The Retail Tea Break

Each week on season 2 of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I’ve be joined by industry experts, retailers and product creators to decode the myths, share knowledge and give you a better insight into the retail industry. In this final episode of season 2, I give you a quick recap of key moments and share my thoughts on retailing in 2022. So grab your cup of tea, sit back, relax and listen in. Topics: •...

As someone that has been fortunate enough to build a successful career in retail, I was delighted to talk to an educator who is supporting the future leaders of the retail industry. Dr. Oran Doherty from Retail Ireland Skillnet explains the important part that education and training plays. Given the difficult times we have faced over the last few years, Oran describes the value that the Apprentice...

I talk to a creative entrepreneur who has introduced children everywhere to an incredible little boy and his sister. Emma-Jane Leeson started the Johnny Magory business with a self-published book and now the brand includes everything from an app to a much anticipate animated series. Her aim is to educate children about Irish heritage and wildlife and to inspire children to get outside and explore....

In this episode, I grab a cuppa with someone that studies human behaviour; he says that understanding consumer decision making can enable companies to effectively serve customers better. Dr. Denis O’Hora is an accomplished lecturer with over 20 years’ experience in higher education. He is the Director of the Master of Science in Consumer Psychology, an Experimental Psychologist and a Behavioural S...

The importance of #ShopLocal   I meet a women who along with her brothers and sisters, are continuing to run the family retail business that was started by their Grandmother. Tracy Phillips and her family own Phillips Shoes and Phillips Menswear in the West of Ireland. Having been in business for nearly 100 years, this family is at the very heart of the local community. Tracy describes the tr...

I grab a cuppa with a retailer and maker who runs a coffee and gift shop on one of Ireland's most famous tourist trails. Caitríona and Kevin Considine founded Moher Cottage at St. Brigid’s Well beside the world-famous Cliffs of Moher. The destination store sells unique, local and Irish made crafts and gifts including award-winning coffee and artisan fudge (that is made in-house). Caitríona di...

From founder of a luxury experiential store to Managing Director of an online platform with 180 million registered users worldwide. Sarah Curran-Usher is a multi-channel retail expert and her no nonsense approach is so refreshing. She discusses combining data driven consumer experience with human skills to ensure you build trust and loyalty with shoppers. There are so many takeaways from this epis...

I grab a cuppa with a couple who have created one of Ireland’s most successful interiors and lifestyle stores. Vanessa O’Brien and Kieran Malone from Vobe Interiors have an exceptionally strong physical and online retail presence. They discuss the challenges of running a store with an ever-changing collection, a social media following of a quarter of a million people and a website that sells stock...

I talk to an experienced retail strategist who is driving the direction of multiple brands. Michelle Yanez-Olivares is an innovative retail operations executive working in an ever changing retail environment. Her insight into global ecommerce, high street fast fashion and now the hybrid, omni-channel experience is fascinating. Michelle also talks about putting the customer front and centre of ever...

I grab a cuppa with an Irish maker who turned a personal interest in alternative remedies into an incredibly successful business. Karl Murray from Kotanical is open and honest about the ups and downs of running his company. He is self-taught, learning about everything from logistics to building a website. He talks about the tireless work and graft that has gone into developing a premium quality pr...

In this episode, I talk to a woman who helps her clients get and keep their ideal customer. Deirdre Martin is a marketing and customer experience expert; as a certified Story Brand guide, she enables businesses to clarify their message so that they can engage with their dream customers. Deirdre discusses how effective communication, tone of voice and even colour choice can help keep the customers...

To kick off Season 2 of The Retail Tea Break, I talk to a retail innovation specialist who helps global brands push the boundaries of physical retail. Ian Scott provides insights on global retail trends and innovations, travelling around the world to ensure retailers stay connected with their customers. His work has included the design and implementation of retail stores, store research and custom...

Each week on season 1 of The Retail Tea Break, I’ve been joined by industry experts, retailers and product creators to decode the myths, share knowledge and give you a better insight into the retail industry. In this final episode of 2021, I give you a quick recap of key moments and look forward to season 2 in 2022!  So grab your cup of tea, sit back, relax and listen in….   Topics: A re...

I’m joined by a successful craft maker, who also has a full time job. Alanna Plekkenpol creates beautiful hand printed illustrated wall art inspired by her Dutch/ Irish heritage. However, she does all this while successfully juggling a full time job, something which many frown upon. Alanna explains that both roles feed each other, making her super-efficient and actually more creative! She describe...

The MD of Fishers talks to me about the toughest two years the company has ever experienced. From the realisation that lockdown was coming, to supporting her amazing team, Becci is so honest about the impact the pandemic has had on everyone. Be sure to grab your cup of tea, sit back, relax and listen in…

In this episode, I talk to an industry expert who is going to answer a question that I am asked all the time! Sinéad Carroll discusses how retailers and product creators can use influencers to grow engagement, position themselves in the market or to sell more. However, she explains that you can’t just through €50 at this and hope for the best, it must to become part of a longer-term strategy! This...

In this episode, I talk to an industry expert who is an award-winning business coach and also happens to know the retail industry inside out and back to front! Tara Rafter, The Navigation Coach works with people who feel “overwhelmed and who want to embark on a voyage of self-discovery which will give them the clarity, direction and inner contentment to stop wasting time and energy and to fin...

In this episode, I talk to a woman on a mission to ‘help women feel better about themselves by creating exciting engaging product experiences that they look forward to every day’.  Charlene Flanagan is a makeup expert, educator and the co-founder of Ella and Jo. Our conversation takes a deep dive into all the research the brand did to truly understand its customer. We discuss w...

I talk to an industry expert who is reframing the way we think about networking. Kelly Hoey, author of ‘Build your Dream Network;  forging Powerful Relationships in a Hyperconnected World’  discusses how retailers and product makers can connect successfully. There are no business cards or boring coffee mornings here! This conversation is full of practical strategies and cracking examples...

I talk to a retailer who has achieved so much in such a short space of time. James Byrne is Founder and Co-Owner of Faerly, an Irish online destination store for sustainable living. His passion for supporting the customer to make environmentally friendly choices is clear, from the carefully curated product selection to the packaging used. James extensive background in e-commerce and marketing make...

I talk to the owners of a family run business about their approach to selling. Willie and Cheryl from Ballyshane Irish Wood Design make the most incredible chopping boards, salad bowls and bespoke furniture. They create luxury products that are sustainable, using Irish timber from trees that are dead, dying or falling over. The couple are passionate supporters of other Irish Craft and Design maker...

I talk to an industry expert who is building the shopping experiences of the future. Ciara Sheahan from Orb Media creates 360/ VR technology for the luxury retail sector that is immersive, innovative and exciting. In this episode, she leaves me gobsmacked with the data that backs up her work. For her, boring mindless scrolling (that we all do) is a thing of the past, because we deserve superior sh...

The Customer Connection.  I talk to an industry expert with global retail experience about the simple steps you can take to create a deeper connection with your customers. Cristiane Ross from Sparc Consulting has been based in Hong Kong for the last 14 years, having worked all over the world in retail and CX roles. As we hear in this episode, she helps businesses deliver engaging customer int...

I talk to a maker about the steps she has taken over the last few years to grow her successful skincare brand. Elaine Kennedy is based on the shores of Lough Carra at the foot of the Partry Mountains in the West of Ireland. After living in London for a number of years, Elaine made the decision to return to rural Ireland and develop a craft business on my family farm. Taking inspiration from t...

Welcome to The Retail Tea Break. In this episode, I talk to about my retail experience over the last 20 plus years and why I have decided to start a podcast. Each week I’ll be joined by industry experts, retailers and product creators to decode the myths, share knowledge and give you a better insight into the retail industry. So grab your cup of tea, sit back, relax and listen in….