The Retail Podcast (Video Feed)

Five Things Friday (UK) with the incredible Simone Oloman 
• Adaptive fashion at Asda
• JLP’s H1 turnaround plan
• AI trolleys at Morrisons
• Barbour × FARM Rio
• Oxford Street car‑free day
This week we break down five UK retail stories shaping the Golden Quarter: George at Asda’s 28‑piece adaptive clothing line (inspired by the late Nicky Newman), John Lewis Partnership’s H1 results and investment push, Instacart’s Caper smart trolleys landing at Morrisons, Barbour’s joyful collab with FARM Rio, and Oxford Street going traffic‑free on Sunday 21 September (12–8).
Chapters
00:00 Cold open
00:10 Welcome & volume note
01:37 Story 1 – George at Asda: adaptive clothing (inspired by Nicky Newman)
04:02 Story 2 – John Lewis Partnership H1 results & investment
07:03 Story 3 – Morrisons x Instacart: AI smart trolleys (Caper Carts)
09:03 Story 4 – Barbour x FARM Rio collaboration
11:49 Story 5 – Oxford Street traffic-free day (Sun 21 Sep, 12–8)
12:54 Week ahead & sign-off
 
Links & sources
Requested sources (credited)- Asda – Adaptive clothing range (press release): https://corporate.asda.com/newsroom/2025/08/09/new-george-at-asda-adaptive-clothing-range-honours-legacy-of-nicky-newman- John Lewis Partnership – Half‑Year Results 2025/26 (official PDF): https://www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/content/dam/cws/pdfs/Juniper/HYR2025/JLP-Half-Year-Results-2025-26.pdf- Instacart & Morrisons – AI shopping trolleys (press release): https://investors.instacart.com/news-releases/news-release-details/instacart-and-morrisons-bring-ai-powered-shopping-trolleys-uk- Barbour × FARM Rio – collection page: https://farmrio.uk/collections/barbour-farm-rio?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22739867213&gbraid=0AAAAAqwOh7SWH-U6wP_HlnLlKJv7T42Go&gclid=CjwKCAjwiY_GBhBEEiwAFaghvkqYhKTWY4Pqn-CPlKL0aY-NSzPOwEIdwgYLrDhBUunQXqz1DXqEIRoC7jwQAvD_BwE- Nicky Newman – Instagram post referenced: https://www.instagram.com/p/DN7uPz1jf6-/Asda adaptive:- https://corporate.asda.com/newsroom/2025/08/09/new-george-at-asda-adaptive-clothing-range-honours-legacy-of-nicky-newman- https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2025/09/asda-george-adaptive-clothing/John Lewis H1:- https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/britains-john-lewis-track-full-year-profit-growth-2025-09-11/- https://www.ft.com/content/23e3ed3e-1055-47b2-a967-2a994e61a6caMorrisons x Instacart:- https://www.instacart.com/company/pressreleases/instacart-and-morrisons-bring-ai-powered-shopping-trolleys-to-the-uk/- https://chainstoreage.com/morrisons-launch-first-uk-pilot-instacart-smart-cartsBarbour x FARM Rio:- https://www.barbour.com/us/farm-rio.htmlOxford Street 21 Sep:- https://www.london.gov.uk/media-centre/mayors-press-release/mayor-invites-londoners-to-experience-oxford-street-like-youve-never-seen-it-before-as-street-is-transformed-and-made-traffic-free-for-landmark-event- https://tfl.gov.uk/status-updates/major-works-and-events/oxford-street-traffic-free-eventWaitrose BCC & awards:- https://www.johnlewispartnership.media/news/waitrose/07042025/waitrose-becomes-first-supermarket-to-set-new-benchmark-for-better-chicken-welfare-standards- https://thegrocergoldawards.co.uk/live/en/page/winners-2025HostsAlex — helps organisations that sell to the retail industry stay relevant with credible thought leadership.Co‑host: Simone Oloman — co‑founder & CEO, Need It For Tonight (NIFT).Support the show• Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts & Spotify• Join the newsletter: RetailNews.AI• Be a guest or partner: hello@theretailpodcast.comEditor’s noteWe’ve re‑balanced the intro music to align with broadcast loudness targets (see notes below).DisclosuresNo paid placements in this episode. Affiliate links may appear in the description or on our website.Related industry headlines (credited)- Valiuz & Infinity Advertising form European retail media leader: https://www.mousquetaires.com/communique/valiuz-et-infinity-advertising-sunissent-pour-creer-le-leader-europeen-du-retail-media/- Reuters – Giorgio Armani’s will: sell or IPO path (report): https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/giorgio-armanis-will-instructs-gradually-sell-fashion-brand-or-seek-ipo-document-2025-09-12/?utm_source=chatgpt.com- FashionNetwork – Groupe Rocher selects Regent to acquire Petit Bateau: https://ww.fashionnetwork.com/news/Groupe-rocher-selects-regent-to-acquire-petit-bateau,1760833.html- Reuters – Kering delays full Valentino acquisition to 2028: https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/kering-delays-full-valentino-acquisition-2028-amid-debt-concerns-2025-09-10/?utm_source=chatgpt.comCredits & Fair Use: Third‑party names, marks, and media belong to their respective owners and are used here for news reporting/commentary with attribution via the links above.

Kering pushes Valentino buyout to 2028, Armani’s will lays out a staged sale/IPO, Petit Bateau heads to Regent, and Valiuz × Infinity create a European retail media leader—plus Qijco adds repairs to the “Vinted of DIY.”
Kering defers the full Valentino acquisition to 2028 as debt pressure bites; Giorgio Armani’s will instructs heirs to sell a first stake and later a controlling tranche or pursue an IPO; Groupe Rocher selects Regent to acquire Petit Bateau; and a major alliance—Valiuz × Infinity Advertising—emerges to form a European retail media leader. We also spotlight Qijco, the Belgian “Vinted of DIY,” adding repair services to resale and rentals.
Stories & sources• Kering–Valentino delay (Reuters): https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/kering-delays-full-valentino-acquisition-2028-amid-debt-concerns-2025-09-10/?utm_source=chatgpt.com• Armani’s will (Reuters): https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/giorgio-armanis-will-instructs-gradually-sell-fashion-brand-or-seek-ipo-document-2025-09-12/?utm_source=chatgpt.com• Petit Bateau → Regent (FashionNetwork): https://www.fashionnetwork.com/news/Groupe-rocher-selects-regent-to-acquire-petit-bateau,1760833.html• Retail Media alliance (Groupement Les Mousquetaires press release): https://www.mousquetaires.com/communique/valiuz-et-infinity-advertising-sunissent-pour-creer-le-leader-europeen-du-retail-media/
Additional context• Qijco (“Vinted of DIY”) adds repairs to resale/rentals (FR coverage):– eCommerceMag: https://www.ecommercemag.fr/Thematique/retail-1220/veille-internationale-2170/Breves/qijco-vinted-bricolage-etend-marketplace-service-reparation-outils-485086.htm– Zepros Habitat: https://habitat.zepros.fr/actus/qijco-marketplace-brico-jardin-produits-occasion-location-desormais-prestations
Copyright & fair useAll linked articles are © their respective publishers and are referenced here for news reporting, commentary, and attribution. Please read the originals for full context.
 Chapter markers
00:00 — Intro & NRF Europe week
01:15 — Qijco: the “Vinted of DIY” adds repairs (BE/FR)
05:48 — Kering–Valentino deal deferred to 2028 (Reuters)
06:31 — Petit Bateau: Groupe Rocher selects Regent (FashionNetwork)
09:32 — Armani’s will: staged sale or IPO path (Reuters)
11:13 — Retail Media: Valiuz × Infinity Advertising (press release)
13:54 — Wrap
🧭 Business impact (why this matters now)
Luxury consolidation pressure: Kering’s delay and Armani’s succession terms point to valuation resets and capital discipline across European luxury in 2025–2029. Reuters+1
Iconic brands under new ownership: Petit Bateau’s path with Regent mirrors the “heritage brand + global scale-up capital” pattern; execution will determine whether heritage becomes international growth or dilution. FashionNetwork+1
Retail media scale: Valiuz × Infinity Advertising expands reach across 10,000+ stores in six countries, raising the bar on first‑party retail audience activation in Europe. Expect escalating competition with Carrefour and others. Groupement Mousquetaires
Circular economy in DIY: Qijco’s repair layer on top of resale/rental strengthens utilization and lifetime value of tools—smart signal for home improvement ecosystems. ecommercemag.fr+1

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 what’s signal, what’s noise, and what operators should do next.
What you’ll learn• Why APAC’s ecommerce growth remains mobile-led—and why Western playbooks don’t port cleanly• China’s “instant retail” price war (Alibaba × Meituan × JD): unit-economics and regulatory risk• Korea’s visa-free Chinese group travel: how to staff, assort, and promo for itineraries• Localise formats: Yum China’s smaller, value-centric boxes and tighter delivery ops• China’s Urban Revivo targets 200+ overseas stores—fast-fashion competition resets• Inside FairPrice “Store of Tomorrow” (Singapore): the most complete AI-assisted supermarket we’ve seen
Chapters00:00 Intro & show update01:00 APAC ecommerce: growth + mobile share04:04 China’s 1-hour delivery price war06:11 Korea tourism: visa-free Chinese group travel08:09 Yum China: small formats, capital discipline09:14 Urban Revivo: 200+ overseas stores10:06 FairPrice “Store of Tomorrow” (Punggol, Singapore)13:22 Wrap
References / image sourcesGSMA Mobile Economy APAC: https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/mobile-economy/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GSMA_APAC_ME2025_WEB-1.pdfSensor Tower ecommerce apps (context): https://sensortower.com/blog/ecommerce-performance-in-shopping-season-2024U.S. mobile share context: https://redstagfulfillment.com/what-percentage-of-ecommerce-sales-on-mobile-devices/Reuters – China instant retail race: https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/chinas-e-commerce-companies-are-getting-singed-by-price-war-2025-09-08/Korea visa-free Chinese group tours (from 29 Sept): https://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/policies/view?articleId=278542Yum China (formats/capital): https://ir.yumchina.com/ and https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/new-pizza-hut-concept-stores-china-help-frugal-diners-save-2024-09-06/Urban Revivo global push: https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/chinese-zara-rival-urban-revivo-steps-up-global-push-with-new-stores-fashion-2025-09-03/FairPrice × Google Cloud “Store of Tomorrow”:https://www.googlecloudpresscorner.com/2025-08-27-FairPrice-Group%2C-Singapores-Largest-Retailer%2C-Deepens-AI-Collaboration-with-Google-Cloud%2C-Brings-New-Agentic-Applications-to-its-Store-of-Tomorrow-and-Workforce
Subscribe for weekly APAC signals. Comment: which of these five will you test in the next 30 days payments, instant delivery, tourism targeting, format shift, or AI grocery?
#APACRetail #Ecommerce #MCommerce #InstantDelivery #ChinaRetail #SouthKorea #YumChina #UrbanRevivo #FairPrice #AIinRetail
 

What to expect at NRF 2025: Big Show Europe keynotes, payments, tours, and how to work the floor.
NRF’s first Retail’s Big Show Europe (16–18 Sept, Paris) is almost here. Jill Dvorak, NRF’s SVP of Content, walks us through the theme “Retail Together,” the Sephora opening keynote, why payments (Apple + Adyen) are a growth lever, and how to get the most from the Retail Store Tours. We also touch on Best Buy’s momentum and the Authentic Brands Group–Guess deal shaping portfolio strategy. Practical tips inside: plan sessions, leave time to roam, and prioritise AI + payments use cases.
Show Notes
Event overview & registration: https://www.nrfbigshoweurope.com/en/
Event overview page: https://www.nrfbigshoweurope.com/en/about/event-overview
CreditsHost: Alex Rezvan. Guest: Jill Dvorak, SVP Content, NRF.

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 new US rules on postal parcels from the EU, and Zalando’s expansion into beauty with virtual try-on and creator boards.
 
Topics• Fnac Darty joins TikTok Shop to reach younger buyers and test curated seasonal assortments.• Amazon runs “Second Chance Deal Days” across Europe: refurbished/open-box with warranties—resale momentum continues.• Decathlon opens a compact “City” store inside Boulanger in Paris—sports × tech, proximity, services.• New US customs handling for postal goods from the EU—expect disruption for DTC brands using postal networks.• Zalando doubles down on beauty: VTO, 360 product views, creator boards, major brand adds; expansion across Europe.
Chapters00:00 Intro & hosts00:58 TikTok Shop (Fnac Darty)03:20 Amazon Second Chance (refurbs)05:46 Decathlon City × Boulanger (Paris)08:53 US postal/de-minimis changes11:05 Zalando Beauty (VTO, creators, expansion)13:46 Wrap
References (links provided by the hosts)https://corporate.zalando.com/en/fashion/how-zalando-redefining-online-beauty-across-europehttps://group.dhl.com/en/media-relations/press-releases/2025/new-us-customs-regulations-temporary-restrictions-on-postal-goods-shipping-to-the-us-for-private-and-business-customers.htmlhttps://be.fashionnetwork.com/en-be/news/In-a-company-first-decathlon-opens-paris-city-store-in-branch-of-electronics-chain-boulanger,1758383.htmlhttps://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/sustainability/second-chance-deal-dayshttps://www.ecommercemag.fr/Thematique/retail-1220/strategie-retail-2163/Breves/tiktok-shop-fnac-darty-mise-innovation-confiance-produit-484547.htm
CreditsHost: Alex Rezvan. Co-host: Alexandra Produced by The Retail Podcast / RetailNews.ai.
Follow the show. Share your take on whether TikTok Shop converts to owned sites, or holds buyers in-app.
DisclaimerInformational only. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

M&S launches a dedicated resale shop on eBay (with Reskinned), the ONS delays July retail sales to 5 Sept, TikTok Shop’s GMV Max becomes the only supported campaign type, Sainsbury’s begins a facial‑recognition trial, Lush closes UK stores for a day in solidarity with Gaza, and Charlotte Tilbury drives experiential shade‑matching at John Lewis and Café Airbrush in Covent Garden. Simone Oloman joins to decode what matters for operators—right now. Show notes / references:
In this UK edition of Five Things Friday, Alex and Simone Oloman cover six moves reshaping trading plans this month:
Resale goes mainstream: M&S × eBay launches an official pre‑loved shop, powered by Reskinned—a cleaner, scalable route to circularity than DIY platforms. Operators: track supply inflows, voucher economics, and re‑commerce margin mix. Marks & Spencer
Demand sensing > lagging KPIs: The ONS delayed the July 2025 retail sales release to 5 Sept for quality assurance; combine official series with real‑time social/returns data for better buys and markdowns. Office for National Statistics
Social commerce hardens: TikTok Shop Ads → GMV Max only. Expect heavier automation; ensure attribution and returns accounting are wired for campaign‑level ROAS and net‑margin truth. TikTok For Business+1
Safety vs privacy: Sainsbury’s begins an 8‑week facial‑recognition pilot in Sydenham (London) and Oldfield Park (Bath); union support vs privacy‑rights pushback—governance, DPIAs, and signage matter. corporate.sainsburys.co.ukbigbrotherwatch.org.uk
Brand activism with teeth: Lush shut UK shops, website and factories for a day—authenticity is an operational decision, not a slogan. Budget for impact and community response. Lush
Experience = acquisition: Charlotte Tilbury turns shade matching into a moment (John Lewis photo‑booths; Café Airbrush at Covent Garden). High‑touch, low‑friction sampling feeds CRM and lifetime value. British Beauty CouncilTheIndustry.beauty
Chapters / timestamps (mm:ss)00:00 – Welcome & format (fast 15)00:58 – M&S × eBay resale (why it’s smart, how it scales)02:14 – ONS delay & the case for live demand signals03:50 – TikTok Shop GMV Max: what marketers must change04:32 – Sainsbury’s: facial‑recognition pilot (safety vs privacy)06:05 – Lush: one‑day UK closures; what “authenticity” really costs06:55 – Charlotte Tilbury shade‑match activation (John Lewis)09:19 – Café Airbrush & Covent Garden Big Beauty10:00 – Wrap, next week teasers & CTAs
• M&S launches resale on eBay (Reskinned partnership): https://corporate.marksandspencer.com/media/press-releases/ms-launches-resale-ebay-give-clothes-another-life• ONS: July retail sales release delayed to Sept 5 (quality assurance): https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-statistics-office-delays-retail-sales-data-release-by-two-weeks-2025-08-19/• TikTok Shop Ads — GMV Max migration (official help): https://ads.tiktok.com/help/article/gmv-max-migration-tiktok-shop-ads• Sainsbury’s facial‑recognition pilot (Sydenham & Oldfield Park): https://www.computing.co.uk/news/2025/sainsbury-s-begins-facial-recognition-trial-to-combat-shoplifting• Lush closes UK stores in solidarity with Gaza: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/sep/03/lush-closes-all-its-uk-stores-in-protest-over-starvation-in-gaza• Covent Garden — Big Beauty (4–14 Sept): https://www.coventgarden.london/experience/things-to-do/big-beauty-at-covent-garden/• Charlotte Tilbury pop‑up / shade‑match activations: https://theindustry.beauty/charlotte-tilbury-turns-covent-garden-into-cafe-airbrush-celebrating-complexion-launch/

Five Things Friday — APAC edition. Guest Ryf Quail (NRF: Retail’s Big Show APAC) breaks down why retail media in APAC is set to lead globally, then we dive into Thailand’s mall renaissance, Uniqlo’s recycling roadmap, MUSINSA×ANTA’s China JV, and Urban Revivo’s global expansion. Chapters below. Sources and links at the end. Subscribe for weekly, no‑nonsense retail intel across APAC.
What we cover • Why APAC retail media is outpacing the West, with China and the U.S. dominating spend
• Thailand’s malls (ICONSIAM, MBK, Central Group) as cultural engines and retail tourism magnets
• Uniqlo: recycled materials and the 2030 climate roadmap
• MUSINSA × ANTA: K‑fashion’s structured path into China via a joint venture
• Urban Revivo: China’s answer to Zara, scaling with new flagships and a design hub in London
Chapters / Timestamps
00:00 – Intro: Guest setup (Ryf Quail, NRF APAC)
00:26 – Format: Two from Ryf, three from Alex
00:52 – APAC retail media: the fastest‑rising ad channel
02:10 – China + U.S. concentration; APAC’s trajectory
03:45 – India, Vietnam, Philippines: the next lifts
05:03 – Segment 2: Southeast Asia’s mall culture
05:30 – Thailand leads: ICONSIAM, MBK, Central Group
07:56 – Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam: development pipeline
09:16 – Story 1: Uniqlo & recycled materials roadmap
10:40 – Story 2: MUSINSA × ANTA joint venture in China 12:27 –
Story 3: Urban Revivo accelerates global flagships
13:40 – Takeaways: APAC is setting the pace
14:07 – Outro & tease for future global edition
Show Links (put these on separate lines for YouTube parsing)
• Urban Revivo — About: ⁠https://global.urbanrevivo.com/pages/about-urban-revivo-hp0036⁠
• MUSINSA × ANTA JV: ⁠https://about.musinsa.com/newsroom/musinsa-anta⁠
• Uniqlo — Recycled Materials: ⁠https://www.uniqlo.com/id/en/special-feature/sustainability/recycle-materials⁠ •
NRF: Retail’s Big Show APAC (guest org): ⁠https://nrfbigshowapac.nrf.com/⁠
• ICONSIAM: ⁠https://www.iconsiam.com/en⁠
• MBK Center: ⁠https://www.mbk-center.co.th/en⁠
• Central Group: ⁠https://www.centralgroup.com/en⁠
• eMarketer/Insider Intelligence — Retail Media growth + China/US shares (summary): ⁠https://www.emarketer.com/⁠ (specific references in “Research sources” below)
#RetailMedia #APAC #NRFAPAC #Thailand #Kfashion #Uniqlo #UrbanRevivo #Ecommerce

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: link
Topshop: link
Asda: link
JD Sports: link
The Very Group: link
👉 Subscribe for weekly UK retail insights.00:00 Intro & Welcome01:07 Aldi Pay Rise & Food Inflation Context02:46 Topshop Returns via Liberty Pop-Up04:04 Asda Express Expansion & Convenience Growth05:29 JD Sports Shares vs. Soft UK Sales06:32 The Very Group’s Immersive Fashion Experience08:38 Wrap-Up & Teaser for Next Week
 
#RetailNews #RetailTrends #UKRetail #FiveThingsFriday

US retail news: Walmart marketplace AI and next‑day delivery, Gap’s denim push, Best Buy’s refurb engine, Cracker Barrel’s logo U‑turn, plus A&F × NFL.
Subscribe for weekly retail strategy.
American Eagle’s latest ambassador buzz & denim wars
Gap’s creative burst and the renewed denim cycle
Best Buy repairs/refurb: sustainability with margins
Cracker Barrel brand mark reversal—what it signals
Walmart Seller Summit: tools for speed, content, conversion
Bonus: A&F becomes the NFL’s official fashion partner🎥 Chapters below • 💬 Tell us which move changes your Q4 planOpinions are our own. No non‑public info shared.
 
00:00 Welcome — Five Things Friday (USA)00:00:37 American Eagle buzz + Swift/Kelce mentions00:01:40 GAP comeback & the denim push00:02:51 Best Buy: repairs/refurb & NRF Europe preview00:03:58 Cracker Barrel logo U‑turn (brand identity)00:05:55 Walmart Seller Summit: marketplace AI & next‑day00:09:35 Bonus: A&F × NFL — official fashion partner00:12:44 Sports as pop culture: F1, Savannah Bananas00:13:31 Sign‑off + Paris (NRF Europe) teaser
#RetailNews #RetailTrends #AIinRetail #TheRetailPodcast #USRetail

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: scarcity, social currency, collaborations (host commentary).
Gen Z wellness, China: beauty x health, functional nutrition, ingestibles, and unmet needs in mental/cognitive wellness. McKinsey & Company+1
AusPost → US pause: letters/documents & low‑value gifts continue; duties need pre‑collection after de minimis shift; other posts also pausing. ABC
Malls as “dopamine villages”: SM Investments doubles down on experiences, arenas, fandoms, and tribes to capture demand. sminvestments.com
JD in Dubai: JAFZA warehouse, digital ops model, MEA reach; supports faster cross‑border. JD Corporate Blog
00:00 Welcome & cold open (Ryf + Alex)
00:30 LABUBU/Pop Mart: the blind‑box playbook (scarcity, social, IP) — host commentary
05:24 China’s Gen Z wellness wave (beauty x health; functional nutrition; unmet needs) — Source: McKinsey + Retail Asia. McKinsey & CompanyRetail Asia
09:36 Australia Post’s US‑parcel pause: why de minimis matters — Source: ABC News explainer. ABC
12:44 Malls → “Dopamine villages”: SM’s entertainment ecosystem bet — Source: SM Investments. sminvestments.com
16:30 JD.com opens Dubai warehouse: faster APAC→MEA cross‑border — Source: JD Corporate Blog. JD Corporate Blog
20:20 Wrap + next week’s K‑pop teaser