The Retail Exchange podcast

The Interview | Host Karl McKeever sits down in conversation with Chris Lipari, Director of Product Innovation at HAVI. If there is one business where time is money, in the literal sense, it is Quick Service Restaurants. Or as it’s more commonly known, the QSR industry. The industry’s lifeblood is customer demand - something that’s inherently unpredictable. Balancing supply with fluctuating demand has been an age-old challenging, leading to supply imbalances, overstocked inventory and waste. We explore the big challenges facing the industry, from shifting consumer preferences to the constant demand for innovation and efficiency, and how HAVI are helping leading names in QSR to navigate the complexities of supply and demand in this fast-paced industry. Presented by Kinaxis.

In Focus | Lightspeed Commerce. Channel connectivity is nothing new. Advanced automation is now everywhere. Combine the two, and sales channels will never look the same again. But what does total visibility and control over your inventory online orders and fulfilment look like. And just how do retailers (big and small) go about effectively streamlining and controlling their entire ecommerce ecosystem. Joining host Karl McKeever to discuss this, on our latest episode of In Focus, is Rick Kelley, CRO of multichannel software and order management software integration specialists, Linnworks, and Ed Bradley, CEO of VirtualStock - Europe’s largest Dropshipping and curated marketplace SAAS platform. Together, we explore why failure to embrace automation leaves retailers and partners vulnerable; how smaller multichannel retailers can better connect their business to multiple marketplaces; and the emerging solutions that will help to deliver a better experience for everyone - from supply chain to shoppers. Presented by Linnworks.

In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined in conversation by Dawn Fichot, Head of Marketing North America for iconic British foldable bike manufacturer, Brompton Bicycles. From its humble beginnings in a South Kensington railway arch in 1975, Brompton has grown into an internationally renowned brand - famed for its ingenious design and impeccable craftsmanship. Despite the unfolding uncertainty faced by other sectors in retail over the past couple of years, Brompton has experienced an unprecedented surged in demand. Looking ahead, Brompton has big plans for the future with strategic growth in the US market a top priority. In this episode, we explore how this most British of companies is adapting its message to move in line with needs of the North American audience; the ways Brompton is leveraging digital solutions to track new consumers; urban change in the US; and why innovation and loyalty will always be Brompton’s obsession. Recorded at NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show

In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever sits down with Ian Bailey, Managing Director of Kmart Group Australia. With over 450 stores, Kmart Australia is the country’s number one performing general merchandise and apparel retailer, and one of the most trusted and loved brands in Australia and New Zealand. We explore how Kmart Australia doubled down on clarity of purpose and innovation to develop a strategic blueprint and operational architecture to transform its business model, moving it from a traditional discount chain to an innovative, modern, hybrid retailer.

In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever travels to Barcelona to sit down with Isabelle Aberman, Global Retail Director for iconic global footwear brand, Camper. In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever travels to Barcelona to sit down with Isabelle Aberman, Global Retail Director of iconic footwear brand, Camper. Founded on the small Spanish island of Mallorca in 1975, Camper is a family business with a rich shoemaking heritage that it uses to create unique designs that continue to enjoy global appeal. Responsible for leading the global retail strategy across more than 350 stores in over 20 countries, Isabelle started her career with Camper 22 years ago in the UK, as a Retail Area Manager - soon becoming a Retail Regional Manager, before heading up Retail Marketing and Retail Expansion and eventually moving into her current role. Passionate about retail in all its forms, she joins me to discuss Camper’s unique approach to retail design, share the inside story of CamperLab and ReCamper, and to look ahead to what the future of retail holds for us all.

In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever travels to Barcelona to sit down with Eduardo Recio, Creative Director eCommerce & Retail, for leading Spanish multi-sport retail brand, Sprinter. First showcased in its new Madrid store - its largest store to date - Sprinter’s new store concept, created by UK-based creative and innovation studio Dalziel & Pow,, is redefining the retailer’s core retail proposition. The 4000 sqm space allows Sprinter to introduce a range of immersive and interactive experiences to educate and inspire customers—positioning the business as the sports authority and raising the bar significantly. In another first, the concept also introduces its established online cycling offer, Deporvillage, for the first time in physical retail. In this episode, we examine the story behind the retailer’s game-changing retail concept, the key challenges that retailers in the sports sector face to deliver a winning customer experience, and look back on Eduardo’s own career retail—which first began here in the UK.

In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined by Andy Lawrence, VP of International of US-based athletic clothing brand, Vuori. Inspired by California’s active, coastal lifestyle, Vuori was founded in 2015. In September last year it launched into China, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Middle East, and Mexico, and opened its first UK store in London's Covent Garden. In this episode, we explore the story behind the SoCal brand, the key challenges that the athleisure sector (and many other DTC brands) face to ‘win’ with consumers, and the company’s secrets to serving up a successful international growth strategy.

Event Review: World Retail Congress 2023 - In this episode, we bring you more highlights from World Retail Congress 2023. As the retail industry’s best and brightest gathered in Barcelona for the three-day event, we took to the stage to capture two live recordings. Host Karl McKeever is joined by Deloitte chief global economist, Ira Kalish, and Matahari Department Store CFO, Niraj Jain. Together, we discuss the economic headwinds that the industry is facing in 2023, and how retailers can create the financial foundation to deliver resilience and growth in the months ahead. Plus we are joined in conversation by Havaianas President EMEA, Guillaume Prou, to explore his company’s extraordinary brand journey and why investing in product innovation remains vital in the face of growing additional ‘distractions’ to the day job of retailing.

The Interview: The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. - In this episode, host Karl McKeever is joined by Ophelia Ceradini Vice President of Digital Technology and Innovation at The Estée Lauder Companies. Artificial intelligence and augmented reality are transforming the beauty shopping experience through seamless and omnichannel experiences. In our latest of episode of The Interview Series, recorded live in the heart of New York City during NRF 2023, Ophelia explains how, using technology to offer interactive, immersive, and sustainable solutions, brands in the beauty space are creating a solid foundation to solving consumer pain points and firming up loyalty and sales. In her role, Ophelia oversees Digital Innovation for the company’s portfolio of over 25 prestige beauty brands, where she leads consumer experience-driven innovation for all digital platforms. Ophelia was responsible for launching The Estée Lauder Companies’ first mobile platform, which established the cornerstone of the company’s mobile-first strategy. Over the last 15 years, she has held various strategic digital and creative roles across The Estée Lauder Companies. Previously, she was the Executive Director of Production for the company’s Online division, leading the expansion of the company’s e-commerce footprint, contributing to the company’s position today as the number one e-commerce player in prestige beauty both globally and in the U.S. Presented by Peak Technologies

Event Review - Shoptalk Europe 2023 - Ep03: in the final of our daily podcast episodes from Shoptalk Europe 2023 in Barcelona, host Karl McKeever picks his way through some of the highlights from Day Three at the event. We hear from some of the sharpest minds in retail, at some of Europe’s leading retailers and brands, as they discuss, debate and present the solutions that are redefining thinking… in an ever-shifting landscape. Coming up on this Day Two Event Review episode, we hear from the likes of adidas, Camper, SHEIN, Rituals, and more.

Event Review - Shoptalk Europe 2023 - Ep02: in the second of our daily podcast episodes from Shoptalk Europe 2023 in Barcelona, we pick our way through some of the highlights from Day Two at the event. Host Karl McKeever brings you highlights of what was on show (and discussed) during what was another busy day at Shoptalk Europe 2023. We hear from some of the sharpest minds in retail, at some of Europe’s leading retailers and brands, as they discuss, debate and present the solutions that are redefining thinking… in an ever-shifting landscape. Coming up on this Day Two Event Review episode, we hear from the likes of Groupe Printemps, Mars Wrigley, BP, Kingfisher, Sprinter, Coca-Cola… and more.

Event Review - Shoptalk Europe 2023 - Ep01: In this latest episode of The Retail Exchange podcast, host Karl McKeever brings you highlights from the first day of Shoptalk Europe 2023 in Barcelona. The event promises to unite Europe’s entire retail ecosystem. And the first day did not disappoint as retail leaders and some of the industry’s leading innovators came together to discuss and debate the trends that are shaping the industry… and present solutions that are providing a glimpse into what the future of retail might look like. Coming up on this, our first of three daily Event Review episodes from the event, we hear from the likes of Danone, H&M, Holland & Barrett, John Lewis Partnership, eBay, Pull & Bear… and more.

Event Review: World Retail Congress 2023 - In this episode of The Retail Exchange podcast, host Karl McKeever brings you highlights from World Retail Congress 2023 in Barcelona, as we pick our way through some of the topics, insights and conversations that are inspiring and challenging the retail ecosystem, and that interested us the most.

The Interview: Hollister Co. - The Interview: Hollister Co. In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined by Jacee Scoular, Snr Director Brand Marketing Strategy. at Hollister Co., Gilly Hicks and Social Tourist. Recorded live in the heart of New York City during NRF 2023, Jacee joins us to discuss why authenticity must lie at the heart of the building successful brand collaborations with content creators, the growing trend for purpose-driven retail, and how brands can stay in tune with their customers by acting in a way that is not only good for shareholders, but also good for the planet and for local communities. Presented by Peak Technologies

The Interview: IKEA - In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined by Seana Strawn, Head of Home Furnishing and Retail Design at IKEA US. For over 20 years she has personally been designing or leading teams who design home furnishing product and retail spaces for some of the biggest names in the industry. Most recently with IKEA US, Seana Strawn leads, among other things, the omnichannel sustainability customer communication and sustainability retail visual experience as IKEA develops toward their goal of being a fully circular company by 2030. In this episode, recorded live in the heart of New York City during NRF 2023, Seana joins us to discuss the need for retailers to place sustainability at the heart of strategic thinking, its growing influence on retail design and how, if done right at store level, the trend for resale can increase foot traffic with unique offerings, and boost customer loyalty. Presented by Peak Technologies

Event Review: Retail Week Live 2023 - In this episode of The Retail Exchange podcast, host Karl McKeever brings you highlights from Retail Week Live 2023 in London, as we pick our way through some of the topics, insights and conversations that are inspiring and challenging the retail ecosystem, and that interested us the most.

The Interview: FitFlop. In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined by Sal Usmai, CTO of ergonomic and wellness footwear brand, FitFlop. Leading the company's transition to an omnichannel organisation, Sal is a seasoned technology leader with 20+ years of experience managing multichannel business applications in a strategic environment, Sal joined FitFlop in 2022 as chief technology officer to ensure that innovation, data, technology and a customer-first approach are central to the retailer's overall growth plans. Before joining FitFlop he led technology teams at Belstaff, LVMH and the Conran Group. In our latest of episode of The Interview Series, recorded live in the heart of New York City during NRF 2023, Sal joins host Karl McKeever to discuss the changing face of digital transformation, and explore Fitflop's journey to becoming an AI-driven retailer. Presented by Peak AI

The Interview: Neighborhood Goods: In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined by by Matt Alexander, Co-Founder and CEO of Neighborhood Goods, as well as the brand’s President, Ashley Shelton Conger. Named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, Neighborhood Goods is a new take on the department store, featuring an ever-changing landscape of the world's most thoughtful, progressive, and exciting brands. Central to its business philosophy is providing a place for community, to foster a new culture around shopping and the type of experience you can expect from it. It opened its first outpost in Plano in 2018 and now has locations in New York and Austin, with two more stores planned for 2023. We sit down together to discuss the brand’s story, the future of department stores, and the shift towards community-focused retailing. Presented by Peak Technologies

The Interview: Organic Garden: In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined by Martin Wild, founder and CEO of Germany-based food-tech start-up, Organic Garden. As Martin prepares to take to the stage at Shoptalk Europe 2023 in Barcelona, we sit down together to discuss the brand’s journey, how the retail food industry can pursue a future that is good for people, the environment, and for business, and the story behind a unexpected appearance in Playboy magazine. Presented by Shoptalk Europe 2023

The Interview: Dickies: In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined by Calvin Anderson, Global VP of Digital Strategy for VF Corporation brands Dickies, Altra and Smartwool. Founded a century ago, the Dickies brand originated as a denim bib overall company, selling workwear to farm and ranch hands around the Southwest. Acquired by VF Corporation in 2017, today it is a global brand found in more than 100 countries —with a style that resonates as much with pop culture icons as it does with auto mechanics. Calvin currently serves as Global VP of Digital Strategy for Dickies, as well as two other brands within the VF Corporation stable of brands – Altra and Smartwool – overseeing digital technology, customer lifecycle, data analytics, engineering, and science. Prior to his role at VF Corp, Anderson served in several executive positions within the hotel industry including Head of Commercial at OYO NORA, the world’s fastest growing economy hotel chain. Recorded live in the heart of New York City during NRF 2023, together we explore changing face of digital transformation, and what retailers can learn from Calvin’s experience in the hospitality industry. Presented by Peak Technologies.