The Retail Tea Break

• Inside Amazon: What Amazon.ie Reveals About Retail’s Future

  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 TopicsWhat went into launching Amazon.ie and why it matters for Irish customersIreland’s shifting shopping habits and their report ‘The Impact of E-commerce on Consumers in Ireland’How online and in-store experiences complement each otherImproving rural access through Amazon’s partnership with An PostHow Amazon empowers Irish brands to scale globallyMarketplace vs retailer, what it means for Irish SMEsChristmas campaign with Friends of The Elderly x AmazonFor information on how to start selling on Amazon, visit:https://sellercentral.amazon.ie/ Friends of the Elderly x Amazon Christmas 2025https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkSC8O1W6P0&t=49s

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• Truth-Telling in Grocery Retail with Steve Dresser

  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 PointsThe 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 operationsFind 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/

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• From Local Roots to Global Shelves with Kinvara Skincare

  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 brandScience meets sustainability in every productStaying true to Irish roots with proudly Irish-made, Irish-branded productsBalancing retail growth with booming e-commerceUsing tech and AI to shape the future of skincare retailExpanding successfully into Canada with bilingual packagingExciting new Irish branding and new SPF launches coming in 2026Check 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/

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• Retail That Delivers: Inish Pharmacy & Autoaddress

  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/

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• Keans Claremorris: Retailing for 120 years

  Melissa Moore sits down with James Kean, Managing Director of Keans Claremorris, a fourth-generation family business that has evolved from a small grocery shop into a 25,000 sq ft retail destination. With 120 years of history behind them, the Kean family has embraced change while staying true to their roots in customer service and community. They discuss:The transformation of a family grocery shop into a modern multi-department retail destination.How adaptability and customer focus helped the business survive world wars, recessions and the pandemic.The role of partnerships, buying groups and collaborations (including PetStop) in maintaining competitiveness.The balance between digital convenience (same-day dispatch, nationwide delivery) and strong local identity.How AI, data and technology are shaping operations and customer experience.Key takeaways:Family businesses thrive when they evolve with customer needs while holding onto their community roots.Strategic partnerships and buying groups give independents the scale to compete with bigger players.Investing in technology, from AI to fibre broadband can enhance both online and in-store experiences.Staff training and empowerment remain at the heart of excellent customer service.Resilience in retail comes from positivity, peer support and a willingness to adapt.Check out https://www.keanscm.ie/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/

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