Tag: podcast

  • Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption

    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.

    The explore the cost of misunderstanding risk and 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 “unremarkable middle” and how to overcome internal complacency. Steve also shares the rationale behind his belief that many US department stores have no chance of turning themselves around, and whether the Dallas drone wars are a glimpse into the future of home delivery.

    Natalie also shares a few thoughts on Amazon’s 30th anniversary.

     

  • Ikea Roblox, Walmart Drones & AI Update, Pretty Little Thing Charging for Returns

    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 at-home delivery – and the beta launch of a generative AI-powered shopping assistant.
    • Pretty Little Thing becomes the latest UK retailer to start charging for returns.

    You can listen to the original episode of The Globalist Episode 3352.

  • Perpetual Innovation with ex-Pandora and The Body Shop Boss

    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, he invented Coke Zero. Jeremy is currently the Chairman of Kantar’s Sustainability Transformation Practice.

    In this episode, recorded live on stage at the Richmond Retail and E-commerce Directors’ Forum, Jeremy and Natalie discuss:

    • Why some retail businesses fail and how to avoid becoming a statistic.
    • How to embark on a successful turnaround strategy.
    • The importance of perpetual innovation and how Jeremy uncovered an opportunity to create Coke Zero.
    • ESG – addressing the intention-action gap and FMCG best practices. 
    • Customer loyalty and doubling down on your top 20% of customers.

    You can watch in full on YouTube.

  • The Retail Leader’s Roadmap with Brian Librach

    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 the reasons why retail leaders get stuck, the evolution of bricks & mortar retail, and how retailers can ensure their staff are motivated and engaged.

    Other topics include:

    • What is the future of stores and how should we be measuring success?
    • Which brands does Brian admire and what are they getting right?
    • Cultural shifts: digital transformation journeys and the importance of taking your people with you.
    • Upskilling and investing in digital competencies.
    • Squiggly careers: why the path to success isn’t always linear.
    • Natalie and Brian debate the key traits of winning retailers. 

  • The Real Reason Blockbuster Failed

    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 dispel the myths behind Blockbuster’s demise. Learn why Jim believes it was fear – not Netflix – that killed Blockbuster.

    They also explore whether we may see a revival of the Blockbuster brand and broader leadership lessons, including how to avoid being disrupted during periods of turbulence.

    Other topics include:

    • Diversification – with Netflix opening restaurants, TikTok opening shops and Amazon opening hair salons, just how far could and should brands veer from their core?
    • How technology can empower staff and elevate the customer experience.
    • Lessons from Jim’s new book – understanding the importance of collaboration, cultural literacy, continual evolution and character.

  • Ken Towle on Supermarket Trends, Shrinkflation, International Retail

    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.

  • Retail Veteran Nigel Oddy on Treating Shoppers as VIPs

    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 sneak preview of what we’ll be discussing at the event. He shares what it was like running New Look during the pandemic, his biggest successes, what motivates him, the importance of spending time on the shop floor and why you must treat your shoppers as VIPs.

  • The Future of Retail with Chris Browne

    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. Chris will be speaking at the event alongside leaders from across the industry – Tesco, Charlotte Tilbury, TikTok, N Brown and more.

  • TV Dragon Theo Paphitis on Successful Retailing

    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?

  • Helen Dickinson on the BRC’s 2024 Retail Manifesto 

    Helen Dickinson OBE, CEO of the British Retail Consortium, joins Natalie on the podcast to discuss the BRC’s 2024 manifesto. They discuss: 

    • 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 their transition to net zero and what are the BRC’s policy recommendations? 
    • Tax-free shopping: did the government underestimate the impact of scrapping this and might we see a U-turn?
    • The everywhere economy: what is the BRC’s vision for the future of retail?

    This episode is available on the usual channels (Apple and Spotify) or you can watch a video version on YouTube.