Insights archive

  • Aisle to Algorithm: David’s Bridal’s New CEO on Retail Transformation

    Kelly Cook is the newly appointed CEO of David’s Bridal. She joins Natalie on the podcast to discuss how David’s Bridal is embarking on the biggest shift in its 75-year history, transitioning from a legacy bridal retailer to becoming a tech-powered retail, AI, and media powerhouse. 📺 This is a video episode and can be…

  • Forbes: M&S Chairman: Online Grocery Is A ‘Desert Of Profit’

    In my latest article for Forbes, I explore Marks & Spencer Chairman Archie Norman’s session at the Retail Technology Show, where Norman declared that grocery e-commerce is a “desert of profit.” He explained that although retailers around the world feel compelled to move into e-commerce, “nobody is really making true profit from food online.” “There’s…

  • Real-Time Retail: Why Fashion Retailers Need to Embrace AI

    Paid partnership with Centric Software With extensive experience in merchandising, Beatriz Ciraudo has worked with global brands such as Lacoste, Salvatore Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Chloé. Her career spans Brazil, France, and Italy, giving her a unique international perspective on merchandising and retail strategy. Now, as a Presales Consultant at Centric Software, Beatriz helps…

  • Kingfisher’s Head of AI on Agentic AI, Visual Search, Chatbots, and Sustainability

    Mohsen Ghasempour is the Group Director of AI at Kingfisher. He joins Natalie on the podcast, live from the Retail Technology Show press briefing, to discuss how Kingfisher is utilising AI to drive operational efficiencies and improve the experience for customers. They discuss: AI-powered markdowns and promotions. How AI enabled Kingfisher to quickly scale its…

  • Sneakers and Scaling with The Sole Supplier Founder

    It’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week. Natalie shares her own neurodiversity journey and speaks to fellow ADHD-er and founder of The Sole Supplier, George Sullivan. George is a 34-year-old founder, born and bred in London. Ten years ago, whilst working in recruitment, he started a platform to help people find shoes. Since then, that online community has…

  • Ebay’s Global Fashion GM on Secondhand, Sustainability, and the Say-Do Gap

    Kirsty Keoghan is responsible for eBay’s global fashion business. She joins Natalie to discuss the evolution of the fashion category on the platform, emphasizing the importance of a frictionless experience for both buyers and sellers, and the trust built through authenticity guarantees. Kirsty shares how the competitive landscape is evolving and the impact of eBay’s…

  • Jigsaw CEO: Uncertainty And Disruption Is Our New Normal

    Hash Ladha, CEO of Jigsaw and former CEO of Oasis and Warehouse, joins Natalie to discuss fashion retailing, the resurgence of accessible luxury, and lessons for the next generation of retail leaders. 📺 This is a video episode and can watched on the Retail Disrupted YouTube channel here. Hash and Natalie explore: Accessible luxury –…

  • AllSaints Founder: The World Cannot Afford Fast Fashion

    Stuart Trevor is the Founder of AllSaints and STUART TREVOR, his eponymous sustainable fashion brand that launched in 2023. He joins Natalie to talk about why he decided to launch a clothing brand that doesn’t produce any new clothes. They discuss: What inspired Stuart’s move into sustainable fashion. A founder’s vision and being clear on…

  • Every Little (Bit of Innovation) Helps: Chatbots, Digital Twins, Autonomous Stores, and Drones With Tesco

    Jane Mustoe, Senior Technology Director at Tesco, joins Natalie to discuss how Tesco is using tech to redefine both customer and colleague experiences. They explore: Tesco’s recent innovations – GetGo and frictionless shopping, gen AI chatbots, digital twins, mobile apps for store associates, and more. All about the margins – the importance of achieving marginal…

  • Keep the Customer in the Room: Marketing Insights from Asda and Waitrose

    Martin George, former Customer Director at Waitrose, and Jessica Cole, Senior Director Own Brand, Masterbrand, Customer Strategy & Propositions, at Asda join Natalie to discuss the evolving role of marketing in retail. They explore: This episode was brought to you by the Richmond Retail & E-commerce Directors’ Forum. Are you a retailer interested in attending?…

  • South African Retail: Lessons from a Former Massmart Exec

    Nazim Cassim is a retail veteran who served on the Massmart board during the Walmart acquisition. Today, he splits his time between South Africa and Dubai in his current role as CEO of QVWi Retail, MEA. Nazim is also a Founding Member of the Retail Institute of South Africa (RISA), whose mission is to empower…

  • Post-Death Consumerism

    What happens in the digital afterlife? Do you even need to be alive to be a consumer? Should retailers and brands be thinking about a post-death strategy? VML’s Naji El-Arifi and Hugh Fletcher join Natalie on the podcast to discuss all of this and more: Links: VML Future Shopper Report OpenAI/Instacart news mentioned by Naji …

  • Powering the Pop-Ups

    Matt Hopkins, Founder of IND!E, joins Natalie to discuss the evolution of pop-up shops, the role of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) brands in driving innovation, and the significance of storytelling in retail. Matt shares his views on changing consumer expectations such as the heightened demand for authenticity and ethical shopping. They also delve into…

  • Resale Revolution with Goodwill CEO Steve Preston

    Did you know that over 80% of the U.S. population lives within a 10-mile radius of a Goodwill store or location? Live from the NRF Big Show in NYC, Natalie speaks to the CEO of Goodwill, Steve Preston. He discusses the organization’s strategic priorities, why the perception of thrifting is evolving, and the impact of…

  • Co-op’s Technology Director on Grocery Retail Transformation

    Live from the NRF Big Show, Co-op’s director of technology Ian Cox joins Natalie to discuss: NRF highlights and practical use cases for AI in food retail. How Co-op enacted digital transformation to innovate faster, scale resources, and stay agile in a rapidly changing market. The importance of service availability as a convenience retailer: delivering…

  • Forbes: Amazon Stores CEO Says AI May Spawn New Retail Formats

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is going to radically transform the retail sector and could result in the creation of new shopping channels, according to Doug Herrington, CEO of Worldwide Amazon Stores. “We really haven’t had a technology revolution as large as this since the start of the internet,” Herrington told delegates at the National Retail Federation’s…

  • Forbes: Evolve But Stay True To Your Roots, Says Burberry CEO

    Speaking at the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Big Show, Burberry CEO Joshua Shulman stressed the importance of authenticity during brand reinvention. “We have the most opportunity where have the most authenticity. In luxury, you always want to have an element of surprise and desire, but it has to be rooted in the core equities of the…

  • Social Commerce Lessons From TikTok’s Top Candy Seller

    How did a family-run confectionery shop in Devon become the UK’s #1 seller of sweets on TikTok? George Robinson, Managing Director of SoSweet, shares the retailer’s remarkable TikTok journey which started with a Gavin & Stacey inspired clip that went viral in 2020. The business is now making millions on the platform. George and Natalie…

  • Personalized: Customer Strategy in the Age of AI

    On the final episode of 2024, Natalie is joined by authors Mark Abraham and David Edelman to discuss their new book, Personalized: Customer Strategy in the Age of AI. 📺 This episode is also available as video, so head over to the new Retail Disrupted channel on YouTube to watch the conversation unfold. David, Mark, and…

  • What Retailers Can Learn From the Navy Exchange

    Rich Honiball is the EVP and Global Chief Merchandising & Marketing Officer for NEXCOM (Navy Exchange Service Command). He joins Natalie on the podcast to discuss: The unique role of military retail, the importance of having a clear mission, and other lessons for traditional retailers. Learnings from the launch of the world’s first Toys R…