This week’s episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast is sponsored by Salesforce, the world’s #1 CRM. I’m joined by an internationally recognised expert in the retail industry, a seasoned researcher who helps global organisations build the future of their business. Michelle Grant is Director of Strategy and Insights for Retail & Consumer Goods at Salesforce. She has shared her thoughts with the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and the Financial Times. Footwear News honoured as one of...

It’s back! Season 5 of The Retail Tea Break Podcast is dropping on Thursday 14th September.  Each week I’ll be joined by industry experts, retailers and brands to decode the myths, share knowledge and give you an insight into the industry. In this trailer I give you an insight into what’s coming up over the next few months… Season 5 is packed full of incredible guests, I really do hope you enjoy it. In the meantime, listen back to previous episodes on your favourite podcast platform or...

Grab your cup of tea, sit back and listen in as I look back at the first 50 episodes of The Retail Tea Break Podcast. Topics: Customer Experience In episode 3, Cristiane Ross from Sparc Consulting explains that the emotional connection with your customer matters. As the customer’s relationship with your brand deepens, they become more valuable to you.In episode 14, Ian Scott describes the new era of physical retailing. He asks the question “Is your physical store speaking to your ideal...

In the 50th episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I speak to a passionate retailer. Rachel Davoren is Managing Director of Portwest Ireland. As well as working in-store, Rachel’s experience of buying, operations and strategic decision making, has helped her deal with the demands of the industry. In this episode we hear about Portwest’s 4 retail stores in Ireland, which sell outdoor clothing and equipment and how the brand also supplies workwear & PPE to retailers nationwide. Rachel...

Ahead of next week’s 50th episode of The Retail Tea Break Podcast, this one is a little different.   This week we welcome back a wonderful guest whose vast knowledge of, and experience within, global retail is mind blowing. Chris Igwe runs his own international retail advisory firm, providing services to luxury and premium brands. The keynote speaker, coach and mentor with an entrepreneurial mindset, inspires with his advice. He’s back on The Retail Tea Break podcast to tell us about his new...

In this episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I speak to an ephemeral retailing specialist. Ghalia Boustani is a senior retail consultant in Paris. Her career started over two decades ago in the fashion industry and she continues to work closely with fashion brands at retail and management levels. This published author and marketing and retail lecturer, has international teaching experience, having attended universities and business schools in Beirut, Istanbul, London, and Paris. Her...

This week’s episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast is sponsored by VisionR, driving retail revenues through shopper insights. In this episode I speak to Oran Mulvey, founder and director of VisionR. The ground-breaking retail analytics solution was created right here in Ireland. It aims to empower brick-and-mortar retailers with shopper insights, typically available to e-commerce companies through IoT & computer vision.   This episode explores what VisionR can do for retail businesses....

In this episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I speak to a retailer with a difference. Caitriona Cullen is the owner of family run business, Cullen Nurseries. With a passionate customer centric approach, Caitriona and her husband Robert love to speak with their customers and are on hand to help, guide and educate them in all steps of the customers’ journey.   This episode explores the reality of running an award winning SME! This rapidly growing brand supplies customers nationwide, helping...

In this episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I speak to an experienced retailer marketing strategist. Sharon Yourell Lawlor is Managing Director Think Plan Do Consulting. With over 25 years’ experience working within the Consumer Product Goods industry, her aim is to assists clients to better understand trends shaping the retail and hospitality landscape and to develop strategies by guiding consumers and shoppers on their purchase journeys.   This episode explores the SIRA guide, that...

This week’s episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast is sponsored by Salesforce, the world’s #1 CRM. In this episode I speak to Scott Kennedy, Regional VP for Salesforce Commerce Cloud across the UK and Ireland. This former retailer thrives in a high-growth, fast-paced environment and is focused on creating strong strategic relationships with customers.   Scott describes the impact that the unprecedented digital growth and the physical store renaissance is having across the globe. We discuss...

In this episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I speak to an experienced retailer. Mark Sweeney is Chairperson of Charity Retail Ireland. His passion for community development and social justice that led him to move across to the charity retail sector.     This episode explores the lessons that commercial retailers can learn from the charity retail sector. Mark explains how charity shops have been at the forefront of the circular economy for years. Grab your cup of tea, sit back and listen...

In this episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I speak to a HR expert, who takes a person-centred approach. Elma Carew is an ICF certified Career, Life, and Business Coach, she is a certified emotional intelligence practitioner and also a Chartered MCIPD accredited Senior HR professional with over 17 years’ experience in a range of sectors. She brings awareness by empowering clients to look at things differently, so that they can create a clear path and move forward with confidence.   This...

This week’s episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast is sponsored by Salesforce, the world’s #1 CRM. In this episode I speak to Deirdre Purcell, Head of Ireland Sales at Salesforce. The tech industry veteran has been with Salesforce for over 15 years and is currently leading the Salesforce Ireland sales organisation covering Enterprise, Commercial and Small and Medium sized business for all Salesforce Clouds.   This episode gives us an insight into what Salesforce can do for retail businesses...

In this episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I speak to a highly experienced retailer. Áine Griallais is the HR & HSE Director for Circle K, Ireland. Previous roles in Retail Operations and as an Area Manager, led Áine into the world of HR. She secured a Masters in HRM and worked in various HR roles before taking up the position of People Director in 2020 which gave her the responsibility for 2400 colleagues. This episode explores a recent Circle K survey of their workforce and the...

In this episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I speak to a retailer who is passionate about her team, her customers and their experiences instore and online. Sandra Devenney is the General Manager of McElhinneys in Donegal. With the tag line ‘Being independent never goes out of style’, this is a brand who are proud of their identity. No longer just a destination store for customers, McElhinneys has become a destination for retail workers who want to relocate.   This episode explores...

Season 4 of The Retail Tea Break Podcast is dropping very soon!   Each week I’ll be joined by industry experts, retailers and product creators to decode the myths, share knowledge and give you an insight into the industry. In this trailer I give you an insight into what’s coming up over the next few months…   I hope you enjoy season 4 and in the meantime, listen back to all the previous episodes. Let me know if you have a favourite.

Each week on season 3 of The Retail Tea Break, I’ve be joined by industry experts, retailers and product creators to decode the myths, share knowledge and give you a better insight into the retail industry. In this final episode of 2022, I give you a quick recap of key moments and look forward to season 4 & 5 in 2023. So grab your cup of tea, sit back, relax and listen in….

In this episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I speak to an award-winning, highly experienced retail expert. Helena Dingley is the Retail Marketing Manager (EMEA) at Fitbit. She is an e-commerce and digital marketing strategist who truly understands the retail sector. Helena not only explains the value of creating the right content for your customer but also how best to use it. She describes how you should view your online space just like a physical store, with fantastic tips and...

This week’s episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast is sponsored by Champion Green, to celebrate ‘turning Black Friday green’. I’m joined by Jenny Johnston, Head of Marketing for Kilkenny Design, one of the founding members of Champion Green and Sheelin Conlon, founder of The Kind.  Times are tough for both retailers and consumers right now, with rising costs and uncertain times ahead. However as this episode explains, you don’t have to spend more to #shoplocal you can write a review or share...

In this episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I speak to an someone who juggles being a successful retailer and an award winning maker. Rita Oates is a contemporary Irish artist who has created her own brand of greeting cards, fine art prints and designer scarves. Her collections combine images with messages of hope and encouragement that are positive, meaningful and thought-provoking. Rita’s work is inspired by nature, kindness and the power of the human spirit. She gives me the inside...

This week’s episode of The Retail Tea Break is a little different, as it is brought to you in collaboration with Salesforce. I’m joined by 3 very special guest to discuss consumer data and customer loyalty. I speak to: Jennie McGinn, Head of E-commerce for Lifestyle SportsPaul Gillart, Chief Operating Officer at The Skin NerdGurpreet Kaur, Director of Retail Solutions and Strategy at Salesforce We discuss data strategy and the importance of gathering the right data (for the consumer and the...

Just how important is your target customer and do you know how to communicate and sell to them? In this episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I speak to an expert who believes ‘words are your 24 hour sales person’. Aimée Lopez from Copy Unleashed is a copywriting expert with years of shop floor retail experience! She takes us through her 3 step framework to discover who exactly your target customer is. Aimée also describes the true impact of writing copy, which is going to surprise you....

Retail has had a tough few years, but with innovation, incredible people and strong values it is possible to grow a retail brand right now. In this episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I speak to one of the leading figures in Irish retail. Evelyn Moynihan is the Chief Executive Officer of Kilkenny Design, with 18 retail outlets, 5 restaurants and a thriving e-commerce site. This year they have opened new stores including a Christmas pop-up in Kildare Village. During the summer they...

Retail technology can be so much more than a fancy till system, used in the right way it can enhance the customer experience and future proof the business. In this episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I speak to an expert who has the inside story. Patrick Heslin is the Managing Director of Retail Integration; the company pride themselves on individually supporting retailers by providing solutions including EPOS, online and instore sales integration and stock management. He talks about how...

This week’s episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast is sponsored by Mayo Local Enterprise Office to celebrate National Women’s Enterprise Day. “Now in its 16th year, National Women's Enterprise Day celebrates the success of female entrepreneurs and inspires female start-ups”. I’m joined by the award winning fashion designer Lou Brennan, to talk about developing her business. She describes her journey from working as Textile Manager for John Rocha to putting together her first trade show. This...