Melissa Moore chats with Michael Walsh, Marketing Director at Dubarry of Ireland, the luxury brand known for premium footwear and lifestyle apparel. Michael shares how Dubarry evolved from a niche sailing boot maker into a global lifestyle brand while staying true to Irish heritage and craftsmanship.

They discuss:

• Retail innovation, including pop-ups, flagship stores and direct-to-consumer strategies.
• Customer-driven product design, from sailing boots to country boots.
• Digital marketing, sustainability and creating unforgettable in-store experiences.
• Expansion plans and upcoming collections in equestrian, dog accessories and performance footwear.

Key Takeaways:

• Heritage brands can evolve while staying true to craftsmanship.
• Direct engagement with consumers can overcome challenges like price perception and brand awareness.
• Retail associates are educators, not just salespeople, enhancing customer loyalty.
• Listening to customers drives meaningful product innovation.

Whether you’re a retail professional, brand enthusiast, or simply curious about how heritage brands adapt in 2025, this episode offers a masterclass in evolution, innovation, and customer-centric retail

Visit Dubarry of Ireland’s website www.dubarry.com

Catch up on past episodes on your favourite podcast platform and hit follow for weekly updates! Subscribe on YouTube at The Retail Tea Break, share your favorites and tag me, Melissa Moore and The Retail Tea Break on social media. If you’d like to get involved in the next season of the podcast, as a guest or a sponsor please email melissa@theretailadvisor.ie

Huge thanks to RevLifter for sponsoring this episode. Test drive RevLifter for 90 days for free. Request a demo to see how machine learning, smart targeting and personalised promotions can transform your eCommerce strategy. Find out how they help retailers boost conversions and increase revenue:

• RevLifter website: https://www.revlifter.com/
• RevLifter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/revlifter/
• RevLifter on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIlMg7QUHJnHC8KyhW93Z_A

Season 9 of the award-winning Retail Tea Break Podcast is here!

This season, host Melissa Moore brings conversations with trailblazing retailers, industry experts and global brands covering the latest insights and innovations shaping the retail industry.

Topics include:

• Discovery commerce, live shopping & TikTok Shop
• The fundamentals of successful retail stores
• Store traffic as a driver of sales success
• Scaling challenges faced by growing retailers
• Evolution of family businesses across four generations
• Craftsmanship, heritage & innovation in retail experiences
• AI and technology transforming customer journeys
• Insights into holiday shopping trends and so much more.

Of course, there’s plenty of tech and AI in the mix too, because it’s transforming the way we all connect with customers. So grab that cup of tea, sit back and listen in.. to the season 9 of The Retail Tea Break podcast.

In the meantime, catch up on the past 8 seasons on your favourite podcast platform and hit follow for weekly updates! Subscribe on YouTube at The Retail Tea Break, share your favorites and tag me, Melissa Moore and The Retail Tea Break on social media. If you’d like to get involved in the next season of the podcast, as a guest or a sponsor please email melissa@theretailadvisor.ie

In this bold and brilliantly candid Retail Room 101 edition of The Retail Tea Break podcast, I’m joined by one of the most outspoken voices in the industry, The Retail Maverick Andrew Busby. The well-known retail industry expert, speaker and writer, has extensive experience and knowledge in the retail sector, particularly in areas such as retail technology, customer experience, and emerging trends.

In this episode Andrew tackles these trends, terms and technologies that might sound impressive in boardrooms… but often fall flat on the shop floor! From industry jargon to shiny new tech, he doesn’t hold back as he shares what he’d banish from the retail world and what’s actually worthy of our attention. This episode is packed with healthy provocation, a few laughs and some home truths every retailer needs to hear. It’s a fantastic final episode of season 8!

In this episode we discuss:

• The retail buzzwords that have lost all meaning
• The importance of context in customer experience
• Why Net Promoter Scores might be misleading
• The human edge in the age of AI
• What might come after the smartphone
• Retail’s cybersecurity wake-up call
• Tech that’s truly transforming in-store experiences

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn: Andrew Busby | LinkedIn

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your retail insights.

And don’t forget to subscribe, share, and join the conversation! Catch up on previous episodes on your favourite podcast platform and while you’re there please hit that follow button so that you get to listen to it first every week. If you’d like to get involved in the next season of the podcast, as a guest or a sponsor please email melissa@theretailadvisor.ie

A huge thank you to our sponsor, International Retail Magazine. Make sure you subscribe today! Read the latest edition here: https://irg-retail.com/international-retail-magazine/