The Retail Podcast (Video Feed)

AI is moving beyond individual productivity tools. The more important question is whether companies will redesign their operating models around it.
In this edition of Five Things Friday: APAC Edition, Ryf Quail and the panel examine five developments connecting technology, market expansion, regulation, cultural identity and on-demand retail.
The lead discussion comes from the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, where the focus extended beyond chatbots and content generation. The panel considers a future in which an orchestrating AI coordinates specialised agents across demand prediction, media allocation and business measurement, leaving people to focus on judgement, creativity and strategy.
The episode also explores:
• JD’s proposed acquisition of CECONOMY and the regulatory challenges facing Chinese companies expanding into Europe
• Seafolly’s decision to expand into China and why this represents an unusual direction for an Australian consumer brand
• The LVMH–Molly Tea trademark dispute and the response from consumers who saw the contested floral design as part of Chinese cultural heritage
• The growing confidence and cultural influence of local Chinese brands
• Decathlon and Uber Eats testing on-demand delivery for sporting goods in Australia
This episode is for retail leaders, marketers, technology executives and international brands trying to understand how AI, localisation and cross-border expansion are reshaping the APAC retail market.
Follow The Retail Podcast for weekly analysis and conversations with the people shaping global retail.

M&S is building a bigger proposition around the family weekly shop. Primark is lowering prices as competition for value-conscious fashion customers intensifies. Meanwhile, beauty and luxury brands are moving beyond products and free samples towards experiences, consultations and personalisation.
In this UK edition of Five Things Friday, Alex Rezvan and Simone examine five retail developments:
• M&S’s largest standalone Foodhall and what it signals about its grocery ambitions• Why Primark is lowering prices across hundreds of popular products• The competitive pressure created by SHEIN, Lefties and other value retailers• How a luxury beauty brand turned pistachio fragrance into an ice-cream experience• Sephora’s continued expansion across London• Why Lancôme is using skin analysis and personalised advice• The difference between distributing samples and creating a memorable service• Whether beauty brands can build an ongoing relationship around individual skin needs
The wider retail story is a market moving in several directions at once.
Customers continue to demand value, forcing retailers such as Primark to defend their price credentials. At the same time, M&S is investing in larger food stores designed to capture more complete shopping missions.
In beauty and luxury, brands are creating more accessible experiences that allow customers to engage with them without making a major product purchase.
Alex and Simone also explore an important customer-experience question: does any beauty brand know its customers well enough to remember their needs, track changes and make genuinely relevant recommendations over time?
This episode is relevant to:
• Retail leaders and store-format teams• Beauty and luxury executives• Customer-experience and loyalty specialists• Retail marketing professionals• Brand activation and experiential marketing teams• Anyone following UK retail trends
CHAPTERS
00:00 M&S Food Expands and Primark Cuts Prices02:17 Is SHEIN Taking Primark’s Traditional Customer?02:44 Luxury Retail Turns Fragrance Into an Experience04:06 Sephora and Lancôme Rethink Beauty Retail05:37 Digital Skin Analysis and Customer Profiles07:34 Why Personal Beauty Advice Builds Loyalty08:20 Do Beauty Brands Really Know Their Customers?08:53 Final Thoughts
FEATURED STORIES AND LINKS
M&S opens its biggest-ever standalone food store in Godalming:https://corporate.marksandspencer.com/newsroom/press-releases/ms-opens-its-biggest-ever-standalone-food-store-godalming-it-invests-bigger
Primark lowers prices across hundreds of favourites:https://corporate.primark.com/en-gb/a/news/corporate-news/iconic-value-primark-lowers-prices-across-hundreds-of-favourites
Luxury pistachio experience featured on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/p/DbF7IPjDTea/?img_index=2
Sephora London store openings:https://www.sephora.co.uk/store-openings-london?curr=GBP
Explore Lancôme UK:https://www.lancome.co.uk/
SUBSCRIBE TO THE RETAIL PODCAST
#UKRetail #RetailNews #MarksAndSpencer #Primark #BeautyRetail
 

Starbucks Korea’s Tank Day promotion led to public backlash and an unusual company-wide response. What should international brands learn from the mistake?
Alex Rezvan and Jill from the National Retail Federation examine five stories influencing global retail:
Starbucks Korea and culturally sensitive marketing
New Canadian and US measures targeting organized retail crime
shu uemura’s AI-powered beauty mirror in Tokyo
Lefties’ entry into the UK value-fashion market
Adidas Originals’ community-focused Bangkok store with % Arabica
The discussion considers why cultural context matters in marketing, how technology is changing value retail and why leading brands increasingly want stores to function as social and community spaces rather than purely transactional environments.

Milan has long been recognised as one of the world's luxury capitals, but what makes its retail experience so distinctive?
In this episode of The Retail Podcast, we explore how Milan moves beyond experiential retail to focus on something even more valuable—curation.
Walking the city's streets reveals how leading luxury brands create communities through culture, design and carefully curated customer experiences.
Building on previous episodes from Madrid and London, this latest stop on our Road to NRF Europe introduces another key principle shaping the future of retail.
You'll discover:
• Why Milan's luxury retailers focus on community rather than scale
• How culture influences customer engagement
• Why curation is becoming a competitive advantage
• The Three Speeds of Retail:
Community & Culture
Experience
Intelligence
As we continue our journey towards NRF Europe 2026 in Paris, each city reveals a new perspective on the future of retail.
🎟️ Join us at NRF EuropeBook your ticket: https://bit.ly/4vh5Iz5

What does M&S’s investment in its renewed Oxford Street flagship tell us about the future of physical retail?
Simone Oloman and Alex Rezvan examine the new M&S Pantheon format and the growing need for stores to become places customers actively choose to spend time in.
They also discuss:
• The effect of the FIFA World Cup on UK consumer spending• Why online and physical non-food retail moved in different directions• Henry Dummer’s appointment as CEO of Very.ie• Dress Well Dad Well and the intersection of fatherhood, fashion and identity• Holland & Barrett’s Wellness Tap• Aldi’s Baldi activation for Pitbull’s Hyde Park concert• Why cultural marketing can outperform conventional advertising
A fast analysis of the UK retail stories that matter and what they reveal about stores, consumers and brands.
Subscribe for weekly analysis of the people, brands and ideas changing retail.
LINKS MENTIONED
Dress Well Dad Well on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/033AAv7NIHyp8fqjkG3Ijy
Instagram referencehttps://www.instagram.com/p/Das0_RYAmZk/
FIFAhttps://www.fifa.com/en/home
Instagram referencehttps://www.instagram.com/p/DanDeaxiRSR/
M&S Pantheon announcementhttps://corporate.marksandspencer.com/newsroom/press-releases/ms-pantheon-ms-unveils-new-oxford-street-flagship
Instagram referencehttps://www.instagram.com/reels/DavodQKCDf7/
World Cup and UK consumer spendinghttps://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jul/14/world-cup-sunshine-uk-consumers-splash-out-on-beer-and-online-shopping

Uniqlo is reporting strong international momentum. Shein is moving closer to a possible Hong Kong listing while facing a leadership transition and continuing legal scrutiny. FamilyMart, meanwhile, is attempting to transform the convenience store into a destination for food, fashion, design and culture.
Alex and Jill examine what these developments reveal about global retail strategy.
They discuss Uniqlo and Fast Retailing’s international expansion, Donald Tang’s planned departure from Shein, the continuing Shein–Lacoste proceedings, FamilyMart’s new FAMIMA concept with NIGO, the broader role of convenience stores across APAC, the planned Onitsuka Tiger reorganisation and the productive-store strategy supporting Inditex’s omnichannel model.
The episode concludes with a preview of NRF Retail’s Big Show Europe in Paris and an exploration of why seeing the people behind unfamiliar brands can create a much stronger connection than simply reading about them.
LINKS MENTIONED
Shein executive chairman and prospective listing:https://us.fashionnetwork.com/news/Shein-executive-chairman-to-step-down-as-ipo-nears-completion-sources-say,1852145.html
Shein and Lacoste legal proceedings:https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/shein-says-legal-dispute-with-lacoste-ongoing-2026-07-10/
FamilyMart’s FAMIMA PARK AZABUDAI:https://www.family.co.jp/company/news_releases/2026/20260709_02.html
CHAPTERS
00:00 International retail briefing00:46 Uniqlo and Fast Retailing’s global growth02:02 Shein’s IPO and leadership transition03:01 The continuing Shein–Lacoste dispute03:27 FamilyMart’s culture-led retail reinvention05:20 Why APAC convenience stores are different06:22 Onitsuka Tiger’s planned separation07:39 Inditex and the disciplined omnichannel model08:53 NRF Europe 2026 preview09:59 Why conferences create brand connection
Subscribe for international retail intelligence, analysis and conversations with the people shaping the industry.
 

Retail is changing faster than ever—and London is showing what the future looks like.
Ahead of NRF Europe, we take you on a retail roadshow through one of the world's most influential shopping destinations to explore how leading brands are transforming the in-store experience. From Coach's immersive pop-up inside Selfridges to H&M's flagship on King's Road, this episode showcases how retailers are moving beyond traditional stores to create destinations built around personalisation, community and memorable customer experiences.
Discover how live craftsmanship, customisation, retail media and experiential design are redefining physical retail in the age of AI. If you're a retailer, brand leader, marketer or technology professional, this episode offers practical inspiration and real-world examples of what's shaping the next generation of commerce.
In this episode:• Why London continues to lead retail innovation• Inside Coach's experiential pop-up at Selfridges• The power of personalisation and live in-store services• How flagship stores are becoming community hubs• Why physical retail is evolving—not disappearing• Key retail trends ahead of NRF Europe
🎟️ Join us at NRF EuropeBook your ticket: https://bit.ly/4vh5Iz5
If you're attending NRF Europe, come and say hello—we'd love to meet you.
Subscribe to The Retail Podcast for more insights on retail innovation, AI, customer experience, unified commerce and the technologies shaping the future of retail.
#Retail #NRFEurope #RetailInnovation #CustomerExperience #RetailMedia #ExperientialRetail

Luxury retail is evolving beyond products and this week's World Retail Signals explores exactly why.
Alex is joined by Ian and Niamh  from the World Retail Congress to discuss the biggest retail developments shaping the industry today.
In this episode:
RH London's new flagship "Gallery" and how experiential retail is redefining luxury.Why brands including Dior, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Alo Yoga are investing in destination experiences across Europe's luxury holiday hotspots.The reported sale of Harvey Nichols and what it could signal for consolidation across UK retail.How retailers like Next, Marks & Spencer and Frasers Group are expanding through brand portfolios and acquisitions.Why startup innovation continues to drive grocery retail, with insights from the Grocer Gold Awards and the rapid growth of Griddle Bakery.
Whether you're a retailer, brand leader, investor or simply interested in where commerce is heading, this episode breaks down the signals that matter.
Topics covered:
Experiential retailLuxury retail strategyRH London GalleryRetail consolidationUK high streetDepartment storesGrocery innovationConsumer behaviourBrand experienceRetail trends
Experiential retail is becoming a key strategy for luxury brands as they look to build stronger customer engagement beyond traditional shopping. In this episode, the World Retail Signals team discusses RH London's immersive flagship, luxury destination activations from brands like Dior and Gucci, UK retail consolidation, and why innovation from emerging brands continues to shape the industry's future.
Chapter Timestamps
00:00 Introduction & Welcome
01:13 Meet the World Retail Congress Team
02:17 RH London: A New Vision for Luxury Retail
05:13 Luxury Brands Expand Into Holiday Destinations
07:07 Why Luxury Brands Need New Relevance
07:55 Harvey Nichols Sale & UK Retail Consolidation
10:04 The Rise of Retail Brand Portfolios
10:43 Grocer Gold Awards & Grocery Innovation
12:22 Why Retailers Need Startup Brands
13:12 Ocado Leadership Changes & Closing Thoughts
💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Which trend discussed today do you think will impact the industry most? Let us know in the comments below!

Can physical retail still outperform e-commerce?
In this exclusive interview recorded live at NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show Asia Pacific, Steven S. Tan, President of SM Supermalls, explains why physical shopping centres continue to thrive by putting customers at the centre of every decision.
SM Supermalls operates nearly 100 shopping centres across the Philippines and China, welcoming approximately 5 million visitors every day. Steven shares how continuous innovation, inclusive design, community-building and customer-first leadership have helped one of Asia's largest retail property businesses continue growing despite changing consumer behaviour.
In this episode you'll learn:
• Why physical retail continues to outperform expectations• How shopping centres become community destinations• Lessons retailers should learn before expanding into Southeast Asia• Why customer experience matters more than technology alone• How SM Supermalls approaches inclusivity and accessibility• The biggest mistake retailers make when entering new markets• Steven Tan's advice for staying relevant in retail
Whether you're a retailer, shopping centre operator, brand leader or retail technology professional, this conversation offers practical insights into the future of physical retail.
Recorded live at NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show Asia Pacific in Singapore.
Chapters00:00 Introduction00:23 What is SM Supermalls?01:26 From Shoe Store to Retail Giant02:01 The Future of Retail02:53 Future-Proofing Shopping Centres04:16 Customer Experience First05:08 Inclusivity in Retail07:07 Why Physical Retail Is Growing08:01 Shopping Centres as Community Spaces09:23 Advice for Global Retailers10:13 Listening to Gen Z10:39 How Brands Stay Relevant
#RetailPodcast #SMSupermalls #RetailLeadership #CustomerExperience #FutureOfRetail #ShoppingMalls #RetailInnovation #NRFAPAC #RetailStrategy #PhysicalRetail

The retail marketing stories that matter this week: why the brands winning Wimbledon aren't the official sponsors, Naomi Osaka's 350% search spike, Charlotte Tilbury lands in Boots, and Google's Head of Agencies UK reveals the World Cup ads topping YouTube's leaderboard.
Google's Carl Read joins Alex and Simone Oloman (NIFT) to discuss the week's biggest marketing stories, including Wimbledon, Nike, Charlotte Tilbury, Boots, Evian, YouTube, Naomi Osaka, John Lewis, Cult Beauty and more.
Topics include:
• Why Wimbledon is becoming a creator-first marketing opportunity• Naomi Osaka's powerful brand storytelling strategy• How YouTube advertising is evolving around cultural moments• Why Charlotte Tilbury's Boots expansion matters• Pride marketing and authentic community engagement• What brands can learn from Google's latest YouTube advertising insights
Carl shares Google's perspective on creator trust, emotional storytelling, YouTube performance and why today's best campaigns succeed by giving creators genuine creative freedom.
Whether you're a marketer, founder, retailer or agency leader, this episode explores how brands can stay culturally relevant while building long-term trust.
Featured Guest
Carl ReadDirector, Agencies & Partners (UKI)Google
Featuring
Alex
Simone OlomanCo-Founder & CEO, NIFT
If you enjoyed the episode:
✅ Subscribe for weekly insights
👍 Like the video
💬 Tell us which story stood out most