Retail Therapy

Being ahead of the curve

Taking Shape prides itself on being a one-stop-shop for women who want to celebrate their curves. ARA CEO Paul Zahra sat down with Alla Buinowicz, Managing Director of the brand for 17 years to talk all things customer related, their recent collaboration with Indigenous artist Elverina Johnson, how they’re elevating the shopping experience and more.
Brands will say they put the customer first but you’d be hard pressed to find a company that not only listens to their customers as much as Taking Shape does, but embraces the constant feedback and then puts the best ones into action.
Alla shared that “Feedback has probably been the backbone of our business, with commitment and passion about having a go.” And you can bet these key drivers for growing a business that’s been around since 1985 and is still going strong, is alive and well within the Taking Shape team.
In Episode 9, Paul and Alla discuss:
The Taking Shape story and its growth
Their partnership with Indigenous artist Elverina Johnson
Why consistent customer feedback is key
Agility, a world class team and how it equates to success
Using digital capabilities to create connection
Is personalised shopping the way of the future?
Reducing their environmental impact
What the future holds for Taking Shape
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 

The business of leadership

We’re excited to deliver Episode 8 of our Retail Therapy podcast – a retail rich conversation with Rowan Hodge, CEO of Andersens, a well known floor covering business founded in the 1950s.
Growing up in a country town in Queensland, with two degrees under his belt in accounting and law, his retail career has taken him around the world and back again. From senior leadership roles in Battery World, Westfield and Domino's to name a few, his wealth of experience shines through in this episode.
Rowan’s commitment to developing and evolving his retail approach is impressive. He’s an advocate for franchising and gets the complexities, challenges and rewards better than most. His inspiring words resonate whether you’re just starting in retail or you’ve been running the show for decades.
In this episode Rowan and Paul discuss:
Leadership and the commitment to learning
The many challenges and wins of a career in retail
Why franchising is a winning formula
The all important role culture plays
Customer pathways to purchase all SMBs should know
How digital transformation is impacting retail
Demand for sustainably sourced products
International innovations
The invaluable influence of mentors
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 

What small business does best

With over 4.7 million people, representing 41% of the total business workforce, SMBs are a big driver of Australia’s economic success – a fact Alexi Boyd is very familiar with given her 20+ years of experience working with small and family businesses. And now in her role as CEO at COSBOA – the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia – Alexi works tirelessly to advocate and support small businesses across Australia.
 
Join Paul Zahra for some Retail Therapy this week in the Amex Lounge, where he sits down with Alexi as she shares the many opportunities that lie ahead despite the challenges businesses have faced both in the past and in the new normal of living with Covid.
 
In this episode Alexi and Paul discuss:
Why SMBs are critical to our economic success
Blocks to success and ways to overcome them
How we could have avoided businesses closing during the pandemic
How the landscape differs now, compared to 5-10 years ago
An SMB that flourished in the crisis and lessons learned
Is being an omni-channel business critical?
COSBOA’s current support and advocacy work
How to embrace sustainability, climate change and diversity
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 

A family business success story

To give us an insight into a wonderful family small business success story is Dean Salakas, Chief Party Dude of The Party People. Starting out in Sydney, The Party People are now Australia’s largest stockist of party supplies with over 25,000 products including themed decorations, balloons and costumes. 
Dean’s childhood entailed his mum Mala dressing up as a clown on weekends, part of her home-based kids party business. Her risk taking and entrepreneurial outlook made for a fun childhood and now, Dean runs The Party People with his brother Peter. 
He candidly shares what it’s like to run a family business and what it took to launch an online presence in the late 90s at a time when many retail brands weren’t even online, let alone had a functioning website. 
In this episode, ARA CEO Paul Zahra and Dean discuss:
The truth about what it’s really like running a family business 
How being an e-Commerce early adopter paid off 
Critical insights and lessons learned running an SMB 
Empowering staff to freely contribute ideas 
A glimpse into exciting tech trends hitting the part industry
Refreshing advice for SMBs when going online 
Future expansion plans 
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 
 

A passion for fashion

Introducing Phoebes Garland, whose unplanned career in fashion has turned into an inspiring story of success. She is the co-founder of fashion management and consultancy Garland & Garland Fashion, owns lifestyle brand GxG Collective, is ambassador to not-for-profits Shake it Up Australia and Adopt Change and she also works with the fashion design studio at the Australian Fashion Council.  
To say her finger is on the pulse when it comes to upcoming trends in the fashion industry is an understatement. With her 25 years of experience in sales publishing, advertising and fashion, she has an incredible childhood story that has influenced the way she does business today.  
So what does implementing sustainability practices actually look like for a jewellery brand? What keeps someone like Phoebes in love with the fashion industry which can at times be very competitive? Find out this and more in episode 5 of the Australian Retailers Association Retail Therapy podcast. 
In the Amex lounge, Paul and Phoebes discuss: 
How Phoebes childhood influenced her approach to business 
The fashion industry’s response to Covid and lasting changes 
Embracing emerging innovation and technology trends 
Sustainability tips for SMB’s 
What it’s like being a not-for-profit ambassador  
Advice for the next 12 months and some keys to success 
ABOUT THE ARA: 
The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest, largest and most diverse national retail body, representing a $360bn sector which employs 1.3 million Australians and is the largest private sector employer in the country. Learn more: retail.org.au/ 
Learn more about American Express: https://www.americanexpress.com/au/merchant/accept-amex-cards.html 

Social media for selling

Are you surprised to know that Australian consumers are tapping on over 4 million shopping tags every month on social media?
Joining us for some Retail Therapy in the Amex Lounge today is Kate Box, Director, Global Business Group, Retail ANZ at Meta. Kate has been with the social media giant for over 10 years, helping businesses to grow and expand their digital presence. 
Following a number of exciting trends that have emerged in the digital space over the past couple of years, we chat about the role Meta has played, their support for small business and the interesting innovations being rolled out to help SMB’s increase their online presence and drive sales.
Paul and Kate discuss:
How Facebook and Instagram have embraced online shopping
Does increased social media usage correlate with increased sales?
Is replicating the in-store experience online the right thing to do?
Innovations in the personalised shopping experience
AR trends and beyond
Support for small businesses drive social media sales
Digital trends and case studies to stay ahead of the curve
How social platforms are evolving the online shopping space
Advice on navigating the ever changing world of ecommerce
ABOUT THE ARA: 
The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest, largest and most diverse national retail body, representing a $360bn sector which employs 1.3 million Australians and is the largest private sector employer in the country. Learn more: retail.org.au/ 
Learn more about American Express: https://www.americanexpress.com/au/merchant/accept-amex-cards.html 

SMBs - Australia’s engine room

ARA CEO Paul Zahra sat down with The Hon Bruce Billson, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman to discuss all things SMB.
Bruce’s work in Cabinet and stint in retail as an arts and crafts store owner have primed him for his current role. His genuine commitment to seeing the sector thrive stems from his vision that small business truly is the engine room of the economy and Bruce, we’ve discovered, is their biggest champion.  
Paul and Bruce discuss: 
His career from retail to cabinet minister to now 
Behind the scenes as the champion for small and family business 
Issues Bruce and his team tackle on the daily 
Bruce's approach to the sector’s challenges, pre and post Covid 
Why the ‘family’ part of small business in Australia is so special 
Supporting mental health
Sage advice to business owners as we embrace the new normal 
Exciting times on the horizon – what’s in store?
ABOUT THE ARA: 
The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest, largest and most diverse national retail body, representing a $360bn sector which employs 1.3 million Australians and is the largest private sector employer in the country. Learn more: retail.org.au/ 
Learn more about American Express: https://www.americanexpress.com/au/merchant/accept-amex-cards.html 

The power of confidence

Did you know that about 38% of small businesses in Australia are owned by women?  
In this episode of Retail Therapy ARA CEO Paul Zahra speaks with Amanda Rose, a powerful advocate for women in business. Amanda is the Founding Director of Western Sydney Women and Founder & CEO of Small Business Women Australia.  
Paul and Amanda cover:  
Amanda’s tips for starting a new business 
The number one issue facing women in business  
The power of diversity in thought and confidence  
How to follow the money and future proof your business  
Pay discrepancies for women depending on location  
The resilience of businesses in Western Sydney  
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: https://www.retail.org.au/ 
Learn more about American Express: https://www.americanexpress.com/au/merchant/accept-amex-cards.html 

I want to bake free!

We're kicking off Season Two of the ARA's Retail Therapy podcast with this fantastic chat with Steve Plarre, CEO of Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses, an award-winning family business with a proud history dating back over 110 years.
Ferguson Plarre is an iconic business, famous for its cakes, pasties and pies and a great case study for small business success.
Steve and Paul discuss: 
Becoming a viral sensation during lockdown 
The history of Ferguson Plarre 
The benefit of franchising
Growing up in a family business 
The secret to a perfect pie
Developing new products inspired by global food trends
Dealing with lockdowns across 87 Victorian stores 
Growing with your values intact
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: https://www.retail.org.au/ 
Learn more about American Express: https://www.americanexpress.com/au/merchant/accept-amex-cards.html 

Season 2 Trailer: Small Business is Big Business

We are thrilled to announce that Season 2 of the ARA's Retail Therapy podcast is launching next week. This season, we're looking at small business.
 
Small business is big business. 95% of our members are small to medium businesses - the backbone of the Australian economy - and we are proud to represent the interests of these businesses.
 
ARA CEO Paul Zahra speaks with the people behind the small businesses that are the life blood of so many of our communities, and with industry leaders who are shaping the small business landscape.
 
ARA Retail Therapy Podcast is proudly brought to you by American Express. Learn more about American Express: https://lnkd.in/gEFxmqR