What Goes On In Vegas Stays In Vegas

March promised much and didn't disappoint, one of the highlights being my first visit of the year to my second home, Las Vegas, for Shoptalk 2024. I wrote about that trip elsewhere , although I should add here that one of my personal highlights was recording a podcast with the amazing Vicki Cantrell for RETHINK Retail where we discussed the future of AI in retail.

However, for once, it was not all business, but as they say, what goes on in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Suffice to say it was memorable!

However I'm getting ahead of myself because the week before Shoptalk, it was my first visit back to the great Retail Week Live conference in London. It's a little more intimate these days from what I recall, and that's not a bad thing at all, made all the better for the conference being closed by a keynote with the rather wonderful Paul Marchant .

Even managed to sneak in a podcast recording with the ever inimitable Oliver Banks to talk about his new book, Driving Retail Transformation. It's not only a great read, but should be compulsory reading for anyone in retail involved in retail change and transformation.

Although, one could argue that the real star of the show was CCS McLays with their work of utter genius in not only sponsoring the facilities but doing so in such an imaginative, not to say humourous fashion.

Now, I'm pleased to say that Oliver was not the only one who brought out a book during March, the incredible Steve Dennis also brought out his new book, Leaders Leap. So I was thrilled to join them with my new book, Breathless , which was published on March 31st.

It's a personal account of life in lockdown Britain told through a diary I kept from March 2020 when we went into lockdown until May 2021 when we finally came out of what must be the most surreal period in living memory.

Owing to the sheer size (all 280,000 words) this is volume one, volume two coming out later this year. It was only ever meant to be a bit of fun, however it turned into a labour of love, of which I am very proud.

Charting our journey from the initial wave of fear and uncertainty, through the Downing Street briefings, to the tiers, PPE, care home tragedy, non-essential retail and so much more, it has become something of a monument to a time none of us will ever forget.

Out now on Amazon .

Looking forward, there are several retail conferences on the calendar during April, most notably, the Retail Technology Show , taking place once again at Olympia April 24th and 25th. I am looking forward to a keynote fireside chat with Dr Nick Beighton on the opening morning of day two.

I will also be undertaking a book signing at the Show. Plans are being finalised for where and when and I shall share details in a separate LinkedIn post nearer the time.

In between all that, I had the pleasure of joining a colleague from The Industrious as we visited Westfield White City and in particular the EE Studio there.

The work of renowned store designers Dalziel & Pow it is a wonderfully imagined space. But what caught my eye was the Digital Spa located in the store. A zen-like experience in amongst a digital forest, it was positively inspirational.

And finally, attention turns to the next exclusive retail dinner, hosted by The Industrious - this time in the fabulous Pegasus Room at the Brasserie of Light, Selfridges.

Once again, we are proud to have assembled a stellar guest list and look forward to another evening of stimulating and thought-provoking conversation.

Until the next time.