The Retail Exchange podcast

In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever travels to Barcelona to sit down with Eduardo Recio, Creative Director eCommerce & Retail, for leading Spanish multi-sport retail brand, Sprinter.

First showcased in its new Madrid store - its largest store to date - Sprinter’s new store concept, created by UK-based creative and innovation studio Dalziel & Pow,, is redefining the retailer’s core retail proposition.

The 4000 sqm space allows Sprinter to introduce a range of immersive and interactive experiences to educate and inspire customers—positioning the business as the sports authority and raising the bar significantly. In another first, the concept also introduces its established online cycling offer, Deporvillage, for the first time in physical retail.

In this episode, we examine the story behind the retailer’s game-changing retail concept, the key challenges that retailers in the sports sector face to deliver a winning customer experience, and look back on Eduardo’s own career retail—which first began here in the UK.

In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined by Andy Lawrence, VP of International of US-based athletic clothing brand, Vuori.

Inspired by California’s active, coastal lifestyle, Vuori was founded in 2015.

In September last year it launched into China, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Middle East, and Mexico, and opened its first UK store in London's Covent Garden.

In this episode, we explore the story behind the SoCal brand, the key challenges that the athleisure sector (and many other DTC brands) face to ‘win’ with consumers, and the company’s secrets to serving up a successful international growth strategy.

Event Review: World Retail Congress 2023 - In this episode, we bring you more highlights from World Retail Congress 2023.

As the retail industry’s best and brightest gathered in Barcelona for the three-day event, we took to the stage to capture two live recordings.

Host Karl McKeever is joined by Deloitte chief global economist, Ira Kalish, and Matahari Department Store CFO, Niraj Jain. Together, we discuss the economic headwinds that the industry is facing in 2023, and how retailers can create the financial foundation to deliver resilience and growth in the months ahead.

Plus we are joined in conversation by Havaianas President EMEA, Guillaume Prou, to explore his company’s extraordinary brand journey and why investing in product innovation remains vital in the face of growing additional ‘distractions’ to the day job of retailing.

The Interview: The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. - In this episode, host Karl McKeever is joined by Ophelia Ceradini Vice President of Digital Technology and Innovation at The Estée Lauder Companies.

Artificial intelligence and augmented reality are transforming the beauty shopping experience through seamless and omnichannel experiences. In our latest of episode of The Interview Series, recorded live in the heart of New York City during NRF 2023, Ophelia explains how, using technology to offer interactive, immersive, and sustainable solutions, brands in the beauty space are creating a solid foundation to solving consumer pain points and firming up loyalty and sales.

In her role, Ophelia oversees Digital Innovation for the company’s portfolio of over 25 prestige beauty brands, where she leads consumer experience-driven innovation for all digital platforms. Ophelia was responsible for launching The Estée Lauder Companies’ first mobile platform, which established the cornerstone of the company’s mobile-first strategy.

Over the last 15 years, she has held various strategic digital and creative roles across The Estée Lauder Companies. Previously, she was the Executive Director of Production for the company’s Online division, leading the expansion of the company’s e-commerce footprint, contributing to the company’s position today as the number one e-commerce player in prestige beauty both globally and in the U.S.

Presented by Peak Technologies

Event Review - Shoptalk Europe 2023 - Ep03: in the final of our daily podcast episodes from Shoptalk Europe 2023 in Barcelona, host Karl McKeever picks his way through some of the highlights from Day Three at the event.

We hear from some of the sharpest minds in retail, at some of Europe’s leading retailers and brands, as they discuss, debate and present the solutions that are redefining thinking… in an ever-shifting landscape. Coming up on this Day Two Event Review episode, we hear from the likes of adidas, Camper, SHEIN, Rituals, and more.

Event Review - Shoptalk Europe 2023 - Ep02: in the second of our daily podcast episodes from Shoptalk Europe 2023 in Barcelona, we pick our way through some of the highlights from Day Two at the event.

Host Karl McKeever brings you highlights of what was on show (and discussed) during what was another busy day at Shoptalk Europe 2023.

We hear from some of the sharpest minds in retail, at some of Europe’s leading retailers and brands, as they discuss, debate and present the solutions that are redefining thinking… in an ever-shifting landscape. Coming up on this Day Two Event Review episode, we hear from the likes of Groupe Printemps, Mars Wrigley, BP, Kingfisher, Sprinter, Coca-Cola… and more.

Event Review - Shoptalk Europe 2023 - Ep01: In this latest episode of The Retail Exchange podcast, host Karl McKeever brings you highlights from the first day of Shoptalk Europe 2023 in Barcelona. The event promises to unite Europe’s entire retail ecosystem. And the first day did not disappoint as retail leaders and some of the industry’s leading innovators came together to discuss and debate the trends that are shaping the industry… and present solutions that are providing a glimpse into what the future of retail might look like. Coming up on this, our first of three daily Event Review episodes from the event, we hear from the likes of Danone, H&M, Holland & Barrett, John Lewis Partnership, eBay, Pull & Bear… and more.

Event Review: World Retail Congress 2023 - In this episode of The Retail Exchange podcast, host Karl McKeever brings you highlights from World Retail Congress 2023 in Barcelona, as we pick our way through some of the topics, insights and conversations that are inspiring and challenging the retail ecosystem, and that interested us the most.

The Interview: Hollister Co. - The Interview: Hollister Co. In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined by Jacee Scoular, Snr Director Brand Marketing Strategy. at Hollister Co., Gilly Hicks and Social Tourist. Recorded live in the heart of New York City during NRF 2023, Jacee joins us to discuss why authenticity must lie at the heart of the building successful brand collaborations with content creators, the growing trend for purpose-driven retail, and how brands can stay in tune with their customers by acting in a way that is not only good for shareholders, but also good for the planet and for local communities.

Presented by Peak Technologies

The Interview: IKEA - In this episode of The Interview Series, host Karl McKeever is joined by Seana Strawn, Head of Home Furnishing and Retail Design at IKEA US.

For over 20 years she has personally been designing or leading teams who design home furnishing product and retail spaces for some of the biggest names in the industry. Most recently with IKEA US, Seana Strawn leads, among other things, the omnichannel sustainability customer communication and sustainability retail visual experience as IKEA develops toward their goal of being a fully circular company by 2030.

In this episode, recorded live in the heart of New York City during NRF 2023, Seana joins us to discuss the need for retailers to place sustainability at the heart of strategic thinking, its growing influence on retail design and how, if done right at store level, the trend for resale can increase foot traffic with unique offerings, and boost customer loyalty.

Presented by Peak Technologies