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.
The Power of Storytelling at Scale – Content Management, UGC and AI
10th April 2025 -12 pm (BST)
Join us for an exclusive discussion, focusing on new challenges posed by Gen Z and Millennials, who will represent 70% of the retail market by 2025. With 31% of Tik Tok users aged 18 to 24, social media has become essential for engaging younger consumers. Luxury brands must carefully balance Gen Z’s demand for integration with technology and pop culture alongside Millennials’ expectation for authentic, meaningful experiences. However, intense competition often leads to a “sea of sameness,” weakening brand loyalty and differentiation.
The growing demand for always-on content is driving challenges for retailers who do not have the human and financial resources to produce and manage content at scale. We will discuss the innovative approaches, including the use of UGC, AI and productive relationships with creators by brands to circumvent these difficulties as well as how retail businesses are redefining and successfully quantifying storytelling activities to foster deeper connections and drive conversions across generations.
Buy or Build? Future-Proofing Customer Data Architecture in Retail
8th May 2025 -12 pm (BST)
This digital café will bring together retail technology leaders to address the critical decision of whether to buy or build customer data architecture. The discussion will focus on navigating the complexities of selecting or creating systems that are adaptable to future needs, scalable for growth, and capable of delivering seamless customer experiences.
The Returns Series: Creating a Seamless Post Purchase Experience
5th June 2025 -12 pm (BST)
Over 60 minutes we will unite our logistics and eCommerce hives together to discuss the methods retailers & brands are implementing to deliver a seamless and efficient returns journey, with a strong focus on customer experience in post-purchase. As customer expectations for hassle-free returns grow, both eCommerce and logistics teams are tasked with not only optimising operational efficiency but also with enhancing customer satisfaction through streamlined, reliable communication.
This meeting will explore how can returns become a key driver of customer loyalty and profitability — from the rise of tech-enabled solutions like, real-time monitoring to automated self-service portals and local carrier options — all designed to minimise delays, reduce handling costs, and ensure customer satisfaction. Our members will discuss the methods they are using to convert returns into revenue opportunities. Join us to come away with real world insights into how your peers are creating end-to-end experiences that benefits both the customer and the bottom line.