This year, NRF is turning the dial up on everything: AI, interactivity, speakers and scaling a 40,000‑person global audience.

In this episode, I sit down with Jill from NRF to unpack how the team is bringing the 2026 global theme “The Next Now” to life at the Big Show in the US – and why this could be one of the strongest speaker lineups yet.

We dig into how what’s next is already here for retail – from AI‑driven shopping journeys to a new generation of talent that expects to participate in content rather than sit through one‑to‑many lectures. Jill shares how NRF has re‑engineered parts of the show to serve that next generation without losing what long‑time attendees love.

🌐 Visit Retail News.AI, your premium destination for the most relevant, cutting-edge information in the retail sector: https://retailnews.ai/

💬 Which of these trends do you think will shape the future of retail the most — and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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If you are struggling to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry, looking for insights from major conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, and EuroCIS, or aiming to connect your digital funnels to physical events with measurable ROI, this channel is designed for you.

Here you will discover exclusive interviews with executives and innovators, coverage of global retail conferences, analysis of technology and AI trends, in-depth explorations of fashion, grocery, luxury, and eCommerce, and thought leadership that keeps your strategy relevant all year long. As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, this channel does more than report the news—it shapes the conversation on the future of retail.

*Subscribe now and activate notifications so you never miss the strategies, stories, and signals defining tomorrow’s retail.*

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00:00:35 – Welcoming Jill back & post‑Thanksgiving catch‑up

00:00:56 – Why the show happens after Christmas & representing retailers

00:01:17 – Why this year’s speaker lineup feels different

00:01:37 – Theme “The Next Now” and the 2026 global framing

00:01:58 – One global theme, local flavors & 100+ countries at the Big Show

00:02:18 – AI, generative shopping engines & hockey‑stick tech change

00:02:40 – Next‑gen retail talent replacing the old guard

00:03:03 – What younger audiences want: conversation, not lectures

00:03:22 – Designing content for the up‑and‑coming generation

00:03:44 – Host reflection: last year’s opener & new‑world expectations

00:04:14 – The challenge of serving 4–5,000 people in one room

00:04:35 – You can’t please everyone, but you can make them learn

00:04:55 – What’s new #1: the dedicated AI Stage in the River Pavilion

00:05:17 – General AI vs generative AI content & expert roundtables

00:05:41 – Where to find the AI Stage & the innovation area layout

00:06:03 – What’s new #2: speaker Q&A stage outside the keynotes

00:06:30 – How post‑session Q&A works (panels, solo speakers & timings)

00:06:44 – What’s new #3: live voting, questions and audience interaction

00:07:08 – Tablets, in‑room ratings & experimenting at 40,000‑person scale

00:07:28 – Attendance goals: 40,000+ people and 100+ countries

00:07:50 – Economic uncertainty, visas & global demand

00:08:09 – Flagship events in Singapore and Paris, and 15 years as a punter

00:08:26 – Overflow rooms, headphones and why early arrival matters

00:08:50 – Out of space since the North Hall opened (good problem, still hard)

00:09:15 – Last year’s format: retailers, tech and learning from failure

00:09:48 – The “they’re all my babies” problem: picking standout sessions

00:10:09 – Opening tradition: board chair interview & the 107th show

00:16:54 – 14 years of conversations and “see you in 38 days”

In this episode, recorded at MAPIC in Cannes, we sit down with Shane Eldstrom, CEO of United Developers, the company behind Place Vendôme in Qatar – a project that has already become the #3 shopping centre for high-end fashion in the entire Middle East, just a few years after opening.

Shane breaks down what makes Qatar’s retail market so distinctive, how Place Vendôme has scaled from opening to regional leader, and what international brands need to know before entering the Middle East.

🌐 Visit Retail News.AI, your premium destination for the most relevant, cutting-edge information in the retail sector: https://retailnews.ai/

💬 Which of these trends do you think will shape the future of retail the most — and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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If you are struggling to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry, looking for insights from major conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, and EuroCIS, or aiming to connect your digital funnels to physical events with measurable ROI, this channel is designed for you.

Here you will discover exclusive interviews with executives and innovators, coverage of global retail conferences, analysis of technology and AI trends, in-depth explorations of fashion, grocery, luxury, and eCommerce, and thought leadership that keeps your strategy relevant all year long. As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, this channel does more than report the news—it shapes the conversation on the future of retail.

*Subscribe now and activate notifications so you never miss the strategies, stories, and signals defining tomorrow’s retail.*

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00:19 – Welcome from MAPIC Cannes & intro to Shane Eldstrom

00:44 – Who are United Developers & what is Place Vendôme, Qatar?

01:11 – Why MAPIC? Learnings, innovation & global retail connections

01:41 – Is the Middle East one market? Busting the “single region” myth

01:59 – Qatar’s demographics, Doha, and World Cup–driven infrastructure

02:25 – Local luxury demand and what makes Qatar’s shoppers unique

02:42 – Opening on 15 April 2022 & Place Vendôme’s growth story

02:59 – Thinking of entering Qatar? What retailers should consider

03:35 – New ownership laws & direct entry for international brands

03:56 – The future of retail at Place Vendôme: service, authenticity, sustainability

04:35 – VIP lounge, social-media-powered styling & curated experiences

05:12 – Where to find more info on United Developers & Place Vendôme

Black Friday isn’t a day anymore. Singles’ Day now stretches across weeks. Quick commerce promises groceries in 15–30 minutes. In this APAC edition of Five Things Friday, co‑hosts Ngai Yuen Low & Ryf Quail break down how peak season is changing across China, Southeast Asia, Australia and Japan – and what it really means for consumers, retailers and retail property.

Joining from WP. Kuala Lumpur and the Greater Sydney Area, Ngai Yuen and Ryf compare how Singles’ Day has turned into a multi‑week promotion machine, why Black Friday lands very differently in Singapore vs Malaysia, and how Australia now treats November as a long sprint into Christmas.

🌐 Visit Retail News.AI, your premium destination for the most relevant, cutting-edge information in the retail sector: https://retailnews.ai/

💬 Which of these trends do you think will shape the future of retail the most — and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

✅ Subscribe now and never miss a new episode of The Retail Podcast.

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If you are struggling to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry, looking for insights from major conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, and EuroCIS, or aiming to connect your digital funnels to physical events with measurable ROI, this channel is designed for you.

Here you will discover exclusive interviews with executives and innovators, coverage of global retail conferences, analysis of technology and AI trends, in-depth explorations of fashion, grocery, luxury, and eCommerce, and thought leadership that keeps your strategy relevant all year long. As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, this channel does more than report the news—it shapes the conversation on the future of retail.

*Subscribe now and activate notifications so you never miss the strategies, stories, and signals defining tomorrow’s retail.*

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Recorded live at MAPIC 2025 in Cannes, this episode features a rare deep-dive with Ian Sandford, President of Eurofund Group, one of Europe’s most influential retail property operators. With more than €2B in assets across Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany and the UK, Eurofund sits at the centre of the sector’s biggest shifts.

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If you are struggling to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry, looking for insights from major conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, and EuroCIS, or aiming to connect your digital funnels to physical events with measurable ROI, this channel is designed for you.

Here you will discover exclusive interviews with executives and innovators, coverage of global retail conferences, analysis of technology and AI trends, in-depth explorations of fashion, grocery, luxury, and eCommerce, and thought leadership that keeps your strategy relevant all year long. As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, this channel does more than report the news—it shapes the conversation on the future of retail.

*Subscribe now and activate notifications so you never miss the strategies, stories, and signals defining tomorrow’s retail.*

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Black Friday isn’t a day anymore. It’s a month-long pressure cooker – and it’s forcing retailers to rethink everything from promotions to product pages.

Correction note: In the episode I mention a jumper with 7% wool – the actual composition was 8% wool.

Why Black Friday has morphed into “Black Month” – and what that constant promo pressure does to margins, teams and customer expectations

How John Lewis is investing £800m to turn “stuffy department store” into experiential destination, complete with VIP member lounges that feel more like British Airways than traditional retail

The power of personal styling: a live story from a first-ever styling session at Aubin, and why curated outfits create genuine “dopamine dressing” moments for time-poor professionals

What luxury players like Joseph really want from tech and AI: tools that free staff to serve customers, not replace them

How AI is fast becoming your second customer – from ChatGPT’s personal shopping and gift guides to the need for product pages that go beyond specs and capture story, emotion and use-case

Why the next generation won’t “Google it”, they’ll ChatGPT it – and what that means for search, content and retail strategy

If you work in retail, ecommerce, CX, merchandising or digital, you’re already living these tensions: discount pressure, demand for experience, and the rise of AI-driven discovery.

This episode gives you a sharp, 13‑minute snapshot of where those trends are heading – and how brands like John Lewis, Aubin, Joseph, Tumi and M&S are shaping the next chapter.

🌐 Visit Retail News.AI, your premium destination for the most relevant, cutting-edge information in the retail sector: https://retailnews.ai/

💬 Which of these trends do you think will shape the future of retail the most — and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

✅ Subscribe now and never miss a new episode of The Retail Podcast.

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*Welcome to the official YouTube channel of THE RETAIL PODCAST, the leading community for global retail leaders, innovators, and changemakers.*

If you are struggling to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry, looking for insights from major conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, and EuroCIS, or aiming to connect your digital funnels to physical events with measurable ROI, this channel is designed for you.

Here you will discover exclusive interviews with executives and innovators, coverage of global retail conferences, analysis of technology and AI trends, in-depth explorations of fashion, grocery, luxury, and eCommerce, and thought leadership that keeps your strategy relevant all year long. As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, this channel does more than report the news—it shapes the conversation on the future of retail.

*Subscribe now and activate notifications so you never miss the strategies, stories, and signals defining tomorrow’s retail.*

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0:22 – Meet Simone and Matt (“Mr Retail”)

0:39 – Inbox meltdown: Black Friday offers everywhere

1:24 – “Black Month”: brand pressure and promo fatigue

2:05 – Ecommerce spikes, supply chain strain & Cyber Monday

3:03 – John Lewis obsession & the £800m store revamp

3:23 – VIP member lounge: borrowing from airline loyalty

3:48 – From stuffy department store to experiential retail hub

4:36 – Collabs (Topshop, Carhartt) & shifting demographics

4:53 – A personal styling story: first ever styling session

5:18 – Aubin, Scottish wool & dressing for NRF

5:50 – Dopamine dressing: moving beyond “blue, blue, blue”

6:35 – The stigma around personal shopping & who it’s “for”

6:57 – Democratizing styling: bringing personal shopping to everyone

7:45 – Quality vs price: fabric, longevity and cost-per-wear

9:13 – Inside Joseph: luxury retail, tech and AI in-store

9:34 – Use AI to free staff, not replace staff

11:05 – ChatGPT launches personal shopping & gift guides

11:34 – Two customers: the human and the machine

12:02 – Product pages for AI search: from specs to story

12:25 – Gen Z, AI search and the future of retail discovery

13:02 – Wrap-up & teaser for next week

Five Things Friday UK delivers another rapid-fire breakdown of the biggest moves in retail.

In this episode, Simon and Alex unpack a week defined by reinvention, cultural relevance, and bold expansion plays.

Clarks is rewriting its story through Cloudsteppers concept stores, clothing, accessories, and a new marketplace model. Rituals has opened one of the most impressive experiential stores on Oxford Street, complete with its Mind Oasis and immersive sound-therapy treatments. The kidswear category heats up as Swedish and Asian brands expand into the UK and Europe. Victoria’s Secret tries to rebuild its global identity with body-positive positioning. And Skims secures a $225M funding round, lifting the brand to a $5B valuation and signalling a wider shift in the apparel landscape.

Alex also explores the rise of sustainability-led jewellery brands and the power of transparency, lab-grown diamonds, and renewable energy supply chains.

🌐 Visit Retail News.AI, your premium destination for the most relevant, cutting-edge information in the retail sector: https://retailnews.ai/

💬 Which of these trends do you think will shape the future of retail the most — and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

✅ Subscribe now and never miss a new episode of The Retail Podcast.

If you are struggling to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry, looking for insights from major conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, and EuroCIS, or aiming to connect your digital funnels to physical events with measurable ROI, this channel is designed for you.

Here you will discover exclusive interviews with executives and innovators, coverage of global retail conferences, analysis of technology and AI trends, in-depth explorations of fashion, grocery, luxury, and eCommerce, and thought leadership that keeps your strategy relevant all year long. As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, this channel does more than report the news—it shapes the conversation on the future of retail.

*Subscribe now and activate notifications so you never miss the strategies, stories, and signals defining tomorrow’s retail.*

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Julia Paulsen, Director of Ecommerce Nordics at Elkjøp Nordic (part of Currys plc), unpacks how to win when your store has two customers: the human and the AI assistant. We cover data quality, MACH, omnichannel execution, and the culture that turns OKRs into commercial outcomes.

🌐 Visit Retail News.AI, your premium destination for the most relevant, cutting-edge information in the retail sector: https://retailnews.ai/

💬 Which of these trends do you think will shape the future of retail the most — and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

✅ Subscribe now and never miss a new episode of The Retail Podcast.

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If you are struggling to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry, looking for insights from major conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, and EuroCIS, or aiming to connect your digital funnels to physical events with measurable ROI, this channel is designed for you.

Here you will discover exclusive interviews with executives and innovators, coverage of global retail conferences, analysis of technology and AI trends, in-depth explorations of fashion, grocery, luxury, and eCommerce, and thought leadership that keeps your strategy relevant all year long. As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, this channel does more than report the news—it shapes the conversation on the future of retail.

*Subscribe now and activate notifications so you never miss the strategies, stories, and signals defining tomorrow’s retail.*

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Coupang is finally profitable. China’s KKR Group is redefining offline lifestyle retail. APAC’s consumer landscape is shifting fast.

In this Five Things Friday — APAC Edition, Ryf Quail and Low Ngai Yuen unpack:

A essential briefing for leaders in retail, eCommerce, CX, marketplaces, supply chain, and omnichannel strategy.

​⁠ @RitualsCosmeticsGlobal ⁠ has opened its newest flagship at 297 Oxford Street, London. And it’s unlike anything the brand has built before.

• Annemarie Forsyth — Managing Director UK & Ireland

Together, they reveal the design philosophy, customer-experience thinking, community strategy and the technology mindset that shaped this extraordinary store.

You’ll hear the story behind removing an entire floor to create a soaring atrium, how the Water Island anchors the brand experience, why the Mind Oasis is already fully booked for days, and how Rituals views the next five years of retail through wellbeing, community, and immersive physical spaces.

If you're in London, Rituals Oxford Street opens today.

🌐 Visit Retail News.AI, your premium destination for the most relevant, cutting-edge information in the retail sector: https://retailnews.ai/

💬 Which of these trends do you think will shape the future of retail the most — and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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If you are struggling to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry, looking for insights from major conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, and EuroCIS, or aiming to connect your digital funnels to physical events with measurable ROI, this channel is designed for you.

➡️ Hosted by Alex Rezvan and joined by some of the most respected voices in the sector, The Retail Podcast brings sharp, actionable insights from industry veterans with backgrounds at Microsoft and Verizon, where projects worth over $1.5 billion were directed. Our mission is to help retailers and businesses that sell to retailers anticipate change, embrace technology, and unlock new growth opportunities.

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Retail is back in force. Alex reports from Cannes at MAPIC on why capital is returning to physical retail. Simone unpacks the new John Lewis Christmas advert and how sentiment sells. We cover CBRE’s data, MINISO’s Bond Street bet, retail parks’ quiet surge, and why athleisure keeps compounding.

The 5 stories

2. MAPIC takeaways (CBRE): Investment is thawing; leasing momentum improves; prime rents keep edging up as footfall normalizes.

3. MINISO on Bond Street: Tourist gravity, pop‑culture IP, and an experience‑first flagship moment.

4. Retail parks’ resurgence: Value + access + parking = resilient openings and low vacancy.

5. Athleisure’s resilience: Demand holds; big‑box footwear/apparel remains a habit, not a fad.

🌐 Visit Retail News.AI, your premium destination for the most relevant, cutting-edge information in the retail sector: https://retailnews.ai/

💬 Which of these trends do you think will shape the future of retail the most — and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

✅ Subscribe now and never miss a new episode of The Retail Podcast.

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If you are struggling to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry, looking for insights from major conferences like NRF, Shoptalk, and EuroCIS, or aiming to connect your digital funnels to physical events with measurable ROI, this channel is designed for you.

Here you will discover exclusive interviews with executives and innovators, coverage of global retail conferences, analysis of technology and AI trends, in-depth explorations of fashion, grocery, luxury, and eCommerce, and thought leadership that keeps your strategy relevant all year long. As part of the RetailNews.AI ecosystem, this channel does more than report the news—it shapes the conversation on the future of retail.

*Subscribe now and activate notifications so you never miss the strategies, stories, and signals defining tomorrow’s retail.*

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