The World Retail Congress and Spencer Stuart have teamed up to present Retail Leadership Voices, a new podcast series where we interview leading retail CEOs from around the world as they reflect on their career journeys, share expert insights and offer tailored advice for the next generation. 

As leadership partner to the World Retail Congress, Spencer Stuart brings together stories of impact and innovation, talent and effectiveness. Our partnership, which includes helping shape the World Retail Congress Advisory Board, chaired by Spencer Stuart’s global Retail Practice leader, Sally Elliott, is rooted in our shared ambition to generate a greater understanding of global retail — the challenges and opportunities, the trends and transformation. 

Candid conversations  

So, who are our guests in this new series? 
 

• Heritage meets innovation at Lane Crawford Joyce Group  

In 1999, Jennifer Woo joined the Lane Crawford Group, a pivotal player in Asia's luxury retail landscape since 1850 — today, she is the chairman and CEO.  

In conversation with Ian McGarrigle, chairman of World Retail Congress, and Catherine Kwong, co-head of Spencer Stuart’s Greater China region, she tells us about her incredible career and shares her viewpoints on AI and her company's successful transformation from a traditional department store to a trendsetting specialty retailer that blends heritage with innovation. 

Listen now on Apple or Spotify 

 

• Leading change, building connections with FairPrice Group 

Running Singapore’s largest supermarket chain, renowned for its purpose and social mission, comes with its share of challenges and opportunities.  

Vipul Chawla, CEO of FairPrice Group, sits down with Ian McGarrigle and Malini Vidaya, Spencer Stuart’s Asia Pacific regional manager, to discuss his first few years in post, as well as his experiences as president of Pizza Hut International and how his early years as a marketer helped shape his approach to the CEO role. He also shares valuable lessons from his 30 years of global experience and emphasises the importance of understanding customer behaviour and fostering an agile, frictionless shopping experience.  

Listen now on Apple or Spotify 

• Transforming Tradition at Swarovski

In this episode of the World Retail Podcast: Retail Leadership Voices, we go inside Transforming Tradition at Swarovski. Ian McGarrigle, Chairman, World Retail Congress sits down with Alexis Nasard, the first non-family CEO of Swarovski, and Georgy Konda, Spencer Stuart's Global Head of Fashion and Luxury. We explore Alexis's journey in revitalizing Swarovski, a 127-year-old brand, amidst luxury sector challenges. Discover Alexis's strategic insights on leadership, stakeholder management, and brand transformation. Don't miss this deep dive into the world of luxury retail and leadership.

Listen now on Apple or Spotify.
 

• Coming soon: Michael Medine, President and CEO, Empire Company 

Michael Medline recently announced his plan to retire as President and CEO of Canada’s Empire Company. In conversation with Ian McGarrigle and Carter Powis, leader of Spencer Stuart’s Consumer, Retail and Marketing Officer practice in Canada, he reflects on the “job he has loved” and shares the lessons he learned from a career shaped by transformations, acquisitions and the importance of treating colleagues — all 128,000 of them — as “teammates.”