Retail Reflections 005: Thrifted trends, M&S moves, and robot dog deliveries

Welcome to the fifth episode of Retail Reflections! This week, our hosts are joined by Yassin, who brings fresh insights from their work experience and adds a new perspective to the conversation.

We kick things off with Pinterest’s new curated thrift shop, a digital-first initiative that puts circular fashion and vintage finds directly into shoppers’ feeds. The team explores how this move reflects the growing appetite for secondhand style, and how platforms like Pinterest are reimagining the resale experience for a generation that wants both sustainability and style at their fingertips.

Next up, we dive into Marks & Spencer’s evolving approach to secondhand fashion. From their long-standing “schwopping” scheme to their new partnership with eBay and Reskinned, M&S is finding ways to make sustainable shopping more accessible, appealing, and mainstream. We discuss how collaborations like this could help reshape consumer perceptions of preloved clothing.

The conversation then turns to menswear, as M&S launches a dedicated Instagram channel for men’s fashion. With younger male shoppers increasingly style-conscious and engaged online, retailers are recognising the demand for fresh, trend-led menswear content. We look at how this shift is changing the way brands speak to male audiences, and what it means for the future of men’s fashion retail.

We also celebrate a milestone moment for the industry with Jo Whitfield’s appointment as the first female chair of the British Retail Consortium. This sparks a wider discussion about women in leadership, the significance of representation at the top, and how the retail sector is (slowly) shifting toward greater inclusivity and diversity in its leadership ranks.

From there, the team reacts to Frasers Group’s surprising pivot into leisure and activity spaces with “We Do Play.”Is this a clever diversification strategy or a risky step away from their retail roots? We unpack the thinking behind the move and what it says about the future of lifestyle-driven retail experiences.

The episode also takes a candid look at the fast fashion shakeup, with PrettyLittleThing’s recent struggles under the spotlight. With fierce competition from disruptive players like Shein and Temu, and the challenges of refreshing a brand in a rapidly changing market, we discuss what the future may hold for PLT and the wider ultra-fast fashion space.

Finally, we wrap things up on a futuristic note with the story of robot dogs being trialled for parcel deliveries in Leeds. From practicalities to public perception, the team shares their thoughts on what this might mean for automation in retail and logistics — and whether we’re ready for four-legged couriers on our streets.

As always, expect personal anecdotes, industry insights, and plenty of laughs along the way.

Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe to Retail Reflections for your weekly dose of retail news, trends, and thoughtful discussion.

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