All Interview articles
Most recent first.
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InterviewInterview: Jollyes CEO Joe Wykes on expansion, competition and staff happiness
From new store openings to Christmas trading results, petcare retailer Jollyes is celebrating a year of record-breaking and chief executive Joe Wykes has no intention of taking his foot off the accelerator
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Interview
Interview: Primark US boss Kevin Tulip on finally cracking America
Watching huge names like Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Sainsbury’s shutter or sell their US venture would be enough to put almost anyone off trying to achieve the American dream, but Primark US boss Kevin Tulip is charging ahead with his
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Interview
Interview: Biscuiteers founder Harriet Hastings on Christmas, mail strikes and cheap imitations
Biscuiteers founder Harriet Hastings has baked herself a multi-million-pound high-end biscuit empire. She reflects on how she built her business and how it plans to deal with historic lows in consumer confidence and rampant inflation
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Interview
Interview: How Crew Clothing’s boss is building 'Ralph Lauren of middle England'
“I want Crew Clothing to become the Ralph Lauren of middle England.” It is a bold and ambitious statement from Crew’s chief executive David Butler, who has led the business since 2017 and has grand designs to grow it into the “most successful mid-market player” in UK fashion.
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Interview
Interview: How Tapi Carpets founder Martin Harris is tapping into a new era
Retail Week sits down with Tapi founder Martin Harris to discuss how the business has grown over the past seven years and why smaller stores might be the future of flooring
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Interview
Interview: How British Airways is boosting customer engagement against the downturn
As IAG Loyalty enters retail with the launch of its wine delivery service, Retail Week speaks to Jack Smith – the freshly appointed CEO of new subsidiary IAGL Retail – to understand why it is making its foray into the market and the role of rewards in driving retention
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Interview
Interview: Poundland’s Barry Williams on Christmas, cost of living and gunning for the grocers
Retail Week sits down with Poundland boss Barry Williams to discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by the cost-of-living crisis, the retailer’s growing focus on new categories and building a profitable online business from a standing start
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Interview
Renting is the new buying: Hirestreet CEO on creating a supersized shared wardrobe
Looking forward to a summer full of events and weddings, Hirestreet boss Isabella West explains how the industry can move the dial and put rental firmly in fashion
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Interview
Top dog bows out: Pets at Home’s Peter Pritchard on resilience, inspiration and agility
Before stepping down as chief executive of Pets at Home, Peter Pritchard chats to Retail Week about the highs and lows of running a specialist business, and how inspiration can come from anywhere
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Interview
Interview: Why Sach Kukadia’s jewellery venture is worth its weight in gold
In the depths of the first year of the pandemic, Secret Sales co-founder Sach Kukadia struck gold with a new business idea. He explains how 7879’s customers are encouraged to gamify the system, its sustainability focus and plans for future expansion.
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Interview
From hotcakes to hoodies – how Roger Whiteside transformed Greggs
Retail Leader of the Year Roger Whiteside oversaw an impressive post-pandemic recovery at Greggs while ‘doing the right thing’ – and he leaves the chain well equipped to conquer London and beyond.
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Interview
How the Co-op’s Jo Whitfield is shaping a safer, more diverse sector
As Whitfield is named Retail Activist at the Retail Week Awards 2022, we take a look at her work to change the law around shopworkers’ safety and champion underrepresented voices
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Interview
How Theo Paphitis went from sales assistant to tycoon, TV star and campaigner
As Theo Paphitis wins the AlixPartners Outstanding Contribution to Retail Award, the boss of Ryman, Boux Avenue and Robert Dyas reflects on his lifelong passion for retail
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Interview
Interview: Farmison founder John Pallagi on bringing farm-to-fork meat to the people
Think of top-quality bread and Le Pain Quotidien might come to mind. When it comes to premium chocolate, Hotel Chocolat and its single-estate treats. But what springs to mind with beef?
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Interview
Interview: Who needs Prada when you have Primark? Paul Marchant on opening in the capital of fashion
Retail Week talks to Primark’s chief executive as the value giant continues its quest for global expansion
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Interview
Interview: Mike Yorwerth – the tech chief putting digital Sparks into M&S
When Mike Yorwerth joined Marks & Spencer at the start of last year, the retailer had made a definitive switch towards a digital-first model after the Covid pandemic sparked a shopping shift online.
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Interview
Interview: L’Oréal’s UK boss on how technology will transform beauty retail
On a drizzly Thursday in Hammersmith, L’Oréal Group’s UK and Ireland managing director Thierry Cheval is making lipstick from the comfort of his office.
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Interview
Interview: How Ikea’s property arm Ingka Centres is reinventing physical retail
As Ikea’s small-format store in Hammersmith prepares to open its doors next week, Retail Week sits down with Cindy Andersen – boss of the retailer’s sister company and property firm Ingka Centres – to discuss the new concept and how the Covid-19 crisis has reinforced its strategic shift to multi-purpose spaces.
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Interview
Be Inspired: Beaverbrooks’ Anna Blackburn on becoming the first outsider to lead the family-run retailer
The first female boss of jewellery retailer Beaverbrooks, Anna Blackburn talks to Retail Week about her journey up the ranks.
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Interview
Interview: ProCook boss Daniel O’Neill shares his recipe for IPO success
As ProCook publishes its maiden results following a stellar IPO, Retail Week sits down with founder and chief executive Daniel O’Neill to discuss his future plans for the brand.
