Welcome to the fifth and final special Christmas bonus episode of Retail Therapy for the year. As the holiday season rapidly approaches, retailers are gearing up for the annual Christmas shopping frenzy. However, this year brings a heightened sense of uncertainty to the industry, as Australians grapple with the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis, while retailers themselves contend with the burdens of the cost-of-doing-business crisis. Joining us for some Retail Therapy is Stephen Younane, Co-founder and CEO at Retail Prodigy Group, the direct-to-consumer partner for Nike, Samsung and Mattel.  This episode explores:A read on the mood of retailers heading into Christmas this yearInsights into Retail Prodigy Group’s partnership with MattelHow the Barbie brand has innovated and evolved while remaining nostalgic The role of e-commerce in Retail Prodigy Group's Christmas sales strategyThe importance of Black Friday for Australian retailers and its growth each yearSupply chain concerns and learningsABOUT THE ARA: The Australian Retailers Association is the oldest, largest and most diverse national retail body. We represent a $420 billion sector that employs more than 1.4 million Australians and is the largest private sector employer in the country. As Australia’s peak retail body, representing more than 120,000 retail shop fronts and online stores, the ARA informs, advocates, educates, protects and unifies our independent, national and international retail community.Keen to learn more? With the end-of-year shopping season fast approaching, the recently launched ARA Christmas & Holiday Resource Hub offers a specially curated collection of reports, consumer spending insights, podcasts, and media releases, all designed to enhance your strategic holiday planning. Access here: https://www.retail.org.au/christmas-holiday-resource-hub