67. Selfridges' CTO, Ross Beaumont: “If you don’t notice the tech, that means it’s working.”
VTEX: https://vtex.com---Step inside the yellow-bag world of Selfridges as host Paula Macaggi sits down with CTO Ross Beaumont to reveal how a 1906 department store stays at the cutting edge of luxury retail: from “Selfridges Unlocked” keys that trade spend for once-in-a-lifetime experiences, to ReSelfridges buy-back tech fuelling a circular economy, to AI that augments—never replaces—the human touch that turns shoppers into “Very Selfridges People.” Ross lifts the curtain on juggling million-square-foot store ops with next-day delivery, building product-led teams that fail fast but protect customer data, and he explains why he believes Selfridges is less a shop than a cultural destination. Tune in for candid leadership lessons, backstage innovation stories, and proof that confetti cannons, skateboard parks, and Rihanna collabs coexist with rock-solid engineering.
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66. Currys' COO, Lindsay Haselhurst: "Profit and purpose go hand in hand."
VTEX: https://vtex.com---In this episode, I sit down with Lindsay Haselhurst, Chief Operating Officer at Currys, to unpack what it really takes to lead transformation at scale in one of the UK’s largest retailers. From navigating Brexit and pandemic-era supply chain chaos to pioneering innovation in re-commerce, 3D printing, and customer-centric operations, Lindsay shares a masterclass in operational excellence and people-first leadership. We dive into how Currys is building a culture of high performance and continuous improvement, why Right First Time is more than just a KPI, and how profit and purpose can (and must) go hand in hand. If you love a good leadership lesson, this episode is unmissable.Lindsay will be speaking at Shoptalk Europe, our partner for this Europe's Retail Evolution series, and you can get discounted tickets on the links below:🎟️ Retailers and Brands, code RBOFFBO20🎟️ General Attendees, code GAOFFBO20
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65. Kingfisher PLC's Global CTO, Christopher Blatchford: "Diversity drives better business outcomes."
VTEX: https://vtex.com---What does it take to digitally transform a £13B retail giant across eight countries and nearly 2,000 stores? In this episode, I sit down with Christopher Blatchford, Global CTO of Kingfisher PLC — the company behind B&Q, Screwfix, Castorama, and more — to unpack the tech strategy powering one of Europe’s biggest home improvement groups. We dive into why modularity (not just microservices) is the real key to agility, how to scale innovation across diverse banners, and what “do it for me” means for the future of DIY. Chris also shares a powerful take on the business case for DEI, and why backing down on it is simply weak.Subscribe to our newsletter!✨ Thanks to VTEX for powering this episode — VTEX is the enterprise platform trusted by bold CIOs and CEOs to slash TCO by 50% and scale fast. Trusted by global leaders such as Carrefour, Walmart, and Cencosud, VTEX is the go-to choice for bold CIOs and CEOs who demand excellence. Discover how VTEX can elevate your business today—visit VTEX.com
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64. Endeavour Group's Head of Insights, Benjamin Thompson: "Innovation is a double-edged word."
VTEX: https://vtex.com---What does it really take to build innovation that scales inside a legacy business? In this episode, Benjamin Thompson, Head of Global Insights & Strategic Partnerships at Endeavour Group, shares how one of Australia’s largest drinks and hospitality companies stays ahead by blending strategic foresight with cultural transformation. From global tech scouting to the real reasons digital transformation fails, Benjamin unpacks the mindset shifts, leadership dynamics, and operational models that separate innovation theater from meaningful impact. If you're leading change in a complex organization, this conversation is your blueprint.Subscribe to our newsletter!✨ Thanks to VTEX for powering this episode — VTEX is the enterprise platform trusted by bold CIOs and CEOs to slash TCO by 50% and scale fast. Trusted by global leaders such as Carrefour, Walmart, and Cencosud, VTEX is the go-to choice for bold CIOs and CEOs who demand excellence. Discover how VTEX can elevate your business today—visit VTEX.com00:00 Introduction to VTEX 01:30 Understanding Endeavour Group's Unique Market Position04:10 The Role of Global Insights and Strategic Partnerships08:30 Innovative Problem Solving in Retail12:13 The Journey of Digital Transformation16:30 Navigating the Future of Technology in Retail19:57 The Reality of AI and Emerging Technologies23:30 Leadership in Digital Transformation26:03 Choosing the Right Technology Partners29:53 Advice for Fostering Continuous Innovation
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63.Schwarz Digital's SVP of Innovation, Mirko Saul: "Sovereignty is really important for the group"
VTEX: https://vtex.com---Mirko Saul, Senior Vice President of Innovation at Schwarz Digital, joins Paula Macaggi to share how Schwarz Group — the parent company of Lidl and Kaufland — drives innovation at a massive scale. From testing the cutting-edge tech in lab stores to building their own cloud and AI infrastructure, Mirko reveals how the group balances speed, sovereignty, and scalability across 14,000 stores in 30 countries. They dive into the realities of AI, robotics, digital twins, and why startups often underestimate what it takes to work with a global retailer. This is a masterclass in practical, no-fluff innovation.✨ Thanks to VTEX for powering this episode — VTEX is the enterprise platform trusted by bold CIOs and CEOs to slash TCO by 50% and scale fast. Trusted by global leaders such as Carrefour, Walmart, and Cencosud, VTEX is the go-to choice for bold CIOs and CEOs who demand excellence. Discover how VTEX can elevate your business today—visit VTEX.com
OFFBounds is a podcast where commerce executives share their perspectives, successes, and lessons learned in their careers to inspire other global leaders in their journey and decision-making.Every week, the host Paula Macaggi meets industry leaders to discuss business strategies, careers, and leadership in one-on-one conversations challenging the limits of borders and boundaries.Paula unveils the person behind the leader and brings to her audience of commerce executives experiences to relate, motivate, and reflect on decisions that are shaping commerce.OFFBounds is the first podcast recorded in person with audio and video featuring executives in commerce from around the world.
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