Retail Therapy Australian Retailers Association

Joining us today on Retail Therapy to kick off Season 7 is John King, the outgoing CEO of Myer. 
John has been instrumental in revitalising Myer, steering the company through strategic transformations with his extensive background in retail management. 
With over 30 years of experience in the retail industry, John has brought a wealth of knowledge and a renewed focus on customer service and digital integration to one of Australia's most iconic department stores.
In this episode, ARA CEO Paul Zahra and John discuss:
John's global career journey 
Driving change at Myer
The importance of team diversity
Maintaining morale during uncertainty 
Cultivating work-life balance at the CEO level
The role of mentorship broadly within the team
John's legacy and the best leadership advice he's received 
To learn more about what we do at the ARA, head to retail.org.au.  
ABOUT THE ARA: The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest, largest and most diverse national retail body. We represent a $420 billion sector that employs more than 1.4 million Australians and is the largest private sector employer in the country. As Australia’s peak retail body, representing more than 120,000 retail shop fronts and online stores, the ARA informs, advocates, educates, protects and unifies our independent, national and international retail community.

Welcome to Season 7 of Retail Therapy.  
This season ARA CEO Paul Zahra will be chatting with a fantastic line-up of retail leaders, including the CEOs of some of Australia’s biggest and most recognisable brands.  
We’ll be learning about their career journey, what defines their leadership style and what got them, and keeps them, at the top of their game.  
You won’t want to miss out on the wisdom, insights and stories that our guests will share. To be the first to know when we’ve released a new episode, make sure you follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your favourite shows.  
To learn more about what we do at the ARA, head to retail.org.au.  
Learn more about American Express: https://www.americanexpress.com/au/merchant/accept-amex-cards.html
ABOUT THE ARA: The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest, largest and most diverse national retail body. We represent a $420 billion sector that employs more than 1.4 million Australians and is the largest private sector employer in the country. As Australia’s peak retail body, representing more than 120,000 retail shop fronts and online stores, the ARA informs, advocates, educates, protects and unifies our independent, national and international retail community.
 

We're excited to announce that our final guest for Season Six of Retail Therapy is Dr. Ginni Mansberg, the founder of the science-based skincare line Evidence Skincare (ESK) and author of the bestselling book The M Word: How to Thrive in Menopause. Dr. Mansberg is a highly respected GP, TV presenter, podcaster, author, and columnist, specialising in women's health, menopause, and all things skin. 
In this episode, ARA CEO Paul Zahra and Dr Manserg discuss: 
Ginni's inspiring 30-year career journey as a doctor and her passion for what she does 
The unique needs of women experiencing menopause and how to effectively address them
The significance of positive representation of aging women in advertising and marketing
The pivotal role of women aged 50+ as key decision-makers in households
Strategies to support menopausal women in the workforce and help them maintain their careers
The loyalty of women in their 50s and 60s as customers compared to other age groups
Tune in for an insightful conversation on empowering women through all stages of life and the importance of recognising their contributions. 
Thank you to our Principal Partner American Express for supporting this season of Retail Therapy.
Learn more about American Express: https://www.americanexpress.com/au/merchant/accept-amex-cards.html
ABOUT THE ARA: The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest, largest and most diverse national retail body. We represent a $420 billion sector that employs more than 1.4 million Australians and is the largest private sector employer in the country. As Australia’s peak retail body, representing more than 120,000 retail shop fronts and online stores, the ARA informs, advocates, educates, protects and unifies our independent, national and international retail community.
 

Our next guest on Retail Therapy is Kate Russell (she/her), CEO of Supply Nation, Australia's foremost advocate for supplier diversity.


 


Kate brings a wealth of experience, including roles in the public sector and as a Board Director at the Diversity Council of Australia. As a proud Awabakal woman, she holds a deep commitment to supporting Indigenous businesses and advancing economic empowerment within Indigenous communities.


 


At Supply Nation, Kate has played a pivotal role in fostering the growth of First Nations businesses, contributing to the vibrant Indigenous business community in Australia.


 


This episode with Kate explores:



Moving forward after The Voice referendum


Kate's journey and inspiration to lead Supply Nation


Success stories from Supply Nation connections


Barriers faced by Indigenous companies and strategies to overcome them


How to create opportunities for Indigenous peoples in public and community sectors


The evolving landscape of diversity and inclusion in Australian businesses and society


The role of the Australian retail industry in supporting Indigenous businesses


Advice for meaningful engagement with and support of Indigenous suppliers

Thank you to our Principal Partner American Express for supporting this season of Retail Therapy.
Learn more about American Express: https://www.americanexpress.com/au/merchant/accept-amex-cards.html
ABOUT THE ARA: The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest, largest and most diverse national retail body. We represent a $420 billion sector that employs more than 1.4 million Australians and is the largest private sector employer in the country. As Australia’s peak retail body, representing more than 120,000 retail shop fronts and online stores, the ARA informs, advocates, educates, protects and unifies our independent, national and international retail community.

Our next guest on Retail Therapy is Angel Dixon OAM, a passionate activist for disability inclusion and human rights.
Angel is a two-time international Mercedes Benz Fashion Week model. In 2017 Angel became the first agency-signed model with a physical impairment to feature in a national television campaign.  
Since then, she has used her profile to create positive changes towards community attitude, serving as CEO and Board Member at the Attitude Foundation. She was named 2019 Queensland Young Australian of the Year and has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her work. 
This episode explores: 
Angel's journey as a person with a physical impairment
Breaking barriers in the modelling industry 
Advocacy for body positivity and inclusivity
Insights for individuals encountering obstacles in their careers or daily lives due to disabilities
Areas where society still lacks inclusivity and what can be done to address them
Inclusivity in retail and the common challenges in making retail spaces more inclusive
Common misconceptions about disability and strategies for combating them
Thank you to our Principal Partner American Express for supporting this season of Retail Therapy.
Learn more about American Express: https://www.americanexpress.com/au/merchant/accept-amex-cards.html
ABOUT THE ARA: The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest, largest and most diverse national retail body. We represent a $420 billion sector that employs more than 1.4 million Australians and is the largest private sector employer in the country. As Australia’s peak retail body, representing more than 120,000 retail shop fronts and online stores, the ARA informs, advocates, educates, protects and unifies our independent, national and international retail community.

In this episode of Retail Therapy, we hear from Manisha Amin (she/her), CEO of the Centre for Inclusive Design. Manisha's dedication to innovation and social change has made her a pivotal figure in the realm of inclusivity. With expertise in strategic marketing, communication, and cultural transformation, Manisha illuminates the path toward creating products, services, and policies that truly embrace inclusivity. A thought leader renowned for her ability to think from the edge, Manisha brings a wealth of insights to this episode. 
Throughout this episode, we delve into:
Definition and context of inclusive design
Manisha's journey to championing inclusive design
Examples where retail excels, and the areas that need improvement
Retail initiatives for neurodivergent customers
Advice for retail leaders on DE&I
Strategies for small businesses on inclusivity
Thank you to our Principal Partner American Express for supporting this season of Retail Therapy.
Learn more about American Express: https://www.americanexpress.com/au/merchant/accept-amex-cards.html
ABOUT THE ARA: The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest, largest and most diverse national retail body. We represent a $420 billion sector that employs more than 1.4 million Australians and is the largest private sector employer in the country. As Australia’s peak retail body, representing more than 120,000 retail shop fronts and online stores, the ARA informs, advocates, educates, protects and unifies our independent, national and international retail community.