LCF Grad Futures: The Retail Revolution Panel Discussion

The retail landscape is being reinvented. Supply-chain disruptions, inflationary pressures, evolving consumer expectations, and the rapid growth of e-commerce are transforming the industry at unprecedented speed. How can retailers not just keep up—but lead? What will the new era of retail look like?

Join us for a high-energy panel discussion featuring a specialist industry panel and expert practitioners from across diverse segments of the retail ecosystem. The panel will explore cutting-edge research, emerging sector trends, and best-practice models, offering forward-thinking insights on technology, sustainability, customer experience, and design—and how these forces are reshaping retail’s future.

Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and possibilities presented by today’s retail transformation.

Whether you are a student, emerging professional, or Founder this session offers a unique opportunity to hear from leading voices in retail, engage with innovative ideas, and discover what’s next for the sector.

Chair:

Bethan Alexander(PHD) - Reader in Retailing and Marketing

Bethan is a dynamic educator, researcher, and business leader with decades of expertise in Brand Strategy, Retailing, and Marketing across Higher Education and the global fashion industry holding senior roles at Converse EMEA, Elle Europe, and Kangol International.

Recognised for innovative, high-impact teaching and academic leadership, she has led courses, built research communities, and driven influential knowledgeexchange partnerships in the UK and internationally. A published author and active researcher, her work explores customer experience, omnichannel and multisensory retailing, retail innovation, future retail landscapes, and responsible retailing.

Panel:

Claire Hillard - Selfridges Group Senior Sustainability Manager

Claire has worked across leading brands and retailers, shaping product ranges from concept to customer. Since 2021, she has channeled her industry insight into sustainability and now serves as Senior Sustainability Manager at Selfridges Group. Her work focuses on embedding sustainability into fashion, beauty, and accessories while driving responsible sourcing and human rights due diligence across multiple brands. Claire is passionate about bridging creativity with purpose and inspiring the next generation to build a more responsible and imaginative fashion future.

Rose Coffey- Trends & Strategic Foresight | Fashion, Retail & Luxury Research - The Future Laboratory

Rose is a researcher, writer, and analyst specialising in the fashion, retail, and luxury sectors. She brings a sharp investigative lens to consumer behaviour, storytelling, and media culture, uncovering how people express identity through what they wear. Her work pays particular attention to the evolving relationship between emerging technologies and the dressed body, exploring how digital innovation reshapes aesthetics, desire, and cultural meaning. Known for her clear, insightful analysis, Rose translates complex industry shifts into compelling narratives for brands, educators, and creative leaders. She is driven by a belief that understanding why people dress the way they do is key to shaping the future of fashion.

Jonathan Chippendale - CEO and Founder – Holition

Digital entrepreneur, with a creative technology start-up turned SME, and a wide experience of mentoring and advising business and academic institutions around the world. International Marketing Director with over twenty five years of experience in luxury goods, and with an emphasis on digital, and a proven track record of creating value and driving sales using insights, creativity, innovation, collaboration and cultural sensitivity. Strong knowledge of consumer markets from the United States, across Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, and has lived and worked overseas.

Nick Eley - Head of Digital Creation – ASOS

Nick is a creative leader exploring how Generative AI can transform the way brands design, market, and tell stories. As Head of Digital Creation at ASOS, he drives hands-on AI and 3D innovation across product design, studio content, and marketing—embedding new workflows, upskilling teams, and turning boardroom ambition into real creative output. With 20 years of experience leading design teams, he understands what fuels creativity, what slows it down, and how to introduce technology that empowers rather than replaces. His strength lies where strategy meets application: advising directors and executives on aligning GenAI with creative and commercial goals, running workshops that embed AI into real workflows, and helping teams shift from cautious to curious to confident.