Harding+ CEO Fennell Reflects in Desert Island Stores Interview
Jeremy Fennell, the newly appointed chief executive of dedicated cruise retail operator Harding+, reflects on his retail journey in a recent Desert Island Stores interview.
Childhood Influences and Early Retail Exposure
Fennell credits his childhood love of shopping with the Argos catalogue, describing it as the primary source of knowledge for birthdays and Christmas wishes. He recounts spending hours circling items on his wish list, a practice he likened to early multichannel engagement. As a teenager, frequent visits to independent record shops like Record Savings and Chalky’s in his hometown deepened his appreciation for discovery and customer interaction.
“I wish I’d kept them; I bought a turntable during Covid-19 and it cost me a fortune to replace my favourite records,” Fennell said, highlighting the emotional connection to physical retail spaces. These early experiences, he notes, laid the groundwork for a lifelong engagement with commerce and consumer culture.
Career Inspirations and Global Influences
Fennell’s first retail job at Tesco’s deli counter ended abruptly when he sliced his thumb on a ham slicer, a memory he recalls with a mix of humor and lessons in safety. “I loved the people, selling to customers, and worked for some brilliant store managers,” he said, emphasizing the autonomy and growth opportunities that defined his early career.
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Over 25 years, Fennell worked for Currys across the UK and internationally. His time in Tokyo’s Akihabara district, a hub for consumer electronics, provided further inspiration.
Reliance on Modern Retail and Desert Island Choices
While Amazon dominates Fennell’s personal shopping habits, he acknowledges its limitations for complex purchases. “Whether it’s replacing something urgently, finding an obscure item that I can’t source elsewhere, or simply saving time, it’s become the retailer I use most frequently for smaller items where I don’t need advice and can’t wait until later,” he said.
When asked which stores he would take to a desert island, Fennell first mentioned Pound Street Deli in Wendover for its premium produce and wine selection. However, for practicality, he chose VAH DIY, a family-run hardware store in Berkhamsted. “They somehow squeeze around 35,000 SKUs into their tiny high street store, with another 35,000 available through the extended range,” he explained. “With the most remarkable space productivity and merchandising I’ve ever seen, somehow they always have exactly what I’m looking for in stock, and the team know precisely where it is.”
Leadership Philosophy and Future Outlook
Fennell’s tenure at Harding+ represents a natural progression from his career focus on customer-centric retail. “After years selling in stores, international retail and creating tailored experiences with airport partners, this felt like a fitting next chapter,” he reflected. His leadership style, shaped by diverse retail environments, prioritizes human interaction and innovative service models tailored to the cruise industry’s unique demands.
