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/

In the latest episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, Melissa sits down with Dr. Joanne Reilly, the inspiring founder and CEO behind Kinvara Skincare. The award-winning Irish brand blends science, sustainability and plant-powered beauty. From humble beginnings to being stocked in 600+ stores, Jo shares how Kinvara grew organically while staying true to its values, balancing local roots, global ambitions and a loyal customer base.

Key Takeaways:

• Building a trusted, award-winning Irish skincare brand
• Science meets sustainability in every product
• Staying true to Irish roots with proudly Irish-made, Irish-branded products
• Balancing retail growth with booming e-commerce
• Using tech and AI to shape the future of skincare retail
• Expanding successfully into Canada with bilingual packaging
• Exciting new Irish branding and new SPF launches coming in 2026

Check out Kinvara website at https://www.kinvaraskincare.com/

Go raibh míle maith agat le Joanne ó Kinvara as labhairt liom inniu, agus as an gcúpla focal as Gaeilge.

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/

In the latest episode of The Retail Tea Break Podcast, Melissa Moore chats with Paul O’Hea, pharmacist and co-owner of Inish Pharmacy Group and Isabel Hughes, head of marketing at Autoaddress. Together, they explore how teamwork, technology and trust shape modern retail; from maintaining a human touch in pharmacy service to tackling the hidden costs of bad address data. The conversation blends the practical challenges of peak-season trading with digital innovation, customer care and operational growth.

Discussion Points:

• How Inish Pharmacy blends online convenience with in-store care and trust.
• Scaling operations and moving warehouses mid–holiday season.
• The role of clean, accurate address data in enhancing customer experience.
• The impact of express checkouts and digital wallets on address accuracy.
• The evolving Irish address landscape; Eircode, compliance and automation.
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Key Takeaways:

• Human touch still matters: Personal service builds loyalty, even in e-commerce.
• Bad data costs retailers: Clean address data reduces failed deliveries and customer complaints.
• Growth requires resilience: Operational challenges, like warehouse expansion, can strengthen long-term capacity.
• Convenience must meet accuracy: Retailers must balance frictionless checkouts with verified customer details.
• Technology is a team player: Smart integrations between retailers and data partners improve both service and efficiency.

Check out https://www.inishpharmacy.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/

Melissa Moore sits down with James Kean, Managing Director of Keans Claremorris, a fourth-generation family business that has evolved from a small grocery shop into a 25,000 sq ft retail destination. With 120 years of history behind them, the Kean family has embraced change while staying true to their roots in customer service and community.

They discuss:

• The transformation of a family grocery shop into a modern multi-department retail destination.
• How adaptability and customer focus helped the business survive world wars, recessions and the pandemic.
• The role of partnerships, buying groups and collaborations (including PetStop) in maintaining competitiveness.
• The balance between digital convenience (same-day dispatch, nationwide delivery) and strong local identity.
• How AI, data and technology are shaping operations and customer experience.

Key takeaways:

• Family businesses thrive when they evolve with customer needs while holding onto their community roots.
• Strategic partnerships and buying groups give independents the scale to compete with bigger players.
• Investing in technology, from AI to fibre broadband can enhance both online and in-store experiences.
• Staff training and empowerment remain at the heart of excellent customer service.
• Resilience in retail comes from positivity, peer support and a willingness to adapt.

Check out https://www.keanscm.ie/

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/

On this week’s episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, Melissa Moore chats with Thomas Ennis, CEO of Thomas Ennis Group. They explore his 35-year retail career in fresh food, the mentors who shaped his path and his people-first leadership style. Thomas shares insights on building strong teams, learning from both successes and failures in retail expansion and adapting through innovation. They also discuss the role of AI in modern retail operations and Thomas’s advice for independent retailers on growth, resilience and work-life balance.

Key Takeaways:

• Mentorship and leadership go hand in hand.
• Strong teams thrive on respect, development and clear expectations.
• Failure fuels growth: learn, adapt and try again.
• AI enhances retail operations without replacing the human touch.
• Work-life balance is essential for long-term success.

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

In the latest episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, Melissa Moore is joined by Melissa Minkow, Global Director of Retail Strategy at CI&T. They dive into the latest consumer trends shaping the future of retail. The discussion covers how AI, digital transformation and evolving search behaviors are reshaping the retail landscape, as well as the shifting nature of consumer loyalty. Melissa highlights practical strategies for retailers to meet changing consumer expectations and leverage technology to enhance the shopping experience.

Retailers of all sizes will benefit from understanding how AI and digital trends are transforming shopping behaviors. Melissa’s insights offer actionable strategies to optimize customer experiences, anticipate holiday season behaviors and ensure your brand remains relevant in a fast-evolving market.

Key Takeaways:

• 75% of consumers are now using AI tools during their shopping journeys.
• Search engines are becoming more influential than marketplaces in guiding purchases.
• Consumer loyalty is shifting from emotional attachment to transactional behavior.
• The “app gap” highlights a disconnect between consumer behavior and retailer offerings.
• Social media continues to play a central role in influencing shopping decisions.
• Consumers increasingly prioritize experiences over traditional brand loyalty.
• Today’s savvy consumers are firmly in control of their shopping journeys.

See the full report here: https://ciandt.com/us/en-us/report/retail-tech-reality-check

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