The Retail Podcast

US retail just crossed $1 trillion in a single holiday season. 

First time in history.

In Episode 1 of the ITAB Group Podcast, recorded LIVE at EuroShop 2026 

from the ITAB Group stand, Alex Rezvan sits down with Jill Dvorak — 

SVP Content at the National Retail Federation (NRF) — fresh off the 

ITAB Speaker's Corner keynote.

This is the first in an exclusive series of conversations recorded with 

every keynote speaker from the ITAB Stage at EuroShop 2026 — one of 

the most concentrated collections of senior retail thinking captured 

at a single event.

00:00 — Welcome & introduction

01:30 — The K-shaped economy: 10% of earners now represent 50% of US spend

03:45 — Why US retail hit $1 trillion in holiday 2025 — and what it means

06:00 — Retail resilience: from COVID to tariffs, why the sector keeps growing

08:30 — AI in retail: why you must test with KPIs before you scale

11:00 — Where does AI live in a retail organisation? (Every department, it turns out)

13:30 — Loss prevention: the silent margin killer draining store performance

17:00 — Store formats evolving to protect margin, not just improve experience

20:30 — The one-SKU store model making a comeback

23:00 — What Jill observed shopping in Germany vs the US

26:00 — Final reflections from EuroShop 2026

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👤 ABOUT JILL DVORAK

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Jill Dvorak is SVP Content at the National Retail Federation (NRF), 

the world's largest retail trade association. She leads content strategy 

across NRF's flagship events including NRF Retail's Big Show in New York — 

the industry's most influential annual gathering.

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🎙️ ABOUT THE ITAB GROUP PODCAST

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The ITAB Group Podcast brings together the sharpest thinking in global 

retail — recorded live at the world's leading retail events from the 

ITAB stand. ITAB Group is a global leader in checkout solutions, 

consumer guidance, and loss prevention — helping retailers create 

better, more efficient store experiences worldwide.

This series captures every keynote speaker from the ITAB Speaker's 

Corner at EuroShop 2026 — the most important retail trade event in 

the world, held every three years in Düsseldorf.

🌐 ITAB Group: https://www.itab.com

💼 ITAB LinkedIn:  https://info.itab.com/video-social/euroshop-2026

💼 Alex Rezvan LinkedIn: https://www.thefutureofretailguy.com/

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#RetailPodcast #NRF #EuroShop2026 #RetailTrends #RetailInnovation 

#AIinRetail #LossPrevention #StoreFormat #RetailLeadership #ITABGroup

💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Which trend discussed today do you think will impact the industry most? Let us know in the comments below!

🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD Don't miss the next update. Click here to subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@theretailpodcast?sub_confirmation=1

ABOUT THIS CHANNEL Welcome to the official channel of The Retail Podcast, your hub for global retail intelligence.

Whether you are an executive refining your strategy, a vendor connecting with major players, or an innovator tracking the latest tech, this channel connects you to the pulse of the industry.

What to expect:

Expert Analysis: Breaking down insights from major global conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, Web Summit, MAPIC; Euroshop and EuroCIS.

Diverse Perspectives: Hosted by a rotation of industry veterans and regional experts (APAC, US, EU).

Actionable Strategy: We move beyond the headlines to discuss real ROI, digital transformation, and the future of commerce—from AI agents to luxury fashion and grocery trends.

As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, we help you cut through the noise to find what actually works in modern retail.

🌐 GET MORE INSIGHTS Visit our knowledge hub: https://retailnews.ai/

📲 CONNECT WITH US

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-retail-podcast/

Contact: [email protected]

#RetailTrends #APACRetail #AIinRetail #FiveThingsFriday #TheRetailPodcast  #thefutureofretailguy

Retail is changing fast, and store formats are evolving even through crisis. In this episode of the Retail podcast, Alex sits down with Matthew from Echo Chamber to unpack what the best physical stores in the world are doing differently right now.

Drawing on nearly three decades of studying retail, Matthew explains why the top end of physical retail keeps getting more immersive, more inspiring, and more operationally sophisticated. The conversation spans global retail hotspots including Seoul, Bangkok, Madrid, Melbourne, Dublin, and New York, and explores how beauty, fashion, food, and department-store concepts are all pushing the in-store experience forward.

This episode covers:

why Asia is leading retail innovation

why Madrid is emerging as a standout city for new retail formats

how value brands are creating premium-looking experiences

why flagship stores need more than product to win

what brands can learn from MECCA, Donnybrook Fair, Lefties, Hoff, and a new concept department store in New York

why the “push for posh” is forcing the mid-market to evolve or disappear

If you care about store design, customer experience, retail strategy, and the future of physical retail, this conversation is packed with ideas worth stealing.

Featured in this episode: Echo Chamber, global retail trends, flagship strategy, immersive store design, store format innovation, Madrid retail, beauty retail, food retail, department store reinvention.

Chapter timestamps

00:00 Cold open: Zara Serrano almost makes the list

00:00:22 Why store formats are changing globally

00:01:25 Meet Matthew from Echo Chamber

00:02:18 Where store formats are heading now

00:03:07 Why retail keeps getting more immersive

00:03:29 Asia, Seoul, Bangkok, and Madrid as innovation hubs

00:05:34 MECCA Melbourne and the modern beauty flagship

00:07:09 Donnybrook Fair and food retail done right

00:08:30 Lefties Madrid and the “push for posh”

00:10:20 Why premium value is crushing the mid-market

00:11:11 Hoff Madrid and building retail around culture and community

00:14:12 New York’s concept department store experiment

00:15:45 Does experiential retail actually convert?

💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Which trend discussed today do you think will impact the industry most? Let us know in the comments below!

🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD Don't miss the next update. Click here to subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@theretailpodcast?sub_confirmation=1

ABOUT THIS CHANNEL Welcome to the official channel of The Retail Podcast, your hub for global retail intelligence.

Whether you are an executive refining your strategy, a vendor connecting with major players, or an innovator tracking the latest tech, this channel connects you to the pulse of the industry.

What to expect:

Expert Analysis: Breaking down insights from major global conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, Web Summit, MAPIC; Euroshop and EuroCIS.

Diverse Perspectives: Hosted by a rotation of industry veterans and regional experts (APAC, US, EU).

Actionable Strategy: We move beyond the headlines to discuss real ROI, digital transformation, and the future of commerce—from AI agents to luxury fashion and grocery trends.

As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, we help you cut through the noise to find what actually works in modern retail.

🌐 GET MORE INSIGHTS Visit our knowledge hub: https://retailnews.ai/

📲 CONNECT WITH US

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-retail-podcast/

Contact: [email protected]

#RetailTrends #APACRetail #AIinRetail #FiveThingsFriday #TheRetailPodcast  #thefutureofretailguy

World Retail Signals is a new global retail intelligence show co-produced by 
The Retail Podcast and World Retail Congress — a monthly look at the top retail 
narratives shaping executive thinking around the world.

This prelude episode goes behind the scenes of World Retail Congress 2026, 
happening in Berlin, April 2026. Host Alex Rezvan is joined by Ian McGarrigle, 
founder and chair of World Retail Congress, to discuss:

→ Why Berlin was chosen as the 2026 host city (and what Zalando has to do with it)
→ The theme for WRC 2026: Retail's Roadmap to 2030
→ How retail has shown extraordinary resilience across 20 years — financial 
   crash, e-commerce disruption, Covid, and now AI
→ What aspiring retail executives will take from the Congress
→ The short-term vs long-term pressures facing retail CEOs right now
→ Why geopolitics, inflation, and technology are converging in 2026

⏱️ CHAPTERS
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00:00 Introducing World Retail Signals
01:30 Who is Ian McGarrigle?
03:20 The origin story of World Retail Congress
06:10 20 years of retail: resilience as the constant
09:45 Why Berlin for WRC 2026?
13:00 What young retail executives will gain from the Congress
17:30 WRC's Accelerator Programme for rising leaders
20:45 Retail's Roadmap to 2030 — the theme for this year
24:30 What CEOs will leave Berlin thinking about
27:00 Preview of World Retail Signals weekly show
🗓️ World Retail Congress 2026 | Berlin | April 2026

https://www.worldretailcongress.com/

💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Which trend discussed today do you think will impact the industry most? Let us know in the comments below!

🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD Don't miss the next update. Click here to subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@theretailpodcast?sub_confirmation=1

ABOUT THIS CHANNEL Welcome to the official channel of The Retail Podcast, your hub for global retail intelligence.

Whether you are an executive refining your strategy, a vendor connecting with major players, or an innovator tracking the latest tech, this channel connects you to the pulse of the industry.

What to expect:

Expert Analysis: Breaking down insights from major global conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, Web Summit, MAPIC; Euroshop and EuroCIS.

Diverse Perspectives: Hosted by a rotation of industry veterans and regional experts (APAC, US, EU).

Actionable Strategy: We move beyond the headlines to discuss real ROI, digital transformation, and the future of commerce—from AI agents to luxury fashion and grocery trends.

As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, we help you cut through the noise to find what actually works in modern retail.

🌐 GET MORE INSIGHTS Visit our knowledge hub: https://retailnews.ai/

📲 CONNECT WITH US

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-retail-podcast/

Contact: [email protected]

#RetailTrends #APACRetail #AIinRetail #FiveThingsFriday #TheRetailPodcast  #thefutureofretailguy

is week’s 5 Things Friday is a fast, solo rundown of the biggest stories shaping UK retail right now.

With a lot happening across the market, this episode covers five standout updates: JD.com launching Joybuy in the UK, Amazon facing fresh competition, Alexa+ and Amazon’s next AI push, Tesco increasing pay for frontline store colleagues, The Perfume Shop expanding its beauty recycling and refill push, and Greggs sponsoring the UK edition of Saturday Night Live with a free sausage roll activation in London.

In this episode:

 • JD.com expands Joybuy across the UK and other European markets

 • What it could mean for Amazon and last-mile delivery

 • Alexa+ and Amazon’s latest smart assistant upgrade

 • Tesco raises pay for hourly-paid store workers

 • The Perfume Shop pushes refillable products and empty bottle returns

 • Greggs leans further into culture-led brand marketing

This is a quick, opinion-led snapshot of the retail stories worth watching now.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:00:48 JD.com launches Joybuy in the UK

00:02:59 Amazon upgrades Alexa with Alexa+

00:04:05 Tesco increases frontline worker pay

00:04:39 The Perfume Shop expands beauty recycling and refill

00:05:27 Greggs sponsors Saturday Night Live UK activation

00:06:11 Wrap-up and next week’s schedule

#UKRetail #RetailNews #Amazon #JDcom #Joybuy #Tesco #Greggs #AlexaPlus #ThePerfumeShop #RetailTrends

💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Which trend discussed today do you think will impact the industry most? Let us know in the comments below!

🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD Don't miss the next update. Click here to subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@theretailpodcast?sub_confirmation=1

ABOUT THIS CHANNEL Welcome to the official channel of The Retail Podcast, your hub for global retail intelligence.

Whether you are an executive refining your strategy, a vendor connecting with major players, or an innovator tracking the latest tech, this channel connects you to the pulse of the industry.

What to expect:

Expert Analysis: Breaking down insights from major global conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, Web Summit, MAPIC; Euroshop and EuroCIS.

Diverse Perspectives: Hosted by a rotation of industry veterans and regional experts (APAC, US, EU).

Actionable Strategy: We move beyond the headlines to discuss real ROI, digital transformation, and the future of commerce—from AI agents to luxury fashion and grocery trends.

As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, we help you cut through the noise to find what actually works in modern retail.

🌐 GET MORE INSIGHTS Visit our knowledge hub: https://retailnews.ai/

📲 CONNECT WITH US

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-retail-podcast/

Contact: [email protected]

#RetailTrends #APACRetail #AIinRetail #FiveThingsFriday #TheRetailPodcast  #thefutureofretailguy

In this episode of Five Things Friday US Edition, we break down five retail and commerce stories shaping the week.

We cover Target’s $6 billion turnaround push, including store refits, price cuts, and a bigger AI focus; Amazon’s expanded one- to three-hour delivery rollout across more cities and suburbs; and OpenAI’s pivot away from direct in-app checkout toward partner-led commerce rails.

We also get into Clinique’s campaign featuring Tara and Hunter Woodhall, and why the brand’s social approach feels aligned with its identity, plus Nuuds’ wholesale expansion into Nordstrom and what it says about DTC brands, physical retail, repeat customers, and distribution strategy.

If you follow retail news, ecommerce strategy, AI in commerce, consumer trends, brand marketing, and omnichannel growth, this episode gives you a fast, useful read on what matters now.

Topics in this episode:
Target turnaround strategy
AI in retail
Amazon fast delivery expansion
OpenAI checkout pivot
Clinique brand marketing
Nuuds x Nordstrom
DTC to wholesale
Retail customer acquisition and repeat purchase behavior

00:00 Intro: Five Things Friday US Edition
00:36 Target’s $6B turnaround push: AI, price cuts, and store refits
02:26 Amazon expands one- to three-hour delivery
04:04 OpenAI shifts checkout toward partners
05:24 Clinique’s campaign with Tara and Hunter Woodhall
07:49 Nuuds expands into Nordstrom
10:14 Outro

Links mentioned in the episode are below.
Target AI / turnaround story
https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/target-puts-ai-at-the-center-of-its-6b-turnaround-push-7096604/
Amazon fast delivery expansion
https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/retail/amazon-fast-delivery-orders
OpenAI checkout / commerce pivot
https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2026/03/06/openai-shifts-checkout-plans-agentic-commerce-strategy/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Tara
https://www.instagram.com/_taarra_/
Nuuds
https://www.instagram.com/nuuds/reels/
https://www.glossy.co/

💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Which trend discussed today do you think will impact the industry most? Let us know in the comments below!

🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD Don't miss the next update. Click here to subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@theretailpodcast?sub_confirmation=1

ABOUT THIS CHANNEL Welcome to the official channel of The Retail Podcast, your hub for global retail intelligence.

Whether you are an executive refining your strategy, a vendor connecting with major players, or an innovator tracking the latest tech, this channel connects you to the pulse of the industry.

What to expect:

Expert Analysis: Breaking down insights from major global conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, Web Summit, MAPIC; Euroshop and EuroCIS.

Diverse Perspectives: Hosted by a rotation of industry veterans and regional experts (APAC, US, EU).

Actionable Strategy: We move beyond the headlines to discuss real ROI, digital transformation, and the future of commerce—from AI agents to luxury fashion and grocery trends.

As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, we help you cut through the noise to find what actually works in modern retail.

🌐 GET MORE INSIGHTS Visit our knowledge hub: https://retailnews.ai/

📲 CONNECT WITH US

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-retail-podcast/

Contact: [email protected]

#RetailTrends #APACRetail #AIinRetail #FiveThingsFriday #TheRetailPodcast  #thefutureofretailguy

Edition of Five Things Friday, Ryf Quail and Yuen Low, Managing Director, AEON360, break down five retail developments shaping Asia right now.This episode covers:Baby Bunting’s store-of-the-future turnaroundWhy frontline retail roles are being redesignedIndia’s accelerating retail growth storyHow Ramadan and Eid are being shaped by food and hospitalityWhy AI literacy is becoming essential in retailOne of the biggest takeaways from this conversation: retail leaders need to stop thinking about frontline teams only as a labor cost and start designing roles that improve conversion, basket size, loyalty, and customer experience.The episode also looks at how store design can deliver measurable payback, why India feels like one of the most exciting retail markets in the world right now, and how festive spending is shifting toward broader lifestyle and hospitality-led experiences.If you work in retail strategy, store operations, customer experience, merchandising, or digital commerce across Asia-Pacific, this episode gives you a sharp snapshot of where the market is moving.Chapters00:00 Intro00:00:46 Top five things moving the needle in Asia00:01:05 Baby Bunting’s store-of-the-future concept00:03:34 The payoff: sales lift, margin, basket growth, payback00:05:18 Why frontline retail roles are changing00:07:17 Experience-led service and hospitality examples00:08:12 Tech-enabled frontline efficiency00:08:31 Hiring for personality, recommendations, and insight00:09:18 Why India’s retail market is surging00:12:48 Ramadan, Eid, and hospitality-led festive spending00:14:27 When Eid and Lunar New Year begin to converge00:15:02 Retail AI glossary and final thoughtsComment below: what’s the biggest retail shift you’re seeing in your market right now?💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Which trend discussed today do you think will impact the industry most? Let us know in the comments below!🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD Don't miss the next update. Click here to subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@theretailpodcast?sub_confirmation=1ABOUT THIS CHANNEL Welcome to the official channel of The Retail Podcast, your hub for global retail intelligence.Whether you are an executive refining your strategy, a vendor connecting with major players, or an innovator tracking the latest tech, this channel connects you to the pulse of the industry.What to expect:Expert Analysis: Breaking down insights from major global conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, Web Summit, MAPIC; Euroshop and EuroCIS.Diverse Perspectives: Hosted by a rotation of industry veterans and regional experts (APAC, US, EU).Actionable Strategy: We move beyond the headlines to discuss real ROI, digital transformation, and the future of commerce—from AI agents to luxury fashion and grocery trends.As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, we help you cut through the noise to find what actually works in modern retail.🌐 GET MORE INSIGHTS Visit our knowledge hub: https://retailnews.ai/📲 CONNECT WITH USLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-retail-podcast/Contact: [email protected]#RetailTrends #APACRetail #AIinRetail #FiveThingsFriday #TheRetailPodcast #thefutureofretailguy

In this episode of The Retail Podcast, we sit down with Gauri Sarma, Founder of Be Athletica, to unpack how she’s building a sportswear brand

ABOUT THIS CHANNEL Welcome to the official channel of The Retail Podcast, your hub for global retail intelligence.

Whether you are an executive refining your strategy, a vendor connecting with major players, or an innovator tracking the latest tech, this channel connects you to the pulse of the industry.

What to expect:

Expert Analysis: Breaking down insights from major global conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, Web Summit, MAPIC; Euroshop and EuroCIS.

Diverse Perspectives: Hosted by a rotation of industry veterans and regional experts (APAC, US, EU).

Actionable Strategy: We move beyond the headlines to discuss real ROI, digital transformation, and the future of commerce—from AI agents to luxury fashion and grocery trends.

As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, we help you cut through the noise to find what actually works in modern retail.

🌐 GET MORE INSIGHTS Visit our knowledge hub: https://retailnews.ai/

📲 CONNECT WITH US

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-retail-podcast/

Contact: [email protected]

#RetailTrends #APACRetail #AIinRetail #FiveThingsFriday #TheRetailPodcast  #thefutureofretailguy

Welcome to Five Things Friday – USA Edition.

Each week we break down the most important signals shaping retail in the United States in under 15 minutes.

This week Jill Dvorak joins the conversation to unpack major shifts across AI commerce, value retail expansion, festival marketing, celebrity entrepreneurship, and global brand strategy.

In this episode we discuss:

• ChatGPT pausing “agentic commerce” and what it means for retailers

• Why off-price retailers like Ross, TJX and Burlington are expanding rapidly

• Primark’s US growth strategy and the rise of value retail

• How brands like PacSun are using festival culture to reach Gen Z

• Paris Hilton’s 11:11 Media initiative supporting women entrepreneurs

• Uniqlo’s community-driven retail strategy, from Formula 1 collaborations to local cultural partnerships

The conversation explores how retailers are navigating AI disruption, shifting store formats, experiential marketing, and new consumer behaviors.

About the Show

Five Things Friday is a fast-paced retail briefing highlighting the five biggest retail developments each week.

Hosted conversations focus on retail innovation, consumer trends, ecommerce, AI, logistics and brand strategy.

Key Retail Topics Covered

AI shopping and agentic commerce

Off-price retail growth in the US

Primark US expansion strategy

Festival marketing and Gen Z retail engagement

Celebrity entrepreneurship and retail funding

Uniqlo collaborations and community retail

Chapters

00:00 Introduction – Five Things Friday USA

00:00 Jill Dvorak returns to the show

00:00 ChatGPT pauses agentic commerce and AI shopping

00:01 Why AI commerce is difficult to scale

00:02 Why retailers benefit from the pause

00:02 AI glossary for retail leaders

00:03 Off-price retail expansion in the US

00:03 Ross planning 110 new stores

00:04 TJX, Burlington and BJ’s growth strategy

00:04 Smaller store formats replacing mall anchors

00:04 Primark expanding across the US

00:05 Festival season and brand marketing

00:06 PacSun’s strategy at music festivals

00:07 Building brand relevance with Gen Z

00:08 Paris Hilton supporting women entrepreneurs

00:09 Retail initiatives through 11:11 Media

00:10 Uniqlo collaborations with Disney and Formula 1

00:10 Uniqlo’s New York community partnerships

00:11 Why Uniqlo balances staples and culture

00:11 Episode wrap-up and closing

💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Which trend discussed today do you think will impact the industry most? Let us know in the comments below!

🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD Don't miss the next update. Click here to subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@theretailpodcast?sub_confirmation=1

ABOUT THIS CHANNEL Welcome to the official channel of The Retail Podcast, your hub for global retail intelligence.

Whether you are an executive refining your strategy, a vendor connecting with major players, or an innovator tracking the latest tech, this channel connects you to the pulse of the industry.

What to expect:

Expert Analysis: Breaking down insights from major global conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, Web Summit, MAPIC; Euroshop and EuroCIS.

Diverse Perspectives: Hosted by a rotation of industry veterans and regional experts (APAC, US, EU).

Actionable Strategy: We move beyond the headlines to discuss real ROI, digital transformation, and the future of commerce—from AI agents to luxury fashion and grocery trends.

As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, we help you cut through the noise to find what actually works in modern retail.

🌐 GET MORE INSIGHTS Visit our knowledge hub: https://retailnews.ai/

📲 CONNECT WITH US

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-retail-podcast/

Contact: [email protected]

#RetailTrends #APACRetail #AIinRetail #FiveThingsFriday #TheRetailPodcast  #thefutureofretailguy

It’s Friday 13 March, and this week’s Five Things Friday UK Edition breaks down the retail stories worth watching right now.

In this episode, we cover:

Links mentioned

SHEIN Xcelerator – https://sheinxcelerator.com/

John Lewis TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@johnlewis/video/7614188535574285590

John Lewis TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@johnlewis/video/7614188535574285590

Otiumberg Reels – https://www.instagram.com/otiumberg/reels/

Footasylum at Silverburn – https://www.shopsilverburn.com/shop/footasylum/

Asda George concept rollout – https://corporate.asda.com/newsroom/2026/26/02/asda-kicks-off-10-store-george-concept-rollout-with-peterborough-relaunch

Whole Foods new store openings – https://www.wholefoodsmarket.co.uk/newstoreopenings

Waitrose Haslemere transformation – https://www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/media-centre/latest-news/2026/23868

Exploring London TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@exploringlondon/video/7616363419817495830

What gets discussed

SHEIN Xcelerator is positioned as a platform giving brands access to SHEIN’s supply chain, logistics, fulfillment, and direct customer reach. The episode frames the opportunity clearly, but also asks the harder question: does speed and scale outweigh the reputational trade-off?

John Lewis is discussed through the lens of AI-powered shopping and social commerce, while Waitrose is highlighted for its multi-million-pound Haslemere transformation, including upgraded service counters, redesign work, and bakery improvements.

The episode also touches Otiumberg’s in-person retail play, Footasylum’s Silverburn presence, George at Asda concept expansion, Whole Foods’ London growth, and Tesco Mobile’s “frozen” Clubcard-price-themed froyo activation. Footasylum is listed at Silverburn Glasgow, and Whole Foods UK is actively promoting new store openings.

Chapters

00:00 Intro: Friday the 13th and opening banter

00:01 Meet Simone Oloman and Need It For Tonight

00:02 SHEIN Xcelerator and the supply chain debate

00:05 John Lewis, AI shopping and TikTok beauty

00:06 Otiumberg’s physical retail move

00:07 Footasylum, giant store formats and shopping centres

00:07 George at Asda concept stores

00:08 Whole Foods opening six new London stores

00:09 Waitrose store transformation and bakery growth

00:10 Tesco Mobile froyo pop-up at King’s Cross

00:11 Wrapping up and next week in Brussels

#Retail #UKRetail #JohnLewis #SHEIN #WholeFoods #Asda #Footasylum #TescoMobile #RetailNews #RetailStrategy #StoreFormats #SocialCommerce #AIShopping #Logistics #Ecommerce

💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Which trend discussed today do you think will impact the industry most? Let us know in the comments below!

🔔 SUBSCRIBE TO STAY AHEAD Don't miss the next update. Click here to subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@theretailpodcast?sub_confirmation=1

ABOUT THIS CHANNEL Welcome to the official channel of The Retail Podcast, your hub for global retail intelligence.

Whether you are an executive refining your strategy, a vendor connecting with major players, or an innovator tracking the latest tech, this channel connects you to the pulse of the industry.

What to expect:

Expert Analysis: Breaking down insights from major global conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, Web Summit, MAPIC; Euroshop and EuroCIS.

Diverse Perspectives: Hosted by a rotation of industry veterans and regional experts (APAC, US, EU).

Actionable Strategy: We move beyond the headlines to discuss real ROI, digital transformation, and the future of commerce—from AI agents to luxury fashion and grocery trends.

As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, we help you cut through the noise to find what actually works in modern retail.

🌐 GET MORE INSIGHTS Visit our knowledge hub: https://retailnews.ai/

📲 CONNECT WITH US

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-retail-podcast/

Contact: [email protected]

#RetailTrends #APACRetail #AIinRetail #FiveThingsFriday #TheRetailPodcast  #thefutureofretailguy

Recorded live from the show floor at EuroShop, this episode features Vahan Vardanian, Founder and CEO of Kerpak, demonstrating an AI-powered autonomous retail platform that can transform almost any cabinet, fridge, freezer, or kiosk into a 24/7 unattended store.

The idea behind autonomous retail is simple:

take the store to where the customer already is.

For years retailers focused on getting customers into stores. But with AI-powered retail infrastructure, brands can now place products exactly where they are needed.

In this quick demo, Kerpak shows how a customer can:

• Tap a bank card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay

• Open a smart retail cabinet

• Take the products they want

• Close the door and walk away

Computer vision AI detects what was taken and processes the purchase automatically.

The system uses NVIDIA GPU-powered edge processing, meaning product detection happens directly on the device, ensuring real-time performance and GDPR compliance.

This technology enables retailers and brands to deploy stores anywhere customers need them.

About the Guest

Vahan Vardanian is Founder and CEO of Kerpak, a company developing autonomous retail infrastructure powered by computer vision and edge AI.

💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Which trend discussed today do you think will impact the industry most? Let us know in the comments below!

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