David Blakeney, former Store Development Director at House of Fraser and Sook, joins Natalie to discuss:

-    Why physical retail is on the cusp of a new dawn. -    Repurposing physical space in a digital era. -    Innovation in department stores - are retailers doing enough? -    Pop-up retail – which verticals are best suited (you’ll be surprised) and lessons from Sook. -    David’s newest venture: Phygital Retail.

David’s bio:

David is a highly experienced operator within the retail sector with + 35 years’ experience having worked for companies such as Allders Duty Free, Arcadia and House Of Fraser where he was Store Development Director overseeing all Space Planning, Design & Build projects working with over 250 major brands. 

He was recently Business and Store Development Director at Sook Retail in charge of helping to develop the brand and is an innovator in the pop-up shop industry. 

He has won several retail industry awards, been a speaker at retail conferences, a judge on several retail awards panels and was on the Retail Trust Ball Committee. He currently sits on the Twenty Club Committee as an honorary officer, and co-founded and ran the hugely successful House of Fraser Charity Event.

Connect with David on LinkedIn.

Read Natalie's comments on pop-up shops on the BBC.