Talking Shop

On this episode of Talking Shop, we are joined by Karl Pardoe Retail Business Development Manager at Genetec.Karl works directly with leading enterprise retailers to help them tackle some of the toughest challenges facing the high street today - from rising shrink and supply chain disruption to store safety.In this conversation, Karl shares how physical security tech is evolving to keep workers safe, how to spot suspicious behavior using AI analytics without compromising shopper privacy, and why open-architecture systems are vital for future-proofing retail technology. 

On this episode of Talking Shop we are joined by Mark Stanley, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Shopware.With a career background rooted in video game tech and spatial computing—including hands-on product work on PlayStation VR and Microsoft HoloLens—Mark views the digital storefront through a completely unique lens. In this conversation, Mark shares how gaming mechanics like active discovery can turn routine product browsing into an engaging experience, how AI gives merchants superhuman operational efficiency, and what single experiment e-commerce leaders should run on their storefronts next month. Here is our conversation with Mark Stanley.

On this episode of Talking Shop, I'm joined by Chris Newell from Syn.Chris is a specialist in experience-led retail design, helping brands transform traditional storefronts into vibrant community destinations. In this conversation, Chris unpacks why 86% of consumers still crave human interaction despite the rise of automated checkout tech, shares the creative story behind Holland & Barrett’s award winning experience stores, and explains how physical brands can become true 'heroes of the high street." 

On this episode of Talking Shop, we’re joined once again by Melissa Minkow from CI&T. Melissa last joined us in 2024, and since then, the conversation around artificial intelligence in retail has shifted dramatically from basic chatbots to fully autonomous agentic commerce.  In this episode, Melissa unpacks CI&T's fresh UK and Ireland data, breaks down how US and UK shoppers differ in their trust of AI, and explains what retail leaders must do today to prepare their physical and digital storefronts for an automated shopping world. 

On this episode of Talking Shop, we are joined by Mel Archbould. Mel is a former family business Managing Director who now runs Cloud-Busting, a strategic advisory firm helping independent businesses and retailers build commercial resilience. In this conversation, Mel shares what happens when long-standing heritage meets the hard realities of modern trading—from handling high-stakes family dynamics around the boardroom table to carrying out that vital first operational audit tomorrow morning.

On this episode of Talking Shop, we are joined by Siddhi Mehta, founder of Rhythm 108. An Oxford Engineering graduate and former McKinsey consultant, Siddhi traded corporate strategy to build a pioneering, plant-based confectionery brand from the ground up. In this episode, we unpack how she identified a genuine market gap in a crowded sector, the commercial realities of winning and keeping shelf space in Tesco and Sainsbury’s, and how challenger FMCG brands can fund rapid growth without massive ad spend.

In this episode we speak to Simon Layton, Centre Director at Trafford Centre. He brings almost two decades of experience in store management at M&S to his role today, where he helps oversee everything from facilities and security to guest services, marketing and the day-to-day customer experience. We’ll talk about the importance of understanding what’s really happening on the mall floor, how he builds and maintains strong relations and open communication with brands, and what it means to ‘preserve the wonder’ of the Trafford Centre and how it ensures that every visit it is an enriching guest experience.

On this episode of Talking Shop we’re joined by Mark Tosey, Head of Production at Lewis Moberly. Lewis Moberly is the award-winning agency behind iconic packaging for brands like Waitrose and Selfridges. In this conversation, Mark breaks down what happens when creative design meets the hard technical realities of manufacturing. We look at the upcoming 2027 Deposit Return Scheme, how complex finishes like metallic foils impact recyclability under circular rules, and how brands can communicate functional updates authentically without cluttering their packs.

On this episode of Talking Shop we're welcoming back the head of Beano Brain - Helenor Gilmour. Beano Brain is at the absolute forefront of understanding kids, teens, and modern family dynamics. In this conversation, Helenor breaks down their latest findings to challenge common assumptions about "digital-native" kids. We discuss why physical impulse buys like snacks and collectables are outspending apps, how brands like LEGO and Jellycat are blurring the lines between play and lifestyle identity, and the practical changes retail leadership teams need to make to future-proof their physical stores.

On this episode of Talking Shop we are joined by Scott Erickson, VP of Sales, US and Global Channels at HappyOrNot. HappyOrNot captures real-time, point-of-experience micro-feedback across thousands of global retail environments. Drawing on insights from their Q2 2026 Retail CX Pulse report, Scott joins us to challenge traditional ways of measuring customer satisfaction. We discuss why retrospective monthly reports are becoming a liability for modern store teams, how customer dissatisfaction builds gradually throughout the day, and how retail leaders can use live operational signals to protect service standards when store traffic peaks.