The Retail Influencer

In this episode, the Retail Influencer examines self-checkouts: do they really replace employees? From innovations and absurd taxes to out-of-touch political decisions, we explore why common sense remains the best guide for retail. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In the Company Journeys series, The Retail Influencer by 20/CENT Retail welcomes Arnaud Jacquemin, founder of Night Orient. He looks back on his career, the experiences that shaped his entrepreneurial adventure, and the evolution of his business in the fast-growing no-alcohol segment. A conversation that sheds light on the development of the brand and how both the segment and its consumers have evolved in recent years. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this new episode, we sit down with Alex Van Gestel from EPAM to dive into the findings of the Consumer Voice Report 2025. Where do retailers really stand when it comes to AI adoption? Why is customer experience still such an underused field of application? And how can companies move beyond quick wins to build a truly strategic vision? Together, we explore concrete use cases, the cultural barriers still holding many players back, and the trends to watch as AI budgets are set to grow in 2025. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of The Retail Influencer by 20/CENT Retail, I sit down with Jeff De Graef from ServiceNowto dive into the latest Consumer Voice survey and explore what it reveals about the evolving relationship between customers, human agents, and AI. Is AI ready for emotional customer interaction? Why do consumers still prefer human contact while being critical of AI, despite its advantages? Jeff also shares concrete examples of emotionally intelligent AI in action, insights on when customers trust or avoid AI, and his vision of the ideal customer experience in 2025. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Reducing theft-related losses remains a major challenge for retailers, whether they are independents or managing a network of hundreds of stores. In this episode, Tom Symons, founder of iRetailCheck and Profit Protection Services, shares his expertise on in-store shrinkage and the technological tools that can help prevent it. We discuss the different types of theft, human error, and the concrete solutions available to detect these issues without harming the customer experience. Tom explains how artificial intelligence can identify suspicious behaviors such as scan-avoidance or push-out theft, what level of investment is required, and how accessible these technologies are for smaller store formats. This is an episode for anyone who wants to understand how to protect their revenue from those infamous “Oops, I forgot” customers. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, Vincent is joined by Gijs de Mol, co-founder of Root Sustainability, for a conversation on the challenges of sustainability reporting. Accurately reporting on sustainability requires reliable data, the right tools, and a clear understanding of complex frameworks, which is something that’s far from easy for both retailers and manufacturers. Gijs breaks down the intricacies of scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, explains why the biggest impact often lies beyond a company’s direct operations, and discusses how outdated tools like spreadsheets are holding teams back. He also highlights how innovations like digital product passports could revolutionize supply chain traceability. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of The Retail Influencer, we dive into the evolving world of gardening with Gerco de Graaf, Director of Sales Europe at EGO POWER+. As the sector transitions from traditional retail models to more service- and sustainability-focused approaches, Gerco shares his unique perspective on where the market is heading. We explore current consumer trends, the rise of cordless and battery-powered equipment, and how to deal with seasonality in such a dynamic sector. From innovation processes to ideal retail partnerships, this episode is packed with practical insights for professionals in the gardening and DIY retail space. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Important regulatory deadlines are approaching (CSRD, EUDR, and more). Ensuring traceability, managing data, and demonstrating compliance can be complex and overwhelming. Yet, retailers and manufacturers are already feeling the impact and taking action. In this episode of The Retail Influencer, I speak with Stijn Scheepers, Country Director Benelux at osapiens, about the mounting pressure on companies to adapt to evolving regulations like the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). We explore how retailers and suppliers can get ready, the crucial role of data and digital tools in achieving compliance, and why shifting from a reactive to a proactive approach is now essential. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, my guest is none other than Thierry Coeman, author, speaker, and ambassador for All Fields. A go-to expert when it comes to a topic as broad and strategic as field marketing and in-store activation. Before diving into trends, we took the time to lay the groundwork and clarify what field marketing truly means. From there, we unpacked the sector’s dynamics, explored current major trends, Thierry’s take on real-world challenges, the ongoing importance of the human factor, and much more. A must-listen if you work in the field, in activation, or if you're simply looking to better understand what really makes a difference at the point of sale. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of The Retail Influencer, I sit down with Ana Pinto, CEO of RECKON.AI, to explore the fast-evolving world of unmanned stores. From the core AI technology powering these concepts to the challenges of implementation, we cover it all. We also dive into the strategic use of data, the impact on customer experience, and what it takes to scale these solutions in real-world retail environments. If you're curious about the future of convenience, automation, and intelligent retail, this episode is packed with insights. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, we're diving into a different kind of trade show, one that’s not open to everyone, but still plays a major role in shaping the retail landscape: the tradeshow organised by a retailer for its affiliates and suppliers. I see event as a place to network, spot trends, and of course, do business. But unlike massive international fairs like SIAL or Anuga, the event on our agenda today is something else entirely. It’s organized by a retailer, for its own network of stores and suppliers. A private, large-scale gathering that deserves a closer look. Joining me today to talk about this unique concept are Paul Peugnet and Nathalie Matterne from Carrefour Belgium. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Why is this campaign making a comeback at Carrefour Belgium? And why as a summer edition, no less? How does this initiative fit into the overall commercial strategy? Answers to these questions, and much more, in this episode dedicated to Scanmania 3.0, featuring Yannick de Bièvre, Director of Marketing, Customer Services & Analytics, and Paul Peugnet, Chief Commercial Officer at Carrefour. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The checkout area is a key part of any store, and many retailers use it to drive impulse purchases. But what are the real drivers of impulse buying, especially when it comes to confectionery? In this episode, I’m joined by Fred Naymark, one of the co-founders of the candy brand Yolloh. With his impressive on-the-ground experience, he shares his highly pragmatic vision of the confectionery category, covering innovation, merchandising, and shelf management. Together, we talked about trends, impulse buying, how to optimize checkout zones, top-performing formats, and best practices to boost in-store sales through co-creation. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Peterson, author of Red and Blue Customers, to explore the fascinating intersection of values and purchasing behavior. What if the way people vote actually influences how they shop? That’s exactly the question Chris set out to answer. Together we spoke among other things about insights from his research into conservative and liberal values, implications and opportunities for brands and retailers, and how values evolve in response to broader political climates. Don’t forget to check out Chris's book Red and Blue Customers and request to take the test to see where your brand stands: https://www.lifemind.ai/book Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ben Miller from Shoptalk about some of the key trends shaping the retail industry today. From cutting through the noise of the AI hype to discussing the growing synergy between physical and digital retail, we covered a lot of ground. We also explored the rapid rise of retail media and what it means for brands and retailers alike. And of course, we talked about the upcoming Shoptalk Europe event happening this June in Barcelona. If you're a retailer or a brand, don’t forget: the deadline to register for the Hosted Retailers & Brands Programme is May 9 — so act fast! This year, 20/CENT Retail is proud to be a Shoptalk partner, and if you'd like a ticket or want to know more, feel free to reach out to me directly. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Today, I bring you a fascinating conversation with three winemakers: Jacob Bruun-Jensen from Dyrehøj Vingaard, Kim Thrysøe from Guldbæk Vingård, and Helle Stokkebye from Stokkebye Vineyard, as we dive into the world of cool climate wines, with a special focus on Danish wines. We discussed the definition of these cool climate wines, the challenges they face, the issue of brand awareness, how they are perceived by the trade and by consumers, as well as the evolution of the wine market in Denmark and the country’s positioning. We even had the chance to mention the upcoming Cool Climate Wine Summit in Copenhagen, taking place in January 2026. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the Prowein team for providing the recording studio at the fair for this special episode. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, I spoke about Skills4Retail with two guests: Nicole Bartolo, Business Development & Events Associate, and Sabrina Di Ruggiero, Project Manager at Schuman Associates. Skills4Retail is an innovative European project aimed at supporting the green, digital, and resilient transition of the retail sector. The podcast explores the origins of the project, the people behind it, its key achievements, and the countries and companies involved. It concludes with an invitation for you to join the pledge in support of this transformation via: https://skills4retail.eu/join-the-pledge/ Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Today, I invite you to discover a fascinating conversation with Nicolas Ancion about the PRIX JUSTE label, a committed project that brings new meaning to the food supply chain. In this episode, Nicolas discusses the origins of the initiative, the concrete benefits for producers and consumers, and the future outlook for building a fairer model. It was a conversation full of ideas and values. Tune in now on your favorite platform! Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Saveurs et Métiers set up shop in Namur from February 2 to 4, and let’s be clear: the event lived up to expectations! With increased attendance and fully booked conferences, the atmosphere was dynamic, the exchanges enriching, and industry trends well highlighted. Here’s a recap of this event, which 20/CENT Retailparticipated in intensively for three days, along with the key takeaways. Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This episode is a great one, as I get to chat about industry trends with a true specialist. Stijn Bex, Co-Founder of Bullseye Distribution, joins me to discuss the evolving landscape of the drinks, sweets, and snacks industry. We dive into key market trends, including the rise of "less" (less sugar, less alcohol, etc.), the growing demand for premium products, the importance of experience-driven consumption, and much more. What’s shaping the market? Tune in to find out! Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.