Welcome to Marketing in the Madness, and what better way to kick off our first podcast episode of 2026 than with a live panel diving into the future of retail!

Hosted by Katie Street, this episode brings together senior leaders from some of the UK’s most influential retail brands to unpack how AI, data, customer experience and loyalty are reshaping how people discover, shop and engage with brands.

Featuring expert insights from:

Simon Pakenham-Walsh, CIO at River Island Lynn Ritson, Global Digital Director at Dr. Martens Fabrice Khullar, Director of Product & Technology at Boots

From beauty and fashion discovery on Instagram, to shopping directly inside AI platforms, to the evolving role of loyalty in a TikTok-first world, this is an honest, unfiltered conversation about what’s actually happening inside retail businesses right now.

In this episode, they cover:

- How AI and LLMs are changing the way consumers discover and buy products - Why designing customer journeys has become more complex (and less linear) than ever - The reality of brand loyalty in 2026 plus what’s changing and what still matters - How retailers are adapting their data, content and digital infrastructure for AI-led discovery - The importance of humanising AI experiences, from chatbots to personalised content - What brands should be prioritising as they plan for the year ahead

Whether you work in marketing, ecommerce, digital, retail, brand, CRM or strategy, this episode is packed with practical insight and future-focused thinking (without the hype).

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe so you don’t miss the rest of our Marketing in the Madness Live series.

Want to join us in person at the next event in March 2026? Connect with Katie Street on LinkedIn and follow Marketing in the Madness Live for VIP invites.

Connect with us:

Simon Pakenham-Walsh https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-pakenham-walsh/

Fabrice Khullar https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabrice-khullar-4309153/

Lynn Ritson https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnritson/

Katie Street https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/

Marketing in the Madness https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast

Street Agency https://street.agency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/

Fashion retail is under pressure, shrinking margins, rising costs, volatile demand, and no real volume growth.

In this episode of Marketing in the Madness, retail and data expert Sarah McVittie breaks down what’s actually happening behind the scenes and what separates the brands that are winning from those stuck in the middle.

Recorded live on stage at our event, Marketing in the Madness Live, this session dives into six years of data from 113 of the world’s most successful fashion retailers across the UK, Europe, and the US. Sarah reveals the operating models, brand strategies, and data-driven decisions that are driving profitability in an increasingly competitive market.

You’ll learn:

- Why fashion retail is now a share-gain market, not a growth market - How brand power is becoming more important again after years of performance marketing dominance - What resale, second-hand, and value perception mean for future growth - What fashion brands can learn from players like Hermès, Zara, Uniqlo, Shein, and Vinted - Where data and AI genuinely help and where they don’t replace creativity or brand thinking - And much more!

Sarah also shares why operational discipline often beats channel mix, how omnichannel really works today, and what brands must do to stay relevant in an increasingly commoditised market.

This episode was recorded live on stage at Marketing in the Madness Live in London.

Sarah McVittie https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-mcvittie-61884a7/

Katie Street https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/

Street Agency https://street.agency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/

In this festive episode of Marketing in the Madness, Katie Street is joined by Jason Trout former colleague, long-time industry leader, and Managing Director at Crimtan to explore how advertising has evolved over the past two decades and where it’s heading next.

The conversation reflects on the golden era of traditional advertising, examines why Christmas campaigns from brands such as John Lewis and Waitrose continue to capture national attention, and unpacks the psychology behind creative that truly resonates.

Jason shares his perspective on the rise of Connected TV, the shift toward advertiser-funded content, and why relevance has become increasingly important in a household viewing environment.

The episode also explores the impact of AI on media planning, creativity, and targeting, alongside the growing influence of independent agencies. Together, they discuss what brands need to do to build trust, stay human, and cut through in an increasingly fragmented advertising landscape.

Whether you’re running an agency, leading a brand, or simply interested in the intersection of advertising, technology, and culture, this episode offers practical insight and thoughtful perspective.

Enjoyed the episode? Click subscribe so you never miss the conversations shaping the future of marketing, tech and brand growth.

Connect with us:

Jason Trout https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-trout/

Katie Street https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiestreet/ https://www.instagram.com/streetmate/

Marketing in the Madness https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-in-the-madness-podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/marketinginthemadness/

Street Agency https://www.linkedin.com/company/streetagency/ https://www.instagram.com/street.agency/