How Bird and Blend Turned Tea into an Experience at Retail ROAR with Mike Turner

It’s no secret I’m a big fan of Bird & Blend, so chatting with co-founder Mike Turner at Retail ROAR was a real treat. From a single market stall to 25+ shops across the UK, Mike and his co-founder Krisi have built something truly unique.

In this episode—a sneak peek from our Retail ROAR 2025 summit—Mike shares how Bird & Blend grew from iced tea samples and hand-packed blends into a beloved national brand, all while staying people-focused and rooted in community.

We cover:

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3. What “experiential retail” actually looks like (and what it doesn’t)
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7. How thinking omnichannel from day one set them up for growth
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11. The joy of unexpected blends (think rhubarb and custard tea!)
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15. Using crowdfunding, customer feedback, and team ideas to scale
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19. Why real loyalty comes from inclusion—not discounts
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Whether you’re planning your first shop, growing your brand, or simply after a dose of retail inspiration—this one’s worth a listen.

🎟️ Want more content like this? Get on the waitlist for Retail ROAR 2026!

Mentioned in this episode:

Retail Roar

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