Retail guru Paul Zahra and Coles’ Kate Bailey are on the panel for the next instalment of Future Now, giving their insights into the massive changes wrought to retailers by the events of 2020.
For the final episode of the series the pair, alongside Facebook’s Kate Box, look at the future of bricks and mortar stores, what innovation looks like in 2021 and the switch which has occurred between the roles of online and offline shopping.
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Zahra is the former CEO of David Jones and now heads up the Australian Retailers Association, Bailey is General Manager Media, Sponsorships & Events, for Coles while Box is Head of Retail, ANZ at Facebook.
In the discussion, led by AdNews publisher Assia Benmedjoub, they discuss:
- The behavioural changes from 2020 that are going to stick with consumers in the long-term;
- The increased importance of the Mega Sales days and Christmas to secure cash reserves going into 2021;
- Why retailers are being advised to scale back physical stores and invest in omnichannel retail;
- How Coles is reimagining the in-store experience;
- Why retailers have ditched physical catalogues for interactive digital versions;
- The rise of shoppertainment - the need to keep consumers engaged and entertained in the digital path to purchase;
- What small and non-essential businesses can learn from the way the big players have adjusted;
- How digital and in-store shopping have traded roles during the pandemic, and what that means for marketers and consumers.
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More about the panel
Paul Zahra is CEO of the Australian Retailers Association…
Paul is a leading figure of Australian retail having worked in the industry for more than 35 years in senior executive and non-executive roles and as a company advisor.
He is passionate about retail and his broad experience in the sector commenced with his first role as a casual shop assistant at Target Sunshine aged 16 and saw him promoted to become Target’s youngest ever store manager at age 22. Paul went on to hold senior leadership roles at Target, Officeworks and David Jones where he rose through the ranks to become CEO.
As CEO and Managing Director of David Jones, Paul led a transformation of the business from a traditional retailer to a contemporary omni-channel retailer, delivering improved sales momentum and financial stability during the worst retail conditions in 25 years.
Kate Bailey is General Manager Media, Sponsorships & Events, for Coles…
Kate Bailey is a highly strategic and commercial marketer with over 15 years experience driving growth for leading global retail brands in Australia, UK and US. Kate's diverse career has spanned customer insights, integrated marketing, brand development, content marketing and media. A strong champion of the customer, Kate is now spearheading a newly created Media, Sponsorship and Events division at Coles.
Kate has an MBA from Melbourne Business School and is a Graduate of Wesfarmers Executive Development program.
Kate Box is Head of Retail, ANZ, at Facebook…
Kate works with leading organisations across ANZ to develop innovative strategies that will grow their business. Kate has more than 20 years of experience working in marketing and advertising. Prior to joining Facebook in 2011, Kate led the Social Media product team at Microsoft Advertising UK and also worked client side for Sensis, McDonalds and Tabcorp.
More about the Future Now series
Other episodes in the series dive into a range of categories, honing in on the retail revolution, how art and science stack up in consumer goods brand building, and the big questions in the worlds of technology, finance and travel.
Watch Episode 1: What Just Happened? Here
Watch Episode 2: Heart or Head? Here
Watch Episode 3: What Next for the Disruptors? Here
Watch Episode 4: Can You Take an Offline Experience Online? Here
Watch Episode 5: What Makes a Great Subscription Business? Here
Watch Episode 6: How Do You Sell a Dream? Here
So if you’re in the business of marketing, media or advertising, catch up on all the expert commentary from our other episodes here.
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