Simon Beard from Culture Kings: Thrifty Customers, Tight Retailers and Artificial Intelligence | #318

In this episode of Add To Cart, we are talking to Hannah Udina, Head of Partnerships for Shopify in ANZ. Hannah works with agencies to develop and grow their footprint within the Shopify ecosystem.   Joining Hannah, is Simon Beard, co-founder of one of the most exciting retail brands Australia has ever seen, Culture Kings. Our chat today is going to focus on the findings that have come out of Shopify’s most recent market research, The Australian Retail Report. They surveyed over 200 medium to large Australian retailers across 11 verticals, along with over 1,000 consumers to deliver over 30 pages of current findings into new customer behaviours and practical tips for growth pathways for Australian retailers. Our conversation goes in all sorts of directions. We cover how to create perceived value for customers and avoid the doom loop of discounting. We look at how to create profitable experiential stores - not just marketing exercises. We talk about the right time to sell your business, with Simon sharing some personal insights on when he chose to sell. And in an Add To Cart exclusive, Hannah gives us the details on a new Shopify AI feature which will give retailers intelligent insights on demand. Links from the episode:Culture KingsShopify’s Australian Retail Report 2023About your co-hosts: Simon Beard from Culture KingsSimon Beard is a successful entrepreneur, co-founder and CEO of international streetwear empire Culture Kings, with his wife Tah-nee from humble beginnings in a single weekend market stall at Carrara Markets. In its early days, Culture Kings relied purely on bootstrapped growth and was built to over $600m valuation in 2021, where he conducted a successful partial exit which was one of the biggest private retail acquisitions in Australia's history.You can contact Simon on LinkedInHannah Udina from ShopifyHaving spent 10 years in the eCommerce and IT industry, Hannah is passionate about the online and offline merchant experience. With specific expertise in Payments and Platforms, Hannah understands the complexities of doing business online and is passionate about building ecosystems. Previously holding global roles and working across Asia, Hannah has had the opportunity of helping businesses expand and do business in Asia. Currently, at Shopify, Hannah works with Agencies to develop and grow their footprint within the Shopify ecosystem. On a personal note, Hannah has a zealous interest in enabling women in technology. You can contact Hannah on LinkedInThanks to our sponsors, Shopify and Klaviyo, for bringinSubscribe to the Add To Cart newsletter  SMS us to Suggest a Guest Connect with Nathan Bush Join the Add To Cart Community