Independent Thinking - Exploring a new era for retail and the high street Verdant Forrest Productions

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 acce...

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 -...

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 wi...

We’re kicking off this series in discussion with Andrew Goodacre, CEO of British Independent Retailers Association, BIRA - who have been supporting independent retailers for over 120 years. They have an incredible overview of the sector, speaking daily to their indie members about being in business, supporting them to navigate challenges in the industry as well as championing their successes. Who better, then to talk to about the sector, to provide some context, to talk about the many up...

This is the second of our Christmas themed episodes, as we sit down with Kate from Curate Glasgow, an online discovery platform for independents, that enables them to share their work with new audiences, and helps people like you and me discover our new favourites. From cafes to chocolate makers, ceramicists to florists and much much more, Curate celebrates the best of Glasgow’s independent scene.We first chatted to Kate back in early 2021, so I thought I’d check back in to see how the past 2...

A cheeky festive special before the new series kicks off in the new year! And what better way to kick off proceedings that by chatting all things whisky - a drink that so many of us toast with at Hogmanay, or treat others to as a present at this time of year. So, we’re chatting to Duncan from Woven - a disruptor to the market and makers of blended whisky, based in Leith, Edinburgh. We chat about the incredible expertise that whisky shops can offer, what role supermarket...