The Retail Podcast

Jason Cottrell, CEO of Orium and President of the MACH Alliance, explains how AI agents and composable commerce are reshaping enterprise retail and digital infrastructure. In this episode, we explore: AI agent ecosystems Human-in-the-loop AI governance Enterprise AI architecture Composable commerce AI-driven workflows QA automation Retail transformation The future of enterprise operations Jason sh...

“90% of Zalando’s marketing content is now AI generated.” Fresh from World Retail Congress, Alex sits down with Ian and Niamh to unpack the retail leadership signals shaping the industry’s future. Featuring insights from Zalando, Primark, Fressnapf, Action and Unhidden, this episode explores how AI is changing organisational structures, marketing execution, customer engagement and long-term growth...

Retail isn’t dying — it’s polarising. In this week’s episode of Five Things Friday, we unpack the biggest shifts shaping retail right now, from shrinking UK retail square footage to the rise of AI-powered shopping agents. We discuss: Why mid-market retail is under pressure Ted Baker’s return through Selfridges Anthropologie opening in Coal Drops Yard Amazon joining the Universal Commerce Protocol...

This week on 5 Things Friday UK edition, we break down the retail stories shaping the high street, physical stores, discovery, customer experience, AI, and the future of retail. The episode starts with a spotlight on Positive Retail, described in the conversation as a more curated, “posh TK Maxx” approach to giving unsold fashion stock a second life without leaning into chaotic discount culture. T...

Retail is changing fast and this episode of World Retail Signals captures the key shifts leaders need to watch right now. In this Berlin edition, Ian McGarrigle, Chairman of World Retail Congress, and Niamh Stone, Programme Director at World Retail Congress, join the conversation to unpack the signals shaping the global retail landscape. The episode opens with the pressure facing the luxury sector...

Retail is moving fast, and this week’s Five Things Friday breaks down the brand moves that matter. Alex is joined by Simone, co-founder and CEO of NIFT — Need It For Tonight, a rapid delivery infrastructure business powering retail through a fashion marketplace app and B2B plugin. This episode covers Louis Vuitton’s immersive Mayfair “hotel” pop-up, why luxury brands are leaning into experience-le...

This week on Five Things Friday, Deal is back for a fast-moving conversation on the retail stories shaping the week. The episode starts with Revolve and Coachella, unpacking how event-based e-commerce is turning festivals into shoppable brand ecosystems. From Revolve Festival to Gap’s Hoodie House and Rhode World, the discussion explores why the strongest brand activations are no longer just about...

This episode is a paid partnership with dunnhumby. What do shoppers actually want from retail media? Read the full research here: https://resources.dunnhumby.com/retail-media-report-2026/ That’s the question at the centre of this week’s episode of The Retail Podcast, where I sit down with Michael Schuh, Global Head of Media at dunnhumby. There’s a lot of noise in retail media right now. A lot of t...

In this episode of World Retail Signals, co-hosts Ian McGarrigle, Chairman at World Retail Congress, and Niamh Stone, Programme Director at World Retail Congress, join Alex to unpack the retail developments shaping leadership thinking across the UK, Europe, Africa and the US. The conversation opens with the rise in shop crime across the UK and Europe, and why retailers are increasingly framing it...

Retail is undergoing a fundamental shift—from product-driven transactions to experience-led ecosystems. In this episode of 5 Things Friday, we break down the most important retail trends shaping 2026: Gymshark is launching its first physical gym, signalling a move from apparel brand to community-driven experience platform. Selfridges is doubling down on ultra-premium retail with its exclusive VSP...

AI is fundamentally changing how consumers search, discover, and buy. In this Asia-Pacific edition of 5 Things Friday, we explore the next wave of retail transformation: * The rise of Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) and how AI search is replacing traditional SEO * Why zero-click commerce is reshaping customer journeys and reducing friction * China’s rapid retail and technology expansion into Sout...

World Retail Signals breaks down the retail shifts that matter most right now. In this episode, Alex is joined by Ian McGarrigle, Chairman at World Retail Congress, and Niamh Stone, Programme Director at World Retail Congress, to explore the trends reshaping global retail — from AI-driven discovery and stronger store leadership to sustainability, profitability, and the return of physical retail. T...

Physical retail isn’t dead, boring retail is. This episode breaks down the smart retail moves winning right now: collabs, pop-ups, experiences, and loyalty that works across ecosystems. In this episode of Five Things Friday, the conversation covers the retail stories shaping the week — from Adidas and ASOS taking their collaboration into physical retail, to the continued rise of experience-led sto...

In this episode of Five Things Friday APAC Edition, Ryf Quail, Managing Director of NRF APAC, is joined by Ngai Yuen Low, Managing Director of AEON360, for a sharp discussion on the retail issues shaping the region right now. They unpack Amazon’s planned 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge, why that move could redefine platform economics, and how shipping is shifting from a hidden backend cost to a...

In Part 2 of this conversation, Matthew Brown — Retail Trend Futurist & Keynote Speaker — joins Alex to break down some of the most innovative retail concepts in the world right now. From Pop Mart in Bangkok and Nespresso’s Flatiron flagship to Restoration Hardware, Gentle Monster, and Louis Vuitton’s immersive Shanghai concept, this episode explores how leading brands are transforming physica...

Welcome to World Retail Signals, the podcast from World Retail Congress, hosted by Ian McGarrigle, Chairman at World Retail Congress, and Niamh Stone, Programme Director at World Retail Congress. In this episode, the conversation spans Europe, Asia and the US, exploring the retail signals shaping decision-making right now. The discussion covers the reinvention of physical stores, the rise of data...

Retail is evolving fast and this week’s UK retail breakdown covers the strategies brands are using to stay relevant, drive footfall, and win customers. We unpack five key retail stories shaping the industry right now:Selfridges’ Golden Goose pop-up turning retail into theatrePrada activating experiential retail in LondonPeachy Den expanding with a strong community-led strategyNew Look investing in...

This week’s Five Things Friday breaks down a growing global retail crisis and why it’s much bigger than consumer confidence. We unpack how geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are triggering a ripple effect across Asia Pacific retail, impacting everything from energy costs to supply chains, packaging, and investment markets. Key topics include: Why 60% of Asia’s energy dependence on the Middle...

US retail just crossed $1 trillion in a single holiday season.  First time in history. In Episode 1 of the ITAB Group Podcast, recorded LIVE at EuroShop 2026  from the ITAB Group stand, Alex Rezvan sits down with Jill Dvorak —  SVP Content at the National Retail Federation (NRF) — fresh off the  ITAB Speaker's Corner keynote. This is the first in an exclusive series of conversations recorded w...

Retail is changing fast, and store formats are evolving even through crisis. In this episode of the Retail podcast, Alex sits down with Matthew from Echo Chamber to unpack what the best physical stores in the world are doing differently right now. Drawing on nearly three decades of studying retail, Matthew explains why the top end of physical retail keeps getting more immersive, more inspiring, an...

World Retail Signals is a new global retail intelligence show co-produced by  The Retail Podcast and World Retail Congress — a monthly look at the top retail  narratives shaping executive thinking around the world. This prelude episode goes behind the scenes of World Retail Congress 2026,  happening in Berlin, April 2026. Host Alex Rezvan is joined by Ian McGarrigle,  founder and chair of World Re...

is week’s 5 Things Friday is a fast, solo rundown of the biggest stories shaping UK retail right now. With a lot happening across the market, this episode covers five standout updates: JD.com launching Joybuy in the UK, Amazon facing fresh competition, Alexa+ and Amazon’s next AI push, Tesco increasing pay for frontline store colleagues, The Perfume Shop expanding its beauty recycling and refill p...

In this episode of Five Things Friday US Edition, we break down five retail and commerce stories shaping the week. We cover Target’s $6 billion turnaround push, including store refits, price cuts, and a bigger AI focus; Amazon’s expanded one- to three-hour delivery rollout across more cities and suburbs; and OpenAI’s pivot away from direct in-app checkout toward partner-led commerce rails. We also...

Edition of Five Things Friday, Ryf Quail and Yuen Low, Managing Director, AEON360, break down five retail developments shaping Asia right now. This episode covers:Baby Bunting’s store-of-the-future turnaroundWhy frontline retail roles are being redesignedIndia’s accelerating retail growth storyHow Ramadan and Eid are being shaped by food and hospitalityWhy AI literacy is becoming essential in reta...

In this episode of The Retail Podcast, we sit down with Gauri Sarma, Founder of Be Athletica, to unpack how she’s building a sportswear brand ABOUT THIS CHANNEL Welcome to the official channel of The Retail Podcast, your hub for global retail intelligence. Whether you are an executive refining your strategy, a vendor connecting with major players, or an innovator tracking the latest tech, this cha...