Retail Podcast

Fast EU retail intel: marketplace moves, refurbished economics, urban formats, cross-border shocks, and beauty platform plays.Fnac Darty's TikTok Shop test, Amazon's Second Chance Deal Days across Europe, Decathlon's new “City” format inside Boulanger in Paris, the impact of new US rules on postal parcels from the EU, and Zalando's expansion into beauty with virtual try-on and creator boards.Topics• Fnac Darty joins TikTok Shop to reach younger buyers and test curated seasonal assortments.• Amazon runs “Second Chance Deal Days” across Europe: refurbished/open-box with warranties—resale momentum continues.• Decathlon opens a compact “City” store inside Boulanger in Paris—sports × tech, proximity, services.• New US customs handling for postal goods from the EU—expect disruption for DTC brands using postal networks.• Zalando doubles down on beauty: VTO, 360 product views, creator boards, major brand adds; expansion across Europe.Chapters00:00 Intro & hosts00:58 TikTok Shop (Fnac Darty)03:20 Amazon Second Chance (refurbs)05:46 Decathlon City × Boulanger (Paris)08:53 US postal/de-minimis changes11:05 Zalando Beauty (VTO, creators, expansion)13:46 WrapReferences (links provided by the hosts)https://corporate.zalando.com/en/fashion/how-zalando-redefining-online-beauty-across-europehttps://group.dhl.com/en/media-relations/press-releases/2025/new-us-customs-regulations-temporary-restrictions-on-postal-goods-shipping-to-the-us-for-private-and-business-customers.htmlhttps://be.fashionnetwork.com/en-be/news/In-a-company-first-decathlon-opens-paris-city-store-in-branch-of-electronics-chain-boulanger,1758383.htmlhttps://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/sustainability/second-chance-deal-dayshttps://www.ecommercemag.fr/Thematique/retail-1220/strategie-retail-2163/Breves/tiktok-shop-fnac-darty-mise-innovation-confiance-produit-484547.htmCreditsHost: Alex Rezvan. Co-host: AlexandraProduced by The Retail Podcast / RetailNews.ai.Follow the show. Share your take on whether TikTok Shop converts to owned sites, or holds buyers in-app.DisclaimerInformational only. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

M&S launches a dedicated resale shop on eBay (with Reskinned), the ONS delays July retail sales to 5 Sept, TikTok Shop's GMV Max becomes the only supported campaign type, Sainsbury's begins a facial‑recognition trial, Lush closes UK stores for a day in solidarity with Gaza, and Charlotte Tilbury drives experiential shade‑matching at John Lewis and Café Airbrush in Covent Garden. Simone Oloman joins to decode what matters for operators—right now. Show notes / references:In this UK edition of Five Things Friday, Alex and Simone Oloman cover six moves reshaping trading plans this month:Resale goes mainstream: M&S × eBay launches an official pre‑loved shop, powered by Reskinned—a cleaner, scalable route to circularity than DIY platforms. Operators: track supply inflows, voucher economics, and re‑commerce margin mix. Marks & SpencerDemand sensing > lagging KPIs: The ONS delayed the July 2025 retail sales release to 5 Sept for quality assurance; combine official series with real‑time social/returns data for better buys and markdowns. Office for National StatisticsSocial commerce hardens: TikTok Shop Ads → GMV Max only. Expect heavier automation; ensure attribution and returns accounting are wired for campaign‑level ROAS and net‑margin truth. TikTok For Business+1Safety vs privacy: Sainsbury's begins an 8‑week facial‑recognition pilot in Sydenham (London) and Oldfield Park (Bath); union support vs privacy‑rights pushback—governance, DPIAs, and signage matter. corporate.sainsburys.co.ukbigbrotherwatch.org.ukBrand activism with teeth: Lush shut UK shops, website and factories for a day—authenticity is an operational decision, not a slogan. Budget for impact and community response. LushExperience = acquisition: Charlotte Tilbury turns shade matching into a moment (John Lewis photo‑booths; Café Airbrush at Covent Garden). High‑touch, low‑friction sampling feeds CRM and lifetime value. British Beauty CouncilTheIndustry.beautyChapters / timestamps (mm:ss)00:00 – Welcome & format (fast 15)00:58 – M&S × eBay resale (why it's smart, how it scales)02:14 – ONS delay & the case for live demand signals03:50 – TikTok Shop GMV Max: what marketers must change04:32 – Sainsbury's: facial‑recognition pilot (safety vs privacy)06:05 – Lush: one‑day UK closures; what “authenticity” really costs06:55 – Charlotte Tilbury shade‑match activation (John Lewis)09:19 – Café Airbrush & Covent Garden Big Beauty10:00 – Wrap, next week teasers & CTAsShow notes / references:• M&S launches resale on eBay (Reskinned partnership): https://corporate.marksandspencer.com/media/press-releases/ms-launches-resale-ebay-give-clothes-another-life• ONS: July retail sales release delayed to Sept 5 (quality assurance): https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-statistics-office-delays-retail-sales-data-release-by-two-weeks-2025-08-19/• TikTok Shop Ads — GMV Max migration (official help): https://ads.tiktok.com/help/article/gmv-max-migration-tiktok-shop-ads• Sainsbury's facial‑recognition pilot (Sydenham & Oldfield Park): https://www.computing.co.uk/news/2025/sainsbury-s-begins-facial-recognition-trial-to-combat-shoplifting• Lush closes UK stores in solidarity with Gaza: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/sep/03/lush-closes-all-its-uk-stores-in-protest-over-starvation-in-gaza• Covent Garden — Big Beauty (4–14 Sept): https://www.coventgarden.london/experience/things-to-do/big-beauty-at-covent-garden/• Charlotte Tilbury pop‑up / shade‑match activations: https://theindustry.beauty/charlotte-tilbury-turns-covent-garden-into-cafe-airbrush-celebrating-complexion-launch/

Five Things Friday — APAC edition. Guest Ryf Quail (NRF: Retail's Big Show APAC) breaks down why retail media in APAC is set to lead globally, then we dive into Thailand's mall renaissance, Uniqlo's recycling roadmap, MUSINSA×ANTA's China JV, and Urban Revivo's global expansion.Chapters below. Sources and links at the end.Subscribe for weekly, no‑nonsense retail intel across APAC.What we cover• Why APAC retail media is outpacing the West, with China and the U.S. dominating spend• Thailand's malls (ICONSIAM, MBK, Central Group) as cultural engines and retail tourism magnets• Uniqlo: recycled materials and the 2030 climate roadmap• MUSINSA × ANTA: K‑fashion's structured path into China via a joint venture• Urban Revivo: China's answer to Zara, scaling with new flagships and a design hub in LondonChapters / Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Guest setup (Ryf Quail, NRF APAC)00:26 – Format: Two from Ryf, three from Alex00:52 – APAC retail media: the fastest‑rising ad channel02:10 – China + U.S. concentration; APAC's trajectory03:45 – India, Vietnam, Philippines: the next lifts05:03 – Segment 2: Southeast Asia's mall culture05:30 – Thailand leads: ICONSIAM, MBK, Central Group07:56 – Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam: development pipeline09:16 – Story 1: Uniqlo & recycled materials roadmap10:40 – Story 2: MUSINSA × ANTA joint venture in China12:27 – Story 3: Urban Revivo accelerates global flagships13:40 – Takeaways: APAC is setting the pace14:07 – Outro & tease for future global editionShow Links (put these on separate lines for YouTube parsing)• Urban Revivo — About: https://global.urbanrevivo.com/pages/about-urban-revivo-hp0036• MUSINSA × ANTA JV: https://about.musinsa.com/newsroom/musinsa-anta• Uniqlo — Recycled Materials: https://www.uniqlo.com/id/en/special-feature/sustainability/recycle-materials• NRF: Retail's Big Show APAC (guest org): https://nrfbigshowapac.nrf.com/• ICONSIAM: https://www.iconsiam.com/en• MBK Center: https://www.mbk-center.co.th/en• Central Group: https://www.centralgroup.com/en• eMarketer/Insider Intelligence — Retail Media growth + China/US shares (summary): https://www.emarketer.com/ (specific references in “Research sources” below)#RetailMedia #APAC #NRFAPAC #Thailand #Kfashion #Uniqlo #UrbanRevivo #Ecommerce

Five Things Friday UK Edition with Simone Oloman UK retail news this week: Aldi boosts wages, Topshop returns to Liberty, Asda expands Express, JD Sports shares rise, and The Very launches an immersive fashion experience.Aldi: linkTopshop: linkAsda: linkJD Sports: linkThe Very Group: link

US retail news: Walmart marketplace AI and next‑day delivery, Gap's denim push, Best Buy's refurb engine, Cracker Barrel's logo U‑turn, plus A&F × NFL. Subscribe for weekly retail strategy.American Eagle's latest ambassador buzz & denim warsGap's creative burst and the renewed denim cycleBest Buy repairs/refurb: sustainability with marginsCracker Barrel brand mark reversal - what it signalsWalmart Seller Summit: tools for speed, content, conversionBonus: A&F becomes the NFL's official fashion partner

APAC retail briefing: LABUBU/Pop Mart's blind‑box momentum, China's Gen Z wellness shift, Australia Post's US‑parcel pause (de minimis), “dopamine village” malls in PH, and JD.com's new Dubai warehouse. Subscribe + comment with your action.LABUBU/Pop Mart = modern playbook: scarcity, social currency, collaborations (host commentary).Gen Z wellness, China: beauty x health, functional nutrition, ingestibles, and unmet needs in mental/cognitive wellness. McKinsey & Company+1AusPost → US pause: letters/documents & low‑value gifts continue; duties need pre‑collection after de minimis shift; other posts also pausing. ABCMalls as “dopamine villages”: SM Investments doubles down on experiences, arenas, fandoms, and tribes to capture demand. sminvestments.comJD in Dubai: JAFZA warehouse, digital ops model, MEA reach; supports faster cross‑border. JD Corporate Blog00:00 Welcome & cold open (Ryf + Alex)00:30 LABUBU/Pop Mart: the blind‑box playbook (scarcity, social, IP) — host commentary05:24 China's Gen Z wellness wave (beauty x health; functional nutrition; unmet needs) — Source: McKinsey + Retail Asia. McKinsey & CompanyRetail Asia09:36 Australia Post's US‑parcel pause: why de minimis matters — Source: ABC News explainer. ABC12:44 Malls → “Dopamine villages”: SM's entertainment ecosystem bet — Source: SM Investments. sminvestments.com16:30 JD.com opens Dubai warehouse: faster APAC→MEA cross‑border — Source: JD Corporate Blog. JD Corporate Blog20:20 Wrap + next week's K‑pop teaser

Kaave Pour (ex‑SPACE10/IKEA) breaks down the home as retail's #1 touchpoint: from layered home systems to utilities as technology (heat pumps, batteries, air/water quality), the Matter standard, robots, renting vs. owning, and how energy economics reshapes behaviour. You'll learn: The home stack:structure → furnishings → utilities → interfaces/data → services Why utilities are the next big tech platform for healthier, cheaper living How layers are blurring (IKEA energy, Airbnb building homes, etc.) Kitchen as battleground: in‑home touchpoints for grocery & CPG Europe lens: cost‑first renewables, off‑grid myths, renting, community Leadership: mission‑led recruiting; winding down SPACE10 without losing momentum CTA: If you lead retail, ecommerce or CX,subscribe and share with your ops & product teams. Chapters below ↓00:00 Intro & why Kaave returns01:08 Inside IKEA/SPACE10: building an innovation culture02:35 Pilots, new ventures & ‘home' as the red thread03:18 Ending SPACE10 & what's next05:16 Kaave's 3 filters: impact, people, money08:14 Why he's fixated on the home08:37 Hiring for mission: how to attract top talent12:08 Closing SPACE10: lessons from the transition14:40 The home's expanding role in work, fulfilment & wellbeing16:40 The home stack: structure → utilities → services → data18:13 Layers blur: Airbnb, IKEA Energy & new players19:49 The home becomes retail's #1 touchpoint24:29 Utilities as the next big tech (heat, water, air)27:29 Energy shift: costs beat ideology29:05 Unbundling food: cloud kitchens vs groceries31:42 The next 5 years: renting, community, tech adoption33:20 Matter, spatial/wearable computing & home robots37:24 UBI: promise, risks & policy40:30 Resilient jobs in utilities41:16 Thanks & close

Glossier joins TikTok Shop, Adidas rewrites nostalgia, back‑to‑school spend pulls forward, Prime vs Walmart deals, UK ultrafast delivery, loyalty reboots, agentic AI pilots, France's “Drive,” Mango's stylist AI, Gulf luxury momentum, Reliance x Shein, live commerce scale.Welcome to a four‑region special of Five Things Friday.USA with Jill Dvorak (NRF): Glossier lands on TikTok Shop; Adidas' Superstar reboot taps cross‑generational creators; Cannes Lions confirms the shift from big‑agency dominance to creator ecosystems; NRF back‑to‑school shoppers are starting earlier; Prime Day stretches to four days while Walmart and Nordstrom counterprogram; BNPL remains a swing factor.UK with Simon Solomon (Need It For Tonight): Festival activations drive real‑time demand; “messy cool” vs “clean girl” aesthetics; ultrafast convenience as lifestyle, not logistics; Adidas' culture‑led run (and a New Balance flagship worth a visit).UK (extended): Loyalty evolves from vouchers to membership and recognition; retailers test agentic AI for operations; pop‑ups become the culture engine; athleisure's “bigger vs impactful” store strategy face‑off.Europe: France's Le Drive grabs share; a grocer integrates with a full‑stack e‑grocery partner; Spain's BM optimizes store design for local, upmarket feel; Mango's Stylist AI gets field‑tested.APAC: The Gulf defies luxury's slowdown with experience‑first flagships (and Shanghai's showpiece store turns heads); Australia's sales uptick masks a fast‑fashion flood; Reliance x Shein changes supply dynamics; live commerce delivers 24/7 in SEA and is coming west with Gen Z.Guests: Jill Dvorak (NRF), Simon Solomon (Need It For Tonight), Alex [Europe], Ryf Quail & Laura Doonan (APAC).Links & mentions:– NRF research (back‑to‑school), Prime Day/Walmart/Nordstrom, Adidas Superstar campaign, Glossier on TikTok Shop, festival activations, UK ultrafast delivery, France “Le Drive,” Mango Stylist AI, Gulf luxury developments, Reliance x Shein, L'Oréal live commerce.Follow & partner: RetailNews.ai • TheRetailPodcast.comCTA: Reply with one signal you're betting on this quarter and why.

From AI-powered supermarket lanes to shifting consumer habits, Alexandra Boisson & The Retail Podcast team unpack Europe's retail trends.In this Five Things Friday – EU Edition, Alexandra Boisson and Alex from The Retail Podcast dive into the latest shifts in the European retail market.We cover:Colruyt's Easy Checkout: AI-powered cameras speeding up lanes by 70% (via RTL.be).French Summer Sales Decline: Only 39% of shoppers participated vs. 43% last year, with fewer purchases and smaller spends (via Actu-Retail).Birkenstock: Profit beats expectations despite trade tensions (via Reuters).Douglas Beauty: Strong sales in Germany and CEE offset French softness (Douglas).Carlsberg: Modest growth, cautious outlook for the second half (Carlsberg Group).

From Currys' Action AI rollout to Space NK's Willy Wonka-style flagship, this week's top UK retail stories.In this summer edition of Five Things Friday, Alex from The Retail Podcast is joined by Simone Oloman (Co-Founder, NIFT) and Dave to unpack the hottest retail stories in the UK right now.We cover:Store closures & uncertainty — Claire's administration filing, River Island restructuring, Hobbycraft closuresStore openings that wow — Space NK's Oxford Street flagship (inspired by creator Chantelle Pang's coverage on TikTok), Bershka's AR mirror-powered Trafford Centre debut, and POP MART's Liverpool ONE expansionAI in retail operations — Currys' partnership with Quorso to roll out “Action AI” (source: Quorso)Beauty industry shake-up — Ulta Beauty's acquisition of Space NK (source: Ulta Beauty Press Release)Pop-up culture — London's Pizzeria Pop-Up Party (source: Eventbrite)Referenced creators and sources:TikTok creator Chantelle Pang: TikTok profile, Space NK videoQuorso news release on Currys partnershipUlta Beauty press release on Space NK acquisitionEventbrite listing for Pizzeria Pop-Up Party

In this episode of The Retail Podcast, Alex speaks with Rupert Pick, Global MD of Hot Pickle, the award-winning brand experience agency behind iconic activations for Magnum, Guinness, Marmite, Pokémon, Waitrose, Tesco, and more.From physical brand homes to cultural relevance, Rupert reveals how Hot Pickle blends creativity, product innovation, and immersive retail activations to keep global CPG brands connected to their audiences. He explains why sampling should never be transactional, the formula for scaling playfulness, and how to avoid the “brand irrelevance” trap that's hit names like River Island and Claire's.

In this week's Five Things Friday – US Edition, Alex Rezvan is joined by Jill Dvorak, SVP of Content at the National Retail Federation (NRF), to unpack five key stories shaping retail right now.We cover:1️⃣ Zalando's European Growth — How the fashion giant is exceeding forecasts and expanding its portfolio ahead of NRF Big Show Europe in Paris (Sept 16–18). Read NRF's speaker announcement2️⃣ ShopMy and the Creator Economy — Why social-led shopping platforms like ShopMy and influencer discovery tools are redefining retail inspiration. More from Vogue Business3️⃣ Hailey Bieber's Rhode Beauty — From a $1B brand sale to a physical retail presence, and why its new parent, e.l.f. Beauty, keeps winning. Discover Rhode4️⃣ Resale Market Acceleration — Deloitte research shows over 150 brands investing in in-house resale channels, while California's new SB 707 law sets strict textile recycling rules.5️⃣ Martha Stewart's First Standalone Stores — Why the homeware icon is opening in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait via Marquee Brands.

In this week's Five Things Friday UK Edition, Alex and Simone break down the retail trends you can't afford to ignore. From iconic brands fighting for survival to the innovative players winning Gen Z loyalty, we explore how cultural relevance is now the biggest currency in retail.Topics include:River Island & Claire's — lessons from legacy brand strugglesMango's teen range expansion and the underserved youth marketUK's booming £4.8B online second-hand homeware sectorLoop earplugs — turning hearing protection into a fashion flexTALA's scuba-tech leisurewear and the rise of functional styleIf you're in retail, brand marketing, or consumer strategy, this episode is your cultural trend compass.

Delipop shutters its robot locker network; JD.com tries a €2.2 bn play for Ceconomy/MediaMarkt; US & Chinese tourists rein‑in luxury spend; Dutch grocer Picnic finishes its Île‑de‑France roll‑out; France moves to criminalise ultra‑fast‑fashion influence. Analysis, context, and what it means for European retail. Five Things Friday – European Edition | 7 Aug 2025Hosts: Alex (RetailNews.ai) & Alex Boisson (French Trade Commission, London)Delipop pulls the plug on robotic multi‑brand pick‑up points – after just nine Paris sites, the start‑up enters liquidation, citing regulatory confusion and investor caution. lineaires.comJD.com's €2.2 bn play for Ceconomy / MediaMarkt‑Saturn – the Chinese marketplace seeks an instant European footprint; German regulators will decide. Financial TimesEuro‑summer a bust for luxury – Prada, Burberry, Kering and others blame softer US & Chinese tourism. Vogue BusinessPicnic's 10th Île‑de‑France hub goes live – Dutch online grocer now reaches 2 m households around Paris with free 20‑minute slots and EV fleets. (LSA‑Conso, 2 Aug 2025).France drafts law making ultra‑fast‑fashion influencing a crime – Shein and Temu squarely in the cross‑hairs; eco‑score and advertising fines incoming. Marie Claire UKWhy it matters: Consolidation, consumer caution and sustainability regulation are reshaping European retail. We unpack the trends and flag what to watch next.Links & sources (fair‑use reference):Delipop liquidation – Linéaires, 4 Aug 2025https://www.lineaires.com/la-distribution/delipop-met-fin-a-ses-drives-pietons“JD.com launches €2.2 bn offer for Ceconomy” – Financial Times, 5 Aug 2025https://www.ft.com/content/f773c342-1044-43c5-a106-54274e466fe7“Is Euro summer a bust for luxury brands?” – Vogue Business, 7 Aug 2025https://www.voguebusiness.com/story/consumers/is-euro-summer-a-bust-for-luxury-brands“Picnic finalises Île‑de‑France roll‑out with 10th hub” – LSA‑Conso, 2 Aug 2025https://www.lsa-conso.fr/livraison-picnic…hub-logistique“France just made influencing fast fashion a crime” – Marie Claire UK, 12 Jul 2025https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/fashion/france-fast-fashion-ban(All links © their respective publishers; provided here under fair‑use for commentary.) 00:00:00

Ryf & Laura join Alex to unpack five APAC headlines: China's Shushu·Tong shakes luxury, Korea's “honjok” solo shoppers rewrite store design, K‑beauty label Anua wins U.S. fans, Vietnam's retail GMV rockets 37 %, and Laura talks about in on Yotpo's pivot plus Gen Z's debit‑first mindset.

Shopping online can feel like navigating endless aisles of irrelevant products, leaving customers frustrated and retailers losing sales. In this insightful episode of The Retail Podcast, host Alex speaks with Warren Cowan, CEO of Foundit, about how retailers can transform customer frustration into powerful intent-driven experiences.Explore why traditional e-commerce fails to inspire, and discover practical strategies for surfacing relevant products at precisely the right moments. Warren shares real-world insights on how retailers can avoid overwhelming shoppers with excessive choices, reduce decision fatigue, and unlock hidden sales opportunities buried in their “dark aisles.”You'll learn:The biggest frustrations online shoppers face—and how to address them.Why a “catalog-first” mindset is holding back your e-commerce growth.How retailers like Aldi and Lidl succeed by simplifying customer decisions.Practical tips to shift toward customer intent-led experiences.The role AI and automation play in future-proofing your e-commerce site.Why traditional personalization often falls short, and what to do instead.Join Warren Cowan and Alex as they discuss real-world successes from Foundit's clients, including increased conversions, reduced bounce rates, and significant merchandising efficiencies. It's time to trade frustration for inspiration and transform browsing into buying.Featuring Warren Cowan, CEO of Foundit.Key topics: E-commerce, customer intent, merchandising automation, retail tech, personalization, digital transformation, AI in retail, customer experience, decision fatigue, online shopping trends.

This week on Five Things Friday EU Edition, host Alex from The Retail Podcast is joined by co-host Alexandra Boisson, Retail Tech & eCommerce Specialist at Business France. Together, they explore Europe's retail landscape highlighting game-changing AI innovations, pivotal EU regulatory shifts, and controversial moves by major brands like Zara's parent, Inditex.

Episode at a glance0:00 Intro – Alex & Simone set the scene1:21 Magnum's affordable luxury play5:11 Smaller, faster, more targeted UK store formats8:12 Cybersecurity breaches erode consumer trust11:13 Omnichannel fulfilment: John Lewis × Uber Eats & B&Q marketplace C&C12:41 Culture collabs: Buzz Social app and community‑first retail14:23 Wrap‑up & next week's teaserKey takeawaysAffordable luxury wins Gen‑Z wallets. Magnum positions a £1.50 treat as a lifestyle statement, partnering with Hailey Bieber's Rhode Beach Club and Primavera Sound to flood social feeds with golden sticks.Store footprints are compressing. Co‑op's 1,500 sq ft “On‑the‑Go” in Solihull and Primark's 12,000 sq ft Trafford home concept mark a pivot to high‑velocity assortments and commuter missions. Trust is the new margin. Repeated attacks—from Harrods to Sanderson—show why only 11 % of UK retailers carry cyber insurance. M&S's public cyber update proves transparency must join price, product, and CX in the trust stack.Last‑mile gets luxury treatment. John Lewis pilots 30‑minute delivery via Uber Eats in Leeds and Stratford; B&Q scales marketplace click‑and‑collect to 300 stores, turning each location into a micro‑fulfilment node. Culture is the channel. Independent “Buzz” app curates Nike x music x art events, proving brands must participate—not commentate—in community spaces.Reference linksMagnum Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/magnum/?hl=enEast of England Co‑op store opening plans — https://www.eastofengland.coop/news/opening-plans-confirmed-for-new-east-of-england-coB&Q Click + Collect (marketplace roll‑out) — https://www.diy.com/customer-support/click-collectBuzz Social App IG — https://www.instagram.com/buzzsocialapp/?hl=enM&S Cyber Update — https://corporate.marksandspencer.com/cyber-updateBuzz App (iOS) — https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/buzz-find-creative-events/id6744612334Calls‑to‑Act

Ben Jackson of Klaviyo explains why email still outperforms, how regional channel preferences are shifting (Germany loves WhatsApp, Nordics swear by SMS), and where AI genuinely moves the needle for retail CMOs drowning in data. Host Alex digs into practical roadblocks—from siloed martech stacks to missing content workflows—and how Klaviyo's new Customer Hub and AI agent aim to solve them.TimestampChapter title00:00Intro & why email still matters00:27Conferences, Klaviyo booths & today's agenda00:58Meet Ben Jackson01:17Myth‑busting: “Email is dead”02:24Multi‑channel done right03:31Tech vs. process bottlenecks05:10Regional channel preferences06:24Community as growth engine07:33Klaviyo's AI approach09:19Unified data superiority11:23Too much first‑party data?12:12Common retailer mistakes13:24Coming CRM curve‑balls14:07Consumers' value exchange15:31Introducing Customer Hub16:16What's holding CMOs back17:54Final insights & outro

In this launch episode of Five Things: Middle East Edition, hosts Alex and Leanne break down five major developments reshaping the business, retail, and cultural landscape in Saudi Arabia — all deeply tied to the Kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030 strategy.

Ulta Beauty enters the UK, Target goes big on back-to-school, AI hits a trust challenge, cannabis beverages gain ground, and Walmart eyes tween fashion. Alex Rezvan and Jill Dvorak (SVP of Content, NRF) decode five major trends reshaping retail in America:Ulta Beauty's Global Move: Expanding internationally with 83 new stores in the UK.

Nostalgia meets innovation from swaps to smart service.Resale is mainstream, loyalty looks like an airline, and Topshop is back.In this Five Things Friday – UK Edition, Alex Rezvan and Simone Oloman break down five signals every retailer should track right now:RIXO Pre‑Loved – How a premium label keeps inventory (and spend) inside its own ecosystem.Community Clothes Swaps – Loanhood & Islington Council prove circular fashion can scale locally.Topshop × Cara Delevingne – Millennial nostalgia fuels the brand's digital relaunch under ASOS.TOCO Swim Loyalty – A “frequent‑flyer”‑style rewards model that turns engagement into revenue.Currys + AI Video Support – Vyntelligence tech lifts first‑time‑fix rates and slashes carbon‑heavy call‑outs. Why it matters: safety, circularity, and service now fight for the same share of wallet—and the winners are already blending physical and digital touchpoints. Links & ResourcesRIXO Pre‑Loved: https://rixolondon.com/en-eu/pages/rixo-pre-lovedLoanhood × Islington Swap event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/islington-clothes-swap-tickets-1410481420899?aff=ebdsoporgprofile&_gl=11p3ylkb_upMQ.._gaMTg1MDI3Nzg3Mi4xNzUzMzUzNDMw_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3NTMzNTM0MzAkbzEkZzAkdDE3NTMzNTM0MzAkajYwJGwwJGgwTopshop relaunch w/ Cara Delevingne: https://www.asosplc.com/news/topshop-partners-cara-delevingne-launch-topshopcom-and-brands-new-era/?utm_source=chatgpt.comTOCO Swim: https://www.instagram.com/tocoswim/TOCO Swim loyalty page: https://shopify.com/6073647192/account/pages/42026b1f-3325-417d-853a-8da8af55312bTOCO Swim × New Acres rooftop event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rooftop-riviera-toco-swim-x-new-acres-tickets-1469348664409?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaf_-VzVjhnuQC1RE22XECPsu4MmlVWhj6ckP5O9jRSaEwfIhqUzolgpNhGpQw_aem_sAVw8-_Wuo5RoQLrbiIZgwCurrys rolls out Vyntelligence AI: https://vyntelligence.com/news/retail-first-currys-rolls-out-game-changing-ai-video-tech-with-vyntelligence/ HostsAlex Rezvan – Founder, The Retail PodcastSimone Oloman – Co‑founder & CEO, Need It For TonightUK retail, circular fashion, resale, clothes swap, RIXO Pre‑Loved, Topshop relaunch, Cara Delevingne, TOCO Swim, loyalty program, Currys, AI video support, Vyntelligence, retail podcast, Five Things Friday 

From safe rooms to social commerce, we unpack what's shaping the APAC retail landscape now.Recorded live during Australia's largest retail conference, this episode of Five Things Friday – APAC Edition dives into two polarizing forces in retail: rising crime rates and retail media growth. Co-host Laura, chair of the Online Retailer Conference, joins Alex to dissect what's making headlines—and what's shifting power—in the Asia-Pacific market.Key Topics:

Live from NRF APAC, The Retail Podcast brings you exclusive access to Twilio's 2025 State of Customer Engagement Report. This isn't theory—it's what leading global brands are actually doing on the ground.We unpack:Why 82% of brands think they personalize well—but only 16% of customers agreeHow AI is redefining CX across channelsWhat customer data unification looks like in diverse APAC marketsWhy privacy and consent are the new battlegrounds for loyaltyAnd what brands can do today to close the perception gap

Join Alex Rezvan and Alexandra Boisson for another engaging Five Things Friday EU edition. This week, we explore:Carrefour's innovative "Store Me Up" startup accelerator, aiming to redefine in-store AI experiences.Pinterest's AI-driven partnership with La Redoute, creating a seamless transition from inspiration to purchase.Insights from Germany highlighting rising retail theft, reduced reporting rates, and increased security investments.French heritage brand Kiabi's ambitious RFID technology deployment across 450 stores.Amazon's strategic expansion into physical beauty retail in Milan, marking Europe as a core innovation hub.Stay ahead of retail trends—subscribe and leave us a review!Carrefour AI, Pinterest Shopping, RFID Retail, Kiabi Innovation, Amazon Retail Europe, Retail Theft Germany, Alexandra Boisson, Alex Rezvan, Retail Technology, European RetailReference Links (Mentioned in the Show):Carrefour LinkedIn PostCarrefour Store Me UpPinterest x La Redoute CampaignKiabi RFID rollout articleAmazon Beauty store in MilanGerman Retail Theft Report

On this week's Five Things Friday UK, Alex Rezvan and Simone Oloman dissect the most impactful developments shaping retail: Topshop's major comeback, Studio Seven's London pop-up, the escalating rivalry between John Lewis and M&S, Eco by Sonia's debut in the UK, and the burgeoning market for non-alcoholic beer highlighted by Baro Brewing at Wimbledon.Highlights include:The challenge of reinventing nostalgia for today's shoppers.Pop-ups as powerful tools for brand discovery.Strategies fueling the John Lewis–M&S battle for consumer loyalty.Eco by Sonia's expansion story.The rise of non-alcoholic drinks and celebrity branding.Hosts:Alex Rezvan – Founder, The Retail PodcastSimone Oloman – Founder & CEO, Need It For Tonight

Ryf Quail returns energized from New Zealand to join Alex Rezvan in dissecting fascinating retail shifts across APAC. They delve into consumer mobility, the impact of currency fluctuations on shopping behaviors, the evolution of rational brand loyalty programs, and emerging quick-commerce opportunities, including rapid jewellery delivery in India. Plus, a deep dive into how Korean brands Musinsa and Coupang are reshaping regional retail dynamics amid China's efforts to boost domestic spending. APAC retail, Gen Z shopping, brand loyalty, quick commerce, Musinsa, Coupang, CaratLane, consumer trends, retail strategy, Asia-Pacific markets. 0:00 – Intro & Ryf's New Zealand Ski Trip1:21 – Consumer Mobility & Japan's Tourism-Driven Retail Growth2:41 – Cross-Border Shopping: Hong Kong & Southern China3:16 – Singapore-Malaysia Border Retail Dynamics4:27 – Gen Z & the Erosion of Brand Loyalty5:43 – Rational Loyalty Programs: Hong Kong & Indonesia6:59 – Love Bonito's Innovative Loyalty Experiences9:59 – Korean Retail Expansion: Musinsa & Coupang11:47 – China's Push for Increased Domestic Consumption13:24 – India's Jewellery Quick-Commerce Revolution16:27 – Closing Remarks & Fun Wrap-Up1. Consumer Mobility:Japan's weakened yen boosted tourism-driven retail, with up to 20% of Tokyo's retail spending from tourists.2. Cross-border Retail:Consumers in Hong Kong and Singapore regularly cross borders (to China and Malaysia) for cheaper goods, services, and fuel.3. Loyalty Shifts:Gen Z prioritizes rational decisions over emotional brand attachment, reshaping loyalty programs.Programs like Hong Kong's U-REWARDS (7-Eleven) engage 60% of the local population.Indonesia's Alpha Mart generates 60% of its revenue through its loyalty program.4. Innovative Retail Experiences:Brands like Love Bonito leverage physical experiences (Partner Benches) as a unique loyalty driver.5. Korean Retail Expansion:Musinsa expands from an online giant in Korea to physical stores in Shanghai, responding strategically to prior investments by Alibaba into Korea.Coupang is rapidly growing across Asia due to strong cultural exports (K-pop, beauty, fashion).6. China's Economic Policy Shift:China's new economic priority focuses on boosting domestic consumption amid slower internal growth.7. India's Quick-Commerce Boom:Jewellery delivery in under 50 minutes by platforms like Swiggy, with major retailers like CaratLane capitalizing on urban India's quick-commerce infrastructure.Musinsa expansion insights sourced from Jing Daily and Musinsa official site.Coupang's regional growth supported by insights from Korea Herald and Coupang website.China's consumption policy shift referenced from SCMP article.Quick-commerce jewellery data from CaratLane and analysis from India Retailing.Key Insights from the Transcript and Articles:

Guest: Bobby Morrison — Chief Revenue Officer, Shopify Host: Alex, Founder of The Retail Podcast & RetailNews.AI What we cover- 00:00 Complexity vs. simplicity: 10 trn data queries, 1.1 trn edge requests - 02:17 The modern Shopify stack (e‑com, wholesale, retail POS) - 07:05 AI‑driven search and why affiliates are back - 10:31 Perplexity, edge commerce & the future of discovery - 12:20 From entrepreneur DNA to 50 %+ enterprise revenue - 15:09 Cutting “keep‑the‑lights‑on” teams by 70 % after migrating - 18:36 Partner ecosystems: agencies → GSIs → SIs - 21:04 Sidekick AI: your built‑in growth analyst - 23:30 Inside founder‑led culture at scale - 27:49 Global retail tour & where to meet Bobby next Links & resources- Shopify Sidekick ➜ https://www.shopify.com/sidekick - Partner program overview ➜ https://www.shopify.com/partners - Black Friday/Cyber Monday data 2024 ➜ https://news.shopify.com/bfcm-2024 - Join our newsletter for weekly retail tech briefings ➜ https://retailnews.ai ---Enjoyed the episode?Rate ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ it fuels future conversations like this one.

Join Alex as he interviews Kate Ridley, Chief Brand Officer at Stanley 1913, exploring the brand's remarkable evolution from a traditional heritage company to an innovative hydration industry leader. Kate shares powerful insights on maintaining authenticity through strategic partnerships, harnessing cultural trends, and prioritizing sustainability. Essential listening for anyone interested in brand strategy, consumer trends, sustainability, and the secrets behind long-term brand relevance.Brand Transformation & InnovationAuthentic Partnerships: Post Malone & Leo MessiSustainability InitiativesDigital Commerce & TikTok StrategyConsumer Engagement & Global TrendsTimestamps: 00:00 - Welcome & Introduction 02:00 - Stanley's Brand Evolution 06:15 - Iconic Partnerships 10:20 - Heritage & Innovation Balance 14:35 - Sustainability Storytelling 19:10 - Digital Commerce Strategies 23:50 - Personal Insights from Kate Ridley 27:30 - Future Trends & Stanley's GrowthSubscribe, Rate & Review the Podcast!Branding, Hydration Market, Sustainability, Consumer Trends, Post Malone, Leo Messi, Kate Ridley, Stanley 1913, Marketing Strategy, Retail Podcast

Alex & Jill Dvorak unpack key US retail stories: Glossier on TikTok, Adidas' Superstar comeback, NRF Back-to-School data & Prime Day showdown.⏩ Jump straight into it:00:00 Welcome & Intro to Jill Dvorak (NRF)00:47 Glossier's Big TikTok Move03:17 Adidas Superstar Relaunch (Missy Elliott & Samuel L. Jackson)05:15 Cannes Lions: Creators vs Agencies (Walmart Connect & more)07:54 NRF's Back-to-School Insights (Shopping Trends & Spending)11:09 Amazon Prime Day vs Walmart & NordstromWelcome to our first-ever **Five Things Friday USA Edition!** Alex sits down with the brilliant **Jill Dvorak (SVP Content, NRF)** for a lively chat on the hottest US retail and commerce stories of the week:

Why Europe's grocers love ‘Le Drive' and how Mango turned AI into a personal stylist.⏩ Jump to a topic: 00:00 Intro | 01:05 Drive‑Thru Grocery (Leclerc, Carrefour) | 04:03 Auchan × Houra deal | 06:28 Spain's BM premium format | 07:37 Mango AI Stylist | 12:05 ‘Messy Era' culture shift | 15:05 Sign‑offWelcome to the European edition of *Five Things Friday*.

From 15‑minute grocery to Oasis‑fuelled nostalgia, the retail week decoded.⏩ Skip to a segment: 00:00 Intro | 01:33 Need It For Tonight | 02:24 Festival Fashion Pop‑Ups | 06:25 TikTok's ‘Messy Era' | 10:37 15‑Minute Delivery | 14:01 Adidas vs Nike | 17:09 New Balance Flagship | 18:20 Wrap‑upIn this UK edition of *Five Things Friday*, host **Alex** (The Retail Podcast) and co‑host **Simone Oloman** decode culture, commerce and convenience:1. **Free People, Wimbledon & Glastonbury** – Why situational marketing beats seasonal planning. 2. TikTok's shift from *Clean Girl* to *Messy* (via Anne Valois – @curatingambiance). 3. **Amazon × GoPuff** – 15‑minute grocery is the new baseline. 4. **Adidas Superstar** relaunch (Missy Elliott, Samuel L Jackson) vs **Nike** cultural dip; bonus **Oasis** pop‑ups. 5. **New Balance** “Made in England” store tour.RESOURCES • Oasis merch store – https://shop.oasisinet.com/ • TikTok video – https://www.tiktok.com/@curatingambiance/video/7525185174296857878 • Adidas Originals “Superstar” film – https://youtu.be/0i3ryZcv1PU • MediaPost analysis – https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/407211/ • Need It For Tonight – https://needitfortonight.com/ BRANDS MENTIONED Need It For Tonight, Deliveroo, Free People, Glastonbury, Wimbledon, Flannels, Louise (jewellery), Beyoncé, Cowboy Carter, Never Fully Dressed, TikTok, The Row, Amazon, GoPuff, AliExpress, DoorDash, Glovo, Diageo, AB InBev, Adidas, Nike, New Balance, Oasis (band), Sabrina Carpenter, Formula 1.#Retail #eCommerce #RapidDelivery #FestivalFashion #Adidas #Nike #Podcast

wo Australian marketplaces vanish, a $300 million fashion group liquidates, and community‑first retail in Shanghai proves experience still wins. Ryf's skiing, so Alex and Laura trade this week's five.Marketplace closures – Catch and MyDeal shut after big‑box acquisitions; retailer‑run hybrids (The Iconic, Kogan, Woolworths) surge.Mosaic Brands liquidation – 2,800 jobs lost and a looming investigation into private‑equity practices.Deja Vu Shanghai – 12 million users trade 36 million up‑cycled books; “Fish Points” turn every purchase into community currency.Brompton café‑clubhouse – London's folding‑bike icon cracks China by making the store a hang‑out and ride hub.Online Retailer Sydney preview – 4,000‑attendee e‑commerce summit and next week's Shopify CRO interview.Keywords: marketplace shutdown, Catch closure, MyDeal closure, Mosaic Brands liquidation, community retail Shanghai, Brompton China, Online Retailer Sydney, Five Things Friday podcast.00:00 Intro – where's Ryf?00:36 Marketplace closures (Catch & MyDeal)02:59 Mosaic Brands liquidation05:52 Deja Vu bookstore/fashion community08:59 Brompton Shanghai café‑clubhouse11:45 Online Retailer Sydney preview + Shopify CRO tease14:00 Wrap & see you next FridayBrands & topics  Catch • MyDeal • Woolworths • Wesfarmers • The Iconic • Kogan • Mosaic Brands • Deja Vu Shanghai • Brompton • Online Retailer Sydney • Shopify CRO interview • APAC retail trendsSource Media Quoted: https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/mosaic-brands-collapse-totals-318m-staff-owed-22m-likely-to-be-paid/news-story/d928932509ad8eba4f06158df17a9370

How a €1 B digital‑engineering firm uses generative AI and agent tech to reinvent retail supply chains and CX.18 000 engineers, €1 B revenue, 50+ patents—Nagarro's Global CTO Rahul Mahajan explains how generative AI, vector databases and knowledge graphs are reshaping demand planning and personalization at scale.⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 Intro: product‑to‑service mind‑set 00:22 Meet Rahul Mahajan & Nagarro overview 01:17 Missed NRF meetings + digital engineering culture 02:35 Diversified industries & complex problem solving 03:35 Rahul's 50+ patents in retail AI 04:58 CPG use case: multi‑channel demand planning 06:49 SKU‑level AI forecasting & supply chain accuracy 07:32 “Humanizing personalization” patent explained 08:20 Ecosystem shift: partner products & services 09:29 Agent tech & zero‑downtime integration 10:16 From transactions to lifestyle services 12:08 Patenting novel data structures & AI models 13:19 Knowledge graphs + vectorized semantics 14:24 AI governance: tone, privacy, explainability 15:14 LLM interoperability (OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini) 16:32 Why retailers must move before they're disrupted 17:13 Contact Rahul & closing

ASOS launches a next‑gen loyalty ladder, LVMH test‑drives autonomous AI agents, luxury pop‑ups swamp central London, and JD Sports opens a 42 K ft² “department store for trainers.” In the debut Five Things Friday – UK Edition, Alex welcomes Simone Oloman (Co‑Founder & CEO, Need It For Tonight) to decode four trends and preview the quick‑commerce future. This week's five thingsLoyalty 2.0 at ASOS – Tiered access, FOMO perks, and why points are passé.Rise of autonomous AI agents – LVMH pilots task‑bots that act without prompts: merchandising, micro‑campaigns, customer service.Luxury pop‑ups as culture – Miu Miu, Selfridges and countless beauty collabs turn London into a weekly treasure hunt.Athleisure goes supersize – Foot Locker's new Bullring flagship & JD Sports' 42 K ft² Surrey store push “bigger is better.”Quick‑commerce preview – Simone's 90‑minute fashion platform “Need It For Tonight” and why hyper‑convenience will transform UK retail. Keywords: UK retail trends, ASOS loyalty scheme, AI agents in fashion, luxury pop‑ups London, JD Sports mega store, quick commerce UK, Need It For Tonight, Five Things Friday podcast. Follow and rate for a Friday shot of actionable retail intel. 00:00 Intro & host bios02:12 Thing 1 – ASOS Loyalty 2.0 (belonging > points)05:19 Thing 2 – Autonomous AI agents (LVMH pilots)09:38 Thing 3 – Luxury pop‑ups flood London (creator “See You Sunny”)12:59 Thing 4 – Mega athleisure stores (Foot Locker Bullring, JD 42 K ft²)15:30 Thing 5 – The quick‑commerce future of NIFT (90‑minute fashion)18:45 Wrap & what to expect next Friday

Luxury malls in Dubai and Riyadh are booming while China cools; LVMH parks a “cruise‑liner” flagship in downtown Shanghai; Australian retail sales jump—but the growth comes from Shein, Temu and other bargain imports; Reliance Retail strikes a game‑changing partnership with Shein, blending Indian and Chinese fast‑fashion supply; and live‑commerce numbers in Southeast Asia prove the next big shopping format is travelling east‑to‑west.

Dynamic pricing, omnichannel fulfilment & sustainable retail in 2025.AI rewired retail—and Abhijit Niyogi built the circuit. In this 28‑minute masterclass, TCS's Retail VP breaks down: • Why stores behave like software post‑pandemic • How AI pricing drives margin without raising shelf prices • Electronic shelf labels: ROI thresholds & rollout traps • Retail media networks: monetising Gen Z attention • Store‑as‑micro‑DC: omnichannel fulfilment architecture • Personalised in‑store attachments that delight and profit • Europe's head‑start on circular retail—and what comes next Listen and sharpen your 2025 roadmap.

Mobile wallets now power 73 % of APAC e-commerce checkouts, same-day shipping prices hit record lows, and Australia's Country Road Group faces a 93 % profit plunge. In this Five Things Friday episode, Alex (The Retail Podcast) joins Ryf Quail (Managing Director, NRF APAC) and Laura Doonin (Retail & Digital-Tech Advisor) to unpack:Mobile Wallet vs. Credit Card Shift – QR pay, A2A rails, WeChat Pay, Alipay, UPI, DuitNowSame-Day Delivery Economics – Shippit 2025 data, ship-from-store strategy, endless-aisle logisticsPost-Purchase Community – Need It For Tonight, Cutter & Squidge, WhatsApp touch-points, handwritten notesCountry Road Group Reset – Sales -14 %, profit -93 %, new CEO Steven Cook, legacy brand revivalEvent ROI Blueprint – Path-to-conference plan, vendor vetting, tender fast-tracking

Customer-acquisition costs exploded online. Smart brands are responding with bricks, data—and a dash of theatre.⚡️ What we tackle in 20 minutes​Physical retail as the new CAC – DTC brands discover rent can be cheaper than Meta ads when the store becomes a stage.​Aesop's $2.5 billion masterclass – From Melbourne to 400 boutiques, every location is bespoke, scented, and digitally wired for replenishment.​Digital-first, store-second – Love, Bonito show why in-store staff now behave like consultants, not cashiers.​Cross-border marketplaces – Shopee, Amazon AU, Trade Me and Afterpay's “shop day” rewrite payments, language, and trust across ASEAN.​Post-purchase power moves – Hand-written notes, sticker packs, friction-free returns. Retention is the real growth engine—and AI search will only raise the stakes.Retailers & platforms in playAesop • L'Oréal • Love, Bonito • Temple & Webster • Amazon • eBay • Shopee • Afterpay • Trade Me • Kingfisher/B&Q • JD Sports • HP • Perplexity AIHosts​Alex – Founder, The Retail Podcast, decoding global retail shifts.​Ryf Quail – Leads NRF APAC, guiding brands across Asia-Pacific.​Laura Doonin – Tech strategist turning omnichannel ambition into reality.Liked the conversation? Hit follow, drop a five-star review, and share it with a teammate who still thinks “online first” is a plan.00:00 Intro – heatwaves, cold snaps, and one crisp Sydney morning01:05 Topic 1 – Physical stores as customer-acquisition engines03:20 Topic 2 – Aesop: $2.5 B valuation built on scent & signature design06:36 Topic 3 – Digital-heritage brands opening doors (Love, Bonito)10:39 Topic 4 – Region-level marketplaces: Shopee, Amazon AU, Trade Me, Afterpay15:07 Topic 5 – Post-purchase, returns, and the loyalty multiplier

Braze's Global Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, James Herridge-Leng, lays out a blueprint for retailers who refuse to be trapped by channel silos or third-party walled gardens. Expect hard numbers: a 200 % jump in ROAS, email open rates doubling when WhatsApp joins the mix, and loyalty lift when zero-party data fuels real-time journeys.Key TopicsComposable vs monolithic engagement stacksZero- vs first- vs third-party data: what drives lifetime valuePrivacy-by-design and GDPR compliance without paralysisAI orchestration that tunes channel, content, and cadence per userFuture retail ecosystems: planning law shifts, retail-media in-store, and AI-driven associate toolsGuest BioJames Herridge-Leng spent two decades scaling tech giants before steering Braze's global partnerships. He helped brands like Deliveroo, ASOS, and Estée Lauder turn data into moments that matter.Resources & LinksBraze Customer Engagement Platform → braze.com2025 Consumer Engagement Review → braze.com/researchCannes Lions, VivaTech, Shoptalk appearances → braze.com/eventsCalls to ActionSubscribe on Spotify Podcasts & leave a ★★★★★ review — it fuels future deep-dive episodes.Share your biggest customer-engagement hurdle via voice message at retailpodcast.fm/voice — we may solve it on air.Estimated reading time: 4 min.

Retail evolves faster than it's ever moved. This week Alex, Ryf, and Laura unpack five forces reshaping the industry—and the brands proving each point.Asia's five-element advantage – Emotional value, community identity, nighttime escapes, immersive art, smart-health choices. Gentle Monster, LVMH, Hermès, Burberry, and Lefty's show why experience beats merchandise.Australia's IT breakout moment – A fresh fiscal year releases frozen budgets, pushing tech projects back to the top of the agenda. Vendors slow to commit risk falling behind.The delivery revolution – Apple clocks an eight-minute iPhone drop in Mumbai. Quick-commerce rivals from India to the Middle East chase sub-15-minute promises; Deliveroo decides where speed does (and doesn't) matter.Meta's new AI ad levers – Value Optimisation, Incremental Attribution, and Value Rules let marketers dial in a conversion rate and let algorithms hunt for it, squeezing agency middlemen in the process.The hybrid consumer – Shoppers move fluidly between phone, store, and social feed. Retailers run risk—not channels—when they still treat ecommerce, physical, and media as separate fiefdoms.Mentioned brands: Apple • Amazon • Deliveroo • Gentle Monster • Lefty's • Primark • LVMH / Louis Vuitton • Hermès • Burberry • Inditex • Mango • Gap • Westfield.Guest biosAlex – Host of The Retail Podcast, known for distilling global trends into actionable strategy.Ryf Quail – Managing Director, NRF APAC; guides brands across Asia-Pacific on future-proof retail models.Laura Doonin – Tech advisor specialising in digital transformation and omnichannel acceleration.00:00 Intro – Welcome to Five Things Friday02:00 Topic 1 – Asia's five-element edge (Gentle Monster, LVMH, Hermès, Burberry, Lefty's)14:30 Topic 2 – Australia's IT spend rebound23:00 Topic 3 – Delivery revolution: Apple's 8-minute iPhone, Deliveroo & quick commerce33:50 Topic 4 – Meta's AI ad toolkit and what it means for agenciesCall to actionEnjoy the show? Follow, rate, and leave a one-line review. It helps the next retail visionary find us.

Alex Rezvan from The Retail Podcast sits down with JillDvorak, SVP of Content at NRF, and Ryf Quail, Managing Director of NRF APAC.Recorded live from NRF APAC 2025 in Singapore, this conversation explores why the next generation of consumers is not just arriving—they're here and reshaping retail in profound ways. Discover how retailers can navigate the challenge of catering to a generation that shops with individuality, ethics, and personalvalues at the forefront. From record-breaking attendance to groundbreaking trends in partnership, innovation, and global collaboration, hear firsthand insights from two retail thought leaders who are at the heart of transformingthe industry.Key Topics Discussed:Next Generation Shopping Behaviors (Gen Z & Alpha)Ethical and Value-Based RetailRecord-breaking NRF APAC Conference HighlightsFuture of Retail: Buy vs. BuildTrends in Retail Innovation and Partnership StrategiesInsights from NRF's global expansions (U.S., APAC,Europe)Featured Guests:Jill Dvorak, MBA – SVP Content at NRF, RetailEnthusiastRyf Quail – Managing Director, NRF APACHost:Alex Rezvan – Founder and Host, The Retail Podcast 

Recorded live at NRF APAC 2025, this short soundbite features Panchalee Weeratammawat, Chief People Officer of Central Retail. With nearly 80,000 employees across Thailand, Vietnam, and Italy, Panchalee shares what's top of mind for retail leaders in Asia today.Key Highlights:Why employee happiness drives customer loyaltyRetail's evolving role: from reactive to behavior-shapingWhat stood out on Day 1 of NRF APAC 2025A quick yet powerful insight into the human side of global retail transformation.She unpacks why great retail begins with engaged employees, and how listening—both to teams and customers—is the secret to building long-term trust and sustainable growth.Panchalee WeeratammawatChief People Officer, Central Retail

Welcome to a special APAC edition of Five Things Friday from The Retail Podcast.This week, host Alex is on the cusp of two retail mega-events: Shoptalk Europe and NRF APAC in Singapore. With Laura under the weather, we're joined by special guest Reef Quail, Managing Director at NRF APAC, for a candid, front-line take on the pulse of Asian retail.In this episode:How Asia-Pacific is rewriting retail's playbook—diversity, partnerships, and global scaleWhy the retailer-to-vendor ratio makes or breaks a great eventWhat Western brands get wrong (and right) when expanding in AsiaThe rise of homegrown brands like Anko, and the secret to successful cross-border expansionBig tech, AI, and the looming disruption in retail jobsAlex shares milestone listener numbers, thanks the global retail community, and raises the alarm for leaders who think digital disruption is “someone else's problem.” This is your behind-the-scenes pass to the real stories, challenges, and opportunities in global retail right now.Don't forget to rate, follow, and share the show!Connect:The Retail Podcast on LinkedInThe Retail Podcast websiteContact:Email Alex at [your email here]—he reads every message.Timestamps:0:00 – Welcome & Retail Event Preview1:30 – Milestones & Listener Shoutouts3:45 – AI in Retail: Opportunity or Threat?8:15 – Reef Quail on the Ground in Singapore10:00 – The Secret to a Great Retail Event: Ratios13:30 – The Diversity Challenge in APAC16:00 – Anko: An Aussie Brand Goes Global18:30 – Lessons from Japan: Long-Term Partnership Success20:00 – Closing Thoughts & Next Week's Preview

The pace of retail transformation hasnever been faster—and Microsoft is at the heart of it. In this exclusive interview, Alex fromThe Retail Podcast sits down with Keith Mercier, Vice President ofWorldwide Retail & Consumer Goods at Microsoft. They explore:·How generative AI and copilots are reshaping the frontlineexperience·The myth of data readiness—and how to get unstuck frompilot purgatory·Why conversational commerce is the next battleground·The power of real-time decision-making from petabytes ofstore data·Where Microsoft is showing up in retail around the globe This is one of the most practical andvisionary conversations you'll hear about the future of retail. Whether you'rea CIO, CMO, or store operator—this is essential listening. 

In this special “Five Things Friday: APAC Edition,” Alex from The Retail Podcast and Laura from Neat sit down with Ryf Quail, Managing Director of NRF APAC, to unpack the biggest trends shaping retail in Asia-Pacific ahead of NRF APAC in Singapore.

In this powerhouse episode of The Retail Podcast, Alex sits down with Ben Miller, VP of Content at Shoptalk, to unpack what's really shaping the future of global retail.From rising pressure on operational efficiency to the explosive growth of retail media and AI-powered discovery, this conversation goes deep into:How leaders are navigating uncertaintyWhy in-store tech investment is skyrocketingThe mindset shift retailers need to thriveKey regional differences between the US and EuropeWhat's next for grocery, CPG, and digital influenceAs Shoptalk expands globally—with shows in the US, Europe, and now Abu Dhabi—Ben shares what he's hearing from hundreds of retail leaders and why cultural adaptability and digital-first thinking are now non-negotiables.

In this episode of Five Things Friday, Alex and Laura break down the strategies, trends, and tensions shaping the retail landscape.Fresh from the World Retail Congress in London, Alex shares how Morrisons is rebuilding trust with a simple but powerful 5-5-5 framework. Laura brings sharp insights from Australia, highlighting Shein's explosive $12B sales surge and what it means for domestic retailers.They also explore:The overlooked role of inclusive leadership and how gender conversations need a resetWhy marketplaces like Amazon are reshaping luxury commerceHow brands can stay relevant in an era of shifting customer loyaltyThe impact of tariff changes and cost-of-living pressure on global expansion strategiesWhether you're a CEO, operator, strategist, or startup founder — this episode delivers the frontline signals you need to make better decisions.

Welcome to Five Things Friday—your new weekly dose of insights, hosted by Laura & Alex from The Retail Podcast!In this debut episode, we explore:-

Join Alex on The Retail Podcast as he speaks with Andrew Doyle, VP of Frontline Workers at Jabra, about how cutting-edge audio technology and AI are revolutionizing frontline communication in retail. Discover how Jabra enhances productivity, customer engagement, and employee satisfaction by enabling crystal-clear audio interactions and seamless integration with AI-driven applications. Andrew explores why voice-driven interfaces and noise-canceling headset technology are critical to maximizing efficiency and accuracy in noisy retail environments.Key discussion points include:The strategic importance of superior audio solutions in frontline retail.Why AI-powered voice interfaces are the future of frontline operations.How noise-canceling technology significantly improves productivity and accuracy.Insights into Jabra's innovative retail solutions, including the new Jabra Perform 75 headset.Guest: Andrew Doyle, Vice President of Frontline Workers, JabraHost: Alex, The Retail PodcastLearn More: www.jabra.com/perform00:00 Introduction01:03 About Jabra and GN Group's legacy02:39 Why frontline workers are critical to Jabra04:09 Digital transformation in retail frontline05:28 Voice as the future interface for AI07:05 Benefits of using headsets: hands-free & clear audio08:22 Importance of accurate audio transcription09:28 Noise-canceling microphone technology11:46 Real-world retail use-case examples12:37 Introducing the Jabra Perform 75 headset14:15 Battery life and design features for frontline15:35 Audio intelligibility and 99% noise-cancellation16:33 How to learn more and connect with JabraTimestamped Chapters (YouTube)Retail, Technology, Business, Management, Artificial Intelligence, Productivity, Frontline Workers, Communication, Leadership, Jabra, Andrew Doyle#RetailPodcast #Jabra #FrontlineWorkers #RetailTech #AIinRetail #VoiceTechnology #EmployeeEngagement #Productivity #Innovation