All Podcast Episodes
The Interview: Levi’s
The Interview: Levi’s: In an exclusive interview, recorded at World Retail Congress 2019, Ben Bland sits down with Marc Rosen, Levi's EVP/President of Global Direct to Consumer, to discuss how the brand is keeping its customer experience fresh - in its own distinct way.
The Interview: Leica
The Interview: Leica: In this edition of ‘The Interview’, business broadcaster Ben Bland sits down with Jason Heward, UK managing director of Leica Camera. He talks about the passion that exists within Leica (and himself) for photography, the brand’s recently opened new London flagship store, and its focus on using ‘experience’ to connect with customers.
In Focus: Fashion Retail
In Focus - Fashion Retail: As fashion retail’s ever-shifting landscape continues at breakneck pace, we ponder what retailers can do to overcome the current challenges in style. Host Ben Bland sits down with senior industry thinkers to discuss the challenges that exist, as well as can be done to deliver practical long-lasting improvements in retail performance.
The Interview: LEGO
The Interview: LEGO: LEGO is one of the most recognised toy brands in the world. In this edition of ‘The Interview’, business broadcaster Ben Bland sits down with Simone Sweeney, Vice President of Global Retail Development for LEGO Group.
The Interview: Leon Restaurants
The Interview: Leon Restaurants: In this edition of The Interview, John Vincent, co-founder of Leon Restaurants joins host Ben Bland to discuss the story of the brand, its ethos and future plans.
In Focus: Rethinking Supermarkets
In Focus - Grocery Retail: In this episode, we explore what the future could look like for our supermarkets. As the hunger for change in the sector grows, assumptions that have underpinned the business models of the big grocery retail players for so many years no longer hold true.
The Interview: Neal’s Yard Remedies
The Interview: Neal’s Yard Remedies: In this edition of The Interview Series, we sit down with Neal’s Yard Remedies director of international sales Calum Mackay. Originally recorded at World Retail Congress 2018 in Madrid, he takes business broadcaster Ben Bland through his varied career in beauty, explains the importance of going the extra mile to engage with international retailers and customers, and shares his top tips for surviving the long haul to success.
The Interview: Juventus FC
The Interview: Juventus FC: In this episode, host Ben Bland is joined by Juventus Football Club head of brand licensing and retail, Silvio Vigato to discuss all-things sports retail; the power of fan loyalty; and how the club uses its football stars to promote the brand on a global scale.
The Interview: L’Estrange
The Interview: L’Estrange: In this episode, co-founders of menswear apparel brand L’Estrange, university friends Tom Horne and Will Green share the story behind the brand’s development, talk about their store concept ‘The Apartment’, and explain why more fashion brands should champion a move towards ‘Essentialism’.
In Focus: Mall Overhaul
In Focus - Mall Overhaul: In this episode, we explore how mall owners will keep enticing shoppers in the years ahead. Will the big anchor store still be the big draw? And what will the mall experience of tomorrow look like?
The Interview: Rockar
The Interview: Rockar: In this episode, host Ben Bland talks to Rockar founder Simon Dixon about his company’s latest partnership with industry giant Ford and fashion retailer Next, and how innovation is moving car retailing up a gear – transforming perceptions and putting power into the hands of customers.
The Interview: Group Cortefiel
The Interview: Grupo Cortefiel: In our latest special edition of The Interview ahead of the World Retail Congress 2018, business broadcaster Ben Bland talks to Grupo Cortefiel CEO, Jaume Miquel. He discusses the key trends he expects to dominate the agenda at the Congress and tells the story of retail transformation and international expansion taking place within the Grupo Cortefiel.
The Interview: Supremebeing
The Interview: Supremebeing: In this edition host Ben Bland has an in-depth conversation with Gavin Aldred, owner of online clothing brand Supremebeing.com to talk refashioning physical and online retailing, and to explore why the brand has eschewed many standard industry practices in favour of tackling ethical concerns.
In Focus: Store Teams
In Focus - Store Teams: In this episode, we're discussing the power of people. As technology and automation becomes more prevalent in the world of retail, the idea of having store assistants might seem old-fashioned. But the human touch is still very much in demand.
The Interview: Ahold Delhaize
The Interview: Ahold Delhaize: In this episode, host Ben Bland talks to Jason Breazeale, Director of Innovation for Ahold Delhaize. He discusses the challenges of grocery retail as the direction moves away from being simply functional transactions to delivering a seamless, life-orientated retail experience for the shopper, regardless of channel.
The Interview: NRF
The Interview: National Retail Federation: In this special edition, recorded at NRF Big Show 2018, business broadcaster Ben Bland talks to Cristina Ceresoli, Senior Vice President for Retail Strategy at the National Retail Federation. She shares her tips for what the prevalent themes for the year will be, and warns retailers to guard against the danger of adopting technology for technology’s sake.
The Interview: L’Occitane
The Interview: L’Occitane: In this episode, host Ben Bland talks to Jamie Taylor, Retail, Property and Wholesale Director for international beauty brand L’Occitane. He tells business broadcaster Ben Bland what lies in-store for shoppers in its new Regent Street store, how the hospitality industry was an inspiration, and how people are crucial in delivering retail transformation.
The Interview: World Retail Congress
The Interview: World Retail Congress: In this special edition, recorded at NRF Big Show 2018, business broadcaster Ben Bland talks to Ian McGarrigle, Chair of the World Retail Congress. He discusses the challenge of delivering retail transformation, what lies ahead for the industry during 2018, and looks ahead to what's in store for attendees at this year's event in Madrid.
In Focus: Retail Technology
In Focus - Retail Technology: Are robots about to takeover our stores? We review the technology promising to change how we shop in-store, and visit New York to discuss the big topics at NRF Big Show 2018.
In Focus: Collaborative Working
In Focus - Collaborative Working: In this episode, we discuss how to achieve greater collaboration, what needs to change, and where responsibility for driving new ways of working should lie.