IRAU Quarterly MAY 2023 | Page 7

Retail changemakers

W elcome to this jam-packed edition of Inside Retail Magazine , which celebrates the hard-working people in the industry , and what they ’ ve achieved along the way . Our cover story is focused on Clothing The Gaps . In a wide-ranging interview with Cox Inall Ridgeway ’ s general manager Yatu Widders Hunt , Clothing The Gaps ’ cofounder and CEO Laura Thompson delves into the story behind the Aboriginal social enterprise , which reinvests profits via the Clothing The Gaps Foundation . Widders Hunt and Thompson discuss how the brand uses merchandise to drive social change , and what retailers can do to support First Nations businesses . I hope that everyone in the retail industry has a chance to read this piece .

I am also excited to present the winners of Inside Retail ’ s Retailer Awards 2023 , and the second edition of the Rising Stars of Retail report . Both celebrate the outstanding achievements of retailers and leaders who have demonstrated innovation , resilience and excellence in their line of work . In particular , the Rising Stars of Retail report highlights pioneers in the industry . After asking Inside Retail readers to nominate game changers working in their organisations , the editorial team selected 20 individuals who are making an impact in their field and driving internal and external innovation .
As we highlight and recognise these achievements , it is also important to reflect on the resilience and adaptability of the sector , and demonstrate that – despite current and future challenges – there are new and emerging leaders bringing fresh ideas , taking risks and creating a dynamic and exciting future in retail .
Managing editor Heather McIlvaine explores the sights and sounds of Amazon ’ s fulfilment centre in Ravenhall .
Aron Lewin
Features & premium editor , Inside Retail aron . l @ octomedia . com . au
The Octomedia team sharing a moment at the Retailer Awards in Melbourne .
Inside Retail is published by Octomedia Pty Ltd ISSN : 2206 5741
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Managing editor – Features and premium HEATHER MCILVAINE heather . m @ octomedia . com . au
Features and premium editor – Retail ARON LEWIN aron . l @ octomedia . com . au
Features and premium editor – FMCG DEAN BLAKE dean . blake @ octomedia . com . au
Journalist ANIL PRABHA anil . p @ octomedia . com . au
Contributors DR LOUISE GRIMMER , DANNY LATTOUF , YATU WIDDERS HUNT , SHARON GERBER
Sub-editor HAKI CRISDEN
Graphic design SOFIA COSTALES
Advertising ads @ octomedia . com . au
CEO – Octomedia AMIE LARTER amie @ octomedia . com . au
Cover Photography by Joshua Scott (@ the . cwolf ). Models are Samara Fernandez-Brown ( Arrernte ) and Douglas Briggs ( Yorta Yorta ).
In the spirit of reconciliation , we would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land , sea and community . We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today .
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Octomedia Pty Ltd accepts no liability for any errors , omissions or consequences , including any loss or damage , arising from reliance on information in its publications . The views expressed in this publication reflect the opinions of the writers and are not necessarily endorsed by Octomedia Pty Ltd . We recommend obtaining professional advice from an accredited advisor before relying on the information in this publication .
May 2023 www . insideretail . com . au | 7