Shows
SubscriptionX - The Subscriptions Economy in Retail and eCommerceBabbel: Every user is an individualAmmar Ahmed Qureshi, Director of Revenue CRM at Babbel, and Madhuri Narayana K, Director - Customer Success & Consulting at Chargebee, bring a wealth of experience to the booth. This episode not only covers Ammar’s current role at language-learning subscription Babbel, but also allows him to bring extensive knowledge from the telecommunications industry with key lessons to pass onto any subscription firm.Discussion points in this episode:What subscriptions businesses can learn from telecomWhy AI is the end of customer cohorts Why traditional CRM strategies no longer meet the needs of subscription businessesHow to future-proof a s...2025-07-1624 min
SubscriptionX - The Subscriptions Economy in Retail and eCommerceBella & Duke: Building a £50mn subscriptionMark Scott, co-founder of Bella & Duke, visits the booth to tell Shakti Bharath, VP of Solution Consulting, Chargebee and Katie Searles how he built a subscription business from the love of pets. Inspired by an interest in wellness, and the raw food movement, Scott took his subscription business from zero to £50mn and profitability. Discussion points in this episode:Learning how to fail…fastThe death curve, and how to avoid it Why achieving an R number greater than 1 is crucial for subscription businesses2025-07-0127 min
SubscriptionX - The Subscriptions Economy in Retail and eCommerceKingfisher: why retailers don’t need to reinvent the wheel with AIMohsen Ghasempour, Group AI Director at Kingfisher - the retail powerhouse behind B&Q, Screwfix and Castorama - joined Rabie Laib, Senior Solutions Expert (EMEA) Chargebee and Katie Searles to discuss why retailers and subscription brands don’t have to build AI tools from scratch - and how they can make the most of existing systems. Discussion points in this episode:Why “data is gold”Harnessing AI to build consumer-helping tools, and why Hello Casto is a game-changer for French DIY beginnersDealing with AI concerns And operating in an omnichannel world 2025-06-1826 min
RetailMediaXAgility versus scale: navigating retail media challenges with SMGIn this episode, Ollie Shayer, fresh to his role as SMG’s senior director of global strategy and innovation talks to Colin Lewis from Internet Retailing about the tension between agility and scale in retail media – and the opportunities it can present. Many larger, omnichannel retailers enjoy massive shopper reach but can face legacy and structural barriers to innovation. Smaller, more agile pureplays can be more flexible, but lack the scale. Ollie unpacks what these contrasting models mean for media innovation, customer experience and brand partnerships, as well as the white spaces to explore and what brands shoul...2025-06-1717 min
RetailMediaXBeyond ROAS: the holistic approach to measuring retail media impactColin Lewis from Internet Retailing is joined by Marie-Clare Puffett, Industry Development & Insights Director, IAB Europe and Bianca Hall, senior insight director at SMG to explore why ROAS alone isn’t enough to capture the full impact of retail media. Delving into the importance of measuring incremental sales and long-term brand-building efforts, our podcasters explore what other KPIs need to be measured, how customer lifetime value (CLV) should be considered in the broader strategy for growing brand loyalty and consumer retention – and how the time is now for retail media to be considered part of the wider media...2025-06-1717 min
RetailMediaXAdapt or be left behind: why agencies must embrace retail media now with Omnicom Media GroupRetail media is rewriting the rules of brand engagement -– and agencies that fail to evolve risk irrelevance. In this episode, Colin Lewis from Internet Retailing is joined by Prateek Gupta, MD ecommerce and retail media at Omnicom Media Group and Uche Ofili, director of agency relationships at SMG who issue a clear call to action: agencies must move beyond traditional media buying and embed themselves in the commerce-driven future. Together they explore why many agencies are lagging behind, the consequences of staying passive and how those who invest in retail media capabilities – from measurement to creative to te...2025-06-1720 min
RetailMediaXFuture Trends: the deepening role of AI and automation in retail media with OcadoIn this episode, Jack Johnson, head of retail media and data at Ocado and Katie Streeter Hurle, SMG’s chief strategy officer, join Colin Lewis from Internet Retailing to uncover how AI and automation continue to transform the retail media ecosystem – from campaign delivery to personalisation at scale and beyond. With Ocado leading as a digital-first retailer and SMG powering data-driven media strategies across the UK’s leading grocery environments, the pair share insights on the evolution of tech-led advertising and its implications for brands, retailers and media planners alike. They discuss real-world applications of automation, the growing...2025-06-1720 min
RetailMediaXHFSS and the retail media opportunity: navigating compliance with creativity with PladisIn this episode, Colin Lewis is joined by Michele Dainty, shopper marketing director UK&I, Pladis Global and Helen Johnson, managing director of Capture, to look at how retail media presents a powerful, compliant opportunity for high fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) brands to remain visible, relevant and strategically positioned in the shopper journey ahead of HFSS ad rule changes on 1 October 2025. The discussion covers how to drive brand impact without traditional channels, how retailers are adapting their ecosystems and why smarter audience targeting and owned media partnerships may be the key to success in the HFSS e...2025-06-1712 min
RetailMediaXContext is King: unlocking the power of instore with Co-opIn this episode, COOP’s Dean Harris and SMG’s Sam Knights unpack the evolving role of instore media within the broader Retail Media Network (RMN) ecosystem with Colin Lewis from Internet Retailing. Drawing on findings from COOP’s Lumen attention study, they explore how in-store environments offer unmatched contextual relevance and shopper engagement. Together they debate whether success lies in doubling down on contextual targeting – particularly in high-intent, real-world settings like convenience – and how this can unlock both brand impact and incremental growth, as well as addressing what retailers are getting right and what they are getting wro...2025-06-1723 min
Chesterfield Behind the MicEpisode 101: How to Get Involved During the 2024 Holidays On the latest episode of Chesterfield Behind the Mic, we welcome the 2024 Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother Cheri Searles to the program to talk not only about her background and how she was chosen for such an important role but also the Christmas Mother program, what it does, and how you can help them spread joy this year. Credits: Director: Martin Stith Executive Producer: Teresa Bonifas Producer/Writer/Host: Brad Franklin Director of Photography/Editor: Matt Boyce Producer/Camera Operator: Martin Stith and Matt Neese ...2024-11-2714 min
Eat Sleep RepeatMummy, Why Can't That Lady Walk?Talking to kids about disability can feel tricky, but it's a conversation that helps build empathy, understanding, and inclusivity from a young age. This week, Kee and Kelly are joined by Peta Hooke, host of 'The I Can’t Stand Podcast' and self-described as "your friendly girl next door who has a disability." Peta shares her insights and practical advice for answering those big questions kids have and explains why normalising conversations around disability is key to raising kinder, more aware kids. LINKS Peta Hooke - @petahooke Bali Mandira Beach Re...2024-11-0538 min
Inside Political ScienceInside Political Science #016 – Politics in the Digital Age: Social Media, Ads and MoreKamala on Fox News, Arnold Palmer and McDonald’s french fries: media coverage of politics isn’t simple anymore. Candidates are exploring digital content creation more than ever before and it’s making it hard to keep up. For the last time before the election, Kirby and Todd give their perspectives on the presidential campaigns. Guest Katie Searles joins from South Carolina to discuss how the media is grappling with two different personalities - Trump because he’s tough to predict and Harris because some say she’s too scripted. The crew discusses the digital age and why content strategy is now a p...2024-10-2945 min
RetailMediaXAsdaJon Beill, Chief Growth Officer at LS Eleven, Asda’s loyalty and retail media business, and Sam Knights, CEO at SMG discuss how Asda is bringing its loyalty and media operations together to create a power retail media network, outlining how its offering to brands differs from its competitors, the digitisation of Asda stores and how SMG’s team works with the company to make it all happenDiscussion points:• Why now is the right time for Asda to create a retail media business• What LS Eleven offers brands• How...2024-09-2724 min
RetailMediaXITVPaul Skeldon is joined by Jayesh Rajdev, Controller of Advanced Advertising at ITV and Kate Hopkinson, Media Director at SMG to uncover how streaming TV has a key role to play in the retail media ecosystem and what ITV – the UK’s largest streaming platform – brings to the party.Discussion points:• The role of CTV in the retail media landscape – and how to navigate the complex network of retailers, brands and platforms to get the most out of it• A view of some of the brands ITV works with in retail media...2024-09-1618 min
RetailMediaXStonegate GroupJessica Cooke, Head of Media & Loyalty from Stonegate Group & Emma Dean COO at SMG join Paul Skeldon to talk about the role of retail media outside of traditional retail, taking a look at how it works across Stonegate’s portfolio of more than 4,500 sites including Be at One, Slug & Lettuce, Popworld and Walkabout.Discussion points:• How Stonegate Group uses its outlets to deliver an exception retail media service• How it orchestrates on-site, off-site, on-app and physical media as one offering• The creation and use of its Mixr app• T...2024-09-0222 min
RetailMediaXCo-opDean Harris, Head of Co-op Media Network and Rosie Houston, Managing Director of UK Partnerships at SMG outline how convenience retailers have a key role to play in retail media and how that differs from what is seen across the rest of the grocery sector.Discussion points:• How co-op has put retail media front and centre of its business• What marks convenience out from the grocery crowd when it comes to retail media• Integrating SMG’s team into the Co-op way of working – and what results it has delivered2024-08-1919 min
RetailMediaXSMGPaul Skeldon sits down with Katie Streeter Hurle, ex Procter & Gamble & now Chief Strategy Officer at SMG to discuss how retail media has evolved and how SMG has evolved with it – along with how the company works so closely with many of the UK’s leading retail media network providersDiscussion points:• What it takes to build a world class RMN in today’s market• What every retailer starting their retail media journey needs to know• How brands are investing in retail media – both financially and creatively• SMG’s move...2024-07-1521 min
RetailMediaXASOSElton Ollerhead, Director, ASOS Media Group & Katie Streeter Hurle, Chief Strategy Officer at SMG talk to Paul Skeldon about how ASOS – which has been in retail media since its birth, thanks to its ASOS fashion magazine – talks about its retail media journey, the ‘fashion lens’ view of retail media and how creativity is key to retail media campaigns.Discussion points:• How ASOS has evolved its retail media offering • The specifics of retail media in fashion• Managing relationships with brands• The need for creative co-operation and agility across the value...2024-07-1517 min
SubscriptionX - The Subscriptions Economy in Retail and eCommerceSubscriptionX 2024 - The Original Fit FactoryMichael returns to the booth to cover collaboration and partnerships with Richard Sale CEO, Digital Fitness Division at The Original Fit Factory, previously of Peloton. Discussion points in this episode:How partnerships can be beneficial in reaching new customer bases, as well as helping with growing marketing costsWhy there needs to be a recognisable connection between collaborative companiesWays to avoid diluting your brand message How the fitness industry can deal with churnBehind the microphones:Richard Sale CEO, Digital Fitness Division at The Original Fit Factory:...2024-06-2025 min
SubscriptionX - The Subscriptions Economy in Retail and eCommerceSubscriptionX 2024 - SpecsaversKris Jacobs, Subscriptions Product Owner UK and Ireland, Specsavers, visits the booth for an honest discussion with Katie and Sam on replatforming and having the right technology – or technology partner. Discussion points in this episode:Specsavers 20-years of experience in the subscription spaceWorking in partnership to build software that works for your team and customersThe challenges of replatforming How to continually move forward, and what is next for Specsavers’ Easycare serviceBehind the microphones: Kris Jacobs, Subscriptions Product Owner UK and Ireland, Specsavers:https://www.linkedi...2024-06-1320 min
SubscriptionX - The Subscriptions Economy in Retail and eCommerceSubscriptionX 2024 - The Intelligent BriefKatie and Sjoerd speak to James Hirst, Founder & Director, The Intelligent Brief, about its focus on using ML and AI to streamline and enhance the early stages of creative brainstorming and planning to increase efficiency in the creative process. Discussion points in this episode:The potential AI has to make running a subscription business more efficientWhy now is the right time for retailers, of all sizes, to be thinking about AI Why a re-education is neededWhere should retailers and subscription companies be using caution around these advancements Behind the microphones: 2024-06-0419 min
SubscriptionX - The Subscriptions Economy in Retail and eCommerceSubscriptionX 2024 - JOMO ClubGemma Mills, CEO & founder of JOMO Club - a D2C membership featuring artisan alcoholic drink alternatives designed to promote the ‘Joy Of Missing Out’ - joins Katie and Hessell to discuss the inspiration behind her subscription business. Discussion points in this episode: How entrepreneurial spirit helps when launching a new subscriptionWhy events, and different seasons, are a key consideration when scaling a business How to build a club or community of shoppersWhat lessons can be learnt along the wayBehind the microphones:Gemma Mills, CEO & founder of JOMO...2024-05-2820 min
SubscriptionX - The Subscriptions Economy in Retail and eCommerceSubscriptionX 2024 - VictorinoxDesi Reuben-Sealey, Senior Manager UX, Victorinox (Swiss Army Knife) joins Katie and Michael in the booth for a look at the importance of user experience - whether that is in a physical store; a direct-to-consumer offering or a subscription service.Discussion points in this episode: How can retailers ensure high quality user experience across multiple touch pointsWhy excellent and on-going customer service is key to a legacy brand The part brick and mortar stores have to play Desi’s taste in watches Behind the microphones:Desi Reuben-Sealey, Senior Manager UX, Vi...2024-05-2026 min
Read or DeadHoliday Gift Guide 2023Katie McLain Horner and Kendra Winchester discuss books perfect for holiday gifting!Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!It's happening, readers—we're bringing paperbacks! Whether you hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you're on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations, or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. You can also gift it (and the holidays, th...2023-11-1753 min
SubscriptionX - The Subscriptions Economy in Retail and eCommerceSubX Subscription Economy Podcast - Physical Retail and Refillables with Wild and Origin CoffeeIn this episode we will hear from natural deodorant company Wild who aim to transform the bathroom with a range of refillable products. Origin Coffee are also back to describe how physical stores (or coffee shops) can play their part in this refillable revolution.2023-06-2023 min
SubscriptionX - The Subscriptions Economy in Retail and eCommerceSubX Subscription Economy Podcast - Rental Market with The Bike ClubA dress for a special occasion, a designer handbag, even curated wardrobes - this episode will look at how retailers are renting their fashion out. But it is not simply apparel that is rentable, we are joined in the studio by The Bike Club’s founder James Symes.2023-06-2027 min
SubscriptionX - The Subscriptions Economy in Retail and eCommerceSubX Subscription Economy Podcast - Product Subscription with The Cheese Geek and Origin CoffeeCovering home delivery subscriptions ranging from wonky veg to toilet paper; dog food to craft gin; and the various meal kits, as well as scheduled consumables. Internet Retailing’s Katie Searles and Avalara’s Louis Fitzpatrick hear from The Cheese Geek and Origin Coffee as they stress the importance of technology and understanding your customer for product subscription success2023-06-2024 min
SubscriptionX - The Subscriptions Economy in Retail and eCommerceSubX Subscription Economy Podcast - LIVE at SubX WorldRecorded on site at the inaugural SubX World conference held in London this May. Avalara’s Sacha Wilson, SMOL’s Neil Campbell and Chargebee’s Tarmo van der Goot launch this brand new look at the subscription economy. DeliveryX editor Katie Searles asks the SubX World speakers and sponsors their experiences in this fast evolving market.2023-06-2022 min
It's All Journalism558. How come political experts in the news tend to be white and male?Dr. Katie Searles, an associate professor of political communication at Louisiana State University, recently co-authored “Constructing Political Expertise in the News” with Yanna Krupnikov, John Barry Ryand and Hillary Style. The book takes a look at, among other things, what types of political experts are most likely to be on a journalist's “roster of expert sources.”Keep up with the latest news about the It's All Journalism podcast, sign up for our weekly email newsletter. Also, listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, PodcastOne, Soundcloud, Audible, Amazon, or Stitcher. Learn more about your ad choice...2023-03-0934 min
DeliveryXS1 Wrap Up with Narvar’s David MorinDeliveryX editor Katie Searles is joined in the studio by David Morin, head of customer & retail strategy at Narvar, to look back over the first series of Beyond the Buy Button.
With clips from Selfridges, Pandora, Wolverine Worldwide and Yodel, the panel will review topics including sustainability, packaging, supply chain transparency, technology and carrier management.
2023-02-2029 min
DeliveryXS1: Packaging is the new storefrontIn this episode we look at how ecommerce deliveries are now part of the customer experience, with boxes and bags as well as product packaging providing part of the brand story.
For some consumers, an order being delivered is the first physical contact with the brand. Almost 1 in 5 consumers say they won’t buy from retailers who don’t use sustainable packaging.
Katie Searles in joined by Stephan Ango from end-to-end packaging firm Lumi to discuss how retailers balance brand storytelling with practical information around the product or returns. While also looking at limiting the ship...2022-12-1518 min
DeliveryXS1 - Retaining agility and flexibility in people, operations and technology through the ever changing retail cyclesRetail doesn’t stand still, and in this episode the panel discusses the continuous changes and the increasing pace of change. The discussion covers how the pandemic altered things again, as did/does Brexit.
Flexibility and agility are required through daily trading and the year’s peaks and troughs along with scalability for future growth. A big ask for an industry that not that long ago was used to moving pallets rather than individual products.
Discussion points in the podcast
How do you plan for peak trading?
How do you build agil...2022-11-0124 min
DeliveryXS1 - Addressing the skills gaps and labour shortagesIn this episode we discuss how as ecommerce continues to grow more people will be needed to fill logistics, warehousing and delivery posts.
The panel looks at how retailers are responding to the labour gap including:
- AO increasing its warehousing capacity by more than 80% over the last 18 months, creating more than 1,500 jobs across the business.
- John Lewis investing in extra freight and ships to ensure goods arrived in time for Christmas, as well as providing hot meals for festive temps
Discussion points in the podcast
Is it...2022-11-0123 min
DeliveryXShipping economicsIn this episode we consider the business models, drivers and commercial options for delivery companies. We've seen the importance of service quality to the customer - who of course also demands extensive options and a zero cost - and so in this episode, we focus on how the carriers are adapting to, or leading, the retailer's requirements.
We're joined by Mike Hancox, CEO of Yodel, and we cover:
Carrier reputation and customer experience
getting the 'basics' right - with a discussion on what constitutes 'basic' in our competitive market
mobile notifications and the importance of 'in...2022-08-0127 min
DeliveryXReturns, Exchanges and RefundsFor our discussion on "returns" we are joined in the studio by Ricky Wilson of Pandora, and Steven Irwin of Wolverine Worldwide (the group that counts Sweaty Better, Wolverine, Saucony and Merrell amongst its brands).
With 89% of UK consumers saying that ease of returns is a top priority, we discuss:
how to make returns smoothly
serial returns and 'wardrobing'
"trusted exchanges" and how to speed exchange and refund
can exchanges lead to further sales
reducing returns at the 'buy button'
the paperless future for returns and exchanges.
This episode is part of a series of 10...2022-08-0140 min
DeliveryXManaging circular business modelsFor our discussion on circular business models we are joined in the studio by Ricky Wilson of Pandora, and Steven Irwin of Wolverine Worldwide (the group that counts Sweaty Better, Wolverine, Saucony and Merrell amongst its brands) and Mike Hancox, CEO of Yodel. We cover:
recent news on green delivery from Royal Mail, Tesco, and others
Amazon's Hackney, London "micromobility hub"
discuss bikes (referencing Yodel reaching over 1million bike deliveries)
building sustainability into supply chains, with retailer examples from ASOS, H&M, Patagonia, Patagonia and Wolverine
recycling and the efforts of making all aspect of packaging sustainable
the...2022-08-0138 minRead or DeadNetflix and ReadTune in as Katie and Nusrah talk about some of their favorite TV shows and give read-a-likes for them.Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.BOOKS DISCUSSEDRed Widow by Alma KatsuHer Name is Knight by Yasmin AngoeThe Given Day by Dennis LehaneThe Weight of...2022-03-2555 min
Read or DeadWas that a creak or a scream?Tune in as Katie and Nusrah talk about horror and suspense reads set in haunted houses just in time for Halloween.
Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.
To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed
The Good House by Tananarive Due
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell
White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson
2021-10-2248 min