Episode 113 of The Retail Tea Break podcast was recorded live at National Retail Federation Big Show 2026 in New York.

In this special megamix episode, Melissa Moore brings together industry leaders to share honest, on-the-ground insight into what’s shaping retail in 2026; from store operations and global expansion to AI, availability, waste and cyber resilience.

Grab a cup of tea and listen in to the conversations driving real change across retail!

• Linda Johansen James, Founder & CEO, International Retail Group

A leading retail voice on the latest issue of International Retail Magazine and the evolving role of AI in retail leadership.

• Allan Malcomson, Co-Founder & CEO, Meerby

A retailer-turned-founder shares what’s top of the agenda for 2026 and how technology can genuinely support store teams.

• Dan Jelfs, Chief Commercial Officer, PMC

Where retailers are really placing their tech bets, simplifying complexity under the bonnet, and why cyber security is now a board-level priority.

• Alex Considine Tong, Chief Product Officer, Retail Insight

Fixing availability, reducing waste and turning data into clear, actionable priorities for store teams.

• Fred de Gombert, Co-Founder & President, Akeneo

Why product information matters more than ever, how teams can move faster with confidence and what AI needs to truly add value.

• Isabell Aakervik, Chief Expansion Officer, Sitoo

The reality of unified commerce, empowering store teams with real-time insight and future-proofing commerce platforms for growth.

A huge thank you to our sponsor International Retail Magazine.

Each issue is packed with practical strategies, global insights, and leadership perspectives you can use immediately. Visit https://irg-retail.com/international-retail-magazine/ to subscribe to your free copy of the latest issue.

In the latest episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, Melissa is joined by Alison Dunn, Country Manager for Amazon Ireland. This is a fast-paced conversation about her career across retail and the impact Amazon.ie is having on Ireland’s e-commerce landscape. From the Irish launch in March 2025 to rural delivery, support for local sellers and the trends reshaping how we shop, Alison offers a clear view of where Irish retail is heading next.

• What went into launching Amazon.ie and why it matters for Irish customers
• Ireland’s shifting shopping habits and their report ‘The Impact of E-commerce on Consumers in Ireland’
• How online and in-store experiences complement each other
• Improving rural access through Amazon’s partnership with An Post
• How Amazon empowers Irish brands to scale globally
• Marketplace vs retailer, what it means for Irish SMEs
• Christmas campaign with Friends of The Elderly x Amazon

For information on how to start selling on Amazon, visit:

https://sellercentral.amazon.ie/

Friends of the Elderly x Amazon Christmas 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkSC8O1W6P0&t=49s

On this week’s episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, Melissa chats with Steve Dresser, founder of Grocery Insight. Known for his straight-talking approach and sharp eye for detail, Steve lifts the lid on what’s really happening on the shop floor. Together, they explore why honesty matters, the cultural barriers he’s faced and what retailers must confront if they want meaningful change.

• The value of honest, observational insight in a sector often dominated by polished narratives.
• How rising costs, labour pressures and inconsistent standards are reshaping the store experience.
• The persistent disconnect between store teams and central offices and why it harms execution.
• Why culture, communication and accountability matter as much as strategy in driving change.
• The growing tension between retail tech ambitions and the need to fix fundamental in-store operations

Find out more about Grocery Insight here: https://www.groceryinsight.com/

Thank you to Autoaddress for sponsoring today’s episode. You can solve your address data problems with Ireland’s most trusted supplier of Eircode solutions. Improve data quality, reduce manual errors and deliver better customer experiences at https://autoaddress.com/