Natalie discusses the launch of Amazon Haul, the retailer’s new Temu-like storefront where most items are under $10 and delivery takes up to two weeks. She also unpacks the reasons behind Vinted’s success – what consumer needs is it tapping into and what are the implications for the wider retail sector? And, finally, Natalie shares her thoughts on the explosion of advent calendars. What is driving the trend and what can retailers learn from it? [4:20] Is Amazon terminating its online grocery ser...
Nov 14, 2024•23 min•Ep. 52
The Black Friday deals started as early as Halloween here in the UK (yes, really – see Boots, John Lewis, Currys) and mainland Europe isn’t far behind. On today's episode, Natalie speaks to Sander Roose, CEO and Founder of Omnia Retail, the Amsterdam-based company behind Europe’s first dynamic pricing software. Sander and Natalie explore Black Friday 2024 trends in great depth as well as the Ticketmaster/Oasis disaster and why it’s important to distinguish between dynamic and surge pricing, and ...
Nov 04, 2024•21 min•Ep. 51
Dave Mikita is the President of International and Retail Channels at GoTo Foods (formerly Focus Brands). He joins Natalie on the podcast to discuss how GoTo Foods has grown to become the world’s #2 food & beverage licensor and what the company has in store for the future. They explore: Beyond buying power, what are the benefits for franchise partners? Dave discusses how GoTo Foods provides support on consumer insights, site selection, supply chain, new product development, menu innovation an...
Oct 28, 2024•31 min•Ep. 50
Live from Barcelona, Green Retail World’s Editor Ben Sillitoe joins Natalie on the podcast to share what they learned at Manhattan Exchange this week. They explore how generative AI chatbots are going to revolutionize customer service, why the days of frontline staff being told to “sell, not think” are over and what sustainability looks like for retailers in 2025. If you missed the episode with Manhattan Associates’ Pieter Van den Broecke, you can catch up here . Links: Manhattan Associates Gree...
Oct 17, 2024•24 min•Ep. 49
Live from Barcelona, Pieter Van den Broecke, EMEA Leader, Supply Chain Commerce Strategies at Manhattan Associates joins Natalie to discuss: Europe's retail CIOs - what's keeping them up at night? Generative AI – what are the opportunities and challenges? Customer experience - how to service your customers in real-time and learning to trust AI to be the first port of call. Why giving shoppers greater control post-purchase is a win for retailers, customers and the planet. Unified commerce – what ...
Oct 14, 2024•21 min•Ep. 48
Faire is the largest global b2b marketplace for independent retailers. In this episode, Faire’s UK General Manager Charlotte Broadbent joins Natalie to discuss: How Faire is disrupting the wholesale sector and benefits for SMEs Opportunities and challenges facing independent retailers today How indies can up their game with AI Values-based shopping and why ‘Not on Amazon’ is Faire’s most popular filter Black Friday - should indies take part or is it a race to the bottom? Women in tech – breaking...
Oct 01, 2024•33 min•Ep. 47
Gary Kusin, co-founder of GameStop and Laura Mercier Cosmetics, joins Natalie on the podcast to discuss: GameStop’s origins: what inspired Gary and James McCurry to launch the world’s first video game store in the early 80s? Successes and missed opportunities: what would Gary have done differently? The pivot to makeup: Gary discusses how a conversation with former Macy’s Chairman Terry Lundgren sparked the idea for Laura Mercier. Continuous improvement versus continuous change. Customer centrici...
Sep 23, 2024•46 min•Ep. 46
From the rise of Temu and Shein to immersive digital commerce - and not to mention the resurgence of good old-fashioned bricks & mortar retail - Amazon certainly isn’t short of competitive threats. Miya Knights and Natalie Berg, co-authors of Amazon: How the World’s Most Relentless Retailer Will Continue to Revolutionize Commerce , reconnect on Amazon’s 30th anniversary to explore what comes next for the online retailing giant and whether it has what it takes to stay relevant in the future. ...
Jul 25, 2024•43 min•Ep. 45
This week, Natalie is answering the questions rather than asking them! She speaks to Rishad Tobaccowala who is the former Global Strategy and Growth Officer at Publicis Groupe and host of the What Next? podcast. They explore: Natalie’s move to the UK nearly two decades ago. How the need for flexibility led her to set up her own business as an independent retail analyst. The rise of the digital store. How online shopping will evolve in the future. What it takes to succeed in the current retail cl...
Jul 22, 2024•48 min•Ep. 44
Steve Dennis is a strategic advisor, keynote speaker, podcast host, and bestselling author of Remarkable Retail. He joins Natalie to discuss the findings of his new book, LEADERS LEAP: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption. They explore: The cost of misunderstanding risk – why playing it safe is the riskiest strategy of all. Why a complete metamorphosis of the leadership mindset is essential to thrive in the face of accelerating change. Why some brands get stuck in the “unremarkab...
Jul 15, 2024•45 min•Ep. 43
David Blakeney, former Store Development Director at House of Fraser and Sook, joins Natalie to discuss: - Why physical retail is on the cusp of a new dawn. - Repurposing physical space in a digital era. - Innovation in department stores - are retailers doing enough? - Pop-up retail – which verticals are best suited (you’ll be surprised) and lessons from Sook. - David’s newest venture: Phygital Retail. David’s bio: David is a highly experienced operator within the retail sector with + 35 years’ ...
Jun 28, 2024•36 min•Ep. 42
The interview from this episode originally aired on The Globalist from Monocle Radio. Natalie discusses the latest global retail stories with Georgina Godwin: Ikea’s Roblox venture: the launch of a virtual store and how Ikea has become the first brand to offer paid work on the gaming platform. Walmart’s tech update: innovation in delivery – drones and in-home delivery – and the beta launch of a generative AI-powered shopping assistant. Pretty Little Thing becomes the latest UK retailer to start ...
Jun 13, 2024•9 min•Ep. 41
Jeremy Schwartz was the turnaround CEO of Pandora, the world’s largest jewellery company with 2,500 stores and e-commerce sites in 90 countries. Prior to that, Jeremy was Chairman and CEO of The Body Shop from 2013 to 2017. He also previously spent time at Sainsbury’s and, as Brand Director, he was the architect of the grocer’s turnaround in 2005 which saw a decade of growth after years in decline. He is the former Managing Director of L’Oréal UK and, as Innovation Director for Coca-Cola Europe,...
Jun 05, 2024•43 min•Ep. 40
Brian Librach, former VP of Stores at Urban Outfitters, Pacific Sunwear and Old Navy, joins Natalie to discuss his new book: The Retail Leader’s Roadmap. They explore: Why retail leaders get stuck and how to rewrite your career outcome. The evolution of bricks & mortar retail – what is the future of stores and how should we be measuring success? Which brands does Brian admire and what are they getting right? How can retailers ensure their staff are motivated and engaged? Cultural shifts: dig...
May 24, 2024•31 min•Ep. 39
James Keyes, Former 7-Eleven and Blockbuster CEO and author of EDUCATION IS FREEDOM: The Future Is in Your Hands, joins Natalie on the podcast to discuss: Change equals opportunity – lessons from Jim’s career and how to avoid being disrupted during periods of turbulence. Dispelling the myths behind Blockbuster’s demise – why fear, not Netflix, killed Blockbuster. Why Jim believes we might see a revival of the Blockbuster brand. Diversification – with Netflix opening restaurants, TikTok opening s...
May 14, 2024•42 min•Ep. 38
Paul Wilkinson, Product Director at Deliveroo and former Tesco and Amazon exec, joins Natalie to discuss: • Quick commerce: what went wrong and how will it evolve? • Why Deliveroo won’t chase 15-minute delivery. • Learnings from the restaurant sector. • Why retail partners are more open to collaboration in 2024. • Deliveroo’s move into non-food: “bringing the whole high street to the customer”. • Voice commerce: why hasn’t it taken off and is there a place for it in the future? • Frictionless ch...
Apr 30, 2024•41 min•Ep. 37
Former Tesco director and Nisa CEO Ken Towle joins Natalie on the podcast to discuss: • The retail and consumer outlook. • Why shrinkflation is not always a bad thing. • His experience running Nisa during the pandemic. • From self-checkouts to generative AI – how technology is changing the way we shop for food. • Grocery e-commerce and the importance of collaboration. • Lessons from his time as Tesco China CEO. Ken Towle is a Retail and Wholesale CEO, Executive, Advisor and Trustee. He spent man...
Mar 27, 2024•40 min•Ep. 36
Have you been to Catford Mews or Peckham Levels? Then you'll know what can be achieved by transforming disused car parks and empty retail units into vibrant, community-led, cultural hubs. Preston Benson, founder of Really Local Group and fellow American in London, joins Natalie on the podcast to discuss: How Really Local Group is creating and restoring cultural infrastructure by regenerating disused high street locations. Homogenous high streets - how to inject character and make our high street...
Mar 14, 2024•25 min•Ep. 35
It's International Women's Day this week and who better to speak to than the iconic and wonderfully inspirational fashion designer Dame Zandra Rhodes? This conversation was recorded live on stage at Springfair in February 2024. Dame Zandra tells Natalie about: - The highs and lows of breaking into the US fashion scene in the 1960s. - How she has spent her life rallying against what was expected of her – both as a designer and a female. - How her personal image has led to the success of her brand...
Mar 05, 2024•24 min•Ep. 34
Natalie speaks to Nigel Oddy, currently CEO of the UK and Europe’s leading golf retailer American Golf, and previously CEO of House of Fraser, New Look, Matalan and The Range. The video version of this episode is available on YouTube and is part of a special collaboration with the Richmond Retail & E-commerce Directors' Forum . Nigel will be speaking at the event alongside leaders from across the industry - Tesco, Charlotte Tilbury, TikTok, N Brown and more. In this episode, Nigel gives us a...
Feb 27, 2024•21 min•Ep. 33
Chris Browne , former Global Retail Director at Ted Baker, joins Natalie to discuss: Visual AI and the opportunities for fashion retail How tech can enhance the shopping experience Addressing the perennial problem of returns What Western retailers can learn from Asia Chris’ vision for the future of the high street Prefer video? You can also watch Natalie and Chris' conversation on YouTube . This episode is part of a special collaboration with the Richmond Retail & E-commerce Directors' Forum...
Feb 21, 2024•29 min•Ep. 32
Natalie speaks to TV dragon, retail magnate and small business champion Theo Paphitis live on stage at Springfair. They discuss: Digital transformation and the impact on retail Why stores are assets in today's digital era High street struggles - business rates, rents and levelling the playing field Failing fast in business What will retail look like in 2034? Theo is the Chairman and Owner of Ryman, Robert Dyas, Boux Avenue and London Graphic Centre and founder of #SBS Small Business Sunday. Full...
Feb 13, 2024•15 min•Ep. 31
Prefer video? You can watch Sarah and Natalie's conversation on YouTube . This episode is part of a collaboration with the Richmond Retail & E-commerce Directors' Forum. Sarah Welsh, CEO of Retail at N Brown, gives us a sneak peek into what she'll be discussing at the event on 18 April 2024. She and Natalie explore: What are the barriers to getting women in retail leadership positions? The importance of representation - how should we nurture future female leaders? Who has inspired Sarah thro...
Feb 05, 2024•24 min•Ep. 30
Prefer video? Watch Helen and Natalie's conversation on YouTube. Helen Dickinson OBE, CEO of the British Retail Consortium, joins the podcast to discuss the BRC’s 2024 manifesto. Topics include: Business rates: how is the retail industry disproportionately affected and what does reform look like? Retail jobs and impact of AI: how can the industry continue to attract and retain talent? Shoplifting and staff abuse: what more can be done to deter retail theft? ESG: how can retailers accelerate thei...
Jan 23, 2024•37 min•Ep. 29
Retail analyst and consultant Nick Bubb joins the show to discuss: Christmas trading results - winners and losers. Why electricals retailing is poised for a comeback in 2024. What JD Sports' and Burberry's profit warnings tell us about the state of retail. What went wrong at John Lewis and whether Peter Ruis can revive the brand. Frasers' stake-building strategy - what is the end game for Asos and Boohoo? Supermarket switching and the importance of physical stores in food retail. Links: Connect ...
Jan 17, 2024•31 min•Ep. 28
Paul Martin, KPMG's Global Head of Retail, joins Natalie for a wide-ranging discussion on: Bifurcation of retail winners and losers Why consumers will be battening down the hatches in H1 Breaking down the BRC-KPMG December sales data Promotions, margins, and the importance of stock visibility Economic outlook and impact of attacks on container ships in the Red Sea Opportunities for retailers in 2024 and beyond Links: Connect with Paul on LinkedIn Paul's perspective on the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales M...
Jan 12, 2024•42 min•Ep. 27
Chris Noice, Communications Director at the Association of Convenience Stores , joins Natalie to discuss Britain’s shoplifting epidemic. They explore: The scale of the problem and factors driving the growing wave of shoplifting. What motivates shoplifters and is it a victimless crime? Cops in shops – will we see more retailers and shopping centres collaborate with the police for in-store police stations? From equipping staff with body cams to hiring undercover security guards – what more can ret...
Dec 14, 2023•36 min•Ep. 26
Richard Lim, CEO of Retail Economics , joins Natalie for a wide-ranging discussion on: The health of the UK consumer and why 2024 will be a year of two halves. Richard's inflation theory (listen to find out!) Combating cost pressures in 2024 - business rates, labour costs and more. November data releases - interpreting the BRC retail sales and Barclaycard consumer spending data - from 'insperiences' to 'revenge spending' Digital transformation progress and where next for the industry. Separating...
Dec 06, 2023•41 min•Ep. 25
Amazon UK boss John Boumphrey joins Natalie on the podcast to discuss: How is Amazon extending the life of returned goods through its Second Chance programme? How can the wider industry overcome the returns challenge? Futureproofing - with more disruption on the horizon, how does Amazon ensure it stays relevant to customers? Consumer outlook - does JB expect consumers to remain relatively resilient as we move into 2024? From drones to generative AI: what technologies and innovations should we be...
Nov 29, 2023•12 min•Ep. 24
Retail expert Maureen Hinton joins Natalie to discuss retailer resilience. Which fashion retailers are defying the economic climate and what is the secret to their success? Maureen also shares her views on the state of the consumer and whether the Black Friday deals will sizzle or fizzle. Connect with Maureen: Twitter/X LinkedIn Learn more about our work at the KPMG/Retail Next Retail Think Tank...
Nov 22, 2023•30 min•Ep. 23
