OFFBounds Retail

With over 30 years in the industry, Paul Sims - the company's Chief Architect - shares his journey from learning Mandarin in Shanghai to leading Primark's tech strategy as they aim to expand to over 500 stores by 2026. This episode explores the challenges of global retail expansion, balancing legacy technologies with innovative solutions, and the role of AI in enhancing customer experiences without losing the human touch. Tune in for a compelling discussion on the future of retail and subscribe to stay updated with more insights from technology leaders.Make sure you don't miss any episode!Follow us on LinkedIn or InstagramSubscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts ----Sponsored by VTEX

Paula Macaggi engages in a captivating discussion with Renee Hartman, co-author of "Next Generation Retail," exploring the revolutionary trends in China's retail sector. Broadcasting from Lisbon, this episode delves into Renee's decade-long experience in China, her insights into social commerce, and the significant impact of technological advancements on Chinese and global retail landscapes. Join them as they uncover the dynamics of consumer behavior and the future of retail in one of the world's most rapidly evolving markets.Check Renee's Book: Next Generation RetailMake sure you don't miss any episode!Follow us on LinkedIn or InstagramSubscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts ----Sponsored by VTEX

Throughout the years that I’ve been working in retail I met with many tech companies from different levels of development and often when they explain what they do they struggle to tell the problem they are solving. In many cases, it’s easy to notice that they are so amazed by the solution that they aren’t really solving any real problem and according to my guest today the key to value creation is to fall in love with the problem, not the solution. While I was in São Paulo, the city I called home for 8 years of my life, I had the opportunity to talk with Uri Levine who was also there. He’s the founder of Waze, the world’s largest driving traffic and navigation app which he founded in 2007 and sold for 1.1billion dollars to Google in 2013. Uri is a serial entrepreneur and has dedicated his life to building businesses and wrote a book that is considered the bible of entrepreneurship, It’s called: “Fall in love with the problem, not the solution”Make sure you don't miss any episode!Follow us on LinkedIn or InstagramSubscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts ----Sponsored by VTEX

The Asia Pacific retail market is undergoing a significant transformation due to technological innovation, evolving consumer preferences, and rising disposable income. The National Retail Federation (NRF) is hosting its first show in Asia in Singapore in 2024, highlighting the region's importance. The APAC region is a trendsetter and a growth engine for the world, with a young, tech-savvy population. Retail designers in APAC have the opportunity to create unique experiences that reflect regional identities using diverse cultures, traditions, and locally available materials. The region's robust economic growth attracts investments in innovative retail environments.Let's Discover Retail in APAC with me?  Buy ticket here!Get a 20% discount with the code: OFFBOUNDS20Make sure you don't miss any episode!Follow us on LinkedIn or InstagramSubscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts ----Sponsored by VTEX

Tiago shares the unique approach of O Grupo Valor do Tempo towards innovation in retail, emphasizing experience and storytelling over technological advancements. By meticulously crafting store environments that captivate the senses, from the layout and lighting to the curated music, Tiago's ventures invite customers into a world where every product tells a story of tradition and craftsmanship. This focus on creating an immersive shopping experience has not only differentiated their brands in the competitive retail market but has also fostered a deeper connection between consumers and the rich heritage of Portuguese culture.Make sure you don't miss any episode!Follow us on LinkedIn or InstagramSubscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts ----Sponsored by VTEX

Worten is a leading brand that has been democratizing access to technology in Portugal and Spain. With more than 230 physical stores and a presence strong online, Worten offers a wide range of products, from consumer electronics to entertainment and telecommunications, ensuring innovation, and the best prices for its customers.In today's episode, Paula sits with Rui Cohen,  the CTO who's leading several initiatives to change the IT Architecture landscape and drive business agility to better address Worten's strategy to become a 'digital company, with physical stores and a human touch'. Rui talks about the ongoing digital transformation and the technology initiatives to better serve their customers.Make sure you don't miss any episode!Follow us on LinkedIn or InstagramSubscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts ----Sponsored by VTEX

Join Paula Macaggi in this exciting episode of OFFBOUNDS as we dive into the transformative power of Apple Vision Pro in the retail industry. Featuring insights from experts DeAnn Campbell, Neil Redding, Carl Boutet, and Jeffrey Roberts, we explore how this VR/AR technology could revolutionize consumer engagement and profitability in retail. From virtual try-ons to immersive in-store experiences, discover the potential challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. As we speculate on the future of retail and spatial computing, we invite you to share your thoughts on whether Apple Vision Pro will lead to a technological revolution or become another passing trend. Tune in to uncover the future of retail in this insightful episode of OFFBOUNDS.Make sure you don't miss any episode!Follow us on LinkedIn or InstagramSubscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts ----Sponsored by VTEX

The episode today is about a super-loved fashion brand called AllSaints.The British brand was founded in 1994 and it sells menswear, womenswear, footwear, accessories and is mostly famous for its leather jackets. Today, they have almost 300 stores in 27 countries in Europe, North America, and Asia.For this interview, I went to London and met with James Reid, he’s the Chief Innovation Officer of the brand and brought to the studio in Shoreditch his wonderful British sarcasm and knowledge. I can say this interview was super fun and we talked about replatforming, omnichannel strategy, team building, and the challenges and opportunities for their B2B approach.This episode is sponsored by Newstore, the only unified commerce platform for global retail brands anchored in an Omnichannel POS and Shopping App, with built-in OMS, Inventory, and Clienteling solutions.Make sure you don't miss any episode!Follow us on LinkedIn or InstagramSubscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts ----Sponsored by VTEX

From Gotheburg, Sweden. Florian Westerdahl, the leader of the tech team at Lindex, discusses how technology has empowered their stores and the importance of designing the organization for innovation. He shares insights into Lindex's digital store program and their use of generative AI through their project called Co-Pilot. Florian emphasizes the need to engage with new technologies, such as generative AI, and the importance of building a strong team with shared goals in the retail industry.Check Lindex's websiteConnect with Florian on LinkedInMake sure you don't miss any episode!Follow us on LinkedIn or InstagramSubscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts ----Sponsored by VTEX

Kicks is the largest beauty retailer in the Nordics. They achieved this title by investing in community-building and expertise as their competitive advantage and today, Kicks Beauty Talks has 140K members which is more than their Instagram following. In this interview, Carola Lundell, the EVP of Kicks Group sits with Paula Macaggi and talks about loyalty and their membership program Kicks Club as well as live shopping, fostering innovation, and incorporating AI in their business.Visit Kicks WebsiteMake sure you don't miss any episode!Follow us on LinkedIn or InstagramSubscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts ----Sponsored by VTEX