Claim OwnershipTalking Shop by Retail Sector
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Welcome to "Talking Shop", powered by Retail Sector. We go behind the scenes of the ever-evolving retail industry, bringing you intimate conversations with the sector's luminaries and high-achievers. Every week, we navigate the challenges, celebrate the triumphs, and dissect the strategies that shape the world of retail. Whether you're a seasoned executive or a budding entrepreneur, Talking Shop offers invaluable insights to help you stay ahead. Tune in and level up your business acumen.
123 Episodes
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On this episode of Talking Shop, we’re joined by Julian Skelly, managing partner for retail at Publicis Sapient. With over 20 years of experience transforming giants like Asda and Carrefour, Julian is an expert at moving retailers beyond the hype. We also discuss why most AI projects get stuck in ‘pilot purgatory’, how to encode a brand’s soul into an algorithm, and the reality of surviving a mediated digital future.
On this episode of Talking Shop we are joined by Gemma Ruse and Xavier Sheriff, founders of the design agency StudioXAG. For 15 years, they’ve shaped how global brands like Ikea show up in the physical world. We discuss the shift toward narrative-led retail, the importance of finding the "why" behind every physical experience, and how they balance bold aesthetics with the commercial realities of the high street in 2026.
On this episode we are joined by Todd Cassidy, the Co-Founder and Managing Director of wed2b. From automotive engineering at General Motors to disrupting the European bridal market, Todd has traded prototypes for gowns, scaling a "process-led" empire of over 50 stores. We explore his high-inventory strategy, the shift from founder-led to automated operations, and how he and his wife, Jenny, successfully navigated a ransomware crisis to build a retail powerhouse.
On this this episode of Talking Shop we are joined by Adam Swan and Alex Stewart, founders of the creative agency Derek&Eric. Experts in "standout simplicity," they help retailers transform from "just another logo" into distinct, premium brands. We’ll explore why great design requires a strong point of view rather than just following aesthetic trends. We also discuss how to justify premium pricing, scale without losing your identity, and make the courageous design choices needed to stay visible in 2026.
On this episode of Talking Shop we are joined by Guy White, Founder of Catalyx. After a decade leading global portfolios, Guy launched Catalyx to fix a "broken" innovation process using behavioural science and AI. We discuss uncovering hidden consumer tensions, why traditional focus groups are failing retailers, and how to prove premium value in a competitive market. We also explore the courageous decisions leaders must make to stay relevant.
On this episode of Talking Shop I am joined by Zipline CEO and co-founder Melissa Wong. We discuss how Melissa’s 10 years’ of frontline experience informed her approach to building a SaaS company, the recurring operational frustrations that most head offices still underestimate, and why she believes technology should be designed with the store associate as the primary user. We also explore current trends in store execution and how retailers can bridge the gap between corporate strategy and the shop floor.
In this episode we speak to Matt Dalton, consumer sector leader at Forvis Mazars. Matt discussed the biggest challenges facing the retail sector, from cost pressures and wage increases to polarised property markets and geopolitical shocks, and the ways in which retailers can best navigate these. We also explore how short-term cost-cutting could undermine long-term resilience, and how retailers can best remain agile and adaptable in unforecastable times.
On this episode i'm joined by Florian Clemens, Strategy and Proposition Director at Tesco Media, to unpack how retail media is evolving at speed — and what Tesco Media’s role looks like inside the wider Tesco ecosystem. We explore the “win-win-win” promise for shoppers, brands and retailers, the power of contextual relevance, and why Tesco calls its offering “video, reimagined.” Plus, we’ll look ahead to GenAI creativity, automation, and what brands should do now to prepare for retail media’s next phase.
On this episode of Talking Shop we are joined by Peter Cross, customer service expert and co-author of Start With The Customer. With over 30 years at the crossroads of retail, brand and customer insight, Peter shares the moments that shaped his thinking, the patterns he sees in winning organisations, and the mistakes those that are struggling keep repeating. We also dig into his golden rules of service, building real service culture, employee engagement, and one simple change retailers can make tomorrow to impress customers.
On this episode of Talking Shop we are joined by Daniel Fisher, Head of Categories for Europe at Whatnot, the live shopping marketplace reshaping how people discover and buy in real time. We explore what’s driving the rise of live commerce, which categories are thriving, and what separates million-dollar sellers from the rest. Daniel also shares how brands and retailers can bring live energy into their channels and stay competitive in an increasingly global retail landscape.
On the final episode of season three we sit down with Claire Watkin, CEO of The Fine Bedding Company, a fourth-generation business founded in 1912. She shares how the brand has performed in recent years and what its proposition really stands for today. We explore balancing heritage with innovation, building sustainability into products and operations, and the journey to a zero-waste eco-factory in Estonia. Claire also unpacks earning consumer trust, making the investment case, and her advice to the next generation of leaders.
This episode we speak to Tim Johnson and Giles Benbow, Head of Sales and Head of Commercial Development & Support of Mer Public Charging. They unpack the biggest misconceptions around EV charging infrastructure, explain how EV facilities can meaningfully boost dwell time, footfall, and customer engagement and share how retailers can avoid getting left behind when it comes to their charging offering.
On this episode of Talking Shop, we are joined by Gary Higgins, Director of Security and Risk at DeterTech and former Superintendent at West Mercia Police. With retail crime rising sharply across the UK, Gary brings a frontline understanding of what’s really driving the surge and where retailers are most vulnerable. We discuss practical measures stores can take—regardless of size—how to protect staff, use data effectively, and the emerging tools that will shape the future of retail crime prevention.
On this episode of Talking Shop we are joined by Claire Wallis, Consumer Goods and Retail Director at BearingPoint. Claire shares what drew her into retail, how she helps leaders navigate 2025’s supply chain turbulence, and where too many businesses are still underusing data. We discuss practical ways to deploy AI without losing consumer trust, what separates winning retail media strategies, how stores are evolving into service hubs, and the one strategic priority retailers should back for 2026.
On this episode of Talking Shop, we welcome back Al Gerrie, founder of ZigZag Global, a platform helping retailers manage and optimise returns. We discuss why so many brands lose revenue by planning returns too late, how data and carrier partnerships can ease peak-season pressure, and what a customer-friendly - yet profitable - returns strategy looks like. Al also shares his advice for future-proofing retail returns in the years ahead.
On this episode of Talking Shop, we’re joined by Katie Mitchell, managing director of Seen Studios — a creative agency shaping the future of retail experience. Katie shares her insights on what today’s consumers expect from brands, how design storytelling drives engagement, and the evolving role of physical spaces in a digital-first world. From innovation to authenticity, we explore how Seen Studios helps global brands connect meaningfully with audiences in 2025 and beyond.
This week, we are joined by Georgina Colman, founder of Purpl — the UK’s first discount platform for the disabled community. We talk about the hidden costs of living with a disability, why inclusive pricing matters, and how retailers can better serve disabled customers. Georgina also shares insights on the Purple Pound and her vision for a more accessible and equitable retail landscape.
On this episode of Talking Shop we’re joined by Sarah Fairhurst, Creative Director and Board Member at Dalziel & Pow. Sarah shares insights from her work with iconic brands like Guinness and Primark, exploring what makes retail identities resonate today. We discuss balancing brand consistency with innovation, the evolving role of in-store design, and how retailers of any size can elevate experiences through thoughtful creativity.
On this episode of Talking Shop, we are joined by Sarah Taitt, Chief Property and Services Officer at Wickes. Sarah shares the story of her career in retail, from early lessons and mentors to stepping into senior leadership. We discuss the authentic company culture at Wickes and how it helps prepare its talent for future success, how best to foster the skills needed to progress into executive roles and why championing social mobility and diverse talent pipelines is essential to the future of retail.
On this episode of Talking Shop we are joined by Erol Ayvaz, CEO & Founder of Serve First. We dive into the biggest CX challenges facing retailers today, how AI is reshaping customer experience, and the pitfalls of poor feedback management. Erol also explores whether AI could play a more emotional role in CX — understanding tone, empathy, and sentiment in real time — and what the customer journey of the future might look like.
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