Retail Therapy

Live from the ARA Peak Season Insights Breakfast: Trends shaping holiday 2024

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.

AI & Retail: Preparing for Peak Season with Meta’s Kate Box

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 
 

Delivering for Peak Season: Australia Post’s Holiday Prep with Gary Starr

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.

Black Friday to Boxing Day: What’s ahead for retailers and consumers with Craig Woolford

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.

Peak season spending insights with Laura Demasi from Roy Morgan

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. 

Navigating digital transformation with Sean McDonell

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.

The power of purpose-driven leadership with Matt Davis

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.

Building brands with purpose with Joanne Mercer

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.

Transforming traditions with Daniel Bracken

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.
 

Fantastic leadership insights with Kieron Ritchard

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.