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Season 7 Finale
Each week on season 7 of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I’ve been joined by industry experts, retailers and brands to decode the myths, share knowledge and give you a better insight into the retail industry.
In this final episode of season 7, I give you a quick recap of key moments from 2024. There have been 24 episodes of The Retail Tea Break podcast covering an incredible range of topics. So grab your cup of tea, sit back, relax and listen in! And If you have enjoyed the podcast this year, please subscribe and leave me a comment, let me know which episode has been your favourite.
Remember you can listen back to all the previous Retail Tea Break episodes from the last 3 years on your favourite podcast platform or on YouTube.
If you’d like to get involved in the next season of the podcast, as a guest or a sponsor please drop me a message on LinkedIn or email [email protected]
See you in 2025 for season 8, as we head towards our 100th episode!
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On this week’s episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast I’m joined by a product experience specialist. Andy Tyra is the Chief Product Officer at Akeneo. He strives to deliver product information management solutions for brands and retailers contributing to a seamless and positive customer journey.
Andy was previously a founding team member on AmazonFresh and AWS Marketplace, building these businesses to materiality from the very beginning. He has a phenomenal amount of experience- so this is an episode not to miss… Grab your cup of tea, sit back and listen in!
Topics:
The product experience company, what does that mean?What comes first; the data or the customer? Barriers retailers are facing, but they don’t have to do it aloneReducing returns and support the customer journey Regulations: preparing for the digital product passportFantastic case study from Swedish clothing brand AsketWhat’s coming up next for the businessFor more information visit: https://www.akeneo.com/
Transcription and show notes available at: https://theretailadvisor.ie/
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On the latest episode of The Retail Tea Break I’m joined by a retailer who is on a mission to bring joy to customers and the community. Anne Barber is founder of Butterslip in Kilkenny. She has won numerous awards and accolades, as well as loyal customers over the last 20 years. The store is remarkable for its colourful displays, inside and out and for the joy with which it embraces its customers - a theme that runs through both its physical and online presence.
Anne is passionate about independent retail and its place in the community and in creating vibrant town centres. The message is simple; bringing joy to your customers is the best and possibly only way for small retailers to thrive. This is a gorgeous episode to listen to ahead of Black Friday- support local and if you can, help Anne turn it into an Amber Friday! Grab your cup of tea, sit back and listen in…
Topics:
Positivity in retailCreating an easy and uplifting customer journey. Nurturing the lifetime value of the customersEngaging shoppers sensesThriving as an independent retail ownerHappy Staff = Happy CustomersIt’s not Black Friday, it’s Amber FridayWhat’s next and celebrating 20 years in business next yearFor more information visit: https://butterslip.com/
Transcription and show notes available at: https://theretailadvisor.ie/
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In the latest episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I’m joined by two guests with a whole plethora of sales and ecommerce experience. Eamonn Grant is Senior VP of Corporate Development at ESW and Jonathan Sheard is VP Sales at ESW UK. Their teams empower the world’s best-loved retailers and brands to make global shopping better, safer, simpler, and faster, end-to-end.
Eamonn has 24 years’ experience working across multiple industries, in roles that cover DTC, ecommerce and B2B for well known brands including Samsung and Supervalu. Jonathan Sheard has extensive retail sales leadership, securing career wins with internationally renowned brands including ASOS, Ralph Lauren, SHEIN and Boohoo Group. This is an episode that will help you grow your business internationally; so grab your cup of tea, sit back and listen in….
Topics:
What do ESW do?Current challenges facing retailers Omni channel demand variation by marketBringing value to the customers’ experienceDelivering holiday magic to ensure customers have a happy worry-free holiday seasonESW future plansFor more information: https://esw.com/
Transcription and show notes available at: https://theretailadvisor.ie/
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In the latest episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I’m joined by a “Business Imagineer”, who is focused on building growth-unleashing relationships in symbiosis between commercial understanding and shopper insights. Torben Valsted is a Chief Imagineer, having worked as a transformational leader and growth architect for Nike, Nestlé and Carlsberg.
Torben is passionate about unleashing the synergies between commercial strategy, commercial leadership and intelligence integration in the pursuit of building consumer bonds. He believes that growing team and growing consumer bonds is the foundation of growing business. This episode is set to challenge the retail ‘norms’, however it also provides a solution that utilises intel, strategy and leadership. So grab your cup of tea, sit back and listen in!
Topics:
The changing marketplace2008- when traditional branding diedThe Shopperverse and the 360 experienceBrand strategy and communicationThe solution: ViiBEBuilding an emotional connectionFor more information visit: https://www.imagineership.com/
Transcription and show notes available at: https://theretailadvisor.ie/
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On the latest episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I’m joined by a dynamic entrepreneur and visionary founder, who has set new standards in the floral industry. Vivian Wong-McKendry is the Founder of One More Thing- the brand that promotes sustainable living through beautiful, eco-friendly products.
In this episode she talks about a collaboration that has taken her work to Selfridges and her latest pop-up store in Kildare Village. Her commitment to sustainability and innovation continues to inspire and set new benchmarks, making her a celebrated figure in both floral design and entrepreneurship. This is a gorgeous episode! So grab a cup of tea, sit back and listen in…
Topics:
Having a creative career before One More ThingThe gap in the market that helped create the Everblooms Preserved FlowersA new candle conceptThe floral art installation at Selfridges.Delivering the Pop-Up experienceMeeting the customer to grow the brandFor more information: https://onemorething.ie/
One More Things at Kildare Village: https://www.thebicestercollection.com/kildare-village/en/brands/one-more-thing
Transcription and show notes available at: https://theretailadvisor.ie/
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On the latest episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast I’m joined by a guest who really cares about what matters to the consumer. Alyson Hogg MBE, is the CEO and Founder of Vita Liberata. Driven by a passion to bring quality, meaningful products to market that people really want to use, Alyson excels at telling the story of those products in the most compelling way. Her incredible career brought her creativity, experience and energy to roles such as programme maker at BBC, to Communications Director for the Women's Coalition during the Northern Ireland peace process.
Most recently, Alyson is back at the helm of Vita Liberata. The brand saw meteoric growth since its inception, through its disruption of the self-tan category and she has very exciting plans for the future! So grab that cup of tea and listen to a fantastic episode….
Topics:
Starting Vita LiberataGrowing a business isn’t glamorousBuying back the business; “often imitated, never copied”Delegation and team workIncredible advice for entrepreneurs and beauty brandsFuture plansFor more information: https://www.vitaliberata.com/
Transcription and show notes available at: https://theretailadvisor.ie/
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On the latest episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast I'm joined by a guest who really understands how AI can impact and support retail. Peter Cohan is a strategy consultant, startup investor, author, and columnist. He is an Associate Professor of Management Practice at Babson College, he is faculty lead for the core undergraduate strategy course and has created popular electives on Startup Cities and Scaling Strategy.
His strategy consulting firm has completed over 150 projects to help companies identify, evaluate, and profit from growth opportunities created by changing technology. Peter is author of 17 books including the latest one, Brain Rush. RETHINK Retail named him a Top Retail Expert every year between 2021 and 2024 and chose him as a Top AI Leader in 2024. Sit back and listen to a fantastic episode.
Topics:
The new book ‘Brain Rush, how to invest and compete in the real world of Generative AI’The Value PyramidThe payoffs for retailGetting the CEO onboard, using AI across the business?People in retail can “AI proof their careers”AI that adds value for customersFuture plansFor more information:
Babson College Associate Professor of Management Practice
Peter S. Cohan & Associates
Books
Forbes and Inc. columns
Transcription and show notes available at: https://theretailadvisor.ie/
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To celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the Retail Tea Break Podcast, I’m delighted to be re-joined by 4 retail experts for part two of our round table.
From season 2, Ian Scott works at a strategic level with brands and retailers. He provides insights, assisting with store development and offering a consumer centric perspective. He introduced the concept of Symbiotic Retail, highlighting how all channels need to work together as one ecosystem for the benefit of the shopper.Long time friend of the podcast and author of Breaking Down Barriers, Chris Igwe provides services to luxury and premium brands, as well as shopping centre owners and high street landlords. His advice is both strategic and implementational, given his vast knowledge of, and experience within, global retail.Back for season 7, Linda Johansen-James,the Founder and CEO of International Retail Group. The “Billion Dollar Brand Maker”, specialises in brand launches, in-store design, sales training, franchising, and has a track record of generating $1.7 billion in revenue and attracting top brands. And introducing Torben Valsted! An Imagineer and growth architect who believes that growing teams and growing consumer bonds is the foundation of growing business. Passionate about unleashing the synergies between commercial strategy, commercial leadership and intelligence integration in the pursuit of building consumer bonds.Listen back to the first episode of season 7 to hear our initial conversation. In the meantime, Grab your cup of tea, sit back and listen in…
Topics:
Proper retail training= increased salesIs product knowledge really neccessary?Driving footfall when standards are poorRetail pay and benefitsBack to basicsWhat’s coming up next?For more information visit:
Ian Scott: https://www.ianscott.net/
Chris Igwe: https://www.igweinternational.com/
Linda Johansen-James: https://irg-retail.com/
Torben Valsted: https://nl.linkedin.com/in/tvalsted
Transcription and show notes available at: https://theretailadvisor.ie/
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In the latest episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I speak to a retail newbie! Rebecca Hoban is Co-Founder of Outwest Clothing and retail store. From Dingle in County Kerry, Rebecca and Co-Founder Shane Finn built an outdoor apparel brand made for the Irish outdoors.
Rebecca describes the retail store’s opening day during a bank holiday weekend and learning on the job. She talks passionately about growing the business, empowering the team and engaging customers. This episode celebrates the incredible journey that the brand has been on over the last two years and looks forward to what comes next! So grab your cup of tea, sit back and listen…
Topics:
Starting out in retailRunning a people focused businessThe importance of storytellingThe challenges of running a rapidly growing businessBecoming B-Corp certifiedExciting plans for the futureFor more information visit: www.outwestclothing.ie
Transcription and show notes available at: https://theretailadvisor.ie/
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In the latest episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I speak to an incredibly experienced retailer. Conrad Digan is the CEO of Shaws Department Stores. Having worked in various DT2 store roles for Marks and Spencer in London and then Dublin, he went on to become the Head of Selling for M&S on the Island of Ireland. Then after almost 25 years, he left M&S to take on the Director of Retail Ops and Customer Service at Primark.
In late 2021 he became the first non-family CEO at Shaws, a business that is reaching its 160-year milestone this year. Conrad describes how the omni channel business has a passionate service ethos and a ‘surprising’ range of international brands.
This is such a special episode, as the CEO describes his excitement about the new store opening in Athlone. Packed with insights and stories, it’s one not to miss! So grab your cup of tea, sit back and listen in…
Topics:
The new store, Golden Island Shopping Centre in Athlone.The importance of the physical storeLate adopters to onlinePersonal customer serviceDriving the sustainability agendaRevisiting brand valuesThe Golden Quarter!For more information visit: https://shaws.ie/
Transcription and show notes available at: https://theretailadvisor.ie/
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In the latest episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I’m joined by a guest who plays a huge part in a modern heritage Irish brand that sells globally. Sarah Murphy is the Managing Director of Jack Murphy Clothing. Establishing themselves as a leader in fashionable, functional, and sustainable clothing was and still is, a family passion.
Now over 70 years in business and in its third generation, the legacy brand uses meticulous craftmanship. From the original focus on corsetry, to their pivot to outwear, the brand continues to strive for innovation while respecting their heritage. And so their core focus remains the same, timeless elegance crafted with an eye for detail. This episode shares how the brand bounced back from one of the most challenging periods in their existence. So grab your cup of tea, sit back and listen…
Topics:
Marketing a legacy brandSupportive retailer relationships“we don’t just talk sustainability- we live it”Challenging times through Brexit and CovidThe bounce-backExciting times aheadFor more information visit: www.jackmurphy.ie
Transcription and show notes available at: https://theretailadvisor.ie/
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To celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the Retail Tea Break Podcast and the launch of season 7, I’m delighted to be joined by 4 retail experts.
From season 2, Ian Scott works at a strategic level with brands and retailers. He provides insights, assisting with store development and offering a consumer centric perspective. He introduced the concept of Symbiotic Retail, highlighting how all channels need to work together as one ecosystem for the benefit of the shopper.Long time friend of the podcast and author of Breaking Down Barriers, Chris Igwe provides services to luxury and premium brands, as well as shopping centre owners and high street landlords. His advice is both strategic and implementational, given his vast knowledge of, and experience within, global retail.Back for season 7, Linda Johansen-James,the Founder and CEO of International Retail Group. The “Billion Dollar Brand Maker”, specialises in brand launches, in-store design, sales training, franchising, and has a track record of generating $1.7 billion in revenue and attracting top brands. And introducing Torben Valsted! An Imagineer and growth architect who believes that growing teams and growing consumer bonds is the foundation of growing business. Passionate about unleashing the synergies between commercial strategy, commercial leadership and intelligence integration in the pursuit of building consumer bonds.Topics:
Retail relationships with landlords and centre managersDelivering exceptional shopping experiencesRetail trends and retail theatreHas retail become too complicated?Retail and technologyFor more information visit:
Ian Scott: https://www.ianscott.net/
Chris Igwe: https://www.igweinternational.com/
Linda Johansen-James: https://irg-retail.com/
Torben Valsted: https://nl.linkedin.com/in/tvalsted
Transcription and show notes available at: https://theretailadvisor.ie/
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Season 7 of the retail tea break podcast is dropping very soon, as we celebrate our 3rd birthday.
Coming up on season 7
This season opens with not one, but 4 retail wizards! It’s one hell of a conversation; it’s an unbelievably honest conversation with best practice, fantastic examples and great ideas for you to take away. You really don’t want to miss it!
Honest and open conversations seem to be a key theme for this season, as I talk to a brand who only started their retail journey a few years ago with no retail experience. You’ll hear about the challenges they faced and how they are growing at a rapid rate. We’ll also hear from a legacy brand who have bounced back after nearly losing it all.
There’s a fantastic story about how design and retail can support shoppers in their journey and drive loyalty. Of course we have lots of retail innovation, technology and AI, as well as retail media to help us support our customers on their retail experience. There’s stories of product experiences, which is key at this time of year and of course ecommerce. It’s a jammed packed season!
In the meantime, listen back to previous episodes on your favourite podcast platform or YouTube and while you’re there please subscribe to the podcast so that you get to listen to it first every week.
So get ready to grab that cup of tea, sit back and listen in- to season 7 of the retail tea break podcast.
Transcription and show notes available at: https://theretailadvisor.ie/
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In the latest episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast I’m joined by a guest who has spent over 30 years in the retail industry. Bob Neille has worked all over the world with leading sports and footwear brands including Addias, New Balance and Under Armour. From redefining operational processes to increase profits, to building high performance and highly engaged teams, Bob really understands the customer experience.
The strategic global retail leader has made a name for himself driving growth and innovation, whilst transforming the retail landscape. This is a fantastic episode that will future proof your retail business, so grab your cup of tea, sit back and listen in!
Topics:
Is there a better word for “retail”Processes and PeopleCustomer CentricityThe importance of sharing your brand storyThe future of retailConnect with Bob on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boneville
Transcription and show notes available at: https://theretailadvisor.ie/
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This week’s episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast is sponsored by Salesforce, the world’s #1 CRM. I’m joined by a seasoned technology marketing executive with proven commercial success at executive and board level within tech, marketplaces and ecommerce, rapidly scaling international businesses working in both B2C and B2B environments. Gavin Murphy is the Chief Marketing Officer at Scurri. He is highly skilled in go-to-market strategies, building marketing teams, brand and product positioning, field marketing, product marketing and demand generation at an international level (EMEA & APAC).
Gavin describes how many retailers and brands are missing huge opportunities to enhance the customer experience and to drive loyalty. This is a fantastic episode that will future proof your retail business, so grab your cup of tea, sit back and listen in!
Topics:
What Scurri does and how it all works for retailers and brandsSupporting retailers to growBlack Friday and the Golden Quarter at ScurriHyper-personalisation and driving loyaltythe post purchase experience… Data driving competitor advantageFuture plans and expansionFor more information on Scurri: https://www.scurri.com/
The Retail Tea Break podcast episodes sponsored by Salesforce: https://www.salesforce.com/eu/form/conf/the-retail-tea-break-sponsored-by-salesforce
For more information visit: https://www.salesforce.com/eu/campaign/salesforce-ireland/
Transcription and show notes available at: https://theretailadvisor.ie/
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In the latest episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I’m joined by two guests who really understand shoppers. Vanessa Henry is Research Director (Shopper) and Zoe Smith is a Research Executive, at Walnut Unlimited. They both have vast experience with the retail industry, using a variety of methodologies across projects to uncover true actionable insight that can help to unlock growth in the retail space. Their role- to Understand shopper behaviour, getting under the skin of how consumers behave and feel.
This is a fascinating conversation full of great insights and case studies. So grab your cup of tea, sit back and listen in…
Topics:
What Walnut Unlimited doesHow Shoppers ShopScientific tools including behavioural scienceReal examplesKey takeaways key takeaways that retailers and brands should be aware of?For more information visit: https://walnutunlimited.com/
Transcription and show notes available at: https://theretailadvisor.ie/
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This week’s episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast is sponsored by Salesforce, the world’s #1 CRM. I’m joined by an internationally recognised expert in the retail industry, Rob Garf. The Vice President and General Manager of Retail at Salesforce has over 25 years of global retail experience as a practitioner. He was an industry analyst with AMR Research, a strategy consultant at IBM and a software leader. As this episode shows, Rob is no stranger to the retail industry and the challenges retailers face.
He currently leads industry research, drives solution strategy, and advises senior executives globally on digital transformation. He is also a frequent industry speaker, a member of NRF’s Digital Council, and Chair of the Retail Customer Advisory Board. In this episode, he takes me through Salesforces’ shopping index for Q1 of 2024 and of course we discuss retail’s hottest topic, AI.
This is a fantastic episode, so grab your cup of tea, sit back and listen in!
Topics:
Salesforce’s Shopping Index data for Q1 of 2024Shopper LoyaltyMobile shoppingAdapting to AIDelivering exceptional AI driven customer experiencesSalesforce’s holiday predictions!The Retail Tea Break podcast episodes sponsored by Salesforce: https://www.salesforce.com/eu/form/conf/the-retail-tea-break-sponsored-by-salesforce
Shopper Index report: https://www.salesforce.com/blog/shopping-index-retail-data/
Retail AI Council X Salesforce AI report: https://www.salesforce.com/resources/research-reports/retail-insights-generative-ai/
For more information visit: https://www.salesforce.com/eu/campaign/salesforce-ireland/
Transcription and show notes available at: https://theretailadvisor.ie/
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The latest episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast is a little different. Recorded live at the Olympia in London, I’m joined by a whole host of guests from The Retail Technology Show.
The magic of retail could be seen and heard on every stage and at every booth! With key themes of creating meaningful experiences for the retailer, the customer and the employee, this was retail at its best.
So grab your cup of tea, sit back and listen…
This episode features:
Matt Bradley, Event Director and Founder of Retail Technology Show: https://www.retailtechnologyshow.com/Darren Cremins, Senior Sales Director Retail Media at Scala: https://scala.com/en/Oliver Banks, Retail Expert and Author of ‘Driving Retail Transformation’: purchase the book on AmazonRebecca Carrington, Head of Product at Sparkbox.ai: https://www.sparkbox.ai/Chris Smith, UK Sales Director at Hypervsn: https://hypervsn.com/Craig Ash, Managing Director of Swarovski UK & Ireland: SwarovskiSarah Friswell, CEO Red Ant: https://www.redant.com/Ian Rowan, CEO X-Hoppers: https://www.x-hoppers.com/Guatier Feld, Co-Founder CircularX: https://circularx.com/Holly Tucker MBE, Founder and CEO of Holly & Co. Founder of Notonthehighstreet: https://holly.co/Transcription and show notes available at: https://theretailadvisor.ie/
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In the latest episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I’m joined by a guest who has always had an eye on what’s coming next and exciting ambitions for growth.
Anthony Gallagher, Founder and Managing Director of Petstop. Having started out as a trainee with Penneys, Anthony has since gone to set up one the first pet superstores in Ireland.
This experienced retailer took note of what pet stores across the pond were doing to develop his own successful business model. This is an honest, heartwarming conversation full of great retail stories and examples! So grab your cup of tea, sit back and listen in…
Topics:
New store openingsWhy physical stores so important for PetstopAward winning online presenceHow the online strategy changed over the last few yearsThe People success story Customer loyaltyGrowing the businessFor more information visit: https://www.petstop.ie/
Transcription and show notes available at: https://theretailadvisor.ie/
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