The Retail Tea Break

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!
Featured Guests & Conversations
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.

In the latest episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, Melissa is joined by Alison Dunn, Country Manager for Amazon Ireland. This is a fast-paced conversation about her career across retail and the impact Amazon.ie is having on Ireland’s e-commerce landscape. From the Irish launch in March 2025 to rural delivery, support for local sellers and the trends reshaping how we shop, Alison offers a clear view of where Irish retail is heading next.
Key Discussion Topics
What went into launching Amazon.ie and why it matters for Irish customers
Ireland’s shifting shopping habits and their report ‘The Impact of E-commerce on Consumers in Ireland’
How online and in-store experiences complement each other
Improving rural access through Amazon’s partnership with An Post
How Amazon empowers Irish brands to scale globally
Marketplace vs retailer, what it means for Irish SMEs
Christmas campaign with Friends of The Elderly x Amazon

For information on how to start selling on Amazon, visit:
https://sellercentral.amazon.ie/

Friends of the Elderly x Amazon Christmas 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkSC8O1W6P0&t=49s

On this week’s episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, Melissa chats with Steve Dresser, founder of Grocery Insight. Known for his straight-talking approach and sharp eye for detail, Steve lifts the lid on what’s really happening on the shop floor. Together, they explore why honesty matters, the cultural barriers he’s faced and what retailers must confront if they want meaningful change.
Key Discussion Points
The value of honest, observational insight in a sector often dominated by polished narratives.
How rising costs, labour pressures and inconsistent standards are reshaping the store experience.
The persistent disconnect between store teams and central offices and why it harms execution.
Why culture, communication and accountability matter as much as strategy in driving change.
The growing tension between retail tech ambitions and the need to fix fundamental in-store operations

Find out more about Grocery Insight here: https://www.groceryinsight.com/
Thank you to Autoaddress for sponsoring today’s episode. You can solve your address data problems with Ireland’s most trusted supplier of Eircode solutions. Improve data quality, reduce manual errors and deliver better customer experiences at https://autoaddress.com/

In the latest episode of The Retail Tea Break podcast, Melissa sits down with Dr. Joanne Reilly, the inspiring founder and CEO behind Kinvara Skincare. The award-winning Irish brand blends science, sustainability and plant-powered beauty. From humble beginnings to being stocked in 600+ stores, Jo shares how Kinvara grew organically while staying true to its values, balancing local roots, global ambitions and a loyal customer base.
Key Takeaways:
Building a trusted, award-winning Irish skincare brand
Science meets sustainability in every product
Staying true to Irish roots with proudly Irish-made, Irish-branded products
Balancing retail growth with booming e-commerce
Using tech and AI to shape the future of skincare retail
Expanding successfully into Canada with bilingual packaging
Exciting new Irish branding and new SPF launches coming in 2026

Check out Kinvara website at https://www.kinvaraskincare.com/
Go raibh míle maith agat le Joanne ó Kinvara as labhairt liom inniu, agus as an gcúpla focal as Gaeilge.
Thank you to Autoaddress for sponsoring today’s episode. You can solve your address data problems with Ireland’s most trusted supplier of Eircode solutions. Improve data quality, reduce manual errors and deliver better customer experiences at https://autoaddress.com/

In the latest episode of The Retail Tea Break Podcast, Melissa Moore chats with Paul O’Hea, pharmacist and co-owner of Inish Pharmacy Group and Isabel Hughes, head of marketing at Autoaddress. Together, they explore how teamwork, technology and trust shape modern retail; from maintaining a human touch in pharmacy service to tackling the hidden costs of bad address data. The conversation blends the practical challenges of peak-season trading with digital innovation, customer care and operational growth.
Discussion Points:
How Inish Pharmacy blends online convenience with in-store care and trust.
Scaling operations and moving warehouses mid–holiday season.
The role of clean, accurate address data in enhancing customer experience.
The impact of express checkouts and digital wallets on address accuracy.
The evolving Irish address landscape; Eircode, compliance and automation.

Key Takeaways:
Human touch still matters: Personal service builds loyalty, even in e-commerce.
Bad data costs retailers: Clean address data reduces failed deliveries and customer complaints.
Growth requires resilience: Operational challenges, like warehouse expansion, can strengthen long-term capacity.
Convenience must meet accuracy: Retailers must balance frictionless checkouts with verified customer details.
Technology is a team player: Smart integrations between retailers and data partners improve both service and efficiency.

Check out https://www.inishpharmacy.com/
Thank you to Autoaddress for sponsoring today’s episode. You can solve your address data problems with Ireland’s most trusted supplier of Eircode solutions. Improve data quality, reduce manual errors and deliver better customer experiences at https://autoaddress.com/