The Shop Flaw

Somewhere along the way... we forgot who we were. In this episode of The Shop Flaw, Timothy and Jasmine have an honest conversation about creativity, identity, and the pressure to have your life figured out. We explore why so many of us stop creating as we get older, how fear and perfectionism keep us stuck, and what it really takes to start building a life that feels authentic. This isn't rea...

After 18 months away... we're finally back. A lot has changed. In this first episode of a brand-new chapter, Timothy and Jasmine catch up on everything that's happened since we stopped recording. We talk about therapy, burnout, ADHD, heartbreak, moving home, leaving London, working behind a country pub bar, and why walking away from The Shop Flaw turned out to be exactly what we needed. More impor...

When life and career implode, and everything we hold onto for dear life no longer brings us joy, where do we go? The Shop Flaw returns without constraints..

Have you ever wondered about the impact of "return-to-store" on a retail store or its staff? Or, wondered how store staff feel when the head office descends on their store? As retail head offices devise ways to get customers back in-store, they often ignore the people who actually know customers best: the frontline staff who interact with them day in and day out. In this eye-opening episode, Grace...

In this conversation, Robert Welsh shares his experiences in the makeup industry, emphasising the importance of self-expression and inclusivity. Robert reflects on his time at MAC, where he felt empowered by the diverse and creative environment. The discussion also covers the challenges of navigating the beauty industry, the significance of retail experience in personal growth, and the evolving la...

Robert Welsh shares his journey from a professional makeup artist to a full-time influencer. He discusses his experiences in retail, the challenges faced in the beauty industry, and the evolution of MAC Cosmetics. The conversation highlights the importance of inclusivity in makeup and the impact of social media on the beauty landscape. In this engaging conversation, Robert Welsh and The Shop Flaw...

For a quarter of a century, Mohamed Al Fayed owned the fabled department store, Harrods. Globally renowned, Al Fayed has now been exposed as a serial sex offender, enabled by the prestige of Harrods and the teams of employees who worked for him. The BBC documentary, Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods, finally gives voice to the brave victims who share their stories of his horrific crimes and abuses of...

Whilst bricks and mortar retail stores have traditionally been the focus of customer service, with consumers increasingly shopping online, what happens when things go wrong? Join The Shop Flaw host Timothy and Nicole Al Rais of @nicoletalksfashion , who shares her shocking experience with Selfridges online. Having spent in excess of £1000 only to receive an empty box in the post, @ namednicole too...

As fashion retail budgets are slashed across the board, what does the future hold for visual merchandising? Whilst VM teams can be annoying as hell, the love and creativity that they pour into projects is nothing short of incredible. But with bricks and mortar shops fighting for their very survival, is the era of dynamic visual story telling and compelling window displays coming to an end?

2023  was the worst year on record for retail shoplifting, with more than  430,000  cases recorded - an increase of more than a third from the year before. But in the midst of an unprecedented cost of living crisis, this is probably just a fraction of the real number. What is behind this explosion in shoplifting?

“When companies start paying more than minimum wage, and customers start treating staff with a bit of respect - maybe they'll get the customer service they're after..” - With increasing dissatisfaction on both sides of the aisle, is the customer vs. sales assistant narrative really just a distraction from the true crooks of retail?

Join Timothy and Leeds fashion royalty Tracey Campbell for a trip down memory lane! Having met in the early noughties whilst both working at Jigsaw, we reminisce in this hour long episode about those amazing times when retail was still king! Independent fashion stores, an incredible music and clubbing scene, and a big Yorkshire heart, Leeds really did have it all at the turn of the millennium. Has...

We’re off to work at…BRANDY MELVILLE! The good, the bad and the downright ugly aspects of the biggest employment sector in the UK are laid bare in this first of its kind retail podcast. Buckle up as Timothy and Jasmine lift that fitting room curtain, giving you a warts and all front row seat into the realities of life on the shop floor.

Hi guys! We didn’t want to not touch base with you all whilst we take a short break from recording. The last year has been a whirlwind, and The Shop Flaw has evolved from just the two of us, to amazing guest interviews, to our inboxes popping with wild retail stories, shared by you, our incredible listeners! Catch up with us as we talk over the nuts and bolts of podcasting and reveal our new confe...

Join us as we enter Mini’s World, Adwoa Owusu-Darko’ dynamic creative platform that incorporates fashion, copywriting, consultancy, tv and panel speaking engagements, and broadsheet interviews…Adwoa is as impressive as she is engaging. Her insight into navigating a creative career offers sage advice to any budding young entrepreneur. Listen as she implores us not to quit the 9 to 5, viewing regula...

With stints in retail and communications roles (all whilst studying for a degree), Wadzi shares her struggles of juggling online fame with the more traditional 9-5. Presiding over an enviable social media presence, Wadzi is celebrated for her observational commentaries on everything from fashion, to the class system, to veganism…But back to retail! Shoplifting, shocking wastefulness, and the odd d...

Dynamic Gen Z extraordinaire, Hannah, has many strings to her bow. Actress, model, social media star….distressed retail worker! Scouse by design, Hannah cut her fashion teeth in Leeds, working at Urban Outfitters during her studies before relocating to London. The good, the bad, and the ugly, Hannah talks openly about the importance of queer inclusive workplaces, employee conflicts, staff shortage...

Join Jasmine, Timothy, and Ariana for episode 1 of season 2 of The Shop Flaw! Born and raised in Galway, Ireland, Ariana’s savagely honest take on luxury brands from Gucci to Givenchy and everything in between will leave you howling! Like so many of us, Ariana dreamed of a career in fashion and saw retail as an obvious first step on that career ladder…..Cue hilarious mishaps, nightmare managers, d...

As we look back on the past year and forward to all that a new year can bring, we reflect on The Shop Flaw’s launch, the struggles of finding a career, and the mental impact of the shit show that was 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For those of us in retail, Christmas has been in full swing since early November. Monstrous playlists, late finishes and aggy customers…the holiday season is to be tolerated at best. Join Jasmine and Timothy as they discuss their chaotic Santa’s grotto experiences, festive family memories, and the dreaded Boxing Day sales.. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Once regarded as one of the worlds most luxurious department stores, Harrods is an icon of British retail. In episode 16 of The Shop Flaw we are joined by retail veteran Rhiannon who lifts the lid on the inner workings of the fabled store. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Once regarded as one of the worlds most luxurious department stores, Harrods is an icon of British retail. In episode 15 of The Shop Flaw we are joined by retail veteran Rhiannon who lifts the lid on the inner workings of the world famous store. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK housing crisis has affected everyone in some way or another, but renters have been hit particularly hard. As London becomes ever more hostile to young creatives and those in the retail and service industries, Jasmine and Timothy grapple with the challenges of surviving on a retail wage in episode 14 of The Shop Flaw. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK housing crisis has affected everyone in some way or another, but renters have been hit particularly hard. As London becomes ever more hostile to young creatives and those in the retail and service industries, Jasmine and Timothy grapple with the challenges of surviving on a retail wage in episode 13 of The Shop Flaw. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK’s graduates are suffering the worst jobs market in years, with wages decreasing and fewer positions available. Those whose education was blighted by the pandemic are finding that their prospects have barely improved since graduating. And yet it isn’t just graduates who are feeling the pinch, with the cost of living crisis hammering down on already squeezed budgets, retail workers are l...