AI, Agility & the Future of Retail: Key Takeaways from Manhattan Exchange

Recorded at Manhattan Exchange 2025 in Antwerp, this episode dives into how AI is transforming retail — from search and discovery to customer service and the in-store experience. Host Natalie Berg and guest Ben Sillitoe unpack the biggest tech trends shaping retail’s next chapter: agentic AI, post-purchase innovation, gamification, employee empowerment, and customer-controlled fulfilment. Expect fresh insights, real-world examples, and a glimpse into the future of how we shop. This episode is brought to you by Manhattan Associates, the global leader in supply chain and unified commerce. Ben is the Editor of Green Retail World. For more: https://greenretail.world  🎧 And don't forget to subscribe to the podcast for more retail insights! 

Marks & Spencer has just launched its first dedicated resale service on eBay — powered by Reskinned. In this episode of Retail Disrupted, Natalie Berg is joined by Katharine Beacham (Head of Sustainability for Fashion, Home & Beauty, M&S), Jemma Tadd (Director of Fashion, eBay), and Matt Hanrahan (Co-Founder, Reskinned) to unpack this landmark move. 📺 This is a video episode so if you’d prefer to watch the episode, head over to the Retail Disrupted YouTube channel. There is a consensus that retailers need to make buying resale as easy as buying new. We explore this, as well as the importance of collaboration when it comes to fashion circularity. From digital product passports to evolving consumer expectations, discover how leading retailers are reshaping the future of sustainable fashion. 🛍️👗 More on the M&S x eBay store. 🎧🔥 And don't forget to subscribe to the podcast for more retail insights! https://retaildisrupted.com/ 

Amazon is shutting down its 19 Amazon Fresh stores in the UK — but is this a failure or part of the innovation journey? In this episode of Retail Disrupted, host and retail analyst Natalie Berg breaks down what went wrong, whether Amazon ever really intended to become a supermarket, and what this means for the future of checkout-free stores and grocery e-commerce. Expect sharp insights on retail innovation, Amazon’s strategy, and the lessons for the wider grocery industry. 👉Subscribe to the podcast: https://retaildisrupted.com  👉Follow Natalie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-berg-ba20931/  👉Follow Natalie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataliebergonretail 👉Follow Natalie on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@retaildisrupted  👉Follow Natalie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliebergonretail/   

How often do you notice the background music when you’re shopping? 🎶 It’s not just “noise” - it can shape how long we browse, how we feel, and even how much we spend. In this episode of Retail Disrupted, Natalie Berg sits down with Ola Sars, music tech entrepreneur and founder of Soundtrack Technologies, the world’s leading B2B music streaming service. Ola’s journey spans co-founding Beats Music (which became Apple Music) to building Soundtrack into a platform powering 80,000+ businesses across 74 countries. You’ll discover: •    How music influences customer behavior and dwell time •    Why brands should treat music as a strategic asset, not background noise •    The role of AI in creating “sonic identities” for retailers •    Real-world examples of brands boosting sales with the right soundtrack •    The future of audio in retail and customer experience If you’re curious about the intersection of retail, music, and technology, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Menopause impacts 1 billion women worldwide — but retailers are still failing to meet their needs. In this episode of Retail Disrupted, host Natalie Berg speaks with Heather Jackson, CEO & co-founder of GenM, about how brands can better serve menopausal consumers. Discover how the MTick symbol is transforming the way women shop for menopause-friendly products, why this overlooked market represents a huge commercial opportunity, and what retailers must do to build trust, visibility, and loyalty. If you work in retail, marketing, or product development, this conversation will show you how to turn menopause from a taboo into an opportunity to create meaningful change for consumers. 02:52 The Birth of GenM and the MTick Symbol 05:32 Understanding this Overlooked Demographic 08:50 The Role of Retailers in Supporting Menopausal Women 11:49 Building Trust and Transparency in Menopause-Friendly Products 14:40 Partnerships and Retail Innovations 17:25 Global Expansion and Future Opportunities 👉 Listen to Retail Disrupted on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/retail-disrupted/id1676107321 or Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5H0TALn63ov2VAIJPNi3FM?si=91ee924b951d4894 🌐 Learn more at: https://retaildisrupted.com 📩 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-berg-ba20931/

Big changes are happening at Matalan. The 40-year-old British fashion and homeware retailer is making major investments in its stores, products, and digital capabilities as part of a multi-year transformation programme. On this episode, Natalie is joined by Phil Hackney, Chief Operating Officer at Matalan; Katherine Davis, Chief Retail Officer at Matalan; and Martin Ward, Head of Software for the UK & Ireland at Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions. The panel unpacks Matalan's strategic shifts and shares their views on wider industry trends. They explore: 02:29 Matalan's Strategic Direction and Transformation Programme 05:35 Understanding Customer Identity and Market Positioning 08:58 The Evolving Role of Bricks and Mortar Retail 11:54 The Future of Self-Checkout and Technology Integration 27:17 Empowering Frontline Staff for a Better Customer Experience 35:34 E-commerce Trends and Customer Engagement 40:27 Future Trends and Innovations in Retail 📺 Prefer to watch the conversation unfold? Check it out on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8-Mdbpn28k  This episode is brought to you by Toshiba. For more, visit https://commerce.toshiba.com   

A Pilates studio, health checks, biological age testing and free consultation hubs. These are just some of the features of Holland & Barrett’s first experience store that opened in Cardiff earlier this year. On this episode, Natalie is joined by Richard Fisher, Design Manager at Holland & Barrett, leading the transformation of over 1,000 stores across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East, and Chris Newell, Creative Partner at Syn - the agency behind the new store concept. They discuss the future of wellness, the evolving role of physical retail, and whether we may see more of these stores popping up on our high streets.  📺 This is a VIDEO episode and can be watched on YouTube, or you can listen on your usual platforms. *The podcast is now pausing for August. Have a great summer break and see you in September.*

We’re diving deep into the world of grocery retail in this special episode, dissecting the latest trends and innovations that are reshaping the sector. Natalie is joined by Mark Thomson, Director of Retail & Hospitality Strategy EMEA at Zebra Technologies. This video episode was recorded in a London studio. You can watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on your usual platforms! Mark and Natalie explore: Self-service: some retailers are doubling down, others are reassessing. Where have we landed and how might AI drive the next wave of adoption? From accepting payments to more targeted promotions, where next for scan & go? Real-time hyper-personalization: why Mark believes the time has finally come. What's fuelling the rise of retail media and how might it evolve to become (even) more personalized in the future? The AI opportunity in food retail: from recipe inspiration to actually doing our grocery shopping for us. E-commerce: why Mark is bullish about growth opportunities for online grocery and why dark stores may be poised for a comeback. This conversation coincides with the launch of Zebra’s latest report, Creating Great Grocery Trips, which Natalie contributed to. Download the full report. More about Zebra: From seamless transactions and inventory visibility to personalised experiences and engaged associates, Zebra provides solutions that empower retailers to thrive. With connected systems and data-driven decisions, retailers are prepared to overcome challenges, delight shoppers, and drive sustainable growth. For more: https://www.zebra.com/gb/en/industry/...  More about Mark: Industry speaker and technology evangelist. Mark works with retailers to provide input on how to face the challenge of a new digital landscape with a particular focus on the broad Zebra technologies portfolio from mobile devices to workforce productivity and inventory visibility solutions. Connect with Mark on LinkedIn.

Camille van Horne is the co-founder & CEO of Highstock, a B2B marketplace that connects big brands with unsold inventory to high quality, global wholesale buyers.  The start-up has raised $5.5 million from lead investor Greylock and Instacart co-founder Max Mullen.  Camille joins Natalie on the podcast to talk about how Highstock is disrupting the liquidation space for beauty and personal care brands. They also explore AI, international market opportunities, the impact of tariffs, and Camille shares her thoughts on grocery e-commerce. More about Camille: Camille was previously a director of product at Instacart where she led the roadmap of new logistics capabilities for retailers and CPGs. She joined Instacart before the pandemic and over her six-year tenure wore multiple hats including Instacart's investments in fulfillment innovation in robotics and payments. Camille has a 15-year career in consumer and has seen how brands have struggled with inventory management every step of her career. Camille holds a BA from the University of Chicago and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. 📣 REGISTER -> Join Natalie, Zebra Technologies, and Retail Gazette on July 16 for this webinar on transforming frontline comms. 📣 

Recorded live on stage at London Tech Week, Natalie speaks to Kuru Subramaniam, Head of Product at Tesco, Francis Castro, Vice President, Global Customer Operations at Unilever, and Saul Resnick, CEO UK & Ireland at DHL Supply Chain. They discuss: From ‘just-in-time’ to ‘just-in-case’: how supply chains are adapting to disruption. How digital twins and predictive analytics can help businesses simulate scenarios and maintain operational stability. The importance of collaboration and why, as Tesco’s Subramaniam points out, you're only as resilient as your most vulnerable partner. The increasing significance of transparency in sustainability efforts and disruption preparedness. AI and robotics: why DHL’s Resnick is excited about agentic AI and advancing robotics in warehouses. Why Unilever’s Castro believes you need a “try culture” and to be accepting of failure. Today’s episode is brought to you by Transporeon, a leading global logistics platform that connects shippers, carriers, and retailers to enhance transportation management. Transporeon offers a comprehensive suite of digital solutions that improve visibility, efficiency, and collaboration in the supply chain.  📣 REGISTER -> Join Natalie, Zebra Technologies, and Retail Gazette on July 16 for this webinar on transforming frontline comms. 📣