This week on Retail Reflections, we’re diving into the retail rush that’s starting earlier than ever. With Black Friday deals already flooding our feeds, we explore why brands are breaking tradition and what that means for both shoppers and sales. We also take a look at the beauty sector’s big moves, from Boots’ new store openings to the rise of loyalty programs like Club New Look and the ever-evolving Boots Advantage Card. Plus, we celebrate some impressive brand comebacks including Ne...

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Rebecca Hawkes, Buying Manager at Something Different Wholesale and someone who’s experienced the buying world from both sides of the fence: big-name retail and fast-moving B2B. Rebecca’s career started in fashion design, but it was a university placement at Tesco that ignited her passion for buying. From there, she climbed the ranks across departments like ladieswear, knitwear and nightwear, learning the importance of agility, training, a...

After a brief hiatus, we're back with a fast-paced download of the latest happenings in retail, brand news, and industry trends. Temu Controversy: Discussion on Temu's ongoing issues with product and image copying, the impact on small brands, and new takedown processes.Reebok x F45 Partnership: Insights into Reebok's new global partnership with F45 Training, and reflections on the brand's position in the sportswear market.Sneaker Wars Documentary: A recommendation for the Disney+ documentary ...

This week, we’re joined by the brilliant Glenn, Founder of DEN Loungewear — and a true retail all-rounder who’s spent years shaping menswear for some of the UK’s biggest high-street names, including Primark, Arcadia, and Next. Glenn’s story begins where so many retail careers do on the shop floor. Starting as a sales assistant at Topman, he quickly caught the buying bug and made the move to head office, where he built a career defined by creativity, commercial instinct, and an eye for great p...

This episode was recorded LIVE at Top Drawer in September 2025. Top Drawer is the UK's leading design-led trade show for buyers and retailers to discover, connect, and purchase lifestyle products across sectors like Home, Gift, Fashion, and Stationery. It's held twice yearly at Kensington Olympia, London. Join us, Kate & Lyns, for a chat with Rosie, Head of Range & Ecommerce at NOTHS. Rosie has worked in a variety of different retail environments, from slow carefully crafted col...

In this episode of Buying and Beyond, we sit down with Emma Robinson, a consultant wine buyer whose career is as rich and layered as the wines she sources. From studying science to stepping into the world of fine wines, Emma has carved out a unique path, working across yacht provisioning, supermarket collaborations, and specialist training. Emma shares what it really takes to succeed in wine buying, from the value of qualifications like WSET and Master of Wine, to the deep product knowledge a...

In this week’s episode, we sit down for a lively catch-up - no guest, just an honest, in-depth chat about the trends, trade shows, and inspirations shaping fashion and retail right now. We kick things off with the joys of autumn fashion: cozy knits, rich burgundy tones, suede textures, and the art of layering. From there, we dive into the rise of head-to-toe colour drenching, playful bold combos, and the season’s must-haves like bomber jackets, kitten-heel boots, and the enduring love for ath...

This week, we dive into the latest movements and shake-ups in the retail world, with a special focus on leadership changes, store strategies, and sustainability efforts. In this episode: Leadership Changes at M&S: We discuss the recent appointments and departures at Marks & Spencer, including the hiring of a new Transformation Director and the exit of their CTO after a challenging year marked by a major cyber attack.Amazon Fresh Store Closures: A look at Amazon’s decision to close or ...

In this episode of Buying and Beyond, we sit down with Louis Clark, Head of Strategic Program Development at the Fashion Retail Academy (FRA) and the Education for Industry Group. Louis takes us inside the innovative ways FRA is transforming work-based learning for the retail sector. From apprenticeships and bespoke programs to short courses across fashion, beauty, and beyond, FRA is bridging the gap between education and industry. We explore why industry-specific training matters, and how FR...

In this episode of Retail Reflections, your hosts dive into the latest happenings in the world of fashion and retail for the week ending September 19th, 2025. Despite a few real-life interruptions (tree surgeons and lingering colds!), the conversation is packed with insights and lively discussion. Highlights include: A recap of New York and London Fashion Weeks, with standout moments from Valentino’s Studio 54 revival, Nicholas Arbor’s sculptural designs, and Colleen Allen’s cheeky lace skirt...

In this episode, we sit down with Rebecca Thompson, an experienced Product Category Manager at Jewsons, who has built an impressive career spanning fashion, sports retail, appliances, and now building products. Rebecca’s journey is a fascinating example of how skills in buying and category management can transfer across industries - even from trend-led fashion accessories to long-lifecycle hard goods like composite decking, cladding, and fencing. Rebecca reflects on her early years working wi...

We may be a little croaky this week (autumn bugs have caught us!), but there’s far too much happening in retail to skip an episode. So, grab a cuppa and join us for a whistle-stop tour of the latest industry moves, headlines, and a few surprises. This week, we discuss: 📺 Hobbycraft TV – The arts and crafts giant launches its own TV channel, available on Freeview, YouTube, and online. What does this mean for digital-first shopping and hobby inspiration?🛍️ Fenwick’s first loyalty programme – Th...

In this episode, we welcome Yasmin Parkin, a Buying and Merchandising student at the Fashion Retail Academy in London. Yasmin takes us through her journey of discovering her passion for fashion during school and how that interest eventually led her to pursue a degree focused on buying and merchandising. For her, fashion isn’t just about the clothes - it’s about what they represent, who they’re for, and how they connect with people. As she puts it, “It’s not just about loving fashion, it’s abo...

Welcome to another episode of Friday Retail Reflections! This week, we’re diving into the latest trends and stories shaping the retail landscape. We kick things off with Amazon’s Second Chance Deal Days - the retailer’s first-ever discount event dedicated to secondhand products. With over 30 million returned and refurbished items up for grabs, this move shines a spotlight on the resale market and reinforces its growing role in mainstream retail. Next, we turn to the British Heart Foundation, ...

In this inspiring episode, we welcome Christine Lindebak – designer, fashion industry veteran, and founder of both the ethical loungewear brand Lindy Lindy and the sewing education platform Sewing in the City. Christine shares how her sewing journey began at just six years old, nurtured by her creative mother and a home filled with inspiration. She reflects on a vibrant career spanning roles at Nordstrom, Escada, Mulberry, Alexis Bittar, and Emilio Pucci, offering candid insights into t...

Welcome to the fifth episode of Retail Reflections! This week, our hosts are joined by Yassin, who brings fresh insights from their work experience and adds a new perspective to the conversation. We kick things off with Pinterest’s new curated thrift shop, a digital-first initiative that puts circular fashion and vintage finds directly into shoppers’ feeds. The team explores how this move reflects the growing appetite for secondhand style, and how platforms like Pinterest are reimagining the ...

Welcome back to another Friday episode of Retail Reflections! This week, we’re diving into five hot topics that are shaping the retail landscape right now. We kick off with the much-anticipated return of Topshop. After months of build-up, the relaunch has finally landed but does it live up to the nostalgia? We share our honest thoughts on the collection’s design choices, its approach to sustainability, and whether the brand has truly captured the iconic spirit that made it a household n...

Welcome to another lively Friday morning catch-up! In this discussion, we dive into the latest happenings in the retail world, sharing personal stories, industry insights, and thoughtful opinions. We kick things off with an update on River Island, from there, we take a trip down memory lane with a discussion on tween retail, reflecting on the glory days of Claire’s Accessories in the midst of the sad news about the brands struggles, while considering the fresh strategies legacy brands n...

In this week’s summer series episode, Katy and Lynsey dive into the latest headlines shaping the UK retail landscape. They begin with an update on River Island’s ongoing financial challenges, including a postponed court decision and a critical search for £40 million in funding. The hosts discuss the potential impacts of store closures and rent reductions as part of the retailer’s possible restructuring. Next, they explore Next’s recent acquisition of the maternity brand Seraphine, reflecting ...

Welcome! This is the start of our retail reflections, our weekly Friday morning catch up on all that's been going on in retail. While we're taking a break from main podcast this summer, we thought actually, you know what, we chat a lot about everything that's going on in retail and we find it super interesting to hear each other's thoughts on it. So why not share it with the wider world and we would love to hear your views too, on what's going on out there because there's a lot going on...