The Retail Podcast (Video Feed)

John Lewis, Aubin, Joseph, Tumi & M&S: Black Friday, AI & Personal Styling | 5 Things Friday

Black Friday isn’t a day anymore. It’s a month-long pressure cooker – and it’s forcing retailers to rethink everything from promotions to product pages.
Correction note: In the episode I mention a jumper with 7% wool – the actual composition was 8% wool.
Why Black Friday has morphed into “Black Month” – and what that constant promo pressure does to margins, teams and customer expectations
How John Lewis is investing £800m to turn “stuffy department store” into experiential destination, complete with VIP member lounges that feel more like British Airways than traditional retail
The power of personal styling: a live story from a first-ever styling session at Aubin, and why curated outfits create genuine “dopamine dressing” moments for time-poor professionals
What luxury players like Joseph really want from tech and AI: tools that free staff to serve customers, not replace them
How AI is fast becoming your second customer – from ChatGPT’s personal shopping and gift guides to the need for product pages that go beyond specs and capture story, emotion and use-case
Why the next generation won’t “Google it”, they’ll ChatGPT it – and what that means for search, content and retail strategy
If you work in retail, ecommerce, CX, merchandising or digital, you’re already living these tensions: discount pressure, demand for experience, and the rise of AI-driven discovery.
This episode gives you a sharp, 13‑minute snapshot of where those trends are heading – and how brands like John Lewis, Aubin, Joseph, Tumi and M&S are shaping the next chapter.
🌐 Visit Retail News.AI, your premium destination for the most relevant, cutting-edge information in the retail sector: https://retailnews.ai/
💬 Which of these trends do you think will shape the future of retail the most — and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
✅ Subscribe now and never miss a new episode of The Retail Podcast.https://www.youtube.com/@theretailpodcast?sub_confirmation=1
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*Welcome to the official YouTube channel of THE RETAIL PODCAST, the leading community for global retail leaders, innovators, and changemakers.*
If you are struggling to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry, looking for insights from major conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, and EuroCIS, or aiming to connect your digital funnels to physical events with measurable ROI, this channel is designed for you.
Here you will discover exclusive interviews with executives and innovators, coverage of global retail conferences, analysis of technology and AI trends, in-depth explorations of fashion, grocery, luxury, and eCommerce, and thought leadership that keeps your strategy relevant all year long. As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, this channel does more than report the news—it shapes the conversation on the future of retail.
*Subscribe now and activate notifications so you never miss the strategies, stories, and signals defining tomorrow’s retail.*
--------📲 Follow us on LinkedIn to stay connected with daily retail insights and industry updates.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-retail-podcast/
📩 Contact us at: Sofia@theretailpodcast.com
--------⏱️ Timestamps0:00 – Intro: Live from The Nest & 5 Things Friday
0:22 – Meet Simone and Matt (“Mr Retail”)
0:39 – Inbox meltdown: Black Friday offers everywhere
1:24 – “Black Month”: brand pressure and promo fatigue
2:05 – Ecommerce spikes, supply chain strain & Cyber Monday
3:03 – John Lewis obsession & the £800m store revamp
3:23 – VIP member lounge: borrowing from airline loyalty
3:48 – From stuffy department store to experiential retail hub
4:36 – Collabs (Topshop, Carhartt) & shifting demographics
4:53 – A personal styling story: first ever styling session
5:18 – Aubin, Scottish wool & dressing for NRF
5:50 – Dopamine dressing: moving beyond “blue, blue, blue”
6:35 – The stigma around personal shopping & who it’s “for”
6:57 – Democratizing styling: bringing personal shopping to everyone
7:45 – Quality vs price: fabric, longevity and cost-per-wear
9:13 – Inside Joseph: luxury retail, tech and AI in-store
9:34 – Use AI to free staff, not replace staff
11:05 – ChatGPT launches personal shopping & gift guides
11:34 – Two customers: the human and the machine
12:02 – Product pages for AI search: from specs to story
12:25 – Gen Z, AI search and the future of retail discovery
13:02 – Wrap-up & teaser for next week--------#TheRetailPodcast #RetailPodcast #BlackFriday #ExperientialRetail #PersonalShopping #AIinRetail #EcommerceStrategy #JohnLewis #YouTubePodcast

Five Things Friday UK: Clarks’ Comeback, Rituals’ Mind Oasis, Skims’ $5B Surge & More

Five Things Friday UK delivers another rapid-fire breakdown of the biggest moves in retail.
In this episode, Simon and Alex unpack a week defined by reinvention, cultural relevance, and bold expansion plays.
Clarks is rewriting its story through Cloudsteppers concept stores, clothing, accessories, and a new marketplace model. Rituals has opened one of the most impressive experiential stores on Oxford Street, complete with its Mind Oasis and immersive sound-therapy treatments. The kidswear category heats up as Swedish and Asian brands expand into the UK and Europe. Victoria’s Secret tries to rebuild its global identity with body-positive positioning. And Skims secures a $225M funding round, lifting the brand to a $5B valuation and signalling a wider shift in the apparel landscape.
Alex also explores the rise of sustainability-led jewellery brands and the power of transparency, lab-grown diamonds, and renewable energy supply chains.
🌐 Visit Retail News.AI, your premium destination for the most relevant, cutting-edge information in the retail sector: https://retailnews.ai/
💬 Which of these trends do you think will shape the future of retail the most — and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
✅ Subscribe now and never miss a new episode of The Retail Podcast.https://www.youtube.com/@theretailpodcast?sub_confirmation=1
 
--------*Welcome to the official channel of THE RETAIL PODCAST, the leading community for global retail leaders, innovators, and changemakers.*
If you are struggling to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry, looking for insights from major conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, and EuroCIS, or aiming to connect your digital funnels to physical events with measurable ROI, this channel is designed for you.➡️ Hosted by Alex Rezvan and joined by some of the most respected voices in the sector, The Retail Podcast brings sharp, actionable insights from industry veterans with backgrounds at Microsoft and Verizon, where projects worth over $1.5 billion were directed. Our mission is to help retailers and businesses that sell to retailers anticipate change, embrace technology, and unlock new growth opportunities.
Here you will discover exclusive interviews with executives and innovators, coverage of global retail conferences, analysis of technology and AI trends, in-depth explorations of fashion, grocery, luxury, and eCommerce, and thought leadership that keeps your strategy relevant all year long. As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, this channel does more than report the news—it shapes the conversation on the future of retail.
*Subscribe now and activate notifications so you never miss the strategies, stories, and signals defining tomorrow’s retail.*
--------📲 Follow us on LinkedIn to stay connected with daily retail insights and industry updates.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-retail-podcast/
📩 Contact us at: Sofia@theretailpodcast.com
--------⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to Five Things Friday00:15 – Clarks’ global reinvention and Cloudsteppers rollout01:33 – Rituals opens a “Mind Oasis” on Oxford Street04:09 – Kidswear expansion from Sweden and Asia07:24 – Victoria’s Secret rebuilds its brand identity10:45 – The rise of modern, transparent jewellery retail11:18 – Skims hits $5B valuation and global rollout13:30 – Black Friday week and what’s coming next--------#TheRetailPodcast #retail #ukretail #retailnews #fivethingsfriday #fashionretail #storedesign #consumertrends #retailpodcast

Secrets Behind Famous Retail Success! Two Customers: Human + AI, 6% Checkout Lift, 21k Weekly Signal

Julia Paulsen, Director of Ecommerce Nordics at Elkjøp Nordic (part of Currys plc), unpacks how to win when your store has two customers: the human and the AI assistant. We cover data quality, MACH, omnichannel execution, and the culture that turns OKRs into commercial outcomes.
🌐 Visit Retail News.AI, your premium destination for the most relevant, cutting-edge information in the retail sector: https://retailnews.ai/
💬 Which of these trends do you think will shape the future of retail the most — and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
✅ Subscribe now and never miss a new episode of The Retail Podcast.
--------*Welcome to the official THE RETAIL PODCAST, the leading community for global retail leaders, innovators, and changemakers.*
If you are struggling to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry, looking for insights from major conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, and EuroCIS, or aiming to connect your digital funnels to physical events with measurable ROI, this channel is designed for you.➡️ Hosted by Alex Rezvan and joined by some of the most respected voices in the sector, The Retail Podcast brings sharp, actionable insights from industry veterans with backgrounds at Microsoft and Verizon, where projects worth over $1.5 billion were directed. Our mission is to help retailers and businesses that sell to retailers anticipate change, embrace technology, and unlock new growth opportunities.
Here you will discover exclusive interviews with executives and innovators, coverage of global retail conferences, analysis of technology and AI trends, in-depth explorations of fashion, grocery, luxury, and eCommerce, and thought leadership that keeps your strategy relevant all year long. As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, this channel does more than report the news—it shapes the conversation on the future of retail.
*Subscribe now and activate notifications so you never miss the strategies, stories, and signals defining tomorrow’s retail.*
--------📲 Follow us on LinkedIn to stay connected with daily retail insights and industry updates.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-retail-podcast/
📩 Contact us at: Sofia@theretailpodcast.com
--------🔗 References:
--------⏱️ Timestamps00:00 Intro00:23 Welcome Julia Paulsen (Elkjøp Nordic / Currys)00:40 What Elkjøp is + Nordic footprint01:05 Market share + MediaMarkt history01:49 Norway’s biggest e-commerce revolution02:32 Two customers: human and AI assistant05:26 “Menneske og maskin”: human + machine06:54 How to make PDPs readable for virtual assistants07:22 Agent vs human shopping missions08:33 Last mile & omnichannel performance09:42 Multi-market ecommerce + ContentSquare12:13 Nordic stores as a strategic advantage14:22 Culture, OKRs and performance17:21 Leadership during pressure19:33 The next 2–3 years of digital retail20:52 Why structured product data is the battlefield22:26 21,000 signals → +6% checkout completion23:42 Closing thoughts
--------#TheRetailPodcast #Retail #Ecommerce #AI #AgenticAI #Elkjop #Currys #FutureOfRetail #MACHAlliance #DigitalLeadership #CustomerExperience

Coupang’s Profit Surge and China’s New Retail Powerhouse: APAC Trends with Ryf Quail & Low Ngai Yuen

Coupang is finally profitable. China’s KKR Group is redefining offline lifestyle retail. APAC’s consumer landscape is shifting fast.
In this Five Things Friday — APAC Edition, Ryf Quail and Low Ngai Yuen unpack:• Coupang’s record revenue and margin transformation• Logistics innovations powering same-day delivery• How Rocket WOW locks in customer loyalty• China’s KKR Group and its explosive offline store growth• The rise of Gen Z lifestyle mega-brands• What global retailers must understand about Asia’s momentum
A essential briefing for leaders in retail, eCommerce, CX, marketplaces, supply chain, and omnichannel strategy.
 

Inside Rituals’ New Oxford Street Flagship: Design, Mind Oasis & Retail Innovation

​⁠ @RitualsCosmeticsGlobal ⁠ has opened its newest flagship at 297 Oxford Street, London. And it’s unlike anything the brand has built before.In this exclusive tour and interview, Alex Rezvan sits down with:
• Annemarie Forsyth — Managing Director UK & Ireland• Richard Lems — Executive Director Format & Design
Together, they reveal the design philosophy, customer-experience thinking, community strategy and the technology mindset that shaped this extraordinary store.
You’ll hear the story behind removing an entire floor to create a soaring atrium, how the Water Island anchors the brand experience, why the Mind Oasis is already fully booked for days, and how Rituals views the next five years of retail through wellbeing, community, and immersive physical spaces.
If you're in London, Rituals Oxford Street opens today.📍 297 Oxford St, London W1D 2JL
🌐 Visit Retail News.AI, your premium destination for the most relevant, cutting-edge information in the retail sector: https://retailnews.ai/
💬 Which of these trends do you think will shape the future of retail the most — and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
 
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If you are struggling to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry, looking for insights from major conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, and EuroCIS, or aiming to connect your digital funnels to physical events with measurable ROI, this channel is designed for you.
➡️ Hosted by Alex Rezvan and joined by some of the most respected voices in the sector, The Retail Podcast brings sharp, actionable insights from industry veterans with backgrounds at Microsoft and Verizon, where projects worth over $1.5 billion were directed. Our mission is to help retailers and businesses that sell to retailers anticipate change, embrace technology, and unlock new growth opportunities.
*Subscribe now and activate notifications so you never miss the strategies, stories, and signals defining tomorrow’s retail.*
--------📲 Follow us on LinkedIn to stay connected with daily retail insights and industry updates.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-retail-podcast/
📩 Contact us at: Sofia@theretailpodcast.com
--------⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Welcome inside Rituals Oxford Street00:09 – Richard on the new flagship and design vision00:37 – Why this store is uniquely special01:07 – Removing floors, creating space & building the atrium01:33 – The Rituals tree and signature entrance experience01:39 – Designing the store path & creating constant discovery02:27 – Where the tour begins: Water Island02:48 – AnneMarie Forsyth joins the tour03:11 – Tourism vs local customers on Oxford Street03:30 – How Rituals activates community & loyalty03:50 – Mind Oasis demand and customer behaviour04:39 – The role of the Water Island in the customer journey05:03 – Demonstration of the Rituals three-step routine06:01 – How Rituals thinks about technology in-store06:41 – Empowering female leaders: AnneMarie’s advice07:48 – Returning to Richard for the second half of the tour08:14 – The energy shift when entering the Mind Oasis08:25 – Why the Mind Oasis matters for modern wellbeing09:06 – How design triggers a slower pace09:24 – Continuous improvement across 1400+ stores10:12 – Technology: invisible, supportive, never distracting11:13 – Community, relevance and premium hubs12:01 – Richard’s favourite parts of the store12:48 – Creating a home-like feeling through fixtures & lighting13:45 – Why lighting is undervalued in retail design13:55 – Invitation to visit the Oxford Street flagship--------#TheRetailPodcast #Retail, #Rituals, #RetailDesign, #OxfordStreet, #StoreOpening, #RetailExperience, #CustomerExperience, #RetailInnovation, #BeautyRetail, #LuxuryRetail, #Wellbeing, #MindOasis, #TheRetailPodcast, #RetailNews

Five stories: John Lewis’ vinyl‑driven ad; CBRE’s MAPIC signals; MINISO on Bond Street; retail parks rising; athleisure’s staying power.

Retail is back in force. Alex reports from Cannes at MAPIC on why capital is returning to physical retail. Simone unpacks the new John Lewis Christmas advert and how sentiment sells. We cover CBRE’s data, MINISO’s Bond Street bet, retail parks’ quiet surge, and why athleisure keeps compounding.
The 5 stories1. John Lewis Christmas advert 2025: Why nostalgia + vinyl is the most effective emotional shortcut this season.
2. MAPIC takeaways (CBRE): Investment is thawing; leasing momentum improves; prime rents keep edging up as footfall normalizes.
3. MINISO on Bond Street: Tourist gravity, pop‑culture IP, and an experience‑first flagship moment.
4. Retail parks’ resurgence: Value + access + parking = resilient openings and low vacancy.
5. Athleisure’s resilience: Demand holds; big‑box footwear/apparel remains a habit, not a fad.
🌐 Visit Retail News.AI, your premium destination for the most relevant, cutting-edge information in the retail sector: https://retailnews.ai/
💬 Which of these trends do you think will shape the future of retail the most — and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
✅ Subscribe now and never miss a new episode of The Retail Podcast.https://www.youtube.com/@theretailpodcast?sub_confirmation=1
--------Welcome to the official YouTube channel of THE RETAIL PODCAST, the leading community for global retail leaders, innovators, and changemakers.*
If you are struggling to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry, looking for insights from major conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, and EuroCIS, or aiming to connect your digital funnels to physical events with measurable ROI, this channel is designed for you.➡️ Hosted by Alex Rezvan and joined by some of the most respected voices in the sector, The Retail Podcast brings sharp, actionable insights from industry veterans with backgrounds at Microsoft and Verizon, where projects worth over $1.5 billion were directed. Our mission is to help retailers and businesses that sell to retailers anticipate change, embrace technology, and unlock new growth opportunities.
Here you will discover exclusive interviews with executives and innovators, coverage of global retail conferences, analysis of technology and AI trends, in-depth explorations of fashion, grocery, luxury, and eCommerce, and thought leadership that keeps your strategy relevant all year long. As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, this channel does more than report the news—it shapes the conversation on the future of retail.
*Subscribe now and activate notifications so you never miss the strategies, stories, and signals defining tomorrow’s retail.*
--------📲 Follow us on LinkedIn to stay connected with daily retail insights and industry updates.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-retail-podcast/
📩 Contact us at: Sofia@theretailpodcast.com
--------🔗 References:
--------⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Welcome from Cannes01:45 – Story 1: John Lewis Christmas advert (why it lands)05:10 – Story 2: MAPIC/CBRE: retail is back09:00 – Story 3: MINISO opens on Bond Street11:45 – Story 4: Retail parks are quietly winning13:30 – Story 5: Athleisure keeps compounding15:00 – Wrap & what to watch next--------#TheRetailPodcast # # #

Asia’s Retail Revolution: How Super Apps and Culture Are Redefining the Future | Ryf Quail x Low Ngai Yuen

Asia’s retail landscape is evolving faster than anywhere else on Earth—and this episode brings you the inside view.
Host Alex Rezvan sits down with Ryf Quail, Managing Director of NRF APAC, and Low Ngai Yuen, former Chief Merchandise & Marketing Officer at AEON Malaysia, board member at GDEX and OCK Group, and award-winning creative leader, to explore: • The rise of Chinese retail expansion across Southeast Asia • Why super apps like Grab, WeChat, and Alipay are reshaping loyalty and payment ecosystems • How influencer marketing is evolving into a listed industry • The future of responsible sourcing and supply chain transformation • The intersection of culture, experience, and intelligence in modern retail
Yuen also shares her vision for empowering women through her NGO WOMENgirls and reflects on storytelling, sustainability, and digital creativity.
This is Asia’s story—fast, mobile-first, and deeply human.
🌐 Visit Retail News.AI, your premium destination for the most relevant, cutting-edge information in the retail sector: https://retailnews.ai/
💬 Which of these trends do you think will shape the future of retail the most — and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
✅ Subscribe now and never miss a new episode of The Retail Podcast.https://www.youtube.com/@theretailpodcast?sub_confirmation=1
--------🎧 Listen to The Retail Podcast on your favorite platform:--------*Welcome to the official YouTube channel of THE RETAIL PODCAST, the leading community for global retail leaders, innovators, and changemakers.*
If you are struggling to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry, looking for insights from major conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, and EuroCIS, or aiming to connect your digital funnels to physical events with measurable ROI, this channel is designed for you.➡️ Hosted by Alex Rezvan and joined by some of the most respected voices in the sector, The Retail Podcast brings sharp, actionable insights from industry veterans with backgrounds at Microsoft and Verizon, where projects worth over $1.5 billion were directed. Our mission is to help retailers and businesses that sell to retailers anticipate change, embrace technology, and unlock new growth opportunities.
Here you will discover exclusive interviews with executives and innovators, coverage of global retail conferences, analysis of technology and AI trends, in-depth explorations of fashion, grocery, luxury, and eCommerce, and thought leadership that keeps your strategy relevant all year long. As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, this channel does more than report the news—it shapes the conversation on the future of retail.
*Subscribe now and activate notifications so you never miss the strategies, stories, and signals defining tomorrow’s retail.*
--------📲 Follow us on LinkedIn to stay connected with daily retail insights and industry updates.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-retail-podcast/
📩 Contact us at: Sofia@theretailpodcast.com
--------⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro & Credits00:42 – Who is Low Ngai Yuen? From AEON to advocacy01:24 – Ryf Quail on APAC retail trends03:09 – China’s new retail push across Southeast Asia05:28 – Super Apps: Asia’s loyalty revolution08:30 – The data debate: Online vs offline insight10:06 – Malaysia’s influencer IPO: Content as capital11:18 – Gen Z and the content-driven retail economy13:13 – AI, authenticity & responsible storytelling13:55 – Sustainable sourcing: Raising regional standards17:15 – Rethinking corporate responsibility in Asia18:10 – Menopause retail & social innovation18:51 – Alex on culture, experience, and intelligence19:30 – Final reflections from Ryf19:55 – Outro & thank-yous
--------#TheRetailPodcast #RetailPodcast #FiveThingsFriday #RetailTrends #NRFAPAC #SuperApps #RetailAsia #AEON #GDEX #WOMENgirls #RyfQuail #LowNgaiYuen #RetailLeadership #DigitalTransformation #APACRetail #CultureCommerceIntelligence

AI Won’t Replace Merchandisers — It’ll Make Them Superhuman | Noah Herschman (Intel, ex-Microsoft)

AI, Merchandising & the Next Era of Retail with Noah (何诺亚) HerschmanAI isn’t replacing retail jobs — it’s enhancing them. In this episode of The Retail Podcast, host Alex Rezvan speaks with Noah (何诺亚) Herschman, Retail & Ecommerce Senior Executive and Global AI Strategist, about how artificial intelligence is transforming merchandising, pricing, and product lifecycle management.Noah has shaped ecommerce since the 1990s, with senior leadership roles at Amazon, eBay, Groupon, Staples, and nearly a decade at Microsoft as Retail Industry Architect. Now at Intel, he helps global retailers harness agentic AI to make smarter, faster, and more creative merchandising decisions.
🎯 Key topics:How AI augments (not replaces) human creativity in merchandisingWhat the “Merchandiser of the Future” looks likeWhy retailers miss real cultural signals (like K-Pop trends)The new era of intelligent forecasting and price elasticityBuilding trust in data and the rise of “agentic AI” assistants.
🌐 Visit Retail News.AI, your premium destination for the most relevant, cutting-edge information in the retail sector: https://retailnews.ai/
💬 Which of these trends do you think will shape the future of retail the most — and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
✅ Subscribe now and never miss a new episode of The Retail Podcast.https://www.youtube.com/@theretailpodcast?sub_confirmation=1
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--------*Welcome to the official YouTube channel of THE RETAIL PODCAST, the leading community for global retail leaders, innovators, and changemakers.*
If you are struggling to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry, looking for insights from major conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, and EuroCIS, or aiming to connect your digital funnels to physical events with measurable ROI, this channel is designed for you.➡️ Hosted by Alex Rezvan and joined by some of the most respected voices in the sector, The Retail Podcast brings sharp, actionable insights from industry veterans with backgrounds at Microsoft and Verizon, where projects worth over $1.5 billion were directed. Our mission is to help retailers and businesses that sell to retailers anticipate change, embrace technology, and unlock new growth opportunities.
Here you will discover exclusive interviews with executives and innovators, coverage of global retail conferences, analysis of technology and AI trends, in-depth explorations of fashion, grocery, luxury, and eCommerce, and thought leadership that keeps your strategy relevant all year long. As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, this channel does more than report the news—it shapes the conversation on the future of retail.
*Subscribe now and activate notifications so you never miss the strategies, stories, and signals defining tomorrow’s retail.*
--------📲 Follow us on LinkedIn to stay connected with daily retail insights and industry updates.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-retail-podcast/
📩 Contact us at: Sofia@theretailpodcast.com
--------⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Why AI won’t replace creativity00:25 – Alex introduces the episode01:10 – Noah’s retail background03:30 – The hub of retail: getting assortment and pricing right05:08 – Human creativity meets AI analysis06:33 – Why retailers miss cultural signals07:30 – The merchandiser of the future10:29 – Agentic AI and scenario planning12:00 – Outcomes and financial implications14:15 – How AI transforms “open-to-buy” and promotions15:47 – Closing thoughts and next steps--------#TheRetailPodcast #  #RetailPodcast #AIinRetail #Merchandising #RetailInnovation #Ecommerce #RetailStrategy #IntelAI #RetailNewsAI #FutureOfRetail

Rosalía, Amazon, Calvin Klein, TikTok, JCPenney & Primark — Five Things Friday (USA)

The week’s six stories that shaped U.S. retail culture, told fast and with context.
Alex Rezvan and Jill Dvorak (NRF) open with Rosalía’s “Berghain” — a genre-bending track with Björk and Yves Tumor that shows how culture still drives commerce. Then come the hard numbers: Amazon’s plan to cut ≈ 30 000 corporate jobs (Reuters) and what it signals for hybrid work, efficiency, and morale.
Next, Calvin Klein’s Reels-first storytelling proves how emotional minimalism beats perfection in branding. They examine TikTok’s potential $14 billion Oracle-led divestment, and what a new owner could mean for algorithms and Shop visibility.
Holiday season brings optimism with JCPenney’s “It’s What They Thought That Counts” campaign — reframing value around thoughtfulness — and finally Primark’s accelerating U.S. expansion, where tactile, affordable retail wins against fast-fashion fatigue.
🌐 Visit Retail News.AI, your premium destination for the most relevant, cutting-edge information in the retail sector: https://retailnews.ai/
💬 Which of these trends do you think will shape the future of retail the most — and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
✅ Subscribe now and never miss a new episode of The Retail Podcast.https://www.youtube.com/@theretailpodcast?sub_confirmation=1
--------
--------*Welcome to the official YouTube channel of THE RETAIL PODCAST, the leading community for global retail leaders, innovators, and changemakers.*
If you are struggling to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry, looking for insights from major conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, and EuroCIS, or aiming to connect your digital funnels to physical events with measurable ROI, this channel is designed for you.➡️ Hosted by Alex Rezvan and joined by some of the most respected voices in the sector, The Retail Podcast brings sharp, actionable insights from industry veterans with backgrounds at Microsoft and Verizon, where projects worth over $1.5 billion were directed. Our mission is to help retailers and businesses that sell to retailers anticipate change, embrace technology, and unlock new growth opportunities.
Here you will discover exclusive interviews with executives and innovators, coverage of global retail conferences, analysis of technology and AI trends, in-depth explorations of fashion, grocery, luxury, and eCommerce, and thought leadership that keeps your strategy relevant all year long. As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, this channel does more than report the news—it shapes the conversation on the future of retail.
*Subscribe now and activate notifications so you never miss the strategies, stories, and signals defining tomorrow’s retail.*
--------📲 Follow us on LinkedIn to stay connected with daily retail insights and industry updates.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-retail-podcast/
📩 Contact us at: Sofia@theretailpodcast.com
--------🔗 References:
Calvin Klein Reels: https://www.instagram.com/calvinklein/reels/
JCPenney Holiday Campaign: https://corporate.jcpenney.com/2025/10/28/jcpenney-reminds-america-that-this-holiday-season-its-what-they-thought-that-counts/
Primark U.S.: https://www.primark.com/en-us
Amazon Cuts (Reuters): https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/amazon-targets-many-30000-corporate-job-cuts-sources-say-2025-10-27/
TikTok for Business: https://ads.tiktok.com/business/en-US
Rosalía “Berghain” official video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htQBS2Ikz6c
--------⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Welcome & intro00:00:34 – Rosalía “Berghain”: culture sets the shelf 👉 Watch video
00:04:23 – Amazon targets ≈ 30 000 corporate cuts (Reuters) → article
00:06:26 – Calvin Klein | Storytelling through Reels → instagram.com/calvinklein/reels/
00:08:13 – TikTok | The algorithm in the spotlight → ads.tiktok.com/business/en-US
00:09:45 – JCPenney | “It’s What They Thought That Counts” → corporate.jcpenney.com release
00:11:56 – Primark | Value retail’s American rise → primark.com/en-us
00:14:21 – Wrap & sign-off--------#TheRetailPodcast #Rosalia #Berghain #Amazon #CalvinKlein #TikTok #JCPenney #Primark #NRF #RetailPodcast #FiveThingsFriday #RetailTrends #HolidayRetail #CulturalCommerce #USRetail

ASOS IRL, New Look Bets on Loyalty, Topshop Plays Nostalgia, Outcast Fashion +Rosalía “Berghain”

Topshop leans into Millennial nostalgia with Cara Delevingne; New Look fires up “Club New Look,” targeting scale with a £30m digital push; and ASOS takes a ten‑day Carnaby Street pop‑up mainstream with 200+ curated pieces and partner brands. We examine whether pop‑ups create momentum, how loyalty must move beyond discounts, and why nostalgia only works when balanced with Gen Z culture cues. Bonus: a culture lens on Rosalía’s “Berghain” and what her fashion‑first storytelling means for retail discovery.
Related video mentioned: Rosalía — “Berghain” (Official): https://youtu.be/htQBS2Ikz6c?si=E65oy0YY9svYzEtB
🌐 Visit Retail News.AI, your premium destination for the most relevant, cutting-edge information in the retail sector: https://retailnews.ai/
💬 Which of these trends do you think will shape the future of retail the most — and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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--------*Welcome to the official YouTube channel of THE RETAIL PODCAST, the leading community for global retail leaders, innovators, and changemakers.*
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--------⏱️ Timestamps00:00 — Cold open, mic check
00:00:50 — Intro & setup
00:07:46 — Topshop & nostalgia: why bringing back Cara Delevingne matters (millennial memory + brand reboot). ASOS plc
00:09:44 — “We’re rolling” moment
00:09:58 — ASOS Carnaby Street pop‑up: dates (7–16 Nov), 200+ pieces, partner brands (AllSaints, Carhartt WIP, Good American), Topshop/Topman edits, ASOS Collective & ARRANGE; early access for ASOS.WORLD members. ASOS plc
TheIndustry.fashion
00:12:31 — Pop‑ups: moment vs. momentum (what converts after the confetti)
00:15:03 — New Look “Club New Look”: first‑ever loyalty scheme; 25% welcome online discount; soft‑launch 500k sign‑ups; 800k target; part of the £30m digital acceleration. Fashion NetworkTheIndustry.fashion
00:17:27 — Loyalty that sticks: tiering + experiences blanket discounts (design principles)
00:18:48 — Culture lens: Rosalía’s “Berghain”—archival fashion references, cross‑genre collab power, and discovery loops. Harper's BAZAAR
00:19:27 — Why nostalgia alone won’t keep the lights on; balance with Gen Z cultural entry points (collabs, creators, drops). Vogue Business
00:21:28 — Wrap and next steps
--------🔗 References:
Lawreence (IG): https://www.instagram.com/lawreencee__/?hl=en
Outcast Clothing (IG): https://www.instagram.com/outcastclothing/?hl=en
Outcast Clothing (site): https://outcast-clothing.com/
New Look (site): https://www.newlook.com/uk
Topshop (site): https://www.topshop.com/gb/topshop
Rosalía — “Berghain” official link: https://youtu.be/htQBS2Ikz6c?si=E65oy0YY9svYzEtB--------#Rosalia,#Berghain,#ASOS,#CarnabyStreet,#OutcastClothing,#NewLook,#ClubNewLook,#Topshop,#CaraDelevingne,#UKRetail,#FashionBusiness,#RetailTrends,#GenZ,#MillennialNostalgia,#RetailPodcast,#RetailStrategy,#FashionMarketing,#ExperientialRetail,#RetailInnovation,#CulturalCommerce #theretailpodcast