The Retail Exchange podcast

In Focus | Online Luxury Retail CX. On the latest episode of our In Focus series, recorded live at Fortnum & Mason's flagship store in London and presented by Narvar – we sit down in conversation with Briony Yeates, Senior CX Manager at Seasalt Cornwall, Matthew Henton, Head of E-commerce at Moss, Kelly Corr, Enterprise Customer Success Manager at Narvar, and retail expert, Sarah Curran to explore the strategies and best practices to optimise the post-purchase experience, maximise customer lifetime value, and keep customers coming back.These industry leaders will share real-world examples and actionable advice on how to get the most value out of every customer relationship.Presented by Narvar

In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined in conversation by Jean-Marc Bellaiche, CEO at Parisian-based luxury department store, Printemps..A trip to Paris is never complete without a stop by luxury department store, Printemps. Its first-ever store opened on Boulevard Haussmann back in 1865, where it still stands. Today, the iconic parisian department store remains a force of innovation. On this episode of The Interview Series, we talk to the company's chief executive officer, Jean-Marc Bellaiche. Together, they explore how Printemp's innovation agenda has been accelerated in the last couple of years, with a new store in Doha, new services, and new customer experiences. We also discuss its evolving approach to omnichannel and Jean-Marc's views on successfully navigating culture and change management. Recorded at Shoptalk Europe.

In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined in conversation by Peter Pernot-Day, Head of Global Strategy & Corporate Affairs at Chinese fast-fashion brand, Shein.One of the world's fastest growing apparel retailers, Peter shares an insight into the brand's unique on-demand business model and its explosive growth, with rumours continuing to swirl about a potential flotation on the London Stock Exchange.Recorded at Shoptalk Europe.

In Focus | Digital in Retail. On the latest episode of our In Focus series, presented by Trust, we sit down in conversation with John Lewis Partnership head of personalisation and retail media, Tom Langley, Fortnum & Mason head of digital transformation, Sophie Cunningham, and Trust commercial director, Mike Dowson. Together, we discuss the strategies and essential techniques for maximising the impact of Digital Signage to boost engagement; and unlock greater return from investment.Recorded in-front of a live audience at Samsung KX in LondonPresented by Trust

The Interview | Host Karl McKeever sits down in conversation with Chris Lipari, Director of Product Innovation at HAVI.If there is one business where time is money, in the literal sense, it is Quick Service Restaurants. Or as it's more commonly known, the QSR industry.The industry's lifeblood is customer demand - something that's inherently unpredictable. Balancing supply with fluctuating demand has been an age-old challenging, leading to supply imbalances, overstocked inventory and waste. We explore the big challenges facing the industry, from shifting consumer preferences to the constant demand for innovation and efficiency, and how HAVI are helping leading names in QSR to navigate the complexities of supply and demand in this fast-paced industry. Presented by Kinaxis.

In Focus | Lightspeed Commerce. Channel connectivity is nothing new. Advanced automation is now everywhere. Combine the two, and sales channels will never look the same again. But what does total visibility and control over your inventory online orders and fulfilment look like. And just how do retailers (big and small) go about effectively streamlining and controlling their entire ecommerce ecosystem. Joining host Karl McKeever to discuss this, on our latest episode of In Focus, is Rick Kelley, CRO of multichannel software and order management software integration specialists, Linnworks, and Ed Bradley, CEO of VirtualStock - Europe's largest Dropshipping and curated marketplace SAAS platform.Together, we explore why failure to embrace automation leaves retailers and partners vulnerable; how smaller multichannel retailers can better connect their business to multiple marketplaces; and the emerging solutions that will help to deliver a better experience for everyone - from supply chain to shoppers.Presented by Linnworks.

In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined in conversation by Dawn Fichot, Head of Marketing North America for iconic British foldable bike manufacturer, Brompton Bicycles. From its humble beginnings in a South Kensington railway arch in 1975, Brompton has grown into an internationally renowned brand - famed for its ingenious design and impeccable craftsmanship.Despite the unfolding uncertainty faced by other sectors in retail over the past couple of years, Brompton has experienced an unprecedented surged in demand. Looking ahead, Brompton has big plans for the future with strategic growth in the US market a top priority.In this episode, we explore how this most British of companies is adapting its message to move in line with needs of the North American audience; the ways Brompton is leveraging digital solutions to track new consumers; urban change in the US; and why innovation and loyalty will always be Brompton's obsession.Recorded at NRF 2024: Retail's Big Show

In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever sits down with Ian Bailey, Managing Director of Kmart Group Australia.With over 450 stores, Kmart Australia is the country's number one performing general merchandise and apparel retailer, and one of the most trusted and loved brands in Australia and New Zealand.We explore how Kmart Australia doubled down on clarity of purpose and innovation to develop a strategic blueprint and operational architecture to transform its business model, moving it from a traditional discount chain to an innovative, modern, hybrid retailer.

In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever travels to Barcelona to sit down with Isabelle Aberman, Global Retail Director for iconic global footwear brand, Camper. In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever travels to Barcelona to sit down with Isabelle Aberman, Global Retail Director of iconic footwear brand, Camper. Founded on the small Spanish island of Mallorca in 1975, Camper is a family business with a rich shoemaking heritage that it uses to create unique designs that continue to enjoy global appeal.Responsible for leading the global retail strategy across more than 350 stores in over 20 countries, Isabelle started her career with Camper 22 years ago in the UK, as a Retail Area Manager - soon becoming a Retail Regional Manager, before heading up Retail Marketing and Retail Expansion and eventually moving into her current role.Passionate about retail in all its forms, she joins me to discuss Camper's unique approach to retail design, share the inside story of CamperLab and ReCamper, and to look ahead to what the future of retail holds for us all.

In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever travels to Barcelona to sit down with Eduardo Recio, Creative Director eCommerce & Retail, for leading Spanish multi-sport retail brand, Sprinter.First showcased in its new Madrid store - its largest store to date - Sprinter's new store concept, created by UK-based creative and innovation studio Dalziel & Pow,, is redefining the retailer's core retail proposition. The 4000 sqm space allows Sprinter to introduce a range of immersive and interactive experiences to educate and inspire customers—positioning the business as the sports authority and raising the bar significantly. In another first, the concept also introduces its established online cycling offer, Deporvillage, for the first time in physical retail. In this episode, we examine the story behind the retailer's game-changing retail concept, the key challenges that retailers in the sports sector face to deliver a winning customer experience, and look back on Eduardo's own career retail—which first began here in the UK.

In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined by Andy Lawrence, VP of International of US-based athletic clothing brand, Vuori. Inspired by California's active, coastal lifestyle, Vuori was founded in 2015. In September last year it launched into China, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Middle East, and Mexico, and opened its first UK store in London's Covent Garden. In this episode, we explore the story behind the SoCal brand, the key challenges that the athleisure sector (and many other DTC brands) face to ‘win' with consumers, and the company's secrets to serving up a successful international growth strategy.

Event Review: World Retail Congress 2023 - In this episode, we bring you more highlights from World Retail Congress 2023.As the retail industry's best and brightest gathered in Barcelona for the three-day event, we took to the stage to capture two live recordings. Host Karl McKeever is joined by Deloitte chief global economist, Ira Kalish, and Matahari Department Store CFO, Niraj Jain. Together, we discuss the economic headwinds that the industry is facing in 2023, and how retailers can create the financial foundation to deliver resilience and growth in the months ahead.Plus we are joined in conversation by Havaianas President EMEA, Guillaume Prou, to explore his company's extraordinary brand journey and why investing in product innovation remains vital in the face of growing additional ‘distractions' to the day job of retailing.

The Interview: The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. - In this episode, host Karl McKeever is joined by Ophelia Ceradini Vice President of Digital Technology and Innovation at The Estée Lauder Companies.Artificial intelligence and augmented reality are transforming the beauty shopping experience through seamless and omnichannel experiences. In our latest of episode of The Interview Series, recorded live in the heart of New York City during NRF 2023, Ophelia explains how, using technology to offer interactive, immersive, and sustainable solutions, brands in the beauty space are creating a solid foundation to solving consumer pain points and firming up loyalty and sales. In her role, Ophelia oversees Digital Innovation for the company's portfolio of over 25 prestige beauty brands, where she leads consumer experience-driven innovation for all digital platforms. Ophelia was responsible for launching The Estée Lauder Companies' first mobile platform, which established the cornerstone of the company's mobile-first strategy.Over the last 15 years, she has held various strategic digital and creative roles across The Estée Lauder Companies. Previously, she was the Executive Director of Production for the company's Online division, leading the expansion of the company's e-commerce footprint, contributing to the company's position today as the number one e-commerce player in prestige beauty both globally and in the U.S. Presented by Peak Technologies

Event Review - Shoptalk Europe 2023 - Ep03: in the final of our daily podcast episodes from Shoptalk Europe 2023 in Barcelona, host Karl McKeever picks his way through some of the highlights from Day Three at the event. We hear from some of the sharpest minds in retail, at some of Europe's leading retailers and brands, as they discuss, debate and present the solutions that are redefining thinking… in an ever-shifting landscape. Coming up on this Day Two Event Review episode, we hear from the likes of adidas, Camper, SHEIN, Rituals, and more.

Event Review - Shoptalk Europe 2023 - Ep02: in the second of our daily podcast episodes from Shoptalk Europe 2023 in Barcelona, we pick our way through some of the highlights from Day Two at the event. Host Karl McKeever brings you highlights of what was on show (and discussed) during what was another busy day at Shoptalk Europe 2023.We hear from some of the sharpest minds in retail, at some of Europe's leading retailers and brands, as they discuss, debate and present the solutions that are redefining thinking… in an ever-shifting landscape. Coming up on this Day Two Event Review episode, we hear from the likes of Groupe Printemps, Mars Wrigley, BP, Kingfisher, Sprinter, Coca-Cola… and more.

Event Review - Shoptalk Europe 2023 - Ep01: In this latest episode of The Retail Exchange podcast, host Karl McKeever brings you highlights from the first day of Shoptalk Europe 2023 in Barcelona. The event promises to unite Europe's entire retail ecosystem. And the first day did not disappoint as retail leaders and some of the industry's leading innovators came together to discuss and debate the trends that are shaping the industry… and present solutions that are providing a glimpse into what the future of retail might look like. Coming up on this, our first of three daily Event Review episodes from the event, we hear from the likes of Danone, H&M, Holland & Barrett, John Lewis Partnership, eBay, Pull & Bear… and more.

Event Review: World Retail Congress 2023 - In this episode of The Retail Exchange podcast, host Karl McKeever brings you highlights from World Retail Congress 2023 in Barcelona, as we pick our way through some of the topics, insights and conversations that are inspiring and challenging the retail ecosystem, and that interested us the most.

The Interview: Hollister Co. - The Interview: Hollister Co. In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined by Jacee Scoular, Snr Director Brand Marketing Strategy. at Hollister Co., Gilly Hicks and Social Tourist. Recorded live in the heart of New York City during NRF 2023, Jacee joins us to discuss why authenticity must lie at the heart of the building successful brand collaborations with content creators, the growing trend for purpose-driven retail, and how brands can stay in tune with their customers by acting in a way that is not only good for shareholders, but also good for the planet and for local communities. Presented by Peak Technologies

The Interview: IKEA - In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined by Seana Strawn, Head of Home Furnishing and Retail Design at IKEA US. For over 20 years she has personally been designing or leading teams who design home furnishing product and retail spaces for some of the biggest names in the industry. Most recently with IKEA US, Seana Strawn leads, among other things, the omnichannel sustainability customer communication and sustainability retail visual experience as IKEA develops toward their goal of being a fully circular company by 2030.In this episode, recorded live in the heart of New York City during NRF 2023, Seana joins us to discuss the need for retailers to place sustainability at the heart of strategic thinking, its growing influence on retail design and how, if done right at store level, the trend for resale can increase foot traffic with unique offerings, and boost customer loyalty.Presented by Peak Technologies

Event Review: Retail Week Live 2023 - In this episode of The Retail Exchange podcast, host Karl McKeever brings you highlights from Retail Week Live 2023 in London, as we pick our way through some of the topics, insights and conversations that are inspiring and challenging the retail ecosystem, and that interested us the most.

The Interview: FitFlop. In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined by Sal Usmai, CTO of ergonomic and wellness footwear brand, FitFlop. Leading the company's transition to an omnichannel organisation, Sal is a seasoned technology leader with 20+ years of experience managing multichannel business applications in a strategic environment, Sal joined FitFlop in 2022 as chief technology officer to ensure that innovation, data, technology and a customer-first approach are central to the retailer's overall growth plans. Before joining FitFlop he led technology teams at Belstaff, LVMH and the Conran Group. In our latest of episode of The Interview Series, recorded live in the heart of New York City during NRF 2023, Sal joins host Karl McKeever to discuss the changing face of digital transformation, and explore Fitflop's journey to becoming an AI-driven retailer.Presented by Peak AI

The Interview: Neighborhood Goods: In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined by by Matt Alexander, Co-Founder and CEO of Neighborhood Goods, as well as the brand's President, Ashley Shelton Conger.Named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, Neighborhood Goods is a new take on the department store, featuring an ever-changing landscape of the world's most thoughtful, progressive, and exciting brands.Central to its business philosophy is providing a place for community, to foster a new culture around shopping and the type of experience you can expect from it.It opened its first outpost in Plano in 2018 and now has locations in New York and Austin, with two more stores planned for 2023.We sit down together to discuss the brand's story, the future of department stores, and the shift towards community-focused retailing.Presented by Peak Technologies

The Interview: Organic Garden: In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined by Martin Wild, founder and CEO of Germany-based food-tech start-up, Organic Garden. As Martin prepares to take to the stage at Shoptalk Europe 2023 in Barcelona, we sit down together to discuss the brand's journey, how the retail food industry can pursue a future that is good for people, the environment, and for business, and the story behind a unexpected appearance in Playboy magazine. Presented by Shoptalk Europe 2023

The Interview: Dickies: In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined by Calvin Anderson, Global VP of Digital Strategy for VF Corporation brands Dickies, Altra and Smartwool.Founded a century ago, the Dickies brand originated as a denim bib overall company, selling workwear to farm and ranch hands around the Southwest. Acquired by VF Corporation in 2017, today it is a global brand found in more than 100 countries —with a style that resonates as much with pop culture icons as it does with auto mechanics. Calvin currently serves as Global VP of Digital Strategy for Dickies, as well as two other brands within the VF Corporation stable of brands – Altra and Smartwool – overseeing digital technology, customer lifecycle, data analytics, engineering, and science. Prior to his role at VF Corp, Anderson served in several executive positions within the hotel industry including Head of Commercial at OYO NORA, the world's fastest growing economy hotel chain.Recorded live in the heart of New York City during NRF 2023, together we explore changing face of digital transformation, and what retailers can learn from Calvin's experience in the hospitality industry.Presented by Peak Technologies.

In Focus: Retail Automation.Are robots taking over the retail industry? E-commerce had a transformative effect on retail operations but now the booming demand for warehouses to speed-up last-mile deliveries is set to bring another round of dramatic change in retail.Robots are well established in industrial settings but advances in AI and robotic SaaS platforms are increasingly working alongside humans in the retail industry, and having a dramatic effect on warehouse operations and how retailers and brands make their businesses more efficient and productive. In the latest episode of our ‘In Focus' series, we examine why forward-looking leaders are investing in intelligent automation; and the challenges and opportunities presented by robotics. Host Karl McKeever sits down with guests John Toler, CEO of US retailer Plow & Hearth and Samay Kohli, CEO of automated warehouse company, GreyOrange. Presented by GreyOrange.

In Focus: Host Karl McKeever sits down with Citizen Watch VP Customer Insights & Data Management, Rob Harvath, and Amperity Chief Customer Officer, Dan Milgrom to discuss how customer data platforms can connect the dots for improved customer engagement; why establishing a singular source-of-truth for customer data matters; the importance of adopting a “question everything” approach; and how to create a data-driven culture, to keep things ticking.Presented by Amperity.

The Interview: Fabletics: In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined by Ron Harries, SVP Head of Retail at Fabletics.2023 marks the 10th anniversary for the digitally-native brand, co-founded by actress and entrepreneur Kate Hudson. In that time, Fabletics has been busy pulling in a loyal online consumer following.For the last six years, Ron Harries has been the person responsible for leading the development of its retail proposition – unpicking the ever-more complex interplay of data and retailing. His tenure has seen the go-faster brand significantly increase its visibility across the US, with a raft of strategic store openings. He reveals the importance of data-driven retail growth; why digitally-native and established retailers aren't cut from the same cloth; how the lines between online and in-store are becoming increasingly blurred; why he'll never step away from the challenge of delivering ‘better retail'; and the brand's plans for the future.Presented by Appriss Retail.

Host Karl McKeever reports from NRF 2023, Retail's Big Show, in New York City. We bring your highlights from the Javits Convention Center, where retail leaders and some of the industry's most pioneering vendors, discuss, debate, and present the key topics that provide a glimpse into what the future of retail might look like. In this episode, we picked our way through some of the highlights from the final day at the Show.

Host Karl McKeever reports from NRF 2023, Retail's Big Show, in New York City. We bring your highlights from the Javits Convention Center, where retail leaders and some of the industry's most pioneering vendors, discuss, debate, and present the key topics that provide a glimpse into what the future of retail might look like. In this episode, we picked our way through some of the highlights from Day Two at the Show.

Host Karl McKeever reports from NRF 2023, Retail's Big Show, in New York City. At the start of a franticly busy three days in the Big Apple, we bring your highlights from the Javits Convention Center, where retail leaders and some of the industry's most pioneering vendors, discuss, debate, and present the key topics that provide a glimpse into what the future of retail might look like. In this episode, we picked our way through some of the highlights from Day One at the Show.

The Interview: Warner's Gin: In this episode of The Interview Series, host Mark Faithfull is joined by Tom Warner, co-founder & CEO of Warner's Gin.Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2022, Warner's Gin has had much to do the gin-naissance boom over the last decade. In this episode, Warner walks us through the story of how he and his then business partner decided to launch the brand; the influence of Warner's Gin in revolutionising the category boom through its rhubarb flavoured gin (at the time, a ‘first'); the importance of balancing the need to do good with doing business; and his own personal tales of the trials and tribulations of entrepreneurial life. Recorded at Retail Week Live 2022Presented by Attentive®. Driving retail sales with text message marketing.

The Special: In this episode of The Special, host Karl McKeever is joined in our Manhattan studio by Laura Lewi, associate and senior designer at global architecture and design practice CRTKL, calls into our studio for a discussion about the importance of reimagining physical retail for our new reality. We speak to Neil Saunders, retail analyst and managing director of GlobalData Retail in Arizona about the current state of US retail, consumer confidence, and outlook for Q4. Plus: we're joined by Aimee Grandfield, head of insights at retail display specialist arken P-O-P International to talk beauty retail, following her own recent visit in New York. Seeing images from afar of an empty Times Square, a dark Madison Square Garden, or shuttered Fifth Avenue storefronts during the pandemic was as eerie as it is disheartening. People have filled the streets (and stores) once more, but this doesn't mean that retail is out of the woods just yet. So, what must retail do to give people reasons to shop in stores, and how will new thinking in store design pave the way for how we consider customer experience in the future?Presented by Attentive®. Driving retail sales with text message marketing.

The Interview: In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined by John Gregory, Head of Industry – Retail Vertical at Spotify. From bombs to beer to Bloomingdale's. Gregory has enjoyed a varied and storied career that has seen him involved in everything from the F-15 fighter program to the role of VP Marketing at the US luxury department store chain.Responsible for developing solutions for retail clients, Gregory collaborates closely with Spotify's internal teams to drive the development of leading-edge solutions for retail clients, while also advising on how best to address the needs of all sub-categories within the industry.We explore the secrets to delivering a successful digital customer experience; how technology and data can be used to truly understand the individual and can appeal to consumer senses and emotions; and what retailers can do to inspire consumers through the joy of discovery. Recorded at Retail Week Live 2022Presented by Attentive®. Driving retail sales with text message marketing.

The Interview: C&A Europe In this episode, host Karl McKeever sits down with Aleix Gonzalez Director Global Sustainability at C&A Europe Director - one of the leading fashion retail businesses in Europe with 1,575 stores in 21 countries, as well as a presence in Brazil, Mexico, and China. In his role, Gonzalez is responsible for overseeing the implementation of C&A's global sustainability strategy. He explains what sustainability means to him; his experience of building momentum behind sustainability initiatives within multiple global retail businesses; his thoughts on the burning issues affecting fashion retailers' ability to drive change; and the secrets to success for other retailers who are embarking on the journey to cut waste, improve circularity, and achieve Net Zero goals.Recorded at World Retail Congress 2022.Presented by Attentive®. Driving retail sales with text message marketing.

The Interview: Majid Al Futtaim – Retail: In this episode, host Karl McKeever is joined in conversation by Hani Weiss, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim – Retail, the exclusive partner of choice for international hypermarket and supermarket brand, Carrefour.The last few years have brought profound, powerful change to retail. The critical factor holding everything together is Leadership. Hani's own career began at Majid Al Futtaim - Retail in 2001, as a Section Manager at Carrefour in City Centre Deira, the firm's first hypermarket in the region. Today, as its CEO, Hani leads a business of 37,000 colleagues, operating over 450 Carrefour stores across 16 countries in the region, and serving more than 750,000 customers a day. We sat down with him to explore the story behind the Majid Al Futtaim Retail business; the challenges of operating a successful grocery retail franchise business in the Middle East, and to hear his thoughts on what great leadership looks like today and, more importantly, for the future.

The Interview: UGG: In this episode, host Karl McKeever is joined by this latest episode, recorded at Shoptalk Europe 2022, is the Vice President of Global Marketing for global lifestyle brand UGG, Carole Diarra.UGG boots are back. But in truth, they never really went away. The brand has enjoyed several ‘fashion moments' since it first rose to popularity back in the 1970s, and once again became one of the hottest (and the warmest) footwear trends of 2022.Today, UGG is a two-billion-dollar company with numerous sales outlets worldwide. Building a modern brand means constantly evolving. For UGG that's meant both a constant and progressive focus on cultivating a community, inclusivity, and brand delivery with authenticity – central tenets of UGG's continuing success story. Diarra reflects on how a brand can stay relevant in today's uncertain times, and the enduring principles that make great brands stand out. She also shares the story of her own personal career journey that saw her spend 15 years in New York honing her skills at L'Oreal, before eventually settling in her current role (and into a new life) in Paris.

The Interview: Frugi: In this episode, host Mark Faithfull is joined by Sarah Clark, CEO of UK organic clothing brand, Frugi. We to explore how sustainable fashion has changed; the brand's plan for growth; what a sustained approach to business growth looks like; how to better influence and empower customers to live more sustainably; and how can it replace the pursuit of profit, and to reflect on her first year in post.Recorded at Retail Week Live 2022.

In this special episode, we look at one of the biggest supply chain challenges to affect both retail and global food supplies, in decades. Russia's effective blockade of Ukraine's Black Sea ports has forced it to seek alternative methods of exporting nearly 25 million tonnes of grains. With supply chain delays continuing to see global food prices soar, the pressure is on to find a solution. As a result, the European Commission recently launched the action plan ‘EU Ukraine Solidarity Lanes', which is aimed at facilitating the Ukraine's agricultural export and bilateral trade with the EU. A key part of this plan is to scale up rail freight and any other convenient transportation to unlock bottlenecks. But that is not without its challenges. It's led to concerted calls on for those within the logistics community to take part, contribute transportation equipment, and help open up freight corridors. To discuss how the ‘EU Ukraine Solidarity Lanes' plan aims to get Ukrainian agricultural produce back in motion, and the challenges that lie ahead, we're joined by guests Serge Schamschula, senior partner manager and Georgia Leybourne, CMO, at Transporeon – a key supporter of the EU Solidarity Lanes initiatives.

In this episode, host Karl McKeever is joined by LIFVS co-founder and COO Daniel Lundh to explore the story behind Europe's largest unstaffed grocery chain; why it classes itself as a technology start-up first and retailer second; and how its business model could teach others a thing or two about how to enjoy retail success in low traffic areas and rural communities. Recorded at Shoptalk Europe 2022.

In this episode, we explore the importance of taking time to foster loyal and lasting customer relationships. Host Karl McKeever sits down with Gousto Chief Marketing Officer Tom Wallis and Inkpact Founder & CEO Charlotte Pearce to discuss the challenges, twists, and lessons for success to connect, engage, and retain valued customers.

In this episode, host Karl McKeever is joined by Boots UK CIO Rich Corbridge and Director of IT – Customer and Category, Jennifer Duffy.A staple UK health and beauty retailer, Boots has been hugely successful in its transition to e-commerce, particularly during the pandemic. As a brand with strong roots in brick and mortar, the retailer continues to tackle the challenges of merging both experiences for their customers. We explore the digital initiatives that the retailer has recently spun up to continue offering services to customers; the importance of speed of adaptation; how its omnichannel approach is helping to build a digital ecommerce experience for the future; and why this initiative is so fundamental to their tech talent acquisition, retention, and development strategy. Recorded at Retail Week Live 2022

Host Karl McKeever looks back at what was on show at Shoptalk Europe 2022 in London. We hear from the heads of some of Europe's leading retailers and vendors on how to harness an ever-shifting retail landscape.

In this episode, host Karl McKeever is joined by Coresight Research founder and CEO, Deborah Weinswig to explore the disruptive trends and priorities that are shaping the new retail landscape, and to hopefully provide some answers to the question about the next digital “reality”: the metaverse.

In this episode of The Retail Exchange podcast, Karl McKeever and Mark Faithfull bring you highlights from the annual Retail Week Live festival, as we pick our way through some of the topics, insights and conversations that are inspiring and challenging the retail ecosystem, and that interested us the most. In partnership with Inkpact.

In this episode, host Karl McKeever is joined by Dr Carsten Keller, VP Direct to Consumer of fashion e-tailing giant, Zalando. Founded in 2008, the online fashion retailer operates in 23 European markets and has more than 48 million active users.Despite being Europe's largest online fashion retailer, Zalando's success has come from taking a local approach, and the retail giant continues to prioritise investment into its customer experience.But with more and more brands continuing to gear their processes to direct-to-consumer models, the platform has also seen a boom in brands collaborations.Carsten explains how Zalando is supporting brand's DTC ambitions, what the future will look like for ‘platforms', what he believes will drive the next phase of hyper growth in retail, and why ‘progress, not perfection' is more crucial than ever.

in this special episode of The Interview Series, as we look ahead to Retail Week 2022 later this month, host Karl McKeever sits down with in conversation with Unilever Chief Customer Officer Wellbeing, Beauty and Digital Commerce, Claire Hennah. When it comes to how consumers goods companies go to market, digital is changing everything. Claire joins us to explore the importance of adapting portfolios, so they are fit for ecommerce; the secrets to gaining share of category sales on the digital shelf; and to discuss her role on the Retail Week Live 2022 Advisory Board. We also talk to Retail Week Live Programme Director Hannah Tovey to find out what this year's event has in-store for those thinking of attending, and the big themes that will be discussed by those taking to the stage at Retail Week Live 2022.

In this episode, host Mark Faithfull returns to the important issue of wellbeing, as we mark Mental Health Awareness Week and the Retail Trust's Together Fest 2022, which takes place in London today. Recorded at Spring Fair 2022, Retail Trust wellbeing consultant Andrea Woodside joins us to examine whether retail is a happy place, why kindness and empathy is not rocket science (but can be rocket fuel), and why it's important to give retail leaders permission to focus their energy and efforts on signposting support to make a meaningful difference to employees.

In this episode, we explore how the beauty industry can capitalise on the booming consumer demand to feel good again, by bringing joy and discovery to the retail experience. After two years spent behind masks, it's clear that the pandemic has changed what beauty means to shoppers and, as a result, their purchasing behaviour. Host Karl McKeever is joined by Benefit Cosmetics UK & Ireland marketing director Lou Bennett, Cosmetic Executive Women editor Sallie Berkerey and arken P-O-P International head of insights Aimee Grandfield, to discuss how the industry, the retail experience, and in-person elements of beauty retail will be forced to evolve. And why success will require much more than just lip service, if brands are to benefit from shoppers' new-found desire to engage with brands (and retail spaces) that celebrate bring a sense of joy and discovery to shopping beauty.

In this episode, host Karl McKeever is joined by Kate Walsh, SVP Omnichannel Retail for Pandora.As it celebrates 40 years in business, Pandora remains loved by consumers and employees around the world, in equal measure. Delve deeper into the fabric of the Danish jewellery brand and it is possible to understand why this retail gem continues to be so successful. Like the brand's national birthplace, Pandora is also constructed on a human scale. Something that has put it in good stead to face the global challenge from the recent pandemic, and to face the changes ahead. The brand continues to make its own way in a highly competitive world; something that its SVP Omnichannel Retail Kate Walsh also knows how to do all too well. Having started in retail management at an early age, she went on to appear on the UK series of The Apprentice, before eventually embarking on a near-decade-long career with Pandora. She reveals the charm of working for this iconic jewellery brand, how it is repurposing and revitalising its offer for the future, the lessons she's learned about how to do business better, and her views on whether The Apprentice is as good as it used to be.

In this latest episode of The Retail Exchange podcast, Karl McKeever and Mark Faithfull host a special edition, reporting from World Retail Congress 2022 in Rome. In case the World Retail Congress is not on your radar, there are few more significant gatherings of the industry.The flagship retail event returned after an enforced two-year break, due to the pandemic – a time of unprecedented turbulence that have delivered a profound, powerful change in retail. At this year's event, retail leaders, advisors and influencers from every continent presented and debated the key factors that will impact the new future for retail. We sit down with some of those innovators, originators and creators speaking and attending this three-day retail event to explore what retailers must do to meet the upcoming challenges, and stay ahead.

In this episode, host Mark Faithfull talks wellbeing, a subject that has come increasingly to the forefront of society and retail is consciousness following events of the last two years.Employee's personal health and well being issues do not stop at the store office entrance. So what can retailers do to be well placed to deliver on the need for greater employee wellbeing? We sit down with Claire Kershaw, Wellbeing Officer for retailer Next, and Terry Streather, Managing Director of Oakwood Training to examine the factors that contribute to our wellbeing in the workplace. We discuss the importance of achieving buy-in at a senior level to cement wellbeing's place on the corporate agenda, why the narrative needs to switch from reactive to one that's proactive, how to empower managers to spot the warning, and what wellbeing will look like in the future.Recorded at Spring Fair 2022.