All Interviews articles – Page 2
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InterviewMessina Hembry CEO Zac Hembry: ‘There’s a lot broken behind the scenes of the fashion industry’
One-half of the entrepreneurial Hembry brothers Zac talks to Retail Week about how he built a vintage resale university side hustle into a £10m business, and what more needs to be done to fix fashion’s sustainability crisis
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InterviewQ&A: GHD co-founder on continuing a haircare legacy with the creation of Cloud Nine
Establishing an iconic hair straightener brand is no mean feat, let alone creating two successful brands.
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InterviewQ&A: Holland & Barrett beauty director on the retailer’s revamped beauty offering
High street staple Holland & Barrett has made no secret of its ongoing transformation, which has seen a revamp of its store estate, online presence, a new personalised app, and its experience store in Cardiff.
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InterviewQ&A: AliExpress’ UK GM on AI innovation, faster fulfilment and the rise of competitors
In this exclusive Q&A feature, Retail Week speaks with AliExpress’ UK general manager Bonnie Zhao, to explore what sets UK shoppers apart from their global counterparts, the role of AI innovation and AliExpress’ upcoming growth ambitions.
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InterviewMeet the accountant and the former fast-fashion buyer who founded a luxury womenswear brand
A year ago, Victora Price was leading Alvarez & Marsal’s private capital team, while Ashley McPherson had just taken a new product lead job at The Couture Club. Now the two are about to embark on the ambitious launch of a new luxury womenswear retailer, Emello.
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InterviewNew BRC chair Jo Whitfield: lessons, leadership, and retail representation
Welder’s daughter Jo Whitfield rose to hold top positions at retailers including Asda, the Co-op and Matalan. Newly appointed as the BRC’s first woman chair, she tells Retail Week what she hopes to bring to the role
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InterviewQ&A: Specsavers MD Carina Hummel on disruptive brands and future of the high street
Specsavers’ new managing director of UK/ROI optics speaks to Retail Week about the brand’s most important strategic priorities, how she plans to win new customers and what she thinks is in store for the future of the UK’s high streets
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InterviewQ&A: Sunspel chief executive on bucking the downwards trend in luxury
From dressing the Rolling Stones to James Bond and Brad Pitt, British luxury brand Sunspel has been the outfitter of choice for the rich, cool and famous for over 160 years. Chief executive Raul Verdicchi speaks to Retail Week about outperforming the market, opening new stores and dealing with Trump’s tariffs.
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InterviewQ&A: D Louise founder Olivia Jenkins on being more than just another jewellery brand
UK-based jewellery brand D Louise has seen a lot of change and growth since its inception in early 2021.
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InterviewQ&A: Matt Hood tells us about Co-op’s latest micro store format
The Co-op has unveiled ‘On the Go’, a new format with a new product offer in stores less than a quarter of the size of its typical locations. Following the opening of its first micro store in Solihull, Co-op Food chief executive Matt Hood speaks to Retail Week about the international inspiration behind the concept, why now is the right time to launch, and how these stores could reshape Co-op’s approach to convenience retail
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InterviewTheo Paphitis: I’ve owned Ryman for 30 years, and this is what I’ve learned
Three decades ago, entrepreneur Theo Paphitis bought stationer Ryman out of administration. He built the business up and became one of the UK’s most recognisable businesspeople, but Covid almost killed Ryman.
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InterviewQ&A: Ella & Jo founders discuss brand purpose, working with retailers, and new markets
Irish skin care brand Ella & Jo was founded in 2017 by a makeup artist and skin therapist to offer everyday skincare with visible results for busy people.
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InterviewFrom tea towel inventors to a SoulCycle collab, Christy is reimagining British heritage
Christy head of sales Nancy Loukota sat down with Retail Week to discuss how the brand is navigating international expansion, creating experiential retail spaces, and capturing the next generation of customers while staying true to its heritage.
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InterviewQ&A: Bleach London founder on 15 years of growth, innovation and breaking new ground
Hair dye brand and salon chain Bleach London has been going from strength to strength since it was first launched in 2010
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InterviewQ&A: Asos head of loyalty Macy Hong on the pureplay’s new loyalty scheme
Nearly a month ago, the pureplay fashion retailer announced the rollout of its new loyalty scheme Asos World. Retail Week sat down exclusively with the retailer’s head of loyalty and customer engagement Macy Hong to get a temperature check on how the launch has gone and what’s next.
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InterviewInterview: Dobbies CEO David Robinson on sowing the seeds of success
Coffee as well as chrysanthemums matter to Dobbies chief executive David Robinson as he seeks to make the business bloom after some tough decisions.
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InterviewQ&A: Alibaba.com director talks tariff troubles, new ventures, and AI tools
As tariffs continue to cause havoc to international trade, Alibaba.com is focusing on expanding its European growth and opening up its supply chain to more opportunities.
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InterviewInterview: Rituals managing director on carving out a unique space in the industry
As Rituals celebrates 25 years as a business, managing director for the UK and Ireland Annemarie Forsyth sits down with Retail Week in her first interview to discuss how the retailer has become a force to be reckoned with in the premium beauty space.
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InterviewQ&A: TM Lewin MD Dan Ferris on stores, shirts and strategic priorities
As menswear retailer TM Lewin embarks on its journey of a return to the high street, managing director Dan Ferris talks to Retail Week about the significance of reopening a store in the city of London, how its customer demographic and product offer has evolved and what’s on the horizon for the retailer as it goes after growth once again.
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InterviewQ&A: Gousto boss Timo Boldt on riding value, health and convenience into the ‘Champions League of start-ups’
After posting record profits for the 2024 financial year, Gousto chief executive and founder Timo Boldt talks to Retail Week about focusing on the customer, international expansion and the power of convenience and value.

















