OFFBounds Retail

In this episode, I sit down with Lindsay Haselhurst , Chief Operating Officer at Currys , to unpack what it really takes to lead transformation at scale in one of the UK’s largest retailers. From navigating Brexit and pandemic-era supply chain chaos to pioneering innovation in re-commerce, 3D printing, and customer-centric operations, Lindsay shares a masterclass in operational excellence and peop...

What does it take to digitally transform a £13B retail giant across eight countries and nearly 2,000 stores? In this episode, I sit down with Christopher Blatchford , Global CTO of Kingfisher PLC — the company behind B&Q, Screwfix, Castorama, and more — to unpack the tech strategy powering one of Europe’s biggest home improvement groups. We dive into why modularity (not just microservices) is...

What does it really take to build innovation that scales inside a legacy business? In this episode, Benjamin Thompson, Head of Global Insights & Strategic Partnerships at Endeavour Group , shares how one of Australia’s largest drinks and hospitality companies stays ahead by blending strategic foresight with cultural transformation. From global tech scouting to the real reasons digital transfor...

Mirko Saul, Senior Vice President of Innovation at Schwarz Digital , joins Paula Macaggi to share how Schwarz Group — the parent company of Lidl and Kaufland — drives innovation at a massive scale. From testing the cutting-edge tech in lab stores to building their own cloud and AI infrastructure, Mirko reveals how the group balances speed, sovereignty, and scalability across 14,000 stores in 30 co...

Although Co-op entered the ecommerce space later than most, launching its online presence only in 2019, the company rapidly distinguished itself through quick commerce. Today, Co-op delivers an impressive 500,000 online grocery orders weekly, and its loyalty membership has surged by 50%. In this episode, Chris Conway , Managing Director of Ecommerce at Co-op , shares how leveraging existing conven...

In this episode 4th episode of our Europe's Retail Evolution series in partnership with Shoptalk Europe , Paula Macaggi sits down with Christian Raveaux , Head of Retail Media Connect at Rewe Group , to unpack the rapidly evolving world of retail media. Christian reveals how Rewe is blending digital and in-store advertising, harnessing first-party data, and executing innovative campaigns—like weat...

In this episode of the OFFBounds , you will meet Javier Figar de Lacalle , Chief Retail Officer of Tendam , one of Spain’s largest fashion groups. Javier discusses how technology is empowering frontline employees to provide exceptional customer experiences while driving operational efficiency across Tendam’s global retail network. From the implementation of RFID and clienteling platforms to the ev...

In this episode of our Europe's Retail Evolution Series in partnership with Shoptalk Europe, I sat down with Katya Denike , Chief Product Officer at Holland & Barrett . She shares many insights on leading digital transformation within a 150-year-old legacy brand. We explore the true challenge of aligning teams, breaking old habits, and shifting mindsets to build a product-driven culture. Katya...

This is the first episode of our Europe's Retail Evolution series with Shoptalk Europe , and I sat down with Arianne Parisi, Chief Digital Officer at JD Sports, to discuss the massive digital transformation behind one of the world’s largest sports retailers. With over 4,500 stores across 30+ countries, JD is redefining omnichannel retail, from AI-driven customer care to global-local market strateg...

How does a 200-year-old luxury brand stay ahead in the digital era? In this episode of OFFBounds , I sit down with Carla Graça, CDO of Vista Alegre , to explore how AI, automation, and personalization are transforming retail. From running six global e-commerce platforms to leveraging AI for customer experience , Carla shares how Vista Alegre is blending heritage with innovation —and why Cristiano...

Retail is evolving fast, and we’re diving into what’s next! In this episode of OFFBounds , I sit down with Joe Lazslo, Head of Content US at Shoptalk , to explore the biggest shifts in retail— Unified Commerce, Loyalty, Customer Experience, and more. We break down why loyalty is harder than ever , how retailers are redefining customer experiences , and why Shoptalk’s new event, Shoptalk Luxe, is a...

NRF 2025 wrapped up a few weeks ago, this year’s key theme was Game Changer. In this episode, Paula Macaggi breaks down the biggest trends shaping the future of shopping, from the shift toward Generative AI-powered product discovery to the long-overdue RFID breakthrough. We also explore the rise of Social Commerce, the need for brands to foster real-world communities, and the growing demand for ul...

In this episode of OFFBounds , I chat with Stuart Frelick , Dyson’s Global Head of Product, about the ambitious retail transformation that’s redefining the stores of the brand. Stuart takes us behind the scenes of how Dyson modernized its systems, tackled the challenges of scaling innovation globally, and delivered a seamless customer experience. We explore the importance of bold leadership, the s...

This week I’m joined by Greg Merrill , the former Head of Digital Transformation at Nike, for a deep dive into what it really takes to lead change in today’s fast-moving world. From his unconventional career journey to his insights on balancing innovation and operational excellence, Greg shares how transformation isn’t just about technology—it’s about people, strategy, and building a culture that...

In this episode of OFFBounds , I’m sharing my personal guide to the top retail conferences you should attend in 2025. From the bustling halls of NRF’s Big Show in New York to the vibrant Shoptalk events and hidden gems like EuroCIS in Germany, I’ll walk you through the must-attend events and why they’re worth your time. Whether you’re looking to discover cutting-edge tech, connect with industry le...

In this first episode of OFFBounds' second season, Paula Macaggi sits down with Ricardo Larroudé, co-founder and CEO of the innovative footwear brand Larroudé. Launching in the midst of the 2020 pandemic, Larroudé has quickly risen to prominence, earning the prestigious "Brand of the Year" award in 2024. Ricardo shares the bold vision and strategies behind the brand's disruptive approach to fashio...

At the beginning of spring 2024, I interviewed Tiago Quaresma, who runs the Group that owns some of the coolest stores selling Portuguese culture's traditions.  For me, O Grupo o Valor do Tempo is a masterclass of value creation through storytelling and customer experience and it was one of the most shared interviews we had in our first season.  By offering a dreamy environment with stellar servic...

In this special year-end episode of OFFBounds , we reflect on 2024—a defining year for retail and the year our podcast journey began. From the meteoric rise of Walmart online to leadership shakeups at Nike and Starbucks, this episode recaps the trends, challenges, and transformations that shaped the industry. We revisit key insights on data-driven decision-making, loyalty programs, AI's role in co...

In this episode of OFFBounds, Paula Macaggi dives into the growing trend of premiumization with retail expert Jack Stratten. Together, they explore how brands like Zara, H&M, and Wegmans are elevating their offerings through immersive store designs, curated products, and enhanced customer experiences to compete with ultra-fast fashion giants like Shein and Temu. Discover why premiumization is...

In this episode of OFFBounds, Emmanuel Malkor, Managing Director of Carrefour Links, shares how this innovative division is transforming retail through advanced data collaboration. Discover how Carrefour centralized its data from eight countries into a unified platform, enabling smarter decision-making and empowering suppliers with actionable insights. Malkor explains Carrefour Links’ shift to foc...

In this episode, Paula interviews Brahim Lemseffer, CEO of LabelVie Europe, to discuss the groundbreaking Atacadão business model. Originally a Brazilian innovation, Atacadão combines retail and wholesale into a hybrid format that’s now making waves in Europe. Brahim shares LabelVie’s journey—from its roots in Morocco to its latest bold venture: opening the first Atacadão store in Paris, France ....

Have you noticed more people hitting the pavement? You’re not imagining it. Running has surged into a global phenomenon post-pandemic, transforming marathons and run clubs into cultural moments and vibrant communities. From record-breaking numbers at the NYC Marathon to cosmetics giant Maybelline becoming the event’s first cosmetic partner, running is more than a sport—it’s a lifestyle that is res...

In this episode of OFFBounds, host Paula Macaggi, fresh from her recent trip to Shanghai, takes you on an eye-opening journey into China's complex and rapidly evolving luxury market. Joined by retail expert Jacques Roizen , a 12-year Shanghai resident with an extensive background in managing top-tier brands like Pandora and Etam China, and today the Managing Director of DLG (Digital Luxury Group),...

Paula Macaggi sat down with Simon Clarke, the Chief Information Officer of Clarks, a legendary British shoe brand with nearly 200 years of heritage. In this episode, Simon shares insights into the digital transformation that Clarks undertook in record time—just 18 months. Discover how Simon led Clarks’ shift from legacy systems to a modern, composable digital platform, all while keeping the projec...

In this eye-opening episode, host Paula Macaggi, founder of OFFBounds, sits down with renowned retail expert, author, and former Alibaba executive, Sharon Gai, to uncover the unique dynamics shaping commerce in China. As Paula prepares for her first trip to Shanghai, they talk about what Western consumers can expect from China’s advanced e-commerce landscape, from AI-powered shopping to experienti...