Retail Therapy

Stories from science

Introducing Kylie Ahern, the CEO & Founder at STEM Matters – an agency that works with leading researchers to improve the way they communicate their stories across science, technology, arts, business and economics.   
A passionate advocate for sustainability and climate change, Kylie is an award-winning publisher and entrepreneur with experience that spans media, telecommunications, science and education. In 2004, she co-founded Cosmos Media and launched Australia's top-selling science magazine, Cosmos. She’s also the publisher and editor of thebrilliant.com.au which showcases the work of people and institutions in the research and innovation space.   
In this episode of Retail Therapy, Paul and Kylie discuss:  
Kylie’s career trajectory and why she started STEM Matters  
Why it’s critical to support research in science and technology 
Unpacking tech-heavy topics into snackable content 
Lack of acknowledgement around women’s achievements 
How thebrilliant.com.au is elevating science communications 
Improving investment in science 
A lesson in taking your home off the grid 
Challenges for business in the transition to net-zero 
A big thank you to AWS for supporting this season of the podcast. AWS is how you can have a sustainable business. Find out how AWS can help: https://pages.awscloud.com/aws-sustainability-transformation.html 

Mobilising a movement

Our next guest on the Retail Therapy podcast is Alex Holt, Chief Sustainability Officer at Woolworths Group – one of Australia’s biggest companies and most recognisable brands. It was in June last year that this executive level leadership role was created, highlighting the firm commitment from the organisation to bring their sustainability objectives to the forefront. 
Alex has been at the helm of the Woolworths Group sustainability portfolio since 2016 and led the development of their ground-breaking ‘2025 Sustainability Plan’ project. Before this, she was General Manager of Sustainability, Health and Quality.  
We know why climate change and sustainability is important and why we need to work towards net-zero targets, the big question is, how do we get there? Inviting Alex into the podcast studio to chat about the Woolworths Group sustainability journey and the leadership role it’s taking in this space is well timed.  
Tune in to hear Paul and Alex discuss:  
The importance of sustainability leadership roles  
The Woolworths Group's 2025 sustainability plan 
Putting people, planet and product front and centre 
Evolution of the circular economy 
Stakeholder engagement and bringing the whole team on the journey 
Community responsibility in times of crisis
The secret sauce applicable to all businesses 
Investing in a new plastic recycling start-up tech 
A big thank you to AWS for supporting this season of the podcast. AWS is how you can have a sustainable business. Find out how AWS can help: https://pages.awscloud.com/aws-sustainability-transformation.html 

Reimagining the retail experience

Our next guest has a wealth of experience in consulting and advising retailers on how to reimagine their physical retail space. Joining Paul for some Retail Therapy is Ian Johnston, the Founder and Creative Director of Quinine – UK-based research, strategy and design consultancy.
We’ve heard a lot about ‘why’ when it comes to the importance of sustainability, but the focus has shifted to the execution of the goals and targets. As we discover, physical retailers around the globe are creating inventive ways to hit their sustainability and diversity objectives, from travelling buses making repairs, and multi-use premises to a designated quiet hour in-store. How does the physical store play a role in the sustainability journey? How does bricks and mortar foster loyalty and trust and in turn sustainability credibility? Ian unpacks this important topic and so much more.
We cover:
Innovative initiatives by global brands
What a sustainability-focused retailer looks like
Importance of an end-of-life plan
Solutions that make a big experiential difference
Retail stores as an education platform
Strengthening the sustainability connection with customers
Advice for SMBs starting their sustainability journey
What Ian thinks will bring the industry unstuck
Will e-commerce ever overshadow bricks and mortar?
A big thank you to AWS for supporting this season of the podcast. AWS is how you can have a sustainable business. Find out how AWS can help: https://pages.awscloud.com/aws-sustainability-transformation.html 
 
REFERENCES - 
WRC Report on Sustainability in Retail - https://www.worldretailcongress.com/congess-content/behind-the-curve-the-nascent-state-of-sustainability-in-retail
Starbucks Reserve Roastery - https://www.starbucks.com.cn/en/about/news/roastery-leed-platinum-certification/
Urban Outfitters, Rialto Theatre Store - https://laist.com/news/urban-outfitters-revamping-dtlas-hi 
Patagonia, Repairs truck called Worn Wear - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-bvyLQ5mP0
H&M Looop - https://about.hm.com/news/general-news-2020/recycling-system--looop--helps-h-m-transform-unwanted-garments-i.html 
Build Corporate Philotimy - Philotimy means decency, dignity, honesty, and a dozen other ideals encapsulating what it means to live with integrity. It is greater than the individual, positively impacting family, community, organization, and society.  Research shows that companies with a strong sense of philotimy consistently outperform less-virtuous companies.  https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2575912 

The change maker - part 2

Here's part two of the fascinating and thought-provoking conversation with Sarah Wilson. Sarah is the founder of the internationally acclaimed I Quit Sugar movement, global best-selling author, thought leader, philanthropist and climate advisor. Sarah is a leading voice on mental health issues and runs her own podcast series ‘Wild with Sarah Wilson’, linked to her most recent book ‘This One Wild and Precious Life’.
Join ARA CEO Paul Zahra and Sarah Wilson for part two of their discussion, which uncovers:
A very personal experience around mental health and anxiety
The real reason why she sold her business – you’ll love this one!
Why she thinks we’ve all got the ‘kamikaze energy’ in us
The inverse correlation between opulence and innovation
A big thank you to AWS for supporting this season of the podcast. AWS is how you can have a sustainable business. Find out how AWS can help: https://pages.awscloud.com/aws-sustainability-transformation.html 

The change maker - part 1

Here’s an episode of ARA Retail Therapy you don’t want to miss. Founder of the internationally acclaimed I Quit Sugar movement, globally best-selling author, thought leader, philanthropist, climate advisor, and a truly all-round fascinating and engaging person, is the influential Sarah Wilson. 
Not only has Sarah been ranked in the top 200 most influential authors in the world, she was once the host of MasterChef Australia and ex-editor of Cosmopolitan, is a leading voice on mental health issues and runs her own podcast series ‘Wild with Sarah Wilson’, linked to her most recent book ‘This One Wild and Precious Life’. 
If you have ever heard or seen Sarah speak, you’ll get it when we say her passionate commitment to drive a global conversation on sustainability and climate change is relentless. She’s always walking her talk, with a unique ability to communicate important messages in a way where she shifts the status quo without being overwhelming. In fact, this episode is like a long list of hints and tips about how to be a better human! 
Join ARA CEO Paul Zahra and Sarah Wilson as they discuss: 
The catalyst for Sarah devoting her life to helping others 
What it takes to be committed to climate change advocacy 
The experience of writing ‘This One Wild and Precious Life’
Her eight-year backpacking adventure turned spiritual journey
Living the minimalist life and what that looks like 
Stay tuned for next week when we share part two of the conversation with Sarah – which is just as interesting and fascinating as the first.  
A big thank you to AWS for supporting this season of the podcast. AWS is how you can have a sustainable business. Find out how AWS can help: https://pages.awscloud.com/aws-sustainability-transformation.html 

Seeing green

Our next guest on the ARA Retail Therapy podcast is the humble and passionate CEO of Greenpeace Australia Pacific since 2012, David Ritter. He has worked in the London office for five years, was a lawyer for more than a decade before that, with a particular focus on native title and recently co-authored the book ‘The Coal Truth: the fight to stop Adani, defeat the big polluters and reclaim our democracy’.  
Join Paul Zahra and David as they discuss all things sustainability and the amazing work he’s doing at Greenpeace.
This episode you will discover:  
David’s love for Greenpeace and why it’s so strong 
How the major retailers approached cutting emissions 
Surprising initiatives you may not know exist 
How industry and government can work together
His passionate view on the climate change debate
Barriers for business in reaching net-zero targets
Why climate change is so divisive in Australia
How Greenpeace is flipping the energy conversation
The new alliance of community and capital 

Leading the climate charge

With climate change being the biggest business disruptor on our doorstep, we welcome Nicki Hutley, Economist and Member of the Climate Council. Nicki is one of the leading voices highlighting the impacts of climate change, and is a frequent commentator in the media and is constantly working to better inform the business community on how they can be part of the change.
Thank you to ARA Partner, AWS, for supporting us in our commitment to share the greatest minds in all things retail and sustainability with our listeners. 
Paul and Nicki discuss: 
Why climate change is such a divisive topic in Australia 
Easily achievable ways SMBs can take action 
The direct impact mounting emissions will have on business
Barriers to meeting Australia’s 2030 and 2050 targets 
The global response and how Australia fairs
Businesses implementing change initiatives 
AWS is how you can have a sustainable business. Find out how AWS can help https://pages.awscloud.com/aws-sustainability-transformation.html 

Big business, big sustainability goals

We’re back! For a whole new season of the Retail Therapy podcast - focussing on 'Sustainable Retail'. We’re excited to announce that Season 3 is brought to you by ARA Partner, Amazon Web Services (AWS), providers of cloud services across government, education, not-for-profits and healthcare and a subsidiary of Amazon.
This season takes a deep dive on sustainability, the climate challenges that lie ahead for businesses and how they’re adapting.  To celebrate, our first guest is Luke Hargreaves, Global Sustainability Business Advisor at AWS. Luke works with businesses and governments to accelerate their transition to sustainable business models through the use of technology. We talk to Luke about AWS, Amazon in general and the role they’re playing in the sustainability space. 
AWS is how you can have a sustainable business. Find out how AWS can help: https://pages.awscloud.com/aws-sustainability-transformation.html

Season 3 Trailer: Sustainable Retail

Having navigated the worst of the pandemic, businesses are now tackling the next big global disruptor in climate change. In Season 3 of Retail Therapy titled 'Sustainable Retail', we hear from business leaders, academics, and climate experts – many of them global leaders in their field - about their personal journeys in fighting for a more sustainable future. And we’ll also learn more about businesses in how they’re meeting their sustainability targets. 
AWS is how you can have a sustainable business. Find out how AWS can help: https://pages.awscloud.com/aws-sustainability-transformation.html

Entrepreneurial spirit, the SMB superpower

Join us for some Retail Therapy in the Amex Lounge with Lynda McAlary-Smith, Victorian Small Business Commissioner. Her role supports the 644,000 small businesses to resolve disputes as well as providing advice, advocacy and education. No matter where your business is located, Lynda’s words will resonate. 
Once having worked in the public service at both state and federal levels, including her time as the acting Deputy Fair Work Ombudsman, Lynda knows her stuff when it comes to addressing all things small business. She’s incredibly passionate and committed to representing their voice into government, ensuring the real life experience of SMBs is represented.
Starting her new role during Melbourne’s sixth lockdown was challenging she admits, given what she small businesses dealt with. Now, she sees the many innovations and entrepreneurial spirit of this community continuing on and is more passionate than ever to empower business owners.
Lynda chats with ARA CEO and podcast host Paul Zahra to discuss:
What it’s like starting a new role during lockdown
The many lessons and opportunities
The tenancy relief scheme
Impressive innovations retained post-Covid
A frontline opinion of Melbourne’s CBD future
Consumer driven sustainability and diversity changes
Priorities for the Commission moving forward
We hope you enjoy the last episode of Season Two! What an inspiring bunch of retail champions we’ve had in the Amex Lounge. Stay tuned for Season Three!
With special thanks to ARA strategic partner, American Express, for enabling this podcast series to come to life. Learn more about American Express: https://www.americanexpress.com/au/merchant/accept-amex-cards.html