Brands are spoilt for choice when it comes to business tools; POS systems, CRM databases, even social media. These technologies are just a sampling of the plethora of services available to help retailers function and evolve. But one class of tool really making a difference is platforms. Platforms for E-commerce, platforms for managing business - no matter where they’re rolled out, what they really are are platforms for growth.
Show Notes
Brands are spoilt for choice when it comes to business tools; POS systems, CRM databases, even social media. These technologies are just a sampling of the plethora of services available to help retailers function and evolve. But one class of tool really making a difference is platforms. Platforms for E-commerce, platforms for managing business - no matter where they’re rolled out, what they really are are platforms for growth.
Platforms are allowing brands to scale faster, collect deeper insights and integrate new functionality more easily than ever before. But with more bespoke options appearing every day, and incumbent platforms continually upping their service, it's tricky to know which services to grab with both hands and which to let pass by.
In this season finale of Beyond Retail, we explore the platforms that are helping brands to stay on top in light of increasing competition and decreasing disposable incomes. Join us as we speak with leading experts in the platform economy: Chief Product Officer at Epos Now, Nathan Gill; Author of 'Embedded Finance: When Payments Become An Experience', Co-founder and Chief Commercial & Growth Officer at Fiat Republic, Sophie Guibaud; and Sunday Times Columnist, Chair of the British Association of Women Entrepreneurs, and Founder of Lily Blanche Jewellery, Gillian Crawford.
We discover which platforms are helping business owners manage their day-to-day operations and which integrations are bringing brands and consumers the financial tools they need, when they need them. And we'll find out how platforms such as EBay and Etsy are helping small businesses compete with household names and complementing big-brand brick and mortar.
What is Beyond Retail?
It didn’t all change in March 2020. Not really.
The UK high street has been in the throes of a gradual revolution for decades. From the rise of ecommerce, to the birth of mobile, social commerce, and a growing emphasis on experience, change has been underway for a while.
In fact for many, the pandemic has acted as a wake-up call. Digital transformation was no longer a ‘nice to have’ but a matter of survival. Necessity sparked innovation and customers are enjoying more flexibility and convenience than ever before.
But what now? What lessons should we take with us as we move forwards? And how can we ensure we’re ready for whatever’s next?
To find out, host Colin Neil embarked on a journey spanning the past 10 years. Using our latest consumer research as a launch-pad, we spoke to famous brands, industry experts, and consumers on the street.
The result is a five-part podcast series providing a unique insight into the rich, varied world of UK commerce in 2021 and beyond.