Retail Disrupted

Retail Disrupted A weekly podcast unpacking the trends transforming the global retail landscape. Natalie Berg is a retail analyst, author and founder of NBK Retail.

Renowned for her thought leadership in the global retail industry, Natalie offers clients valuable insights and strategic guidance on the trends transforming the retail landscape. Her expertise is sought by leading retail and FMCG brands, technology vendors, consultancies and industry partners. Natalie is curious and passionate about how technology is reshaping the world of commerce, how shopping habits will evolve in the future and what retailers need to do to stay relevant to today's ubiquitously connected consumers. She has co-authored two acclaimed books on retail, including Amazon: How the World’s Most Relentless Retailer Will Continue to Revolutionize Commerce, now translated into 18 languages. As host of the Retail Disrupted podcast, Natalie engages with the industry’s top minds – including CEOs, business leaders, and retail experts - on the future of commerce. She also frequently serves as a go-to commentator for TV and radio. Her views on retail have been published in the FT, Guardian, BBC, The Times, New York Times, among others, and she is a guest contributor for Forbes, Retail Week and Monocle Radio. Natalie can often be found chairing or speaking at industry events around the globe, and she is also an elected member of the KPMG Retail Think Tank where she provides quarterly insights and analysis on the health of the UK retail sector.

30/07/2026

AI can narrow the search. But it can't build trust. 🤖❤️

Dr Amna Khan on why Holland & Barrett's shop-floor strategy gets it right: let AI do the legwork — the search, the efficiency, the optimisation. Then let humans do what machines can't: build emotional connection, demonstrate genuine care, and earn consumer trust.

The brands winning right now aren't choosing between AI and humans. They're deploying both, in the right sequence.

Full episode with Dr. Amna Khan on Retail Disrupted — link in bio.

28/07/2026

A customer warned that his "boss" wouldn't approve of his sales style. She had no idea she was talking to the owner.

This is the anti-sales philosophy behind one of the world's most innovative fragrance houses. Marc-Antoine Barrois builds stores designed to make you forget time — and trains his team to tell customers not to buy if the perfume isn't right. In an industry racing to remove friction, he's adding it back. And winning.

🎙️Full Retail Disrupted episode with the founder and his architect Antoine Bouillot is live now.

24/07/2026

Most people think you need industry experience to disrupt an industry.

Rick Rosenfield was a federal prosecutor with zero restaurant experience — he went on to redefine casual dining in the US. 🍕

Full episode with co-founder Rick Rosenfield out now — link in bio.

23/07/2026

The most dangerous myth in retail right now? That AI will fix everything.

Ocado's President of Europe, Gregor Ulitzka, makes the case that the real competitive moat isn't AI agents — it's the boring stuff. Product availability. On-time delivery. A friendly driver who helps an elderly customer with her shopping."Replacing customer service centres with AI agents — I see that as very tricky," he says. "One of the differentiating factors is: I have a problem. A human being says, 'Good that you called. You're with me now. We're going to solve that together.'"

The tech you don't see is the tech that actually wins. AI powers the backend. But the frontline is still human — and that's the advantage most retailers are racing to automate away.

Full Strategy Briefing on Retail Disrupted — link in bio.

20/07/2026

The biggest threat to Zara isn't another fast fashion brand. It's Vinted.

Consumers no longer draw a line between new and secondhand — they're asking one question: who's going to give me the best experience?

Olivia May, Partner at OC&C Strategy Consultants, on why the boundaries between firsthand and resale are collapsing — and what it means for every retail brand that thinks secondhand isn't their competitor.

Full Strategy Briefing on Retail Disrupted — link in bio.

16/07/2026

Online grocery is a decathlon.

You can't just be good at logistics. You can't just nail availability. You need to be good at EVERYTHING — or the 3-4% daily waste kills your P&L.

President of Europe Gregor Ulitzka on why most online grocery journeys fail: retailers tack on e-commerce instead of rethinking the entire chain.

The secret sauce? There is no silver bullet. No magic AI solution. Just relentless operational precision across a chain where one broken link destroys the P&L.

Full episode on Retail Disrupted. Link in bio.

15/07/2026

was founded in 2015. Today, it's in 30 markets.

Global President Ashley Kechter explains the brand's international expansion strategy.

📺 Full Retail Disrupted episode out now.

14/07/2026
12/07/2026

is firing on all cylinders 🔥

Got a sneak preview of their Pantheon store (Oxford St flagship) which opens tomorrow.

Genuinely so much to “love” about what M&S is doing these days. Transformation happening across all categories and I think they’re doing a brilliant job holding on to their heritage while evolving, fairly radically IMO, to stay relevant.

It’s a delicate balance because you can’t be all things to all people anymore. Retailers need to be crystal clear on their purpose, lean into their strengths, and continue to surprise and delight the customer. M&S is genuinely smashing it.

06/07/2026

Who needs to think of grocery lists anymore? 🛒

can now build your entire basket — and Wolt (owned by ) is already wiring this into production. Marianne Vikkula, Head of Wolt, on the AI strategy making grocery shopping invisible.

The real breakthrough isn't customer-facing yet — it's internal velocity. Shipping code faster. Product development at AI-speed.

But the customer-visible layer is coming: AI that knows your weekly shop better than you do.

For retailers, who controls the basket when the shopper stops making decisions??

Full episode out now on Retail Disrupted. 🎧

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