Brick-and-Mortar CAC • Aesop’s $2.5B Playbook • Digital-First Meets Store Staff • Cross-Border Marketplaces • The Post-Purchase Power Move

The Retail Podcast (Video Feed)

Customer-acquisition costs exploded online. Smart brands are responding with bricks, data—and a dash of theatre. ⚡️ What we tackle in 20 minutes Physical retail as the new CAC – DTC brands discover rent can be cheaper than Meta ads when the store becomes a stage. Aesop’s $2.5 billion masterclass – From Melbourne to 400 boutiques, every location is bespoke, scented, and digitally wired for replenishment. Digital-first, store-second – Love, Bonito show why in-store staff now behave like consultants, not cashiers. Cross-border marketplaces – Shopee, Amazon AU, Trade Me and Afterpay’s “shop day” rewrite payments, language, and trust across ASEAN. Post-purchase power moves – Hand-written notes, sticker packs, friction-free returns. Retention is the real growth engine—and AI search will only raise the stakes. 00:00 Intro – heatwaves, cold snaps, and one crisp Sydney morning 01:05 Topic 1 – Physical stores as customer-acquisition engines 03:20 Topic 2 – Aesop: $2.5 B valuation built on scent & signature design 06:36 Topic 3 – Digital-heritage brands opening doors (Love, Bonito, Temple & Webster) 10:39 Topic 4 – Region-level marketplaces: Shopee, Amazon AU, Trade Me, Afterpay 15:07 Topic 5 – Post-purchase, returns, and the loyalty multiplier Retailers & platforms in play Aesop • L’Oréal • Love, Bonito • Temple & Webster • Amazon • eBay • Shopee • Afterpay • Trade Me • Kingfisher/B&Q • JD Sports • HP • Perplexity AI Hosts Alex Rezvan – Founder, The Retail Podcast, decoding global retail shifts. Ryf Quail – Leads NRF APAC, guiding brands across Asia-Pacific. Laura Doonin – Tech strategist turning omnichannel ambition into reality. Liked the conversation? Hit follow, drop a five-star review, and share it with a teammate who still thinks “online first” is a plan.