All Podcast Episodes
The Interview: HAVI Director of Product Innovation, Chris Lipari
The Interview | HAVI. Host Karl McKeever sits down in conversation with Chris Lipari, Director of Product Innovation at HAVI. The lifeblood of the QSR (Quick Service Restaurants) industry 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 sector and how leading names in QSR are navigating the complexities of supply and demand in this fast-paced industry.
Presented by Kinaxis.
In Focus Ep24: Online Marketplaces
In Focus | Online Marketplaces. 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.
Presented by Linnworks.
The Interview: The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. VP Innovation & Technology, Ophelia Ceradini
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.
Presented by Peak Technologies
Event Review: Shoptalk Europe 2023
Event Review - Shoptalk Europe 2023 - Ep03: in the final of our daily podcast episodes from Shoptalk Europe 2023 in Barcelona, host Karl McKeever brings you 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.
Event Review: Shoptalk Europe 2023
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.
Event Review: Shoptalk Europe 2023
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.
The Interview: Hollister Co. Snr Director Brand Marketing Strategy, Jacee Scoular
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 US Head of Home Furnishing Identity & Retail Design, Seana Strawn
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.
At 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.
Recorded live in the heart of New York City during NRF 2023, she 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
The Interview: FitFlop CTO Sal Usmani
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 CEO and co-founder Matt Alexander
The Interview: Neighborhood Goods. In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined by Matt Alexander, Co-Founder and CEO of Neighborhood Goods, as well as the brand’s President, Ashley Shelton Conger. Recorded live in the heart of New York City during NRF 2023, together we explore the brand story of Neighborhood Goods, the future of department stores, and the shift towards community-focused retailing.
. Presented by Peak Technologies
The Interview: Organic Garden CEO and co-founder, Martin Wild
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 an unexpected appearance in Playboy magazine. Presented by Shoptalk Europe 2023
The Interview: Dickies Global VP of Digital Strategy, Calvin Anderson
The Interview: Dickies: In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined by Calvin Anderson, Global VP of Digital Strategy at Dickies.
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.
In Focus Ep23: Retail Automation
In Focus | Retail Automation. Are robots taking over the retail industry? Host Karl McKeever sits down with John Toler, CEO of US retailer Plow & Hearth, and Samay Kohli, CEO of warehouse robotics company, GreyOrange to find out.
E-commerce had a transformative effect on retail operations but now the booming demand for warehouses to speed-up last-mile deliveries is set to bring another round of dramatic change in retail.
Robots are well established in industrial settings but advances in AI and robotic SaaS platforms are increasingly working alongside humans in the retail industry, and having a dramatic effect on warehouse operations and how retailers and brands make their businesses more efficient and productive.
In the latest episode of our ‘In Focus’ series, we examine why forward-looking leaders are investing in intelligent automation; and the challenges and opportunities presented by robotics.
Presented by GreyOrange.
In Focus Ep22: Customer Data Platforms
In Focus | Customer Data Platforms. Host Karl McKeever sits down with Citizen Watch VP Customer Insights & Data Management, Rob Harvath, and Amperity Chief Customer Officer, Dan Milgrom to discuss how customer data platforms can connect the dots for improved customer engagement; why establishing a singular source-of-truth for customer data matters; the importance of adopting a “question everything” approach; and how to create a data-driven culture, to keep things ticking.
Presented by Amperity.
The Interview: Fabletics SVP Head of Retail, Ron Harries
The Interview: Fabletics: In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined by Ron Harries, SVP Head of Retail at US activewear brand Fabletics.
2023 marks the 10th anniversary for the digitally-native brand, co-founded by actress and entrepreneur Kate Hudson. In that time, Fabletics has been busy pulling in a loyal online consumer following.
For the last six years, Ron Harries has been the person responsible for leading the development of its retail proposition – unpicking the ever-more complex interplay of data and retailing. His tenure has seen the go-faster brand significantly increase its visibility across the US, with a raft of strategic store openings.
He reveals the importance of data-driven retail growth; why digitally-native and established retailers aren’t cut from the same cloth; how the lines between online and in-store are becoming increasingly blurred; why he’ll never step away from the challenge of delivering ‘better retail’; and the brand’s plans for the future.
Presented by Appriss Retail.
The Interview: Majid Al Futtaim – Retail, CEO Hani Weiss
The Interview: Majid Al Futtaim: In this episode, host Karl McKeever is joined in conversation by Hani Weiss, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim – Retail, the exclusive partner of choice for international hypermarket and supermarket brand, Carrefour.
The last few years have brought profound, powerful change to retail. The critical factor holding everything together is Leadership. Hani’s own career began at Majid Al Futtaim - Retail in 2001, as a Section Manager at Carrefour in City Centre Deira, the firm’s first hypermarket in the region. Today, as its CEO, Hani leads a business of 37,000 colleagues, operating over 450 Carrefour stores across 16 countries in the region, and serving more than 750,000 customers a day.
We sat down with him to explore the story behind the Majid Al Futtaim Retail business; the challenges of operating a successful grocery retail franchise business in the Middle East, and to hear his thoughts on what great leadership looks like today and, more importantly, for the future.
Recorded at Shoptalk Europe 2022.
The Interview: UGG, VP of Global Marketing Carole Diarra
The Interview: UGG: In this episode, host Karl McKeever is joined in conversation by Vice President of Global Marketing for global lifestyle brand UGG, Carole Diarra.
Diarra reflects on how a brand can stay relevant in today’s uncertain times, and the enduring principles that make great brands stand out. She also shares the story of her own personal career journey that saw her spend 15 years in New York honing her skills at L’Oreal, before eventually settling in her current role (and into a new life) in Paris.
Recorded at Shoptalk Europe 2022.
The Interview: Frugi, Chief Executive Officer Sarah Clark
The Interview: Frugi: In this episode, host Mark Faithfull is joined by Sarah Clark, CEO of UK organic clothing brand, Frugi. We to explore how sustainable fashion has changed; the brand’s plan for growth; what a sustained approach to business growth looks like; how to better influence and empower customers to live more sustainably; and how can it replace the pursuit of profit, and to reflect on her first year in post.
Recorded at Retail Week Live 2022.
The Interview: LIFVS, co-founder and COO Daniel Lundh
The Interview: LIFVS: In this episode, host Karl McKeever is joined by LIFVS co-founder and COO Daniel Lundh to explore the story behind Europe’s largest unstaffed grocery chain; why it classes itself as a technology start-up first and retailer second; and how its business model could teach others a thing or two about how to enjoy retail success in low traffic areas and rural communities. Recorded at Shoptalk Europe 2022.
The Interview: Boots UK, Chief Information Officer Rich Corbridge
The Interview: Boots UK: In this episode, host Karl McKeever is joined by Boots UK CIO Rich Corbridge and Director of IT – Customer and Category, Jennifer Duffy.
We explore the digital initiatives that the retailer has recently spun up to continue offering services to customers; the importance of speed of adaptation; how its omnichannel approach is helping to build a digital ecommerce experience for the future; and why this initiative is so fundamental to their tech talent acquisition, retention, and development strategy.
Recorded at Retail Week Live 2022