The Retail Exchange

A game-changer brand since it first launched sixteen years ago, today Three UK has over 10 million customers and 300 stores across the UK. It’s already committed £2bn of investment to rollout 5G to customers in 2019. Its focus on ‘connectivity’, however, stretches much further. In an exclusive interview, recorded at Future Stores 2019, host Martin Popplewell sits down with Three UK Head of Omnichannel & Digital First, Graham Johnston, to talk about the importance of delivering a seamless customer experience, and what lies in store in a 5G connected future. Featuring in-depth conversations with leading figures from the world of retail, this is The Retail Exchange’s informed interview series. Hear from the finest minds and inspiring thinkers as they share insights into delivering success and get to the heart of the industry’s big issues.

In this special episode of The Retail Exchange podcast sponsored by jisp, guest host and tech guru Jason Bradbury reports from Tech. Festival 2019 in London. Over 1600 of the industry’s leading digital minds, representing the entire ecosystem of retail’s ‘connected’ future converged in London for the two-day event, packed full of inspiration, learning and fun. We caught up with attendees, speakers and exhibitors to get their thoughts on the key take-outs and themes dominating discussions as retailers seek to unlock the full potential of digital commerce. 

The practices of the fast fashion industry are coming under increased scrutiny right now. Pressure is growing for brands to operate in ways which are more ethical and also reduce their impact on the environment. One brand that is intent on proving that there is a better way is Dutch clothing label Unrobe. A new sustainable fashion brand, it’s mission is to dress people by ‘undressing’ the fashion industry – liberating it from its bad habits. Host Ben Bland caught up with the brand’s founder, Daan Ubachs for an exclusive interview, to discuss why there has never been a better, or more important time, for change. Recorded at World Retail Congress 2019. Featuring in-depth conversations with senior figures from the world of retail, this is The Retail Exchange’s informed interview series. Hear from leading minds and inspiring thinkers as they share insights into delivering retail success and get to the heart of the industry’s big issues.

Colourful is the new black: that could be the motto for Swedish sock retailer, Happy Socks. Just over a decade after its launch, the brand has become an international phenomenon in the notoriously difficult apparel market. Today, its products are sold in 90 countries and enjoy a level of brand recognition and loyalty that most other labels can only aspire to. Recorded at World Retail Congress 2019, host Ben Bland meet the brand’s Head of Retail Aleksander Milenkovic, to learn more about this unorthodox, fun loving brand’s story – one that’s full of colour designs, celebrity collaborations and exceptional charm that they say is guaranteed to make you smile. Recorded at World Retail Congress 2019. Featuring in-depth conversations with senior figures from the world of retail, this is The Retail Exchange’s informed interview series. Hear from leading minds and inspiring thinkers as they share insights into delivering retail success and get to the heart of the industry’s big issues.

There are now around 1.7million people in the UK choosing subscription-based grocery shopping services instead of the usual weekly shop. One of the most profitable is Riverford Organic Farmers. From one man and a wheelbarrow, the Devon-based business now delivers more than 47,000 boxes a week to homes across Britain. In an exclusive interview, recorded at the World Retail Congress 2019, our host Ben Bland is joined by Riverford Organic Farmers’ founder, Guy Singh-Watson, to talk about the award-winning business which puts its success down to a spirit of ethical trading, and to discover why his decision to shun traditional retailers was, in his view, a good thing. Featuring in-depth conversations with senior figures from the world of retail, this is The Retail Exchange’s informed interview series. Hear from leading minds and inspiring thinkers as they share insights into delivering retail success and get to the heart of the industry’s big issues.

There’s a lot of talk about the importance of delivering an ‘experience’ in store. But is it the right conversation to be having? Host Ben Bland is joined by UXUS co-founder and chief creative officer, George Gottl to explore why creating meaningful conversation is the new social currency that retailers and brands should instead be focusing on. Featuring in-depth conversations with senior figures from the world of retail, this is The Retail Exchange’s informed interview series. Hear from leading minds and inspiring thinkers as they share insights into delivering retail success and get to the heart of the industry’s big issues.

With a new British Prime Minister in place, the potential impact of Brexit and its effect on UK industry is likely to dominate headlines again in the coming months. But UK retailers are concerned with much more than that one issue right now. So what should be on their boardroom agenda? In an exclusive interview, recorded at the World Retail Congress 2019, host Ben Bland sits down with Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium to discuss the challenges facing UK retail in the light on unprecedented change in the industry that’s resulted in difficult trading conditions and evolving shopper habits. Featuring in-depth conversations with senior figures from the world of retail, this is The Retail Exchange’s informed interview series. Hear from leading minds and inspiring thinkers as they share insights into delivering retail success and get to the heart of the industry’s big issues.

Cycling has gone through what can only be described as a revolution over the last 10 years. A trend that has seen cycle clothing brand Rapha quickly grow to be a truly international brand. In an exclusive interview, recorded at Future Stores 2019, host Martin Popplewell sits down with Rapha Director of Retail & Development, Caroline Crosswell, and Head of Retail, Darren Read, to discuss the brand’s approach to delivering its retail experience and our growing love of all things two-wheeled. Featuring in-depth conversations with leading figures from the world of retail, this is The Retail Exchange’s informed interview series. Hear from the finest minds and inspiring thinkers as they share insights into delivering success and get to the heart of the industry’s big issues.

The Retail Exchange reports from Future Stores 2019, as leaders from Europe’s most progressive retailers arrived in London for the two-day event, openly sharing their practical insights on the do’s and don’ts to unlock the full potential of bricks and mortar retailing. With rising customer expectations, the need for personalised in-store experiences and the constant wave of digital innovations, it is now more important than ever that you invest in the right new store initiatives to remain competitive. We caught up with attendees to get their thoughts on the key take-outs and themes dominating presentations and discussions.  

Levi’s is arguably the most iconic denim brand in the world. It’s focus on selling direct to consumers, personalising its products, and reimagining its retail experience suggest that some established labels are not just surviving, but thriving. 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. Featuring in-depth conversations with leading figures from the world of retail, this is The Retail Exchange’s informed interview series. Hear from the finest minds and inspiring thinkers as they share insights into delivering success and get to the heart of the industry’s big issues.

The Retail Exchange reports from the final day of World Retail Congress 2019 in Amsterdam, bringing together speakers from around the world including IKEA, L’Oreal and Lord Stuart Rose. There was also an exclusive look at the outcomes from the inaugural Congress Hack, which took place over the course of the event to explore how major global retailers in the room worked with experts to hack some of the industry’s biggest challenges. As Day 3 came to an end, we caught up with speakers and those attending to get their thoughts on the key take-outs and themes dominating this year’s event.

The Retail Exchange reports from Day Two of the 2019 World Retail Congress in Amsterdam. Bringing together speakers from around the world including Levi’s, Coca-Cola, Sephora and Google, the second day threw up some interesting questions. What does a great retail experience look and feel like? How must retailers adapt leadership, culture and people to deliver change in the industry? How data and media be monetised to deliver new retail revenues? As the second day came to an end, we caught up with speakers and those attending to get their thoughts on the key take-outs and themes dominating the event.

The Retail Exchange visits Amsterdam for this year’s World Retail Congress, as international retail leaders arrived in the Dutch capital for the three-day event, eager to explore the theme of this year’s event, “High Velocity Retail”. Taking place amid an atmosphere of optimism, the Congress continues to be the leading light in the industry calendar. As the first day came to an end, we caught up with attendees to get their thoughts on the key take-outs and themes dominating presentations and discussions.

Leica has been a visionary presence in the photographic field for more than 100 years. 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. Featuring in-depth conversations with leading figures from the world of retail, this is The Retail Exchange’s informed interview series. Hear from the finest minds and inspiring thinkers as they share insights into delivering success and get to the heart of the industry’s big issues.

The fashion weeks season may be high on new trends, glitz and glamour but the reality of running a fashion retail business more often feels like a fight for survival right in the current climate. With fashion retailers under pressure, broadcaster 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. Our guest panel features Nayna McIntosh, founder of Hope Fashion, Lorna Hall, director – retail at WGSN and Kirsty Kean, lead retail specialist with Visual Thinking.