July 18, 2025 • 13 mins
On this week’s Five Things Friday UK, Alex Rezvan and Simone Oloman dissect the most impactful developments shaping retail: Topshop’s major comeback, Studio Seven’s London pop-up, the escalating rivalry between John Lewis and M&S, Eco by Sonia’s debut in the UK, and the burgeoning market for non-alcoholic beer highlighted by Baro Brewing at Wimbledon.
Highlights include:
The challenge of reinventing nostalgia for today’s shoppers.
Pop-ups as powerful tools for brand discovery.
Strategies fueling the John Lewis–M&S battle for consumer loyalty.
Eco by Sonia’s expansion story.
The rise of non-alcoholic drinks and celebrity branding.
Hosts:
Alex Rezvan – Founder, The Retail Podcast
Simone Oloman – Founder & CEO, Need It For Tonight
🎧 Love the episode? Subscribe and leave a review on Spotify, Your feedback fuels the show.
🔗 Referenced Links:hhttps://www.google.com/search?q=john+lewis+vs+m%26s&oq=john+lewis+vs+M%26S&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgAEAAYgAQyBwgAEAAYgAQyBwgBEAAYgAQyCAgCEAAYFhgeMggIAxAAGBYYHjIICAQQABgWGB4yCAgFEAAYFhgeMg0IBhAAGIYDGIAEGIoFMg0IBxAAGIYDGIAEGIoFMg0ICBAAGIYDGIAEGIoFMgoICRAAGIAEGKIE0gEJMTI0NjVqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8https://www.elle.com/uk/fashion/a65422243/topshop-relaunch-catwalk-show/https://www.instagram.com/studio.seven.designs/https://berobrewing.com/https://www.instagram.com/ecobysonya/?hl=en
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Hello and welcome to another fabulous 5 Things Friday UK
edition. I'm Alex, the Co host, I'm
sorry, the Co host for five things Friday.
(00:20):
I'm the founder of the Retail Podcast and I spend my time
helping retailers and people whosell to retailers retain and
maintain their retail thought leadership process.
And I'm joined by my wonderful Co host, Simone Olloman.
Hi, I'm Simone, the Co founder and CEO of Need it for Tonight,
(00:41):
also known as NIFT. I always say easiest way to
describe those is kind of like deliver route, but for quality
fashion. So I spent a lot of my days
working with lots of wonderful retailers helping them to
implement 90 minute and same daydelivery.
I'm just curious, one of the things I meant to ask you last
week in terms of the partners that you are in your ecosystem,
(01:03):
they're physical retailers who then use whose products are on
needed for tonight. Correct.
Yes, mainly physical we have because we work with smaller
retailers as well, but they don't have a bricks and mortar
store. But it yeah, bricks and mortar
stores. It tend to do fulfilment from
the stores and actually trying to make it a bit more localised
(01:25):
as well, trying to encourage people to see what's in their in
the area and shop locally. Oh, cool.
Fantastic. OK, without without any further
ado, let's jump straight in thisweek.
Another week full of full of interesting news, but why don't
you start us off on this sad news?
Yes, this one hits personally for me, creates a lot of
(01:47):
nostalgia, but Top, she's comingback to the catwalk this summer
and I've got to say they have absolutely nailed the build up
of just their return in general.It's just the nostalgia, the
height, even the mystery. It's giving early 2000s energy.
And I dying to see what their new site is like.
(02:08):
And I'm also dying to see what they will eventually do.
And they do eventually turn to the High Street because let's be
real, that Top Shop start on Oxford Circus was iconic.
It had everything. It had photo booths, it had you
could go get your nails done, your heads on.
It always had a cool DJ in there.
I mean, not for me. I would turn up and I would make
(02:29):
a full day of it. And I've been there for hours.
It wasn't just a store. It was a whole fashion landmark.
And I guess the real question that I have is can they really
create that cultural magic in a new era of retail?
Because it's going to take more than just a relaunch.
It's, you know, I guess it's a bit of a reinvention of, of what
(02:52):
Top Shop means now. But on this topic, super, super,
super fascinating because they are coming back, but they're
kind of walking this tightrope between Gen Z and millennial
nostalgia, You know, if they've actually been teasing even.
Do you know the Johnny Jeans? Have you heard about the Johnny
Jeans before? Go on, tell me a bit more about
(03:14):
it maybe? Well, for example, the journey
jeans were iconic place to buy and the journey and journey
jeans and like they've even teased back old products like
that. I was just curious to see if you
left. Interestingly.
Well, they were, they were women's jeans.
I don't think top man did the same.
(03:36):
But that's all I used to wear. But now I'm like, would I really
go back to that? You know, have I evolved too
much as a consumer because I'm not the same 19 year old
building outfits in Oxford Circus changing route anymore?
And I guess it raises the real question is are they trying to
(03:56):
win over Gen Z with a new brand moment?
Or. Are they banking on millennials
really kind of emotionally reconnecting with the old brand
with things like the Johnny Jeans?
And either way, it's a smart play.
Just quickly, they've not said that they're reopening, right?
They're just going to come back with a cap so this could be
(04:18):
stocked on this is their Rambu who owings them is it?
Well, they're coming back with their new topshop.com.
So, right. So actually they're going to go,
OK, got you. Oh yeah, they're coming back.
And you know, they've done an amazing job at the hype as well.
They've they've really hinted athaving a physical space as well.
(04:38):
So they are making a real comeback.
I don't know which way it's going to go.
I don't know whether they're trying to target both, but I'm
very intrigued to see how it's going to pan out.
And I think they've done an incredible job at the hype.
They really have. That's super interesting.
OK. Well, listen, moving on to my
first one, I think I can't remember last week or the week
(05:01):
before I spoke about pop ups andluxury and how pop ups are sort
of the way of connecting online brands to physical spaces.
And here we have a homegrown AUKbrand called Studio 7.
They were born out of, I'm sorry, they were born during
COVID. They've gone online from
(05:21):
strength to strength. And now they're having their
first ever pop up in where is a Greek St in central London.
And it starts tomorrow. So if if you, you know this will
go out, if you're listening to this and fancy going to see some
cool probably will butcher what It's not athleisure.
I don't know. Whatever you call this category,
(05:42):
Simone, what would you categorise this as?
Is it leisure wear? It's like.
It's cutesy Ledger. I don't know what pyjamas.
Is it loungewear? Yeah, there's loungewear.
OK, it's loungewear. I don't know.
I don't want to say it's loungewear and it might not.
Yeah, what I'm like, is it also?Yeah, exactly.
(06:04):
And I think, you know, and I found the story going from
strength to strength. They're doing their first.
I don't think they're London-based either, but they're
doing a London-based pop up and I'm always up for supporting UK
talent. And I if you, if you're about go
ahead and, and, and take a visit.
And then that's the details there will be in the show notes
as well. Back over to you for a a battle
(06:27):
of retail. Yeah.
So something that I feel like it's just been an ongoing topic
of conversation over the well in2025 has really been this John
Lewis versus M&S. There's been a lot of talk
whether John Lewis can actually close the gap on M&S,
(06:47):
especially, you know, Marks and Spencer's as we know they've had
such a moment over the past few years.
I myself have questioned me like, am I getting a bit older
or is M&S getting a bit cooler? I think it's a mix of wealth,
but M&S for me, it's been, it's really gone from like your mum's
safe bet to something genuinely so, so fashionable, so confident
(07:09):
with a real clear sense of identity as well.
And John Lewis is making some good moves, new hires, store
refreshes. And what I've noticed is a
really kind of a tighter edit infashion.
And I've noticed recently some really great third party brands
joining and brands that I wouldn't expect.
Brands like Hayley Menzies, Regina Peel have an exclusive
(07:33):
collab with them, Aloha's beautiful shoe brand.
And it just feels like that they're starting to really
sharpen their curation and maybetake more risks.
Yeah, it will be interesting to see how that pans out.
And I'll be honest, I haven't done much shopping at John
Lewis. I don't really feel like I'm
(07:54):
that consumer, but when they're starting to introduce brands
like that, I'm their heads turning and they've got me
interested. And I think they are wanting to
attract a younger, more style conscious shopper.
But I think as we know their core customer is being more of a
(08:14):
maybe practical loyal older shopper who it's.
It's really difficult, but I know like a few years back M&S
bought Jaeger and a few other brands right as part they sort
of integrated them. And I, I don't know if this
whenever I say I shot them, I'm thinking is that doing the brand
any just this or not? But M&S does happen to have I, I
(08:37):
stop at both and, and John Lewisis always that sort of, if you
want that, you know, branded item like they do Oogo boss,
they do, they do Ralph Lauren, they do all these brands for
especially for men that they are.
And they've introduced these younger brands.
So they 100%, I think you're absolutely right.
They are trying to appeal to a new generation.
(08:59):
And then they have the massive CEO scandal, you know, where
they had a new scandal. She did what she did and then
they said that's not the way we want to go, you know, like
getting rid of the no never knowingly undersold strap line.
And they always and the food element with Waitrose played a
part as well. And so that had a a contentious
(09:20):
element. Whereas M&S quietly has been
transforming and whether or not it's fighting ALDI about or Lidl
about Colin the Caterpillar, butthey're basically tried to stay
in in the headlines. And I think it's interesting
whether or not my generation hasthe wallet spend or your
(09:42):
generation is the future of thatwallet spend and who they're
going to. And I think they're going to try
and go to both of us because they can't afford to alienate
one of us. And I've seen loads of, you
know, LinkedIn posts where middle-aged men find themselves
going through John Lewis trying to be cool because they know
(10:02):
it's a trustworthy place to start.
Right. So that the brands that you've
mentioned, obviously I have, oh,I dare of, but I can imagine
that's a very sort of strategic move trying to get the caller
shopper in there because that's where the future is for them.
And, and I think the, the other major thing about John Lewis was
(10:23):
again, three or four years ago, they said that 60% or sorry, 40%
of their revenue will come from non retail activity such as
being a property landlord. And I was like, wow, that's I
have no, probably things have moved on since the departure of
the CEO, but they, it feels likemaybe they're retrenching back
(10:44):
in their heritage as retail. Yeah, part as a part from trying
to be a landlord and furniture and all the other categories
that they sell. OK, moving on, keeping
everything going. Beauty.
Beauty is feels like retails growth category across the world
and Australia seems to be churning out these big brands.
(11:07):
Aesop, they've got these amazingstores in Westfield.
They're all around the world andthey're going from strength to
strength. But there's also another pop up
for for people who may be interested in a loose end.
Eco by Sonia is the brand obviously huge in Australia.
Australia. How many followers have they
got? Three about 300,000 followers.
(11:28):
But they have an interesting founder story.
But I'll let you the listeners will readers go off and and look
at her story. But if you are at a loose end,
they are also running a pop up. I would go to their Oh, sorry,
it's right here. That's the first post.
Yeah, it's on Columbia Rd. If you're in London.
I have a pop pop up to them, popby to their pop up.
(11:50):
I'll be editing that out of my my bit and then I will finish on
Wimbledon. Finished last week.
Very happy for the winner. Very disastrous for all the
Spanish followers as Akaras didn't win but Biro did an
activation. You might be thinking you may
know who Biro is because you're super trendy.
(12:10):
Obviously I didn't, but I saw them at Wimbledon.
Tom Holland. Mr Spider Man Marvel Universe,
this is his huare into the alcoholic or beverages market
and a strong, strong associationwith tennis.
Again, we talked about this on the podcast heritage activities
(12:32):
such as Formula One, Wimbledon being tied into these new
brands. And obviously Bureau is a
alcohol free non alcoholic beer.The interesting strapline born
in London, crafted in America, enjoyed worldwide and they offer
a whole membership around this and I didn't know, but I was
(12:53):
already a member. But they're clever.
This is what this is a great example of how seamless the
Shopify payment integration intoa sign like Bureau allowed me
seamlessly to sign up without even knowing that I was already
sign in. You know, so as soon as I go in,
it's oh, and I've got a five $5 credit off we go.
(13:15):
I'm going to be having fun this weekend.
So anything that's the my final story for this week.
OK, They were our five things Friday.
Thank you so much for giving up your time and joining us on this
fast-paced 5 Things Friday UK edition.
Simone. Until next week.
Until next week. Thanks, Alex.
Hello and welcome to another fabulous 5 Things Friday UK
edition. I'm Alex, the Co host, I'm
sorry, the Co host for five things Friday.
(00:20):
I'm the founder of the Retail Podcast and I spend my time
helping retailers and people whosell to retailers retain and
maintain their retail thought leadership process.
And I'm joined by my wonderful Co host, Simone Olloman.
Hi, I'm Simone, the Co founder and CEO of Need it for Tonight,
(00:41):
also known as NIFT. I always say easiest way to
describe those is kind of like deliver route, but for quality
fashion. So I spent a lot of my days
working with lots of wonderful retailers helping them to
implement 90 minute and same daydelivery.
I'm just curious, one of the things I meant to ask you last
week in terms of the partners that you are in your ecosystem,
(01:03):
they're physical retailers who then use whose products are on
needed for tonight. Correct.
Yes, mainly physical we have because we work with smaller
retailers as well, but they don't have a bricks and mortar
store. But it yeah, bricks and mortar
stores. It tend to do fulfilment from
the stores and actually trying to make it a bit more localised
(01:25):
as well, trying to encourage people to see what's in their in
the area and shop locally. Oh, cool.
Fantastic. OK, without without any further
ado, let's jump straight in thisweek.
Another week full of full of interesting news, but why don't
you start us off on this sad news?
Yes, this one hits personally for me, creates a lot of
(01:47):
nostalgia, but Top, she's comingback to the catwalk this summer
and I've got to say they have absolutely nailed the build up
of just their return in general.It's just the nostalgia, the
height, even the mystery. It's giving early 2000s energy.
And I dying to see what their new site is like.
(02:08):
And I'm also dying to see what they will eventually do.
And they do eventually turn to the High Street because let's be
real, that Top Shop start on Oxford Circus was iconic.
It had everything. It had photo booths, it had you
could go get your nails done, your heads on.
It always had a cool DJ in there.
I mean, not for me. I would turn up and I would make
(02:29):
a full day of it. And I've been there for hours.
It wasn't just a store. It was a whole fashion landmark.
And I guess the real question that I have is can they really
create that cultural magic in a new era of retail?
Because it's going to take more than just a relaunch.
It's, you know, I guess it's a bit of a reinvention of, of what
(02:52):
Top Shop means now. But on this topic, super, super,
super fascinating because they are coming back, but they're
kind of walking this tightrope between Gen Z and millennial
nostalgia, You know, if they've actually been teasing even.
Do you know the Johnny Jeans? Have you heard about the Johnny
Jeans before? Go on, tell me a bit more about
(03:14):
it maybe? Well, for example, the journey
jeans were iconic place to buy and the journey and journey
jeans and like they've even teased back old products like
that. I was just curious to see if you
left. Interestingly.
Well, they were, they were women's jeans.
I don't think top man did the same.
(03:36):
But that's all I used to wear. But now I'm like, would I really
go back to that? You know, have I evolved too
much as a consumer because I'm not the same 19 year old
building outfits in Oxford Circus changing route anymore?
And I guess it raises the real question is are they trying to
(03:56):
win over Gen Z with a new brand moment?
Or. Are they banking on millennials
really kind of emotionally reconnecting with the old brand
with things like the Johnny Jeans?
And either way, it's a smart play.
Just quickly, they've not said that they're reopening, right?
They're just going to come back with a cap so this could be
(04:18):
stocked on this is their Rambu who owings them is it?
Well, they're coming back with their new topshop.com.
So, right. So actually they're going to go,
OK, got you. Oh yeah, they're coming back.
And you know, they've done an amazing job at the hype as well.
They've they've really hinted athaving a physical space as well.
(04:38):
So they are making a real comeback.
I don't know which way it's going to go.
I don't know whether they're trying to target both, but I'm
very intrigued to see how it's going to pan out.
And I think they've done an incredible job at the hype.
They really have. That's super interesting.
OK. Well, listen, moving on to my
first one, I think I can't remember last week or the week
(05:01):
before I spoke about pop ups andluxury and how pop ups are sort
of the way of connecting online brands to physical spaces.
And here we have a homegrown AUKbrand called Studio 7.
They were born out of, I'm sorry, they were born during
COVID. They've gone online from
(05:21):
strength to strength. And now they're having their
first ever pop up in where is a Greek St in central London.
And it starts tomorrow. So if if you, you know this will
go out, if you're listening to this and fancy going to see some
cool probably will butcher what It's not athleisure.
I don't know. Whatever you call this category,
(05:42):
Simone, what would you categorise this as?
Is it leisure wear? It's like.
It's cutesy Ledger. I don't know what pyjamas.
Is it loungewear? Yeah, there's loungewear.
OK, it's loungewear. I don't know.
I don't want to say it's loungewear and it might not.
Yeah, what I'm like, is it also?Yeah, exactly.
(06:04):
And I think, you know, and I found the story going from
strength to strength. They're doing their first.
I don't think they're London-based either, but they're
doing a London-based pop up and I'm always up for supporting UK
talent. And I if you, if you're about go
ahead and, and, and take a visit.
And then that's the details there will be in the show notes
as well. Back over to you for a a battle
(06:27):
of retail. Yeah.
So something that I feel like it's just been an ongoing topic
of conversation over the well in2025 has really been this John
Lewis versus M&S. There's been a lot of talk
whether John Lewis can actually close the gap on M&S,
(06:47):
especially, you know, Marks and Spencer's as we know they've had
such a moment over the past few years.
I myself have questioned me like, am I getting a bit older
or is M&S getting a bit cooler? I think it's a mix of wealth,
but M&S for me, it's been, it's really gone from like your mum's
safe bet to something genuinely so, so fashionable, so confident
(07:09):
with a real clear sense of identity as well.
And John Lewis is making some good moves, new hires, store
refreshes. And what I've noticed is a
really kind of a tighter edit infashion.
And I've noticed recently some really great third party brands
joining and brands that I wouldn't expect.
Brands like Hayley Menzies, Regina Peel have an exclusive
(07:33):
collab with them, Aloha's beautiful shoe brand.
And it just feels like that they're starting to really
sharpen their curation and maybetake more risks.
Yeah, it will be interesting to see how that pans out.
And I'll be honest, I haven't done much shopping at John
Lewis. I don't really feel like I'm
(07:54):
that consumer, but when they're starting to introduce brands
like that, I'm their heads turning and they've got me
interested. And I think they are wanting to
attract a younger, more style conscious shopper.
But I think as we know their core customer is being more of a
(08:14):
maybe practical loyal older shopper who it's.
It's really difficult, but I know like a few years back M&S
bought Jaeger and a few other brands right as part they sort
of integrated them. And I, I don't know if this
whenever I say I shot them, I'm thinking is that doing the brand
any just this or not? But M&S does happen to have I, I
(08:37):
stop at both and, and John Lewisis always that sort of, if you
want that, you know, branded item like they do Oogo boss,
they do, they do Ralph Lauren, they do all these brands for
especially for men that they are.
And they've introduced these younger brands.
So they 100%, I think you're absolutely right.
They are trying to appeal to a new generation.
(08:59):
And then they have the massive CEO scandal, you know, where
they had a new scandal. She did what she did and then
they said that's not the way we want to go, you know, like
getting rid of the no never knowingly undersold strap line.
And they always and the food element with Waitrose played a
part as well. And so that had a a contentious
(09:20):
element. Whereas M&S quietly has been
transforming and whether or not it's fighting ALDI about or Lidl
about Colin the Caterpillar, butthey're basically tried to stay
in in the headlines. And I think it's interesting
whether or not my generation hasthe wallet spend or your
(09:42):
generation is the future of thatwallet spend and who they're
going to. And I think they're going to try
and go to both of us because they can't afford to alienate
one of us. And I've seen loads of, you
know, LinkedIn posts where middle-aged men find themselves
going through John Lewis trying to be cool because they know
(10:02):
it's a trustworthy place to start.
Right. So that the brands that you've
mentioned, obviously I have, oh,I dare of, but I can imagine
that's a very sort of strategic move trying to get the caller
shopper in there because that's where the future is for them.
And, and I think the, the other major thing about John Lewis was
(10:23):
again, three or four years ago, they said that 60% or sorry, 40%
of their revenue will come from non retail activity such as
being a property landlord. And I was like, wow, that's I
have no, probably things have moved on since the departure of
the CEO, but they, it feels likemaybe they're retrenching back
(10:44):
in their heritage as retail. Yeah, part as a part from trying
to be a landlord and furniture and all the other categories
that they sell. OK, moving on, keeping
everything going. Beauty.
Beauty is feels like retails growth category across the world
and Australia seems to be churning out these big brands.
(11:07):
Aesop, they've got these amazingstores in Westfield.
They're all around the world andthey're going from strength to
strength. But there's also another pop up
for for people who may be interested in a loose end.
Eco by Sonia is the brand obviously huge in Australia.
Australia. How many followers have they
got? Three about 300,000 followers.
(11:28):
But they have an interesting founder story.
But I'll let you the listeners will readers go off and and look
at her story. But if you are at a loose end,
they are also running a pop up. I would go to their Oh, sorry,
it's right here. That's the first post.
Yeah, it's on Columbia Rd. If you're in London.
I have a pop pop up to them, popby to their pop up.
(11:50):
I'll be editing that out of my my bit and then I will finish on
Wimbledon. Finished last week.
Very happy for the winner. Very disastrous for all the
Spanish followers as Akaras didn't win but Biro did an
activation. You might be thinking you may
know who Biro is because you're super trendy.
(12:10):
Obviously I didn't, but I saw them at Wimbledon.
Tom Holland. Mr Spider Man Marvel Universe,
this is his huare into the alcoholic or beverages market
and a strong, strong associationwith tennis.
Again, we talked about this on the podcast heritage activities
(12:32):
such as Formula One, Wimbledon being tied into these new
brands. And obviously Bureau is a
alcohol free non alcoholic beer.The interesting strapline born
in London, crafted in America, enjoyed worldwide and they offer
a whole membership around this and I didn't know, but I was
(12:53):
already a member. But they're clever.
This is what this is a great example of how seamless the
Shopify payment integration intoa sign like Bureau allowed me
seamlessly to sign up without even knowing that I was already
sign in. You know, so as soon as I go in,
it's oh, and I've got a five $5 credit off we go.
(13:15):
I'm going to be having fun this weekend.
So anything that's the my final story for this week.
OK, They were our five things Friday.
Thank you so much for giving up your time and joining us on this
fast-paced 5 Things Friday UK edition.
Simone. Until next week.
Until next week. Thanks, Alex.
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