The Retail Podcast (Video Feed)

Driving Marketplace Innovation at Kingfisher

In this episode, David Gomez Cardona steps into the studio to discuss his global journey in e-commerce, logistics, and digital transformation. He highlights how Kingfisher—parent company of B&Q, Castorama, Brico Dépôt and Screwfix  continues to strengthen its omnichannel approach. David describes the evolution of customer expectations, from ultra-rapid delivery for urgent DIY fixes to a longer lead time for major renovation projects. He also explores the business impact of marketplace growth, how it opens the door to new audiences, and why it now accounts for a large share of e-commerce sales within Kingfisher’s brands.
 
David’s energy comes from connecting technology and commerce to solve real-world problems, and he explains how the Group’s footprint across multiple European markets sets the stage for ongoing innovation. He believes retailers no longer dictate what customers should want. Instead, the customers shape retail’s future by demanding seamless experiences. If you’re aiming to deepen your understanding of marketplace trends, draw inspiration for omnichannel strategy, or spark fresh ideas about the fusion of physical and digital commerce, this conversation offers valuable insights.
 
Guest Bio:
David Gomez Cardona is Group Marketplace Director at Kingfisher. He began his career in logistics in the United States before moving into e-commerce, driven by a passion for the fast-paced world of digital retail. Over the years, he has helped leading retailers expand internationally, launch robust online marketplaces, and transform how people buy home improvement products. From France to Colombia to the UK, David has a rich background in global retail ecosystems, bridging technology, vendor collaboration, and customer-centric strategies.
Host Introduction:
Your host, Alex, brings a keen interest in the evolving landscape of retail, focusing on how technology and human ingenuity can create extraordinary shopping experiences. With a background in interviewing senior leaders who push boundaries, Alex draws on deep expertise to explore fresh ideas and emerging opportunities in the retail world.
 
Key Moments and Themes:
—David’s global career journey and why he pivoted from logistics to e-commerce.
—Kingfisher’s marketplace expansion in the UK, France, Spain, Portugal, and Poland.
—The role of speed and convenience, exemplified by Screwfix’s one-hour delivery service.
—How physical stores and online channels merge for better customer service, including click-and-collect and in-store returns.
—Adapting to a new paradigm where customers, not retailers, dictate product availability and delivery expectations.
 
Call to Action:
If you enjoy this conversation, follow us on Spotify and subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Share this episode with colleagues who are curious about the future of marketplaces. Your reviews and feedback help us continue to bring forward-thinking voices in retail innovation.
 
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the speakers. They do not necessarily reflect official policies or positions of Kingfisher or its affiliated brands. This discussion is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or legal advice.

Elevating Retail with Innovation and Experience at the Retail Technology Show 2025

Matt Bradley, Founder and Director of the Retail Technology Show, joins Alex to share the behind-the-scenes story of growing one of the UK’s leading retail events. Discover why Matt believes retail gatherings must go beyond exhibitions—they should entertain, educate, and inspire. He reveals the strategic move to London’s Excel Centre, the decision behind the show’s carnival theme, and the extraordinary lineup, including keynotes from retail legends and social media entrepreneur Joe Wicks. If you’re seeking fresh insights, practical retail solutions, and a truly engaging experience, Matt promises the Retail Technology Show 2025 delivers.
Whether you’re tackling payment hurdles, supply chain challenges, or leveraging AI, Matt’s goal is clear: every visitor should leave having learned something valuable, made meaningful connections, and enjoyed themselves along the way.
Episode Highlights (Show Notes):
•Matt’s Journey: From RBTE to Retail Technology Show—reinventing retail events.
•Why Excel London? The strategic decision behind moving venues and how it benefits attendees.
•Carnival Atmosphere: Transforming a retail event into an immersive experience.
•Free yet Premium: How the Retail Technology Show offers top-tier content without a price tag.
•Speaker Lineup: Joe Wicks, Archie Norman (M&S), Steve Hewitt (Gymshark), Sophie Neary (Google), Richard Lim (Retail Economics), and more.
•Retail Insights & Innovations: Practical solutions in AI, payments, and the evolving retail landscape.
•Community & Celebration: The importance of fun, networking, and the highly anticipated retail carnival party.
Retail, Retail Technology Show, Matt Bradley, Retail Innovation, Excel London, Joe Wicks, Archie Norman, Gymshark, Sophie Neary, AI, Retail Conference, Retail Experience, Retail Trends, Networking, Free Retail Events, Retail Podcast
Reserve your spot at the Retail Technology Show, April 2-3, 2025, at Excel London, and transform your retail strategies with fresh insights and practical innovations.
Website link: www.retailtechnologyshow.com

Inside NRF: How a Modern CMS is Powering Retail’s Biggest Show

Join Alex from The Retail Podcast in conversation with M⁠ark Wheeler (Storyblok)⁠ and ⁠Jason Hoolsema⁠ (CIO, NRF) on how a headless CMS revolutionized one of the world’s largest retail shows—enabling rapid content creation, seamless personalization, and a better experience for attendees.
Description
In this special episode of The Retail Podcast, host Alex sits down with two industry experts shaping digital experiences in retail. Mark Wheeler of Storyblok explains how a headless CMS makes it possible for brands to respond to fast-moving trends, like TikTok influencer content, almost instantly. Jason Hoolsema, CIO at the National Federation of Retailers (NRF), shares how transitioning away from legacy systems helped NRF deliver near real-time content and personalization for its massive annual show. Learn about the pitfalls of outdated tech, the power of flexible APIs, and the growing role of AI—from translations to product recommendations.
Whether you’re in e-commerce, marketing, or retail tech, this conversation offers valuable insights into modernizing your digital ecosystem and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
Retail Technology, NRF, Headless CMS, Digital Transformation, Content Management, E-commerce, Personalization, AI in Retail, Omnichannel Retail, Storyblok
 
Guest Links
• ⁠NRF⁠
• ⁠Storyblok⁠
Episode Links & CTA
If you enjoyed this episode, please 🙏 leave a 5-star review on Apple/Spotify or your Podcast platform of choice and share it with a colleague.
Subscribe to The Retail Podcast for more insights into the future of retail and technology!

🎙️ How air up® is Changing the Way We Taste Water – with Co-Founder Lena Jüngst

💡 Can scent trick your brain into tasting flavors?
In this special Shoptalk Europe partnership episode of The Retail Podcast, Lena Jüngst, Co-Founder & Co-Inventor of air up®, shares how neuroscience, innovation, and product design are revolutionizing hydration. Lena will also be at Shoptalk Europe in Barcelona (June 2-4, 2024)!
📢 Don’t miss Shoptalk Europe 2024! Ticket prices increase at midnight on Friday, 28th February—secure your spot now!
🎟️ Get a discount with these codes:
🛍️ Retailers & Brands: Use RBTHERE10 → ⁠⁠Register here⁠⁠
🎟️ General Attendees: Use GATHERE10 → ⁠⁠Register here⁠⁠
 
🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ The science behind scent-based taste
✅ Overcoming fear & trusting your instincts in business
✅ The journey from university project to global brand
✅ The future of sensory-driven consumer products
 
📢 Tune in now for a deep dive into innovation, behavioral science, and the future of hydration!
🔗 Follow Lena: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-juengst/⁠
 
#RetailPodcast #airup #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #ProductDesign

AI in Retail: How Executives Are Embedding AI

📢AI is transforming retail from supply chain to customer experience. In this episode, Jane Cheung, Global Research Leader at IBM, shares insights from a study of 5,000 executives on how AI is being embedded across retail operations.
00:00 - Welcome & Introduction  
02:15 - AI Investment Trends in Retail  
05:30 - AI’s Impact on Supply Chain & Operations  
09:45 - AI in Customer Experience & Marketing  
13:20 - AI Governance Challenges & Solutions  
17:05 - Future of AI in Retail  
20:30 - Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways  
🎧In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
✔️ Why AI investment in retail is surging (+52% budget increase)
✔️ How AI is shaping customer experience, supply chain & marketing
✔️ The biggest AI governance challenges & how to solve them
✔️ How retailers should align AI with their brand strategy
🔗Follow us for more: https://retailnews.ai/
📩Got thoughts? Leave us a voice note or DM on LinkedIn!
Hashtags (For Discoverability):
#AIinRetail #RetailTech #RetailInnovation #ArtificialIntelligence #RetailTrends
AI in retail, artificial intelligence in retail, AI-powered retail, retail innovation, AI trends, IBM research, customer experience AI, supply chain AI, digital transformation, AI governance, AI for business, AI-driven strategy, retail marketing AI

Top 5 Digital Retail Trends 2025: Euromonitor, Michelle Evans

Join us for a deep-dive conversation with Michelle Evans, Global Lead for Retail and Digital Consumer Insights at Euromonitor, as she reveals the top five digital trends that will transform retail in 2025. In this episode, Michelle discusses: 
• Rebuilding Consumer Trust: How micro and nano influencers are taking over the role of traditional macro influencers in building authentic connections. 
• Shopification of Social Media: The evolution of platforms like Instagram and YouTube in creating seamless, in-app purchase experiences. 
• Video-Driven Engagement: With 71% of consumers streaming videos weekly, learn why video is the future of engagement. 
• Budget-Conscious Markets: How digital tools are empowering consumers to find the best deals in a cost-sensitive environment.
• The AI Revolution: Discover how AI is creating a more intuitive and personalized shopping experience in e-commerce.  Stay ahead of the curve with these critical insights. Subscribe and leave a review if you enjoy the conversation! 
Show Notes Highlights & Timestamps: 
• 00:00 – Introduction: Context on the competitive landscape (Zara, H&M, Shein) 
• 00:00:24 – Guest Introduction: Michelle Evans from Euromonitor 
• 00:01:07 – Michelle’s background and Euromonitor overview 
• 00:03:00 – Trend 1: Rebuilding Consumer Trust with Micro/Nano Influencers 
• 00:04:15 – Trend 2: Shopification of Social Media 
• 00:06:18 – Trend 3: Video-Driven Engagement (71% streaming weekly)  • 00:10:26 – Trend 4: Navigating a Budget-Conscious Market 
• 00:14:16 – Trend 5: AI’s Role in Shaping Intuitive Retail Experiences 
Key Takeaways: 
- Authentic influencer strategies are reshaping consumer trust.
- Social platforms are evolving into comprehensive shopping channels.
- Video content is essential for modern consumer engagement.
- Digital tools are enabling smarter, budget-friendly shopping experiences.
- AI is poised to revolutionize the e-commerce landscape.

The Future of Retail: Harnessing UGC, AI & Sustainability

In this episode, Keith Nealon, CEO of Bazaarvoice, explores how brands can leverage user-generated content (UGC) and artificial intelligence (AI) to build consumer trust and drive retail success. Discover how sustainable and ethical practices, innovative AI-powered tools, and the voice of the customer are reshaping the way consumers discover, research, and purchase products. Gain actionable insights on transforming your content strategy and the future of social shopping in today’s dynamic retail environment.
 
Highlights & Timestamps:
• 00:00 – Introduction & Sustainability in Retail
• 01:03 – Keith’s Background & Bazaarvoice Overview
• 02:20 – UGC & Consumer Behavior Insights
• 03:15 – AI Tools & Innovations
Key Quotes: “When consumers do the talking, trust and sales follow.”
Useful Links: www.retailnews.ai

Generative AI in Retail: Insights from NVIDIA’s AI Leaders

Discover how generative AI is revolutionizing retail. NVIDIA’s ⁠Azita Martin ⁠  Vice President and GM of AI for Retail, CPG and QSR Director of AI & Cynthia Countouris, NVIDIA’s director of product marketing for retail discuss multimodal AI, virtual shopping assistants, and supply chain optimization. Learn how businesses are leveraging AI to boost productivity, enhance customer experiences, and increase revenue. From e-commerce transformation to physical AI for robotics, this episode is packed with actionable insights for retailers and tech leaders.
 
👉 Learn more: NVIDIA AI Retail Blueprint
00:00 Introduction: Why Embrace AI in Retail? 
00:26 NVIDIA’s AI Vision at NRF 2025 
01:19 AI Transformation in Retail: Use Cases 
02:28 Shopping Assistants: Revolutionizing E-Commerce 
03:43 AI in Supply Chain Optimization 
06:12 Generative AI for E-Commerce and Revenue Growth 
07:12 NVIDIA’s AI Blueprint and Tools for Retail 
09:22 Physical AI: Training Robots in Simulations 
12:15 Future Focus: AI in Supply Chain and Retail Layouts 
14:06 Empowering Women in Tech with AI 
16:08 Real-World AI Shopping Assistant Demo (Fashion) 
20:32 Visualizing Furniture with AI in 3D Spaces 
25:27 How to Get Started with NVIDIA AI Tools 
Mentioned by host:
“To learn more about NVIDIA’s AI innovations, visit nvidia.com.”
“Share your thoughts on this episode by tagging us on LinkedIn with #RetailAI.”
#GenerativeAI #RetailAI #NVIDIA #ECommerceInnovation #RetailTech

What's New at Shoptalk 2025: Innovation, Luxury, and The New Market

Get an insider look at Shoptalk 2025 with ⁠Sophie Wawro, ⁠Global President of ⁠Shoptalk⁠, and ⁠Joe Laszlo,⁠ Head of Content US. Discover how this year’s groundbreaking initiatives—The New Market and Shoptalk LUXE—are redefining retail. Learn about the attention economy, luxury retail trends, and what’s shaping the future of customer engagement.
📌 Highlights:
The New Market: Retail media and the attention economy.
Shoptalk LUXE: A luxury-focused event in Abu Dhabi.
Insights for retail executives to lead in 2025.
 

Revolutionizing Retail: Insights from Tesco’s Transcend

Join us as we dive into Tesco’s groundbreaking supply chain solution, Transcend, with CEO Oliver Ward. Discover how data-driven tools, streamlined operations, and customer-centric strategies are reshaping retail globally. Learn how retailers can scale online operations, optimize fulfillment, and stay competitive in today’s evolving market.