What makes retail truly magical? In this captivating episode, we turn the tables on retail advisor Melissa Moore, who previously joined us to discuss banishing retail buzzwords to Room 101 on her podcast The Retail Tea Break. This time, she shares the five elements of retail that fill her with genuine passion and excitement.

Melissa brings decades of retail experience to the conversation, from her Saturday job at 16 to her current roles as a retail advisor, podcast host, and university lecturer. Her enthusiasm for nurturing future retail talent shines through as she discusses her work with apprenticeship programs, helping tomorrow's retail leaders blend practical experience with academic knowledge.

The heart of our discussion reveals Melissa's retail loves: the people who make retail a vibrant, unpredictable industry; the theatrical elements that transform stores into stages for memorable experiences; the thrill of discovery when customers find exactly what they need; technology that genuinely enhances the shopping journey; and those special moments that create lasting emotional connections with customers. Each element intertwines to create the magic that keeps retail relevant and exciting in our digital age.

We also explore how AI might become retail's helpful colleague rather than its replacement, freeing staff to focus on meaningful customer interactions. Melissa shares brilliant examples from retailers like IKEA, Fortnum & Mason, and Lush who excel at creating immersive, shareable experiences that drive loyalty and sales.

The conversation wraps with a passionate plea for retailers to improve often-neglected touchpoints like fitting rooms and click-and-collect services—practical insights that demonstrate how attention to detail separates good retail experiences from truly great ones.

Join us every two weeks for new episodes that explore retail innovation, technology, and the human connections that make shopping special. Follow the link in the description to learn more about BOXTEC and how we're powering retail with purpose.