Retail Therapy

Jumping at opportunities

Joining us for some Retail Therapy this week in the Amex Lounge is Richard Murray, the chief executive of JB Hi-Fi – one of the biggest retail businesses in Australia – and one that has done incredibly well throughout the pandemic as people stocked up on products for their homes – new TVs, entertainment systems and the like. 
Richard has been the CEO of JB Hi-Fi since 2014 and in April this year announced that he would be leaving to join Premier Investments – which includes the brands of Just Jeans, Portmans and Peter Alexander. 
In this episode of Retail Therapy Paul and Richard discuss: 
Richard’s move to Premier Investments from JB Hi-Fi 
His love and passion for retail  
Diversity and representation  
How small business is the engine room of the economy  
What you learn from your first job in retail  
A day in the life of Richard Murray  
Jumping at opportunities  
Being proud to be a retailer  
Designing digital retail spaces  
Learn more about American Express: https://www.americanexpress.com/au/merchant/accept-amex-cards.html 
ABOUT THE ARA: 
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is Australia’s oldest, largest and most diverse retail body, representing a $360bn sector which employs one in ten Australians. Learn more: retail.org.au 
Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Strive for conscious work life choices

We’re excited to share this week's episode of the Retail Therapy podcast with you -  a candid and insightful conversation with one of Australia's leading retail and technology influencers, Pip Marlow, CEO of Salesforce ANZ & ASEAN.
Salesforce is a global leader in Customer Relationship Management, helping businesses grow and increase sales and to better understand their customers, through innovation and insights.  
As CEO of Salesforce ANZ & ASEAN, Pip is responsible for ensuring Salesforce delivers on its values of trust, customer success, innovation and equality for both customers and community across Australia and New Zealand. 
Prior to Salesforce, Pip was Chief Executive Officer Customer Marketplace at Suncorp, where she was responsible for driving customer focus into all aspects of Suncorp’s business including strategy, customer care, partnerships and innovative solutions that add value for customers. Prior to joining Suncorp in 2016, Pip was at Microsoft for 21 years where she held a number of roles for them in Australia and the USA. This culminated in her role as the Managing Director of Microsoft Australia for 6 years. 
In Episode 7 of Retail Therapy, Pip and Paul discuss:  
What you learn being a ‘global citizen’ 
Her career to date, and why she chose the world of IT  
Using technology to solve problems  
How to make conscious work life choices  
How Pip protects her time, the art of saying no 
Diverse and equal workplaces  
How to be an ally  
Creating inclusive parental leave  
How they met during the Marriage Equality debate in Australia 
Sustainability at Salesforce 
Having both ambition and humility  
Learn more about American Express: https://www.americanexpress.com/au/merchant/accept-amex-cards.html 
ABOUT THE ARA: 
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is Australia’s oldest, largest and most diverse retail body, representing a $360bn sector which employs one in ten Australians. Learn more: retail.org.au 
Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Is instinct-based leadership dead?

We are delighted to share the next episode of ARA Retail Therapy – with Michael Schneider, Managing Director of Bunnings Group.
Bunnings is Australia’s leading retailer for home improvements and is one of the most recognisable brands in the country. With more than 350 trading locations and 48,000 team members, Mike’s insights into leadership, growth, collaboration and innovation are incredibly valuable.
Michael was appointed Managing Director, Bunnings Group in May 2017 following his appointment as Managing Director, Bunnings Australia & New Zealand in March 2016. Prior to this, Michael led the store operations teams across Bunnings Australia and New Zealand, after joining Bunnings in 2005.
Before joining Bunnings, Michael held a range of senior operational, commercial and human resource roles across regional and national markets, both in retail and financial services businesses.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of NSW and has completed the Advanced Management Program at INSEAD, and the Advanced Strategic Management Program at IMD.
Paul and Mike discuss:
Mike’s journey to the top job at Bunnings
The role of leaders in retail to coach and develop
Managing stores in each state and territory, each with different Covid safety rules
How Bunnings pivoted during Covid-19
Unique connections to community
The future sustainability plans at Bunnings
Mentors and becoming a mentor to pay it forward
Learn more about American Express:  https://www.americanexpress.com/au/merchant/accept-amex-cards.html

Galloping to the extraordinary

This week we take a slight change of pace from our previous podcast episodes where we’ve been speaking to retail business leaders. But as the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sally Capp and her team play an important role in supporting business growth in the Melbourne CBD and to help small businesses navigate the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Lord Mayor Sally Capp has had some interesting roles in the past, including Agent-General for Victoria in the UK, Europe and Israel. ‘What’s that job?’ you may ask... Sally explains during the interview.  
Paul and Sally Capp discuss:  
The big C word... COVID 
Finding a new rhythm for CBD working 
Creating a city of possibility 
Growing up in a family small business
Jumping at new opportunities 
Shaping the future of communities and the economy
Local government beyond roads, rates and rubbish
Navigating the male-dominated corporate world
The value of diversity, equality and inclusion
Having a risk appetite
With risk comes the best learning  
Learn more about American Express.
 
ABOUT THE ARA: 
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is Australia’s oldest, largest and most diverse retail body, representing a $360bn sector which employs one in ten Australians. Learn more: retail.org.au 
Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 
 

Diamonds are made under pressure

We’re excited to share episode 4 of the Retail Therapy podcast, proudly brought to you by American Express. Join Paul Zahra in the AMEX Lounge to chat with Karen Bozic, the Group CEO of craveable brands. – which is made up of Red Rooster, Oporto and Chicken Treat.
Karen joined craveable brands in December 2019 as Group CEO. As a highly experienced executive and Board member, Karen was able to lead and positively drive outcomes across ASX listed corporations and private companies having done so in some of Australia's most iconic retail brands including Caltex, Woolworths and Rebel Sport.
In complex and transformational environments, Karen has a track record in developing and executing strategy, building and transforming businesses and developing, engaging and sustaining high performance teams. 
Paul and Karen discuss:
Smash repairers and chicken shops
Morning routines in a leadership role
Changing habits during lockdown
Enjoying responsibility and loving a challenge
Ongoing labour and location challenges
Learnings from the first 12 months as a CEO
Workplace productivity 
Lessons from different disciplines
Learn more about American Express.
ABOUT THE ARA:
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is Australia’s oldest, largest and most diverse retail body, representing a $360bn sector which employs one in ten Australians. Learn more: retail.org.au
Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Putting the customer first, second, third and fourth

“I think the most powerful thing a leader can do is actually listen and act on advice, as opposed to sprouting it. There is a perception that leadership is about having all the answers and knowing what to do, but I think sometimes it’s more powerful to do the opposite.”
In this episode of Retail Therapy, Paul Zahra speaks with Anthony Heraghty, Group Managing Director and CEO, Super Retail Group – one of Australasia’s largest retailers, housing iconic brands including BCF Boating Camping Fishing, Macpac, Rebel and Supercheap Auto.
Prior to his appointment as Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Anthony was Managing Director – Outdoor Retailing (2015–2019) where he was responsible for the BCF, Rays and Macpac businesses. Anthony has served in a variety of senior roles including Group General Manager of Underwear for Pacific Brands Limited, where he led the overhaul of the Bonds business from a wholesale operation to an omni-retailer, Global Marketing Director for Foster’s Group Limited and Managing Director for George Patterson and McCann Erickson.
In this episode, Paul and Anthony discuss: 
What you learn growing up in a family small business
Putting the customer first, second, third and fourth
Retail being a ‘changeathon’, where nothing is constant
The importance of data and analytics, but also gut feel
Thinking beyond product, price and convenience
Demystifying a day in a life of a CEO
Leadership and ambition
Learn more about American Express.
ABOUT THE ARA:
The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest and largest Australian retail industry group, representing the $362 billion retail sector that employs approximately 1.3 million people nationwide. Learn more: retail.org.au
Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Rolling with disruption

“If I look back in 5 years’ time, and together as an industry we haven’t embraced the opportunity to really make a difference in sustainability, training and skills development, diversity and women in the workforce… I’ll be disappointed because I feel we have such a privileged position representing so many people across Australia.”  
In this episode of Retail Therapy, we speak with Sarah Hunter, the Managing Director of Officeworks – the go-to retailer for so many of us when it comes to office supplies, tech equipment and for families when it’s time for back to school. 
Prior to taking on the lead role at Officeworks in 2019, Sarah was Demerger Program Director at Coles, overseeing the successful implementation of the demerger of the business from Wesfarmers in 2018. Sarah joined Coles in 2010, and held various senior positions, including General Manager Workplace Strategy; State General Manager Victoria; Financial Controller and General Manager of Finance for Coles Express, Coles Liquor and Coles Supermarket Operations. Before joining Coles, Sarah worked in the United Kingdom for more than 10 years, holding a number of senior commercial positions in banking and airports, including Strategy and Finance Director at Gatwick Airport from 2006 to 2010.  
In this episode, Paul and Sarah discuss: 
Putting customers at the heart of decision making  
Growing through COVID-19 and dealing with ongoing lockdowns as a team  
Flexible working and the future of the workforce  
Embracing technology in all forms and QR code confidence 
The day in a life of a Managing Director 
Embracing the opportunity of diversity and inclusion 
Officeworks’s sustainability journey in the circular economy 
Women in retail and the importance of participation 
The importance of belonging, rather than inclusion  
Learn more about American Express.
ABOUT THE ARA: 
The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest and largest Australian retail industry group, representing the $340 billion retail sector that employs approximately 1.2 million people nationwide. Learn more: retail.org.au ​ 
Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Picture a postie... on a bike ... delivering a canoe...

What do canoes, boxes of wine and air-fryers all have in common? They are just some of the items Australia Post delivered, or sold, to Australians during lockdown. 
This first episode of Retail Therapy features a fantastic conversation with Nicole Sheffield, Executive General Manager, Community and Consumer at Australia Post.
Nicole Sheffield is a highly accomplished senior executive with extensive experience in the media, marketing and digital industries. With an intrinsic understanding of the Australian consumer, Nicole is accountable for delivering seamless experiences across the key customer channels including Australia’s largest retail network, with over 4,300 post offices, the customer contact centre and digital channels.
Paul and Nicole discuss:
Australia Post's position in the overall retail landscape
Shopping trends brought on by COVID-19, and what is here to stay 
The importance of the local post office for rural Australians 
Australia Post's big 2021 sustainability goal 
Nicole's diverse career and background
What it takes to be a good leader, and Australia Post's current leadership 
Learn more about American Express.
ABOUT THE ARA:
The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest and largest Australian retail industry group, representing the $340 billion retail sector that employs approximately 1.2 million people nationwide. Learn more: retail.org.au
Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Trailer

Launching May 2021. Welcome to Retail Therapy - a podcast proudly brought to you by American Express. Each episode we’ll be chatting to a leader in Australia’s retail industry, including the CEOs of some of Australia’s biggest retailers. We’ll be finding out what makes them tick… What defines their leadership style… And how they got to the top of their game.
Learn more about the ARA: retail.org.au 
Learn more about American Express.