50 min listen
RetailCraft 25 - "Never the same again" - Stephen Langford of Marks and Spencer
FromRetailCraft - digital retail, ecommerce and brands - Retail Podcast
RetailCraft 25 - "Never the same again" - Stephen Langford of Marks and Spencer
FromRetailCraft - digital retail, ecommerce and brands - Retail Podcast
ratings:
Length:
25 minutes
Released:
Jul 28, 2021
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
After a number of attempts with our online studio system, we managed at last to catch up with Stephen Langford, Director of Ecommerce at Marks & Spencer. We appreciated his patience as we tried to connect and we benefitted from a wide-ranging discussion with him about e-commerce and the changes at the heart of M&S - an organisation that's simultaneously a permanent innovator and a national institution.
We trace Stephen's background - starting at Tesco, M&S, George, Asda... and now back to M&S. A 'boomerang' as he calls it!
Digital is clearly at the heart of the transformation plans at M&S, with support from the board, CEO and Chair. We learn how this process of renewal and focus is a step beyond the transformation around a decade ago, where M&S launched their 'dot com' commitment, and signalled their capability with a major platform, investment in a cutting edge DC and a talented team. It was the fruit of this work that saw M&S featuring in the RXUK Elite rankings of the Top500. However, Stephen notes that time and technology move on and that a new, renewed phase is underway. He cites the internal mantra of progress - "never the same again" - in recognition that as the world changes so do the capabilities and approaches necessary for success.
Along the way we touch on COVID, skills, projects, selling other brands and the M&S customer.
Run time: 26 minutes
INFORMATION:
Stephen Langford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-langford-b388113/
Ian Jindal: www.linkedin.com/in/ianjindal/ and www.twitter.com/ianjindal
Jamie Merrick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiemerrick/
Recorded remotely and at Spiritland Studios, UK.
Episode photo credit: Ian Jindal (https://www.instagram.com/ianjindal)
We trace Stephen's background - starting at Tesco, M&S, George, Asda... and now back to M&S. A 'boomerang' as he calls it!
Digital is clearly at the heart of the transformation plans at M&S, with support from the board, CEO and Chair. We learn how this process of renewal and focus is a step beyond the transformation around a decade ago, where M&S launched their 'dot com' commitment, and signalled their capability with a major platform, investment in a cutting edge DC and a talented team. It was the fruit of this work that saw M&S featuring in the RXUK Elite rankings of the Top500. However, Stephen notes that time and technology move on and that a new, renewed phase is underway. He cites the internal mantra of progress - "never the same again" - in recognition that as the world changes so do the capabilities and approaches necessary for success.
Along the way we touch on COVID, skills, projects, selling other brands and the M&S customer.
Run time: 26 minutes
INFORMATION:
Stephen Langford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-langford-b388113/
Ian Jindal: www.linkedin.com/in/ianjindal/ and www.twitter.com/ianjindal
Jamie Merrick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiemerrick/
Recorded remotely and at Spiritland Studios, UK.
Episode photo credit: Ian Jindal (https://www.instagram.com/ianjindal)
Released:
Jul 28, 2021
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (49)
RetailCraft 09 - "Get the Store Experience Right!" - conversation with Harrods and about the RetailX Luxury Sector Report: We have Luxury on our minds this episode, starting with an interview with David Boyle, Customer Insights Director at Harrods. We hear how data and insight are used to support the one-of-a-kind cross-channel experience for this unique store, and we presen... by RetailCraft - digital retail, ecommerce and brands - Retail Podcast