Five Things Friday UK: Topshop’s Return, John Lewis vs M&S Clash & Pop-up Highlights

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

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🔗 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

Retail reinvents itself daily. The Retail Podcast arms founders, operators, and retail technologists with battle-tested tactics to outpace change. Each week candid conversations with store chiefs, DTC disruptors, and tech visionaries reveal how to turn AI, data, and culture into margin and loyalty. No jargon just hard numbers, honest lessons, and plays you can run before next Monday. Press play; lead the future of commerce.

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