Retail Therapy

Our next guest on Retail Therapy is Angel Dixon OAM, a passionate activist for disability inclusion and human rights. Angel is a two-time international Mercedes Benz Fashion Week model. In 2017 Angel became the first agency-signed model with a physical impairment to feature in a national television campaign.   Since then, she has used her profile to create positive changes towards community attitu...

In this episode of Retail Therapy, we hear from Manisha Amin (she/her), CEO of the Centre for Inclusive Design. Manisha's dedication to innovation and social change has made her a pivotal figure in the realm of inclusivity. With expertise in strategic marketing, communication, and cultural transformation, Manisha illuminates the path toward creating products, services, and policies that truly embr...

In this episode of Retail Therapy, we are honoured to welcome Mariam Veiszadeh, CEO of Media Diversity Australia. A trailblazing figure in human rights advocacy, law, authorship, and media commentary, Mariam has left an indelible mark in the fight against racism and xenophobia. Renowned for founding the Islamophobia Register Australia, Mariam's endeavours have earned her recognition, including the...

Our next guest, Anyier Yuol, is not only an entrepreneur but also a catalyst for social change. With a strong commitment to making a difference, Anyier is the visionary behind Miss Sahara, an initiative for Lead Beyond Education (LBE) charity, as well as the founder and CEO of Anyier Model Management. Her advocacy spans a multitude of causes, including women's and girls' rights, refugee and gender...

Our next guest for Retail Therapy is Natalie Phillips-Mason (She/Her), Founder and Lead Consultant of Inclusive Change. Natalie is dedicated to fostering inclusive workplaces and enriching customer experiences by celebrating our unique identities. Natalie encourages leaders to embrace all aspects of diversity – apparent and non-apparent – for the benefit of their employees and their customers. Thr...

Our next guest for Retail Therapy needs little introduction: Natasha Stott Despoja, a prominent figure in Australia's advocacy for gender equality. With International Women's Day just around the corner, we're thrilled to host Natasha, whose legacy as a former Senator for South Australia speaks volumes. Throughout her career, she has passionately championed gender equality and tirelessly advocated...

Celebrate Mardi Gras with a dose of Retail Therapy, spotlighting diversity, equality, and inclusion. Joining us for this special occasion is Katherine Wolfgramme (she/her), a nationally recognised Trans Advocate, award-winning gender diversity consultant, and Trans awareness trainer. As a pioneer in promoting equity and equality for the LGBTQIA+ community, Katherine's impact resonates through nume...

Joining us for some Retail Therapy focusing on diversity, equality and inclusion is Leila Naja Hibri (she/her), former CEO of the Australian Fashion Council. In the face of the pandemic, Leila emerged as a guiding force, steering the Australian fashion industry towards resilience. Her compelling personal narrative serves as a testament to the advantages that arise from fostering culturally diverse...

Welcome to Season Six of Retail Therapy, where we delve into Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion. We're thrilled to kick off this season with a powerhouse guest, Lisa Annese (she/her), CEO of Diversity Council Australia. Lisa was named one of the AFR’s 100 Women of Influence in 2018. In 2019 she was elected to the Board of Amnesty International Australia and in 2021 to the Board of the non-partisan...

Season 6 of the ARA’s Retail Therapy podcast is gearing up for an early 2024 launch! Join host, ARA CEO Paul Zahra, as we dive into the crucial conversation on diversity, equality, and inclusion led by the Australian Retailers Association. This season, Retail Therapy is going deep into the realm of DE&I in the retail landscape. It's not merely a buzzword; it’s a driving force fuelling innovati...

Welcome to the fifth and final special Christmas bonus episode of Retail Therapy for the year.  As the holiday season rapidly approaches, retailers are gearing up for the annual Christmas shopping frenzy. However, this year brings a heightened sense of uncertainty to the industry, as Australians grapple with the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis, while retailers themselves contend with the b...

Welcome to another special Christmas episode of Retail Therapy  Christmas is right around the corner, marking the peak season for the retail industry. This upcoming festive trading period holds immense significance for retailers, especially those in the discretionary sector, as they typically generate up to two-thirds of their annual profits during this period.  Joining us for some Retail Therapy...

The holidays are upon us and retailers are in deep preparation for the Christmas shopping rush. It’s going to be an unpredictable festive trading season this year with a raft of economic challenges and uncertainty amid the cost of living. In this Retail Therapy Christmas special, we’ll be discussing what’s in store for retailers, consumers and how spending may be shaping up. Joining us for some Re...

The holidays are fast approaching, and retailers are in preparation mode for the Christmas shopping rush. There’s a bit more uncertainty for the industry this year as Australians continue to feel the crunch of the cost-of-living crisis whilst retailers feel the crunch of the cost-of-doing business crisis. In this episode of Retail Therapy, we’ll be discussing what’s in store for retailers and cons...

'Tis the season to be shopping, and the retail world will soon be buzzing with festive delight. In this episode, we're diving deep into the heart of the retail sector's busiest time of year and what we can expect for the shopping season ahead.   As the festive season draws near, join host ARA CEO Paul Zahra in a spirited conversation with Fleur Brown, ARA Chief Industry Affairs Officer.    Togethe...

Joining us for some Retail Therapy is Eric Morris, former CEO of Brand Collective, which boasts a portfolio of iconic owned and licensed brands with more than 3,000 employees. Eric has over 35 years of industry experience covering retail, wholesale, licensing, marketing and product development in both international and national organisations. He has held senior management positions with a who's-wh...

Get ready for an exciting episode of Retail Therapy where we dive deep into the world of fashion, leadership, innovation, and sustainability with our special guest, Elisha Hopkinson, CEO of APG & Co. Elisha has been an instrumental part of APG & Co for more than a decade and has worked in the fashion industry both in Australia and internationally for over two decades. For over 50 years, AP...

In this episode of the ARA's Retail Therapy Podcast, we have the privilege of sitting down with Angus McKay, CEO and Managing Director of 7-Eleven. Angus has an impressive career background, including leadership roles at iconic companies like Fosters and New Zealand Milk, and he has been at the helm of 7-Eleven for over seven years. This episode explores:  7-Eleven's rise to popularity: Angus shed...

Welcome to another episode of Retail Therapy, where we delve into the heartbeat of the retail industry. In this episode, we are thrilled to have a distinguished guest with us – Mark Ronan, the visionary CEO of Adairs. With over 15 years of diverse leadership experience within Adairs, Mark's journey is a testament to his profound understanding of the retail landscape. This episode with Mark and ARA...

Joining us for some Retail Therapy is Catriona Noble, Executive General Manager, Retail at Australia Post. Catriona is responsible for the organisation’s network of 4,320 Post Offices and is renowned for driving key transformation in many of her previous roles, including CEO of McDonald’s Australia and Managing Director at ANZ. Australia Post has been a cornerstone of the country’s social fabric f...

Next up on the Retail Therapy podcast is Ian Bailey, Managing Director of Kmart Group. With a wealth of experience in the retail industry, Ian Bailey assumed the role of Managing Director at Kmart Australia in February 2016. Later, in November 2018, he took on the responsibility of leading Wesfarmers’ Kmart Group division, which encompasses the Kmart & Target Australia businesses, Kmart Austra...

Join us for an inspiring episode of Retail Therapy with Mirja Viinanen, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer at IKEA Australia. IKEA is the world’s largest furniture retailer and has cemented its status in Australia as the country’s most recognised Swedish homewares store, offering ready-to-assemble furniture, appliances, décor and other various goods. Mirja undoubtedly has a wealth of knowledge a...

Get ready for an exciting episode of Retail Therapy with special guest, George Tsoukalas, Managing Director at Heinemann Australia. George's impressive portfolio includes leadership positions at Nude by Nature, The Discovery Group, and L'Oréal. In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of Heinemann, a global player in duty-free and travel retail, known for its exceptional offerings in p...

We are thrilled to present the next special guest on Retail Therapy - Tanya Deans, the President at Hanes Brands, Australasia. Tanya oversees iconic Australian brands like Bonds, Sheridan, Berlei, Champion, and more, establishing herself as a true fashion guru in the industry. Join us as we dive into Tanya's journey and gain insights into the changes she has witnessed and driven within Hanes and i...

Welcome to Season 5 of Retail Therapy! In this exciting episode, we have a very special guest joining us. We are thrilled to have Jack Gance, the Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board at Chemist Warehouse, on the podcast.   Chemist Warehouse is an iconic pharmacy retail brand in Australia, boasting over 350 stores and employing more than 8,000 staff across the country. With a robust online presence...