Consumer demand & value

Coverage

• news · 10 Sept 2026 · Trade press

  From Nordstrom Rack to Gen Beta: Five Retail Shifts Redefining Growth

  Nordstrom Rack is expanding its physical footprint, Target is making its biggest move yet into prestige beauty, Williams-Sonoma is growing despite a difficult housing market, Lowe's is turning America's skilled-trades shortage into an industry-wide workforce challenge, and bea…

• podcast · 2 Sept 2026 · Trade press · primary theme

  Pinduoduo Malaysia, Singapore–Johor Bahru RTS and AI Search

  Pinduoduo's expansion in Malaysia is testing how local retailers compete with ultra-low-price cross-border commerce, while the Singapore–Johor Bahru RTS Link could redraw the retail catchment between the two markets.Ngai Yuen Low, Ryf Quail and Alex Rezvan examine the proj…

• podcast · 28 Aug 2026 · Trade press

  Walmart Adds Apple Pay as Ross Outpaces TJX on Q2 Comps

  Walmart has started rolling out Apple Pay at select US Walmart and Sam's Club locations, with rollout to all US stores and clubs planned by the end of 2026. Alex Rezvan is joined by Jill Dvorak, Senior Vice President, Content at NRF, for five US retail stories: Home Depot's na…

• podcast · 21 Aug 2026 · Trade press

  The International Briefing: 5 Global Retail Stories to Know SHEIN, JD.com, India, Shipping & Fabletics

  What should global retail leaders be paying attention to right now?In this edition of The International Briefing, Jill Dvorak, Senior Vice President, Content at NRF, joins Alex Rezvan to unpack five developments from across the international retail industry.Europe: What could …

• podcast · 21 Aug 2026 · Trade press

  The International Briefing: SHEIN, JD.com, India, Shipping & Fabletics

  The International Briefing examines five developments shaping retail around the world—and what they mean for industry leaders. Jill Dvorak, Senior Vice President, Content at NRF, joins Alex Rezvan for this edition. Europe’s €3 parcel charge A new charge on low-value parcels en…

• news · 21 Aug 2026 · Trade press

  NIFT Is Betting on 90-Minute Fashion Delivery as UK Retail Rethinks Convenience, Value and Resale

  NIFT is expanding its rapid-delivery model with a 12,000 sq ft logistics hub at Westfield London. Co-founder and CEO Simone Oloman explains why faster local fulfilment could give fashion brands a new route into London, as UK retail rethinks value, luxury consolidation and resale.

• podcast · 21 Aug 2026 · Trade press

  Five Things Friday UK: Harvey Nichols, Poundland, IKEA & Rapid Delivery

  Five Things Friday UK Edition brings together the retail stories worth knowing this week. Alex Rezvan of The Retail Podcast and Simone Oloman, co-founder of Need It For Tonight, discuss the developments shaping the UK retail industry and what they could mean for retailers, bra…

• podcast · 10 Aug 2026 · Trade press

  What's Really Happening in Global Retail Right Now? Hugo Boss, Uber Eats, Nike, Fair Price & LA 2028

  Five retail stories. Less than ten minutes. And several signals about where global retail could be heading next.In this international edition of Five Things Friday, we examine five developments across retail, commerce, technology and consumer engagement.First, Fraser’s Group a…

• podcast · 10 Aug 2026 · Trade press · primary theme

  What's Really Happening in Global Retail Right Now? Hugo Boss, Uber Eats, Nike, Fair Price & LA 2028

  Five retail stories. Less than ten minutes. And several signals about where global retail could be heading next. In this international edition of Five Things Friday, we examine five developments across retail, commerce, technology and consumer engagement. First, Fraser’s Group…

• news · 6 Aug 2026 · Trade press · primary theme

  Five APAC Retail Trends Shaping Global Retail

  From organised retail crime in Australia to China's membership economy and Vietnam's mobile-first e-commerce, five developments across Asia Pacific point to one theme: the region's retailers are adapting faster than consumer behaviour is changing.

• news · 3 Aug 2026 · Trade press

  Dunnhumby: Retail Media Has a Shopper Problem

  New Dunnhumby research across 3,000 US and UK grocery shoppers finds 91% will share transactional data for real value, and that relevance, trust and in-store media now decide retail media's next phase of growth.

• podcast · 1 Aug 2026 · Operator voice

  APAC Retail Trends: China Membership, Vietnam E-commerce & K-Food

  Retail crime is becoming serious enough to affect whether stores can continue operating in parts of Australia. At the same time, Costco is expanding its reach in China through JD.com, Vietnam’s e-commerce market is being shaped by Shopee and TikTok Shop, and functional foods a…

• podcast · 1 Aug 2026 · Trade press

  APAC Retail: Crime, Costco China, Vietnam E-commerce and K-Food

  Retail crime is becoming serious enough to affect whether stores can continue operating in parts of Australia. At the same time, Costco is expanding its reach in China through JD.com, Vietnam’s e-commerce market is being shaped by Shopee and TikTok Shop, and functional foods a…

• podcast · 31 Jul 2026 · Trade press · primary theme

  Primark vs SKIMS and the Return of UK E-Commerce Growth- Plus Argos, Charlotte Tilbury Five Things Friday UK

  The UK retail industry never stands still. This week Alex and Simone unpack five of the biggest retail stories shaping customer experience, ecommerce, retail technology and consumer behaviour across the UK.In this episode:• Charlotte Tilbury transforms Covent Garden into an im…

• podcast · 31 Jul 2026 · Trade press

  Is UK Retail Changing Again? Argos, Charlotte Tilbury, ONS, Primark & Skims

  The UK retail industry never stands still. This week Alex and Simone unpack five of the biggest retail stories shaping customer experience, ecommerce, retail technology and consumer behaviour across the UK. In this episode: • Charlotte Tilbury transforms Covent Garden into an …

• podcast · 29 Jul 2026 · Trade press · primary theme

  Walmart Goes Viral, Amazon Bets on Robots and Wonder Hits $9B

  US retail sales rose more than 11% year over year in June—but what sits behind the headline?Alex Rezvan and Jill Dvorak examine five major US retail developments:• The latest US retail-sales figures and whether the World Cup may have influenced consumer activity• International…

• podcast · 29 Jul 2026 · Trade press · primary theme

  US Retail Sales Surge, Walmart’s World Cup Moment and Wonder’s $9B Bet

  US retail sales rose more than 11% year over year in June across the core categories tracked by Retail Dive. But the headline number is only one part of this week’s retail story. Alex Rezvan and Jill Dvorak examine five developments affecting consumer behaviour, store experien…

• news · 29 Jul 2026 · Trade press

  Groceryshop 2026: AI, GLP-1 and Retail Media Face Growth Test

  AI shopping, GLP-1 demand and in-store retail media will dominate Groceryshop 2026 as leaders confront the commercial decisions reshaping everyday retail.

• podcast · 28 Jul 2026 · Operator voice

  5 Things Friday: WAIC 2026, JD.com's EU Bid & Decathlon's Uber Eats Move

  What changes when AI stops being a productivity tool and starts becoming part of the operating system of a business?In this APAC retail briefing, Ryf Quail and the panel examine five developments:• AI-led business transformation at WAIC Shanghai• JD, CECONOMY and EU regulatory…

• news · 24 Jul 2026 · Trade press

  Air Up: From University Project to Innovative Consumer Brand

  Air Up began as a student research project into neuroscience and has grown into an international consumer brand operating across 14 markets. Its scented water bottles use retronasal olfaction to deliver flavour without sugar, reshaping how consumers think about hydration and h…

• podcast · 24 Jul 2026 · Trade press · primary theme

  Primark Faces New Pressure as M&S Bets on the Weekly Shop

  M&S is building a bigger proposition around the family weekly shop. Primark is lowering prices as competition for value-conscious fashion customers intensifies. Meanwhile, beauty and luxury brands are moving beyond products and free samples towards experiences, consultatio…

• podcast · 24 Jul 2026 · Operator voice · primary theme

  UK Retail: M&S Goes Bigger, Primark Cuts Prices & Beauty Gets Personal

  M&S is building a bigger proposition around the family weekly shop. Primark is lowering prices as competition for value-conscious fashion customers intensifies. Meanwhile, beauty and luxury brands are moving beyond products and free samples towards experiences, consultatio…

• podcast · 22 Jul 2026 · Trade press

  Starbucks Korea, AI Beauty Mirrors and Lefties’ UK Launch

  Starbucks Korea’s Tank Day promotion led to public backlash and an unusual company-wide response. What should international brands learn from the mistake? Alex Rezvan and Jill from the National Retail Federation examine five stories influencing global retail: Starbucks Korea a…

• news · 21 Jul 2026 · Trade press

  M&S, Aldi and Holland & Barrett Reveal Retail's Growth Strategy

  From destination flagship stores to experiential activations and culturally relevant marketing, the UK's leading retailers are proving that growth today depends on creating experiences customers want to be part of, not simply transactions they need to make.

• podcast · 17 Jul 2026 · Trade press

  M&S Pantheon, the World Cup Spending Effect and Aldi Goes Baldi

  What does M&S’s investment in its renewed Oxford Street flagship tell us about the future of physical retail? Simone Oloman and Alex Rezvan examine the new M&S Pantheon format and the growing need for stores to become places customers actively choose to spend time in. …

• podcast · 17 Jul 2026 · Trade press

  M&S Bets on Oxford Street, Aldi Goes Baldi and the FIFA Effect

  M&S has renewed almost 100,000 square feet of retail space on Oxford Street. Aldi temporarily became Baldi for Pitbull. Holland & Barrett created a wellness pub.Simone Oloman and Alex Rezvan discuss what these stories reveal about destination stores, cultural relevance…

• podcast · 14 Jul 2026 · Trade press

  Inside London's Most Innovative Retail Experiences Before NRF Paris

  Retail is changing faster than ever—and London is showing what the future looks like. Ahead of NRF Europe, we take you on a retail roadshow through one of the world's most influential shopping destinations to explore how leading brands are transforming the in-store experience.…

• podcast · 13 Jul 2026 · Trade press

  RH London, Harvey Nichols & the Future of Luxury

  Luxury retail is evolving beyond products and this week's World Retail Signals explores exactly why. Alex is joined by Ian and Niamh from the World Retail Congress to discuss the biggest retail developments shaping the industry today. In this episode: RH London's new flagship …

• news · 8 Jul 2026 · Operator voice

  Why 5 Million People Still Visit SM Supermalls Every Day Despite the Rise of E-commerce

  SM Supermalls President Steven Tan explains why customer-first innovation, inclusivity and community experiences continue to fuel double-digit growth across one of the world's largest mall operators.

• podcast · 7 Jul 2026 · Operator voice

  How SM Supermalls Serves 5 Million Shoppers Every Day | Steven S. Tan President

  Can physical retail still outperform e-commerce?In this exclusive interview recorded live at NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show Asia Pacific, Steven S. Tan, President of SM Supermalls, explains why physical shopping centres continue to thrive by putting customers at the centre of…

• podcast · 7 Jul 2026 · Operator voice

  How SM Supermalls Serves 5 Million Shoppers Every Day | Steven S. Tan President

  Can physical retail still outperform e-commerce? In this exclusive interview recorded live at NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show Asia Pacific, Steven S. Tan, President of SM Supermalls, explains why physical shopping centres continue to thrive by putting customers at the centre of ev…

• podcast · 3 Jul 2026 · Trade press

  Wimbledon's Real Winners, Osaka's 350% Spike & Google's World Cup Ads | Five Things Friday UK

  The retail marketing stories that matter this week: why the brands winning Wimbledon aren't the official sponsors, Naomi Osaka's 350% search spike, Charlotte Tilbury lands in Boots, and Google's Head of Agencies UK reveals the World Cup ads topping YouTube's leaderboard. Googl…

• news · 1 Jul 2026 · Trade press · primary theme

  Alcampo and Ocado: Grocery Ecommerce Runs on Partnership

  Carlos Pedreira Freire and Gregor Ulitzka explain how operational excellence, customer trust and deep collaboration are driving the next phase of online grocery growth in Spain.

• podcast · 30 Jun 2026 · Operator voice

  From Hamleys to Armani: Scaling Brands in India

  What does it take to build global brands in one of the world’s most dynamic retail markets? Sumeet Yadav, Head of Reliance Brands Limited, joins The Retail Podcast just before his keynote at NRF APAC 2026 in Singapore. Reliance Brands Limited is one of India’s most important p…

• podcast · 19 Jun 2026 · Operator voice

  How Brands Reach Gen Z Without TikTok + Coach's Retail Masterclass

  What happens when brands can no longer rely on social media to reach younger consumers?In this week's Five Things Friday UK, retail expert Simone Oloman, Co-Founder and CEO of NIFT, joins us to discuss one of the biggest questions facing retail marketers today: how brands …

• podcast · 19 Jun 2026 · Operator voice

  How Brands Reach Gen Z Without TikTok + Coach's Retail Masterclass

  What happens when brands can no longer rely on social media to reach younger consumers? In this week's Five Things Friday UK, retail expert Simone Oloman, Co-Founder and CEO of NIFT, joins us to discuss one of the biggest questions facing retail marketers today: how brands sta…

• podcast · 19 Jun 2026 · Trade press

  The Retail Trends Reshaping APAC: Pomelo, Temu, Miniso & More

  This episode of Five Things Friday explores major retail developments across APAC and global markets. Ruth Kewell and Alex discuss Pomelo's mobile-first retail model in Southeast Asia, the worsening retail conditions in Australia, and the international expansion of Chinese ret…

• podcast · 19 Jun 2026 · Trade press · primary theme

  The Retail Trends Reshaping APAC: Pomelo, Temu, Miniso & More

  This episode of Five Things Friday explores major retail developments across APAC and global markets. Ruth Kewell and Alex discuss Pomelo's mobile-first retail model in Southeast Asia, the worsening retail conditions in Australia, and the international expansion of Chinese…

• podcast · 17 Jun 2026 · Trade press · primary theme

  The Global Retail Briefing: UK, GCC, Dubai & Luxury Expansion

  Global retail is moving fast and this first international briefing looks beyond the US to track where the biggest growth stories are happening. In this episode, we cover Frasers Group’s reported $2 billion takeover bid for Hugo Boss, JD.com’s UK expansion through Joybuy and it…

• podcast · 17 Jun 2026 · Trade press

  The Global Retail Briefing: UK, GCC, Dubai & Luxury Expansion

  Global retail is moving fast and this first international briefing looks beyond the US to track where the biggest growth stories are happening.In this episode, we cover Frasers Group’s reported $2 billion takeover bid for Hugo Boss, JD.com’s UK expansion through Joybuy and its…

• podcast · 17 Jun 2026 · Trade press

  Madrid’s Retail Shift: Lessons From the Street, Not the Boardroom

  Madrid is famous for tourism, culture, tapas and beautiful architecture. But walk through Gran Vía and another story starts to appear. In this episode of The Retail Podcast, we explore how Madrid is evolving from a tourist hotspot into a serious retail destination. From Sephor…

• news · 16 Jun 2026 · Operator voice

  Nadine Graf: How Estée Lauder Is Reimagining Beauty for the Speed of the Consumer

  Estée Lauder EMEA President Nadine Graf on Beauty Reimagined, AI compressing innovation to 70 hours, and why relevance has a short shelf life.

• news · 5 Jun 2026 · Trade press · primary theme

  Know Your Customer or Lose Them to Someone Who Does: The Sharpest Lessons From World Retail Congress 2026

  Zalando's AI engine, Primark x Unhidden, and Fressnapf's 2030 ambition: the sharpest customer-first lessons from World Retail Congress 2026 in Berlin.

• podcast · 2 Jun 2026 · Trade press · primary theme

  The Future of Retail in Asia: AI, GLP-1 & Consumer Trends with Isabelle Allen (KPMG)

  The future of retail is being shaped by Asia.Recorded live at NRF APAC 2026, this conversation features Isabelle Allen, Global Head of Consumer, Retail & Leisure at KPMG, discussing the trends transforming retail worldwide.Topics include:✅ Why Asia is becoming a retail inn…

• podcast · 2 Jun 2026 · Trade press

  The Future of Retail in Asia: AI, GLP-1 & Consumer Trends with Isabelle Allen (KPMG)

  Why is Asia becoming the world's most influential retail innovation hub? In this NRF APAC 2026 Day 1 keynote conversation, Jill Dvorak, Senior Vice President at the National Retail Federation, speaks with Isabelle Allen, Global Head of Consumer, Retail & Leisure at KPMG. T…

• news · 1 Jun 2026 · Trade press

  Zalando's Co-Founder Says Retail Is at an Inflection Point. Here Is What Comes Next.

  David Schneider opened the World Retail Congress 2026 with a candid read of where retail goes next - and the practical playbook that got Zalando here.

• podcast · 29 May 2026 · Trade press

  UK Retail Shake-Up: Ocado, Lidl, M&S Safety & Brand Collabs and a big thank you to COACH UK

  In this episode of Five Things Friday UK, Alex and Simone discuss major shifts across UK and European retail. Topics include Ocado’s growing role as a grocery technology platform, Lidl overtaking Morrisons, M&S’s staff safety initiative with WalkSafe, and the role of store…

• podcast · 29 May 2026 · Trade press

  UK Retail Shake-Up: Ocado, Lidl, M&S Safety & Brand Collabs and a big thank you to COACH UK

  This week on Five Things Friday UK, Alex and Simone unpack the biggest retail stories shaping the UK and European market.The episode covers Ocado’s major tech partnership, Lidl overtaking Morrisons, and why the UK grocery market continues to be watched globally as a model for …

• news · 27 May 2026 · Trade press

  Speed Is the New Scale: What IKEA, Estée Lauder, and Tendam Said About Surviving to 2030

  At the World Retail Congress, leaders from IKEA, Estée Lauder, and Tendam agreed: by 2030, the winners will not be the biggest retailers but the fastest, most consumer-obsessed, and most willing to rebuild their operating models from the ground up.

• news · 26 May 2026 · Trade press

  Adidas, Lululemon and Ulta Beauty Rewrite Customer Loyalty

  At a Deloitte retail leadership panel, executives from Adidas, Lululemon and Ulta Beauty explained how community, localisation and data are replacing points-based loyalty as the new competitive advantage in retail.

• news · 21 May 2026 · Trade press

  The Retailers Winning With AI Are Not the Ones You Think

  Tesco, REWE, Zalando and Walmart are pulling ahead not because of AI, but because customer insight is the operating system they let AI scale.

• news · 18 May 2026 · Trade press

  UNIQLO's Clare Waight Keller on Fabric, Fit and the Future of Fashion

  UNIQLO Creative Director Clare Waight Keller on her path from Birmingham to Tokyo, fabric innovation with Japanese mills and a XXS to XXXL inclusive fit philosophy driving the retailer's global momentum.

• news · 18 May 2026 · Trade press

  Strait of Hormuz Oil Shock and AI Boom Reshape Global Retail

  Deloitte economist Dr Kalish set out how Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, rising inflation and an AI-fuelled investment surge are reshaping the global economic backdrop for retail.

• podcast · 15 May 2026 · Trade press

  Why M&S, Topshop, H&M & Vogue Are Winning Fashion Culture Again

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• podcast · 14 May 2026 · Trade press

  AI, Private Label Retail & Consumer Trends in APAC

  Private label retail in APAC is entering a major growth phase — and AI may accelerate the shift dramatically. This episode explores: Retailer-owned brands and consumer adoption AI-powered product recommendations Beauty retail competition in Australia Mecca vs Sephora The growi…

• news · 13 May 2026 · Trade press

  Retail Growth 2026: Why CEOs Are Fighting Harder Than Ever for Every Sale

  At World Retail Congress 2026 in Berlin, AlixPartners, Pepco, Ahold Delhaize and Direct Group leaders set out the new playbook for volume-led growth, AI-driven simplification and sharper customer relevance.

• podcast · 8 May 2026 · Trade press

  Why Retail Is Splitting in Two | Ted Baker, AI Commerce, Anthropologie & Coal Drops Yard

  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 pressureTed Bak…

• podcast · 8 May 2026 · Trade press

  Why Retail Is Splitting in Two | Ted Baker, AI Commerce, Anthropologie & Coal Drops Yard

  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…

• podcast · 27 Apr 2026 · Trade press

  LVMH Is Struggling. Walmart Is Winning. What That Tells Retail Leaders | World Retail Signals

  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 conversati…

• podcast · 27 Apr 2026 · Trade press

  From LVMH to Walmart: The Retail Shifts Leaders Need to Watch World Retail Signals

  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 conversat…

• podcast · 24 Apr 2026 · Trade press · primary theme

  Walmart Is Betting on Weight-Loss Drugs. Is That the Future of Grocery Retail?

  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 t…

• podcast · 22 Apr 2026 · Promotional

  Retail Media in 2026: What Shoppers Actually Want | Michael Schuh, dunnhumby

  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 d…

• podcast · 20 Apr 2026 · Trade press

  Macy's Is Closing Stores. Carrefour Is Opening in Africa. What's Really Happening in Global Retail | World Retail Signals

  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.T…

• podcast · 17 Apr 2026 · Vendor

  Zero-Click Shopping Is Here. Here's What Retail Needs to Do Before It's Too Late

  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…

• podcast · 17 Apr 2026 · Trade press

  AI Is Rewriting Retail: AEO, Zero-Click Commerce & China’s Expansion Strategy

  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-cl…

• podcast · 10 Apr 2026 · Trade press

  Amazon’s New Surcharge, Re-Commerce Growth & The Retail Energy Shock | Five Things Friday APAC

  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…

• podcast · 10 Apr 2026 · Operator voice

  Amazon’s New Surcharge, Re-Commerce Growth & The Retail Energy Shock | Five Things Friday APAC

  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 logistic…

• podcast · 3 Apr 2026 · Trade press

  5 Things Friday APAC: Oil Shock, Supply Chains & Why Big Brands Are Suddenly at Risk

  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 …

• podcast · 3 Apr 2026 · Trade press

  5 Things Friday APAC: Oil Shock, Supply Chains & Why Big Brands Are Suddenly at Risk

  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…

• podcast · 1 Apr 2026 · Trade press · primary theme

  US Retail Hit $1 Trillion in One Holiday Season - What's Next? | ITAB Group Podcast Ep.1

  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) —…

• podcast · 1 Apr 2026 · Trade press · primary theme

  US Retail Hit $1 Trillion in One Holiday Season — What's Next? | ITAB Group Podcast Ep.1

  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) …

• podcast · 30 Mar 2026 · Trade press

  What's Keeping Retail CEOs Awake at Night in 2026? | World Retail Signals

  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 Congr…

• podcast · 20 Mar 2026 · Trade press · primary theme

  UK Retail in 5 Minutes: Amazon Rival, Alexa Upgrade, Tesco Pay Rise, Greggs & The Perfume Shop

  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…

• podcast · 20 Mar 2026 · Trade press · primary theme

  UK Retail in 5 Minutes: Amazon Rival, Alexa Upgrade, Tesco Pay Rise, Greggs & The Perfume Shop

  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 …

• podcast · 13 Mar 2026 · Trade press · primary theme

  5 Things Friday USA: ChatGPT Commerce Pause, Off-Price Retail Boom, Primark Expansion & Uniqlo Strategy

  Welcome to Five Things Friday – USA Edition. Each week we break down the most important signals shaping retail in the United States in under 15 minutes. This week Jill Dvorak joins the conversation to unpack major shifts across AI commerce, value retail expansion, festival mar…

• podcast · 13 Mar 2026 · Trade press

  5 Things Friday USA: ChatGPT Commerce Pause, Off-Price Retail Boom, Primark Expansion & Uniqlo Strategy

  Welcome to Five Things Friday – USA Edition.Each week we break down the most important signals shaping retail in the United States in under 15 minutes.This week Jill Dvorak joins the conversation to unpack major shifts across AI commerce, value retail expansion, festival marke…

• podcast · 10 Mar 2026 · Operator voice

  Retail Strategy Is Changing Fast: What Footfall, Sales Data & Experience Reveal

  How is data reshaping retail strategy?In this episode of The Retail Podcast, Alex sits down with Mark Bruce, a data and insights leader with experience spanning the shop floor, landlord-side retail operations, and portfolio analytics, to unpack what the data is really saying a…

• podcast · 10 Mar 2026 · Trade press · primary theme

  Retail Strategy Is Changing Fast: What Footfall, Sales Data & Experience Reveal

  How is data reshaping retail strategy? In this episode of The Retail Podcast, Alex sits down with Mark Bruce, a data and insights leader with experience spanning the shop floor, landlord-side retail operations, and portfolio analytics, to unpack what the data is really saying …

• podcast · 6 Mar 2026 · Trade press

  Molly-Mae, M&S, Greggs & EE: 5 Retail Moves Reshaping the High Street | Five Things Friday

  Retail is moving fast, and this episode breaks down five of the clearest signals shaping the high street right now.Alex and Simone Oloman, Co-Founder of Need It For Tonight, unpack Molly-Mae’s International Women’s Day activation, Marks & Spencer’s new Putney store format,…

• podcast · 3 Mar 2026 · Trade press

  How Accessibility Impacts Bounce Rate, Basket Value, and Brand Trust

  Retailers talk about UX. They talk about conversion. But too many still ship digital experiences that a huge part of the population simply can’t use.In this episode of the Wonderful Retail Podcast, Marion Ranvier (Executive Director, @Contentsquare Foundation) explains why dig…

• podcast · 3 Mar 2026 · Trade press · primary theme

  How Accessibility Impacts Bounce Rate, Basket Value, and Brand Trust

  Retailers talk about UX. They talk about conversion. But too many still ship digital experiences that a huge part of the population simply can’t use. In this episode of the Wonderful Retail Podcast, Marion Ranvier (Executive Director, @Contentsquare Foundation) explains why di…

• podcast · 27 Feb 2026 · Trade press

  Lidl’s Trolley Handbag, Greggs’ Wellness Pivot & eBay Buying Depop | 5 Things Friday

  Live from EuroShop in Germany on the ITAB stand, Alex is joined by co-host Simone for 5 Things Friday — unpacking the week’s most culturally relevant retail + brand moves.In this episode:Lidl’s London Fashion Week moment: a mini shopping-trolley handbag collab that stops peopl…

• podcast · 27 Feb 2026 · Trade press

  Lidl’s Trolley Handbag, Greggs’ Wellness Pivot & eBay Buying Depop | 5 Things Friday

  Live from EuroShop in Germany on the ITAB stand, Alex is joined by co-host Simone for 5 Things Friday — unpacking the week’s most culturally relevant retail + brand moves.In this episode:Lidl’s London Fashion Week moment: a mini shopping-trolley handbag collab that stops peopl…

• podcast · 13 Feb 2026 · Trade press

  Luckin Hits 30,000 Stores | Sephora’s K-Beauty Pivot | Why Seoul is the New Retail Capital | Five Things Friday

  Retail is shifting fast across Asia-Pacific and this week’s Five Things Friday unpacks the signals every operator, brand and investor needs to watch.Low Ngai Yuen MD AEON360 & Ryf Quail (Managing Director, NRF Retail’s Big Show APAC & Middle East) joins the conversatio…

• podcast · 6 Feb 2026 · Trade press

  Super Bowl Ads, Retail Momentum & Brand Storytelling | Five Things Friday (US Edition)

  This week on Five Things Friday (US Edition), we unpack the momentum shaping US retail and brand marketing right now—starting with strong sentiment coming out of NRF and rolling straight into the biggest advertising moment of the year: the Super Bowl.After a positive “Big Show…

• podcast · 6 Feb 2026 · Trade press

  Super Bowl Ads, Retail Momentum & Brand Storytelling | Five Things Friday (US Edition)

  This week on Five Things Friday (US Edition), we unpack the momentum shaping US retail and brand marketing right now—starting with strong sentiment coming out of NRF and rolling straight into the biggest advertising moment of the year: the Super Bowl. After a positive “Big Sho…

• podcast · 6 Feb 2026 · Trade press

  Five Things Friday UK: Retail Tech, Reformation Stores, UAE Malls & What’s Next for UK Retail

  In this edition of Five Things Friday UK, Alex and Simone break down the most important retail and brand signals shaping the future of shopping right now. From Reformation’s quietly embedded in-store technology to luxury pop-ups in Dubai malls, this episode explores what actua…

• podcast · 6 Feb 2026 · Trade press

  IKEA vs. Puma: How APAC Giants are Solving the Retail Supply Chain Crisis

  Retail in APAC is hitting a breaking point where "freshness" is no longer a luxury it's a survival requirement. Ryf Quail and Yuen Low break down why traditional 6-month order cycles are killing brands and how AI agents are fundamentally changing how consumers di…

• podcast · 6 Feb 2026 · Trade press

  IKEA vs. Puma: How APAC Giants are Solving the Retail Supply Chain Crisis

  Retail in APAC is hitting a breaking point where "freshness" is no longer a luxury it's a survival requirement. Ryf Quail and Yuen Low break down why traditional 6-month order cycles are killing brands and how AI agents are fundamentally changing how consumers discover product…

• podcast · 3 Feb 2026 · Operator voice

  Why "Local" is a Business Model, Not a Marketing Slogan | BM

  How does a regional retailer scale to 86 stores in 7 years? We go on-site at BM’s La Finca flagship in Madrid with Regional Director José to uncover the "Anti-Commodity" playbook that is redefining grocery retail in Spain.In this episode, we explore:The 4 Pillars of BM: Why Fr…

• podcast · 23 Jan 2026 · Trade press

  UK retail is entering a defining phase. Five Thing Friday UK

  In this episode of Five Things Friday UK, Alex and Simon break down what the rescue of Russell & Bromley by Next really signals for the British high street, why consolidation is accelerating, and what it means for heritage brands.They also explore:Why the UK may be heading…

• podcast · 23 Jan 2026 · Trade press

  UK retail is entering a defining phase. Five Thing Friday UK

  In this episode of Five Things Friday UK, Alex and Simon break down what the rescue of Russell & Bromley by Next really signals for the British high street, why consolidation is accelerating, and what it means for heritage brands. They also explore: Why the UK may be headi…

• podcast · 16 Jan 2026 · Vendor

  Retail, AI Reality & Gen Z Trends for 2026 | Five Things Friday UK

  Host Alex is joined by Simone Oloman, Co-Founder & CEO of Need It For Tonight (NIFT) — often described as Deliveroo for quality fashion — for an honest discussion on what retailers are really prioritising right now. In this episode, we cover: Why Middle East retail (Abu Dh…

• podcast · 12 Dec 2025 · Trade press · primary theme

  Live Shopping, Ralph Lauren & NRF: The Real Retail Signals This Week

  It’s almost Christmas and this week’s Five Things cuts straight through the noise.Alex and Simon break down what really happened this Black Friday, why the numbers matter less than the format shift, and what live shopping and brand activations tell us about where retail is hea…

• podcast · 12 Dec 2025 · Trade press

  Live Shopping, Ralph Lauren & NRF: The Real Retail Signals This Week

  It’s almost Christmas and this week’s Five Things cuts straight through the noise. Alex and Simon break down what really happened this Black Friday, why the numbers matter less than the format shift, and what live shopping and brand activations tell us about where retail is he…

• podcast · 4 Dec 2025 · Trade press

  Singles’ Day, Black Friday & Quick Commerce: APAC Retail’s New Peak Season

  Black Friday isn’t a day anymore. Singles’ Day now stretches across weeks. Quick commerce promises groceries in 15–30 minutes. In this APAC edition of Five Things Friday, co‑hosts Ngai Yuen Low & Ryf Quail break down how peak season is changing across China, Southeast Asia…

• podcast · 4 Dec 2025 · Trade press

  Singles’ Day, Black Friday & Quick Commerce: APAC Retail’s New Peak Season

  Black Friday isn’t a day anymore. Singles’ Day now stretches across weeks. Quick commerce promises groceries in 15–30 minutes. In this APAC edition of Five Things Friday, co‑hosts Ngai Yuen Low & Ryf Quail break down how peak season is changing across China, Southeast Asia…

• podcast · 2 Dec 2025 · Operator voice · primary theme

  John Lewis, Aubin, Joseph, Tumi & M&S: Black Friday, AI & Personal Styling | 5 Things Friday

  Black Friday isn’t a day anymore. It’s a month-long pressure cooker – and it’s forcing retailers to rethink everything from promotions to product pages.Correction note: In the episode I mention a jumper with 7% wool – the actual composition was 8% wool.Why Black Friday has mor…

• podcast · 28 Nov 2025 · Trade press

  Five Things Friday UK: Clarks’ Comeback, Rituals’ Mind Oasis, Skims’ $5B Surge & More

  Five Things Friday UK delivers another rapid-fire breakdown of the biggest moves in retail. In this episode, Simon and Alex unpack a week defined by reinvention, cultural relevance, and bold expansion plays. Clarks is rewriting its story through Cloudsteppers concept stores, c…

• podcast · 21 Nov 2025 · Trade press

  Coupang’s Profit Surge and China’s New Retail Powerhouse: APAC Trends with Ryf Quail & Low Ngai Yuen

  Coupang is finally profitable. China’s KKR Group is redefining offline lifestyle retail. APAC’s consumer landscape is shifting fast.In this Five Things Friday — APAC Edition, Ryf Quail and Low Ngai Yuen unpack:• Coupang’s record revenue and margin transformation• Logistics inn…

• podcast · 20 Nov 2025 · Trade press

  Coupang’s Profit Surge and China’s New Retail Powerhouse: APAC Trends with Ryf Quail & Low Ngai Yuen

  Coupang is finally profitable. China’s KKR Group is redefining offline lifestyle retail. APAC’s consumer landscape is shifting fast. In this Five Things Friday — APAC Edition, Ryf Quail and Low Ngai Yuen unpack: • Coupang’s record revenue and margin transformation • Logistics …

• podcast · 7 Nov 2025 · Trade press

  Five stories: John Lewis’ vinyl‑driven ad; CBRE’s MAPIC signals; MINISO on Bond Street; retail parks rising; athleisure’s staying power.

  Retail is back in force. Alex reports from Cannes at MAPIC on why capital is returning to physical retail. Simone unpacks the new John Lewis Christmas advert and how sentiment sells. We cover CBRE’s data, MINISO’s Bond Street bet, retail parks’ quiet surge, and why athleisure …

• podcast · 7 Nov 2025 · Trade press

  Five stories: John Lewis’ vinyl‑driven ad; CBRE’s MAPIC signals; MINISO on Bond Street; retail parks rising; athleisure’s staying power.

  Retail is back in force. Alex reports from Cannes at MAPIC on why capital is returning to physical retail. Simone unpacks the new John Lewis Christmas advert and how sentiment sells. We cover CBRE’s data, MINISO’s Bond Street bet, retail parks’ quiet surge, and why athleisure …

• podcast · 3 Nov 2025 · Operator voice · primary theme

  Asia’s Retail Revolution: How Super Apps and Culture Are Redefining the Future | Ryf Quail x Low Ngai Yuen

  Asia’s retail landscape is evolving faster than anywhere else on Earth—and this episode brings you the inside view. Host Alex Rezvan sits down with Ryf Quail, Managing Director of NRF APAC, and Low Ngai Yuen, former Chief Merchandise & Marketing Officer at AEON Malaysia, b…

• podcast · 31 Oct 2025 · Trade press

  Rosalía, Amazon, Calvin Klein, TikTok, JCPenney & Primark — Five Things Friday (USA)

  The week’s six stories that shaped U.S. retail culture, told fast and with context. Alex Rezvan and Jill Dvorak (NRF) open with Rosalía’s “Berghain” — a genre-bending track with Björk and Yves Tumor that shows how culture still drives commerce. Then come the hard numbers: Amaz…

• podcast · 16 Oct 2025 · Trade press · primary theme

  APAC Luxury Pulse: Galeries Lafayette enters India, Chinese F&B hits Singapore, Porsche Q3 slows

  Alex (The Retail Podcast) and Ryf Quail (Director, NRF APAC) break down this week’s APAC headlines: Galeries Lafayette launches in Mumbai (with Delhi next), a surge of Chinese F&B brands expands into Singapore, and Porsche reports a Q3 delivery dip led by China and North A…

• podcast · 14 Oct 2025 · Trade press

  Inside Saudi Retail in 2025: 5 Trends Shaping the Kingdom w/ Ghadi Ali

  🌐 Visit Retail News.AI, your premium destination for the most relevant, cutting-edge information in the retail sector: https://retailnews.ai💬 Which of these trends do you think will shape the future of retail the most — and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!✅ Su…

• podcast · 3 Oct 2025 · Trade press

  Boots’ Fragrance Boutique, Designers @ Debenhams, Søstrene Grene’s UK Surge, NikeSKIMS, Laura Ashley

  Five Things Friday UK Edition with Simone Oloman & Alex.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro cold open00:17 Roll credits & setup00:54 Boots fragrance-only boutique (Broadgate)01:52 Boots’ beauty play & premium push03:13 Hand-off03:26 Designers at Debenhams returns (Kim Cattrall, As…

• podcast · 2 Oct 2025 · Trade press

  Five Things Friday: Luxury in Riyadh, Shein Pop-Ups, Amazon Fresh Shifts, Retail Contraction & Burberry’s Comeback

  This week on Five Things Friday, Alex and Simon unpack the retail stories shaping headlines and boardrooms:Shein sparks backlash with a London pop-up designed for independentsAmazon Fresh shutters physical grocery stores—pivoting tech into airports and e-commerceUK retail sale…

• podcast · 29 Sept 2025 · Trade press · primary theme

  Five Things Friday APAC: Shanghai Fashion Week, India’s Beauty Boom & Holiday Optimism in Australia

  Welcome to Five Things Friday APAC Edition (yes, on a Monday this time!). In this episode, we unpack the big signals shaping retail and consumer markets across the region and beyond.Here’s what we cover:Shanghai Fashion Week SS26 – momentum, buying power, and why global buyers…

• podcast · 23 Sept 2025 · Operator voice

  Glovo’s Quick Commerce Strategy Explained by VP Connie Kwok | The Retail Podcast

  In this episode of The Retail Podcast, Alex Rezvan sits down with Connie Kwok, Vice President of Quick Commerce at Glovo, to unpack the future of on-demand retail. From groceries and electronics to medicine and AirPods, Glovo has become one of Europe’s most dynamic marketplace…

• podcast · 11 Sept 2025 · Trade press · primary theme

  APAC Retail in 13 Minutes: Mobile Commerce, 1-Hour Delivery, Korea Tourism, Urban Revivo, AI Grocery

  APAC is running a different retail race: mobile-first commerce, one-hour delivery wars, tourism tailwinds in Korea, China fast-fashion push overseas, and a working model of AI-native grocery in Singapore. In this Five Things Friday APAC with Ryf Quail (NRF APAC) we break down …

• podcast · 8 Sept 2025 · Trade press

  Five Things Friday EU: TikTok Shop, Amazon Second-Chance, Decathlon City, US Parcels, Zalando Beauty

  Fast EU retail intel: marketplace moves, refurbished economics, urban formats, cross-border shocks, and beauty platform plays.Fnac Darty’s TikTok Shop test, Amazon’s Second Chance Deal Days across Europe, Decathlon’s new “City” format inside Boulanger in Paris, the impact of n…

• podcast · 29 Aug 2025 · Trade press

  Five Things Friday UK - Aldi pay rise, Topshop Liberty comeback, Asda Express expansion, JD Sports earnings, The Very immersive fashion

  Five Things Friday UK Edition with Simone Oloman UK retail news this week: Aldi boosts wages, Topshop returns to Liberty, Asda expands Express, JD Sports shares rise, and The Very launches an immersive fashion experience.Aldi: linkTopshop: linkAsda: linkJD Sports: linkThe Very…

• podcast · 28 Aug 2025 · Trade press · primary theme

  Five Things APAC: Gen Z Wellness, Blind Boxes, Dopamine Malls

  APAC retail briefing: LABUBU/Pop Mart’s blind‑box momentum, China’s Gen Z wellness shift, Australia Post’s US‑parcel pause (de minimis), “dopamine village” malls in PH, and JD.com’s new Dubai warehouse. Subscribe + comment with your action.LABUBU/Pop Mart = modern playbook: sc…

• podcast · 26 Aug 2025 · Operator voice

  The Home Is Retail’s New Storefront | Kaave Pour (SPACE10/IKEA)

  Kaave Pour (ex‑SPACE10/IKEA) breaks down the home as retail’s #1 touchpoint: from layered home systems to utilities as technology (heat pumps, batteries, air/water quality), the Matter standard, robots, renting vs. owning, and how energy economics reshapes behaviour. You’ll le…

• podcast · 22 Aug 2025 · Vendor

  Five Things Friday: USA, UK, Europe & APAC — Culture, Commerce, and What Moves Next

  Glossier joins TikTok Shop, Adidas rewrites nostalgia, back‑to‑school spend pulls forward, Prime vs Walmart deals, UK ultrafast delivery, loyalty reboots, agentic AI pilots, France’s “Drive,” Mango’s stylist AI, Gulf luxury momentum, Reliance x Shein, live commerce scale.Welco…

• podcast · 15 Aug 2025 · Trade press

  EU Retail in Focus: Smart Checkouts, Summer Sales Slump & Brand Resilience

  From AI-powered supermarket lanes to shifting consumer habits, Alexandra Boisson & The Retail Podcast team unpack Europe’s retail trends.In this Five Things Friday – EU Edition, Alexandra Boisson and Alex from The Retail Podcast dive into the latest shifts in the European …

• podcast · 8 Aug 2025 · Trade press

  Five Things Friday UK: Retail Relevance, Gen Z Trends & The Rise of Resale

  In this week’s Five Things Friday UK Edition, Alex and Simone break down the retail trends you can’t afford to ignore. From iconic brands fighting for survival to the innovative players winning Gen Z loyalty, we explore how cultural relevance is now the biggest currency in ret…

• podcast · 8 Aug 2025 · Trade press

  Five Things Friday (EU)– Delipop folds, JD.com courts MediaMarkt, summer luxury slump, Picnic’s Paris push, France’s fast‑fashion clamp‑down

  Delipop shutters its robot locker network; JD.com tries a €2.2 bn play for Ceconomy/MediaMarkt; US & Chinese tourists rein‑in luxury spend; Dutch grocer Picnic finishes its Île‑de‑France roll‑out; France moves to criminalise ultra‑fast‑fashion influence. Analysis, context,…