What happens when AI becomes the storefront?

In this episode of The Retail Tea Break, I’m joined by Tarek Müller, Co-Founder and MD of About You and SCAYLE, for a fascinating conversation on the future of commerce.

From SCAYLE’s expansion into the US market and its recent Levi Strauss & Co. partnership, to the growing role of AI and Large Language Models in retail discovery, Tarek shares why the industry is entering another major shift in consumer behaviour. We also explore how AI is changing operational efficiency, personalisation and even fashion photography through TAYLA, a platform already transforming digital content production at scale.

If you want to understand where retail is heading next, this episode is essential listening.

Key Topics

• Why LLMs like ChatGPT and Gemini are becoming major traffic sources for retailers
• How brands need to rethink visibility and discovery in an AI first world
• The significance of SCAYLE’s partnership with Levi’s and expansion into the US
• Why retailers relying solely on product catalogues risk becoming commoditised
• How ABOUT YOU is using AI to reduce content production costs while improving conversion, introducing TAYLA
• Tarek’s predictions for the future of e-commerce, AI transactions, and social commerce

For more information:

AI fashion photo shoots at scale: Visit Tayla.ai

Built for retailers, by retailers: Visit: www.scayle.com

This episode of the Retail Tea Break podcast is brought to you by SCAYLE, the enterprise commerce platform empowering B2C brands and retailers to easily create outstanding customer experiences with a seamless and flexible feature set that can be extended through APIs. Trusted by brands like Levi Strauss®️, Harrods, Manchester United and Deichmann, SCAYLE enables businesses to accelerate innovation and drive real growth.

In the latest episode of The Retail Tea Break, I’m joined by the Group CFO of Holland & Barrett to explore what happens when finance leadership truly puts the customer first. Vineta Bajaj’s career spans high-growth, tech-led businesses including Ocado and Rohlik Group. She brings a fresh perspective to the CFO role, one that goes far beyond traditional metrics and into customer experience, culture and long-term value.

From scaling online grocery operations to transforming physical retail into community wellness hubs, we explore why stores still matter. We also discuss the role of culture in driving performance and why engaged teams are critical to long-term commercial success.

Together, this conversation offers a clear and practical view of what modern retail leadership really looks like. A must-listen for anyone leading, or aspiring to lead, in modern retail.

• Why customer experience should drive business decisions, even in finance
• What it really takes to scale fast-growth, multi-market retail businesses
• How culture and employee experience directly impact performance
• The shift towards Holland & Barrett stores as community-led wellness hubs
• How technology, data and personalisation are reshaping retail
• Finding the balance between digital growth and human connection in-store

Connect with Vineta via her website: www.vinetabajaj.com

Visit www.hollandandbarrett.com

This episode is brought to you by SCAYLE! The enterprise commerce platform empowering B2C brands and retailers to easily create outstanding customer experiences. It provides an intuitive, seamless feature set, which can be flexibly extended via API. Brands like Levi’s®, Harrods, Manchester United and Deichmann choose SCAYLE to accelerate innovations and drive growth. For more information, check out www.scayle.com

In this episode of The Retail Tea Break Podcast, Melissa is joined by Steve Lister. The sustainability consultant has over 20 years’ experience working with some of the world’s biggest retail brands.

Known for his straight-talking approach, Steve lifts the lid on what’s really happening behind the scenes in retail sustainability. From the hidden inefficiencies driving waste, to the disconnect between head office decisions and in-store reality, this conversation challenges the narratives the industry is often reluctant to confront.

Looking ahead, Steve also shares what’s coming next; including the impact of new legislation and why the future of sustainability in retail will be defined less by messaging and more by how effectively businesses actually operate.

Key Discussion Points:

• Why up to 40% of retail displays never reach the shop floor and what that reveals about execution
• The true scale of in-store waste and packaging disposal and the cost retailers carry behind the scenes
• The disconnect between design, head office strategy and operational reality in stores
• How upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation legislation (2026) will force major changes in packaging and retail practices
• The gap between what customers say about sustainability and how they actually shop
• Why the future of retail sustainability will be driven by operational excellence, not marketing claims

Check out www.stevelister.com

This episode is brought to you by SmartGifty, the modular digital platform connecting gift cards, loyalty and data into one experience layer. It is used by destinations, shopping centres and retail chains to personalise customer journeys, gain behavioural insight and treat customers as guests rather than transactions. Check out www.smartgifty.com

In the latest episode of The Retail Tea Break, Melissa is joined by Nick Harbaugh. The retail project management leader has more than 35 years of experience in commercial construction and large-scale store rollouts. He founded Retail Marketing Services and went on to lead international programs for major global brands, delivering complex retail execution across hundreds of locations and multiple countries.

Now based in Costa Rica and known as The Retail Nomad, Nick shares his global perspective on brick-and-mortar retail, operational discipline and what it truly takes to deliver projects at scale.

• Managing store rollouts across 600+ locations in 15 countries
• The importance of cross-department collaboration between marketing, construction and operations
• Why strong project management protects timelines, budgets and client relationships
• Cost control, scope clarity, and knowing when to walk away from the wrong projects
• Relationship-driven business development and long-term networking strategies
• Life in Costa Rica and building The Retail Nomad brand!

Check out The Retail Nomad: https://www.youtube.com/@theretailnomad

This episode is brought to you by SmartGifty, the modular digital platform connecting gift cards, loyalty and data into one experience layer. It is used by destinations, shopping centres and retail chains to personalise customer journeys, gain behavioural insight and treat customers as guests rather than transactions. Check out www.smartgifty.com

This episode of The Retail Tea Break was recorded at the fabulous press event for this year's Retail Technology Show. It brings together three powerhouse voices from across retail technology and digital transformation:

• Meriel Neighbour, Director of Technology at River Island
• Will Lockie, Global Digital Director at Noble Panacea
• Ana Machado da Silva, VP Digital Product at Pentland Brands
• Matt Bradley, Event Director at Retail Technology Show

From large-scale transformation journeys to the reality of MACH architecture, evolving loyalty strategies and aligning tech with brand and people, this is a grounded, insight-rich conversation on what actually drives success in modern retail.

If you're navigating legacy systems, AI hype, or digital change fatigue this one’s essential listening.

• Transformation is holistic, not just tech
• MACH enables speed, agility, and seamless journeys
• Loyalty must move from discounts to relationships
• Tech should be invisible but powerful
• Legacy systems fail when they limit customer experience
• People, not platforms determine transformation success

You can hear more from today’s guests and episode sponsor SmartGifty at Retail Technology Show!

Retail Technology Show: 22–23 April, London ExCeL

Registration link: Retail Technology Show - Feel the Beat of Retail here

This episode is brought to you by SmartGifty, the modular digital platform connecting gift cards, loyalty and data into one experience layer. It is used by destinations, shopping centres and retail chains to personalise customer journeys, gain behavioural insight and treat customers as guests rather than transactions. Check out www.smartgifty.com Founder Jurij Triller will be at Retail Technology Show, connect with him Jurij Triller | LinkedIn and arrange your meeting today!

Melissa is joined by Edel McSorley, Operations Director at Mr. Price Branded Bargains, to explore how inclusive leadership is driving performance in modern retail.

With over 25 years of experience in retail operations and change management, Edel shares how a strengths-based, human-first approach has shaped a culture where employees feel valued, supported and empowered to grow.

1. How inclusive retail leadership improves productivity and customer experience
2. Using strengths-based management in retail that focuses on employee capability rather than limitations
3. Moving from policy-driven HR to a human-first workplace culture
4. The impact of programmes like Women at Work and Tribe on employee confidence and retention
5. Retail employee retention strategies; early engagement, mentorship and confidence-building
6. Creating psychological safety in store environments

This episode is a masterclass in diversity and inclusion in retail; showing how DEI, employee engagement, and strengths-based management directly impact retention, growth and commercial success.

This episode is brought to you by SmartGifty, the modular digital platform connecting gift cards, loyalty and data into one experience layer. It is used by destinations, shopping centres and retail chains to personalise customer journeys, gain behavioural insight and treat customers as guests rather than transactions. Check out www.smartgifty.com

Season 10 of the award-winning Retail Tea Break Podcast is here and it’s set to be the biggest yet.

Four and a half years in and after a record-breaking 2025, the momentum is only building. This season promises sharper insights, bolder conversations and real-world retail truths you won’t hear anywhere else.

What’s Coming Up This Season…

1. A conversation that proves inclusion isn’t a trend, it’s transformative
2. A global perspective connecting design, delivery and commercial success
3. A bold, no-filter take on what it really takes to grow a business
4. Honest truths about digital transformation the wins and the uncomfortable realities
5. A question around sustainability that might challenge everything you think you know
6. A deep dive into a platform many overlook, but shouldn’t
7. A conversation that will make you rethink one of retail’s most talked-about brands

New for Season 10

We’re now on Substack!

Subscribe to The Retail Tea Break Podcast on Substack to read my take on each episode, with extra learnings, deeper insights and behind-the-scenes thinking you won’t hear on the podcast.

Catch up on all 114 previous episodes on your favourite podcast platform and make sure you hit follow or subscribe so you never miss a new release.

You can also watch episodes on YouTube, and join the conversation by sharing your favourite moments. Tag me, Melissa Moore and The Retail Tea Break Podcast on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Put the kettle on, grab your cup of tea, and get ready, season 10 is here!

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.