Retail, AI Reality & Gen Z Trends for 2026 | Five Things Friday UK

Host Alex is joined by Simone Oloman, Co-Founder & CEO of Need It For Tonight (NIFT) — often described as Deliveroo for quality fashion — for an honest discussion on what retailers are really prioritising right now. In this episode, we cover: Why Middle East retail (Abu Dhabi & Saudi Arabia) is being built for a new generation Simone’s role speaking at ShopTalk Abu Dhabi Why influencer collaborations work best when they feel obvious, using Molly-Mae Hague x Adidas as an example The shift from AI promises to AI proof and real-world impact Why retailers want to know what AI is doing today, not what it could do tomorrow Workforce efficiency without layoffs and what “human + AI” actually means Career progression from shop floor to leadership, including female leadership paths Why Tommy Hilfiger x Liverpool Football Club is about cultural relevance, not football A rapid-fire breakdown of Pinterest 2026 trends Why Gen Z, raised digital, is craving physical experiences again This episode is grounded, practical, and culture-led — cutting through hype to focus on what retailers should pay attention to now. 📢 Subscribe for more Retail Insights! #RetailTrends #Macy #GapInc #NRF2025 #FiveThingsFriday 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Which trend discussed today do you think will impact the industry most? Let us know in the comments below! 🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD Don't miss the next update. Click here to subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@theretailpodcast?sub_confirmation=1 ABOUT THIS CHANNEL Welcome to the official channel of The Retail Podcast, your hub for global retail intelligence. Whether you are an executive refining your strategy, a vendor connecting with major players, or an innovator tracking the latest tech, this channel connects you to the pulse of the industry. What to expect: Expert Analysis: Breaking down insights from major global conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, Web Summit, MAPIC; Euroshop and EuroCIS. Diverse Perspectives: Hosted by a rotation of industry veterans and regional experts (APAC, US, EU). Actionable Strategy: We move beyond the headlines to discuss real ROI, digital transformation, and the future of commerce—from AI agents to luxury fashion and grocery trends. As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, we help you cut through the noise to find what actually works in modern retail. 🌐 GET MORE INSIGHTS Visit our knowledge hub: https://retailnews.ai/ 📲 CONNECT WITH US LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-retail-podcast/ Contact: [email protected] #RetailTrends #APACRetail #AIinRetail #FiveThingsFriday #TheRetailPodcast  #thefutureofretailguy