The retail influencer lets you discover different innovative concepts, the leading industry events, and explores some of the latest trends shaping the retail industry today, and tomorrow. By 20/CENT Retail www.20CENTRETAIL.com (http://www.20centretail.com/) Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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September 8, 202610 min
The melon at a transparent price
What if the price of a product also told us how much the person who produced it actually earns? In this new episode of The Retail Influencer by 20/CENT Retail, I speak with Anne-Françoise d’Aoust about Allez, a Belgian initiative aiming to bring more transparency to the relationship between producers, retailers and consumers. It all starts… with a Belgian melon. But behind that melon lies a much broader reflection on how today’s food supply chain works. With Allez, the producer sets the price based on their costs and the work involved. The retailer then applies its margin. Logistics, Allez’s commission and VAT are also clearly identified. The result? Consumers can actually see how the price they pay is distributed. In our conversation, we also discuss short supply chains, local products, the role of independent stores, the difficulty producers face in making a decent living from their work, and above all, a question I find particularly relevant: Could price transparency become the standard on supermarket shelves? Allez certainly wants to help make that happen. A very concrete conversation about price, value, retail and the place of the producer in that equation. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
September 7, 202625 min
Make it a process that matters
What if food waste wasn’t just a sustainability problem… but also a store efficiency problem? That’s the question I put to Fredrik Andershed from Deligate in this new episode of The Retail Influencer by 20/CENT Retail. Retailers already have an enormous amount of data. They forecast, order, track inventory, manage promotions and deal with products approaching their expiry dates. So why do so many products still end up in the bin? According to Fredrik, part of the answer lies in a very specific moment: the gap between identifying that a product is approaching its expiry date and taking the right action. That’s where AI can become interesting. Not to add yet another dashboard. But to turn data into very concrete actions: · identify the products that require an intervention · determine when to act · automatically adjust the discount level · help store teams save time · measure what is actually sold or thrown away · and, most importantly, close the loop to improve the next decisions The goal, therefore, is not simply “less waste”. It’s also less manual work, better sales, fewer unnecessary markdowns and, ultimately, better margins. One sentence from Fredrik sums up his approach particularly well: “Make it a process that matters.” Because for change to work in stores, the process also needs to be simple for the teams using it. An episode that shows, in very practical terms, how AI can move from concept to an operational application in the day-to-day reality of retail. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
September 2, 20265 min
The perception war
Do consumers really choose the retailer they believe is the cheapest… or simply the one they perceive to be the cheapest? I had the opportunity to welcome François Bernard from Carrefour Belgium on the French-language stream of The Retail Influencer podcast. Here are some of the key insights from our conversation. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
August 31, 202620 min
The monthly recap (August 2026)
End of summer, end of the month… which means it’s time for another recap on The Retail Influencer with Elisa and Vincent. So, what did we talk about in this episode? August was the month of holidays. But we didn’t completely switch off: we kept publishing and keeping an eye on what’s happening in retail. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
August 18, 202627 min
What if your next customer is an AI agent?
Is online commerce about to undergo its biggest transformation since the rise of e-commerce itself? In this new episode of The Retail Influencer by 20/CENT Retail , Vincent Panneels welcomes Bernardo Caldas from Mollie to explore a concept that is rapidly moving from theory to reality: agentic commerce. The idea is simple, yet its implications are profound. Tomorrow, consumers may no longer browse websites to compare products themselves. Instead, their AI assistant will search for the best options, analyse product specifications, compare prices, delivery times and customer reviews, and even complete the purchase without ever visiting a retailer's website. This shift fundamentally changes the rules of retail. For years, brands have invested in website design, storytelling and marketing campaigns to influence consumers. With AI agents, purchasing decisions become far more rational. Structured product data, return policies, technical specifications and sustainability credentials suddenly become key factors in the buying process. Bernardo Caldas explains that this transformation will not happen overnight. Adoption is expected to be gradual, with the first impact being felt in recurring, low-emotional purchases such as office supplies, groceries and everyday consumables. Categories driven by emotion—such as luxury products or travel—are likely to remain more human-led for longer. For retailers and manufacturers, preparation starts now. Product information needs to be structured so AI agents can easily interpret it. E-commerce platforms must be modernised, businesses should prepare for emerging protocols developed by players such as OpenAI and Google, and payment providers will need to support these entirely new purchasing journeys. Perhaps the strongest takeaway from the conversation is that now is the time to experiment. Companies that begin testing how visible they are within AI assistants today will gain a competitive advantage as this new channel continues to develop. Finally, although AI will increasingly influence purchasing decisions, brands are not disappearing. Their role is evolving. Emotional connections will be built less at the point of purchase and more through the product experience itself—when customers receive, unbox and use what they have bought. Want to understand how AI will reshape commerce over the coming years and what actions your business should take today? Listen to the full conversation in The Retail Influencer by 20/CENT Retail . Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
August 7, 202621 min
Inclusive retail: technology alone is not enough, choice is essential
Retailers are investing heavily in self-order kiosks, self-checkouts, mobile apps and checkout-free shopping. The objective is clear: make shopping faster and more convenient. But by simplifying the experience for the majority, are we making it more difficult for part of our customer base? In this new episode of The Retail Influencer by 20/CENT Retail , Vincent Panneels and Elisa Servais explore one of retail's growing challenges: inclusion. Through real-life examples from H&M, Exki and China, as well as inspiring initiatives from Carrefour, IKEA, LEGO and the Dutch "chat checkouts", they explain why the real challenge is not choosing between technology and human interaction, but offering enough options to meet the diverse needs of customers. Inclusive design is not only about people with disabilities. It also considers older shoppers, tourists, neurodivergent customers, people experiencing loneliness, visually impaired or dyslexic consumers and, ultimately, anyone who may face barriers during their shopping journey. Inclusion does not necessarily require major investments. Training employees, offering multiple ways to interact, adapting services or simply rethinking the customer journey can already make a significant difference. The message is straightforward: technology is a powerful tool, provided it serves every customer. Key takeaways Simplifying the customer journey should never exclude part of your audience. Self-order kiosks and self-checkouts should remain an option, not an obligation. Inclusion goes far beyond disability and concerns every stage of life. Inclusive design starts with empathy and a genuine understanding of customers' needs. Technology can improve inclusion when implemented thoughtfully. Silent shopping hours, chat checkouts and sensory support kits demonstrate that practical solutions already exist. Many improvements are inexpensive: staff training, clearer communication and offering alternative customer journeys can already have a major impact. Better inclusion also strengthens customer loyalty and enhances a retailer's brand image. The first step is simple: stop avoiding the topic and start educating your teams. Listen to the full conversation in the latest episode of The Retail Influencer by 20/CENT Retail and discover why inclusion could become one of retail's greatest competitive advantages in the years ahead. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
August 6, 20266 min
The beer shift
The beer market is evolving—but probably not in the way you think. Behind Carrefour Belgium's 2% growth lies a profound shift in consumer behaviour. Purchasing power, the rapid rise of alcohol-free beer, the success of "easy drinking" beers, and Generation Z's changing preferences are reshaping the category. In this episode, we explore the key trends transforming the beer aisle and what they reveal about today's consumers. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
July 31, 202622 min
July's monthly recap
The Retail Influencer Monthly Recap is out. July may be a holiday month, but retail certainly didn't slow down. In this new episode with Elisa Servais, we look back at the stories that shaped the past month and discuss what they mean for the industry. Highlights: · Carrefour Belgium returns to growth after months of transformation and bold initiatives. · Colruyt Group confirms its stability while adapting the strategy behind Okay Direct autonomous stores. · Are autonomous stores entering a new phase? Lessons from Portugal and the Benelux. · Why influencer brands are becoming a serious business, not just a social media trend. · Louis Delhaize returns to Brussels Airport, while the former Makro site comes back to life with major new openings. · Rituals embarks on one of the largest retail redesign projects ever: 1,500 stores, 30 countries, just 30 days. · A preview of what's coming in August, including Agentic AI, retail tours and new podcast guests. If you want a concise overview of the month's biggest retail stories and the trends worth watching, this episode is for you. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
July 24, 202618 min
Amazon Go stopped. Sensei shows why the concept was never dead.
Amazon Go may be gone, but is the "Just Walk Out" concept really dead? During my Retail AI Tour in Portugal, I visited the Continente supermarket powered by Sensei's technology. A deep dive into a solution that works in a real supermarket, with real customers, and could reshape the future of automated retail. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
July 13, 20268 min
Carrefour Belgium prepares an innovative private chef service
What if your next meal was prepared in your own home… by a chef booked through Carrefour? That is exactly the concept currently being developed by Carrefour Belgium. Revealed exclusively by Arnaud Lesne on The Retail Influencer , the new service could launch before the end of the year and represents another step in Carrefour's service-driven strategy. The idea is straightforward: go far beyond simply selling food products. After expanding quick commerce, click & collect and home delivery, Carrefour now wants to accompany customers all the way to the moment their groceries become a meal. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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