What's In Store

In this episode, Andrew and Zana are joined by The Retail Champion, Clare Bailey, who shares her first-hand advice for running a small business. The trio explain why digital transformation is no longer a choice but a necessity, they ask when sustainability will come back into the mainstream agenda, and Clare recalls how she went from studying chemical engineering to doing implementation projects for McDonalds, M&S, BHS, Dixons and Argos. They also ask, is our insatiable appetite for fast fashion going to continue after the pandemic? Will our shopping habits remain online? And what happens to the retailers who provide fast fashion but who aren’t online? Everything gets a bit frog-chorusy as Clare, Zana and Andrew predict the climate after the pandemic. They say there’s a common theme between what will happen to the relationship between landlords and retailers; small businesses and their local customers; and stores who go the extra mile for consumers: and that is, “We all stand together!”

In this episode, Andrew and Zana discuss top tips for avoiding covid-stress; how self-isolation and social distancing are affecting our personal relationships; and Zana runs a session that will decrease mind and body tension, and be sure to put you in a state of relaxation. They explore how the coronavirus has changed our lives overnight, however they argue that in every crisis, there are blessings - but you may need to look for them!

Coronavirus continues to impact retailers of all sizes, lockdown sweeps through the country and self-isolation is prescribed worldwide. In this episode, Andrew and Zana are joined by retail transformation consultant Oliver Banks, who recently launched a virtual conference with speakers from the UK, Canada and the US. Together they discuss the inspiration behind the event, which he organised in a matter of days; how small and medium sized retailers are taking the future into their own hands by ramping up innovation, and they ask: is the increase in online shopping sustainable after coronavirus or are consumers doing it reluctantly because it’s their only choice? The trio also talk about the expectation resting on the shoulders of well-known brands to act in a caring way that informs the customer and keeps their employees safe. And as for brands who ignore this pressure, Andrew and Zana debate whether the collective memory of the consumer will remember the companies who do the right thing in this time of crisis or will it be business as usual after this all passes.

The coronavirus outbreak is already proving to have a major effect on high street retailers. In this episode, Andrew and Zana Busby are joined by retail analyst Bryan Roberts, who was previously Global Insights Director at TCC Global. They discuss how all businesses will be remembered for their actions during this period and could come out stronger, the national realisation of how crucial retail staff are, and whether this could be the end of the high street as we know it. Zana explores the psychological impact of the outbreak and why we must find the silver lining. They discuss the lessons we can take from self-isolation - as well as how this is a time to reset our way of thinking, our habits and our attitudes.

This week, on Wednesday 11th March 2020, Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered his first Budget in the House of Commons. In this special edition of ‘What’s In Store’, Andrew and Zana Busby give you up-to-the-minute reaction on the UK government's tax and spending plans for the year ahead. Bringing in the retail futurist Howard Saunders as a special guest, the three discuss what the budget means for retail and the future of the high street. The coronavirus outbreak features heavily in the conversation, as its impact on the economy is clearly reflected in the Budget and is already beginning to put customers off visiting physical shops. Is this a major turning point? Could it be the start of the so-called ‘retail apocalypse’?

Meet your hosts Andrew and Zana Busby as they give you a flavour of what’s in store for this upcoming series. This episode gives you a glimpse into the first few episodes of the fortnightly face-off, where the couple will be discussing sustainability in the retail sector, asking whether we’re really witnessing a high street apocalypse, and exploring just how important it is for retailers to keep up to date with advancing technology.