Former Tesco director and Nisa CEO Ken Towle joins Natalie on the podcast to discuss: •    The retail and consumer outlook. •    Why shrinkflation is not always a bad thing. •    His experience running Nisa during the pandemic. •    From self-checkouts to generative AI – how technology is changing the way we shop for food. •    Grocery e-commerce and the importance of collaboration. •    Lessons from his time as Tesco China CEO. Ken Towle is a Retail and Wholesale CEO, Executive, Advisor and Trustee. He spent many years at Tesco where ..read more

Have you been to Catford Mews or Peckham Levels? Then you'll know what can be achieved by transforming disused car parks and empty retail units into vibrant, community-led, cultural hubs. Preston Benson, founder of Really Local Group and fellow American in London, joins Natalie on the podcast to discuss: How Really Local Group is creating and restoring cultural infrastructure by regenerating disused high street locations.   Homogenous high streets - how to inject character and make our high streets relevant for 21st century shopping. Funflation - the Taylor Swift Effect and how cine ..read more

It's International Women's Day this week and who better to speak to than the iconic and wonderfully inspirational fashion designer Dame Zandra Rhodes? This conversation was recorded live on stage at Springfair in February 2024. Dame Zandra tells Natalie about: - The highs and lows of breaking into the US fashion scene in the 1960s. - How she has spent her life rallying against what was expected of her – both as a designer and a female. - How her personal image has led to the success of her brand and more recent collaborations with IKEA, Happy Socks and Poppy Lissiman. - What it was like to dre ..read more

Natalie speaks to Nigel Oddy, currently CEO of the UK and Europe’s leading golf retailer American Golf, and previously CEO of House of Fraser, New Look, Matalan and The Range. The video version of this episode is available on YouTube and is part of a special collaboration with the Richmond Retail & E-commerce Directors' Forum. Nigel will be speaking at the event alongside leaders from across the industry - Tesco, Charlotte Tilbury, TikTok, N Brown and more.  In this episode, Nigel gives us a sneak preview of what we'll be discussing at the event. He shares what it was like running New ..read more

Chris Browne, former Global Retail Director at Ted Baker, joins Natalie to discuss: Visual AI and the opportunities for fashion retail   How tech can enhance the shopping experience Addressing the perennial problem of returns What Western retailers can learn from Asia Chris’ vision for the future of the high street Prefer video? You can also watch Natalie and Chris' conversation on YouTube. This episode is part of a special collaboration with the Richmond Retail & E-commerce Directors' Forum. Chris will be speaking at the event alongside leaders from across the industry - Tesco ..read more

Natalie speaks to TV dragon, retail magnate and small business champion Theo Paphitis live on stage at Springfair. They discuss: Digital transformation and the impact on retail Why stores are assets in today's digital era High street struggles - business rates, rents and levelling the playing field Failing fast in business  What will retail look like in 2034? Theo is the Chairman and Owner of Ryman, Robert Dyas, Boux Avenue and London Graphic Centre and founder of #SBS Small Business Sunday. Full bio: Theo was born in Cyprus in 1959. His business empire spans retail, property ..read more

Richard Lim, CEO of Retail Economics, joins Natalie for a wide-ranging discussion on: The health of the UK consumer and why 2024 will be a year of two halves. Richard's inflation theory (listen to find out!) Combating cost pressures in 2024 - business rates, labour costs and more. November data releases - interpreting the BRC retail sales and Barclaycard consumer spending data - from 'insperiences' to 'revenge spending' Digital transformation progress and where next for the industry. Separating hype from reality - why generative AI is not 'the next metaverse' (in buzzword bingo). ESG - managi ..read more

Retail expert Maureen Hinton joins Natalie to discuss retailer resilience. Which fashion retailers are defying the economic climate and what is the secret to their success? Maureen also shares her views on the state of the consumer and whether the Black Friday deals will sizzle or fizzle. Connect with Maureen: Twitter/X LinkedIn Learn more about our work at the KPMG/Retail Next Retail Think Tank ..read more

Prefer video? You can watch Sarah and Natalie's conversation on YouTube. This episode is part of a collaboration with the Richmond Retail & E-commerce Directors' Forum. Sarah Welsh, CEO of Retail at N Brown, gives us a sneak peek into what she'll be discussing at the event on 18 April 2024. She and Natalie explore: What are the barriers to getting women in retail leadership positions? The importance of representation - how should we nurture future female leaders? Who has inspired Sarah throughout her career? How has the shift to flexible and hybrid working impacted women? How does N Brown ..read more

Prefer video? Watch Helen and Natalie's conversation on YouTube. Helen Dickinson OBE, CEO of the British Retail Consortium, joins the podcast to discuss the BRC’s 2024 manifesto. Topics include:  Business rates: how is the retail industry disproportionately affected and what does reform look like? Retail jobs and impact of AI: how can the industry continue to attract and retain talent? Shoplifting and staff abuse: what more can be done to deter retail theft? ESG: how can retailers accelerate their transition to net zero and what are the BRC’s policy recommendations?  Tax-free shoppi ..read more