Podcasts about National Retail Federation

With news headlines shouting doom and gloom in every direction, is the National Retail Federation's record-breaking $1 trillion holiday forecast wishful thinking? Or something more nuanced? “The consumer is sentimentally weak, but fundamentally sound,” explained Mark Mathews, chief economist and executive director of research for the NRF in a special podcast episode for Retail Rx with Ian Fredericks, chief executive officer of Hilco Global Capital Solutions and executive director of Hilco's Consumer and Retail platform. That's important because the consumer is powering our economy more than ever before. Today, 68 percent of GDP is driven by consumer spending—the largest percentage in the past 15 years. “While lower-income households are definitely struggling, what we have seen over the course of the year is that all households have protected their spending on loved ones,” said Mathews. “Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day, Back to School, Halloween… we've had at or near record levels of spend across all of those events.” Essentially, it's the nature of spending that has changed, and to safeguard that spending, many have pulled back in other areas like recreation or travel. Consumers have also shifted to more promotional spending that squeeze margins. “The retailer is constrained because prices are rising, so while retailers will offer sales that are important to consumers, we may not see the breadth of sales that we've seen before,” Mathews said.   The NRF has been analyzing data and advising retailers for over a century. The November/December season represents roughly 20 percent of the year's retail sales for many retailers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

November 29 2025 7AM;The State Department paused all asylum decisions and stopped issuing visas to people from Afghanistan. The decisions comes after President Trump threatened to "permanently pause" immigration from some countries and remove millions of immigrants by revoking their legal status in the wake of Wednesday's tragedy. Akayla Gardner and David Rohde join The Weekend to discuss the fallout from this week's shooting.For more, follow us on social media:Bluesky: @theweekendmsnow.bsky.socialInstagram: @theweekendmsnowTikTok: @theweekendmsnow To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

November 29 2025 9AM;Officials say the 29-year-old suspect, who will likely be charged with first-degree murder, was an Afghan National who previously served alongside U.S. troops. The shooting claimed the life of 20-year-old National Guard soldier Sarah Beckstrom while the other Guardsman, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe remains in critical condition. David Noriega joins The Weekend to discuss Lakanwal's background from where he lived in Bellingham, WA.For more, follow us on social media:Bluesky: @theweekendmsnow.bsky.socialInstagram: @theweekendmsnowTikTok: @theweekendmsnow To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Affordability Narrative Democrats were previously dismissing inflation and now emphasizing affordability. Democrats are trying to portray the economy as a disaster and blame Trump. Gas Prices & Energy Positive news: Thanksgiving gas prices at their lowest since the pandemic. National average forecast: $3.02 per gallon. Nearly 30 states have prices under $3; Oklahoma leads at $2.50. Liberal states like California have much higher prices ($4.63), attributed to regulation and taxation. Trend framed as a result of Trump’s energy policies. Holiday Spending U.S. holiday spending expected to top $1 trillion for the first time. Mixed consumer sentiment: Surveys show some tightening (Gen Z plans to spend 23% less). National Retail Federation predicts sales growth of 2.9–3.4%. Concerns about tariffs and shipping delays; advice to shop early. Thanksgiving Meal Costs Down 5% from last year, lowest in four years. Average cost for 10 people: $55.18. Sharp decline in turkey prices (down 16%). Contrast with Biden-era inflation: Prices surged 14% in 2021 and 20% in 2022. Overall increase of ~24% during Biden’s term. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast and Verdict with Ted Cruz Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Liza Amlani, Chief Merchant and Principal of Retail Strategy Group, who returns to the podcast to share timely insights from her new book, "The Material Life: Process Innovation for Retailers and Brands" Recognized globally as a retail thought leader, Amlani brings her two decades of merchandising expertise to a provocative argument: the retail industry has been obsessed with what products it sells, while neglecting how those products are made—a blind spot costing brands both time and money.Amlani illustrates how process innovation begins long before a product hits the shelf. Traditional apparel development starts with a design concept, hunting for materials to match. Her materials-first model flips that dynamic, accelerating time to market, reducing over-development, and eliminating redundant fabric, trim, and colour decisions. She cites examples where retailers were creating thousands of unnecessary material variations—like zippers—without realizing the margin erosion and operational chaos this creates.Throughout the conversation, Amlani explains how silos between merchants, sourcing, materials, design, and marketing teams create a “butterfly effect” where one late-stage decision can unravel deadlines, sample production, and vendor negotiations. Breaking those silos strengthens governance, reduces waste, and aligns teams around measurable outcomes including her Material Adoption Rate (MAR) framework—an accountability tool that tracks how many material developments actually make it into assortments.The episode also explores the rising influence of AI in fabric research and digital product creation, the impact of sourcing regulations emerging in North America and Europe, and how leading brands like lululemon are quietly reshaping their operating models through materials-led go-to-market roles. Amlani argues that brands embracing transparency, vendor partnership, and digital material workflows will unlock significant margin upside at a time when inflation, tariffs, supply chain friction, and fast-fashion disruptors are redefining consumer expectations.Finally, the discussion turns to the road ahead. As retailers prepare for 2026, Amlani urges leaders to rethink the fabric of product creation itself, invest in consumer-centric assortments, and treat materials not as an afterthought but as a strategic asset. For retailers, merchants, product developers, and sourcing teams eager to future-proof their business, this episode is a masterclass in modern merchandising excellence. The Voice of Retail podcast is presented by Hale, a performance marketing partner trusted by brands like ASICS, Saje, and Orangetheory to scale with focus and impact. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

Black Friday is the busiest shopping day of the year, and most of us should carefully approach it with a plan. As we hunt for deals, compare prices and try to stretch our dollars a little further, new AI tools could help us accomplish all of that. The National Retail Federation says a new record will be set for Thanksgiving weekend shopping with almost 200 million shoppers are planning to head to stores and shop online. FOX's Tonya J. Powers speaks with Trae Bodge, a smart shopping expert with a passion for helping you save money, who shares with us Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping tips. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Black Friday is the busiest shopping day of the year, and most of us should carefully approach it with a plan. As we hunt for deals, compare prices and try to stretch our dollars a little further, new AI tools could help us accomplish all of that. The National Retail Federation says a new record will be set for Thanksgiving weekend shopping with almost 200 million shoppers are planning to head to stores and shop online. FOX's Tonya J. Powers speaks with Trae Bodge, a smart shopping expert with a passion for helping you save money, who shares with us Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping tips. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Black Friday is the busiest shopping day of the year, and most of us should carefully approach it with a plan. As we hunt for deals, compare prices and try to stretch our dollars a little further, new AI tools could help us accomplish all of that. The National Retail Federation says a new record will be set for Thanksgiving weekend shopping with almost 200 million shoppers are planning to head to stores and shop online. FOX's Tonya J. Powers speaks with Trae Bodge, a smart shopping expert with a passion for helping you save money, who shares with us Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping tips. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You're listening to American Ground Radio with Louis R. Avallone and Stephen Parr. This is the full show for November 25, 2025. 0:30 A Florida Democrat in Congress is in hot water after her company asked for $50,000 in COVID relief…and the federal government accidentally dropped $5 million into her account. Instead of reporting it, she allegedly kept it, bought a three-carat diamond ring, and even funneled some of the cash into her own campaign. Now she’s facing federal charges, and for once, accountability might actually be landing inside the Democratic Party. But will justice stick, or will politics bail her out—again? 10:00 Plus, we cover the Top 3 Things You Need to Know. Current US Senator Tommy Tuberville has announced he plans on running for Governor of Alabama next year since current Governor, Kay Ivey is term limited out of office. A judge in Minnesota has overturned a jury's guilty verdict in the massive fraud case against Abdifatah Yusuf. West Virginia Senator Jim Justice has agreed to pay more than $5 million in back taxes to the IRS. 12:30 Get Performlyte from Victory Nutrition International for 20% off. Go to vni.life/agr and use the promo code AGR20. 13:00 Despite all the doom-and-gloom headlines about how “the economy is struggling” and “Americans can’t afford anything,” shoppers are about to blow past last year’s spending. The National Retail Federation says Americans are on track to drop over $1 trillion between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday—up from $970 billion last year. And no, that jump can’t be blamed on inflation alone. People are actually choosing to spend more. 15:30 Who hosts Thanksgiving in your family? American Mamas Teri Netterville and Kimberly Burleson dive into the holiday chaos — last-minute plan changes, split gatherings, fried turkey, and even a legendary high-heel touchdown during family flag football. Plus, the sweet stories, the cooking disasters, and the grandmothers who made it all look effortless. It’s a warm, funny look at how families really decide where Thanksgiving happens… and why sometimes the only thing that truly matters is who’s making the stuffing. 23:00 Is the media stirring up chaos again? We call out the networks pushing shaky narratives, unpack why these reports don’t add up, and talk about how some outlets seem more interested in undermining the administration than informing the public. 26:00 Elon Musk just dropped a simple new Twitter feature — and it’s blowing the lid off armies of fake “MAGA” accounts that were never American at all. We’re talking trolls from Bangladesh, Eastern Europe, Africa, all posing as Trump supporters and stirring up chaos inside the movement. Now, with one click on “About This Account,” users are exposing them left and right. What did this reveal, how deep does the deception go, and what does it mean for the infighting we’ve seen online? 32:00 Get Prodovite Plus from Victory Nutrition International for 20% off. Go to vni.life/agr and use the promo code AGR20. 32:30 Trump derangement syndrome has officially gone professional. This week, even the architect working on the White House remodel is under fire. Not a politician, not an adviser — an architect. Members of the American Institute of Architects are suddenly questioning his ethics, his permits, his historical paperwork… all because he took a job for President Trump. Never mind that the White House has been renovated, rebuilt, and reimagined by countless architects under past administrations with zero drama. Now? They want this guy’s license. We break down the latest example of how no one around Trump is considered “safe” anymore — not even the guy holding the blueprints. 35:00 A new YouGov Thanksgiving poll is out, and it’s serving up some surprising numbers along with the turkey. Most Americans are gearing up to spend the holiday with family — and most aren’t expecting a political brawl at the dinner table. But the real twist? Democrats are more than twice as likely as Republicans to brace for a fight. We break down what the data says about gratitude, identity, and why some families head into Thanksgiving ready to give thanks… while others show up ready for round one. 40:00 Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona woke up to find some of his private texts leaked all over the place. And in those messages, he absolutely torched his own party, complaining that Democrats “don’t let men be men or women be hot,” before dropping the now-infamous line: Dem women look like dem men, and dem men look like women. Democrats are saying, "Whoa." 41:30 And we finish off with President Trump's pardon of the turkeys for Thanksgiving. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We kicked off the program with four news stories and different guests on the stories we think you need to know about! The trending gifts and products for this holiday season in 2025, according to Google trends. New data from the National Retail Federation finds holiday sales will surpass $1 trillion for the first time this year.Guest: Jennifer Jones - Google Tech Expert The “Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour” is coming to TD Garden in Boston on Dec. 26 (2p and 7p)!Guest: Lucius “Too Tall” Winston – Guard for the Harlem Globetrotters A Polar vortex could bring a drop in temperatures right after Thanksgiving. Here’s what to know.Guest: Ken Mahan – Meteorologist for the Boston Globe Navigating Grief During the Holidays.Guest: Rev. Peter Michael Preble - Pastor & Teacher at the Berkley Congregational Church in Berkely, Massachusetts, Hospice Chaplain at Norwell Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With news headlines shouting doom and gloom in every direction, is the National Retail Federation's record-breaking $1 trillion holiday forecast wishful thinking? Or something more nuanced? “The consumer is sentimentally weak, but fundamentally sound,” explained Mark Mathews, chief economist and executive director of research for the NRF in a special podcast episode for Retail Rx with Ian Fredericks, chief executive officer of Hilco Global Capital Solutions and executive director of Hilco's Consumer and Retail platform. That's important because the consumer is powering our economy more than ever before. Today, 68 percent of GDP is driven by consumer spending—the largest percentage in the past 15 years. “While lower-income households are definitely struggling, what we have seen over the course of the year is that all households have protected their spending on loved ones,” said Mathews. “Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day, Back to School, Halloween… we've had at or near record levels of spend across all of those events.” Essentially, it's the nature of spending that has changed, and to safeguard that spending, many have pulled back in other areas like recreation or travel. Consumers have also shifted to more promotional spending that squeeze margins. “The retailer is constrained because prices are rising, so while retailers will offer sales that are important to consumers, we may not see the breadth of sales that we've seen before,” Mathews said.   The NRF has been analyzing data and advising retailers for over a century. The November/December season represents roughly 20 percent of the year's retail sales for many retailers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Paula sits down with Jill Dvorak, SVP of Content at the National Retail Federation, for a wide ranging conversation about the state of retail in 2025, the turbulence created by tariffs and policy uncertainty, and why consumers are still driving a one trillion dollar holiday season. Jill breaks down what NRF really does beyond the Big Show, the global view from APAC and Europe, the surge of AI shaping this year's event, and the growing importance of reverse logistics and new regulations like California's textile law. She also shares her unconventional career path and the lessons she learned along the way. This is a grounded, honest, and global look at the forces reshaping retail right now.Learn more about Enactor and see how their platform puts you in control. Click here!

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia announced Friday she will resign from Congress and that her last day will be in January. CBS News' Nikole Killion has the latest. Chris Krebs, former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss his new Masterclass and share ways people can protect themselves from online scams, identity theft and deepfakes. Consumers are expected to spend more than $1 trillion this year on holiday shopping, according to the National Retail Federation. In an exclusive interview, Gap Inc.​​ CEO Richard Dickson talks about how he's preparing for the road ahead as shoppers remain anxious about the economy. Beloved father-son triathletes Jeff and Johnny Agar are getting back in the saddle months after Jeff faced a near-fatal diagnosis. In June, at just 62 years old, Jeff underwent triple bypass surgery. David Begnaud has more on the story for his series "Beg-Knows America." Gotham FC players Rose LaVelle and Emily Sonnett join "CBS Mornings" to talk about their tense NWSL championship game against the Washington Spirit, and LaVelle's game-winning goal in the 80th minute that secured the trophy on Saturday. Solo diners are fleeing to the Bayonet seafood restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama, as the restaurant caters to the "party of one." CBS News' Jan Crawford scored a seat at the joint, and spoke to chef Rob McDaniel about the experience for our series "The Dish." To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this engaging and wide-ranging episode of The Voice of Retail, Michael reconnects with Selwyn Crittendon, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer for IKEA Canada, nearly two years after his arrival in the Canadian market. Selwyn reflects on his remarkable journey through IKEA over the past 23 years—from his early days in the Washington, D.C. store to leading Canadian operations—and offers an inside look at how the iconic retailer is transforming itself for the future.Selwyn begins by recounting his promise upon joining IKEA Canada: visit every unit in the country and meet the 7,000-plus coworkers who bring the brand to life. That coast-to-coast journey delivered deep insight into the business, its people and customers, the affordability crisis shaping Canadian retail, and the macro forces—tariffs, trade tensions, supply chain disruptions—reshaping global commerce. IKEA's response? A relentless focus on affordability and sustainability as its “new superpower.” Over the past two years, the company has invested over $130 million in price reductions, ensuring home furnishings remain accessible to the many, not the few.The conversation then turns to IKEA Canada's evolving footprint: 16 large-format stores, a nationwide omni-channel network, customer distribution centres, planning studios, pickup points and over 1,000 FedEx parcel locations. Selwyn lays out the strategy behind IKEA's multiformat expansion—why big blue boxes remain essential, and how plan-and-order points allow IKEA to flex into more communities. The brand's omni-channel transformation—accelerated through the pandemic—continues with major fulfilment investments in Toronto and Vancouver aimed at seamless, channel-agnostic shopping.Selwyn also breaks down the brand's thematic focus areas. Last year's theme, sleep, delivered new product development, education, and marketing storytelling. This year, IKEA shifts to cooking and eating, aligning with customer behaviour for an affordable, sustainable home and meaningful family connection. The company's food division is booming too—$143 million in sales, 70 million meatballs served—and evolving from “quirky add-on” to strategic growth engine.The duo explores customer behaviour, the integration of data and AI in retail operations, and the rising importance of trust amid an era of synthetic media. Selwyn reinforces IKEA's position: responsible data use, personalisation done properly, and maintaining IKEA Family loyalty as a driver of lifetime relationships.Finally, Selwyn shares his reflections as a new Canadian—embracing the country's diversity, culture, and warmth—and looks ahead to IKEA Canada's upcoming 50th anniversary celebrations. Authentic, inspiring, and forward-looking, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about modern retail, leadership, culture, and the future of accessible, sustainable living.  The Voice of Retail podcast is presented by Hale, a performance marketing partner trusted by brands like ASICS, Saje, and Orangetheory to scale with focus and impact. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

In this highly anticipated annual episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes back Eric Morris, Managing Director of Retail at Google Canada, to unpack Google's 2025 Holiday Retail Insights Report—a tradition that has become a favourite among Canadian retailers. Eric brings more than two decades of experience helping brands leverage Google Search, YouTube, and AI-driven technologies to drive omnichannel performance, and this year's conversation reveals the most transformative shift yet: Canada's first AI-powered holiday shopping season.Eric begins by exploring the deep behavioural changes driving consumer decision-making. According to the report, 73% of holiday purchases were researched in advance, and nearly half occurred more than a week after initial contemplation—a sign that today's shoppers are more choiceful, deliberate, and digitally engaged than ever. He explains that Canadians have long punched above their weight in digital savviness, consistently searching, streaming, and banking online more than global counterparts. But this year stands apart as AI tools—both visible and invisible—reshape the search experience.With AI Overviews, conversational AI mode, and rapidly improving multimodal search, Canadians are now issuing longer, richer, more specific queries. Whether a shopper types, speaks, or snaps a photo to find an item, retailers must be prepared to surface high-quality, AI-ready content. Eric stresses that this shift mirrors prior digital “moments” such as mobile and the pandemic-driven eCommerce surge—but AI is scaling even faster. Nearly half of Canadians plan to use AI tools during holiday shopping, and the true number is likely higher because many encounter AI without realizing it.The conversation also examines the rising influence of Gen Z, the most search-intensive generation. Gen Z shoppers use 10 or more sources when researching purchases and increasingly rely on tools like Circle to Search and YouTube reviews, unboxings, and creator-led content. Their behaviour underscores the need for retailers to deliver richer product information—from enhanced descriptions to 3D imagery to short-form video.Looking toward 2026, Eric outlines the timeless fundamentals retailers must prioritize—being discoverable early, winning peak holiday moments, and understanding omnichannel impact rather than measuring digital purely through eCommerce. But he also emphasizes new imperatives: generating AI-optimized product content at scale, enriching feeds and attributes, and preparing for agentic shopping journeys where AI assists (or even automates) research and selection.Check out Google's Holiday Research 2025 Here.   The Voice of Retail podcast is presented by Hale, a performance marketing partner trusted by brands like ASICS, Saje, and Orangetheory to scale with focus and impact. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

Kevin covered the following stories: the National Retail Federation projects Holiday spending; data from GenLogs drive Trucking industry confidence; the National Federation of Independent Business released their October Small Business Optimism Index; KFF, formerly known as The Kaiser Family Foundation, released their Annual Health Benefits Survey; Kevin has the details; sifts through the data, puts the information into historical perspective, offers his insights and a few opinions along the way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin covered the following stories: the National Retail Federation projects Holiday spending; data from GenLogs drive Trucking industry confidence; the National Federation of Independent Business released their October Small Business Optimism Index; KFF, formerly known as The Kaiser Family Foundation, released their Annual Health Benefits Survey; Kevin has the details; sifts through the data, puts the information into historical perspective, offers his insights and a few opinions along the way.

The National Retail Federation anticipates a 'Green' Christmas... An overly optimistic outlook, given that consumer sentiment is near an all-time low and household debt is near a record high? (at 14:23) --- If this week's early arctic blast has you worried about what's to come this winter, we have some simple tips on keeping your home cozy without freezing your finances (at 25:41) --- Last year, PETA introduced the 'Kind Frog' as an alternative to the dissection of actual animals in high school science classes... But do students get as much out of it if it's not really real? (at 44:48)

Kevin covered the following stories: the National Retail Federation projects Holiday spending; data from GenLogs drive Trucking industry confidence; the National Federation of Independent Business released their October Small Business Optimism Index; KFF, formerly known as The Kaiser Family Foundation, released their Annual Health Benefits Survey; Kevin has the details; sifts through the data, puts the information into historical perspective, offers his insights and a few opinions along the way.

The discourse presented herein elucidates the intricate dynamics shaping the furniture industry as of November 10, 2025. Central to our examination is the paradoxical juxtaposition of a robust rebound in overall retail sales, as reported by the Commerce Department, against the notable decline of 1.7% in the furniture and home furnishings sector. This divergence raises critical inquiries regarding consumer behavior, particularly as individuals increasingly prioritize experiential expenditures over substantial home acquisitions, a trend exacerbated by persistent inflation and political instability. Furthermore, our analysis highlights the remarkable outcomes of the recent High Point Market, where exhibitors experienced unexpectedly strong engagement, suggesting a potential reorientation towards product innovation and value amidst an evolving retail landscape. Ultimately, we confront the pressing necessity for the industry to adapt to the transformative influence of artificial intelligence in e-commerce, which has already begun to reshape consumer interactions and purchasing patterns significantly.A comprehensive analysis of the current state of the retail landscape reveals a dichotomy in the performance of various sectors, particularly within the furniture and home furnishings domain. Recent reports from the Commerce Department highlight a robust rebound in overall retail sales for October, showcasing a healthy increase in core sales compared to the previous month and a significant year-over-year growth. This optimistic trend aligns with the National Retail Federation's prediction of a record-breaking holiday season. However, the furniture sector has not shared in this success, experiencing a 1.7% decline year-over-year. This perplexing disparity suggests a shift in consumer priorities, with an apparent preference for smaller purchases and experiential expenditures over significant investments in home furnishings. Despite the backdrop of wage growth and low unemployment rates, consumer sentiment has been adversely affected by persistent inflation, high interest rates, and political instability, leading to a cautious approach among households toward large-ticket items.The recent High Point Market has presented a remarkable counterpoint to the prevailing consumer anxiety, as exhibitors reported unexpectedly strong performances, indicating a potential adjustment to a new normal within the industry. Years of supply chain disruptions have compelled the sector to focus on the fundamentals of product design and value rather than merely logistical concerns. A notable trend observed at the market was the resilience of the case goods market across all price tiers, where suppliers have innovatively utilized materials to deliver attractive designs at accessible price points. Domestic suppliers in the mid-market have capitalized on their advantages, such as shorter lead times, appealing to retailers weary of unpredictable shipping. In the luxury segment, attributes such as craftsmanship, unique materials, and elevated design have driven success, underscoring the importance of a clear value proposition for consumers.Nonetheless, the recovery within the industry remains uneven, as evidenced by Doral Industries' distressing financial results, which contrast sharply with the more favorable outcomes reported by other segments. The company has initiated a strategic pivot toward a leaner wholesale model, consolidating brands and reducing its SKU count, while its juvenile segment has demonstrated resilience amidst these challenges. On a broader scale, the integration of artificial intelligence in e-commerce is rapidly transforming the retail landscape, with substantial increases in referral traffic and conversion rates for AI-driven shopping experiences. As the industry approaches the critical holiday season, the uptick in spending on home goods presents a glimmer of hope, suggesting that the furniture sector...

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Elisa Swern, National Consumer Markets Leader at PwC Canada, to unpack the insights behind PwC's newly released 2025 Canadian Holiday Outlook—a comprehensive view into how consumers plan to shop, save, and celebrate amid an uncertain economy.Elisa shares her journey from family retail roots to leading PwC's national consumer practice, explaining why she thrives on the constant change and curiosity that define the consulting world. She outlines how PwC's “human-led, tech-enabled” approach helps retailers navigate transformation across strategy, digital, and risk—leveraging a global network of experts while staying grounded in local insight.Together, Michael and Elisa dive deep into the holiday forecast. PwC's research reveals a 10 percent year-over-year decline in planned consumer spending, driven by persistent affordability pressures and shifting generational priorities. Gen Z and millennials expect to cut back the most, with Gen Z spending intentions down 34 percent, reflecting record youth unemployment and new life-stage costs such as rent and transportation. Still, Canadians remain committed to family gifting and holiday traditions—just with more focus and less self-indulgence.The conversation moves to the Made-in-Canada movement, where PwC finds continued momentum in consumer intent to buy local and pay more for domestic goods—particularly among Gen X and boomer shoppers. Elisa notes that while intent often outpaces action, this “national tailwind” offers retailers a meaningful way to connect with values-driven consumers.Turning to the omnichannel experience, Elisa and Michael agree that “stores never went away.” In-person shopping remains central to holiday discovery, with 56 percent of Canadians citing the ability to see and touch products as a top reason to visit stores. They discuss how leading brands are merging the tactile with the digital—using tools like smart fitting technology and AI-driven recommendations—to blend convenience with connection.Finally, they explore the emerging role of AI in consumer shopping, from intelligent assistants helping gift-givers to retailer-side personalization platforms integrating seamlessly with these tools. Elisa highlights the opportunity—and risk—of intermediaries reshaping retail discovery, while also noting the growing demand for transparency, data security, and supply-chain resilience across Canada's retail landscape.Get your copy of the report here:  The Voice of Retail podcast is presented by Hale, a performance marketing partner trusted by brands like ASICS, Saje, and Orangetheory to scale with focus and impact. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

Despite inflation, new tariffs, and a looming government shutdown, the National Retail Federation predicts Americans will spend over $1 trillion this holiday season.

Report from Constant Contact: The small business holiday Outlook study says this, 77% of small business owners are confident that they will meet their targets this year and certainly welcome news given all the economic challenges both consumers and retailers are facing these days. The report cites that 60% of small business owners attribute half of their annual sales to this period, and a third of retailers feel the highest revenue pressure of the year during Q4. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Recorded live in person at Hopson Grace in Toronto, this inspiring episode of The Voice of Retail features host Michael LeBlanc sitting down with two leaders who are shaping the intersection of craftsmanship, culture, and commerce: Martha McKimm, Co-Founder of Hopson Grace, and Shelley Simpson, Founder of Mud Australia. Together, they unpack the art and business of building brands that thrive through authenticity, storytelling, and a deep commitment to quality.Martha shares the journey behind Hopson Grace, the Toronto-based home and design retailer she co-founded with Andrea Hopson after successful careers in luxury and PR. Born from a shared love of entertaining and a vision to bring unique, well-crafted products to Canadian homes, Hopson Grace has grown into a destination for design lovers seeking timeless pieces and meaningful experiences. As the brand celebrates its 10th anniversary, Martha reflects on how independent retailers can succeed by leaning into differentiation, community, and storytelling, rather than competing on scale or price.A key highlight is Hopson Grace's expansion to DuPont Street, transforming the brand into a design destination and event hub where retail, hospitality, and culture merge. Martha also introduces The Registry—a new sister brand launching soon at TheRegistry.ca—which modernizes the traditional wedding registry with premium products, group gifting, and travel experiences for couples who want personalization and purpose in their choices.Joining the conversation from Sydney, Shelley Simpson shares the 30-year evolution of Mud Australia, a global ceramics brand renowned for its handmade porcelain, design integrity, and sustainable craftsmanship. She discusses how her creative philosophy—“making nice things for nice people in lovely places”—continues to drive the company's ethos. From humble beginnings in a backyard studio to 14 stores worldwide, Shelley explains how Mud has built a loyal following through word-of-mouth marketing, enduring design, and a belief that imperfection and human touch add value.Together, Martha and Shelley explore the importance of collaboration and storytelling in connecting with customers across continents. They unpack the philosophy of “value equals values”, the growing appreciation for local and transparent production, and why today's consumers buy the story before they buy the product. The episode offers a masterclass for independent retailers and design entrepreneurs alike—rooted in passion, persistence, and purpose.Whether you're an indie retailer, design lover, or entrepreneur, this episode of The Voice of Retail delivers inspiration and actionable insights on how authenticity, artistry, and innovation can redefine success in modern retail. The Voice of Retail podcast is presented by Hale, a performance marketing partner trusted by brands like ASICS, Saje, and Orangetheory to scale with focus and impact. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

What does the Bible say about Halloween? Is the holiday just harmless fun? Why do Christians celebrate it?According to the National Retail Federation, seven in ten Americans (who live in a country that still marginally believes in the Bible) now celebrate Halloween. Total spending on the holiday is in the billions of dollars. Foods that are often associated with it include Bonfire toffee (Great Britain), candy and toffee apples (Great Britain, Ireland), caramel apples and candy corn, candy shaped like skulls, bats, and so on, as well as pumpkins (a Halloween tradition).Everyone knows the celebration of Halloween, All Hallowed's Ev'n, involves witches, warlocks, jack-o-lanterns, and an odd little phrase, “trick or treat.” They feel it's innocent, and all about pretending as they teach their little ones to dress up and join in the fun.  Is our Creator fond of us doing this, or are we practicing something originating in darkness that is absolutely evil in His eyes?  The word “Halloween” is a hybridization of the phrase “All Hallow's Eve,” or All Hallowed's Ev'n.  The Catholic Circus had made November 1st "All Saints' Day" in order to re-invent the pagans' festival of death. The night before became known as All Halloweds' Evening." “Hallowed” means “Holy,” and is a word derived from “halo,” a nimbus, hoop, or glowing emanation around the head of a deity such as Krishna (India).  Buddha is often depicted with a hoop or glowing orb around his head, as is “Jupiter” of the Romans, and Ceruiden of the Druids.  This practice of relating a round glow to the heads of deities or “enlightened ones” was adopted by Catholicism from the Romans, stemming from even more ancient Pagans.  The statue of Jupiter has a halo, and was re-named Peter.  The Catholics adopted the halo from Paganism to indicate that a person was a saint, so their images of dead “saints” could be properly venerated.  The idea of being “haloed” meant the person was “holy,” and this idea is conveyed in the term “hallowed”, pertaining to veneration / worship, or "sacred."  Whatever Yahweh declares set-apart (qodesh) is set-apart; what man declares set-apart, unsupported by the Words of Yahweh, is an abomination to Him. Autumnal Equinox - 13 weeksa. September 21Mabon - one of the Illuminati's Human Sacrifice Nights  b. September 21 -22 - Autumnal EquinoxFrom this date through Halloween, occultists believe the veil separating the earthly dimension from the demonic realm gets progressively thinner, with the thinnest night being October 31; this thinning of the separating veil makes it easier for the demonic realm to enter the earthly dimension. Thus, on Halloween, evil spirits, ghosts, witches, hobgoblins, black cats, fairies, and demons of all sorts were believed to be running amok across the land. They had to be back in their spiritual dimension before midnight, Halloween, for the separating veil would then get thicker. c. October 31 - SamhainAlso known as Halloween, or All Hallows Eve as designated by the Catholic Church. This date is the Illuminati's highest day of human sacrificeNorth of Georgetown DE, we have a 102-acre pagan witch camp called Seelie Court.One of these covens is called Coven of the Rowan Star, listen to what they state, “As the year wanes, the Veils between the Worlds become thin. It is a time for introspection and self-evaluation. It is a time to reconnect with that which has gone before us, to our Ancestors. It is the time of Samhain, the Witches New Year, when the gates between the Dead and the Living are open wide, and the voices of the past speak to us. We prepare ourselves to face the end of the Harvests of the Fall and enter once more into the Winter of death and repose.Have any questions? Feel free to email me, keitner2024@outlook.com

In this insightful episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes Malin Andrée, EY Global, EMEIA and Nordics Retail Leader, and Jon Copestake, EY Global Consumer Senior Analyst, to unpack the latest findings from EY's Future Consumer Index—a global study tracking the shifting habits and expectations of 20,000 consumers across 27 countries.Now in its fifteenth edition, the Future Consumer Index offers a rare longitudinal lens on how consumer priorities have evolved—from pandemic-era resilience to today's tech-driven retail reality. Malin and Jon share how shoppers are balancing convenience, price, sustainability, and experience—and how these trade-offs are forcing retailers to rethink strategy from the store floor to the C-suite.The conversation dives deep into store transformation, as physical retail evolves from simple sales outlets into experience centers, media platforms, and fulfillment hubs. Malin explains how retailers must move beyond old performance metrics like revenue per square meter to measure stores' contribution to customer lifetime value and acquisition within a true omnichannel ecosystem.Jon highlights the fast-emerging world of retail media—and why harnessing loyalty data, in-store analytics, and smart signage can unlock new value streams. Yet he cautions that personalization must serve the shopper, not overwhelm them. The pair also tackle the ongoing tension between sustainability and affordability: consumers say they care, but behavior still lags. Retailers, they argue, have both the scale and responsibility to lead the charge toward circular models and more efficient supply chains.From AI-powered personalization to augmented reality overlays, Malin and Jon identify which technologies are overhyped and which are quietly transformational. They discuss why RFID may be due for a renaissance when paired with AI, how AR could soon enhance way-finding, pricing, and promotions, and why the metaverse hype has given way to practical, data-driven retail innovation. Link to the report: https://www.ey.com/en_gl/insights/retail/should-retailers-close-stores-or-make-them-work-harder The Voice of Retail podcast is presented by Hale, a performance marketing partner trusted by brands like ASICS, Saje, and Orangetheory to scale with focus and impact. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

Americans are forecast to spend $3.9 billion on candy this Halloween, according to the National Retail Federation. That’s up from $3.6 billion last year and $3.1 billion in 2023. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Halloween isn't just a holiday — it's a full-fledged season of fun, community and record-breaking retail activity. Today we're joined by Katherine Cullen, vice president of industry and consumer insights at the National Retail Federation, to unpack how consumers are celebrating Halloween this year and why this festive tradition continues to grow in cultural and economic significance.(00:00:00) Turning homes into haunted experiences(00:05:59) From one night to an entire season(00:08:59) What consumers are buying this Halloween(00:11:25) Costumes that define the season(00:14:57) Why Halloween matters more than everThe National Retail Federation is the world's largest retail trade association.Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.Resources:• Get ready for Retail's Big Show in NYC• Become an NRF member and join the world's largest retail trade association• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.comRelated:• 369: How Butterball builds Thanksgiving traditions with customers• 365: Halloween spending tricks, treats and trends

This discourse elucidates the current state of the furniture industry, characterized by a juxtaposition of growth and caution amid economic uncertainty. Notably, recent data reveals a slight month-over-month decline of 1.87% in sales for furniture and home furnishing stores, yet a year-over-year increase of 0.56% offers a glimmer of optimism. The housing market, a critical determinant for our sector, exhibits encouraging trends, with rising builder confidence and positive sales expectations, albeit tempered by a significant 30% tariff increase looming on upholstered furniture starting January 2026. Furthermore, I delve into the strategic maneuvers of prominent companies, such as Flexsteel, which, despite reporting impressive growth, remains vigilant of market volatility. This episode encapsulates a dynamic industry landscape, marked by both operational consolidations and bold expansions, as companies adapt to shifting economic paradigms while pursuing opportunities for sustained success.The intricate dynamics of the furniture industry are brought to light through a meticulous examination of recent market developments, revealing a landscape that is as complex as it is multifaceted. The National Retail Federation's report indicates a month-over-month decline of 1.87% in sales for furniture and home furnishing stores in September, juxtaposed against a year-over-year increase of 0.56%. This contrasting data suggests that while immediate challenges persist, there exists an underlying growth trajectory that may provide a foundation for future stability. Furthermore, the broader context of a 0.66% decline in total retail sales highlights the shared difficulties faced across various sectors, indicating that the furniture industry is navigating through turbulent waters alongside its retail counterparts.Delving deeper into the factors that shape the industry, the housing market emerges as a salient driver, with the National Association of Home Builders reporting an increase in builder confidence. This optimism, however, is tempered by the reality that nearly 38% of builders have opted to implement price reductions, indicating a strategic response to competitive pressures within the market. The confluence of heightened confidence among builders and their willingness to adjust pricing underscores a pragmatic approach to inventory management, which may bode well for furniture retailers in the long term as the housing market stabilizes.Moreover, corporate performances paint a vivid picture of the landscape, with Flexsteel's exemplary financial results serving as a notable highlight. The company reported a 6.2% increase in net sales and a remarkable 65% surge in net income, marking a significant achievement in a challenging market. Yet, the cautious tone from Flexsteel's leadership, particularly regarding anticipated tariff increases on upholstered furniture, illustrates the delicate balance that companies must maintain between celebrating successes and preparing for looming challenges. In contrast, some firms are actively consolidating their operational footprints, as evidenced by Wayfair's strategic warehouse closures, while others, like Rooms To Go, are boldly expanding their physical presence with plans to open new stores. This strategic divergence reflects a broader trend of adaptation and resilience within the industry, as stakeholders seek to align their operations with the prevailing economic realities.Takeaways: The current landscape in the furniture industry reflects a mix of short-term sales declines and a modest year-over-year growth, indicating underlying resilience amidst economic fluctuations. Despite the recent decrease in retail sales, the housing market displays optimism, as builder confidence rises alongside positive expectations for future sales, presenting potential opportunities for furniture retailers. Flexsteel's impressive performance, with...

The Lululemon store on Newbury Street in Boston was hit twice in one week by shoplifters. The thieves made off with over $6K in the first hit and reportedly $700 in the second hit. Police are still looking for the suspects. Retail theft has been on the rise nationwide with Lululemon being a popular target. The 2024 Retail Theft & Violence report by the National Retail Federation shows a 93% increase in the average number of shoplifting incidents per year in 2023 compared to 2019. This trend is accompanied by a 90% increase in dollar loss due to shoplifting over the same period. We talked about how Boston is tackling shoplifting crimes as Dan has some ideas of his own for how to tackle it.

The Lululemon store on Newbury Street in Boston was hit twice in one week by shoplifters. The thieves made off with over $6K in the first hit and reportedly $700 in the second hit. Police are still looking for the suspects. Retail theft has been on the rise nationwide with Lululemon being a popular target. The 2024 Retail Theft & Violence report by the National Retail Federation shows a 93% increase in the average number of shoplifting incidents per year in 2023 compared to 2019. This trend is accompanied by a 90% increase in dollar loss due to shoplifting over the same period. Boston City Council member Ed Flynn talked about how Boston is tackling shoplifting crimes as Dan has some ideas of his own for how to tackle it.

The Lululemon store on Newbury Street in Boston was hit twice in one week by shoplifters. The thieves made off with over $6K in the first hit and reportedly $700 in the second hit. Police are still looking for the suspects. Retail theft has been on the rise nationwide with Lululemon being a popular target. The 2024 Retail Theft & Violence report by the National Retail Federation shows a 93% increase in the average number of shoplifting incidents per year in 2023 compared to 2019. This trend is accompanied by a 90% increase in dollar loss due to shoplifting over the same period. We talked about how Boston is tackling shoplifting crimes as Dan has some ideas of his own for how to tackle it.

In this episode of Retail Perch, Dave Finnegan, Chief Connection Officer at Black Finn and Ambassador to the CMO and Digital Councils at the National Retail Federation, joins Shekar Raman and Gary Hawkins to discuss how AI and anthropology come together to shape the future of retail through empathy, innovation, and human connection.

In this compelling new episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, President of SLD (Shikatani Lacroix Design)—a global design visionary whose work has shaped retail and brand experiences for more than three decades. Lacroix joins the podcast to share insights from his groundbreaking new book, Think Blink: Creating Deep, Lasting, Emotional Brand Connections in the Blink of an Eye.Lacroix opens the conversation by tracing SLD's remarkable 35-year journey, highlighting how the agency's success is rooted in one powerful idea: the “blink factor”—the subconscious emotional connections consumers make with brands in just a thousandth of a second. Drawing from projects across North America, China, and the Middle East, he reveals how the firm's global perspective continues to drive innovation and authenticity in today's hyper-competitive landscape.Michael and Jean-Pierre dive into the Think Blink Manifesto and its seven tenets—from “The Heart Wins Every Time” and “Good Design is Strategy” to “Measure What Matters.” Lacroix explains why businesses must evolve from incremental improvement to transformational change, focusing less on functional benefits and more on emotional resonance. They explore how simplicity, belonging, and sentiment measurement fuel loyalty and growth—turning customers into brand ambassadors.The discussion also touches on global disruption and resilience. Lacroix reflects on how events like the pandemic and current trade tensions have permanently shifted consumer behaviour, accelerating digital adoption and sparking renewed nationalism and community pride. He emphasizes that disruption can be a positive force—nudging brands toward reinvention and greater purpose.Finally, Lacroix unveils SLD's new AI-powered Think Blink analysis tool, designed to quantify emotional engagement using real-world data and social insights. He argues that artificial intelligence, when applied thoughtfully, enhances creativity rather than replacing it—helping brands align emotion with measurable business growth. The Voice of Retail podcast is presented by Hale, a performance marketing partner trusted by brands like ASICS, Saje, and Orangetheory to scale with focus and impact. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

The National Retail Federation found that Americans will spend 4-billion dollars on candy in 2025, with average Halloween budgets for candy alone at about $200. Much of this candy is now in the full-size version too. And a recent Halloween survey also found that most of that candy is consumed before children even get a chance to trick or treat. When a people ignore health, nature, and God's creation it is wicked enough, but when that same culture lives in such conditions with no impulse control and in the name of God then it is evil and blasphemous. However, it is possible to have your soul cake and eat it too. *The is the FREE archive, which includes advertisements. If you want an ad-free experience, you can subscribe below underneath the show description.FREE ARCHIVE (w. ads)SUBSCRIPTION ARCHIVEX / TWITTER FACEBOOKWEBSITEBuyMe-CoffeePaypal: rdgable1991@gmail.comCashApp: $rdgable EMAIL: rdgable@yahoo.com / TSTRadio@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-secret-teachings--5328407/support.

In this must-listen episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes back Rob Garf, now VP and Head of Industry Strategy at Cordial, to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping marketing, consumer engagement, and the future of retail personalization.A longtime retail strategist and thought leader, Garf brings decades of experience “at the intersection of retail, consumer, and technology.” Now leading strategy at the high-growth marketing tech firm Cordial, he shares insights from their new North American study, Brands Battle for Attention as AI Redefines the Funnel. The research explores how retailers and consumers are responding to today's marketing noise, and how brands can stand out with authenticity and relevance instead of more messages.Garf explains how AI is collapsing the traditional marketing funnel, transforming “discovery by channel” into “discovery by conversation.” With a third of consumers now engaging with personal AI agents like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Perplexity, he outlines what this means for marketers who must ensure their products and content are discoverable in an AI-first world.The conversation dives into the challenges retailers face with legacy marketing stacks, data fragmentation, and a loss of trust in their own data. Garf argues that success lies in unifying systems, embedding AI directly into workflows, and focusing relentlessly on consumer intent—understanding not only what customers buy but what they're trying to accomplish in the moment.Beyond the technology, Garf emphasizes the importance of brand storytelling, creative emotion, and the “humanization of digital experiences.” He discusses how AI and brand voice can coexist to deliver meaningful, personalized engagement across every channel—from email and SMS to emerging conversational interfaces.To conclude, Garf offers practical advice for marketers adopting AI: start with clear customer problems, get your data house in order, and manage organizational change with empathy and alignment. The goal, he says, isn't to replace humans but to empower them and deliver the effortless, relevant experiences consumers expect.Whether you're a marketer, technologist, or retail leader, this episode provides actionable insights on how to thrive at the intersection of AI, personalization, and brand authenticity in a rapidly changing digital landscape. The Voice of Retail podcast is presented by Hale, a performance marketing partner trusted by brands like ASICS, Saje, and Orangetheory to scale with focus and impact. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Chris Parsons, VP Partner Growth & Marketing at Hale Performance Marketing and author of the new book Retail Rewired: How Modern Retail Leaders Drive Growth and Reinvention, for a compelling conversation about the future of retail leadership, customer experience, and loyalty. With more than 25 years of retail experience across organizations like Walmart, Ren's Pets, and Home Hardware, Chris brings unique insight from both the retail and agency sides of the business.Chris shares his remarkable career journey, including launching Walmart Canada's eCommerce business and building omni-channel strategies at major Canadian retailers. Now at Hale, he explains how the agency differentiates itself in a crowded market by being fully accountable to client KPIs and sharing both wins and challenges alongside retailers. This refreshing approach underscores his belief that true agency–retailer partnerships require transparency, accountability, and shared ownership of outcomes.The heart of the discussion focuses on Chris's new book Retail Rewired. Written for retail leaders at every level, from store managers to C-suite executives, the book distills lessons from decades in the industry into four core pillars of modern retail success: invest in your people, stay customer-centric, think local, and deliver consistency. Chris explains how these pillars emerged organically from his real-world experiences and why they are critical for retailers navigating today's fast-changing environment.Listeners will hear Chris's perspectives on customer immersion, the practice of living your customer's experience to generate insights beyond dashboards and data. From his Walmart and diapers.com experiences to reflections on QR codes and personalization, Chris argues that brands need to move from transactional offers to truly personal experiences. He also stresses the frontline culture as the embodiment of a retailer's brand—reinforced by his research showing that 71% of Canadians cite staff attitude and service as critical factors in where they shop.The episode also dives into the evolution of loyalty programs. Chris challenges retailers to go beyond points and discounts, focusing instead on emotional loyalty rooted in customer preferences, timing, and service. He highlights opportunities to apply a “Netflix model” to retail personalization, where households can toggle between profiles for richer, more accurate engagement.Finally, Chris reflects on his hopes for the industry over the next three years: breaking free from the outdated narrative of eCommerce cannibalization and instead embracing an integrated ecosystem view, where every program connects seamlessly across the retail enterprise. The Voice of Retail podcast is presented by Hale, a performance marketing partner trusted by brands like ASICS, Saje, and Orangetheory to scale with focus and impact. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

GDP Script/ Top Stories for October 2nd Publish Date: October 2nd PRE-ROLL: From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. Today is Thursday, October 2nd and Happy birthday to Sting I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by KIA Mall of Georgia. Piedmont Eastside hosting second annual Rock the Ribbon event Spooky Spirits 5K set for Oct. 18 in Suwanee Comedian Bert Kreischer coming to Gwinnett's Gas South Arena Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on cereals All of this and more is coming up on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen daily and subscribe! Break 1: Ingles Markets 7 STORY 1: Piedmont Eastside hosting second annual Rock the Ribbon event For the second year, Piedmont Eastside Medical Center is inviting the community to “Rock the Ribbon,” a special event focused on breast cancer awareness. Set for Oct. 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the event will take place in the Breast and Diagnostic Center lobby (Medical Plaza 1, 1700 Tree Lane, Suite 100, Snellville). It’s all part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The lineup includes breast cancer survivor and advocate Silvia Garcia as the keynote speaker, along with diagnostic radiologist Dr. M. Aho sharing insights on early detection. Snellville Mayor Barbara Bender will kick things off, and at 12:45, Garcia will lead a caregiver support workshop in Suite 230. STORY 2: Spooky Spirits 5K set for Oct. 18 in Suwanee Dust off your sneakers, grab your costume, and maybe—just maybe—prepare for a cocktail or two, because the Spooky Spirits 5K is haunting Suwanee’s Town Center Park on Oct. 18. This isn’t your average 5K. Think costumes, cocktails, and a whole lot of fun, brought to you by the folks behind the Beer Chaser 5K and sponsored by Southeast Cold. Whether you’re chasing a PR or just strolling with your cocktail-loving crew, this event’s got something for everyone. Here’s the twist: runners can choose to stop at five Spirit Stations along the scenic Suwanee Creek Greenway for 3-ounce cocktail samples—or power through nonstop. Either way, there’s a full cocktail waiting at the finish line (for the 21+ crowd, of course). Costumes? Absolutely. Prizes for Best Female, Male, and Group Costumes will keep the Halloween vibes alive. Plus, every runner gets a long-sleeve T-shirt, medal, and souvenir glass—because bragging rights are a must. Don’t miss out—secure your spot at SpookySpirits5K.com. STORY 3: Comedian Bert Kreischer coming to Gwinnett's Gas South Arena  Bert Kreischer’s bringing his wild, shirtless comedy to Gwinnett this January—because, of course, he is. The “Permission to Party” tour just added a stop at Gas South Arena on Jan. 31, 2026, and if you’ve ever seen Bert, you know it’s going to be equal parts chaos and hilarity. Tickets? They’re up for grabs starting Friday, Oct. 3, at 10 a.m. (set a reminder, seriously). Head to bertbertbert.com to snag yours—because nothing says “start the year right” like laughing until your face hurts. We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info. We’ll be right back Break 2: 07.14.22 KIA MOG STORY 4: GGC professor: Start your holiday budgeting now  The holidays sneak up on you, don’t they? Before you know it, you’re knee-deep in wrapping paper and wondering how your credit card bill got so high. Americans, on average, drop $1,200 on holiday gifts each year, according to the National Retail Federation. But Georgia Gwinnett College business professor Dr. Cathy McCrary says a little planning now can save you a lot of stress—and money—later. Her advice? Start simple: Make a list of who you’re buying for. Jot down gift ideas and ballpark prices. Set a savings goal and stick to it. McCrary also suggests breaking your savings into manageable chunks—like setting aside a bit from each paycheck—and even opening a separate account to keep things organized. STORY 5: Tourism sets new record in Georgia Georgia was buzzing last year—tourists, business travelers, you name it. A record 174.2 million visitors poured into the state in 2024, spending a jaw-dropping $45.2 billion. That’s 4% more than the year before, according to Gov. Brian Kemp. Kemp, speaking at a tourism conference in Savannah, credited Georgia’s charm: its mountains, beaches, and everything in between. Business travel was booming too, with 17 million domestic visitors dropping $4.6 billion on conventions and meetings. Tourism, the state’s second-largest economic driver, even saved households $1,285 in taxes, thanks to $5.1 billion in government revenue. We’ll be right back. Break 3: LILBURN DAZE And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on cereals Break 4: We’ll have closing comments after this Break 5: CITY OF SUGAR HILL Signoff – Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.gwinnettdailypost.com Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Produced by the BG Podcast Network Show Sponsors: www.ingles-markets.com www.kiamallofga.com Lilburn Daze Sugar Hill See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Voice of Retail Podcast, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Michael Zabaneh, Vice President, Sustainability at the Retail Council of Canada, for an in-depth discussion on the future of sustainability in Canadian retail. With over 15 years of experience spanning global recycling ventures, luxury brands, and corporate advocacy, Michael shares a front-row perspective on how environmental priorities are reshaping the retail industry.Michael begins by unpacking the complexities of extended producer responsibility (EPR)—the regulatory framework shifting waste management costs from municipalities to producers and retailers. He explains how retailers are responsible not only for their private labels but also as first importers, making EPR compliance one of the most pressing and costly issues for Canadian retailers today. With more than 110 EPR programs across the country and compliance costs approaching $3 billion, this is a boardroom-level challenge with major implications for consumers and businesses alike.The conversation also dives into how retailers are embedding sustainability into their core strategies. From cutting energy costs with smart temperature controls and LED lighting to integrating renewable energy and recycling programs, sustainability initiatives increasingly deliver both environmental and financial benefits. Michael emphasizes that for mid-sized and independent retailers, sustainability is no longer optional—procurement, supply chain decisions, and operational efficiencies must all reflect responsible practices.Looking ahead, Michael previews the Retail Council of Canada's Retail Sustainability Conference 2025, now expanded to a two-day format on October 29–30 in Toronto. With workshops on zero-emission vehicles and harmonizing EPR regulations across provinces, the event is designed to deliver solutions-oriented dialogue. Attendees will also hear from Sheri Flies, SVP Global Sustainability & Compliance at Costco, and Jim Andrew, EVP & Chief Sustainability Officer at PepsiCo, alongside panels featuring McDonald's, Walmart, Loblaw, Unilever, and Procter & Gamble.Michael highlights how this event has quickly become one of RCC's flagship conferences, convening retailers, supply chain leaders, regulators, and governments to push forward practical solutions amidst economic uncertainty, climate commitments, and global plastic challenges.  The Voice of Retail podcast is presented by Hale, a performance marketing partner trusted by brands like ASICS, Saje, and Orangetheory to scale with focus and impact. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

In this episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, host Michael LeBlanc sits down in person with Sebastian Picardo, President & CEO of Holt Renfrew, to explore the evolution of luxury retail in Canada and the global forces shaping the industry.Sebastian begins by sharing his personal journey from Buenos Aires to London, where he launched his luxury career at Alexander McQueen, followed by senior roles with Net-a-Porter, Burberry, and leading a Hong Kong department store group. In 2020, he joined Holt Renfrew at the height of the pandemic, taking on the challenge of steering Canada's most iconic luxury retailer through one of the most disruptive times in modern retail history.He offers a rich perspective on what makes Holt Renfrew remarkable—its deep Canadian heritage dating back to 1837, its ability to evolve with consumer tastes, and its strong relationships with global brands, employees, and customers. Sebastian discusses how Holt Renfrew balances being both a branded house and a house of brands, creating a unique identity in a highly competitive market.The conversation delves into the diversity of Canadian consumers, from the European-influenced Montreal shopper to Vancouver's strong Asian luxury demand, and how these cultural differences shape merchandising and strategy. Sebastian highlights the challenges of Canada's vast geography, the pressures of competing with U.S. retailers, and the importance of personalization and CRM in strengthening customer relationships.AI also takes center stage as Sebastian explains how technology is reshaping discovery, service, and operations. From empowering associates with smarter tools to anticipating customer needs, he shares how Holt Renfrew is integrating AI into its strategy while staying focused on human connection at the store level.Finally, Sebastian reflects on leadership—what it means to empower teams, why humility and enabling others is central to his philosophy, and why leadership is always more about others than yourself. As he prepares to move back to Europe, Sebastian leaves listeners with inspiring lessons on adaptability, vision, and building a retail brand that can thrive for nearly two centuries. The Voice of Retail podcast is presented by Hale, a performance marketing partner trusted by brands like ASICS, Saje, and Orangetheory to scale with focus and impact. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, Michael LeBlanc sits down with Mark Ryski, Founder & CEO of HeadCount and three-time retail author, to explore why store traffic remains one of the most underutilized and misunderstood metrics in modern retail. With over two decades of experience pioneering traffic and conversion analytics, Mark shares insights from his new book, Store Traffic is a Gift, and explains why retailers must treat every store visit as a precious opportunity.Mark begins by recounting his early career in Edmonton, where a stint managing a single computer store opened his eyes to the importance of measuring traffic. What started as an entrepreneurial challenge became a lifelong mission—helping retailers of all sizes, from independents to global chains, understand the relationship between visits, transactions, and conversions. He reveals how his first book, When Retail Customers Count, broke new ground, and how subsequent works, including Conversion: The Last Great Retail Metric, gave leaders practical playbooks to rethink operations.The conversation dives into the myths that persist in retail, such as the assumption that transactions equal store visits. Mark explains why this false equivalency blinds retailers to missed opportunities, misguides staffing schedules, and undermines marketing effectiveness. He argues that traffic counting is as essential as point-of-sale systems, electricity, or internet access. With a SaaS-based platform, HeadCount provides “analytics as a service,” helping retailers turn data into actionable insights, whether they operate one store or thousands.Looking back at the pandemic, Mark reflects on how the sudden collapse of traffic underscored its value and forced retailers to redefine what store visits mean in an age of curbside pickup, BOPIS, and returns partnerships. He stresses that not all traffic is equal—intentionality matters—and that success comes from converting purposeful visits, not just chasing volume.Michael and Mark also tackle the role of AI in retail. While acknowledging AI's potential, Mark warns that technology cannot fix flawed operating models. Instead, AI must be grounded in reliable first-party data, with store traffic as the denominator for every in-store initiative.Finally, Mark shares practical advice for retailers: stop using sales transactions as a proxy for store visits, start aligning staff schedules to actual traffic patterns, and never squander the chance to serve a customer once they cross the threshold. With consumer habits shifting faster than ever, his message is clear—store traffic is a gift, and every visit counts. The Voice of Retail podcast is presented by Hale, a performance marketing partner trusted by brands like ASICS, Saje, and Orangetheory to scale with focus and impact. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

In this dynamic episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes Fawad Baig, Retail Industry Lead, Accenture Canada, to unpack Accenture's latest global consumer report: Me, My Brand, and AI. With insights drawn from over 18,000 respondents worldwide, including Canadians, this research sheds light on how uncertainty and generative AI are reshaping consumer trust, loyalty, and shopping behavior.Fawad explains that more than 57% of Canadian consumers report unusually high levels of uncertainty in their daily lives—double the levels recorded in late 2024. In response, many are turning to generative AI tools not only for shopping recommendations but also for personal advice, creating a powerful new form of trust and reliance. In fact, 46% of Canadians have already made purchases influenced by AI, and 72% would welcome an AI-powered personal shopper.The conversation dives deep into what this means for retailers. While brand loyalty in Canada remains strong, a striking 35% of consumers say they would switch brands based on AI-driven recommendations—a level of volatility that opens both risks and opportunities. For retailers willing to adapt, the shift from personalization to proactive engagement offers a competitive edge.Michael and Fawad also discuss the rise of AI agents, tools that autonomously seek out products on behalf of consumers, potentially bypassing loyalty programs and traditional marketing tactics. Fawad emphasizes that retailers need to prepare for this new reality by rethinking product data, metadata strategies, and how they present contextual value across digital platforms.Beyond consumer-facing strategies, the discussion touches on the vital importance of ethical AI, data governance, and building trust through transparency. Fawad stresses that once trust is lost, it is nearly impossible to regain—a warning for brands rushing headlong into AI adoption without the proper safeguards.The episode closes with actionable advice for retailers:Start investing in AI to deliver curated, personalized, and measurable consumer experiences.Start preparing for the reality of AI agents shaping consumer choice.Stop underestimating the power of existing loyalty programs, which remain a crucial bridge to long-term engagement. Read the reporthttps://www.accenture.com/content/dam/accenture/final/accenture-com/document-3/Accenture-Me-My-Brand-and-AI.pdf#zoom=40 The Voice of Retail podcast is presented by Hale, a performance marketing partner trusted by brands like ASICS, Saje, and Orangetheory to scale with focus and impact. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

Cybersecurity has moved far beyond being just a technical issue — it is now a core business priority that directly impacts customer trust, operational resilience and the bottom line. We sit down with two industry leaders on the front lines of digital risk: Pam Lindemoen, chief security officer and vice president of strategy at the Retail & Hospitality Information Sharing and Analysis Center, and Christian Beckner, vice president of retail technology and cybersecurity at the National Retail Federation. Together, they unpack the fast-changing cybersecurity landscape facing retailers today, from fraud and social engineering to the new challenges posed by artificial intelligence.(00:00:00) Building a united front in retail cybersecurity(00:04:41) Strengthening trust and evolving partnerships(00:07:49) Rising threats in retail cybersecurity(00:12:43) Investing in resilience and readiness(00:16:51) Looking ahead: cooperation and global expansionThe National Retail Federation is the world's largest retail trade association.Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.Resources:• Get ready for Retail's Big Show in NYC• Become an NRF member and join the world's largest retail trade association• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.comRelated:• 366: How to fight back against organized retail crime• 353: How customer-facing AI will energize retail's future• 344: The future of AI in consumer experience

NRF data makes clear that online is the top shopping destination for K through 12 and college students as well. According to a recent report from Yahoo DSP, 40% of Back to School shoppers plan to shop more with online retailers in 2025. Now, online search is the top inspiration source for back to college shopping with over 50% of adults using it to guide their purchases. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Back to school means back to school shopping! Anna and Raven speak to Katherine Cullen, Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights at the National Retail Federation! Photo Credit: National Retail Federation

There are 33 states in the US that banned cell phones in schools. Anna and Raven talk about the one teacher who is going viral for his report on the positive response from students!  Back to school means back to school shopping! Anna and Raven speak to Katherine Cullen, Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights at the National Retail Federation! Anna and Raven's boss says that bees get very aggressive in September! One handsome celebrity confirmed it and has his own advice to avoid them and it's probably better advice then the internet! Anna lists three news stories that seem almost out of this world, and Raven can only pick and hear about one! Kelly Clarkson made a comment about how annoying it is that schools have every event during the workday and Anna agrees! Time to vent: what is the most annoying thing your child's school does! Are you up to date on this week's biggest news story? Anna and Raven will get you caught up on the trending news including money in a potato chip bag? Drake Solomon, a former NBA mascot, is suing because he was terminated because of hip surgery! Producer Julie's Uncle, Rob Hooper, was the mascot for Seton Hall University's Basketball team so Anna and Raven ask Rob what it was like! Lots of high school seniors are about to leave for college! The big question is whether to break up with their high school relationships! Anna and Producer Julie both had boyfriends going into college, find out what their advice is! Bobby's brother is coming to visit for ten days. He wants to offer his brother to stay with them for the time he is coming to visit. His wife, Gwen, says no way! She loves his brother, but he has an issue with staying out late and partying too hard. They both get up early for work, and she doesn't want to deal with his brother coming in late when they need to be sleeping. She thinks they should tell him to just stay in a hotel for ten days. Diane and Katelyn have a chance to win $4400! All they have to do is answer more pop culture questions than Raven in Can't Beat Raven!

School supply shopping is a marker of summer winding down and a new year of learning about to begin. For many kids, it is also a chance to express themselves through the stuff they pick out.But many families are concerned about the price of that fresh start. Several years of inflation has pinched budgets, and there is concern that tariffs will drive up prices further. A survey by the National Retail Federation found more families started their shopping early this year because of that worry.For the latest in the Minnesota Now series Professional Help, Minnesota Now producer Alanna Elder talked with Julie Granning, PTO president for Valley View Elementary School in Columbia Heights, as well as Sarah Lancaster, who teaches first grade in Onamia and was named Minnesota Teacher of the Year in 2022.Lancaster noted there are school supply giveaways across the state, including one happening Tuesday at Onamia Public Schools. The blog “Thrifty Minnesota” rounded up a list of other events in the state. And the Little Canada-based organization Kids in Need Foundation also provides supplies to eligible students and teachers.Our ask: Help me shop for school supplies on a budgetOur guests: Julie Granning, PTO president for Valley View Elementary School, and Sarah Lancaster, a first grade teacher in Onamia and 2022 Minnesota Teacher of the Year.

Current tariff policies and economic uncertainties are profoundly reshaping the U.S. freight and manufacturing industries. A significant surge in U.S. container imports in July, nearing record highs and driven notably by a 44% month-over-month recovery from China, is largely attributed to importers "front-loading" shipments. This strategic move is a response to the end of the "de minimis" exemption for imports under $800 and ongoing uncertainty regarding various tariffs, including a temporary 30% rate on some Chinese goods and new reciprocal tariffs affecting over 90 U.S. trade partners. Despite this import boom, Trans-Pacific spot rates have plummeted, falling 62% from the Far East to the U.S. West Coast since June 1st, a paradox driven by significant global overcapacity and potentially muted consumer demand, which carriers attempt to counter through increased blank sailings, contributing to congestion at Chinese ports. Experts now view tariffs as a "new normal" for businesses, a permanent fixture influencing market dynamics. Consequently, the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates forecast a 5.6% decrease in U.S. import cargo volume for 2025, primarily due to tariffs leading to higher consumer prices and reduced demand. Domestically, the manufacturing and trucking sectors are experiencing weakness, with heavy-duty truck sales hitting multi-year lows due to trade policy shifts and a lack of clarity on future emissions regulations, deterring companies from making significant investments. While there are "green shoots" of slight pickup in order activity, manufacturers anticipate needing to adjust prices for 2026 truck orders due to rising costs partly from these same tariffs on components. This environment underscores how trade policy has become a primary driver in the market, making precise calculation of "total landed costs"—factoring in these new baseline tariffs—critical for supply chain professionals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The FinTech market has seen considerable upheaval in activity and valuations. But spring may be coming to the funding winter that FinTech has seen and Jordan McKee and Sampath Sharma return to examine the green shoots with host Eric Hanselman. Data platforms, payment rails and insurance tech are seeing renewed interest, while riskier areas, like lending, are not seeing the same focus. FinTech companies are looking at addressing infrastructure and process challenges faced by the banking sector as they transition to the world of instant payments.  Interest in cryptocurrency is roaring back, particularly in stablecoins. The U.S. GENIUS Act has delivered a framework for their use and opened the door to new experimentation. It's another area where FinTech's have an infrastructure opportunity, as a number of FinTech companies already have stablecoin experience and can put it to work for their banking partners. All of this and more will also be on the agenda for the upcoming Banking Infrastructure Modernization webinar at the link below. More S&P Global Content: Upcoming FinTech Webinar: Banking Infrastructure Modernization: Building for Instant Payments Money20/20 Europe 2025: Key trends and developments National Retail Federation looks to revitalize the modern commerce experience Fintech funding falls 42% to $35B in 2023, but downturn may be nearing end For S&P Global Subscribers: Tech Trend in Focus: Payment orchestration Cross-border payments, stablecoins generate buzz at a low-key Money20/20 Asia Real-time payments, stablecoins draw VC attention in Q3 2024 fintech funding 2025 Trends in Fintech Credits: Host/Author: Eric Hanselman Guests: Jordan McKee, Sampath Sharma Producer/Editor: Adam Kovalsky Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Kyra Smith

Consumers turn to Pinterest for inspiration on everything from design and fashion to meal prep and so much more. Rachel Hardy, director of consumer product marketing for Pinterest, joins us to share how the brand captures such a wide and engaged audience. We explore the consumer outlook and emerging trends for 2025, including mobile spending, AI optimization and personalized shopping. (00:00:00) Introductions(00:01:26) Pinterest's young and engaged audience (00:03:04) Hardy's career journey (00:06:20) Emerging consumer behaviors (00:12:16) Pinterest predicts 2025 trends (00:15:11) Retail challenges and opportunities for 2025 (00:21:24) Hardy's learnings and inspirations The National Retail Federation is the world's largest retail trade association.Every day, we passionately stand up for the people, policies and ideas that help retail succeed.Resources:• pinterest.com• Get ready for Retail's Big Show in NYC• Become an NRF member and join the world's largest retail trade association• Learn about our retail education platform, NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org• Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy• Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.comRelated:• Retail trends to watch in 2025• What to know about the consumer in 2025