The Hive Café is our online only, drop in conversation format. Join informal chats on community hot topics and priority lists. Share stories, ask questions and collaborate for sustained change with a group of trusted peers. As always with our Hive Cafés, come armed with a cup of coffee and an open mind.
Check out our upcoming schedule and get involved below!
Your Peer Group Is Your Secret Source – Closed Doors, Open Minds, Chatham House Rule Applies.
Beyond the hype – the real-world applications of AI
29th August – 12pm (GMT)
AI is a set of technologies with genuinely transformational powers. But how do you cut through the hype to make an impact? Here we will explore how and where to harness this technology to solve problems and unlock opportunity for your business today.
How is UK Retail using AI right now? Where are the biggest wins?
What problems do retailers have that AI can solve?
What real world applications and examples exist that inspire you?
What methods and techniques should you employ to get started with AI?
Stand by me: Capturing customer loyalty
5th September – 12pm (GMT)
Every retail business understands that customer loyalty is paramount to continued growth and success. But the burning question is, how do retailers capitalise on their customers initial interest, retain them and turn them into lifelong advocates? And how best can you improve customer LTV at a time of profound pressure on consumer spending?
For one hour we will deep dive into the tactics that retailers are using to drive customer loyalty; how is it measured; how is consumer expectation changing, what is the next generation of loyalty programmes and what lessons has our community from implementing loyalty schemes.
Does it add up? Tracking the carbon footprint
24th October – 12pm (GMT)
Carbon accounting is crucial for retailers wanting to measure, manage, and reduce their carbon emissions. Accurate tracking of carbon footprint helps businesses identify areas for improvement, enables the setting of emission reduction targets that contributes to society’s wider efforts in combating climate change and gains consumer trust in the positive ethos of your brand.
However it’s a complex process and there are several challenges faced by retailers including the lack of standardisation in practices across stakeholders, inaccurate data collection, complexities around accounting for scope 3 emissions and the perennial barrier of limited staff resources and knowledge gaps. For 60 minutes representatives from brands and retailers, all at different points in the carbon accounting journey will gather to share their woes and work arounds.
The special relationship: How are UK brands supporting US customers
31st October – 12pm (GMT)
George Bernard Shaw said, “England and America are two countries separated by the same language”. Despite all our similarities, we tend to do things differently, and customer service is no exception. US consumers expectations have been shaped by dominant e-commerce giants and has becomed accustomed to fast shipping, hassle-free returns and instant response service.
While the potential for growth is immense, there are significant challenges for UK brands looking to expand across the Atlantic stemming from divergent consumer behaviours, preferred communication styles and technology readiness. Join us to discuss common barriers, innovative stratagems involved with breaking into and supporting customers in this most lucrative of markets.
The rise of composable in the retail industry
7th November – 12pm (GMT)
Every retail or brand is challenged by the same key thing, delivering shopping convenience for their shopper in an ever-changing world of tech. According to Gartner, retail companies require a modularised approach that is adjustable and autonomous to bring flexibility and ensure customisation. So, how are UK retailers approaching composable technology? And is it a given that the industry will move to a modular style?
This digital cafe will explore how retailers are broaching this topic and is an opportunity to raise burning questions around whether you should adopt a modular approach.
Is composable the right move for your business?
What are the key benefits of adopting a composable architecture for retailers? (innovation, cost reduction, efficiency, scalability)
What challenges might retailers face when transitioning to a composable tech stack?
How does composable tech enhance customer experience and personalization?
What are the cost implications of moving to a composable architecture?
Best practise when integrating composable tech into existing infrastructure?
Lets go round again: Circularity in retail
5th December – 12pm (GMT)
Consumer interest in sustainable and circular retail solutions is growing steadily, which is complimented in growing investor and board member interest due to increased regulatory pressures. With many consumers already participating in parts of the circular economy ie reselling products, repairing or recycling there are multiple opportunities for retailers to scale these consumer practices while improving existing customer relationships and generating new revenue streams.
Emerging, fast growth brands who have embedded eco consciousness into their core business foundations have had great success implementing circularity-focused projects whereas traditional retailers have influence over product design and manufacturing processes due to purchasing volumes. However, no retailer is completing circularity across the board and many are trying establish what to prioritise first.
This informal roundtable will cover changing consumer expectations, smart strategies and benchmarking.
Luxury: Driving efficiencies in your marketing spend and unlocking scale in paid advertising
9th January 2025 -12 pm (GMT)
With the upsurge of discretionary spending during the pandemic’s peak period well and truly over it and the UK just stepping out of recession, 2024 has already proven a turbulent year for many luxury brands — long considered “recession proof”. To navigate this uncertain time, luxury retailers need to create savvy marketing strategies to ensure that every penny is spent for maximum impact. There is a plethora of marketing channels and activations available, but how do you decide which ones are the most profitable?
Our luxury community will come together to discuss the latest strategies for delivering ROI, where our community is finding the biggest bang for their marketing buck and how they are approaching channel attribution to better direct investment in marketing channels.
