Episodios

  • 24: Why OOH solutions are transforming retail in surprising ways

    24: Why OOH solutions are transforming retail in surprising ways
    Dec 10 2025
    "Those who never used the lockers tend to say they aren't secure. But if you look at the number of lost packages during last year, you’ll see that thousand more packages were lost for home delivery to the door than those that were lost or stolen from the parcel lockers." - Jacek Powałka

    In this brand new episode of the Unpacked podcast, we dig into building customer adoption for out-of-home delivery services with Jacek Powałka, one of the top global gurus on OOH solutions, and Head of the Out Of Home Solutions business unit at Modern Expo, a company that has been providing solutions for UK retailers for over 10 years and played a key role in launching the Royal Mail parcel locker network.

    In this episode, we talk about the surprising preferences of younger generations and why they're leading to significant changes in how people shop, how Amazon, Valentine's Day and COVID have all fuelled the popularity of parcel lockers, and cover some of the most pragmatic uses of the technology:

    • Compact drop boxes for small convenience stores guaranteeing that so-called golden shelf is still free for the products and the shop assistants don’t have to waste time collecting each and every parcel.
    • Fully modular parcel compartments that can fit both extra small and big spaces.
    • Parcels with ambience deep frozen temperatures or -5 degrees that can be used for food delivery.
    "There are over 60000 parcel lockers in the country of 38 million inhabitants which would translate into about 100000 parcel lockers in the UK to reach the same quantity in comparison to population," Powałka states.
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    31 m
  • 23: When work just works: Powering peak with smarter scheduling

    23: When work just works: Powering peak with smarter scheduling
    Dec 9 2025
    Retailers often think of the golden quarter in terms of stock, promotions and delivery speed. But behind every sale, every dispatch, and every customer interaction is a fundamental frontline team under immense pressure.

    In 2025, with labour shortages, rising costs, and burnout at record highs, managing your workforce effectively could be the single biggest determinant of whether you thrive or stumble this peak.

    In this episode of Retail Unpacked, we speak with Erik Fjellborg, CEO and founder of Quinyx, to explore how AI-driven scheduling, smarter communication, and employee engagement can turn seasonal chaos into peak performance.

    We’ll discuss how flexibility, fairness, and the right tech tools not only boost productivity but also protect the wellbeing of staff, and why that’s the real secret to long-term customer loyalty.
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    32 m
  • 22: Why Nando's chose to drastically up its connectivity game

    22: Why Nando's chose to drastically up its connectivity game
    Dec 3 2025
    When a restaurant’s success depends on speed, service, and seamless experiences, even a moment of downtime can spell utter disaster.

    That's why, in this episode of the Retail Gazette Unpacked podcast, we're exploring how the iconic brand Nando’s UK partnered with Ericsson to build a failover connectivity solution that keeps its restaurants cooking, no matter what.

    Discover how one of Britain’s most beloved dining brands turned network resilience into a true competitive edge, and gain un-matched insight into the process from both the Nando’s and Hitachi points of view.


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    37 m
  • 21: Why off-site verification is your silent revenue killer

    21: Why off-site verification is your silent revenue killer
    Nov 26 2025
    41 m
  • 20: The constant challenge of data, AI and the people who make it work

    20: The constant challenge of data, AI and the people who make it work
    Nov 25 2025
    37 m
  • 19: Why hosting EV charging is a huge boon to land owners

    19: Why hosting EV charging is a huge boon to land owners
    Nov 14 2025
    In this edition of the Retail Gazette Unpacked podcast, host Kieran Howells sits down with Liz Warren and Tim Johnson from Mer, alongside Chantal Beaudoin of Knight Frank Investment Management, to explore how EV charging hubs are becoming a powerful commercial and sustainability lever for the retail sector.

    With transport now responsible for 29 per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions and the countdown to the 2035 ICE ban underway, the conversation examines why retail parks and shopping destinations are poised to play a pivotal role in expanding the UK’s charging network.

    Across the discussion, the trio break down the dual value creation emerging for landlords, from measurable ESG gains to increased asset value, footfall and tenant spend driven by EV drivers’ longer dwell times.

    They’re candid about the complexities too, from long-term legal agreements to tenant consent and power availability, while offering a grounded perspective on what retailers should realistically expect when installing charging infrastructure.

    Warren also brings in the driver’s view, sharing new customer research revealing that convenience, rapid charging and high-quality amenities are now essential factors shaping EV driver behaviour, and a clear opportunity for retail destinations.

    Check out the full conversation to get practical insight into the future of EV charging in retail.
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    45 m
  • 18: The value of a strong strategic partnership in levelling up, with Aldo

    18: The value of a strong strategic partnership in levelling up, with Aldo
    Nov 14 2025
    Store consumables. They may not be the most invigorating part of the retail equation, but they are utterly essential. Each element of your consumables budget contributes to that vital employee experience, keeping stores running, keeping them clean and tidy, and ensuring that your staff have all that they need to thrive.

    They're necessary, to say the least, but if we're honest, they can also be a hassle. Every store has a different set of requirements. Order too much, and you're taking up valuable space. Order too little, and you're leaving staff in a huge predicament they may not be prepared to handle. "I once had a store go out and buy a brand new vacuum cleaner, when all they needed to do was change the bag!" laughs Mark Swinden, Operations Manager at Aldo.

    So, what if we told you that with one fundamental decision, you could completely transform antiquated supplier processes, take control of your likely spiralling consumables budget, up the quality of those products and reduce your environmental impact?

    It sounds too good to be true, but today we’re sitting down with Terry Gardner, Retail Consultant and Account Director at Acopia, and Aldo's Mark Swinden to explore how the global footwear brand has done just that through smarter, more strategic partnerships.

    Casting his eyes back over the fruits of the relationship Aldo cultivated with Acopia, Swinden has only this to say: “Honestly, looking back, I just wish we’d made the move sooner.”

    From tackling inefficiencies in in-store consumables to building supplier relationships rooted in trust, the conversation digs into how Aldo has sharpened its agility, reduced costs and set itself up for true sustainable long-term success.

    By listening, you’ll gain valuable insight into what makes a partnership work, the red flags to watch out for, and why getting supplier relationships right can be a game-changer for retail operations.

    This is a very special episode of Retail Gazette Unpacked, recorded inside the brand new Aldo store on London's iconic Oxford Street. We hope you enjoy.

    To learn more about what Acopia can do for you (and gain the efficiencies Mark himself has benefitted from), reach out to Terry and the Acopia team today.

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    31 m
  • 17: Behind the golden quarter: The supply chain secrets to peak success

    17: Behind the golden quarter: The supply chain secrets to peak success
    Nov 4 2025
    Every year, the famed (and for some dreaded) golden quarter makes or breaks retailers. From Black Friday through to Christmas, demand spikes, operations strain, and customer expectations soar. But what really determines whether retailers thrive or stumble is what happens behind the scenes, in the warehouses, fulfilment centres and logistics networks that power every purchase.

    In this episode of Retail Unpacked, we sit down with Clare Davies, managing director at logistics experts GXO, to uncover how retailers can build smarter, more resilient supply chains for peak 2025.

    In our conversation, we’ll explore the role of automation, AI, workforce planning, and scalable warehousing, as well as the crucial factor of collaboration between retailers and logistics partners. Whether you’re a category leader or a challenger brand, this conversation will give you practical insights on how to approach the golden quarter with confidence, not chaos.
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    27 m