Hotel Chocolat | Angus Thirlwell
In our latest episode, we sit down with Angus Thirlwell, CEO and Co-founder of Hotel Chocolat. He talks to Martin Popplewell about the business response to the global pandemic, the realities of ‘Retail Darwinism’ and its growing online sales and global appeal.
Listeners with a sweet tooth will likely already be familiar with the Hotel Chocolat brand. Started in 1993, it has charmed UK shoppers with its meticulously produced chocolate and is now one of our most beloved chocolatiers. As the business prepares for one of its busiest times of the year, and what promises to be a very different ‘Covid’ Christmas, it’s also back on our TV screens this autumn, providing behind the scenes access into the running of the UK’s biggest chocolate maker.
In this special episode of The Interview Series, Hotel Chocolat CEO and Co-founder, Angus Thirlwell, joins Martin Popplewell in conversation to talk about the business response to the global pandemic and ‘Retail Darwinism’, the growing importance of online sales and its increasing global appeal.
They say ‘life is like a box of chocolates’, and that has never felt truer. A year that started full of promise has, well, turned out a little differently than we hoped—to put it mildly. For many in retail, profits may have melted in 2020 as a result of the pandemic. But at Hotel Chocolat, they remain positive about the future, with gifting and online sales protecting it from the worst of the impact on physical retail.
Featuring in-depth conversations with leading figures from the world of retail, this is The Retail Exchange’s informed podcast interview series. Hear from the finest minds and inspiring thinkers as they share insights into delivering success and get to the heart of the industry’s big issues.
Episodes
NEW
2020 | Year in review
As 2020 rolls to a close, our final podcast episode of the year reflects on the year that was. A year in retail, like no other. Special co-hosts Karl McKeever and Natalie Berg reflect on the past year in retail and look ahead at what’s to come in what everyone hopes will be a brighter 2021.
The Special | Moveable feast
Grocery retail has stepped up to the plate in 2020. In the final episode of ‘The Special’ from The Retail Exchange podcast, we discuss this year’s explosive growth in eCommerce across the sector, as shoppers ready themselves to shop online for their festive food favourites.
The Special | Retail unwrapped
In our latest episode, we look at the business of 25 December, analysing advertising campaigns and the likely impact on retail footfall during what will be a very different Christmas 2020. Plus we look ahead to the key trends for the year ahead.