All Interviews articles – Page 6
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Interview
Q&A: Bodycare’s Tony Brown on building a ‘truly national brand’
Founders Graham and Margaret Blackledge launched Bodycare in 1970 from a market stall in Skelmersdale, Lancashire. Today the health and beauty retailer’s portfolio has grown to more than 130 stores across the UK
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Interview
Meet Naomi Simcock and the team determined to revive John Lewis’ fortunes
While John Lewis Partnership has been dominating headlines for big strategic reasons – such as the possibility of bringing external financing, a full-year slump into the red and the loss of the legendary partners’ bonus – there is still a business to run.
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Interview
Q&A: Percival boss Chris Gove on shooting for the Big Apple as part of US expansion
Retail Week spoke to Percival founder and creative director Chris Gove about the menswear retailer’s international expansion plans and growing from a single London pop up to a potentially global store estate
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Interview
The Sosandar sorority: Co-chiefs Julie Lavington and Ali Hall on the power of partnership
Meet Sosandar co-chief executives Julie Lavington and Ali Hall, the former fashion magazine outfit who started the rapidly growing etailer, both in sales and reputation
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Interview
Q&A: The Very Group’s Paul Hornby on integrating AI into the digital customer experience
The Very Group is in the midst of a tech transformation and by 2024 it plans to migrate most of its app and website to its new Skyscape platform which will help deliver customer experience changes “more frequently and faster than ever before”
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Interview
Q&A: Zero-waste beauty brand SBTRCT founder Ben Grace on why less is more
After spending 10 years as the managing director of men’s skincare brand Bulldog, Ben Grace launched SBTRCT in August 2020 with “a mission to create the highest-performing skincare products with the lowest environmental impact”.
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Interview
Q&A: Watches of Switzerland CEO Brian Duffy on why the UK is missing out on tourist shoppers
Retail Week speaks to Watches of Switzerland chief executive Brian Duffy about the detrimental impact of tourist tax, the luxury retailer’s secret to success and its international expansion plans in the pipeline
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Interview
Q&A: OnBuy founder Cas Paton on becoming ‘Europe’s fastest-growing ecommerce business’
OnBuy’s founder and chief executive Cas Paton speaks to Retail Week about differentiating from other marketplaces, international expansion and plans to take the business to new heights
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Interview
Topps man: How Topps Tiles CEO Rob Parker is laying groundwork for decades of success
Topps Tiles celebrates its 60th anniversary this year and sales are as sparkling as a newly installed shower wall.
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Interview
Q&A: Space NK’s Andy Lightfoot on being truly multichannel and fighting competition
Space NK chief executive Andy Lightfoot speaks to Retail Week about the importance of high streets in today’s climate, the true meaning of experiential retail in beauty, Sephora and his journey at the retailer since being promoted four years ago
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Interview
Interview: Dobbies CEO reveals strategy for stores success
In an exclusive interview, Graeme Jenkins, CEO of the UK’s largest garden centre operator Dobbies, reveals four things he’s putting at the top of his priority list
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Interview
Q&A: James Hart – founder of Kidly and Asos’ first employee
We spoke to Asos’ first employee James Hart about why he left and struck out alone to create the Asos of kidswear
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Interview
Q&A: Alibaba’s Roland Palmer on Brexit and what UK retail can learn from China
Alibaba’s UK general manager Roland Palmer speaks to Retail Week about how the marketplace giant is making a name for itself in the country despite challenges from Brexit, and where UK businesses can follow China’s example
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Interview
Interview: Ikea boss Peter Jelkeby on his plans to ‘spice things up’ on Oxford Street
Ikea UK and Ireland chief executive Peter Jelkeby fizzes with excitement about the brand’s new city-centre digs.
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Interview
Q&A: Vinted marketplace CEO Adam Jay on the future of second-hand fashion
Retail Week spoke to Vinted marketplace chief executive Adam Jay about the platform’s expansion plans, resale market challenges, the importance of having no selling fees and how second-hand fashion will shape the future
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Interview
Marks Electrical boss Mark Smithson on keeping its edge in a difficult market
The electricals sector has faced tough challenges amid the cost-of-living crisis, high inflation and a poor macroeconomic environment since Covid-19 but for Marks Electrical, the past few years have meant revenue growth and soaring sales.
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Interview
Q&A: Cotswold Company CEO Ralph Tucker on repair shops, store openings and the four-day week
Tucker took on his first CEO gig at premium home and furniture retailer Cotswold Company just four weeks before the pandemic hit and has steered it through several crises since
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Interview
How Retail Leader of the Year Carl Cowling piloted WHSmith to new heights
As WHSmith chief executive Carl Cowling wins the Salesforce Retail Leader of the Year Award, we meet the man who led the high street and travel specialist to not just survive but thrive following the pandemic
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Interview
Q&A: Ikea exec talks new tech and how AR can transform the in-store experience
Ikea’s country marketing manager Helena Gouveia, along with immersive tech company Warpin CEO Emma Ridderstad and partner director Eva Kindlundh, speaks to Retail Week about the in-store augmented-reality partnership
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Interview
Q&A: Resale platform Sellier’s founder on bullet-proof authentication and snapping up competitors
Sellier’s founder and chief executive Hanushka Toni speaks to Retail Week about the current challenges within the resale market, expansion plans and the importance of authenticated luxury.