Life Instyle Melbourne 2023 - Retail Therapy

Retail Therapy 

Presented by Life Instyle

Retail Therapy is set to enhance your sourcing with content to keep you informed on the latest trends and retail education for the savvy business owner. Presented by leading experts in their field, Retail Therapy will equip you with the know how to evolve your strategy and take your customer experience to the next level – from the need-to-know sales strategies and how to take your business online – you are invited to join and be inspired to make your next move in retail and beyond. 

This seminar series is free to attend with your event registration. You must be registered to attend Life Instyle or the Reed Gift Fairs to gain entry. You can register via our website www.lifeinstyle.com.au 

THURSDAY 3 AUGUST

11:10am - 11:40am
Emerging Trends for 2024

Dulux’s colour forecaster shares upcoming colour and trend forecasts to help you make purchasing decisions your customers will love.Trend forecasting is an important tool in deciding the upcoming trends which will influence business and leverage the purchasing power of your customers.

• Colour and trend forecasting


• How to leverage trends in your store


• A customised approach to trends


• 2024 – trending colours revealed

Bree Leech, Colour Forecaster and Stylist, DULUX




11:45am - 12:30pm
Panel: How to Spot Your Next Best Seller

Learn how to use insights to spot and act on new trends. Staying ahead of the curve will keep your customers interested and more likely to buy from you. The panel will discuss:

• how to identify emerging trends to give you a competitive advantage


• the importance of a curiosity-first mindset and understanding that “trends” are ever-changing


• trend predictions for 2024 across home, lifestyle and fashion


• balancing essential, investment & discretionary products


• navigating the noise – why curation is key to finding the right product/brand for you


• understanding millennials and gen Z

Bree Leech, Colour Forecaster and Stylist, DULUX
Deanne Luke, Business Consultant and Podcaster, DEANNE LUKE 
Naomi Bell, Personal Stylist, Personal Branding, MY STYLE BOX
Kate Heppell, Co-Founder and Creative Director, KIP&CO
Moderator: Natalee Bowen, Founder, INDAH ISLAND and TV Presenter, Interior Designer & Editor, HAMPTONS LIVING MAGAZINE




12:35pm - 1:05pm
Influencer Marketing – Collaboration on a Shoestring Budget

Ever wondered how some stores launch and achieve success easily? Mel will take you through the different ways you can collaborate with influencers and brands to grow your own following, create more awareness of your business and drive more conversion on a shoestring budget. This session is perfect for those wanting to start collaborating and using influencers, retailers with small marketing budgets who are looking to make a big splash or and retailers who are just starting out.

• Learn 5 new ways you can work with influencers to grow your retail business


• How to choose the right influencers or brands to partner with and the best way to approach them


• How to gain user generated content (UGC), so you never have to create content again

Mel Haque, Founder & CEO, WILD DOUGH




1:10pm - 1:55pm
Panel: How to Improve your Sustainability Credentials & Grow your Business

The growing role of sustainability, why it matters and how to get started.
Improving environmental responsibility is not an overnight process. With a continued effort it can yield great rewards. By improving sustainability practices and marketing those improvements retailers can expect to see increases in their brand loyalty and improve their bottom line.

• Why sustainability matters to your customers


• The shifting customer mindset


• Minimising raw material use


• Recycle and reuse


• Buying green

Kirsten Kore, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, DESIGNEREX
Belinda Humphrey, Sustainable Fashion Consultant, BELINDA HUMPHREY
Alex McCabe, Founder, KIP&CO
Sandra Ebbott, Founder and Managing Director, MIZZIE THE KANGAROO
Joseph Badr, CEO & Founder, DSMILE and Founder & Principal Dentist, D-SPA DENTAL SPA
Moderator: Natalee Bowen, Founder, INDAH ISLAND and TV Presenter, Interior Designer & Editor, HAMPTONS LIVING MAGAZINE




2:00pm - 2:30pm
Unlock the Power of Email Marketing

Join Mel in an engaging talk on email marketing's power and role in your marketing mix. Learn key strategies to reward and retain loyal customers, generate more sales, and build a stronger brand for your retail store. Discover the potential of personalized email campaigns, effective calls-to-action, and brand-aligned content. Don't miss this opportunity to revolutionise your email marketing efforts and take your retail store sales to new heights.

Mel Robbins, Business Coach, THELOTCO

2:35pm - 3:05pm
Skyrocket your Sales with Facebook & Instagram Ads

So much has changed in the world of social media advertising over the last year. It's essential for retailers to stay up to date with the changes, and to understand the opportunities that exist within this space. In this session, Fernanda will show you how you can use the latest Facebook and Instagram ad strategies to turn your advertising dollars into profit, and the mistakes you must avoid. Learn how to plan and execute a killer campaign and then measure the return on your investment.Includes success stories and case studies. 

Fernanda Alberici, Facebook Ads Expert & CEO, Fab Marketing




3:45pm - 4:15pm
From Browsing to Buying – How to Optimise your E-Commerce Store for More Conversions

Are you an ecommerce store owner who is struggling to improve your website performance and increase online sales? If so, this Ecommerce Store Website Optimization presentation is designed specifically for you. 

This presentation will cover:

• Insights into the latest trends and technologies in ecommerce website optimisation


• Tips for optimising your website's user experience and design


• Best practices for menus navigation and featured products


• The power of social proof and how to get more of it


• High converting offers and how to find out which is best for your audience


• Techniques for reducing cart abandonment and improving checkout conversion rates

Loren Bartley, Digital Marketing Strategist, IMPACTIV8




FRIDAY 4 AUGUST

11:10am - 11:40am
Retail Forecast – What’s in Store for the Gift & Homewares Industry

Despite higher interest rates and weak consumer sentiment, the retail sector can look forward to a brighter 2024. Join us as Shannon Cutter from Deloitte Access Economics shares their most recent retail forecasts, what it means for gift and homewares industry and for your retail business. 

Shannon Cutter, Co-Author of ‘Retail Forecast Report’ and Manager, DELOITTE ACCESS ECONOMICS

11:45am - 12:30pm
Panel: Foolproof Styling Tips, Tricks and Hacks

How to curate homewares to make your store appeal to customers and get them buying again and again!

• Identifying local and international contemporary brands that customers want


• Assortment planning


• Trend analysis


• How to develop a planning strategy


• Buying merchandise for maximise ROI

Emma Blomfield, Interior Designer & Stylist, EMMA BLOMFIELD STUDIO
Heidi Albertiri, Founder & Creative Director, THE LIFE STYLE EDIT 
Bree Leech, Colour Forecaster & Stylist, DULUX
Natalee Bowen, Founder, INDAH ISLAND and TV Presenter, Interior Designer & Editor, HAMPTONS LIVING MAGAZINE
Moderator: Fiona Killackey, Founder, MY DAILY BUSINESS




12:35pm - 1:05pm
Maximise Profits Through Effective Stock Control

Obsessing over stock health and inventory management is the ultimate key to profitability for Retailers.  Making money is the end game; it’s what keeps a business in business, and Merchandise Planning exists to maximise sales & profit through optimising stock. In this session Susan will cover:

• The AIM principle (Always In Motion) - why you need to treat your stock like cash and constantly keep it turning over.


• The Sales, Margin and Stock trifecta - why they need to hold hands, all day, every day, to inform decision making.


• The 3 types of margin (i.e. profit), First Margin, Final Margin & Stock Margin, and the dynamic between each.


• How to use a variety of stock measures in combination - sell through, stockturn, weeks of cover & freshness, to give you better perspective and indicators to predict profitability.


• Effective markdown management - how to identify when to take the markdown to achieve the most efficient sell through and margin.

Susan Martin, Founder and CEO, SMART IN PLANNING




1:10pm - 1:55pm
Panel: Buying Better – Do you have a Buying Strategy?

Visiting LifeInStyle can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t have a buying strategy. In this session our panellists will share their tips on how to get the most out of Life InStyle and buy better. Learn why it’s important to:

• know your customer


• understand your business


• build strong relationships based on trust, honesty & respect


• understand minimum orders


• negotiate prices


• manage your cash flow


• ask the right questions – frequency & volume orders, limited editions etc

Attendees will walk away with a handy guide to help you buy better for your store.

Deanne Luke, Business Consultant and Podcaster, DEANNE LUKE
Kerryn Moscicki, Founder, RADICAL YES
Anna Chisholm, Founder, BUNGALOW TRADING
Colin Hutson, Founder, WHITE MOOSE DESIGN PTY. LTD.
Moderator: Natalee Bowen, Founder, INDAH ISLAND and TV Presenter, Interior Designer & Editor, HAMPTONS LIVING MAGAZINE




2:00pm - 2:30pm
The Fundamentals of Merchandise Design

The layout, features and design of a store powerfully affect the shopping experience. Get the basics right and results will come. This session explores interior design components and provides tips & tricks to increase sales.

• Compare store layouts and what may work best for your store


• Determine the right amount of product to display


• Incorporate cross merchandising


• Store design - what’s good, what’s not

Tara Solberg, Owner and Director, FEW & FAR




2:35pm - 3:20pm
Panel: How to Generate Customer Loyalty, Grow Your Business & Maximise Profit

Attracting and retaining loyal customers is essential for the long-term success of any business. Listen to the panellists discuss key strategies that really connect with customers to generate raving fans who will return to your store time and again, driving more revenue and increased profitability. 

Kristy Withers, Founder and Interiors Enthusiast, INCY INTERIORS
Mel Haque, Founder & CEO, WILD DOUGH
Kerryn Moscicki, Founder, RADICAL YES
Moderator: Fiona Killackey, Founder, MY DAILY BUSINESS

3:25pm - 3:55pm
The 5 Elements of Interior Design

Join Emma Blomfield, leading interior designer, entrepreneur, stylist and author as she highlights the important facets of interior design in her 'Best-selling- Home- the elements of decorating book'. Emma will explore the essential 5 elements of interior design, including colour and pattern, shape, size, placement, and lighting. Understanding the balance of these elements and their importance to every scheme, is essential for all designers and will be explored in this session.

Emma Blomfield, Interior Designer & Stylist, EMMA BLOMFIELD STUDIO

4:00pm - 4:30pm
Putting Yourself Out There - Add More Humanity to your Marketing & Positively Impact Sales

How much of yourself should you put into your brand, when it comes to marketing it? In this talk you'll learn what "humanising your business" really means. It's said that people buy from people, but for many small business owners putting your own face out there, or talking about things outside of the products / services you offer, can feel daunting. In this session you'll learn how you can add more 'humanity' into your marketing (without 24/7 selfies) and how this can positively impact your audience and sales.

Fiona Killackey, Founder, MY DAILY BUSINESS

SATURDAY 5 AUGUST

11:10am - 11:40am
Retail Industry Consumer Update – Key Insights

What’s happening in the retail world and what you need to do about it.Understand the key insights from The Retail Doctor’s Bi-annual Consumer & Retailer Sentiment report.

Anastasia Lloyd-Wallis, COO & Head of Consumer Insights, RETAIL DOCTOR GROUP




11:45am - 12:30pm
How Three Different Retailers Made $30K (Or More) in Just One Day!

No one’s ever going to complain about an extra $30k in the bank, are they? Especially if you can do it in a day!
In this session you'll get the insider scoop on how these stores pulled it off, and more importantly, how you can too. 
So if you're ready to learn some seriously successful strategies, join Salena and let's make you some money!

• Learn how a baby & kids store generated hype and demand that saw customers waiting (happily) for 2 hours to pay for their purchases


• Discover how a women’s fashion store cashed in without having any stock to sell


• Unlock the strategy a kid’s clothing brand uses to create sense of urgency and scarcity that creates six-figure days

Salena Knight, Retail Strategist, SALENA KNIGHT




12:35pm - 1:05pm
5 Key Strategies to Boost Your e-commerce Conversions

Unlock the potential for higher sales on your ecommerce store with these five key strategies to boost your conversion rate. Mel will present practical and effective ways to drive growth in your e-commerce store. Get ready to gain valuable insights and quick tips you can start using right away!

Mel Robbins, Business Coach, THELOTCO




1:10pm - 1:40pm
Why Going Green Makes Business Sense

Making your business environmentally friendly not only benefits the environment but can also save you money, attract new customers and elevate your brand. In an age for the conscious consumer retailers can no longer ignore the need to have more environmentally sounds products, and processes.

Hear the benefits of how being more sustainable can help your business.

• How can avoiding, reducing, reusing, and recycling can lower your costs.


• Good green practice can attract new customers


• Improve your sustainability goals

Sally Williams, Presenter & Brand Ambassador, SUSTAINABLE BRANDS & SERVICES




1:45pm - 2:30pm
Panel: How to Go on Holidays Without Worrying About your Store Revenue Suffering

Do you work to live or live to work? Getting the work-life balance right is no easy task. Everyone has a different idea as to what the balance exactly is. Listen to the panel talk about how to manage the responsibilities of running your retail business without sacrificing your social and family life!

Anastasia Lloyd-Wallis, COO & Head of Consumer Insights, RETAIL DOCTOR GROUP
Jo Harris, Founder, STEVIE
Kate Collinson, eCommerce Marketer & Director, CHORUS COLLECTIVE
Conrad D'Souza, Founder & CEO, J.ELLIOTT
Moderator: Salena Knight, Retail Strategist, SALENA KNIGHT




2:35pm - 3:05pm
What’s Keeping Most Small Retail Business Owners up at Night?

Are rising costs such as rent, utilities, and inventory eating into your profits? If so, you are not alone.Learn how to manage these challenges and respond to the pressures while maximising profits.

Geoff Silk, Founder, Principal, Management Development & Business Coach, THE SILK WEB




3:10pm - 4:00pm
Social Media Styling - Interactive Practical Masterclass - Back by Popular Demand 

In this interactive practical masterclass you will learn how to create professional and compelling social media content that will appeal to your followers and generate more sales.  Join leading social strategist for a practical workshop helping you to enhance your online ‘shopfront’. Hear, see and learn how you can showcase your products with essential photography and styling hacks to attract more customers in-store by cleverly curating a social presence.

• Take products from the show/product placement


• Define what social channels will work for your store


• The must ‘do’ lighting guide when photographing


• How to stylish your social media feed; the do’s and don’ts


• Measuring metrics

Heidi Albertiri, Founder & Creative Director, THE LIFE STYLE EDIT