top of page
Nicholas Alexander
EXECUTIVE SEARCH
The Retail Leadership Lens
Real-world examples, actionable strategies, and proven techniques for retail success


AI, Trust and the Power of Knowing Why
Imagine that “someone” is an AI system helping you choose your next regional lead, predict sales volumes, or decide whether to close a struggling store. You’d want more than just the answer. You’d want to know the logic behind it. The “why”.
That’s exactly the problem a new research project from Anthropic is trying to solve. It’s called Project VEND, and although the name sounds like it belongs to a dystopian thriller, the idea is refreshingly practical: get AI to explain its


Is Your Retail Business Like a Broken Record? Time to Stop Talking and Start Doing
I sometimes feel like I'm stuck in a retail conference groundhog day. The same panels, the same presentations, the same soundbites about AI, customer experience, and the need for experiential stores.
It's all becoming a bit… predictable, don't you think?
Like that broken record stuck on repeat, but it just keeps going around. We all know the script by now, but are we actually doing anything differently? I hear a lot of talk, but I'm not seeing enough action.


From QVC to TikTok: Is Live Shopping the Future of Retail, or Just a Flash in the Pan?
Remember late-night TV shopping? Back in the day, it felt revolutionary, a chance to snag a bargain from the comfort of your sofa, watching someone enthusiastically demonstrate a vegetable slicer or a "miracle" cleaning product. It was appointment viewing for a certain crowd, and it paved the way for what we're seeing now: live shopping. This time, things are on a much grander scale, and the audience is massive. Think of live shopping as QVC on steroids, fuelled by social med


Retail's Juggling Act: Omnichannel Excellence
Think about the last time you had a truly great shopping experience. What made it stand out? Chances are, it wasn't just one thing. It was the combination of factors, maybe a helpful salesperson in-store, a personalised email offer, and the ability to effortlessly return an item online. And that’s the aim here!
I think it’s time to stop juggling and think about how to create a captivating show.


Riding the Retail Tech Tsunami: The Leadership Skills Needed to Stay On Top
In the executive search business, you see things unfolding on the horizon long before they hit the headlines. I’ve talked about this topic quite a lot over the last few years, but right now, I’m witnessing a full-blown tech tsunami crashing into the retail landscape. The question isn't if it will change things, but how profoundly things will change. Most importantly, are the leaders in place ready to navigate the storm?


Retails Digital Revolution: It's Time to Adapt or Fall Behind
We're seeing brands and stores that are not only surviving, but thriving, by adapting and innovating. The key? Embracing technology.
bottom of page