Navigating digital transformation with Sean McDonell

In this special episode, we're bringing you the highlights from the recent ARA Peak Season Insights Breakfast, where retail’s top leaders shared their expert perspectives on this year's holiday season!   Listen in as our panel of retail thought leaders shares their expertise, featuring:  Laura Demasi, Head of Retail Research at Roy Morgan Craig Woolford, Senior Analyst at MST Marquee Jo Jericho, Strategy Director at Monitor Deloitte Kevin Azzopardi, Director of Partner Marketing ANZ at Afterpay Hosted by ARA CEO Paul Zahra, the discussion covered exclusive insights into retail trends, consumer behavior, and predictions for the 2024 peak season.   Tune in now to get ahead of the game this holiday season.

In this special episode of Retail Therapy, we’re diving into the heart of peak season preparations with two expert voices in retail and technology. Fleur Brown, Chief Industry Affairs Officer at the Australian Retailers Association, is joined by Kate Box, Director of Retail ANZ at Meta, to explore how retailers can leverage cutting-edge technology and insights to thrive during the 2024 holiday season. Tune in to hear about: Key findings from Meta’s 2024 Holiday Insights Guide How AI is reshaping retail and boosting conversions Strategies for winning Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and late-season shoppers Using AI for impactful, short-form holiday content Practical tips for retailers starting their AI journey Access Meta's​ Holiday Insights report here. INDUSTRY REPORTS MENTIONED McKinsey Zero Customer Report https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-asia/videos/the-emergence-of-the-zero-consumer Bain Technology Report 2024 https://www.bain.com/insights/topics/technology-report/ LINKS FOR PRACTICAL GUIDANCE MENTIONED Advantage Suite – AI driven Advertising https://www.facebook.com/business/ads/meta-advantage Creative Best Practice https://www.facebook.com/business/news/insights/how-ai-will-elevate-the-future-of-creativity CASE STUDIES REFERENCED https://www.facebook.com/business/success/the-coca-cola-company-middle-east Coke - 6 point recall - 19 point recall with Gen Z  https://www.facebook.com/business/success/2-asics Asics - 5-8 point lift in awareness / brand with partnership ads https://www.facebook.com/business/success/fendi-middle-east Fendi & Loro Piana  - 65% lower cost per purchase using Advantage Plus Shopping   

In this episode of Retail Therapy, ARA CEO Paul Zahra sits down with Gary Starr, Executive General Manager, Parcel, Post & eCommerce Services at Australia Post, to explore how the iconic postal service is preparing for the busiest time of the year - peak season! From delivering gifts across the globe to ensuring smooth customer experiences, Gary shares exclusive insights on Australia Post’s operations, including how they manage increased parcel volumes, hire additional staff and stay innovative with new shipping solutions. Tune in to hear about: How Australia Post delivers millions of parcels during peak season The role of seasonal workers and how they support the holiday rush Innovations and strategies to streamline the shipping process Tips for retailers to ensure a top-notch delivery experience for their customers The impact of cost-of-living pressures on holiday shipping Customer trends and predictions for online shopping this year Access Australia Post's Peak Playbook here: https://auspost.com.au/business/ecommerce/peak-preparation  To learn more about what we do at the ARA, head to retail.org.au.   ABOUT THE ARA: The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest, largest and most diverse national retail body. We represent a $420 billion sector that employs more than 1.4 million Australians and is the largest private sector employer in the country. As Australia’s peak retail body, representing more than 120,000 retail shop fronts and online stores, the ARA informs, advocates, educates, protects and unifies our independent, national and international retail community.

In this special peak season episode of Retail Therapy, Paul Zahra is joined by Craig Woolford, Senior Retail Analyst in the Consumer Sector at MST Marquee. Together, they explore what’s in store for retailers and consumers during the busiest time of the year—Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas shopping. The conversation covers the challenges retailers face with rising costs and supply chain pressures, as well as consumer behaviour shifts amid the ongoing cost-of-living crunch. Craig shares valuable insights on category performance, peak season trends and what retailers can expect for Boxing Day sales. Key topics discussed: A recap of the retail industry's performance in 2024 Key trends and challenges leading into Christmas trading Insights into changing shopper behaviour and category performance Predictions for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales The impact of supply chain issues on retailers this holiday season Strategies retailers can use to manage costs and team hiring ahead of the Christmas rush To learn more about what we do at the ARA, head to retail.org.au.   ABOUT THE ARA: The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest, largest and most diverse national retail body. We represent a $420 billion sector that employs more than 1.4 million Australians and is the largest private sector employer in the country. As Australia’s peak retail body, representing more than 120,000 retail shop fronts and online stores, the ARA informs, advocates, educates, protects and unifies our independent, national and international retail community.

In this special Peak Season episode of Retail Therapy, we are joined by Laura Demasi, Head of Retail Research and Social and Consumer Trends at Roy Morgan. With over 15 years of experience in senior leadership roles at top social and consumer research firms, Laura is a data-driven storyteller and trend tracker. She works closely with the ARA to provide retailers with essential insights into market trends and shifting consumer behaviours. In this episode, Laura shares key findings from Roy Morgan's research on what retailers can expect during this year's peak season. From Black Friday to Christmas, Laura explains how shoppers are adapting their habits amidst the cost-of-living crisis and how retailers can leverage these insights to stay ahead. Tune in to hear a deep dive into the numbers, trends, and strategies for capitalising on this critical period in retail. Episode highlights: What to expect from the 2024 peak season in terms of consumer spending The impact of the cost-of-living crisis on holiday shopping Trends around Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales The rise of experiential gifts over household goods How retailers can make the most of these insights to drive success during peak season Tune in for more: Catch Laura Demasi live at the ARA’s Peak Season Insights Breakfast in October, where she will be diving deeper into market trends for the upcoming holiday season. Grab a ticket here. 

Joining us on Retail Therapy is Sean McDonell, Director of Customers and Government for Google Melbourne. Sean has been with Google for over eleven years, holding various positions across the business. Most recently, he served as Industry Head, leading Google's Melbourne partnerships across automotive, retail, CPG, and media sectors. In this episode, Sean shares insights into leadership, business development and the role of technology in the evolving retail landscape. Discussion topics: Sean’s career journey and how he transitioned into Google and the technology sector The role of mentorship versus self-learning in Sean’s professional development Key observations about the Australian retail landscape based on Sean's experience at Google Challenges that retailers and leaders face in today’s increasingly digital environment The future role of technology in retail and the essential skills for retail leaders in the digital age Advice for aspiring retail leaders navigating the digital transformation Sean McDonell provides a comprehensive view of Google’s role in retail and the technological shifts shaping the future of the industry. His experience offers valuable insights for retailers and leaders looking to thrive in an evolving digital world.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Matt Davis, CEO of Salvos Stores, as he shares his journey of leading one of the world’s most impactful charitable organisations. In this episode, Matt sits down with Paul Zahra to discuss leadership in the nonprofit sector, how to navigate crises and the future of humanitarian retail. 💡 What you'll learn: Matt’s personal leadership journey and pivotal career moments How Salvos Stores responds to crises like the cost-of-living emergency Insights on prioritising objectives and setting a vision in a mission-driven organisation The importance of the new clothing stewardship scheme, 'Seamless' Building leadership talent within a nonprofit and fostering partnerships that drive impact Whether you’re in retail, the nonprofit world, or just passionate about leadership, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways! To learn more about what we do at the ARA, head to retail.org.au.   ABOUT THE ARA: The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest, largest and most diverse national retail body. We represent a $420 billion sector that employs more than 1.4 million Australians and is the largest private sector employer in the country. As Australia’s peak retail body, representing more than 120,000 retail shop fronts and online stores, the ARA informs, advocates, educates, protects and unifies our independent, national and international retail community.

In this episode of Retail Therapy, we're joined by Joanne Mercer, a distinguished entrepreneur and the current Managing Director of Matilda Life. With an impressive career that includes senior roles at Myer and founding the premium footwear brand Jo Mercer as well as the lifestyle retailer Matilda Life, Joanne has consistently demonstrated her expertise in building successful businesses from the ground up.   Tune in as Joanne shares her invaluable insights on the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, offering listeners a unique perspective on what it takes to lead and grow a brand in today's competitive market. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business leader, or simply passionate about retail, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration you won't want to miss.   This episode explores: Jo's inspiring retail journey, including influential roles at Myer Founding Jo Mercer and overcoming challenges in building a brand Leading Matilda Life with a focus on sustainability and ethical practices Matilda Life's strategies for maintaining a sustainable edge Emerging retail trends and adapting to stay relevant The role of customer feedback in shaping retail leadership decisions Jo's future goals for Matilda Life Advice for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs To learn more about what we do at the ARA, head to retail.org.au.   ABOUT THE ARA: The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest, largest and most diverse national retail body. We represent a $420 billion sector that employs more than 1.4 million Australians and is the largest private sector employer in the country. As Australia’s peak retail body, representing more than 120,000 retail shop fronts and online stores, the ARA informs, advocates, educates, protects and unifies our independent, national and international retail community.

Joining us on Retail Therapy is Daniel Bracken, CEO at Michael Hill. Daniel has steered Michael Hill through transformative changes with his extensive background in retailing, fashion, and brand development. With over 25 years of experience managing some of the world’s most iconic brands, he has brought a fresh perspective to one of the most esteemed names in the jewellery retail sector.  This episode explores: Daniel’s career journey and motivation to join the jewellery sector Strategies for operating in different international markets Innovations introduced to enhance customer experience online and in-store Balancing innovation with maintaining Michael Hill's brand heritage Daniel's vision for Michael Hill's growth over the next five years To learn more about what we do at the ARA, head to retail.org.au.   ABOUT THE ARA: The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest, largest and most diverse national retail body. We represent a $420 billion sector that employs more than 1.4 million Australians and is the largest private sector employer in the country. As Australia’s peak retail body, representing more than 120,000 retail shop fronts and online stores, the ARA informs, advocates, educates, protects and unifies our independent, national and international retail community.  

Our next Retail Therapy guest is Kieron Ritchard, CEO and Managing Director at Fantastic Furniture.  Kieron leads one of Australia's most iconic furniture retail brands, known for offering stylish and affordable furniture solutions. Under his leadership, Fantastic Furniture has continued to expand its market presence and innovate in customer experience and product offerings.   Kieron has a wealth of experience as a leader and we’re thrilled to have him on the Retail Therapy podcast to hear about his journey and insights.   This episode explores:  Kieron's transitioned from hotel industry advisory to leading Fantastic Furniture How his leadership style has been shaped by past experiences The role of international experience to shape business development and strategy Balancing online and physical store sales for omni-channel growth The evolution and optimistic future for brick-and-mortar stores in the furniture industry How to foster a customer-centric culture that ensures satisfaction Fantastic Furniture's long-term goals to adapt to the changing retail landscape and achieving growth To learn more about what we do at the ARA, head to retail.org.au.   ABOUT THE ARA: The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest, largest and most diverse national retail body. We represent a $420 billion sector that employs more than 1.4 million Australians and is the largest private sector employer in the country. As Australia’s peak retail body, representing more than 120,000 retail shop fronts and online stores, the ARA informs, advocates, educates, protects and unifies our independent, national and international retail community.