We've all heard the term Metaverse by now, but what is does it actually mean?

What could it mean for how we do business or how we shop, for example? How we interact with brands? Will it be detrimental to bricks and mortar retail? And how relevant is it to independent retailers?

The answers might not be what you think.

This week's episode is with Mary Wallace, Retail and Customer Experience Consultant and member of IBM's Metaverse team.

Mary's brilliantly animated and accessible way of talking about tech is one of the most refreshing things about this episode, as she helps us understand the many opportunities available to independent retailers in the metaverse, why the technology shouldn't lie solely in the hands of the ‘tech bros’ and why co-creation is at the centre of making technology more meaningful.

Mary's article for BRC which I mention on the episode: https://brc.cld.bz/The-Retailer-Winter-Edition-2023/38/

Get in touch: independentthinkingpodcast@gmail.com

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This week we're talking the power of localism, collaboration in retail and why a bleak future isn't inevitable for the high street, as we sit down in conversation with Professor Leigh Sparks - Professor of Retail studies and Deputy Principal of University of Stirling.

In this fascinating episode, Leigh talks brilliantly about the choices that have brought us to where we are, and how we too can choose a different future for ourselves when it comes to reinvigorating town and city centres - as we discuss systemic change, holding multinationals to account, community action and why Starbucks’ drive-thrus aren’t all they’re cracked up to be…

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This week, we’re continuing our look at industry wide trends and the retail sector as a whole, as we speak to Ailsa Forbes, Retail Impact Fellow at International Longevity Centre UK. Founded in 1997, the ILC is the only specialist thinktank of its kind, looking into longevity in our society and how people can live meaningful and independent lives, regardless of their age.

The ILC has lobbied government and pushed for change for decades, and is now leading on a sector wide project that will for the first time, reflect on the impact of longevity on the retail industry, and how, for example we can ensure retail spaces can be accessed with by older people with dignity and comfort.

This fascinating discussion starts with Ailsa's own unique journey into retail, before looking at small changes that retailers can make to improve the experiences of older people, casual ageism in retail and our society more generally, and why recent strides made in improving menopause awareness can give us hope in improving conversations around getting older in the UK.

More resources will be shared as the project progresses, but for now you can read more here: https://ilcuk.org.uk/spending-with-dementia/

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