Welcome to Season Six of Retail Therapy, where we delve into Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion. We're thrilled to kick off this season with a powerhouse guest, Lisa Annese (she/her), CEO of Diversity Council Australia. Lisa was named one of the AFR’s 100 Women of Influence in 2018. In 2019 she was elected to the Board of Amnesty International Australia and in 2021 to the Board of the non-partisan organisation, Women for Election. Under Lisa’s leadership, the Diversity Council has produced a...

Season 6 of the ARA’s Retail Therapy podcast is gearing up for an early 2024 launch! Join host, ARA CEO Paul Zahra, as we dive into the crucial conversation on diversity, equality, and inclusion led by the Australian Retailers Association. This season, Retail Therapy is going deep into the realm of DE&I in the retail landscape. It's not merely a buzzword; it’s a driving force fuelling innovation and change in the industry. Expect engaging discussions with pioneers and leaders in every...

Welcome to the fifth and final special Christmas bonus episode of Retail Therapy for the year.  As the holiday season rapidly approaches, retailers are gearing up for the annual Christmas shopping frenzy. However, this year brings a heightened sense of uncertainty to the industry, as Australians grapple with the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis, while retailers themselves contend with the burdens of the cost-of-doing-business crisis.  Joining us for some Retail Therapy is Stephen...

Welcome to another special Christmas episode of Retail Therapy  Christmas is right around the corner, marking the peak season for the retail industry. This upcoming festive trading period holds immense significance for retailers, especially those in the discretionary sector, as they typically generate up to two-thirds of their annual profits during this period.  Joining us for some Retail Therapy is Prof Gary Mortimer. Gary Mortimer is a Professor of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour at the...

The holidays are upon us and retailers are in deep preparation for the Christmas shopping rush. It’s going to be an unpredictable festive trading season this year with a raft of economic challenges and uncertainty amid the cost of living. In this Retail Therapy Christmas special, we’ll be discussing what’s in store for retailers, consumers and how spending may be shaping up. Joining us for some Retail Therapy is Kate Box, Director Global Business Group ANZ at Meta. Kate has a wealth of...

The holidays are fast approaching, and retailers are in preparation mode for the Christmas shopping rush. There’s a bit more uncertainty for the industry this year as Australians continue to feel the crunch of the cost-of-living crisis whilst retailers feel the crunch of the cost-of-doing business crisis. In this episode of Retail Therapy, we’ll be discussing what’s in store for retailers and consumers, as well as how spending may shape up. Joining us for some Retail Therapy is Craig...

'Tis the season to be shopping, and the retail world will soon be buzzing with festive delight. In this episode, we're diving deep into the heart of the retail sector's busiest time of year and what we can expect for the shopping season ahead. As the festive season draws near, join host ARA CEO Paul Zahra in a spirited conversation with Fleur Brown, ARA Chief Industry Affairs Officer.  Together, they unwrap the season's retail forecast, exploring the expected $66.8 billion pre-Christmas...

Joining us for some Retail Therapy is Eric Morris, former CEO of Brand Collective, which boasts a portfolio of iconic owned and licensed brands with more than 3,000 employees. Eric has over 35 years of industry experience covering retail, wholesale, licensing, marketing and product development in both international and national organisations. He has held senior management positions with a who's-who list of household name companies including Myer, Disney and Reebok. Eric knows a thing or two...

Get ready for an exciting episode of Retail Therapy where we dive deep into the world of fashion, leadership, innovation, and sustainability with our special guest, Elisha Hopkinson, CEO of APG & Co. Elisha has been an instrumental part of APG & Co for more than a decade and has worked in the fashion industry both in Australia and internationally for over two decades. For over 50 years, APG & Co has curated a collection of Australia’s most beloved fashion brands including...

In this episode of the ARA's Retail Therapy Podcast, we have the privilege of sitting down with Angus McKay, CEO and Managing Director of 7-Eleven. Angus has an impressive career background, including leadership roles at iconic companies like Fosters and New Zealand Milk, and he has been at the helm of 7-Eleven for over seven years. This episode explores:  7-Eleven's rise to popularity: Angus sheds light on how 7-Eleven became the most recognised convenience store brand in...

Welcome to another episode of Retail Therapy, where we delve into the heartbeat of the retail industry. In this episode, we are thrilled to have a distinguished guest with us – Mark Ronan, the visionary CEO of Adairs. With over 15 years of diverse leadership experience within Adairs, Mark's journey is a testament to his profound understanding of the retail landscape. This episode with Mark and ARA CEO Paul Zahra covers:  Mark's leadership journey at Adairs The Adairs growth phenomenon Mark's...

Joining us for some Retail Therapy is Catriona Noble, Executive General Manager, Retail at Australia Post. Catriona is responsible for the organisation’s network of 4,320 Post Offices and is renowned for driving key transformation in many of her previous roles, including CEO of McDonald’s Australia and Managing Director at ANZ. Australia Post has been a cornerstone of the country’s social fabric for generations. From the humble beginnings of delivering mail, it has evolved into a multifaceted...

Next up on the Retail Therapy podcast is Ian Bailey, Managing Director of Kmart Group. With a wealth of experience in the retail industry, Ian Bailey assumed the role of Managing Director at Kmart Australia in February 2016. Later, in November 2018, he took on the responsibility of leading Wesfarmers’ Kmart Group division, which encompasses the Kmart & Target Australia businesses, Kmart Australia Sourcing, and ANKO. Prior to this, Ian was Kmart’s Chief Operating Officer where he was...

Join us for an inspiring episode of Retail Therapy with Mirja Viinanen, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer at IKEA Australia. IKEA is the world’s largest furniture retailer and has cemented its status in Australia as the country’s most recognised Swedish homewares store, offering ready-to-assemble furniture, appliances, décor and other various goods. Mirja undoubtedly has a wealth of knowledge about the industry, leadership and sustainability so we’re very excited to have her join us and...

Get ready for an exciting episode of Retail Therapy with special guest, George Tsoukalas, Managing Director at Heinemann Australia. George's impressive portfolio includes leadership positions at Nude by Nature, The Discovery Group, and L'Oréal. In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of Heinemann, a global player in duty-free and travel retail, known for its exceptional offerings in perfumes, cosmetics, confectionery, and fashion. This episode covers: George shares Heinemann's...

We are thrilled to present the next special guest on Retail Therapy - Tanya Deans, the President at Hanes Brands, Australasia. Tanya oversees iconic Australian brands like Bonds, Sheridan, Berlei, Champion, and more, establishing herself as a true fashion guru in the industry. Join us as we dive into Tanya's journey and gain insights into the changes she has witnessed and driven within Hanes and its respective brands throughout her decades-long career. This episode explores: The...

Welcome to Season 5 of Retail Therapy! In this exciting episode, we have a very special guest joining us. We are thrilled to have Jack Gance, the Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board at Chemist Warehouse, on the podcast. Chemist Warehouse is an iconic pharmacy retail brand in Australia, boasting over 350 stores and employing more than 8,000 staff across the country. With a robust online presence, they have established themselves as a leader in the industry. Jack Gance has dedicated almost his...

We’re excited to announce the launch of Season 5 of Retail Therapy, proudly brought to you by American Express. This season, ARA CEO Paul Zahra will be chatting with a great line-up of guests from Australia’s retail industry, including the leaders of some of the biggest retailers in Australia. We’ll be finding out what makes them tick, what defines their leadership style and how they got to the top of their game. Our guests include: Jack Gance, Chairman Of The Board, Chemist Warehouse Mirja...

In this episode of Retail Therapy, ARA CEO Paul Zahra welcomes two successful entrepreneurs, Andrew Butt and Shobhit Shukla to the podcast studio. They discuss their respective businesses, Enable and Near, and their growing impact on the global retail industry.   This episode explores how technology addresses supply chain challenges and provides essential locational data to retailers.   Tune in to hear Paul, Andrew and Shobhit discuss:  Understanding the value of data-driven...

In this episode of Retail Therapy, we welcome Nicole Sheffield, Managing Director at Wesfarmers OneDigital and the first female president of the Australian Retailers Association to the studio. Nicole shares insights into her career trajectory, leadership inspirations, challenges in closing the gender equality gap, the importance of data and technology in retail, advice for aspiring executives, and predictions for the industry's future. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone...

In this next episode of Retail Therapy, we're chatting about the opportunities within sustainability innovation for retailers with Tom Ferrier, Founder of Greener. Tom is a former IT professional, who hung up the suit and tie to develop Greener – a first-to-market solution to help small businesses understand and prioritise the steps they can take to reduce their carbon footprint. Greener was awarded the #1 clean-tech start-up in Australia and is working to build a Green Economy - one in which...

In this next episode of Retail Therapy, we're chatting about tech and innovation with Erica Berchtold, CEO of THE ICONIC.  THE ICONIC is one of the most successful online marketplaces in the country. The company is part of Global Fashion Group which is the leading fashion and lifestyle destination in many markets around the world.  THE ICONIC launched in 2011 and is one of Australia’s largest fashion, sports, beauty, kidswear and homewares destinations with over 1500 brands and 165,000...

In this episode of Retail Therapy, we’re joined by Janet Menzies, Country Manager of Amazon Australia. Janet has led the Amazon Australia team since 2021, presiding over substantial growth in that time as more and more people embraced shopping online during the pandemic.   While Amazon is one of the largest retailers on the planet, it only launched in Australia in 2017, but it’s grown to become a well-established business in our local retail community. Amazon is a leader in the tech and...

In this episode of Retail Therapy, we’re joined by David Mannah, CEO of creative and marketing agency MDivision, and founder of the Australian Hair and Fashion Awards. Speaking with podcast host Paul Zahra, David shares his passion for all things hair and beauty and gives insights into the innovations happening in the industry.

In the latest episode of Retail Therapy, we have the pleasure of hosting two incredible women, Andrea Culligan and Melissa Dean from Deloitte, in our studio.   Andrea is an expert in Innovation, Ventures, and Ecosystems for Sustainability and Climate, with an extensive business background in tech, innovation, and startups across Canada and Australia. Meanwhile, Melissa has over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur in digital transformation, customer experience, and technology, and...