The Retail Podcast (Video Feed)

Pinduoduo's expansion in Malaysia is testing how local retailers compete with ultra-low-price cross-border commerce, while the Singapore–Johor Bahru RTS Link could redraw the retail catchment between the two markets.Ngai Yuen Low, Ryf Quail and Alex Rezvan examine the projected S$1.05 billion increase in annual Singapore-resident spending in Johor Bahru, the overlooked plant and wellness category, and how AI search is changing e-commerce discovery.The question running through the episode: if price, geography and search traffic are all being rewritten at once, where does defensible retail advantage move next?00:00:00 Intro00:00:52 Pinduoduo Malaysia00:03:30 Plants and wellness retail00:06:05 Singapore–Johor RTS00:08:52 AI search and e-commerce traffic

Scott Price, Group Chief Executive of DFI Retail Group, argues that retail cybersecurity is now a sector-wide risk—not a problem any company can solve alone. Recorded at NRF APAC 2026 in Singapore, the conversation examines why retailers need to share threat intelligence, how digital commerce has redefined customer trust and why hierarchical cultures can create new exposure in the age of deepfakes. What you will learn - Why silence after an attack can leave the whole retail sector more exposed. - How customer trust has shifted from price accuracy to responsible data stewardship. - What shared intelligence through RH-ISAC can add to a retailer's cyber defences. - The question every chief executive should ask their CISO. - Why employees must be empowered to challenge unusual instructions from senior leaders. Chapters 00:00 Cybersecurity becomes a sector risk   01:37 Customer trust is redefined   02:04 How RH-ISAC works   03:01 DFI's retail attack surface   04:18 Cyber moves up the risk register   05:01 Third-generation retail   06:32 Why customer trust can collapse   07:31 Cybercrime becomes an industry   08:53 The CISO test for CEOs   09:51 The insider threat   10:28 Hierarchy, deepfakes and compliance About the guest Scott Price is Group Chief Executive of DFI Retail Group. He joined DFI in August 2023 after senior international roles at UPS, Walmart, DHL Express and The Coca-Cola Company. DFI operates more than 7,500 outlets across 12 Asian markets. Resources mentioned - DFI Retail Group leadership: https://www.dfiretailgroup.com/en/about-us/our-leadership/ - NRF APAC 2026 agenda: https://nrfbigshowapac.nrf.com/agenda - RH-ISAC: https://rhisac.org/ - Full analysis and transcript: [CANONICAL EPISO   Follow The Retail Podcast for executive conversations and retail intelligence from global markets.

Marks & Spencer is moving its European ecommerce fulfilment to Zalando's ZEOS platform across 22 continental European markets. Alex Rezvan and Simone Oloman, Co-founder and CEO of NIFT, examine what the partnership means alongside five other UK retail developments from the week. John Lewis is developing its Sports & Wellness proposition around customer fitness goals and shopping missions. ASOS and Barbour have worked with Jimmy Turrell on their Re-loved collaboration, while George at Asda has launched its If You Know, You Know campaign with Lucky Generals. Also covered: Vans x BAPE Knu Skool, menswear designer Aaron Levine's special collection with Zara, and the wider implications of these moves for UK retail strategy, ecommerce, stores and fashion. Five Things Friday is The Retail Podcast's weekly UK retail briefing. 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:32 ASOS x Barbour by Jimmy Turrell 00:03:57 George at Asda: If You Know, You Know 00:04:44 Vans x BAPE Knu Skool 00:05:34 Aaron Levine x Zara 00:06:46 John Lewis Sports & Wellness 00:07:57 M&S x Zalando fulfilment 00:10:32 Close Newsletter: https://www.theretailpodcast.com/newsletter

Walmart has started rolling out Apple Pay at select US Walmart and Sam's Club locations, with rollout to all US stores and clubs planned by the end of 2026. Alex Rezvan is joined by Jill Dvorak, Senior Vice President, Content at NRF, for five US retail stories: Home Depot's nationwide Express Delivery; American Eagle's back-to-school push featuring Lamine Yamal; Best Buy's certification of all 29 supply chain facilities as zero waste; and Ross's 10% comparable-store-sales growth versus 4% at TJX overall. The Apple Pay share figure mentioned in the episode was stated on air and has not been independently verified. Sponsored by Sygnls.AI. Newsletter: https://www.theretailpodcast.com/newsletter 00:00:00 Walmart + Intro 00:02:03 Home Depot + American Eagle 00:05:23 Best Buy + Ross  

What does Target appointing a Chief AI Officer tell us about the next phase of AI in retail? In this USA edition of Five Things Friday, Alex and Jill examine five developments shaping the US retail market — and the strategic implications behind them. Target has brought Chandu Nair across from Lowe’s as Chief AI Officer, raising a bigger organisational question: should AI sit under one executive responsible for governance and adoption, or should AI capability be embedded throughout the entire business? Foot Locker and Nike are taking a different approach to physical retail with Crenshaw Rec in Los Angeles — combining retail with an open gym, local run clubs and year-round community programming. The discussion looks at whether stores can become genuine community spaces rather than simply places to transact. Then comes one of the clearest retail comparisons of the week. Coach grew 15% while Kate Spade declined 7%. Both sit within Tapestry and operate against broadly the same economic backdrop. Tapestry also recruited more than 2.5 million new customers during the quarter, with around 35% coming from Gen Z. The question for retail leaders: when one brand grows while another declines in the same environment, is the consumer really the problem — or should we be looking harder at product, brand relevance, merchandising and execution? Alex and Jill also look at Michaels, which is building on opportunities created by changes at Joann and Party City and experimenting with how categories, intellectual property and customer demand can be incorporated into future store formats. Finally, they examine research based on almost 19 million North American in-store retail interactions or pieces of feedback, which reported a customer satisfaction rate of 93.4%. Perhaps more interestingly, Tuesday and Wednesday produced the highest satisfaction levels — raising questions around footfall, staffing pressure and store operations. In this episode • Target appoints a Chief AI Officer • AI governance versus distributed AI adoption • Foot Locker + Nike and community-led retail • The Crenshaw Rec concept • Coach growth versus Kate Spade decline • Tapestry and Gen Z customer acquisition • Why blaming the consumer can hide execution problems • Michaels, Joann and Party City • Store-format innovation • US in-store customer satisfaction • Staffing, footfall and retail operations • NRF Europe Chapters 00:00 — Five US Retail Stories This Week 00:39 — Target Appoints a Chief AI Officer 03:51 — Foot Locker + Nike Build Community Retail 05:23 — Coach Growth vs Kate Spade Decline 08:20 — Michaels Reinvents the Big-Box Opportunity 11:29 — US In-Store Satisfaction Hits 93.4% 13:06 — Why European Retail Markets Are Different 14:14 — NRF Europe and the Innovation Stage The Retail Podcast brings together retail leaders and industry experts to examine the technology, strategy, brands and ideas reshaping global retail.

The International Briefing examines five developments shaping retail around the world—and what they mean for industry leaders. Jill Dvorak, Senior Vice President, Content at NRF, joins Alex Rezvan for this edition. Europe’s €3 parcel charge A new charge on low-value parcels entering the EU could change the economics of cross-border retail, particularly for lower-value orders. The discussion looks at the implications for businesses such as SHEIN and Temu, smaller international sellers and the possibility of more inventory being held inside Europe. JD.com Following JD.com’s second-quarter results, Alex and Jill discuss why large marketplaces should not necessarily be judged only by merchandise sales. As JD develops more capabilities around its wider ecosystem, the economics of B2B services become increasingly important. India and quick commerce Retail demand is growing strongly, but traditional retailers are simultaneously being disrupted by rapid-delivery platforms. The conversation examines grocery, premium retailers, shopping missions and whether ten-minute delivery is genuinely something consumers need. Global shipping Jill discusses NRF’s Global Port Tracker, changing shipping routes, higher costs and the potential implications for retail supply chains and Q4 inventory. Fabletics Fabletics has reached more than $1 billion in net revenue and is continuing its move into physical retail. Its international expansion includes markets such as Colombia, Peru, India and Central America, highlighting how digital-first brands continue to find value in stores. The International Briefing is a global look at the developments retail leaders need to understand—not simply the headlines. Featuring Jill Dvorak — Senior Vice President, Content, NRF Alex Rezvan — The Retail Podcast

Five Things Friday UK Edition brings together the retail stories worth knowing this week. Alex Rezvan of The Retail Podcast and Simone Oloman, co-founder of Need It For Tonight, discuss the developments shaping the UK retail industry and what they could mean for retailers, brands and consumers. In this episode: Frasers and Harvey Nichols Frasers has acquired Harvey Nichols out of administration. Alex and Simone discuss what could happen next, the future of its stores, the importance of the Knightsbridge and Edinburgh locations, and where Harvey Nichols could sit alongside Flannels in Frasers’ luxury strategy. Poundland and the value retail challenge With Poundland potentially facing another sale, the conversation turns to what value really means. Is price enough, or do merchandising, experience and how customers feel inside a store matter just as much? Need It For Tonight and rapid retail delivery Simone discusses Need It For Tonight’s 90-minute and same-day delivery proposition, its work with retailers and its new 12,000 sq ft operation at Westfield White City. They also explore how stores can operate as local fulfilment centres and why keeping inventory closer to customers could change the economics of fast retail delivery. IKEA and second-hand retail IKEA is expanding its second-hand marketplace into multiple countries, including the UK. Alex and Simone discuss why bringing an existing resale market into IKEA’s own ecosystem makes strategic sense—and the potential challenges around collection and delivery of bulky furniture. Five Things Friday UK Edition is hosted by Alex Rezvan and Simone Oloman. Follow The Retail Podcast for weekly conversations about the businesses, ideas and changes shaping retail.

What does buying AI look like when a retailer has a real problem to solve? At NRF APAC 2026 in Singapore, Alex Rezvan joins Low Ngai Yuen, Managing Director of AEON360, on a live buying mission across the show floor. Ngai Yuen is not browsing demonstrations. She has a specific requirement: improve the quality, structure, localisation and usefulness of AEON’s product data before expecting AI to create value from it.  The journey began at NRF New York, where she found two young product-data companies. In Singapore, she meets them again—this time with a clearer brief, real retail data and a route towards a proof of concept.  The first conversation is with Lazuli, a Japanese product-data company whose location and market knowledge matter to AEON’s imported Japanese products and private brands. The team discusses turning unstructured catalogues and PDFs into structured, searchable information, then enriching products with the right language, descriptions, categories and market context.  The second meeting focuses on inconsistent supplier data, missing attributes and a proof of concept involving 50,000 SKUs. The discussion shows why retailers need reliable information before adding generative or agentic AI—and why a product catalogue must keep changing as language, trends and customer search intent evolve. This is less a conference interview than a view inside the retail buying process: identifying a problem, finding potential partners, testing them on a real case and deciding whether the technology can scale. In this episode - Why Ngai Yuen came to NRF APAC with a live buying brief - How relationships formed at NRF New York continued in Singapore - Why local Japanese market knowledge matters to AEON - How unstructured product information becomes searchable catalogue data - What inconsistent supplier data costs retailers - Why the team is testing a 50,000-SKU proof of concept - How a “living catalogue” responds to changing search intent - What innovation showcases can offer established retailers  This episode is for Retail CEOs, digital and data leaders, ecommerce teams, merchandising leaders, innovation teams, procurement leaders, retail technology founders and anyone responsible for taking AI from conference pitch to operational reality. 

Why are some retail markets able to adopt AI faster than Europe? 30% off an All Access Pass: ALEX30 NRF Registration page here: ⁠https://bit.ly/4vh5Iz5⁠. Annabelle Serres, Director of Events for NRF Retail’s Big Show Europe, discusses the barriers created by legacy infrastructure, the lessons Europe can take from APAC and why retailers now need to accelerate implementation. The conversation also covers what executives can expect in Paris, from keynote sessions and practical case studies to startup innovation, the Innovators Showcase and peer networking. For retail leaders working across technology, operations, transformation and customer experience.

Five retail stories. Less than ten minutes. And several signals about where global retail could be heading next. In this international edition of Five Things Friday, we examine five developments across retail, commerce, technology and consumer engagement. First, Fraser’s Group and its position in Hugo Boss — and why the premium market could be ripe for further change. The conversation then moves to Tesco and Uber Eats, as quick commerce increasingly becomes part of retailers’ last-mile strategies. Next, we look at Nike in China. After shifting aggressively toward direct-to-consumer and later rebuilding wholesale relationships, Nike is again refining its channel strategy, concentrating on selected platforms alongside its own direct business. Then we head to Singapore and Fair Price’s Store of Tomorrow, where smart carts, RFID, digital shelf labels, in-store navigation and health-focused experiences provide a glimpse at one possible direction for the physical grocery store. Finally, attention turns to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and what brands can learn from major global sporting events when planning consumer engagement and activation strategies. In this episode: Fraser’s Group and Hugo Boss Tesco, Uber Eats and quick commerce Decathlon and last-mile delivery Nike’s evolving China retail strategy Direct-to-consumer versus wholesale Fair Price’s Store of Tomorrow Smart carts, RFID and digital shelf labels Retail health and wellness experiences LA 2028 Olympic brand activations Marketing around major global sporting events Who should watch or listen: Retail executives, brand leaders, retail technology teams, marketers, commerce professionals and anyone tracking the evolution of physical and digital retail. Subscribe to The Retail Podcast for global retail intelligence, interviews and analysis.

How can a global retailer maintain consistency across markets without losing local relevance? In this episode of The Retail Podcast, Katherine Melchior Ray examines why international brand strategies often break down not because executives reject localisation, but because organisations underestimate how differently trust, value, service and quality are interpreted across cultures. The conversation explores the strategic and commercial decisions behind global brand localisation: what should remain non-negotiable, what local teams should be allowed to change, who should hold decision-making authority and how leaders can determine whether adaptation is creating genuine customer value. Katherine also explains why the cost of entering a market incorrectly can be substantially greater than the cost and complexity of adapting properly. About Katherine Melchior Ray Katherine Melchior Ray is a global CMO, speaker, consultant, author and international marketing and management faculty member at UC Berkeley Haas. Her international experience spans Japan, Europe and the United States, with more than 25 years working across markets and categories. The episode discusses her experience with brands including Louis Vuitton, Nike, Gucci, Nordstrom, Hyatt and Shiseido. She is the co-author, with Natalie Kelly, of: Brand Global, Adapt Local: How to Build Brand Value Across Cultures Key Insights Why apparently universal concepts such as trust, speed, performance and value are expressed differently across cultures. How global brands can separate their enduring identity from the products, experiences and communications that should evolve. Why Louis Vuitton’s heritage in travel, quality and innovation allows the brand to expand into new categories without losing its identity. How trust between global headquarters and local leadership creates permission for meaningful innovation. Katherine’s “freedom within a frame” model for balancing global governance with local autonomy. Why failed market entry can be more expensive than local adaptation. What Airbnb’s experience in China reveals about trust, payments, reviews, housekeeping and cultural assumptions. Why AI can accelerate translation and content production but still requires human context, judgement and interpretation. The assumptions retail CEOs should challenge before approving international expansion. Topics Covered Global brand localisation, international retail expansion, cultural intelligence, global marketing strategy, local market adaptation, retail governance, headquarters and local-team relationships, brand consistency, Louis Vuitton, Airbnb in China, Nike in India, AI localisation, customer trust, cultural context and international leadership. Who This Episode Helps This episode is relevant to: Retail CEOs and executive teams Global and regional marketing leaders International expansion teams Brand and customer-experience leaders Retail technology providers Strategy consultants Business-school students Executives managing global and local teams Central Ideas from the Conversation Katherine argues that brands must become explicit about the elements of their identity that cannot change. Local teams can then innovate within a clearly defined strategic frame. She describes trust as being built through three elements: Shared values Open, bilateral communication A history of promises kept This trust gives local leadership the authority to make the brand relevant without fragmenting it. The discussion also examines AI’s role in localisation. AI can support research, translation and analysis, but culture depends on context. As Katherine explains, insight does not simply exist in the data; it emerges through interpretation. Join the Discussion Where should global brand consistency end and local decision-making begin? Share your perspective in the comments. Subscribe to The Retail Podcast for conversations with the executives, strategists and technology leaders shaping the future of retail.

Retail crime is becoming serious enough to affect whether stores can continue operating in parts of Australia. At the same time, Costco is expanding its reach in China through JD.com, Vietnam’s e-commerce market is being shaped by Shopee and TikTok Shop, and functional foods are moving into the mainstream across Southeast Asia.   In this Five Things Friday APAC edition, Alex Rezvan, Ryf Quail and ⁠Ngai Yuen Low ⁠Managing Director, AEON360 discuss the retail signals shaping Australia, China, Vietnam, Malaysia and the wider Asia-Pacific region.   They examine the cost of organised retail crime, the growth of paid membership retail, the role of live commerce, the importance of grocery in e-commerce adoption, the rise of functional food and the localisation of Korean food for Southeast Asian consumers.

The UK retail industry never stands still. This week Alex and Simone unpack five of the biggest retail stories shaping customer experience, ecommerce, retail technology and consumer behaviour across the UK. In this episode: • Charlotte Tilbury transforms Covent Garden into an immersive Unreal Glow Club pop-up experience • Online Home Shop posts impressive growth as UK ecommerce continues to evolve • Morrisons introduces new retail innovation • Argos reinvents its iconic catalogue with personalised digital shopping experiences • New ONS retail sales data raises questions about the future of ecommerce • Primark steals headlines with a cheeky response to the new Skims flagship opening on Regent Street The discussion explores where UK retail is heading, whether ecommerce has entered another phase of structural growth, and how retailers are increasingly competing through experience, discovery and customer inspiration rather than price alone. Stories discussed Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Glow Club https://www.instagram.com/p/DbY-C2ZjTv1/?img_index=8 Online Home Shop https://www.onlinehomeshop.com/ Argos Your Catalogue https://www.argos.co.uk/events/your-catalogue Online Home Shop company filings https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/08885099/filing-history ONS Retail Sales June 2026 https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/retailindustry/bulletins/retailsales/june2026 Primark campaign https://www.instagram.com/p/DbOUY2Ct2Lm/ Subscribe for weekly retail intelligence covering: • Retail Innovation • AI in Retail • Ecommerce • Store Design • Consumer Trends • Grocery • Fashion Retail • Retail Technology • Omnichannel • Global Retail News The Retail Podcast delivers conversations with the world's leading retailers, technology companies and industry experts. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 01:08 Charlotte Tilbury's Unreal Glow Club Pop-up 02:55 Online Home Shop's £100M Growth Story 04:22 ONS Retail Sales & Ecommerce Trends 05:37 Argos Reinvents the Catalogue 07:32 Primark vs Skims on Regent Street 10:04 NRF Europe Preview 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Which trend discussed today do you think will impact the industry most? Let us know in the comments below!

US retail sales rose more than 11% year over year in June across the core categories tracked by Retail Dive. But the headline number is only one part of this week’s retail story. Alex Rezvan and Jill Dvorak examine five developments affecting consumer behaviour, store experience, fulfilment and food technology. First, they consider the possible influence of the FIFA World Cup on retail activity and discuss how international fans turned Walmart into an unexpected American tourist experience. Walmart responded to the organic attention by working with LaLiga on guided store tours—an example of a retailer identifying a cultural moment and acting while the audience was still engaged. The conversation then moves to Amazon’s planned $48 million robotics-enabled fulfilment facility in Georgetown, Texas. Alex and Jill consider how goods-to-person automation could affect operating costs, fulfilment speed and the role of people inside the warehouse. Sephora is introducing Quiet Hours across its global regions after a pilot involving 32 stores in eight markets. Lower music, fewer screen distractions and reduced sensory stimulation are intended to make stores more accessible and comfortable for neurodivergent customers and anyone seeking a calmer environment. Finally, the episode examines Wonder following its $650 million Series D round at a $9 billion pre-money valuation. Founded by Marc Lore, Wonder combines multiple restaurant concepts, delivery, kitchen technology and personalisation within one platform. The central question is whether Wonder can use technology and operational consolidation to give households more choice while making ordering simpler. Topics covered: • US retail sales and consumer spending • Retail and the FIFA World Cup • Walmart store tours and cultural relevance • Social listening and rapid retail activation • Amazon robotics and fulfilment automation • Sephora Quiet Hours • Neuroinclusive and sensory-friendly retail • Wonder and Marc Lore • Food halls, ghost kitchens and restaurant technology • Delivery, personalisation and customer convenience Presented by Alex Rezvan and Jill Dvorak. Five Things Friday USA is part of The Retail Podcast, covering the developments shaping retail, technology, AI, stores and consumer behaviour. Sources discussed include Retail Dive, Business Insider, Sephora Newsroom, Wonder Newsroom and reporting on Amazon’s Georgetown development.

AI is moving beyond individual productivity tools. The more important question is whether companies will redesign their operating models around it. In this edition of Five Things Friday: APAC Edition, Ryf Quail and the panel examine five developments connecting technology, market expansion, regulation, cultural identity and on-demand retail. The lead discussion comes from the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, where the focus extended beyond chatbots and content generation. The panel considers a future in which an orchestrating AI coordinates specialised agents across demand prediction, media allocation and business measurement, leaving people to focus on judgement, creativity and strategy. The episode also explores: • JD’s proposed acquisition of CECONOMY and the regulatory challenges facing Chinese companies expanding into Europe • Seafolly’s decision to expand into China and why this represents an unusual direction for an Australian consumer brand • The LVMH–Molly Tea trademark dispute and the response from consumers who saw the contested floral design as part of Chinese cultural heritage • The growing confidence and cultural influence of local Chinese brands • Decathlon and Uber Eats testing on-demand delivery for sporting goods in Australia This episode is for retail leaders, marketers, technology executives and international brands trying to understand how AI, localisation and cross-border expansion are reshaping the APAC retail market. Follow The Retail Podcast for weekly analysis and conversations with the people shaping global retail.

M&S is building a bigger proposition around the family weekly shop. Primark is lowering prices as competition for value-conscious fashion customers intensifies. Meanwhile, beauty and luxury brands are moving beyond products and free samples towards experiences, consultations and personalisation. In this UK edition of Five Things Friday, Alex Rezvan and Simone examine five retail developments: • M&S’s largest standalone Foodhall and what it signals about its grocery ambitions • Why Primark is lowering prices across hundreds of popular products • The competitive pressure created by SHEIN, Lefties and other value retailers • How a luxury beauty brand turned pistachio fragrance into an ice-cream experience • Sephora’s continued expansion across London • Why Lancôme is using skin analysis and personalised advice • The difference between distributing samples and creating a memorable service • Whether beauty brands can build an ongoing relationship around individual skin needs The wider retail story is a market moving in several directions at once. Customers continue to demand value, forcing retailers such as Primark to defend their price credentials. At the same time, M&S is investing in larger food stores designed to capture more complete shopping missions. In beauty and luxury, brands are creating more accessible experiences that allow customers to engage with them without making a major product purchase. Alex and Simone also explore an important customer-experience question: does any beauty brand know its customers well enough to remember their needs, track changes and make genuinely relevant recommendations over time? This episode is relevant to: • Retail leaders and store-format teams • Beauty and luxury executives • Customer-experience and loyalty specialists • Retail marketing professionals • Brand activation and experiential marketing teams • Anyone following UK retail trends CHAPTERS 00:00 M&S Food Expands and Primark Cuts Prices 02:17 Is SHEIN Taking Primark’s Traditional Customer? 02:44 Luxury Retail Turns Fragrance Into an Experience 04:06 Sephora and Lancôme Rethink Beauty Retail 05:37 Digital Skin Analysis and Customer Profiles 07:34 Why Personal Beauty Advice Builds Loyalty 08:20 Do Beauty Brands Really Know Their Customers? 08:53 Final Thoughts FEATURED STORIES AND LINKS M&S opens its biggest-ever standalone food store in Godalming: https://corporate.marksandspencer.com/newsroom/press-releases/ms-opens-its-biggest-ever-standalone-food-store-godalming-it-invests-bigger Primark lowers prices across hundreds of favourites: https://corporate.primark.com/en-gb/a/news/corporate-news/iconic-value-primark-lowers-prices-across-hundreds-of-favourites Luxury pistachio experience featured on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DbF7IPjDTea/?img_index=2 Sephora London store openings: https://www.sephora.co.uk/store-openings-london?curr=GBP Explore Lancôme UK: https://www.lancome.co.uk/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE RETAIL PODCAST #UKRetail #RetailNews #MarksAndSpencer #Primark #BeautyRetail  

Starbucks Korea’s Tank Day promotion led to public backlash and an unusual company-wide response. What should international brands learn from the mistake? Alex Rezvan and Jill from the National Retail Federation examine five stories influencing global retail: Starbucks Korea and culturally sensitive marketing New Canadian and US measures targeting organized retail crime shu uemura’s AI-powered beauty mirror in Tokyo Lefties’ entry into the UK value-fashion market Adidas Originals’ community-focused Bangkok store with % Arabica The discussion considers why cultural context matters in marketing, how technology is changing value retail and why leading brands increasingly want stores to function as social and community spaces rather than purely transactional environments.

Milan has long been recognised as one of the world's luxury capitals, but what makes its retail experience so distinctive? In this episode of The Retail Podcast, we explore how Milan moves beyond experiential retail to focus on something even more valuable—curation. Walking the city's streets reveals how leading luxury brands create communities through culture, design and carefully curated customer experiences. Building on previous episodes from Madrid and London, this latest stop on our Road to NRF Europe introduces another key principle shaping the future of retail. You'll discover: • Why Milan's luxury retailers focus on community rather than scale • How culture influences customer engagement • Why curation is becoming a competitive advantage • The Three Speeds of Retail: Community & Culture Experience Intelligence As we continue our journey towards NRF Europe 2026 in Paris, each city reveals a new perspective on the future of retail. 🎟️ Join us at NRF Europe Book your ticket: https://bit.ly/4vh5Iz5

What does M&S’s investment in its renewed Oxford Street flagship tell us about the future of physical retail? Simone Oloman and Alex Rezvan examine the new M&S Pantheon format and the growing need for stores to become places customers actively choose to spend time in. They also discuss: • The effect of the FIFA World Cup on UK consumer spending • Why online and physical non-food retail moved in different directions • Henry Dummer’s appointment as CEO of Very.ie • Dress Well Dad Well and the intersection of fatherhood, fashion and identity • Holland & Barrett’s Wellness Tap • Aldi’s Baldi activation for Pitbull’s Hyde Park concert • Why cultural marketing can outperform conventional advertising A fast analysis of the UK retail stories that matter and what they reveal about stores, consumers and brands. Subscribe for weekly analysis of the people, brands and ideas changing retail. LINKS MENTIONED Dress Well Dad Well on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/033AAv7NIHyp8fqjkG3Ijy Instagram reference https://www.instagram.com/p/Das0_RYAmZk/ FIFA https://www.fifa.com/en/home Instagram reference https://www.instagram.com/p/DanDeaxiRSR/ M&S Pantheon announcement https://corporate.marksandspencer.com/newsroom/press-releases/ms-pantheon-ms-unveils-new-oxford-street-flagship Instagram reference https://www.instagram.com/reels/DavodQKCDf7/ World Cup and UK consumer spending https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jul/14/world-cup-sunshine-uk-consumers-splash-out-on-beer-and-online-shopping

Uniqlo is reporting strong international momentum. Shein is moving closer to a possible Hong Kong listing while facing a leadership transition and continuing legal scrutiny. FamilyMart, meanwhile, is attempting to transform the convenience store into a destination for food, fashion, design and culture. Alex and Jill examine what these developments reveal about global retail strategy. They discuss Uniqlo and Fast Retailing’s international expansion, Donald Tang’s planned departure from Shein, the continuing Shein–Lacoste proceedings, FamilyMart’s new FAMIMA concept with NIGO, the broader role of convenience stores across APAC, the planned Onitsuka Tiger reorganisation and the productive-store strategy supporting Inditex’s omnichannel model. The episode concludes with a preview of NRF Retail’s Big Show Europe in Paris and an exploration of why seeing the people behind unfamiliar brands can create a much stronger connection than simply reading about them. LINKS MENTIONED Shein executive chairman and prospective listing: https://us.fashionnetwork.com/news/Shein-executive-chairman-to-step-down-as-ipo-nears-completion-sources-say,1852145.html Shein and Lacoste legal proceedings: https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/shein-says-legal-dispute-with-lacoste-ongoing-2026-07-10/ FamilyMart’s FAMIMA PARK AZABUDAI: https://www.family.co.jp/company/news_releases/2026/20260709_02.html CHAPTERS 00:00 International retail briefing 00:46 Uniqlo and Fast Retailing’s global growth 02:02 Shein’s IPO and leadership transition 03:01 The continuing Shein–Lacoste dispute 03:27 FamilyMart’s culture-led retail reinvention 05:20 Why APAC convenience stores are different 06:22 Onitsuka Tiger’s planned separation 07:39 Inditex and the disciplined omnichannel model 08:53 NRF Europe 2026 preview 09:59 Why conferences create brand connection Subscribe for international retail intelligence, analysis and conversations with the people shaping the industry.  

Retail is changing faster than ever—and London is showing what the future looks like. Ahead of NRF Europe, we take you on a retail roadshow through one of the world's most influential shopping destinations to explore how leading brands are transforming the in-store experience. From Coach's immersive pop-up inside Selfridges to H&M's flagship on King's Road, this episode showcases how retailers are moving beyond traditional stores to create destinations built around personalisation, community and memorable customer experiences. Discover how live craftsmanship, customisation, retail media and experiential design are redefining physical retail in the age of AI. If you're a retailer, brand leader, marketer or technology professional, this episode offers practical inspiration and real-world examples of what's shaping the next generation of commerce. In this episode: • Why London continues to lead retail innovation • Inside Coach's experiential pop-up at Selfridges • The power of personalisation and live in-store services • How flagship stores are becoming community hubs • Why physical retail is evolving—not disappearing • Key retail trends ahead of NRF Europe 🎟️ Join us at NRF Europe Book your ticket: https://bit.ly/4vh5Iz5 If you're attending NRF Europe, come and say hello—we'd love to meet you. Subscribe to The Retail Podcast for more insights on retail innovation, AI, customer experience, unified commerce and the technologies shaping the future of retail. #Retail #NRFEurope #RetailInnovation #CustomerExperience #RetailMedia #ExperientialRetail

Luxury retail is evolving beyond products and this week's World Retail Signals explores exactly why. Alex is joined by Ian and Niamh  from the World Retail Congress to discuss the biggest retail developments shaping the industry today. In this episode: RH London's new flagship "Gallery" and how experiential retail is redefining luxury. Why brands including Dior, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Alo Yoga are investing in destination experiences across Europe's luxury holiday hotspots. The reported sale of Harvey Nichols and what it could signal for consolidation across UK retail. How retailers like Next, Marks & Spencer and Frasers Group are expanding through brand portfolios and acquisitions. Why startup innovation continues to drive grocery retail, with insights from the Grocer Gold Awards and the rapid growth of Griddle Bakery. Whether you're a retailer, brand leader, investor or simply interested in where commerce is heading, this episode breaks down the signals that matter. Topics covered: Experiential retail Luxury retail strategy RH London Gallery Retail consolidation UK high street Department stores Grocery innovation Consumer behaviour Brand experience Retail trends Experiential retail is becoming a key strategy for luxury brands as they look to build stronger customer engagement beyond traditional shopping. In this episode, the World Retail Signals team discusses RH London's immersive flagship, luxury destination activations from brands like Dior and Gucci, UK retail consolidation, and why innovation from emerging brands continues to shape the industry's future. Chapter Timestamps 00:00 Introduction & Welcome 01:13 Meet the World Retail Congress Team 02:17 RH London: A New Vision for Luxury Retail 05:13 Luxury Brands Expand Into Holiday Destinations 07:07 Why Luxury Brands Need New Relevance 07:55 Harvey Nichols Sale & UK Retail Consolidation 10:04 The Rise of Retail Brand Portfolios 10:43 Grocer Gold Awards & Grocery Innovation 12:22 Why Retailers Need Startup Brands 13:12 Ocado Leadership Changes & Closing Thoughts 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Which trend discussed today do you think will impact the industry most? Let us know in the comments below!

Can physical retail still outperform e-commerce? In this exclusive interview recorded live at NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show Asia Pacific, Steven S. Tan, President of SM Supermalls, explains why physical shopping centres continue to thrive by putting customers at the centre of every decision. SM Supermalls operates nearly 100 shopping centres across the Philippines and China, welcoming approximately 5 million visitors every day. Steven shares how continuous innovation, inclusive design, community-building and customer-first leadership have helped one of Asia's largest retail property businesses continue growing despite changing consumer behaviour. In this episode you'll learn: • Why physical retail continues to outperform expectations • How shopping centres become community destinations • Lessons retailers should learn before expanding into Southeast Asia • Why customer experience matters more than technology alone • How SM Supermalls approaches inclusivity and accessibility • The biggest mistake retailers make when entering new markets • Steven Tan's advice for staying relevant in retail Whether you're a retailer, shopping centre operator, brand leader or retail technology professional, this conversation offers practical insights into the future of physical retail. Recorded live at NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show Asia Pacific in Singapore. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:23 What is SM Supermalls? 01:26 From Shoe Store to Retail Giant 02:01 The Future of Retail 02:53 Future-Proofing Shopping Centres 04:16 Customer Experience First 05:08 Inclusivity in Retail 07:07 Why Physical Retail Is Growing 08:01 Shopping Centres as Community Spaces 09:23 Advice for Global Retailers 10:13 Listening to Gen Z 10:39 How Brands Stay Relevant #RetailPodcast #SMSupermalls #RetailLeadership #CustomerExperience #FutureOfRetail #ShoppingMalls #RetailInnovation #NRFAPAC #RetailStrategy #PhysicalRetail

The retail marketing stories that matter this week: why the brands winning Wimbledon aren't the official sponsors, Naomi Osaka's 350% search spike, Charlotte Tilbury lands in Boots, and Google's Head of Agencies UK reveals the World Cup ads topping YouTube's leaderboard. Google's Carl Read joins Alex and Simone Oloman (NIFT) to discuss the week's biggest marketing stories, including Wimbledon, Nike, Charlotte Tilbury, Boots, Evian, YouTube, Naomi Osaka, John Lewis, Cult Beauty and more. Topics include: • Why Wimbledon is becoming a creator-first marketing opportunity • Naomi Osaka's powerful brand storytelling strategy • How YouTube advertising is evolving around cultural moments • Why Charlotte Tilbury's Boots expansion matters • Pride marketing and authentic community engagement • What brands can learn from Google's latest YouTube advertising insights Carl shares Google's perspective on creator trust, emotional storytelling, YouTube performance and why today's best campaigns succeed by giving creators genuine creative freedom. Whether you're a marketer, founder, retailer or agency leader, this episode explores how brands can stay culturally relevant while building long-term trust. Featured Guest Carl Read Director, Agencies & Partners (UKI) Google Featuring Alex Simone Oloman Co-Founder & CEO, NIFT If you enjoyed the episode: ✅ Subscribe for weekly insights 👍 Like the video 💬 Tell us which story stood out most    

What does it take to build global brands in one of the world’s most dynamic retail markets? Sumeet Yadav, Head of Reliance Brands Limited, joins The Retail Podcast just before his keynote at NRF APAC 2026 in Singapore. Reliance Brands Limited is one of India’s most important platforms for global luxury and lifestyle partnerships, spanning fashion, lifestyle, eyewear, toys, home, and food and beverage. In this episode, we explore how international brands enter India, what it takes to scale them with relevance, and why the Indian consumer market requires both global brand discipline and local operating depth. Key themes: • Global brand growth in India • India’s luxury and lifestyle retail market • Reliance Brands Limited and international partnerships • Premium retail and consumer evolution • Lessons from Hamleys, Mothercare, Diesel, Superdry, Brooks Brothers, Giorgio Armani, Bottega Veneta, Valentino and Tiffany & Co. • Leadership lessons from Reliance Brands, Hamleys Global, Nando’s, Tommy Hilfiger India and Ford • NRF APAC 2026 and the future of Asia Pacific retail This episode is for retailers, brand leaders, founders, investors and operators interested in India, global brand expansion, luxury retail, lifestyle retail and the future of consumer brands. Links: Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumeet-yadav-8a48a87 Reliance Brands / Reliance Retail: https://relianceretail.com/partner-brands.html NRF APAC 2026: https://nrfbigshowapac.nrf.com/speakers/sumeet_yadav__ Podcast website: www.theretailpodcast.com Newsletter: www.retailnews.ai

Retailers are facing a new discovery challenge: what happens when AI search becomes the layer between brands and customers? In this episode of World Retail, Alex is joined by Niamh and Ian from World Retail Congress to discuss what is top of mind across global retail. The conversation starts with one of the biggest concerns raised in a CEO survey: whether AI-driven search could reduce brand visibility by surfacing competitors, platforms or intermediaries instead of the retailers customers are actually looking for. The team explores Shopee’s expanded partnership with ChatGPT, examples from Walmart, Google and Sephora, and why retailers may need to move from worrying about AI search to actively building around it. They also discuss: Why Barnes & Noble and Waterstones may show the continued power of physical bookstores How James Daunt’s store autonomy model has helped reshape bookstore retail Why Action’s lean operating model and rapid store growth make it a major value retail story The allegations around Anthropic, Alibaba and Claude Why Target and Brian Cornell are back under investor scrutiny What these stories reveal about the future of physical retail, AI search and customer experience Guest/context: This episode features Alex with co-hosts Niamh and Ian from World Retail Congress. 00:00 - Retailers fear AI search could hide their brands 00:38 - Welcome to World Retail with Neve and Ian 01:04 - Why Asia may show the future of retail 01:21 - AI search becomes retailers’ top concern 01:46 - Shopee expands its ChatGPT partnership 02:15 - Walmart, Google, Sephora and retail AI adoption 03:13 - Barnes & Noble and Waterstones IPO rumours 04:13 - What retailers can learn from local bookstore autonomy 04:40 - Action rebounds as 3i investors watch value retail 05:33 - Why Action’s operating model is so effective 06:22 - Action’s store density, SKU consistency and local flexibility 08:35 - Anthropic, Alibaba and alleged Claude distillation claims 09:54 - Target, Brian Cornell and investor pressure 11:12 - Heatwave wrap-up and closing thoughts Subscribe for more weekly analysis on global retail, AI in commerce, store strategy, ecommerce, leadership and the future of retail.

This week on Five Things Friday UK Edition, Alex is joined by Simone Oloman, co-founder and CEO of For Tonight / Neft, a rapid delivery business for retailers, to unpack five retail stories from a quieter but still revealing week in UK fashion, lifestyle and consumer culture. From Lacoste transforming Selfridges into a tennis clubhouse to Ralph Lauren’s Wimbledon activity on Sloane Square, this episode looks at how brands are turning sporting moments into immersive retail experiences. Alex and Simone also discuss why big physical retail is far from dead, with JD Sports opening its largest store in Scotland and Dunelm launching a 34,000 sq ft Kingston superstore. Plus, they look at Disney’s push into collectibles with YuYus and why Nadine Merabi’s denim launch is a smart example of category expansion. In this episode: How Wimbledon is becoming a major retail activation moment Why fashion and sport collaborations feel increasingly natural The return of large-format flagship retail Disney YuYus and the power of collectibles Nadine Merabi’s move from occasionwear into everyday wardrobe categories Why trust is key when brands expand into new product areas Guest context: Simone Oloman is the co-founder and CEO of Need It For Tonight / NIFT, a business offering rapid delivery for retailers, including app-based delivery and checkout integrations for 90-minute delivery. Show notes / links mentioned: Nadine Merabi: https://www.instagram.com/nadinemerabi/?hl=en Lacoste at Selfridges: https://www.theindustry.fashion/lacoste-brings-its-tennis-clubhouse-to-selfridges/ Ralph Lauren Wimbledon post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DZtsNTsDBf3/?img_index=7 JD Sports Livingston: https://www.lcpgroup.co.uk/news/jd-sports-opens-its-largest-store-in-scotland-at-the-centre-livingston-next-month JD Sports: https://www.jdsports.co.uk/ Dunelm Kingston: https://furniturenews.net/news/dunelm-opens-kingston-superstore Disney YuYus Soho pop-up: https://press.disney.co.uk/news/meet-disneys-cutest-new-collectable-companions-this-june-at-exclusive-pop-up-in-soho

Retail innovation continues to accelerate. In this episode of Five Things Friday USA, Joe and Jill explore five major stories shaping the future of commerce: • Meta's expanding partnership with Best Buy and the rise of AI-powered smart glasses • Walmart's aggressive drone delivery rollout targeting millions of Americans • Amazon Prime Day's expansion into a four-day retail event • Quince's transition from digital-first success to physical retail • The surprising growth of store openings across the U.S. The conversation examines what these developments mean for retailers, brands, technology leaders, and consumers as the industry continues to evolve. Topics covered: Retail innovation Ecommerce strategy Drone delivery AI wearables Omnichannel retail Prime Day Store expansion Consumer trends Physical retail Subscribe for weekly retail insights and analysis.

What happens when brands can no longer rely on social media to reach younger consumers? In this week's Five Things Friday UK, retail expert Simone Oloman, Co-Founder and CEO of NIFT, joins us to discuss one of the biggest questions facing retail marketers today: how brands stay connected to youth culture as social media regulations evolve. We explore: ✅ The potential impact of proposed social media restrictions for under-16s ✅ Why brands may need to return to real-world community building ✅ The rise of experiential retail and in-store activations ✅ What Coach's Selfridges pop-up teaches us about modern retail ✅ Deliveroo's latest retail partnership and the growth of instant delivery ✅ How physical stores are becoming fulfilment centres for modern commerce ✅ Why customer experience is becoming the biggest competitive advantage Featuring real-world examples from Coach, Selfridges, H&M, Deliveroo and leading retail brands, this episode explores how retail is evolving beyond transactions into experiences, community and convenience. https://uk.coach.com/ Featured Guest Simone Oloman Co-Founder & CEO, NIFT Topics Covered Gen Z marketing Youth consumer behaviour Social media regulation Retail innovation Experiential retail Coach at Selfridges Rapid delivery Retail media Store transformation Customer engagement Subscribe Subscribe for weekly insights into retail innovation, commerce, customer experience and the future of shopping. Chapter Timestamps 00:00 Introduction & Meet Simone Oloman 01:19 What NIFT Does: Instant Delivery Infrastructure 01:58 How Social Media Restrictions Could Change Youth Marketing 03:17 Why Physical Experiences May Matter More Than Algorithms 05:20 Deliveroo's Football Campaign & Instant Retail Delivery 06:55 Why Stores Are Becoming Fulfilment Centres 08:55 Coach's Selfridges Pop-Up Experience 10:06 Retail Roadshow: London, Coach & Selfridges 12:09 H&M and the Premiumisation of Retail 12:30 Can Physical Retail Compete with AI and E-Commerce? 13:06 Coach's Multi-Generation Retail Strategy 14:16 Retail Innovation Across Europe

This episode of Five Things Friday explores major retail developments across APAC and global markets. Ruth Kewell and Alex discuss Pomelo's mobile-first retail model in Southeast Asia, the worsening retail conditions in Australia, and the international expansion of Chinese retail brands including Miniso, Urban Revivo, Temu and Shein. The conversation highlights how mobile commerce, changing consumer behaviour, Gen Z purchasing habits, and global competition are reshaping retail strategies worldwide. 00:00 Introduction & Five Things Friday 00:00:36 Pomelo: The Mobile-First Retail Pioneer 00:01:42 How Pomelo Built Stores Around Ecommerce 00:02:24 The "Tap, Try, Buy" Retail Model 00:03:48 Australian Retail Under Pressure 00:04:35 Shareholder Pressure and Retail Performance 00:05:23 Retail Debt, Restructuring and Survival 00:05:45 Temu and Shein Face Regulatory Challenges 00:06:33 Miniso's Global Expansion Strategy 00:07:20 Gen Z's Growing Influence on Retail 00:07:48 Urban Revivo Expands Into Western Markets 00:08:32 Closing Thoughts

Global retail is moving fast and this first international briefing looks beyond the US to track where the biggest growth stories are happening. In this episode, we cover Frasers Group’s reported $2 billion takeover bid for Hugo Boss, JD.com’s UK expansion through Joybuy and its summer Black Friday positioning, Lulu Retail’s ambitious store growth across the GCC, Dubai’s two-month summer shopping push, and Jenni Kayne’s move into international markets through partners including Selfridges and TNT in Toronto. Key themes include: International retail expansion Luxury and premium brand positioning Middle East retail investment Holiday shopping moving earlier E-commerce growth and loyalty Global department store and marketplace strategy This briefing is designed to track retail stories outside the US and spotlight where consumer demand, investment, and brand expansion are shifting globally. Subscribe for more international retail briefings.

Madrid is famous for tourism, culture, tapas and beautiful architecture. But walk through Gran Vía and another story starts to appear. In this episode of The Retail Podcast, we explore how Madrid is evolving from a tourist hotspot into a serious retail destination. From Sephora’s flower-led Mother’s Day activation to Calvin Klein’s floral fragrance launch, the streets of Madrid reveal how physical retail is being reshaped by community, experience and customer engagement. This episode looks at why the most important retail signals are not always found in boardrooms, strategy decks or technology showcases. Sometimes they are happening directly in front of customers, in the queue, on the street and at the point where culture meets commerce. You’ll hear about: Madrid’s shift from tourism destination to shopping destination Sephora’s experiential retail activation Calvin Klein’s Euphoria floral launch Why physical retail still matters The three speeds of retail: community and culture, experience, and intelligence What European retail leaders should watch on the Road to Paris This episode is part of The Road to Paris, exploring the cities, stores and ideas shaping the future of retail ahead of NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show Europe in Paris.

Recorded live at NRF APAC 2026, this episode features Toru Koyama, Executive Officer & Head of IT and Digital Promotion Group at H2O Retailing Corp., and Executive Officer & GM of Digital Innovation Division at Hankyu Hanshin Department Stores, Inc. In this conversation, Toru shares H2O Retailing’s transformation journey — from backend IT and ERP foundations to CRM, unified commerce, retail media, customer data platforms and AI-powered customer communication. The central idea is the “communication retailer”: a retailer that does not simply sell products in-store, but builds trusted, permission-based relationships with customers across stores, e-commerce, data, service and AI-enabled interactions. Guest Bio Toru Koyama is Executive Officer & Head of IT and Digital Promotion Group at H2O Retailing Corp. and Executive Officer & GM of Digital Innovation Division at Hankyu Hanshin Department Stores, Inc. His background includes roles at IBM Japan, Pfizer and PwC, and he previously served as President & Representative Director of Isetan Mitsukoshi System Solutions, where he led structural reforms. He assumed his current H2O Retailing roles in April 2021 and has been associated with the company’s group-wide digital transformation.    

This episode reflects on being ranked number one on the Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Retail 2026 list, but shifts the focus to a bigger industry question: what should retail actually recognise as thought leadership? The episode argues that true influence should be measured by useful, visible, consistent contribution — not status, nostalgia, or network size. Being ranked number one on the Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Retail 2026 list is something to be proud of. But the more important question is not who is number one. It is what the retail industry should be measuring in the first place. In this episode, we look at the limits of rankings and algorithms, and why no system can fully measure judgement, generosity, lived experience, commercial impact, or trust. What this ranking does reward is visible work: content, speaking, publishing, interviews, and industry contribution. That matters because recognition in retail has often depended on access, visibility, historic relationships, and who gets invited into the room. But thought leadership should not be a lifetime achievement award. It should be evidence of what someone is contributing now. This episode explores: Why visible contribution matters Why retail recognition needs a higher standard Why thought leadership should be useful, not just visible Why vendors, partners, event teams, and technology builders deserve more credit Why The Retail Podcast reaching almost 2,000 listeners a week globally matters more than a ranking What retail should recognise as thought leadership in 2026 The central question: In 2026, what should the retail industry actually recognise as thought leadership? Links: Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Retail 2026 list: https://www.thinkers360.com/top-50-global-thought-leaders-and-influencers-on-retail-2026/ Connect on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/the-retail-podcast

WooCommerce is live at Shoptalk Europe in Barcelona, and the team is bringing open-source ecommerce conversations, enterprise growth strategy, and a local Barcelona touch to the show floor. In this episode, we cover WooCommerce’s presence at Booth B30, where attendees can meet the Woo team, speak with developers and specialists, and explore how open-source ecommerce can support online store growth. The conversation also points to platform features, enterprise ecommerce capabilities, and practical discussions around scaling digital commerce businesses. The episode also highlights WooCommerce’s exclusive local swag: premium candles from Santaló Candles, a Barcelona-based merchant. Plus, WooCommerce is co-hosting a Rooftop Reset & Happy Hour with Avalara, Mollie, and PayPal, giving attendees another way to connect during Shoptalk Europe. Key themes in this episode: Open-source ecommerce WooCommerce for scaling online stores Enterprise ecommerce capabilities Shoptalk Europe Barcelona WooCommerce Booth B30 Ecommerce platform features Merchant growth strategies Retail and ecommerce networking Visit WooCommerce at Booth B30 during Shoptalk Europe to meet the team, ask about the platform, and learn more about their event activities.

Retail AI is moving quickly — and this episode looks at what that means for retailers, ecommerce platforms, brands, and technology leaders. In this discussion, the hosts cover a range of retail and commerce stories, including Currys in the UK, European retail activity, Hasbro, TikTok influencers, Rep AI, Claude, Debenhams, and the wider shift toward AI-powered retail platforms. The episode also touches on funding activity, customer behaviour, platform launches, and how retail companies are responding to new technology. Key themes in this episode include: AI in retail and ecommerce Currys and UK consumer electronics Hasbro and brand-led retail innovation TikTok influencers and commerce discovery Rep AI and retail technology funding Claude and AI platform relevance Debenhams and retail AI developments European retail market signals How customer behaviour is changing This episode is especially useful for retail leaders, ecommerce teams, founders, marketers, and anyone tracking how AI is reshaping commerce. Guest/context note: the transcript references Alex, Simon, and Christian, but the provided transcript does not include full names, roles, or bios. Subscribe for more conversations on retail technology, ecommerce, AI, marketplaces, and the future of digital commerce. 00:00:00 — Episode Intro: Wednesday Retail News Roundup 00:00:22 — Welcome and What’s Coming Up 00:01:13 — Shop Talk and European Retail Signals 00:01:31 — Live Coverage and Market Context 00:01:50 — Currys and UK Electronics Retail 00:02:23 — Nordic CEO Discussion and Growth Context 00:03:01 — Retail Risk, Warning Signs and Monthly Updates 00:04:20 — Hasbro Launch Discussion 00:05:25 — Toy Companies, TikTok Influencers and Brand Strategy 00:05:49 — Rep AI and Retail AI Funding 00:06:09 — Claude and AI Platform Direction 00:06:51 — Investor Interest and Retail AI Momentum 00:07:22 — AI in Retail and Customer Behaviour 00:07:36 — Debenhams and Platform Launches 00:08:17 — Retail Data, AI Potential and Next Moves 00:08:42 — Final Segment: Retail AI Follow-Up

Unauthorized sellers can quietly destroy retail margins. In this episode of The Retail Podcast, Alex speaks with Megan Harman, founder of Thorn Crest, about how unauthorized sellers, counterfeits, dupes, broken case packs, copycat products, and weak reseller agreements can erode brand profitability. Megan explains why online pricing problems do not stay online. A small marketplace undercut can affect Amazon pricing, retail dynamic pricing, buyer margin requirements, and price protection claims. The conversation also covers why brand protection is not only a legal issue. It is a sales, margin, distribution, and consumer trust issue. Topics include unauthorized resellers, price integrity, counterfeits, Amazon marketplace pressure, retail margins, reseller agreements, warranty language, and why brands need to rebuild the foundation before the cracks get worse. Email: Megan at Thorn Crest Website: https://www.thorncrest.com/brand-protection Subscribe to The Retail Podcast for more conversations on retail strategy, e-commerce, marketplaces, brand protection, consumer brands, and the future of retail.

Why is Asia becoming the world's most influential retail innovation hub? In this NRF APAC 2026 Day 1 keynote conversation, Jill Dvorak, Senior Vice President at the National Retail Federation, speaks with Isabelle Allen, Global Head of Consumer, Retail & Leisure at KPMG. They explore the major forces reshaping retail globally, including: • AI adoption in retail • Consumer behavior shifts • The impact of GLP-1 medications on shopping and food consumption • Retail innovation across Asia-Pacific • Digital-native consumers • Data readiness and technology transformation • Wellness, longevity and the future of commerce Isabelle shares why KPMG believes "the future of retail rises from the East" and explains what global retailers can learn from Asia's agility, speed of innovation and rapidly evolving consumer markets. Whether you're a retail executive, brand leader, investor, technology strategist or consumer trends enthusiast, this conversation offers valuable insights into where retail is heading next. Featured Guest Isabelle Allen Global Head of Consumer, Retail & Leisure KPMG Event NRF APAC 2026 Topics Retail Innovation • AI in Retail • Consumer Trends • GLP-1 • Asia-Pacific Retail • Digital Transformation • Customer Experience • Retail Strategy

Ryf Quail joins Alex to walk through the NRF 2026 APAC agenda just before the show opens in Singapore. This episode is a practical guide to the sessions, speakers and themes shaping this year’s event, from AI-powered supply chains and retail media to omnichannel, luxury, malls, content commerce, Japan-style transformation and the rise of APAC as a global retail growth engine. Ryf explains why this year’s show has strong momentum, including a larger expo footprint, strong regional attendance and growing interest from markets including China, the Philippines and Indonesia. He then breaks down key agenda moments featuring leaders and companies including Matt Shay, Isabelle Allen, Anish Melwani, Scott Price, Woolworths Group, RELEX Solutions, Moloco, Pacvue, AEON360, DFI Retail Group, FairPrice Group, CJ Olive Young, Shiseido Japan, Maxim’s Food Group, CAA, Kering, Shopify, Scanteak, Manochi, OnTheList, Nestlé Japan, SM Supermalls, Reliance Brands Limited and Authentic Brands Group. Key themes in this episode: Why NRF 2026 APAC is expanding in Singapore The biggest keynote and breakout sessions to watch How AI is changing supply chain, stores, search and customer experience Why retail media is becoming a major platform for growth How APAC retailers are approaching omnichannel differently Why malls remain central to retail in Southeast Asia What India, Japan, China and Southeast Asia reveal about retail’s next phase How content, talent and entertainment are becoming retail growth channels Whether you are attending NRF APAC, following the agenda remotely, or tracking the future of retail in Asia Pacific, this episode gives you a clear roadmap of the conversations that matter.

In this episode of Five Things Friday UK, Alex and Simone discuss major shifts across UK and European retail. Topics include Ocado’s growing role as a grocery technology platform, Lidl overtaking Morrisons, M&S’s staff safety initiative with WalkSafe, and the role of store experience in building modern retail communities. The episode also explores Coach’s Selfridges pop-up, Rituals’ House of Rituals in Amsterdam, retail theft, frontline worker protection, Little Greene’s collaboration with Hunter, and why brands are moving toward lifestyle-led partnerships and limited-edition collaborations. Apple Podcasts Show Notes This week’s Five Things Friday UK looks at the stories reshaping retail strategy, grocery, store operations and customer experience. Alex opens with reflections from recent European retail travel, including Madrid, London, Paris, Milan and Amsterdam, plus a visit to the Coach pop-up at Selfridges. He highlights the importance of brand authenticity, customisation and cross-generational appeal, and thanks Charlotte Pasamar and Arjoon Bose — Chief Marketing Officer | VP Marketing | International Business. The conversation then moves into the week’s five retail themes: Ocado’s major tech partnership Alex discusses why Ocado’s platform matters for grocery operations, delivery, store picking and operational efficiency. Lidl overtakes Morrisons The episode looks at how Lidl’s rise changes the UK grocery landscape and why international retailers continue to watch the UK market closely. Rituals and experiential retail Alex shares observations from the House of Rituals in Amsterdam, including coffee, brunch, shopping and Mind Oasis experiences. M&S staff safety and retail theft Simone discusses M&S’s partnership with WalkSafe, including live journey tracking, SOS alerts and support for staff travelling early or late. The conversation expands into retail theft, JD Sports, body-worn cameras, security gates and the need to protect shop workers. Little Greene x Hunter and brand collaborations Simone highlights the limited-edition Little Greene and Hunter collaboration, using it as an example of brands aligning around lifestyle and customer identity rather than obvious product categories. The episode closes with a wider discussion of limited runs, IP licensing, Marc Jacobs, LVMH and the growing consumer appetite for unique collaborations. Chapters 00:00 — Welcome to Five Things Friday UK 00:30 — Coach Selfridges pop-up and brand experience 01:04 — Charlotte Pasamar and Arjoon Bose at Coach 02:54 — Ocado’s major tech partnership 03:48 — Lidl overtakes Morrisons 04:10 — Why global retailers watch UK grocery 05:06 — Rituals and the House of Rituals experience 07:16 — M&S launches staff safety initiative 07:37 — WalkSafe and employee protection 08:10 — JD Sports, retail theft and staff safety 09:20 — Security, store entrances and safer retail environments 10:50 — Little Greene x Hunter collaboration 11:56 — Lifestyle-led brand partnerships 12:34 — Marc Jacobs, LVMH and IP licensing 13:20 — Wrap-up with Alex and Simone

Retail is no longer just competing for customer spend. It is competing for attention. In this episode of Podcast Sessions, Richard Fisher, Head of Store Design at Holland & Barrett, joins us live from the EuroShop floor to explore how physical retail is changing in the attention economy. Richard explains why retailers now compete with Netflix, Disney, sport, and other entertainment platforms for people’s time. He shares how Holland & Barrett is evolving its store experience, from grocery concessions with Tesco and Morrisons to flagship learnings from Chelmsford, Bluewater, Cardiff, and Oxford Street. The conversation also explores Holland & Barrett’s role as a health and wellness retailer, its mission to add quality years to life, and Richard’s distinctive “punk and showbiz” philosophy for store design: the balance between getting attention and creating a commercially successful retail environment. This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in retail design, wellness retail, store strategy, customer attention, brand experience, and the future role of physical stores. https://info.itab.com/video-social/euroshop-2026   In this episode, we cover: How Holland & Barrett is evolving its store design strategy Why retail is competing with Netflix, Disney and sport for attention The importance of time and attention in modern retail Holland & Barrett’s grocery concessions with Tesco and Morrisons How store-within-store formats change the customer mindset Why Richard Fisher uses the phrase “punk and showbiz” What physical retail can learn from digital commerce How stores may become part of the marketing journey Why brand consistency matters across every retail touchpoint What the next phase of retail design could look like Guest: Richard Fisher Role: Head of Store Design, Holland & Barrett Recorded live from: EuroShop floor Podcast: Podcast Sessions

AI is forcing a complete rethink of ecommerce, retail operations, and digital commerce architecture. In this episode, Kelly Goetsch — President at Pipe17 and one of the most influential voices in modern commerce technology — explains why the “status quo is no longer acceptable” in the age of AI. Drawing on experience across Oracle, ATG, commercetools, and modern AI-driven commerce systems, Kelly breaks down: Why AI is a “categorically new way of work” The shift from monoliths → headless → microservices → AI-native commerce Why product catalog data is now mission-critical The rise of UCP (Universal Commerce Protocol) Why most retailers are still unprepared for AI How startups are moving faster than enterprises Why experimentation now costs dramatically less The future of AI-powered shopping experiences This conversation also explores: Google vs OpenAI in commerce AI agents and autonomous commerce Retail infrastructure modernization GEO / AI search optimization AI-native workflows Enterprise resistance to AI adoption The next generation of ecommerce architecture If you work in ecommerce, retail technology, AI strategy, composable commerce, digital transformation, or enterprise innovation — this episode is essential listening. Topics Covered AI commerce Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) Ecommerce AI strategy Retail transformation Product data enrichment Headless commerce Microservices architecture AI-native organizations Commerce infrastructure AI agents in retail About Kelly Goetsch Kelly Goetsch is President at Pipe17 and a long-time leader in enterprise commerce technology. Across leadership roles at Oracle, ATG, commercetools, and Pipe17, he has helped shape modern ecommerce architecture and composable commerce strategy. Chapter Timestamps 00:00 – Why AI Changes Everything 00:00:24 – Introducing Kelly Goetsch 00:01:28 – “The Status Quo Is No Longer Acceptable” 00:02:18 – Monoliths, Headless & The Evolution of Commerce 00:03:17 – Why Software Architecture Keeps Changing 00:04:07 – The Rise of Headless Commerce 00:04:54 – Why Microservices Changed Ecommerce 00:05:20 – AI as the New Commerce “Head” 00:06:02 – UCP vs ACP Explained 00:07:12 – Why Google Took Commerce More Seriously 00:08:16 – Why UCP Is Gaining Adoption 00:09:02 – The Real Problem Behind AI Commerce 00:10:22 – Pipe17’s Role in AI Commerce Infrastructure 00:11:12 – Why Retailers Are Still Waiting 00:12:31 – Why Most AI Ecommerce Metrics Are Misleading 00:12:48 – The Product Data Problem 00:14:07 – GEO, AI Search & Content Syndication 00:14:48 – Why AI Will Create Thousands of Commerce “Heads” 00:15:43 – The Cultural Problem Inside Retail 00:16:43 – Why People Disagree on AI Timelines 00:17:51 – Enterprise AI Friction Explained 00:18:41 – How Startups Are Using AI Differently 00:20:03 – Why Enterprises Fear AI Risk 00:21:16 – AI Changes the Cost of Innovation 00:22:14 – “Just Build It” 00:23:14 – How to Upskill Yourself in AI 00:24:29 – Why Companies Still Fear Change 00:25:11 – Final Thoughts

This week on World Retail Signals, the team explores one of the most important emerging battles in AI commerce: Amazon vs Perplexity and the future of autonomous AI shopping agents. The episode also covers: The changing expectations of the future retail workforce WHP Global’s acquisition of Marc Jacobs Why brand licensing is becoming central to retail strategy Greggs’ evolving retail formats The growth of wellness retail and personalised shopping experiences If you work in retail, ecommerce, AI, consumer strategy, or brand leadership, this episode breaks down the shifts shaping the next era of commerce.  

Why are heritage fashion brands suddenly winning again? This episode explores how M&S, Topshop, H&M, Vogue and Laura Ashley are using experiential retail, collaborations and nostalgia marketing to reconnect with younger audiences. Topics include: M&S’s Ibiza runway activation Topshop x Vogue H&M x Laura Ashley Slow fashion retail trends Carnaby Street expansion brands Gen Z retail marketing A practical conversation on modern fashion marketing, retail strategy and consumer culture.     Follow & Subscribe New episodes every week covering: Retail trends Fashion marketing Brand strategy Consumer behaviour Experiential commerce UK retail culture

AI is reshaping commerce. Retailers are investing in stores again. And organized retail crime has become one of the industry’s biggest policy priorities. This week, Jill Dvorak from the National Retail Federation joins Five Things Friday - USA Edition to discuss: The latest organized retail crime legislation Amazon vs Perplexity and the implications for retail AI Why physical retail expansion is accelerating The future of personalization and customer ownership NRF APAC and global retail innovation trends A concise executive briefing for retail leaders, commerce strategists, and technology decision-makers. Chapters / Segment Markers 00:00 — Welcome to Five Things Friday 00:18 — Jill Dvorak and the NRF Explained 00:58 — Organized Retail Crime Bill Passes the House 02:12 — Amazon vs Perplexity and AI Commerce 03:24 — Why Retailers Need AI Guardrails 03:48 — Target’s Strategy and Influencer Partnerships 04:55 — Why Retailers Are Opening More Stores 05:59 — NRF APAC Singapore Preview 08:24 — NRF Europe Paris Preview 08:47 — Closing Thoughts

Private label retail in APAC is entering a major growth phase — and AI may accelerate the shift dramatically. This episode explores: Retailer-owned brands and consumer adoption AI-powered product recommendations Beauty retail competition in Australia Mecca vs Sephora The growing importance of customer data and personalization Why algorithms are replacing traditional retail gatekeepers The conversation also examines how retailers can build stronger emotional and identity-driven connections with customers in an AI-first commerce environment.   00:00 — Introduction 00:01 — What Private Label Means in Retail 00:03 — Why APAC Is a High-Growth Opportunity 00:05 — AI-Driven Shopping & Retail Recommendations 00:06 — Beauty Retail in Australia 00:08 — Why Physical Retail Still Matters 00:09 — The Devil Wears Prada & Algorithmic Influence 00:11 — Retail Leaders Debate AI’s Real Value 00:13 — Final Thoughts

Jason Cottrell, CEO of Orium and President of the MACH Alliance, explains how AI agents and composable commerce are reshaping enterprise retail and digital infrastructure. In this episode, we explore: AI agent ecosystems Human-in-the-loop AI governance Enterprise AI architecture Composable commerce AI-driven workflows QA automation Retail transformation The future of enterprise operations Jason shares practical insights on how leaders can prepare their teams, infrastructure, and operating models for the next shift in commerce technology. If you work in retail, ecommerce, enterprise technology, digital transformation, or AI strategy, this conversation provides a grounded look at what comes next. Guest: Jason Cottrell CEO, Orium President, MACH Alliance CHAPTERS 00:00 — Why Competitive Advantages Disappear Overnight 01:46 — What the MACH Alliance Actually Does 04:20 — Engineered AI Processes & Persistent Agents 06:19 — Why Enterprises Need Flexible AI Infrastructure 08:42 — AI Governance, Security & Policy Enforcement 11:34 — Human-in-the-Loop AI & QA Automation 14:00 — Co-Intelligence: Humans + AI Agents 15:22 — The New Competitive Advantage in AI 17:20 — How Leaders Should Guide Teams Through AI Change 19:11 — Why Retail Merchandising Teams Need Help

“90% of Zalando’s marketing content is now AI generated.” Fresh from World Retail Congress, Alex sits down with Ian and Niamh to unpack the retail leadership signals shaping the industry’s future. Featuring insights from Zalando, Primark, Fressnapf, Action and Unhidden, this episode explores how AI is changing organisational structures, marketing execution, customer engagement and long-term growth strategy across global retail. Topics include: Why graduate and entry-level retail jobs are shrinking How AI is compressing traditional organisational structures Zalando’s AI-powered marketing transformation Why community-led brands are outperforming mass-market retail The rise of ecosystem-led retail growth How retailers are redefining customer relationships Why knowing your customer still matters more than technology alone The discussion also explores how retailers can balance efficiency with leadership development while adapting to AI-driven operating models. This episode is for retail executives, ecommerce leaders, strategy teams, innovation leaders and technology partners tracking the future of AI in commerce. Optimised Chapter Titles 00:00 World Retail Congress Key Takeaways 01:02 AI and the Decline of Graduate Retail Jobs 03:45 The Leadership Pipeline Risk Retailers Face 05:15 Zalando’s AI Marketing Transformation 07:12 AI, Marketplaces and Retail Operations 08:40 Why Community-Led Retail Brands Are Growing 10:24 Primark, Accessibility and Underserved Customers 12:15 Fressnapf’s Ecosystem Growth Strategy 14:18 How Pet Retail Is Expanding Beyond Products 15:28 Customer Strategy vs AI Automation 17:35 Action’s Ultra-Efficient Retail Model 19:10 Retail Leadership Lessons for 2030 Follow The Retail Podcast for weekly retail leadership insights, AI transformation analysis and global commerce strategy conversations.

Retail isn’t dying — it’s polarising. In this week’s episode of Five Things Friday, we unpack the biggest shifts shaping retail right now, from shrinking UK retail square footage to the rise of AI-powered shopping agents. We discuss: Why mid-market retail is under pressure Ted Baker’s return through Selfridges Anthropologie opening in Coal Drops Yard Amazon joining the Universal Commerce Protocol Why AI assistants may soon do your grocery shopping Pret A Manger experimenting with drive-thru retail This episode explores how premium retail, convenience, experiential shopping, and AI infrastructure are redefining commerce in 2025. If you work in retail, ecommerce, consumer brands, or tech — this is essential listening. Topics Covered Retail trends 2025 AI commerce Ted Baker revival Anthropologie expansion Amazon & agentic commerce UK retail property trends Experiential retail Future of shopping   Simone is the co-founder and CEO of NIFT, the infrastructure powering instant delivery for retail through checkout integrations and an on-demand delivery marketplace. #Retail #Ecommerce #AICommerce #TedBaker #RetailTrends #Amazon #Anthropologie #FutureOfRetail #FiveThingsFriday YouTube Chapters 00:00 Intro & Welcome 00:01 Family updates & no-travel week 00:15 What is Five Things Friday? 01:15 Simone/NIFT 02:02 UK retail square footage shrinking for first time 02:32 Why retail is polarising into value vs premium 03:41 AI agents may soon do your shopping 04:26 Ted Baker returns via Selfridges Manchester 05:33 Why heritage brands are repositioning instead of disappearing 07:24 Anthropologie opens at Coal Drops Yard 08:17 Why experiential retail locations are winning 09:28 Google launches Universal Commerce Protocol 10:11 Amazon joins the future of AI commerce infrastructure 11:02 Pret A Manger launches drive-thru concept 11:59 Closing thoughts 💬 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  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

This week on 5 Things Friday UK edition, we break down the retail stories shaping the high street, physical stores, discovery, customer experience, AI, and the future of retail. The episode starts with a spotlight on Positive Retail, described in the conversation as a more curated, “posh TK Maxx” approach to giving unsold fashion stock a second life without leaning into chaotic discount culture. The discussion then moves to Longchamp’s Sloane Square pop-up, a beach-club-style activation built around music, drinks, games, workshops, and summer holiday energy — a strong example of why physical retail has to offer something the internet cannot. The conversation also covers the reported return of Claire’s to UK high streets, with plans mentioned in the episode for 50 stores, before moving into takeaways from World Retail Congress in Berlin. Topics include CEO perspectives on AI, customer experience, retail engagement, ASOS collaborations, the role of Reddit in AI training, and whether retailers should be paying closer attention to Reddit and community-driven search behaviour. The episode wraps with store visits and retail models from Europe, including Action’s frugal operating model, the question of whether AI removes organisational “fluff,” and examples from OBI, QVC live shopping, NRF Europe, and HOFF’s Madrid flagship store. A fast, practical look at where retail is heading next: more experience, more curation, more operational discipline, and a sharper debate around AI. Links https://positive-retail.com/ https://www.nrfbigshoweurope.com/en/about/event-overview https://www.instagram.com/reels/DXuOaYxggjU/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to 5 Things Friday UK 00:27 Meet Simone and Need It For Tonight 01:15 Positive Retail and a different future for fashion 02:12 Overproduction, discounting, and retail’s race to the bottom 02:36 The “posh TK Maxx” model of curated discovery 03:49 Longchamp’s Sloane Square beach-club pop-up 04:26 Why physical retail needs emotion and atmosphere 05:21 Claire’s planned return to UK high streets 06:06 World Retail Congress in Berlin 06:32 CEOs on AI, customer experience, and retail engagement 06:51 ASOS, collaborations, and sell-out retail moments 07:13 Reddit, AI training, and retail discovery 08:33 Who actually uses Reddit? 09:45 Inside Action’s frugal European retail model 10:33 Centralised operations, SKUs, and efficiency 11:00 Is AI just removing organisational fluff? 11:24 Action opening one store a day 11:52 OBI, garden retail, and store experience 12:13 QVC and the move into live shopping 12:37 NRF Europe, London, Milan, Amsterdam, and Paris 13:24 HOFF’s Madrid flagship store 13:49 Pulse, London plans, and new social content 14:14 Closing remarks 💬 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 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