Five retail technology questions for Dynamic Yield’s James Fraser — Retail Technology Innovation Hub – Retail Technology Innovation Hub

RTIH: What are the top five retail tech Twitter/LinkedIn accounts you can’t do without, and why?

JF: I have to admit, I’ve never been the best on Twitter but given I work in the MarTech industry, spending time upon social (mainly LinkedIn) has become a lot more natural with regard to me.

With a large customer base in the fashion/apparel space, Business of Fashion provides great updates on twitter and is always breaking news on the industry. A great resource for me when I’m short upon time.

I also want to shout out David Kohn, ex-Customer and eCommerce director at Heals. David is a fantastic thought-leader in digital retail, with over 15 years of experience.

He’s now acting as an advisor and consultant to forward looking brands and retailers. His LinkedIn is a great resource for some of the best insights in the industry.

Next for me, would be Oliver Banks . Not only does he hit the mark with the particular latest retail trends, he’s great to listen in order to via his podcast.

Finally, Elon Musk. We know not really a retail technology account as such, but their tweets plus activity have the ability to impact global markets.

Just this week he’s been in the news after he tweeted that he was buying Manchester United. Turns out this was a joke, yet just goes to show his influence.

And last but not least, Store Technology Development Hub . You guys are always sharing good articles and keeping me personally up to speed!

RTIH: If you could have a dinner party with any five store pioneers, dead or alive, who would they be plus why?

JF: My first dinner party guest would have to become Elon Musk. Many wouldn’t think of him as a retail pioneer, but he reinvented the car buying experience with Tesla “stores” (not showrooms) and led the game-changing go-to-market strategy that will competitors are still trying to catch up to.

Plus, his tweets plus general activity literally move global markets – imagine what he’d say or do in a dinner party.

Secondly, I’d invite Sir Jony Ive. He has been instrumental within designing not really only Apple’s products, but also the brand’s retail environments that have shaped our shopping experiences today.

It’s a vision to reality story which has changed the way we live and made Apple one of the largest global companies today.

Next on the list is Steve Jobs. He pioneered the AppleCentre concept, creating the standalone Apple company product store for major cities in the late 80’s before Jony Ives joined plus developed it in the particular early 90’s.

These stores were targeting more business (remember Desktop Publishing) and educational users than the current design of consumer stores all of us see today. Apple Centres were very much the forerunner idea.

My fourth guest would be Scott Weavers Wright, who founded haatch. com.

I worked with Scott on a couple associated with projects plus saw retail innovation firsthand. Scott has been recently awarded an OBE for technologies and store e-commerce entrepreneurship and is now a business angel guiding startup organisations as an investor.

And last but not least, Dame Margaret Barbour. Under her leadership, the iconic fashion retailer Barbour has been transformed, growing from 100 to more than 1, 000 staff.

Plus, the particular Barbour Foundation has granted more than £20 million to charities and good causes across the North-East. She has transformed a traditional British brand into a global fashion phenomenon, all while putting the client first every step of the way.

RTIH: What have been your best and worst retail experiences within recent weeks?

JF: Let’s focus on the positive, as there’s so much great work happening to deliver really great retail encounters.

For instance, I had a cool shopping experience recently using the concept of a Quiz. A short engaging online Q& A session that allows the merchant to quickly understand myself and my requirements.

Thereafter the particular shopping experience is really tailored in order to my unique needs allowing relevant products, ideas plus content to surface.

I’ve right now seen this in fashion, food and healthcare. In the opinion this particular contributed input is actually useful to rapidly aid personalisation especially for things like health goals and ingredient management.