The Retail Podcast
The Retail Podcast features real conversations with the people running global retail, covering topics like AI in retail, ecommerce strategy, store operations, retail media, and the future of commerce without jargon. Hosted by Alex Rezvan, founder of RetailNews.ai, it includes three formats: World Retail Signals, Five Things Friday UK, and in-depth expert interviews. Guests include retail CEOs, CDOs, founders, and operators from leading grocery, fashion, luxury, and technology brands. With over 210 episodes, it is an official partner of NRF Europe and World Retail Congress.
Episodes
Nike Cuts Again, Boots Nears £7bn Sale, Food Prices Peak
What happened to Nike this week is a second round of job cuts and a $2.5 billion cost saving target, as Boots nears a £7bn sale and world food prices hit a near four-year high. For retail leaders the signal is clear: shoppers are working harder for every basket, and retailers will need to work just as hard to earn it. 00:00 Intro 00:22 US shoppers stretch every dollar 00:42 Nike cuts jobs again as
Asia's Silver Shoppers, JD Sports in Mexico and Boots on TikTok Shop | Five Things Friday International
Asia-Pacific's older shoppers, JD Sports' franchise move into Mexico, Fabletics' first store in India, Boots on TikTok Shop and JD.com's new home store in Shanghai. Alex Rezvan and Jill Dvorak of NRF cover the five international retail stories leaders need this week.This week:(01:08) WGSN on Asia's silver generation; South Korea is now 20% aged 65+(02:57) JD Sports enters Mexic
Costco's $33B Online Lesson, Toys R Us Returns and Best Buy on TikTok Shop | Five Things Friday US, Week 40
Costco's digital sales just passed $33 billion, Toys R Us is opening 120 stores, and Best Buy is taking 10,000 products to TikTok Shop. Alex Rezvan and Jill Dvorak of NRF cover the five retail stories US leaders need this week.This week:(00:44) Costco digital sales top $33 billion, up more than 20%(02:43) Toys R Us opens 120 holiday stores with creator studios and cafés(04:50) Best Buy joins T
The Marketing Funnel Is Collapsing: How Retailers Should Work With Creators | Jade Beason
Retail brands still hire creators for one post. Jade Beason says that era is over.Recorded at YouTube Festival 2026 at the London Palladium, this short conversation covers what retailers are missing in how they work with creators, how trust is actually earned, and what a shoppable YouTube does to the customer journey.In this episode:- Why a single sponsored post is the least valuable way to use a
Boots, No7, Tesco F&F, Albaray, M&S, New Look, Sainsbury’s, Oxfam, Halfords & Currys: UK roundup
Boots’ creator-commerce push raises a practical question: whose advice helps customers buy? Alex Rezvan and Simone Oloman examine that question alongside virtual try-on, circular textiles, service-led retail, and Vogue World’s runway robots.Five Things Friday, UK edition. Recorded 25 September 2026.Alex Rezvan and Simone Oloman discuss five connected retail stories:• Tesco’s reported F&F virtu
NRF Europe 2026 Day 3: 9 Retail Innovation 1 Min Pitches + Q&A
Nine retail companies pitch their solutions at NRF Europe 2026. Host Alex Rezvan then asks what makes each worth choosing over a competitor, before an audience challenge on patents and lasting differentiation.Recorded at the Innovation Stage in Paris, the session moves from short product propositions to a practical buying question: what makes this company different from the next supplier?The pitch
Your Next Customer Is an AI Agent | Amplience Co-CEO John Williams on GEO, AEO and the Content Supply Chain
What happens to e-commerce when the internet is no longer built primarily for humans? John Williams, Co-CEO and CTO of Amplience, explains AEO and GEO, why the AI agent is now your audience before the customer, and why content creation is only a third of what the content supply chain really costs. In partnership with Amplience.What you will learn• AEO is the AI answer above Google's results; G
One Minute to Prove It: 14 Retail Startups Take the Stage | NRF Europe 2026
14 startups. 60 seconds each. One question: why should a retailer care?Day 1 of NRF Retail's Big Show Europe 2026 in Paris, from the Innovation Stage. Buynomics, Keyban, Ace Waves, Akoustic Arts, Wearfits, M11, Ekoo, Pinpoint, N3xgen, Deepneuronic, Najar, Meteoria, Cloz AI and Veeton each get one minute to say who they are, what problem they solve and what it means for the people running retai
Inditex & Zara, H&M & COS, JD.com, Google + Australian Retail | Five Things Friday
JD’s robotics plan raises a practical question: can automation handle the exceptions that make fulfilment difficult? Alex Rezvan and Jill Dvorak examine the costs, the people, and the operational test behind the ambition.This Five Things Friday International Edition also covers Inditex’s first-half results, H&M’s Barcelona production office, Google’s changing European search results, and the v
Primark Plans Home Delivery: Too Late? Plus 4 Retail Stories
FULL SHOW NOTESPrimark plans home delivery in Great Britain. Alex Rezvan and Simone Oloman discuss the implications for value fashion and how retailers can earn the next purchase. Plus John Lewis, Boots, Lucy & Yak, Damson Madder, and Tu at Sainsbury’s.In this UK edition of Five Things Friday, the discussion connects digital convenience with the reasons customers still choose a store or a bran
Target Beauty Studio: Prestige Beauty Comes to 600+ Stores
Target is bringing 90 prestige, emerging and global beauty brands to more than 600 stores. Alex Rezvan and Jill Dvorak examine what Target Beauty Studio means for Target, Sephora and Ulta Beauty—and where the customer’s beauty spend could move next.This week’s US retail briefing also covers Nordstrom Rack’s expansion, Williams-Sonoma’s 6.2% comparable brand revenue growth, Lowe’s attempt to addres
Pinduoduo Malaysia, Singapore–Johor Bahru RTS and AI Search
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 categ
Retail Cybersecurity Is a Sector Problem — Scott Price, CEO DFI Retail Group
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.
M&S Moves European Ecommerce Fulfilment to Zalando
Marks & Spencer is using Zalando's ZEOS platform for European ecommerce fulfilment across 22 continental European markets.Alex Rezvan and Simone Oloman, Co-founder and CEO of NIFT, cover six UK retail stories: M&S and Zalando's European fulfilment partnership; John Lewis Sports & Wellness; ASOS and Barbour's Re-loved collaboration with Jimmy Turrell; George at Asda's If
Walmart Adds Apple Pay, Ross Outpaces TJX on Q2 Comps
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 and Jill Dvorak, Senior Vice President, Content at NRF, break down five US retail stories: Home Depot's nationwide three-hour Express Delivery, Lamine Yamal in American Eagle's back-to-school push, Best Buy certifying al
Target’s AI Move, Coach Growth & the Future of US Retail
Why is Coach growing while Kate Spade declines under the same parent company?And what does Target appointing a Chief AI Officer tell us about the next phase of retail technology?In this USA edition of Five Things Friday, Alex and Jill unpack five developments shaping US retail.Target brings Chandu Nair across from Lowe’s as Chief AI Officer, prompting a bigger discussion about whether AI should si
The International Briefing: 5 Global Retail Stories to Know SHEIN, JD.com, India, Shipping & Fabletics
What should global retail leaders be paying attention to right now?In this edition of The International Briefing, Jill Dvorak, Senior Vice President, Content at NRF, joins Alex Rezvan to unpack five developments from across the international retail industry.Europe: What could the €3 charge on low-value imported parcels mean for SHEIN, Temu and cross-border ecommerce?China: JD.com’s latest results
Five Things Friday UK: Harvey Nichols, Poundland, IKEA & Rapid Delivery
Five Things Friday UK Edition is your fast briefing on the retail stories worth paying attention to this week.Alex Rezvan and Simone Oloman break down the developments affecting retailers, brands and the wider industry.This week:Frasers buys Harvey Nichols — what could happen to the luxury retailer, its regional stores and its relationship with Flannels?Poundland and value retail — why competing o
A Retail Executive Goes Shopping for AI | NRF APAC 2026
Alex Rezvan and AEON360 Managing Director Low Ngai Yuen go into operator mode at NRF APAC. Ngai Yuen has a live AI and product-data requirement—and two startups she first met in New York may have the answer. This is the buying journey: the brief, the meetings, the 50,000-SKU proof of concept and the reality of turning conference discovery into retail execution.What does buying AI look like when a
What's Really Happening in Global Retail Right Now? Hugo Boss, Uber Eats, Nike, Fair Price & LA 2028
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
Global Brand Localization: What Retailers Get Wrong
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 e
What Retailers Can Expect at NRF Retail’s Big Show Europe
Why are some retail markets able to adopt AI faster than Europe?30% off an All Access Pass: ALEX30NRF 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
APAC Retail Trends: China Membership, Vietnam E-commerce & K-Food
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 Nga
Primark vs SKIMS and the Return of UK E-Commerce Growth- Plus Argos, Charlotte Tilbury Five Things Friday UK
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• M
Walmart Goes Viral, Amazon Bets on Robots and Wonder Hits $9B
US retail sales rose more than 11% year over year in June—but what sits behind the headline?Alex Rezvan and Jill Dvorak examine five major US retail developments:• The latest US retail-sales figures and whether the World Cup may have influenced consumer activity• International football fans turning Walmart into an unexpected destination• Walmart converting organic social attention into guided stor
5 Things Friday: WAIC 2026, JD.com's EU Bid & Decathlon's Uber Eats Move
What changes when AI stops being a productivity tool and starts becoming part of the operating system of a business?In this APAC retail briefing, Ryf Quail and the panel examine five developments:• AI-led business transformation at WAIC Shanghai• JD, CECONOMY and EU regulatory scrutiny• Seafolly’s expansion into China• LVMH, Molly Tea and consumer nationalism• Decathlon’s on-demand Uber Eats partn
UK Retail: M&S Goes Bigger, Primark Cuts Prices & Beauty Gets Personal
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:•
Starbucks Korea, Lefties UK, AI Beauty and Adidas Bangkok
Five global retail stories in one concise briefing: Starbucks Korea’s marketing crisis, retail-crime legislation in Canada and the US, AI-powered beauty at shu uemura, Lefties’ UK launch and Adidas’ community-focused Bangkok store.Five international retail developments in under nine minutes.Alex Rezvan and Jill discuss Starbucks Korea’s response to its Tank Day controversy, organized retail crime
Milan's Retail Shift: Community, Culture & Curated Luxury (Video)
Experience alone isn't enough.On the next stop of our Road to NRF Europe, The Retail Podcast arrives in Milan to explore how one of Europe's fashion capitals is redefining luxury retail.If Madrid showed us retail as a destination and London demonstrated experiential retail, Milan reveals something different—the power of curation.In this episode, we explore how luxury brands build communiti
M&S Bets on Oxford Street, Aldi Goes Baldi and the FIFA Effect
M&S has renewed almost 100,000 square feet of retail space on Oxford Street. Aldi temporarily became Baldi for Pitbull. Holland & Barrett created a wellness pub.Simone Oloman and Alex Rezvan discuss what these stories reveal about destination stores, cultural relevance and experiential retail.Also covered: World Cup spending, online versus physical retail performance, Henry Dummer’s appoin
Uniqlo, Shein and FamilyMart: Global Retail’s New Playbook
Uniqlo is expanding, Shein is approaching a possible Hong Kong listing, and FamilyMart is transforming the convenience store into a fashion and cultural destination.Alex and Jill also discuss Onitsuka Tiger, Inditex’s omnichannel model and what international retail events reveal about brands before they become globally familiar.What do Uniqlo, Shein, FamilyMart, Onitsuka Tiger and Inditex tell us
Inside London's Most Innovative Retail Experiences Before NRF Paris (Video)
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
RH London, Harvey Nichols & the Future of Luxury
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 & Gab
How SM Supermalls Serves 5 Million Shoppers Every Day | Steven S. Tan President
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 approximatel
Wimbledon's Real Winners, Osaka's 350% Spike & Google's World Cup Ads | Five Things Friday UK
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, i
From Hamleys to Armani: Scaling Brands in India
Sumeet Yadav, Head of Reliance Brands Limited, on luxury retail, global partnerships and what international brands need to understand about India.How do global brands enter, adapt and scale in India?In this episode of The Retail Podcast, we sit down with Sumeet Yadav, Head of Reliance Brands Limited, just before his keynote at NRF APAC 2026 in Singapore.Reliance Brands Limited sits at the centre o
AI Search, Shopee, Action & Target: Retail’s Big Week
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 visibil
Lacoste, Nadine Merabi, Wimbledon Pop-Ups, JD Sports & Disney Collectibles: This week in UK 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 epi
Meta Glasses, Walmart Drones & Retail's Biggest Shifts This Week
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
How Brands Reach Gen Z Without TikTok + Coach's Retail Masterclass
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 med
The Retail Trends Reshaping APAC: Pomelo, Temu, Miniso & More
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 con
The Global Retail Briefing: UK, GCC, Dubai & Luxury Expansion
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 pu
Madrid’s Retail Shift: Lessons From the Street, Not the Boardroom
Madrid isn’t just a tourist destination. It is becoming a retail destination.In this episode, we explore how Sephora and Calvin Klein are using street-level activations in Madrid to create community, experience and engagement.What does this reveal about the future of physical retail?Retail doesn’t happen in the boardroom. It happens where customers Madrid is famous for tourism, culture, tapas and
How AI, Data and Hospitality Are Rewiring Retail in Japan
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, retai
I Was Ranked #1 in Retail — But This Matters More
I was ranked number one on the Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Retail 2026 list this week.I am proud of it.But this episode is not really about who is number one. It is about what the retail industry should be measuring in the first place.No ranking system is perfect. No algorithm can fully measure judgement, generosity, lived experience, commercial impact, or trust. But visible w
WooCommerce at Shoptalk Europe: Scaling Open-Source Ecommerce
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.
Retail AI, Currys & Hasbro: What’s Changing in Retail
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 tou
Unauthorized Sellers Are Killing Retail Margins
Retail brand protection is no longer just about stopping counterfeit products. For many brands, the bigger issue is margin loss.In this episode of The Retail Podcast, Alex speaks with Megan Harman, founder of Thorn Crest, about how unauthorized sellers, copycat products, online price undercutting, broken case packs, and weak reseller agreements can damage retail profitability.Megan explains how a
The Future of Retail in Asia: AI, GLP-1 & Consumer Trends with Isabelle Allen (KPMG)
The future of retail is being shaped by Asia.Recorded live at NRF APAC 2026, this conversation features Isabelle Allen, Global Head of Consumer, Retail & Leisure at KPMG, discussing the trends transforming retail worldwide.Topics include:✅ Why Asia is becoming a retail innovation powerhouse✅ How GLP-1 medications are changing consumer behavior✅ AI adoption challenges facing retailers✅ The grow
NRF 2026 APAC Agenda: The Retail Sessions to Watch
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 y
UK Retail Shake-Up: Ocado, Lidl, M&S Safety & Brand Collabs and a big thank you to COACH UK
This week on Five Things Friday UK, Alex and Simone unpack the biggest retail stories shaping the UK and European market.The episode covers Ocado’s major tech partnership, Lidl overtaking Morrisons, and why the UK grocery market continues to be watched globally as a model for digital and physical retail. Alex also shares reflections from recent retail visits across Europe, including the Coach pop-
Retail vs Netflix: Why Stores Are Fighting for Attention
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
NRF APAC 2026: What Retail Leaders Need to Know Before Singapore
NRF APAC 2026 is shaping up to be a major moment for retail in Asia Pacific.In this episode, Ryf Quail, Managing Director of NRF APAC, joins Five Things Friday to preview the upcoming show in Singapore and explain why the event continues to grow across exhibitors, registrations, international attendance, and senior retail participation.Ryf discusses the expanding expo, major keynote speakers, APAC
Why Retailers Are Already Falling Behind on AI
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 bre
Amazon vs Perplexity: Who Wins the AI Shopping War? | World Retail Signals
Amazon vs Perplexity could redefine the future of AI commerce.In this episode of World Retail Signals, the panel explores:Autonomous AI shopping agentsRetail workforce transformationWHP Global’s Marc Jacobs acquisitionGreggs’ expansion strategyWellness retail growthAI-powered customer experiencesA fast-moving breakdown of the retail stories shaping commerce right now.
Stores Are Growing Again — Here's Why Retail Crime Didn't Stop It | World Retail Signals
Retail is entering a new era shaped by AI, organized retail crime, and a renewed investment in physical stores.In this episode of Five Things Friday — USA Edition, Alex sits down with Jill Dvorak, SVP of Content at the National Retail Federation (NRF), to unpack the biggest retail developments shaping the industry right now.Topics include:The bipartisan progress of the Combating Organized Retail C
Why M&S, Topshop, H&M & Vogue Are Winning Fashion Culture Again
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How AI Will Transform Private Label Retail in APAC
AI-driven retail is reshaping how consumers discover products and private label brands may be one of the biggest winners.In episode of Five Things Friday- APAC Edition, the conversation explores why private label adoption across Asia-Pacific is accelerating, how retailers are using customer insight more effectively, and why future retail competition may shift from branding toward relevance, person
Why Enterprise Retail Tech Is Broken And How to Fix It | Jason Cottrell, Orium
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 ecosystemsHuman-in-the-loop AI governanceEnterprise AI architectureComposable commerceAI-driven workflowsQA automationRetail transformationThe future of enterprise operationsJason shares pract
What Zalando & Primark Are Actually Doing With AI | World Retail Signals
“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 s
Why Retail Is Splitting in Two | Ted Baker, AI Commerce, Anthropologie & Coal Drops Yard
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 pressureTed Baker’s return through SelfridgesAnthropologie opening in Coal Drops YardAmazon joining the Universal Commerce ProtocolWhy AI
Retail’s Experience Era: Longchamp, Claire’s Comeback & AI’s Reddit Problem | 5 Things Friday UK
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. Th
LVMH Is Struggling. Walmart Is Winning. What That Tells Retail Leaders | World Retail Signals
Retail is changing fast and this episode of World Retail Signals captures the key shifts leaders need to watch right now.In this Berlin edition, Ian McGarrigle, Chairman of World Retail Congress, and Niamh Stone, Programme Director at World Retail Congress, join the conversation to unpack the signals shaping the global retail landscape.The episode opens with the pressure facing the luxury sector,
Louis Vuitton Is Opening a Hotel. What Does That Mean for Retail? | 5 Things Friday UK
Retail is moving fast, and this week’s Five Things Friday breaks down the brand moves that matter.Alex is joined by Simone, co-founder and CEO of NIFT — Need It For Tonight, a rapid delivery infrastructure business powering retail through a fashion marketplace app and B2B plugin.This episode covers Louis Vuitton’s immersive Mayfair “hotel” pop-up, why luxury brands are leaning into experience-led
Walmart Is Betting on Weight-Loss Drugs. Is That the Future of Grocery Retail?
This week on Five Things Friday, Deal is back for a fast-moving conversation on the retail stories shaping the week.The episode starts with Revolve and Coachella, unpacking how event-based e-commerce is turning festivals into shoppable brand ecosystems. From Revolve Festival to Gap’s Hoodie House and Rhode World, the discussion explores why the strongest brand activations are no longer just about
Retail Media in 2026: What Shoppers Actually Want | Michael Schuh, dunnhumby
This episode is a paid partnership with dunnhumby.What do shoppers actually want from retail media?Read the full research here:https://resources.dunnhumby.com/retail-media-report-2026/That’s the question at the centre of this week’s episode of The Retail Podcast, where I sit down with Michael Schuh, Global Head of Media at dunnhumby.There’s a lot of noise in retail media right now. A lot of talk a
Macy's Is Closing Stores. Carrefour Is Opening in Africa. What's Really Happening in Global Retail | World Retail Signals
In this episode of World Retail Signals, co-hosts Ian McGarrigle, Chairman at World Retail Congress, and Niamh Stone, Programme Director at World Retail Congress, join Alex to unpack the retail developments shaping leadership thinking across the UK, Europe, Africa and the US.The conversation opens with the rise in shop crime across the UK and Europe, and why retailers are increasingly framing it n
Gymshark Is Opening Gyms. Selfridges Is Going VIP. Is This What Loyalty Looks Like Now?
Retail is undergoing a fundamental shift—from product-driven transactions to experience-led ecosystems.In this episode of 5 Things Friday, we break down the most important retail trends shaping 2026:Gymshark is launching its first physical gym, signalling a move from apparel brand to community-driven experience platform.Selfridges is doubling down on ultra-premium retail with its exclusive VSP eco
Zero-Click Shopping Is Here. Here's What Retail Needs to Do Before It's Too Late
AI is fundamentally changing how consumers search, discover, and buy.In this Asia-Pacific edition of 5 Things Friday, we explore the next wave of retail transformation:* The rise of Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) and how AI search is replacing traditional SEO* Why zero-click commerce is reshaping customer journeys and reducing friction* China’s rapid retail and technology expansion into Southeas
The New Rules of Retail in 2026: AI, Profitability & the Store's Comeback | World Retail Signals
World Retail Signals breaks down the retail shifts that matter most right now.In this episode, Alex is joined by Ian McGarrigle, Chairman at World Retail Congress, and Niamh Stone, Programme Director at World Retail Congress, to explore the trends reshaping global retail — from AI-driven discovery and stronger store leadership to sustainability, profitability, and the return of physical retail.The
Adidas x ASOS, Experiential Retail & Uber Eats Loyalty Shift | Five Things Friday
Physical retail isn’t dead, boring retail is.This episode breaks down the smart retail moves winning right now: collabs, pop-ups, experiences, and loyalty that works across ecosystems.In this episode of Five Things Friday, the conversation covers the retail stories shaping the week — from Adidas and ASOS taking their collaboration into physical retail, to the continued rise of experience-led store
Amazon’s New Surcharge, Re-Commerce Growth & The Retail Energy Shock | Five Things Friday APAC
In this episode of Five Things Friday APAC Edition, Ryf Quail, Managing Director of NRF APAC, is joined by Ngai Yuen Low, Managing Director of AEON360, for a sharp discussion on the retail issues shaping the region right now.They unpack Amazon’s planned 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge, why that move could redefine platform economics, and how shipping is shifting from a hidden backend cost to a v
Part 2 Top 10 Most Innovative Retail Stores in the World | From Pop Mart to Louis Vuitton
In Part 2 of this conversation, Matthew Brown — Retail Trend Futurist & Keynote Speaker — joins Alex to break down some of the most innovative retail concepts in the world right now.From Pop Mart in Bangkok and Nespresso’s Flatiron flagship to Restoration Hardware, Gentle Monster, and Louis Vuitton’s immersive Shanghai concept, this episode explores how leading brands are transforming physical
World Retail Signals: AI, Store Reinvention, Loyalty & Retail Trends Across Europe, Asia and the US
Welcome to World Retail Signals, the podcast from World Retail Congress, hosted by Ian McGarrigle, Chairman at World Retail Congress, and Niamh Stone, Programme Director at World Retail Congress.In this episode, the conversation spans Europe, Asia and the US, exploring the retail signals shaping decision-making right now. The discussion covers the reinvention of physical stores, the rise of data a
Retail Trends UK: Selfridges Pop-Ups, Dyson’s Bold Move, New Look & Peachy Den
Retail is evolving fast and this week’s UK retail breakdown covers the strategies brands are using to stay relevant, drive footfall, and win customers.We unpack five key retail stories shaping the industry right now:Selfridges’ Golden Goose pop-up turning retail into theatrePrada activating experiential retail in LondonPeachy Den expanding with a strong community-led strategyNew Look investing in
5 Things Friday APAC: Oil Shock, Supply Chains & Why Big Brands Are Suddenly at Risk
This week’s Five Things Friday breaks down a growing global retail crisis and why it’s much bigger than consumer confidence.We unpack how geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are triggering a ripple effect across Asia Pacific retail, impacting everything from energy costs to supply chains, packaging, and investment markets.Key topics include:Why 60% of Asia’s energy dependence on the Middle Ea
US Retail Hit $1 Trillion in One Holiday Season - What's Next? | ITAB Group Podcast Ep.1
US retail just crossed $1 trillion in a single holiday season. First time in history.In Episode 1 of the ITAB Group Podcast, recorded LIVE at EuroShop 2026 from the ITAB Group stand, Alex Rezvan sits down with Jill Dvorak — SVP Content at the National Retail Federation (NRF) — fresh off the ITAB Speaker's Corner keynote.This is the first in an exclusive series of conversations recorded with ev
The Future of Retail Stores: Global Flagships, Store Formats & Retail Innovation
Retail is changing fast, and store formats are evolving even through crisis. In this episode of the Retail podcast, Alex sits down with Matthew from Echo Chamber to unpack what the best physical stores in the world are doing differently right now.Drawing on nearly three decades of studying retail, Matthew explains why the top end of physical retail keeps getting more immersive, more inspiring, and
What's Keeping Retail CEOs Awake at Night in 2026? | World Retail Signals
World Retail Signals is a new global retail intelligence show co-produced by The Retail Podcast and World Retail Congress — a monthly look at the top retail narratives shaping executive thinking around the world.This prelude episode goes behind the scenes of World Retail Congress 2026, happening in Berlin, April 2026. Host Alex Rezvan is joined by Ian McGarrigle, founder and chair of World Retail
UK Retail in 5 Minutes: Amazon Rival, Alexa Upgrade, Tesco Pay Rise, Greggs & The Perfume Shop
is week’s 5 Things Friday is a fast, solo rundown of the biggest stories shaping UK retail right now.With a lot happening across the market, this episode covers five standout updates: JD.com launching Joybuy in the UK, Amazon facing fresh competition, Alexa+ and Amazon’s next AI push, Tesco increasing pay for frontline store colleagues, The Perfume Shop expanding its beauty recycling and refill pu
