146: The Future Of Department Stores

Department stores retailers have been polarised in performance. As some have achieved huge successes, others have struggled as digital channels have grown. So, is there still a place in the retail market for the classic “department store”? In this episode, special guest Cate Trotter of Insider Trends joins to explore the future of department stores.

Listen to this episode to discover:

• What does the term “relationship platform” mean? And hear how it relates to department stores.
• Which retailer has successfully reinvented a business model for department stores?
• And why department stores and landlords can learn from each other.

 

Introducing Cate Trotter

Cate Trotter is the Head of Trends at Insider Trends, a retail innovation and optimisation consultancy. She’s worked with brands like Chanel, Galeries Lafayette, Levi’s, Tesco, Swarovski and many others.

She’s scouted stores around the world and delivered retail safaris from Mexico City to Tokyo. In turn, this has given Cate a first-hand understanding of what works… and what doesn’t!

Plus, she’s been named a top global retail influencer for the past 5 years.

You can find out more at insider-trends.com. Or email Cate at cate@insider-trends.com

And of course, you can find Cate Trotter on LinkedIn.

And you can email Oliver Banks on oliver.banks@obandco.uk to share your thoughts or connect with Oliver Banks on LinkedIn.

4 more podcast episodes to listen to

If you enjoyed this conversation with Cate Trotter on the future of the department store, then there are plenty of other episodes of the Retail Transformation Show to listen to. Get started with these 4 episodes.

Firstly, listen to episode 143: The Return Of Stores as Ian Scott joined to explain what’s working well in physical retail as the pandemic subsides.

During the conversation with Cate, you heard how exciting VR could be for department stores. So check out episode 128: AR, VR And Retail In The Metaverse. Renowned metaverse expert, Cathy Hackl, joined to help you discover the next big retail opportunity.

The next episode to listen to is number 124: How To Be A Data Driven Retailer. In this episode, hear the key considerations to help you grow in our digitally enabled and data driven world.

And finally, the shifts discussed in this episode are major reinventions and fundamental transformations. Therefore you may want to listen to episode 131: 4 Traits For Great Transformation Leadership to discover how you can successfully lead your reinvention.

In addition, you may also enjoy conversations with Joe Jackman, Steve Dennis, Ghalia Boustani and many more. So be sure to take a look through the archives!