products they want• Close the door and walk awayComputer vision AI detects what was taken and processes the purchase automatically.The system uses NVIDIA GPU-powered edge processing, meaning product detection happens directly on the device, ensuring real-time performance and GDPR compliance.This technology enables retailers and brands to deploy stores anywhere customers need them.About the GuestVahan Vardanian is Founder and CEO of Kerpak, a company developing autonomous retail infrastructure powered by computer vision and edge AI.

Discover how to bridge the gap between retail planning and execution in this interview with Costas Malamas, CEO of Dataviva. We discuss the "Retail Nervous System" and how a single unified system can handle everything from long-term analytics to real-time purchase orders and price changes.Say goodbye to "firefighting" and duplication of effort. Costas explains how Dataviva acts as a 24/7 planning and analytics engine that doesn't just suggest moves—it executes them.

How is data reshaping retail strategy?In this episode of The Retail Podcast, Alex sits down with Mark Bruce, a data and insights leader with experience spanning the shop floor, landlord-side retail operations, and portfolio analytics, to unpack what the data is really saying about retail right now.They discuss why experience-led retail continues to grow, why value-led operators are winning, why the mid-market is under pressure, and how landlords and tenants can work more collaboratively through sales data, footfall data, lease data, and affordability analysis.Mark also explains why quarterly reporting is no longer enough, how daily data helps property owners spot risks earlier, and why experiential retail should be judged on more than simple sales per square foot.In this episode:00:00 Why the mid-market is under pressure00:23 Welcome to The Retail Podcast + guest intro00:54 Mark Bruce's retail and property background01:47 What property owners need from retail data02:09 Why landlord-tenant collaboration matters03:15 The trust barrier around sharing sales data03:58 Turnover-rent models and shared incentives04:25 Global reach and property types supported05:13 What the data is showing across retail markets05:59 Why experience-led retail keeps growing06:47 How consumer caution is driving value07:05 What “value” means now and why mid-market brands struggle08:16 Why F&B fits the experience economy09:04 How to think about ROI in experiential retail10:12 Why experience increases asset attractiveness11:18 How daily sales, footfall, and lease data work together12:49 Spotting risk before a retailer exits13:14 Who this solution is built for14:00 How much data tenants actually share15:04 The key question landlords should be asking16:00 What the golden quarter revealed16:45 How data flags distress months in advance17:56 London HQ, New York office, global footprint18:15 OutroThis conversation is for anyone interested in:retail strategy, retail analytics, shopping centres, malls, footfall trends, experiential retail, F&B strategy, consumer behaviour, property owners, landlords, leasing, and data-driven decision-making.Guest: Mark BruceMark's background includes shop-floor retail roles with brands including River Island, Primark, and Republic, followed by landlord-side work with British Land, including support around Meadowhall and wider portfolio data and insight work.

Retail is moving fast, and this episode breaks down five of the clearest signals shaping the high street right now.Alex and Simone Oloman, Co-Founder of Need It For Tonight, unpack Molly-Mae's International Women's Day activation, Marks & Spencer's new Putney store format, Greggs' vending machine move, the Dove x Bridgerton activation at Battersea Power Station, and EE's new Oxford Street experience store. The thread running through all of it is clear: physical retail is becoming more experiential, more community-led, and more intentional.The episode also opens with reflections from EuroShop and ITAB Group, then closes on personal shopping, colour analysis, and what confidence-led retail experiences could mean for men's fashion.00:00 Intro + EuroShop / ITAB Group opening00:01 EuroShop reflections and expo scale00:02 Alex and Simone introduction00:03 Molly-Mae pop-up for International Women's Day00:05 Marks & Spencer's new store format in Putney00:06 Greggs vending machine expansion00:07 Dove x Bridgerton at Battersea Power Station00:08 EE's Oxford Street experience store00:09 The shift from transaction to experience00:09 Men's personal shopping event recap00:10 Colour analysis and confidence in menswear00:11 Outro

Retailers talk about UX. They talk about conversion. But too many still ship digital experiences that a huge part of the population simply can't use.In this episode of the Wonderful Retail Podcast, Marion Ranvier (Executive Director, @Contentsquare Foundation) explains why digital accessibility is not a marginal issue—and why it directly affects conversion, retention, brand trust, and revenue.Marion breaks down:The real scale of accessibility needs (and why the web still fails users)What “inaccessible checkout” actually looks like in the real worldWhy accessibility gaps are often execution problems, not “awareness” problemsHow to build a credible 90-day accessibility plan (audit → training → prioritization → transparency)What businesses can measure today to connect accessibility to ROIWhy inclusive design often becomes “standard UX” for everyone (the TV remote control example)Where AI + inclusive user testing can move accessibility forward—if foundations are accessible firstIf you build or manage ecommerce experiences, this is the episode that forces a hard question:What revenue are you losing because users can't complete your journey?Guest: Marion Ranvier — Executive Director, Contentsquare FoundationTopic: Digital accessibility, ecommerce checkout, compliance, UX execution, ROI, AI + inclusive testing00:00 — Why inaccessible websites lose audiences for good00:23 — Welcome + why inclusion must be part of digital thinking01:19 — The question: why should retailers care about inclusivity?01:40 — Who Marion is + what the Contentsquare Foundation does02:06 — The scale: disability worldwide + “80% of the web” problem02:35 — Ecommerce example: when “Add to bag” becomes unusable03:08 — Research: inaccessible checkout flows + minimum requirements04:19 — Why the Foundation exists + Marion's dyslexia and motivation05:08 — Turning awareness into action: mission pillars (education/research/advocacy)06:34 — Research partnership + studying real behavior (not assumptions)07:36 — Findings: zoom 200%+, keyboard navigation, longer time-to-click08:37 — Business impact: bounce rate, time on site, basket value09:34 — European Accessibility Act + where to start if you're behind10:01 — A practical 90-day plan: audit, training, prioritization11:32 — The seriousness signal: publish an accessibility statement12:25 — The hardest question: proving accessibility ROI14:01 — Inclusive design wins for everyone (TV remote control)14:54 — The future: AI potential + why accessibility must be built in16:24 — Include disabled users in testing + AI personas and insights17:18 — Closing thanks

Live from EuroShop in Germany on the ITAB stand, Alex is joined by co-host Simone for 5 Things Friday — unpacking the week's most culturally relevant retail + brand moves.In this episode:Lidl's London Fashion Week moment: a mini shopping-trolley handbag collab that stops people in their tracksGreggs enters wellness: a Pilates pop-up for the “sausage roll generation” to launch its new “matches”eBay buys Depop (reported £1.2B): a play for Gen Z, discovery-led resale, and the “shopper of tomorrow”This is the real shift: cultural relevance is moving from luxury to mass brands the everyday places people actually live.#Retail #Marketing #BrandStrategy #EuroShop #Lidl #Greggs #Depop #eBay #FashionMarketing #GenZ

AI is no longer optional in fashion, it's infrastructure.In this episode of The Retail Podcast, we sit down with Antonia Dumitriu, Co-Founder & CEO of @Irisphera, to explore how AI-powered virtual styling is transforming online fashion retail.Irisphera offers online brands a plug-in virtual personal shopper that:• Detects correct sizing based on brand size charts• Identifies body shape and colour palette• Automatically selects best-fit clothing items• Enables outfit visualisation on a shopper's own image or private avatarThe results?✔️ Conversion rates doubled✔️ Returns reduced by up to 30%✔️ Increased customer confidence✔️ Stronger brand positioningAntonia shares her journey from working as a stylist at 16 — including editorial work for Vogue Italy — to building proprietary AI technology before the current AI wave took off.We cover:Why AI must solve real problems (not invented ones)The psychology behind purchase confidenceWhy small brands shouldn't “start from zero”Why the Middle East is adopting fashion AI faster than EuropeThe future of fashion: personalization, sustainability & omnichannelIf you're in retail, fashion, e-commerce, AI, or brand building — this is essential listening.⏱ CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS (Derived Only From Transcript)00:00 – Why Brands Don't Need to Start From Zero00:25 – Introduction & Why Early Retail Tech Matters00:48 – Meet Antonia Dumitriu01:21 – Antonia's Background: From Stylist to Founder02:13 – Identifying the Problem in Fashion02:35 – Where AI Fits in Fashion03:02 – Building Proprietary Technology Before the AI Wave03:30 – AI Should Solve Real Problems03:50 – What Is Irisphera?04:18 – How the Virtual Personal Shopper Works04:55 – Privacy & Middle East Deployment05:31 – In-Store Omnichannel Experience05:52 – Customer Feedback & Education07:19 – Why Brands Hesitate to Adopt08:13 – Influencers & Viral Adoption Strategy09:06 – Shopify, WooCommerce & API Integration09:32 – The Future of Fashion & AI10:29 – Target Market: Why the Middle East Leads11:49 – Closing Thoughts

Liberty London meets Bridgerton, Quiz enters administration, and pop-ups are taking over the UK high street — this week's Five Things Friday covers the retail stories that matter.In this episode, Alex and Simone break down five major retail and fashion stories shaping the UK high street right now — from heritage brand activations and immersive beauty experiences to the harsh realities facing mid-market retailers.

Retail is shifting fast across Asia-Pacific and this week's Five Things Friday unpacks the signals every operator, brand and investor needs to watch.Low Ngai Yuen MD AEON360 & Ryf Quail (Managing Director, NRF Retail's Big Show APAC & Middle East) joins the conversation with major personal news, and major market insight.In this episode:• Sephora partners with Olive Young to launch dedicated K-Beauty zones globally• Luckin Coffee opens its 30,000th store and expands its flagship + small format model• Inflation resurfaces across Australia and Japan• The structural rise of convenience snacking• Why Seoul is becoming the flagship retail experience capital of AsiaThis is not trend watching. This is structural change.From cultural authority in beauty to omnichannel rollout strategies, from tier-2 coffee expansion to generational food behavior shifts — this episode maps where retail is headed next.ABOUT THIS CHANNEL Welcome to the official channel of The Retail Podcast, your hub for global retail intelligence.Whether you are an executive refining your strategy, a vendor connecting with major players, or an innovator tracking the latest tech, this channel connects you to the pulse of the industry.What to expect:Expert Analysis: Breaking down insights from major global conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, Web Summit, MAPIC; Euroshop and EuroCIS.Diverse Perspectives: Hosted by a rotation of industry veterans and regional experts (APAC, US, EU).Actionable Strategy: We move beyond the headlines to discuss real ROI, digital transformation, and the future of commerce—from AI agents to luxury fashion and grocery trends.As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, we help you cut through the noise to find what actually works in modern retail.

At NRF, we sat down with Alyssa Hampton and Corinne Suarez, senior retail leaders at Marine Layer, to break down what's actually driving success in modern retail.Marine Layer has built a fast-growing retail business by focusing on conscious consumers, low-pressure in-store experiences, and a people-first culture—all while scaling to nearly 60 stores and maintaining B Corp values.In this conversation, we explore:Why younger generations care deeply about who they buy fromHow Marine Layer designs stores as places to hang out, not be sold toThe role of sustainability, recycled materials, and product educationHow retail tech supports seamless in-store and online experiencesWhat women early in their careers need to know about moving from the shop floor to HQThe importance of mentorship, advocacy, and asking for feedbackWhy retail experience builds grit that corporate résumés can't replaceThis episode is essential viewing for retail executives, brand leaders, store operators, and anyone building the future of physical retail.

Unified commerce is everywhere — but Pim Vijftigschild (Chief Commercial & Partner Officer at New Black) argues the next wave is bigger: contextual commerce.In this episode, we break down what “contextual” actually means in retail: capturing the interaction that leads to the transaction, rebuilding the “black book” level of customer understanding, and why most enterprise retail architectures (and RFPs) are stuck in the past.We also get into why modern retail transformation is 15% technology and 85% courage, how retailers get trapped in Frankenstacks and “best-of-breed” RFP thinking, and why click & collect became the wake-up call for legacy systems.Plus: a look at New Black's NRF plans, including iOS Avenue (a live store experience built with an ecosystem of partners) and a world tour concept designed to help retailers bring NRF inspiration back home and translate vision into execution.What you'll learn:How to convert any interaction into a transactionWhy retail tech stacks must shift from an enterprise pyramid to a customer-first funnelThe hidden failure in best-of-breed RFPs (and what's missing)Why “open heart surgery” is the right metaphor for POS changeHow brand communities move from one-way “clienteling” to two-way belongingGuest: Pim Vijftigschild, Chief Commercial & Partner Officer, New BlackTopic: Contextual commerce, retail transformation, platform strategy, communities, NRF

This week on Five Things Friday (US Edition), we unpack the momentum shaping US retail and brand marketing right now—starting with strong sentiment coming out of NRF and rolling straight into the biggest advertising moment of the year: the Super Bowl.After a positive “Big Show,” retailers and exhibitors are carrying unexpected optimism into 2025. AI is no longer theoretical—brands are showing how it's actually being used. That confidence sets the stage for how companies are investing, storytelling, and showing up during the Super Bowl.In this episode, we cover:Retail sentiment and exhibitor confidence coming out of NRFAI moving from theory into real, practical useWhy Super Bowl ads command nearly $10M for 30 secondsStandout campaigns from Instacart, Xfinity, Ring, Expedia, and AdidasPurpose-driven marketing at true scaleHow brands extend Super Bowl moments beyond game dayWhat retailers should be doing now to prepare for the World Cup in the USFrom dinosaurs saved by better connectivity to lost dogs reunited through AI-powered cameras, this episode looks at how brands turn technology into emotion—and attention into long-term value.

In this edition of Five Things Friday UK, Alex and Simone break down the most important retail and brand signals shaping the future of shopping right now. From Reformation's quietly embedded in-store technology to luxury pop-ups in Dubai malls, this episode explores what actually improves customer experience and what retailers should be paying attention to.We cover how technology should be woven into the retail journey, not bolted on, why wellness-driven shopping baskets are accelerating, and how global markets like the UAE are redefining what shopping destinations can be. The conversation also tackles the realities facing UK retail, from high street pressures to cultural shifts, and why optimism is still justified.In this episode, you'll hear about:Reformation's tech-enabled fitting room modelWhy “quiet tech” is outperforming gimmicksOn Running's purpose-led collaboration strategyProtein and fibre as growth drivers in grocery basketsWhy UAE shopping malls feel like retail's golden eraHow luxury brands are engaging Gen Z without dilutionWhat UK retail must learn — and what it's already doing rightIf you work in retail, brand, ecommerce, or physical experience design, this episode is essential listening.Chapter Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Five Things Friday UK00:16 – Meet Alex & Simone00:31 – Retail travel, weather & context setting00:54 – What Alex & Simon do in retail01:16 – Shoptalk Luxe & empowering store staff with tech01:41 – Reformation's “tech menu” store experience01:57 – QR codes, digital baskets & optional technology02:22 – Physical retail's version of Google Analytics02:41 – Why quiet tech matters02:59 – Has Reformation cracked in-store tech?03:22 – The future of fitting rooms04:01 – Global brands entering the UK market04:29 – Asian and US brands expanding into London05:03 – Coffee brands, Camden & taste-testing retail05:16 – On Running x Sky High Farm Goods collaboration05:40 – Purpose-driven brand partnerships06:01 – Wellness shopping trends & Nielsen IQ insights06:28 – Protein and fibre driving basket growth06:47 – Fashion buying, Olympia & industry events07:14 – UAE retail experiences vs the UK07:35 – Why UAE malls feel different08:00 – Shopping as entertainment and destination08:16 – YSL pop-up & gamified luxury08:37 – Engaging Gen Z without cheapening luxury09:27 – Safety, culture & UK shopping centres10:11 – Challenges facing UK retail10:52 – Fun over more product11:15 – Signs of recovery and optimism

Retail in APAC is hitting a breaking point where "freshness" is no longer a luxury it's a survival requirement. Ryf Quail and Yuen Low break down why traditional 6-month order cycles are killing brands and how AI agents are fundamentally changing how consumers discover products.The Value Proposition: In this APAC Edition of Five Things Friday, we go behind the scenes of IKEA's flagship evolution in Shibuya, analyze Puma's strategic board-level shifts, and discuss the "death of search" as AI agents begin to make buying decisions for us.Chapter Timestamps:00:00 — Introduction: Meet Ryf Quail & Yuen Low01:06 — The Supply Chain Trap: Why long-lead orders are failing03:11 — The New IKEA: Why physical stores aren't withdrawing, they're evolving04:33 — Global Comparison: Shibuya's flagship vs. the Chinese retail model08:12 — The AI Agent Shift: When "Search" becomes "Action"10:33 — The Puma Play: Board seats, brand fantasy, and market influence13:47 — Influencer Dynamics: How individual creators are outpacing brand spend16:27 — Closing Thoughts: Is the IKEA withdrawal theory true?

In this episode of Five Things Friday, Alex sits down live at the show with Ryf Quail to unpack what made this year's event the biggest on record from 41–42,000 attendees, packed expo halls, and record exhibitor meetings, to a major global expansion announcement that reshapes the future of retail events.Ryf shares first-hand insights on:Why exhibitors recorded 200+ meaningful meetings on the show floorHow NRF has evolved into a truly global retail platformThe launch of NRF Big Show Middle East in Saudi Arabia (March 2027)Why international attendance now accounts for over a third of total attendeesThe innovation highlights — AI-driven food ordering, robots, holograms, and “store-in-a-box” concepts

How does a regional retailer scale to 86 stores in 7 years? We go on-site at BM's La Finca flagship in Madrid with Regional Director José to uncover the "Anti-Commodity" playbook that is redefining grocery retail in Spain.In this episode, we explore:The 4 Pillars of BM: Why Fresh, Assortment, Service, and CX are non-negotiable.The 10,000 SKU Secret: How to offer "Full Basket" convenience in a proximity format.Fresh as a Driver: Why fresh food accounts for $50%$ of sales and how they scale craft.Local Sourcing KPIs: Moving beyond marketing to create real impact for producers.Retail Tech: The virtual wine recommender and digital assist tools that actually work.About the Guest:José is the Regional Director (Madrid) and Executive Committee member at BM. With a 10-year background at Lidl, he brings a unique perspective on blending discount efficiency with premium service levels.

In this episode of Five Things Friday UK, Alex and Simon break down what the rescue of Russell & Bromley by Next really signals for the British high street, why consolidation is accelerating, and what it means for heritage brands.They also explore:Why the UK may be heading toward a three-giant retail landscapeA standout Valentine's campaign from Thortful and how physical products stay relevant in a digital ageThe return of fashion founder Nina Hopkins with her new ready-to-wear label Sam DateWhy fashion careers aren't linear — and why that matters for the next generation of retail talentA first look at www.Keynotely.ai , a new “Spotify for keynotes” built to preserve human intelligence in a world dominated by AIThis conversation blends retail strategy, brand storytelling, fashion innovation, and the future of knowledge sharing — with practical insights for anyone building, selling, or advising retail brands in the UK and beyond.

Host Alex is joined by Simone Oloman, Co-Founder & CEO of Need It For Tonight (NIFT) — often described as Deliveroo for quality fashion — for an honest discussion on what retailers are really prioritising right now.In this episode, we cover:Why Middle East retail (Abu Dhabi & Saudi Arabia) is being built for a new generationSimone's role speaking at ShopTalk Abu DhabiWhy influencer collaborations work best when they feel obvious, using Molly-Mae Hague x Adidas as an exampleThe shift from AI promises to AI proof and real-world impactWhy retailers want to know what AI is doing today, not what it could do tomorrowWorkforce efficiency without layoffs and what “human + AI” actually meansCareer progression from shop floor to leadership, including female leadership pathsWhy Tommy Hilfiger x Liverpool Football Club is about cultural relevance, not footballA rapid-fire breakdown of Pinterest 2026 trendsWhy Gen Z, raised digital, is craving physical experiences againThis episode is grounded, practical, and culture-led — cutting through hype to focus on what retailers should pay attention to now.

In this Five Things Friday – USA Edition, we sit down with Jill, SVP of Content at National Retail Federation (NRF), live from the largest NRF show ever.With 41,000 attendees, 1,000+ exhibitors, 550+ sessions, and 100 countries represented, Jill breaks down what actually mattered at NRF this year — and what retailers must take forward.Key topics covered:Why customer relevance now outweighs platform strategyAI's shift from buzzword to embedded business infrastructureHow agents and automation are driving margin improvement, not layoffsWhy retail is moving at the speed of culture, not just technologyThe rise of contextual commerce and attention-based discoveryHow search behaviour is changing with ChatGPT-style queriesWhat retailers should leave behind — and take forward — into 2026NRF's global expansion: Singapore, Paris, and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) 2027Jill also reflects on standout voices including Gary Vaynerchuk, major announcements from Google, and future-focused thinking from Jason Goldberg of Publicis.This episode is a field guide for retail leaders navigating AI, culture, loyalty, and what comes next-now.

How will the $32 Billion AI Agent market change APAC Retail?In this episode, Ngai Yuen Low (AEON360) and Ryf Quail (Comexposium) reveal why your product pages need to be "machine-readable" by 2028 and how TikTok Shop is evolving beyond fashion.

It's almost Christmas and this week's Five Things cuts straight through the noise.Alex and Simon break down what really happened this Black Friday, why the numbers matter less than the format shift, and what live shopping and brand activations tell us about where retail is heading next.From muted UK retail sales and changing Black Friday behaviour, to why Ralph Lauren's activations are quietly best-in-class, this episode focuses on what retailers should actually be paying attention to right now — not the headlines.We also touch on:The rise of live, shoppable events and social commerceWhy “Black Friday Month” is now the realityWhat brands are doing instead of discountingHow tech companies are preparing for NRF 2026Why activation, not promotion, is the differentiator heading into the new yearThis is a grounded, honest conversation for retailers, brands, and tech leaders navigating a tough market without losing relevance.

This year, NRF is turning the dial up on everything: AI, interactivity, speakers and scaling a 40,000‑person global audience.In this episode, I sit down with Jill from NRF to unpack how the team is bringing the 2026 global theme “The Next Now” to life at the Big Show in the US – and why this could be one of the strongest speaker lineups yet.We dig into how what's next is already here for retail – from AI‑driven shopping journeys to a new generation of talent that expects to participate in content rather than sit through one‑to‑many lectures. Jill shares how NRF has re‑engineered parts of the show to serve that next generation without losing what long‑time attendees love.

In this episode, recorded at MAPIC in Cannes, we sit down with Shane Eldstrom, CEO of United Developers, the company behind Place Vendôme in Qatar – a project that has already become the #3 shopping centre for high-end fashion in the entire Middle East, just a few years after opening. Shane breaks down what makes Qatar's retail market so distinctive, how Place Vendôme has scaled from opening to regional leader, and what international brands need to know before entering the Middle East.

Black Friday isn't a day anymore. Singles' Day now stretches across weeks. Quick commerce promises groceries in 15–30 minutes. In this APAC edition of Five Things Friday, co‑hosts Ngai Yuen Low & Ryf Quail break down how peak season is changing across China, Southeast Asia, Australia and Japan – and what it really means for consumers, retailers and retail property.Joining from WP. Kuala Lumpur and the Greater Sydney Area, Ngai Yuen and Ryf compare how Singles' Day has turned into a multi‑week promotion machine, why Black Friday lands very differently in Singapore vs Malaysia, and how Australia now treats November as a long sprint into Christmas.

Recorded live at MAPIC 2025 in Cannes, this episode features a rare deep-dive with Ian Sandford, President of Eurofund Group, one of Europe's most influential retail property operators. With more than €2B in assets across Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany and the UK, Eurofund sits at the centre of the sector's biggest shifts.--------*Welcome to the official  channel of THE RETAIL PODCAST, the leading community for global retail leaders, innovators, and changemakers.*If you are struggling to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry, looking for insights from major conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, and EuroCIS, or aiming to connect your digital funnels to physical events with measurable ROI, this channel is designed for you.➡️ Hosted by Alex Rezvan and joined by some of the most respected voices in the sector, The Retail Podcast brings sharp, actionable insights from industry veterans with backgrounds at Microsoft and Verizon, where projects worth over $1.5 billion were directed. Our mission is to help retailers and businesses that sell to retailers anticipate change, embrace technology, and unlock new growth opportunities.Here you will discover exclusive interviews with executives and innovators, coverage of global retail conferences, analysis of technology and AI trends, in-depth explorations of fashion, grocery, luxury, and eCommerce, and thought leadership that keeps your strategy relevant all year long. As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, this channel does more than report the news—it shapes the conversation on the future of retail.*Subscribe now and activate notifications so you never miss the strategies, stories, and signals defining tomorrow's retail.*--------

Black Friday isn't a day anymore. It's a month-long pressure cooker – and it's forcing retailers to rethink everything from promotions to product pages.Correction note: In the episode I mention a jumper with 7% wool – the actual composition was 8% wool.Why Black Friday has morphed into “Black Month” – and what that constant promo pressure does to margins, teams and customer expectationsHow John Lewis is investing £800m to turn “stuffy department store” into experiential destination, complete with VIP member lounges that feel more like British Airways than traditional retailThe power of personal styling: a live story from a first-ever styling session at Aubin, and why curated outfits create genuine “dopamine dressing” moments for time-poor professionalsWhat luxury players like Joseph really want from tech and AI: tools that free staff to serve customers, not replace themHow AI is fast becoming your second customer – from ChatGPT's personal shopping and gift guides to the need for product pages that go beyond specs and capture story, emotion and use-caseWhy the next generation won't “Google it”, they'll ChatGPT it – and what that means for search, content and retail strategyIf you work in retail, ecommerce, CX, merchandising or digital, you're already living these tensions: discount pressure, demand for experience, and the rise of AI-driven discovery.This episode gives you a sharp, 13‑minute snapshot of where those trends are heading – and how brands like John Lewis, Aubin, Joseph, Tumi and M&S are shaping the next chapter.

Julia Paulsen, Director of Ecommerce Nordics at Elkjøp Nordic (part of Currys plc), unpacks how to win when your store has two customers: the human and the AI assistant. We cover data quality, MACH, omnichannel execution, and the culture that turns OKRs into commercial outcomes.

Coupang is finally profitable. China's KKR Group is redefining offline lifestyle retail. APAC's consumer landscape is shifting fast.In this Five Things Friday — APAC Edition, Ryf Quail and Low Ngai Yuen unpack:• Coupang's record revenue and margin transformation• Logistics innovations powering same-day delivery• How Rocket WOW locks in customer loyalty• China's KKR Group and its explosive offline store growth• The rise of Gen Z lifestyle mega-brands• What global retailers must understand about Asia's momentumA essential briefing for leaders in retail, eCommerce, CX, marketplaces, supply chain, and omnichannel strategy.

​ @RitualsCosmeticsGlobal  has opened its newest flagship at 297 Oxford Street, London. And it's unlike anything the brand has built before.In this exclusive tour and interview, Alex Rezvan sits down with:• Annemarie Forsyth — Managing Director UK & Ireland• Richard Lems — Executive Director Format & DesignTogether, they reveal the design philosophy, customer-experience thinking, community strategy and the technology mindset that shaped this extraordinary store.You'll hear the story behind removing an entire floor to create a soaring atrium, how the Water Island anchors the brand experience, why the Mind Oasis is already fully booked for days, and how Rituals views the next five years of retail through wellbeing, community, and immersive physical spaces.If you're in London, Rituals Oxford Street opens today.

How do you transform thousands of frontline colleagues from overloaded and under-informed to connected, confident, and AI‑enabled, without breaking the stores?In this episode of The Retail Podcast, Alex sits down with Chris Chandler (Head of Store Support, Midcounties Co‑op) and Mark Williams (Managing Director, WorkJam EMEA) to unpack a full frontline transformation: from paper, WhatsApp groups and scattered comms… to a single digital frontline platform with 90%+ activation and the removal of many tasks removed in just 12 months.

Retail is back in force. Alex reports from Cannes at MAPIC on why capital is returning to physical retail. Simone unpacks the new John Lewis Christmas advert and how sentiment sells. We cover CBRE's data, MINISO's Bond Street bet, retail parks' quiet surge, and why athleisure keeps compounding.The 5 stories1. John Lewis Christmas advert 2025: Why nostalgia + vinyl is the most effective emotional shortcut this season.2. MAPIC takeaways (CBRE): Investment is thawing; leasing momentum improves; prime rents keep edging up as footfall normalizes.3. MINISO on Bond Street: Tourist gravity, pop‑culture IP, and an experience‑first flagship moment.4. Retail parks' resurgence: Value + access + parking = resilient openings and low vacancy.5. Athleisure's resilience: Demand holds; big‑box footwear/apparel remains a habit, not a fad.

Asia's retail landscape is evolving faster than anywhere else on Earth—and this episode brings you the inside view.Host Alex Rezvan sits down with Ryf Quail, Managing Director of NRF APAC, and Low Ngai Yuen, former Chief Merchandise & Marketing Officer at AEON Malaysia, board member at GDEX and OCK Group, and award-winning creative leader, to explore: • The rise of Chinese retail expansion across Southeast Asia • Why super apps like Grab, WeChat, and Alipay are reshaping loyalty and payment ecosystems • How influencer marketing is evolving into a listed industry • The future of responsible sourcing and supply chain transformation • The intersection of culture, experience, and intelligence in modern retailYuen also shares her vision for empowering women through her NGO WOMENgirls and reflects on storytelling, sustainability, and digital creativity.This is Asia's story—fast, mobile-first, and deeply human.

AI, Merchandising & the Next Era of Retail with Noah (何诺亚) HerschmanAI isn't replacing retail jobs — it's enhancing them. In this episode of The Retail Podcast, host Alex Rezvan speaks with Noah (何诺亚) Herschman, Retail & Ecommerce Senior Executive and Global AI Strategist, about how artificial intelligence is transforming merchandising, pricing, and product lifecycle management.Noah has shaped ecommerce since the 1990s, with senior leadership roles at Amazon, eBay, Groupon, Staples, and nearly a decade at Microsoft as Retail Industry Architect. Now at Intel, he helps global retailers harness agentic AI to make smarter, faster, and more creative merchandising decisions.