On this week’s episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, Melissa Moore chats with Thomas Ennis, CEO of Thomas Ennis Group. They explore his 35-year retail career in fresh food, the mentors who shaped his path and his people-first leadership style. Thomas shares insights on building strong teams, learning from both successes and failures in retail expansion and adapting through innovation. They also discuss the role of AI in modern retail operations and Thomas’s advice for independent retailers on growth, resilience and work-life balance.

Key Takeaways:

• Mentorship and leadership go hand in hand.
• Strong teams thrive on respect, development and clear expectations.
• Failure fuels growth: learn, adapt and try again.
• AI enhances retail operations without replacing the human touch.
• Work-life balance is essential for long-term success.

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