Juanita Neville-Te Rito

Retailers today face more than margin pressure – they face moral pressure. Doing good is no longer a side story; it’s the strategy. From Ben & Jerry’s fight for purpose to Nala’s bold billboard and Disney’s quiet refusal, brands are redefining what leadership looks like. The lesson? Being good isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about everyday choices that protect your integrity as fiercely as your bottom line.

From AI breakthroughs to brand shake-ups, October–November brought plenty for retailers to watch. Walmart and PayPal deepened ties with OpenAI, Stitch Fix debuted AI-powered try-ons, and Canva rolled out its biggest update yet. Locally, Macpac profits fell 71%, Mitre 10 pared losses, and JB Hi-Fi NZ led with strong sales. As NZ considers a social media ban for under-16s, brands like Victoria’s Secret and Panda Mart push forward with new openings and tighter controls.

Ebeltoft Assembly Toronto Oct/Nov 2025 Retail in a City of Many Cultures. Toronto’s Mosaic in Motion  Toronto moves differently. Beneath the surface, The PATH connects the city like a living organism; above ground, old industrial bones are reborn into buzzing neighbourhoods. It’s a place redefining the rhythm of urban life - and retail is right at its heart. This year’s Ebeltoft Group Assembly was hosted by our Canadian partners JCWG - a consultancy that, interestingly, feels culturally...