Retail expert Kate Hardcastle MBE has been appointed Non-Executive Director of Global Consumer Engagement at Future Stores – a new retail concept that blends the worlds of media, retail and digital performance marketing.
Known as ‘The Customer Whisperer’, Kate Hardcastle is an award-winning business consultant and renowned expert in shopping habits. She works with world-renowned brands including Disney and Evri.
In her new role, Hardcastle will leverage her 30 years of global retail experience to drive innovation and growth for Future Stores as it sets out to “redefine the retail experience by combining technological advancements with a deep understanding of consumer needs”.
Hardcastle was honoured with an MBE award in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her services to Business and Entrepreneurship, founding a retail insight agency ‘Insight With Passion’ in the same year.
Hardcastle said: “The launch of Future Stores is to retail what the launch of the iPhone was to the telecoms market. It’s a pivotal moment which will change the way we buy and sell on the high street forever – and I’m thrilled to be a part of the team powering this culture shift.
“Modern consumers are searching for a powerful personalised experience which is truly meaningful to them, and I will help Future Stores deliver this to millions of customers worldwide.”
Future Stores officially launched on 30 October on London’s Oxford Street. The 435 sqm store at 95 Oxford Street houses an ever-changing rota of well-known brands, who can use the multi-media space to showcase their offer to the 1.3 million people who pass by the door weekly.
The space offers an experience as fluid as a social media feed, featuring a rotating lineup of brand ‘showcases’ or ‘activations’ that will change every two to six weeks.
CEO and Founder Ariel Haroush has set himself the task of “building the most powerful team in retail”. In October, Future Stores named ‘marketing guru’ Engin Celikbas as EMEA MD to ‘usher in a new era of retail’.
Founder and CEO Ariel Haroush, commented: “Kate Hardcastle’s appointment is a significant moment for Future Stores. Her knowledge of consumer behaviour, combined with her experience in driving business transformation, makes her an invaluable addition to our team.
“Kate’s expertise will ensure that Future Stores not only continues to innovate but also maintains a laser focus on the needs of our customers in every market we enter.”
