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Trusted data

July 28, 2026
James House
CEO, Reward

In this episode of The Retail Media Show, Steve Gray speaks to James House, CEO of Reward, about the evolution of retail media from loyalty and first-party data towards finance media networks, and how trusted transaction intelligence and AI could reshape the relationship between brands and consumers.

James reflects on a career spanning advertising, dunnhumby and the creation of 5one before moving into financial-services technology. He explains how many of the principles that powered the growth of retail media — trusted customer data, deterministic measurement and closed-loop insight — are now creating a new opportunity for banks, brands and retailers through finance media networks.

In this episode:
  • James’ journey from advertising into dunnhumby and 5one
  • How Tesco Clubcard helped shape modern retail media
  • Why loyalty and first-party data remain fundamental to the industry
  • The emergence of finance media networks
  • How banks, retailers and brands can collaborate around customer data
  • Why deterministic transaction data strengthens measurement and personalisation
  • The value of trusted data in an AI-driven commerce environment
  • How large language models are changing product discovery
  • The potential for conversational and agentic commerce
  • Why brands may increasingly need to optimise for customer intent rather than keywords
  • How retailers can prepare for AI-powered shopping journeys
  • Why partnerships will become more important as commerce ecosystems converge
  • About The Retail Media Show

    The Retail Media Show is a weekly conversation with the people building, buying and shaping retail media. Hosted by Steve Gray, it brings together retailers, brands, agencies and technology leaders to explore what's changing, what's working and what comes next.

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    About SG-retail

    SG-retail helps retailers turn retail media ambition into practical, commercially effective propositions. We work with retail businesses to shape strategy, strengthen capability and create the operating models, propositions and partnerships needed to make retail media work in practice.Our focus is on building approaches that are commercially valuable, customer-led and sustainable — helping retailers move from opportunity to execution with greater clarity and confidence.

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