Podcasts about nrf big show

In this wide-ranging episode Steve Dennis and Michael LeBlanc are joined by special guest co-host Kevin Ertell, retail veteran, former Nike executive, and author of The Strategy Trap. The episode blends breaking retail news with a live interview recorded at the NRF Big Show featuring Malin Andrée, Global Retail Sector Leader at EY, and Jon Copestake, Global Lead Retail Analyst at EY Insights. The episode begins with an analysis of one of the most significant geopolitical developments impacting the global economy: the escalating Iran war and its ripple effects on retail markets. Rising oil prices and potential disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz threaten to increase shipping costs and add new uncertainty to global supply chains. The hosts also dive into the latest retail earnings reports, highlighting challenges and future opportunities under new leadership at Target, mixed performance at Gap and continued momentum from Costco. They also examine the rapid growth of athletic brand On, whose strong sales growth contrasts with cautious forward guidance, and discuss what it signals about competition with legacy players like Nike with Kevin's expert and experienced analysis. The episode then shifts to a fascinating interview with Malin Andrée, EY Partner, Global Retail Industry Leader and Jon Copestake Global Lead Retail Analyst, EY Insights, who share insights from EY's latest consumer research and industry analysis. Their discussion explores the changing dynamics of luxury retail, including growing consumer interest in resale and second-hand luxury markets, which are being driven by affordability concerns, sustainability awareness and improved authentication platforms. Andrée and Copestake also address the accelerating role of retail AIl, from operational improvements to emerging consumer-facing applications such as AI-driven product discovery and shopping assistance. While AI investment is surging across the industry, they emphasize the importance of balancing technology with human-centered retail experiences, arguing that the human touch will remain a key differentiator even as AI capabilities become table stakes. The episode concludes with the hosts' Remarkable Story of the Week and What's on the Radar segments, including discussions about Simon Property Group's strategic maneuvering around the Saks Global bankruptcy and Walmart's rollout of digital shelf labels across its stores. About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling author of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the NRF as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025 and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.

How do brands scale AI governance without slowing down innovation? In this episode, Yael Kochman sits down with NRF leaders Christian Beckner and Caroline Reppert to discuss the industry's shift toward responsible, high-ROI AI adoption. While this conversation was recorded just before the NRF Big Show, the insights remain the definitive roadmap for the year ahead. They dive into why the most successful retailers are prioritizing internal productivity tools and "Agentic" commerce guardrails before rolling out customer-facing AI. Key Topics Covered: - The Governance Shift: Why the CEO and Board are now leading the AI policy conversation - Internal First: How coding and productivity tools are providing the first real wins for ROI - Empowering Employees: Using AI chatbots to support store associates and improve the customer experience - The 2025 Benchmark: Insights from the now-published Retail AI Trends report The report mentioned in this episode is now live! Get the full benchmark data on how your peers are investing in AI today.

Recorded live at the NRF Big Show in New York, this episode of The Voice of Retail features Matthew Guiste, Global Retail Technology Strategist at Zebra Technologies, for a strategic discussion on how AI, RFID, and frontline enablement are redefining modern retail. Zebra Technologies, a $5+ billion global enterprise and pioneer in barcode scanning, now powers retail operations through mobile computing, RFID, computer vision, and AI-driven solutions. Guiste explains how Zebra's evolution is centered on enabling frontline associates with embedded intelligence — delivering AI capabilities directly into handheld devices and wearable tools used in-store. A core theme of the conversation is what Guiste calls increasing “technology density” — ensuring more associates have access to connected devices, task engines, communication platforms, and real-time data capture tools. Retailers that invest in frontline enablement see measurable productivity gains and improved employee retention. According to Zebra's 18th Annual Global Shopper Study, nine out of ten associates feel more positive about employers who provide modern digital tools. The discussion explores major operational friction points, starting with inventory accuracy — one of retail's most persistent blind spots. With industry-wide accuracy rates often hovering between 60–70%, omnichannel promises like buy online, pick up in store (BOPIS) become vulnerable. RFID adoption, fueled by lower tag costs and retailer mandates, is emerging as a transformative lever, enabling real-time inventory visibility and smarter checkout experiences. Self-checkout also comes under scrutiny. While consumer acceptance has grown significantly since 2019, execution gaps remain. Guiste outlines how the next phase will combine RFID and computer vision to reduce scanning errors, shrink loss, and move toward seamless self-checkout experiences. Returns management is another strategic priority. With return fraud estimated in the tens of billions annually, AI-powered computer vision tools can now assist associates in disposition decisions — determining whether items return to shelf, warehouse, or liquidation — all in real time. Looking ahead a decade, Guiste predicts fewer paper-based processes, disappearing physical receipts and credit cards, and wearable AI tools guiding associates dynamically through tasks — shifting retail from humans using machines to intelligent systems supporting human expertise. For retailers navigating AI adoption, omnichannel complexity, and workforce productivity challenges, this episode delivers clear, operationally grounded insight from one of retail technology's leading strategists. 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.

Recorded live in the Narvar Podcast Studio at NRF Big Show, Steve Dennis and Michael LeBlanc sit down with Dan Frommer, the iconic tech journalist and Founder of The New Consumer, to explore the forces reshaping retail and consumer behavior. Frommer challenges the prevailing “vibecession” narrative, arguing that despite low consumer sentiment readings, spending remains resilient. Drawing on proprietary survey data from 3,000 U.S. consumers, he outlines a nuanced picture: younger consumers are increasingly digital-first, deeply connected to creator culture, and entering their peak earning and spending years. Millennials show the highest trust in AI, while Gen Z is more skeptical about automation's impact on work and identity. GLP-1 medications are seen as a game changer, driving shifts in spending. Health and longevity also take center stage, with more than 40% of Gen Z and Millennials in “health optimization mode.” Frommer highlights TikTok Shop's explosive rise as creator-led commerce flips marketing economics. In the news segment the hosts discussion how the Supreme Court's IEEPA tariff ruling triggers chaos for retail. With up to 70% of tariffs affected, pricing and supply chain uncertainty now dominate. Retailers face refund confusion, volatility, and political storms. Walmart posts strong earnings but signals a slowing trend. Half of its e-commerce orders ship from stores, three-hour delivery reaches most Americans, and retail media surges ahead. Wayfair gains share in a struggling home market, but staying unprofitable raises tough questions. In the “Remarkable Story of the Week” of the week, Aritzia acquires Fred Segal's intellectual property, as plans to resurrect the storied West Coast fashion retailer. On the radar: sneaker wars intensify as New Balance nears $10B in revenue and Nike navigates turnaround pressures at Converse. QVC also is reportedly mulling a Chapter 11 filing. Link to Dan's 2026 The New Consumer report here.  About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling author of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the NRF as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025 and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.

The hosts take open a sweeping look at the week's most consequential retail developments before heading live to the Narvar Podcast Studio at the NRF Big Show for a deep dive into AI, agentic commerce, and the evolving post-purchase customer journey.The news segment explores Saks Global's decision to close nine full-line stores, underscoring ongoing consolidation in the luxury industry and challenges in multi-line retail. The hosts examine luxury's continued bifurcation, with Kering struggling while Hermès thrives, reinforcing that luxe positioning alone isn't enough — execution matters.In specialty retail, the “collapse of the unremarkable middle” continues as Toys “R” Us Canada, Francesca's, and Eddie Bauer face significant retrenchment if not extinction, while Tractor Supply and Aritzia aggressively expand. Kroger appoints its first external CEO, Greg Boren, signaling operational rigor ahead, while Costco once again posts remarkable sales growth  Meanwhile, Target begins meaningful leadership restructuring — a foundational step in what is likely a multi-year turnaround. On the radar: AI-powered retail crime prevention at Bunnings and the imminent opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a major infrastructure development for North American trade.The featured interview brings Henry Spear, SVP Digital North America, JD Sports, and David Morin, VP Customer Strategy for Narvar, to the mic for a timely discussion on agentic commerce and how leveraging product returns can create competitive differentiation. About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling author of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the NRF as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025 and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.

Recorded live at the NRF Big Show in the Narvar podcast studio, Michael LeBlanc sits down with Rachel J. Calhoun, Global Leader, Retail, Consumer Goods & Travel at Kyndryl, for a fast-paced and insight-rich conversation on the future of retail technology, AI integration, and enterprise transformation.Rachel shares Kyndryl's evolution since spinning off from IBM, moving beyond managed infrastructure into advisory, consulting, AI integration, and mission-critical systems modernization. With over 80,000 employees globally and deep roots in retail, airlines, and banking, Kyndryl is helping retailers close what Rachel calls the “adaptation gap” — the widening divide between consumer expectations and retailers' ability to integrate emerging technologies into legacy systems.A central theme of the episode is the shift from project-based IT transformation to an always-on, agile operating model. Rachel explains that retailers can no longer treat digital modernization as a three-year refresh cycle. Instead, AI, data integration, and real-time systems must evolve continuously to drive customer experience, dynamic pricing, retail media growth, inventory optimization, and supply chain resilience.The conversation dives deep into AI's real-world impact. While some economists question AI-driven productivity gains, Rachel points to measurable improvements: reduced stockouts, improved inventory visibility, faster commerce re-platforming, and agentic AI use cases moving from pilot to production. She emphasizes that the real unlock isn't just technology — it's organizational change management. Retailers must integrate people, process, and platform simultaneously to see ROI.Michael and Rachel also discuss RFID adoption, visual AI in grocery and loss prevention, 5G infrastructure constraints across store fleets, and the growing board-level urgency around AI investment prioritization. Rachel outlines Kyndryl's “show versus tell” consulting model, where forward-deployed engineers demonstrate live code modernization and AI activation in real time, shifting commercial models toward shared-value, outcome-based engagements.The episode concludes with Rachel's bold outlook on AI in retail. On a scale of 1–10, she ranks her optimism at a 9, citing firsthand evidence of agentic commerce, conversational commerce, and real-time system integration driving tangible business outcomes.For Canadian retailers navigating market disruption, store fleet transitions, and accelerating digital expectations, this episode offers both strategic clarity and operational guidance. 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 Remarkable Retail podcast, Steve Dennis and Michael LeBlanc open with a sweeping look at the week's most consequential retail developments before welcoming two global retail store visionaries for a deep dive into the future of brick-and-mortar locations.The news segment begins with a tale of two retail giants: Walmart reaching a historic $1 trillion market cap milestone, signaling sustained operational momentum, while Target faces leadership transition amid prolonged performance challenges. The hosts analyze what these divergent trajectories mean for mass retail strategy and investor expectations.Amazon's earnings dominate the conversation next. With massive capital expenditures approaching $200 billion—tied to AI infrastructure and distribution expansion—the debate centers on whether this represents visionary investment or an overheated AI arms race. Retail growth remains robust across retail while the highly profitable advertising business is on fire. Recent while same-day grocery expansion is driving new growth with the potential to shake-up competitive dynamics.The discussion also highlights luxury bifurcation, with strong results from Ralph Lauren and Tapestry's Coach brand contrasting broader sector volatility. Simon Property Group's strong earnings prove the best malls are dead, as they also continue to make big investments in reinventing several of their properities.The second half of the episode shifts to an insightful, live conversation from NRF's Big Show with Jack Stratten, Director of Insider Trends, and Kevin Ervin Kelley, Principal and Co-Founder of Shook Kelley and author of Irreplaceable. Together, they explore what makes modern stores not just functional—but truly remarkable. About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling author of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the NRF as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025 and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.

Host Karl McKeever reports from NRF 2026, Retail's Big Show, in New York City. At the start of a franticly busy three days in the Big Apple, we bring your highlights from the Javits Convention Center, where retail leaders and some of the industry's most pioneering vendors, discuss, debate, and present what the future of retail might look like. In this episode, we picked our way through some of the highlights from the event.

Why do smart strategies fail so often? According to Kevin Ertell, the problem isn't a lack of ideas—it's execution.In this episode of The Voice of Retail, Michael LeBlanc sits down live in person at the NRF Big Show in New York in The Remarkable Retail Narvar podcasting studio with Kevin Ertell, founder of Mistere Advisory, veteran retail operator, and former Vice President of Global Retail at Nike. Kevin is also the author of the new book The Strategy Trap: Why Companies Fail at Execution and How to Get It Right, which draws on more than two decades of hands-on leadership experience across iconic retail brands including Tower Records, Borders, Sur La Table, and Nike.Kevin explains how organizations fall into the “strategy trap”—a tendency to over-invest in ideas, decks, and executive alignment while underestimating the human and organizational work required to execute effectively. He argues that strategy should be treated as the first step of execution, not as a theoretical exercise completed before real work begins.Using well-known retail case studies, including the failed transformation of JCPenney, Kevin illustrates how untested assumptions, poor internal alignment, and misunderstanding customer behavior can derail even bold strategies. Leaders often assume that communication equals understanding, when in reality teams fill in the gaps with their own interpretations—creating misalignment that only becomes visible once execution is underway.The conversation introduces Kevin's practical “Six Cs of Execution” framework. The first phase—co-creation, clarity, and capacity—focuses on setting the stage by involving the right people, defining priorities, and making space for execution. The second phase—communication, coordination, and coaching—highlights the role of active leadership in sustaining momentum and course-correcting as conditions change.Kevin also shares actionable tools leaders can use immediately, including structured problem-definition sessions, force-ranking priorities, and creating safe environments where teams can challenge assumptions. He emphasizes that focus is a leadership discipline—and that trying to pursue too many initiatives at once almost guarantees failure.For retail leaders navigating AI disruption, economic volatility, and shifting consumer expectations, this episode offers a clear, operator-led blueprint for escaping the strategy trap and turning strategy into results. 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 Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois deliver a wide-ranging discussion that connects Canadian food policy, trade risk, pricing power, and the accelerating role of AI in restaurants. The episode is anchored by a forward-looking interview with Deborah Matteliano Simeoni, Global Head of Restaurants at Amazon Web Services (AWS), recorded live at the NRF Big Show in New York.The first half of the episode focuses on the state of Canadian agriculture and food affordability. Sylvain shares firsthand insights from meetings with farmers across the Prairies, highlighting cautious optimism around renewed beef access to China alongside deep concern about U.S. trade policy and the durability of CUSMA. The hosts debate the federal government's grocery rebate program, questioning its long-term fiscal impact and contrasting it with a structural alternative: removing GST on food and foodservice to address affordability more directly.A key political and policy thread centers on Mark Wiseman, Canada's incoming Ambassador to the United States. Michael and Sylvain discuss Wiseman's previously published criticism of supply management, exploring whether his appointment signals potential pressure on the system during future Canada–U.S. trade negotiations—and whether Ottawa may ultimately position reforms as externally forced rather than domestically driven. The conversation situates supply management within broader competitiveness, trade credibility, and agri-food resilience debates.The hosts also examine PepsiCo's high-profile U.S. snack price reductions, questioning whether the move reflects margin recalibration, competitive signaling, or Super Bowl-era marketing—and why those cuts do not apply to Canada. Additional topics include the quiet disappearance of frozen orange juice concentrate, the continued normalization of food delivery, and why physical restaurants still matter as legitimizing anchors for digital-first and delivery-led food brands.The second half features an in-depth conversation with Deborah Matteliano Simeoni, who reframes AI not as an end goal, but as a tool for solving real restaurant challenges. Drawing on her experience launching Uber Eats and now advising global QSR brands at AWS, she explains how AI is improving drive-through accuracy, enhancing employee satisfaction, and enabling sophisticated personalization within loyalty ecosystems. Deborah emphasizes experimentation, data-driven learning, and customer-centric design as essential to scaling technology responsibly.Lastly we celebrate the Lobster Lady, still fishing at 101, leaving the earth at 103: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/business/virginia-oliver-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.J1A.q_7X.15lWPrsTltE7&smid=url-share About UsDr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Visiting Professor in Food Policy and Distribution at McGill University and a Professor in Food Distribution and Policy in the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University.Known as “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. He is one of the world's most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability with over 775 published peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Charlebois is also an editor for the prestigious Trends in Food Science Technology journal. He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada. Every year since 2012, he has published the now highly anticipated Canadian Food Price Report, which provides an overview of food price trends for the coming year. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, nationally as well as internationally. He has testified on several occasions before parliamentary committees on food policy-related issues as an expert witness. He has been asked to act as an advisor on food and agricultural policies in many Canadian provinces and other countries.With extensive experience collaborating with businesses, governments, and NGOs, Dr. Charlebois combines academic rigor with practical expertise, making him one of the most influential voices in the global agri-food landscape. His work continues to advance the understanding of food systems, fostering innovation and resilience in a rapidly evolving industry. In 2025, he received the prestigious Charles III medal recognizing his tremendous work in informing Canadians about food issues. Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the National Retail Federation (NRF) as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025, and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.

In this episode of Five Things Friday, Alex sits down live at the show with Ryf Quail to unpack what made this year's event the biggest on record from 41–42,000 attendees, packed expo halls, and record exhibitor meetings, to a major global expansion announcement that reshapes the future of retail events.Ryf shares first-hand insights on:Why exhibitors recorded 200+ meaningful meetings on the show floorHow NRF has evolved into a truly global retail platformThe launch of NRF Big Show Middle East in Saudi Arabia (March 2027)Why international attendance now accounts for over a third of total attendeesThe innovation highlights — AI-driven food ordering, robots, holograms, and “store-in-a-box” concepts

The episode opens with a sweeping look at the biggest retail stories shaping January. Amazon dominates the headlines again, this time with the closure of all Amazon Fresh grocery and Go stores and a renewed reliance on Whole Foods and online grocery. At the same time, Amazon is laying off tens of thousands of employees, part of a broader wave of cuts across retail and adjacent industries, including UPS, Home Depot, and Nike. The hosts explore whether this is a post-pandemic correction, an AI-driven efficiency shift, or an early signal of bigger structural change.The news turns to Saks Global's bankruptcy, in which most Saks off-price stores will be shut down. This is expected to benefit rivals like Nordstrom Rack and Bloomingdale's Outlet. Earnings signals offer a mixed outlook: LVMH posts weaker results, reinforcing concerns that luxury's recovery will be uneven, while Starbucks shows early signs of traction with traffic growth and the return of tiered loyalty rewards.The second half features an energetic, insight-rich discussion with fellow NRF Top Voices Billy May, Brooklinen's CEO, and David J Katz, EVP and CMO, Randa Apparel, recorded live in the Narvar podcasting studio on the NRF Big Show show floor in New York. Together, they explore how consumer behavior is changing, why value is now deeply contextual, and how trust has become the most fragile currency in retail. They discuss pricing strategy in an era of tariffs, geopolitical risk, and algorithmic pricing, warning that transparency and clarity matter more than ever.The group dives into AI reality—what's working, what's hype, and why AI should be treated as a power tool, not a decision-maker. They examine leadership in the post-COVID era, arguing that execution, speed, and disciplined focus now define winning organizations. Don't miss these rapid-fire takes on rising retailers and the future of the department store—listen now and join the conversation to stay ahead in retail's next chapter.The conversation then shifts to the week's remarkable stories. highlighting the staggering scale of AI investment, including Anthropic's rumored $350 billion valuation and Amazon's possible $50 billion stake in OpenAI. Michael reflects on growing wealth concentration in the U.S. and many developed countries, noting the economic and social implications. Looking around the corner, Steve unpacks TikTok's shifting algorithms, political influence concerns, and TikTok Shop's move to force sellers into its proprietary logistics network—changes that could reshape social commerce. About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling author of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the NRF as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025 and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.

Recorded live from the Narvar podcasting studio at the NRF Big Show in New York, this 500th episode of The Voice of Retail features Michael LeBlanc in conversation with Jim Okamura, Partner at McMillanDoolittle and Co-Founder of the Global E-Commerce Leaders Forum (GELF). With nearly three decades of NRF attendance, Jim brings rare perspective on how retail has evolved—and why this year's show feels like a turning point.The discussion opens with the shifting mood across the industry. After a year defined by uncertainty and stalled investment, Jim notes a renewed sense of confidence and proactive thinking among retailers. Despite geopolitical volatility and tariff risks, brands are beginning to move from defensive postures toward growth strategies grounded in technology, experience, and global expansion.From there, Michael and Jim explore what's happening inside physical retail through store tour insights. They revisit standout experiences from Tecovas in New York, Patagonia's re-commerce flagship in Chicago, and Fjällräven's repair-driven store model—each illustrating how brands are using service, repair, and resale to create emotional loyalty and long-term customer value. Jim emphasizes that circular retail is no longer a niche or sustainability checkbox; it is becoming a core brand strategy, even in luxury.The conversation then shifts to AI, the dominant theme at NRF. Jim highlights how retailers are moving beyond pilot projects and into real operational use—especially in content creation, product imagery, associate tools, and internal data analysis. One recurring theme: simplification. AI's greatest value, Jim argues, is its ability to reduce friction—whether for customers navigating e-commerce, or for store associates juggling dozens of disconnected systems.Michael and Jim also examine the organizational implications of AI. As automation replaces many entry-level tasks, they raise critical questions about talent development, culture, and “reverse mentoring.” Younger employees—native to prompts and digital tools—may become essential guides in shaping how retailers evolve.Finally, the conversation returns to global commerce. Through GELF, Jim (and Michael) works with brands navigating cross-border growth, tariffs, marketplace complexity, and brand integrity across regions. He believes 2026 will mark a return to global growth—driven by smarter governance, better data readiness, and peer-driven learning models.Jim's closing advice is clear: retailers must invest now in AI governance, data infrastructure, and scalable use cases—or risk being left behind in a rapidly transforming industry. 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 NRF Big Show is always a whirlwind and this year was no exception. In this special episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein is joined live from the show floor by her colleagues Adam Blair of Retail TouchPoints and Kate Robertson of Shop Eat Surf Outdoor to break down what stood out while everything was still fresh.From first-time impressions (Kate has never been before) to veteran perspectives (Adam has attended going on 20 years), the trio reflects on the themes that dominated conversations across sessions and booths. Unsurprisingly, AI was everywhere but the editors also dig into the growing emphasis on humanity, trust, authenticity and culture as retailers figure out how (and where) new this technology fits in.This candid, on-the-ground conversation captures what NRF really feels like — and what retail leaders are wrestling with as 2026 gets underway.Highlights from this episode include:How the AI conversation shifted at NRF 2026 from hype to hands-on learnings;The striking quality and confidence of Gen Z voices on stage — and what that says about the future workforce;Why retailers like LVMH are doubling down on the human element, even as automation accelerates;How creators, trust and authenticity are becoming more critical in a world of AI-driven discovery;Leadership lessons from Dick's Sporting Goods on culture, competitiveness, and rewarding the unglamorous work.Related LinksRelated reading:Dick's Sporting Goods Chairman Ed Stack on House of Sport, Corporate Culture and Fixing Foot LockerRelated reading: AI in Luxury: Why LVMH Won't Let AI Eclipse Humanity or CreativityRelated reading: How Inviting Consumers to ‘Ask Ralph' Deepens Their Connection to the Ralph Lauren BrandExplore ongoing NRF coverage and retail insights from Retail TouchPoints.Subscribe so you don't miss more episodes of Retail Remix from the show floor of NRF26.

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc is joined by Jayme Johnson, Partner and Industry Leader, Consumer and Travel & Transportation Industries, IBM Consulting Canada, for a wide-ranging conversation that blends real-world store insights from New York City with a forward-looking discussion on AI, agentic commerce, and the future of customer experience.The episode begins with reflections on the Retail Council of Canada's Manhattan store tour, where Jayme shares observations from some of the most innovative retail concepts in the world. Highlights include the immersive French department store Printemps, which Jayme describes as more “a destination than a store,” combining hospitality, curated boutique brands, and experiential design to encourage lingering and discovery. Jayme and Michael discuss how authenticity and courage in design choices can create powerful emotional connections with customers, regardless of store format.The conversation then moves through other notable stops, including Lacoste's Fifth Avenue flagship, praised for reconnecting with its heritage through brand storytelling and disciplined merchandising, and The North Face, where massive digital walls create a cinematic sense of adventure. Jayme notes that while digital experiences are compelling, retailers could go even further by enabling customers to physically test products in simulated environments.At Carhartt, the focus shifts to people and culture, with Jayme emphasizing how energized store associates drive engagement and reinforce brand identity. Gymshark's Noho location sparks discussion around digitally native brands translating online communities into physical spaces, including the use of 3D-printed mannequins modeled after real athletes. The tour concludes with Tecovas, where hospitality, sensory design, and niche positioning demonstrate how specialty retail can scale into something “sneaky big.”In the second segment of the episode, the discussion pivots to IBM's latest research on agentic commerce. Jayme explains that while AI is already deeply embedded in product discovery and reviews, the next phase will see AI agents actively making purchasing decisions on behalf of consumers. In Canada alone, adoption of AI applications has increased by more than 80 percent in two years, signaling accelerating momentum.Jayme outlines what this means for retailers: AI agents must be treated like a new customer segment, requiring structured product data, personalization, and governance. Trust, transparency, and explainability become critical as brands compete not just for human attention, but for algorithmic preference. Ultimately, Jayme argues that retailers who intentionally design for both people and AI will be best positioned to win in an increasingly automated shopping landscape.IBM Research Insights: Own the agentic commerce experience 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 year ahead in commerce, with insights from the NRF Big Show conference, where retailers congregate every January. Plus, the 2026 privacy policy cheat sheet.  

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast, Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois deliver a wide-ranging discussion on the forces reshaping food, retail, and consumer behaviour—before sitting down with one of Canada's most dynamic food entrepreneurs, Suzie Yorke, CEO and Founder of The Little Cacao Company.The episode opens with insights from New York City, where Michael reports from NRF Big Show, highlighting how retail continues to blend hospitality, entertainment, and commerce. From Tecovas' in-store bar concept to Printemps' alcohol-free champagne experience, the hosts explore how experiential retail is redefining consumer engagement. The conversation then shifts to quick-service restaurants, where McDonald's decision to freeze value meal pricing underscores growing pressure on restaurant traffic amid economic uncertainty. Sylvain explains why this price war reflects defensive strategy rather than growth, while noting the strain rising costs place on supply chains—from coffee to beef.Broader macro themes follow, including climate data, forest fires, and their often-misunderstood impact on agriculture and food policy. The hosts debate alarmist climate narratives, the reliability of long-term data, and the risks of poorly designed policies that can penalize farmers and processors. The episode also touches on Aldi's aggressive U.S. expansion, Amazon's underestimated grocery scale, and Canada's evolving trade posture with China—particularly as agriculture remains entangled in geopolitics and tariff negotiations.The heart of the episode is a candid, high-energy interview with Suzie Yorke, a veteran brand builder turned founder on a mission to fundamentally rethink chocolate. Yorke traces her journey from engineering to senior marketing roles at major CPG firms, to launching breakout brands like Love Good Fats, and ultimately founding The Little Cacao Company. She explains why cacao is one of the world's most powerful antioxidant superfoods—and how decades of sugar, poor fats, and aggressive processing stripped it of its nutritional potential.Yorke also shares hard-earned lessons from scaling food startups through the volatile pre- and post-COVID investment cycles, including the importance of founder-led execution, disciplined economics, and authentic consumer connection. She discusses how protein, fibre, and low-sugar formulations position her chocolate for a world shaped by GLP-1 drugs, health-driven indulgence, and changing cravings. Equally compelling is her perspective on leadership, resilience, and representation—using her platform to champion inclusivity while proving that innovation doesn't have an expiration date.  About UsDr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Visiting Professor in Food Policy and Distribution at McGill University and a Professor in Food Distribution and Policy in the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University.Known as “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. He is one of the world's most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability with over 775 published peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Charlebois is also an editor for the prestigious Trends in Food Science Technology journal. He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada. Every year since 2012, he has published the now highly anticipated Canadian Food Price Report, which provides an overview of food price trends for the coming year. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, nationally as well as internationally. He has testified on several occasions before parliamentary committees on food policy-related issues as an expert witness. He has been asked to act as an advisor on food and agricultural policies in many Canadian provinces and other countries.With extensive experience collaborating with businesses, governments, and NGOs, Dr. Charlebois combines academic rigor with practical expertise, making him one of the most influential voices in the global agri-food landscape. His work continues to advance the understanding of food systems, fostering innovation and resilience in a rapidly evolving industry. In 2025, he received the prestigious Charles III medal recognizing his tremendous work in informing Canadians about food issues. Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the National Retail Federation (NRF) as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025, and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.

In this Omni Talk Retail episode, Matthew Shay, President and CEO of the National Retail Federation, joins us live from NRF's Big Show from the Vusion podcast studio to break down what's really happening in retail right now. From consumer resilience to affordability pressures, Matt reveals the dual forces shaping 2025's surprisingly strong performance and what that means for 2026. He shares exclusive insights on holiday season results, policy challenges retailers navigated, and why AI is becoming the ultimate force multiplier for businesses of all sizes. Plus, Matt drops a bold prediction about transformation, partnerships, and alliances coming in 2026 that nobody's talking about yet.

As we start off the new year, let’s take a look at this special Flashback from 2 years ago! LPRC Kickoff was a great success, this week our hosts discuss the amazing things the LPRC is doing! On this episode, our hosts discuss their experience at the NRF Big Show, Supply Chain disruptions that are around the corner, AI deep fakes are getting better, LPRC Integrate and Ignite are around the corner, and 2024 is starting off strong for the LPRC. The hosts also go into a recap of the recent layoffs affecting the LP/AP industry. Listen in to stay updated on hot topics in the industry and more!

What if store cameras were one of retail's most underused growth assets? In this episode, Martin Bailie (Advisory Board, RETHINK Retail) sits down with Karissa Price, Chief Customer Officer at Dragonfruit AI, and Randy Meadows, Retail Advisor to Dragonfruit AI and former SVP of Asset Protection at Kohl's, to explore how video AI is transforming retail beyond loss prevention. Key takeaways: - Most retailers already have the infrastructure - the opportunity is how they use it - AI is changing the economics of video across stores and supply chain - Buy-in happens when multiple teams see shared ROI - The real shift is moving from passive footage to actionable decisions

On this Encore episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc speaks with retail strategist, professor, and author Carl Boutet about his journey in academia and his latest book, Blind Spot: Navigating the Unforeseen Effects of Technology on Commerce.Carl discusses his evolving role in retail education, including his work at McGill University and teaching in Asia. He shares how his exposure to different global markets, particularly in Vietnam, has shaped his perspectives on retail innovation and emerging technologies.A key topic of discussion is Carl's take on NRF Big Show 2025, where AI and data-driven solutions dominated conversations. He reflects on the challenge of differentiation in a market saturated with AI-driven tools and emphasizes the need for retailers to focus on strategy, not just technology.The conversation also delves into the intersection of AI, AR, and emerging technologies. Carl suggests that while innovations like Apple Vision Pro and AR-driven retail experiences are gaining traction, businesses must strike a balance between digital adoption and human interaction.Michael and Carl also touch on ethical concerns surrounding AI, digital governance, and unintended consequences of rapid technological change. Carl argues that while the digital world is expanding, businesses must remain adaptable, curious, and prepared for industry disruptions.Finally, Carl introduces his book Blind Spot, which explores overlooked technological shifts in commerce. He encourages retailers to broaden their perspectives, seek inspiration beyond their immediate industry, and engage with the next generation of leaders.Listeners can purchase Blind Spot exclusively through Carl's website, StudioRX.world. 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 the latest episode of Remarkable Retail, Michael LeBlanc and Steve Dennis return with a their hot takes on the week's top retail headlines.The duo begins with a macroeconomic update, including political gridlock in the U.S. over the "Big Beautiful Bill," the Fed's inflation outlook, and uncertainty surrounding consumer spending. They then break down TikTok's extended 90-day reprieve, speculate on Amazon's motivation behind extending Prime Day to four days, and assess the e-commerce giant's recent shift in tone regarding AI impacts on future hiring needs The hosts also spotlight Walmart's surprising 23% growth in online apparel sales, consider the luxury sector's first contraction in 15 years, and dig into a new Profitero study that reveals digital channels now influence 64% of retail transactions—emphasizing the needs to break down silos and implement a harmonized shopping experience.Then it's over to this week's featured guest: Mark Irvin, Best Buy's Executive Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer. With more than 12 years at the retailer and a deep background in logistics, Irvin pulls back the curtain on what it takes to operate one of the world's largest and most complex retail supply chains. From visibility and speed to adaptability, Irvin outlines the three pillars of Best Buy's evolving logistics strategy. He explains how they leverage AI-driven sourcing to reduce delivery errors, digital twins to simulate future supply networks, and a growing control tower to dynamically reroute inventory in response to global disruptions—like the Panama Canal's low water levels or shifting geopolitical challenges.He also details Best Buy's commitment to sustainability, including partnerships for electrified freight and aggressive reverse logistics programs to refurbish or responsibly dispose of aging tech. The conversation wraps with a preview of his upcoming keynote at NRF's Big Show Europe in Paris, September 16-18., where he'll explore the future of retail supply chains and what it takes to deliver exceptional customer experiences by 2030. About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling authro of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.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 fourth year in a row, 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.

Will England, Vice President of Asset Protection, Risk Management and Compliance at Weis Markets steps into the LIVE Hot Seat at the NRF Big Show with TalkLP host Amber Bradley as they discuss all things Self-Checkout. They chat about the grim statistics involving shoplifting and how he thinks reality is even worse.  How to turn it around?  Tech and training – but no the normal kind….also, what's up with body cams?  Check out this episode to find out! Connect with Will here. Check out TalkLPnews at NRF PROTECT booth 1716 - we'll be doing LIVE podcasts! Come by to say hello and see what's new on the UNSCRIPTED side of LP!

Step backstage at the NRF APAC Big Show 2025 with Ryf Quail, Managing Director at Comexposium, as he reveals the powerful growth, strategic decisions, and transformative experiences shaping retail across Asia-Pacific. Ryf shares candid reflections from NRF APAC 2024, dives into what's driving the 2025 agenda, and highlights unique regional retail trends—from lightning-fast delivery revolutions in India to cross-cultural collaborations unlocking market expansion. Discover how NRF APAC is becoming the must-attend event that unites diverse leaders and innovative ideas from around the globe.00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:06 Reflecting on NRF APAC 2024 Success03:17 Driving Forces Behind the 2025 Agenda04:58 Diversity and Breakout Sessions Highlights05:52 India's Quick Commerce Revolution06:47 Overcoming Challenges in Cross-Border Expansion07:18 Expanding CEO Networking Opportunities08:27 New and Improved Exhibition Experiences09:39 Global Innovation Showcase Overview11:35 Singapore's Retail Excellence Tours12:21 Impact of Global Economic Context on APAC Retail15:02 Transformational Insights from FamilyMart19:50 Expectations for NRF APAC 2025 Attendance23:33 Creating a Movement in Retail25:11 Closing ThoughtsSubscribe to The Retail Podcast for more insights from global retail leaders. Don't miss NRF APAC 2025—visit our LinkedIn page website to register and join the future of retail.Ryf Quail, NRF APAC, NRF Big Show, Comexposium, Retail conference, Asia-Pacific retail, retail innovation, quick commerce, ESG, sustainability in retail, cross-border retail expansion, retail trends 2025, retail CEO networking, retail event insights, Singapore retail, FamilyMart innovation, global retail trends

Vera Bradley, the beloved purse, travel and accessory retailer, recently refreshed their brand look and strategy to increase brand awareness and expand their consumer profile. Vera Bradley's CEO, Jackie Ardrey, joins us to discuss the brand's transformation, the Vera Bradley customer and how the company stays ahead in the ever-evolving retail industry. She also shares what she loves most about working in retail and her impactful career advice. (00:00:00) Introductions(00:00:39) Highlights of the NRF Big Show (00:01:39) Ardrey's career background (00:07:50) The pace of change in retail (00:09:30) Vera Bradley's transformation journey (00:15:05) Balancing brand loyalty with an expanding customer base (00:17:49) Facing the unpredictability of consumers (00:21:39) Ardrey's best career advice 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:• verabradley.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:• What to know about the consumer in 2025Produced by Crate Media.

Vera Bradley, the beloved purse, travel and accessory retailer, recently refreshed their brand look and strategy to increase brand awareness and expand their consumer profile. Vera Bradley's CEO, Jackie Ardrey, joins us to discuss the brand's transformation, the Vera Bradley customer and how the company stays ahead in the ever-evolving retail industry. She also shares what she loves most about working in retail and her impactful career advice. (00:00:00) Introductions (00:00:39) Highlights of the NRF Big Show (00:01:39) Ardrey's career background (00:07:50) The pace of change in retail (00:09:30) Vera Bradley's transformation journey (00:15:05) Balancing brand loyalty with an expanding customer base (00:17:49) Facing the unpredictability of consumers (00:21:39) Ardrey's best career advice 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: • verabradley.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.com Related: • What to know about the consumer in 2025 Produced by Crate Media.

We're joined by fellow Retail Voices by NRF honoree Kevin Ervin Kelley to unpack some of the key lessons from his remarkable book Irreplaceable: Creating Extraordinary Places That Bring People Together and his recent NRF "Big Show" talk.We discuss how physical retail must dramatically evolve in an ever more digital world, the "Bonfire Effect," his key principles for connecting more powerfully with customers though design, and much, much more. You won't see your stores the same way after this powerful interview.But before our interview, we unpack the week in retail news starting with fears that we haven't quite licked inflation and that job losses might accelerate. Then it's on to try to explain January's unusually strong US retail sales numbers, the tale of two cities that characterizes luxury retail of late, and JC Penney's attempt to off-load a bunch of store leases. We conclude wondering just what the heck Amazon is doing opening a pharmacy in Milan. About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling authro of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.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 fourth year in a row, 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.

TalkLP Podcast host Amber Bradley gets CEO of Controltek, Tom Meehan in the NYC HOT SEAT at the NRF Big Show! They dive into RFID (the #1 tech retail LP professionals say they can't live without) and how it went from expensive and underutilized to an industry standard in an LP pros arsenal.  They also discuss useful vs. gimmicky AI as well as 2 questions on everyone's mind, how close are we to solving the Ecosystem formula? And when can we stop talking about it? See Tom's Meta Glasses in action and the first pinky swear on the podcast. Whether you're in retail, security, or just love cool tech, this episode's for you. Let's talk shop! Connect with Tom here and sign up to receive the TalkLPnews Retail Rundown here featuring the “Talking Tech with Tom” column every Thursday. 

Joining us for an insightful and fast-paced discussion of what's new and next in retail today are Marie Driscoll, Sharon Yourell Lawlor, and Michael Zakkour, three of our fellow top Retail Voices by NRF.We leverage their deep expertise to get their perspectives on a wide-range of the industry's most important topics, including the potential impact of tariffs, what it will take for the luxury market to get back on track, and the outlook for AI. We also get their hot-takes on retail media networks, and whether they are bullish or bearish on several emerging retail technologies.But first we tackle the most important news of the week, brought to you by Celonis. We start the art of the temporary deal before moving on to discuss yet another blockbuster quarter from Amazon and quite respectable results from mall operator Simon Properties. We conclude by trying to make sense of Walmart's first ever purchase of a (zombie-like) regional mall. ***We also announce that Steve will be back on stage at Shoptalk coming up in Las Vegas at the end of March. Listeners can save on registration by using our discount codes below:For Retailers & Consumer Brands go here and use code RBREMARK549For General Admission go here and use code GAREMARK1399Dawn of The Dead, full movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIUJDwOAGxI  About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling authro of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.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 fourth year in a row, 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.

TalkLP Podcast host Amber Bradley gets NRF's LP Council Chair and Chief Global Asset Protection Officer and CSO at American Eagle Outfitters Inc., Scott McBride, in the hot seat during the NRF BIG SHOW in NYC! They dive right into retail's future in 2026, discussing real-time inventory and the diversification of supply chains, how LP is the 2nd highest industry user of AI, and the move to the Total Retail Loss methodology. Scott also offers insights into the staggering statics surrounding Millennials and GenZ consumers and their perspective towards retail theft. His motto: Internal or external, you have to meet the customer where they are. Amber may have also coined herself as the Barbara Walters of LP News! Listen now! Connect with Scott here and check out the podcast from 2022 mentioned today here.

On this episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc speaks with retail strategist, professor, and author Carl Boutet about his journey in academia, insights from NRF 2025, and his latest book, Blind Spot: Navigating the Unforeseen Effects of Technology on Commerce.Carl discusses his evolving role in retail education, including his work at McGill University and teaching in Asia. He shares how his exposure to different global markets, particularly in Vietnam, has shaped his perspectives on retail innovation and emerging technologies.A key topic of discussion is Carl's take on NRF Big Show 2025, where AI and data-driven solutions dominated conversations. He reflects on the challenge of differentiation in a market saturated with AI-driven tools and emphasizes the need for retailers to focus on strategy, not just technology.The conversation also delves into the intersection of AI, AR, and emerging technologies. Carl suggests that while innovations like Apple Vision Pro and AR-driven retail experiences are gaining traction, businesses must strike a balance between digital adoption and human interaction.Michael and Carl also touch on ethical concerns surrounding AI, digital governance, and unintended consequences of rapid technological change. Carl argues that while the digital world is expanding, businesses must remain adaptable, curious, and prepared for industry disruptions.Finally, Carl introduces his book Blind Spot, which explores overlooked technological shifts in commerce. He encourages retailers to broaden their perspectives, seek inspiration beyond their immediate industry, and engage with the next generation of leaders.Listeners can purchase Blind Spot exclusively through Carl's website, StudioRX.world. 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.

TakeawaysAI was a major focus at CES 2025.CES has expanded its focus beyond consumer electronics.AI agents can perform tasks on behalf of humans.Delta Air Lines is leveraging AI for customer service.AI models require significant training data.Retail technology is evolving with immersive experiences.Empowering retail associates with AI improves service.The future of retail will heavily involve AI applications.AI is transforming supply chain management.Physical stores still account for 80% of retail sales.Chapters00:00 Introduction to CES and Retail Technology08:30 The Future of AI in RetailRead all Coresight Research coverage of CES 2025. 

This week our host discusses the latest in LPRC news, research, visitors, and events! In this episode, our host discusses the LPRC Team attending the NRF Big Show in NYC, the amazing attendance at the LPRC Kickoff, a look back at Gus Downing's influence, a quick peek at the next strategic planning for the LPRC, and so much more. Listen in to stay updated on hot topics in the industry and more!

Today, we are speaking with Linda Pimmeshofer, an experienced executive in the retail tech space and a collaborator of Scandinavian MIND: Linda shares her impressions from the retail bonanza that was NRF Big Show in New York a couple of weeks ago. In this episode, we talk about:Why popups are trending again, from Gymshark to Harry Styles brand PleasingThe importance of omni channel and community building How AI and digital twins can change the industryPlus, we share our memories from our own Nordic Retail Innovation eventHost: Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-chief and Founder of Scandinavian MIND. —Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. Sign up for our newsletter:www.scandinavianmind.com/newslettersConnect with our agency:www.scandinavianmind.com/agency Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining us for our first interview of the year is Sam's Club President and CEO Chris Nicholas. Chris shares how he and his team are driving remarkable performance at one of North America's biggest and most successful retailers. In a fascinating conversation he explains how warehouse clubs are "meeting the moment." We delve into the power of the limited assortment, membership model while also learning how Sam's deftly blends leading edge technology with the power of human connection. But first we kick things off with a fast-paced overview of last week's "NRF Big Show.."  Then it's on to the big retail news of the week, including our take on how the holiday season turned out, possible emerging troubles in the white-collar labor market, and what to make of Macy's and Kohl's accelerated pace of store closings. Steve also attempts to clear up his irrationally exuberant comments about the formation of Catalyst Brands. About Chris:Chris Nicholas is president and chief executive officer of Sam's Club, a membership club that is pioneering the retail experience, providing members exclusive access to value, convenience, and modern omnichannel shopping options.Before taking this role in September 2023, Chris served as executive vice president and chief operating officer (COO) for Walmart U.S. As COO, he was responsible for all aspects of Walmart's U.S. Store Operations and Supply Chain – including strategy, innovation, automation, store operations, distribution center and fulfillment center operations, last mile delivery capability, and real estate.Chris joined the company in 2018, serving first as deputy CFO, then CFO for Walmart International and then as CFO of the U.S. segment. He grew up working in retail and has more than 20 years of broad retail experience working in nine countries and serving in leadership roles with companies such as Tesco, The Salling Group, and the Coles Group, where he played a key role in leading the Coles business through unprecedented change within the Australian supermarket industry.He graduated from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology with a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Management Science and is a chartered accountant (ACMA). Chris and his wife, Meagan, have two children and live in Northwest Arkansas. About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling authro of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.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 fourth year in a row, 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, we are looking at winning over tween and teen consumers online and at retail which is something our guest, Meghan Hurley, Claire's Vice President of Global Marketing knows a lot about. Straight from her session at this year's National Retail Federation's Big Show held in New York, she talks to WGSN's Cassandra Napoli about winning with modern consumers. Meghan reflects on how Claire's targets Zalpha consumers (the fringe generation sandwiched between Gen Z and Gen Alpha aged 9-14) by cocreating campaigns and products alongside them and aligning with their preferences for phygital experiences.

We are speaking with Greg Merrill. Greg is an Advisor, Executive, Entrepreneur, Board Member, and the former Global Head of Digital Transformation at Nike.In this episode, we talk aboutHis observations from The NRF Big Show that just took place in New York CityHow to make use of data as a fashion companyHis career as a serial entrepreneurThe need for brands to get down to fundamentals Host:Konrad Olsson, Editor-in-Chief, Scandinavian MIND—Scandinavian MIND is a media platform and branding agency operating at the intersection of lifestyle industries and tech. Sign up for our newsletter:www.scandinavianmind.com/newslettersConnect with our consultancy:consultancy.scandinavianmind.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our good friends Lena Moriarity from eTail and Lauren Livak Gilbert from The Digital Shelf Institute gave us a great big take aways from the huge NRF Big Show in New York! We threw in a quick clip from the amazing show Omni Talk, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga. They had a great interview with Mark Williamson from Costco's Retail Media Network. Always Off Brand is Ecommerce Simplified, Learn & Laugh!    FEATURING Lauren Livak Gilbert and Lena Moriarty    CREDIT to Omni Talk for the NRF clip with Mark Williamson from Costco.    QUICKFIRE Info:   Website: https://www.quickfirenow.com/ Email the Show: info@quickfirenow.com  Talk to us on Social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quickfireproductions Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quickfire__/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@quickfiremarketing LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/quickfire-productions-llc/about/ Sports podcast Scott has been doing since 2017, Scott & Tim Sports Show part of Somethin About Nothin:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/somethin-about-nothin/id1306950451 HOSTS: Summer Jubelirer has been in digital commerce and marketing for over 16 years. After spending many years working for digital and ecommerce agencies working with multi-million dollar brands and running teams of Account Managers, she is now the Amazon Manager at OLLY PBC.   LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/summerjubelirer/   Scott Ohsman has been working with brands for over 29 years in retail, online and has launched over 200 brands on Amazon. Owning his own sales and marketing agency in the Pacific NW, is now VP of Digital Commerce for Quickfire LLC. Scott has been a featured speaker at national trade shows and has developed distribution strategies for many top brands. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-ohsman-861196a6/   Hayley Brucker has been working in retail and with Amazon for years. Hayley has extensive experience in digital advertising, both seller and vendor central on Amazon. Hayley is based out of North Carolina and has worked in multiple product categories and has also worked on the brand side and started with Nordstrom on the retail floor.  LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayley-brucker-1945bb229/   Huge thanks to Cytrus our show theme music “Office Party” available wherever you get your music. Check them out here: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cytrusmusic Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cytrusmusic/ Twitter https://twitter.com/cytrusmusic SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6VrNLN6Thj1iUMsiL4Yt5q?si=MeRsjqYfQiafl0f021kHwg APPLE MUSIC https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cytrus/1462321449   “Always Off Brand” is part of the Quickfire Podcast Network and produced by Quickfire LLC.  

Carl Quintanilla and David Faber began the hour by breaking down the cooler than expected PPI print, which sparked a market rally. BMO Capital's Brian Belski also joined the program to discuss why he's still bullish on the markets going forward. Later in the hour, Leslie Picker previewed the financial earnings on deck and the impact behind JPMorgan's leadership change, with COO Daniel Pinto announcing that he will retire at the end of next year. Also in the mix: Sara Eisen was live from the NRF Big Show for an interview with Lululemon CEO, Calvin McDonald. Squawk on the Street Disclaimer

In this episode, we analyze the retail trends from the 2024 holiday season, breaking down what worked, what didn't, and where the industry is headed in 2025. Inspired by Jason Goldberg's insightful article, Holiday 2024 Recap: Where Did the Growth Go?, we discuss the mixed results in holiday sales growth, the dominance of value-driven retailers, and the emergence of new players like Chinese platforms Temu and TikTok Shops. We also delve into the role of AI, trade-down behavior, and retail media networks in shaping the future of commerce. Tune in for a comprehensive look at the trends driving transformation in retail.What You'll Learn in This Episode:The Holiday Sales Landscape:Key takeaways from the National Retail Federation (NRF) forecasts vs. actual results.Why 2024 fell short of being a blockbuster season for retail growth.Understanding the disparity in reported holiday sales figures (e.g., MasterCard SpendingPoll vs. NRF Monitor).Winners and Losers:How value-focused retailers like Aldi, Walmart, and Amazon thrived in uncertain economic times.The rise of Chinese platforms like Temu and TikTok Shops, and their impact on shopping behavior.Why department stores and consumer electronics chains struggled during the season.The Trade-Down Effect:Exploring how consumers sought affordable alternatives and its impact on mid-tier retailers.The strategic shifts required to compete in this new value-driven retail environment.NRF Big Show 2025 Themes:New Revenue Streams: Retailers tapping into services, retail media networks, and data monetization.AI Integration: How AI is transforming product design, supply chains, and customer experiences.Profitability Strategies: Leveraging technology to fine-tune pricing, optimize inventory, and cut costs.The Future of Retail:How retail is evolving to blend hyper-personalized AI-driven services with human touchpoints.The importance of staying innovative to remain competitive in an era of rapid change.Resources Mentioned:Article: Holiday 2024 Recap: Where Did the Growth Go?NRF Big Show (January 11-14, 2025)Examples of retail media networks from Walmart, Amazon, and Instacart.Case studies on AI in retail, including Shein's AI-powered product design.Call to Action:Join us in shaping the future of retail! Share your predictions for 2025 trends and let us know how these insights resonate with your shopping or business experiences. Subscribe to our podcast for more deep dives into the evolving world of commerce, and visit The Future of Commerce for additional resources.

As Head of Trends for Insider Trends, Jack Stratten has toured some of the world's newest, and most innovative, retail stores. Through these tours, he has been able to uncover how consumer behaviors have shaped storytelling techniques, technology integration and more. During the NRF Big Show, Jack sat down with host Alicia Esposito to discuss the key trends he's uncovered in his tours around the world, as well as what he loves most about some of the Big Apple's top shops. Listen to learn: Why Glossier is a great model for innovative brick-and-mortar storytelling; How brands can incorporate surprise and delight effectively in stores; and How to do innovation right in physical retail spaces. RELATED LINKSLearn more about Insider TrendsRegister for the Retail Innovation Conference & Expo to join Jack on the Store Tours around ChicagoCheck out a recent webinar featuring Jack and his friend Ian Scott, as they discuss the evolution of store spacesJack will be hosting Stour Tours around Chicago during the Retail Innovation Conference & Expo, along with fellow brick-and-mortar nerd Ian Scott. Click here to get your ticket and get more tactical tips from her and other forward-thinking executives! 2024 Retail Innovation Conference & ExpoAre you ready to explore the evolved customer journey, where content, community and commerce converge? Click here to register for the 2024 Retail Innovation Conference & Expo today!

This week we preview the NRF Big Show APAC debuting this June in Singapore, with two very special guests:  Ngai Yuen Low, Group Chief Merchandise And Marketing Officer at AEON Co Malaysia live from Kuala Lumpur, and Ryf Quail, Compexosium's Managing Director live from Sydney, Australia. We start by delving into Yuen's incredible and diverse experience in the region, getting her thoughts on what makes her company so remarkable, before we explore her leadership style. Then Ryf gives us his thoughts on the impetus for such an exciting new event and what guests can expect. Needless to say, Steve is very excited to be going!But we kick things off by announcing the virtual launch event for Steve's new book. Go here to pre-register. Then it's on to the news of the week, including a few clues into where inflation and interest rates might be headed. Then it's on to dissecting the implications from last week's earnings reports from RH, GameStop, Walgreen's, and H&M. We also unpack a big deal from Home Depot to solidify it's position in the professional market. Then it's on to two big moves from Amazon to increase its AI and cloud computing position, before we wrap up with concerns about the Ozempic recession as Krispy Kreme and McDonald's double down on their partnership.  About YuenLow Ngai Yuen, a multiple award-winning workaholic also sits as an Independent Non-Executive Director of two public listed companies, GDEX Berhad and OCK Berhad. GDEX is a logistic and freight company while OCK is in the business of telecommunications network services and energy.Adding to her list of accolades is being named Tokoh Wanita Muda, a prestigious award presented by Her Majesty, the former Queen during the National Council of Women's Organizations, NCWO's celebration of National Women's Day. Also named Most Successful Woman of 2014 by Jessica Magazine, Bella Creative Award 2013 by ntv7, Women Weekly's Great Women Of Our Time 2012 award for the category of Media and Arts as well as Her World's Young Achiever of the year 2008.An Elevate Fellow as well as the US Department of State's IVLP's almuni, over the past 20 years, Yuen has gone from producing, directing and creating some of the highest rating TV programs in the country and regional countries to joining the corporate world – as the Director of Marketing and Communications of Carrefour Malaysia and Singapore, sitting on its management and exec committee; to being appointed the Exec Director/CEO of Global Entrepreneurship Movement Assoc that bridge technology to the underserved entrepreneurs.She championed the TUKAR program (Program Transformasi Kedai Runcit) both at the blueprint and execution phases as contribution to the ETP. In 2011, she was selected as a subject matter expert for the Prime Minister's Roundtable on engaging the youth and subsequently, Yuen leads the performing arts pillar through Kakiseni, an arts NGO to map the industry's growth for the Dasar Industri Kreatif Negara. Kakiseni has just launched its second book in the Hikayat series to make traditional arts relevant to the young. This is the 5th best selling titles that she produced alongside MPH to date. Yuen founded WOMEN:girls in 2011, a not for profit and cause driven organisation to drive higher women's share of voice. Driving higher women participation in leadership and decision making to apprenticeship programs for girls at risk to Ikal Mayang; a series of short films for girls to realise their voices/aspirations/dreams. An important milestone is achieved when Ikal Mayang is selected officially to premiere internationally at the 18th Busan International Film Festival 2013.In 2021, Yuen released the acclaimed social film on humanity called Orang Itu on Netflix. Orang Itu scored a 10/10 from film critic, Tan Sri Johan Jaafar in The Star and is named the top 5 must watch Malaysian film of the year. About Ryf With over 20 years of experience in media and tech, Ryf is a passionate and visionary leader who thrives on finding and converting opportunities across all categories. He is the Managing Director for Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia at Comexposium, one of the world's largest event organisers, where he oversees the region's leading marketing, e-commerce and media events. Ryf has a proven track record of building successful businesses, from launching a digital media start-up that became the largest in Australia, to delivering best-in-class digital and CRM programmes for a global professional service firm, to being recognised as Leader of the Year for Comexposium. He holds an MBA from the University of Otago Business School and has a strong network across the Asia Pacific region. Ryf's mission is to create impactful and innovative solutions for clients and partners, and to empower and inspire his team to achieve excellence. About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor, board member, and keynote speaker focused on strategic growth and transformation and the impact of digital disruption. He is the author of the bestselling book Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption and the forthcoming Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption , which will be published in April 2024 and is now available for pre-order at book retailers everywhere. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior contributor and on social media..Don't forget to join Steve's new Linked Group for his new book.Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice, a keynote speaker around the world and consumer growth consultant. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada's top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global eCommerce Leaders podcast, and The Food Professor , Canada's top food industry podcasts and one of the top management podcasts in the nation according to Apple, with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael on LinkedIn. Be sure and check out Michael's Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

Our guest this week is Jane Ewing, SVP, Sustainability at Walmart* recorded live at last month's NRF "Big Show." In a wide-ranging interview we discuss how Walmart is putting people and planet at the heart of all of its decisions. We explore Walmart's sustainability journey and go into details on their key initiatives, the challenges they need to overcome, and how to get everyone on the same mission despite the complexity of different functions and a vast global footprint. Then it's on to the news of the week, staring with some big news from our guest's employer, including Walmart's plans to increase store manager compensation, a 3 for 1 stock split, and major investments in new store openings and remodels. We also delve into the state of the retail layoffs and do a quick recap of earnings news from Amazon (wow!), Peloton (oof!), Apple (not bad) and LVMH (quite nice), and share some numbers on emerging deflation.* Since our recording Jane was named the new SVP, International Operations at Walmart.Presented by Celonis.Past episodes mentioned.Michelle PooleJudith McKennaSteve's new book--Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption--will be released April 23rd (note new release date). And for a limited time pre-order it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop,org, or any other retailer worldwide, and get some very special FREE bonuses.Buy 1 Copy and receive:- An exclusive PDF book excerpt- An invitation to a private pre-launch virtual event.Buy 5 Copies and receive:- All the above, plus access to a small group virtual Q&A session.Buy 25 copies or more and receive:- All the above, plus a private one-on-one 20 minute Zoom consulting or executive leadership coaching session with me.Simply email your receipt to leadersleap@sageberryconsullting.com and we will handle the rest!Shoptalk Offer:10% off General Attendee10% off Retailer & BrandCode - remarkableattendee Code - remarkableretailandbrandLink - https://stus24-registration.personatech.com/code?cId=cmVtYXJrYWJsZWF0dGVuZGVlLink - https://stus24-registration.personatech.com/code?cId=cmVtYXJrYWJsZXJldGFpbGFuZGJyYW5kAbout JaneWith deep roots in business operations, development and talent management, Jane excels at embedding and operationalizing sustainability across the enterprise. She currently leads International Operations for Walmart. Before joining Walmart, Jane held various general management roles in several countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Global Travel at Diageo PLC. She joined Walmart in 2012 as a Senior Vice President for the International division and has since served in multiple leadership roles, including in Walmart U.S. Merchandising, Business Development, store reinvention and digital acceleration, as Chief People Officer for Walmart International and most recently as the SVP for Sustainability. Her personal motto: let's go faster than we think is possible.About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor, board member, and keynote speaker focused on strategic growth and transformation and the impact of digital disruption. He is the author of the bestselling book Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption and the forthcoming Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption , which will be published in April 2024 and is now available for pre-order at book retailers everywhere. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior contributor and on social media..Don't forget to join Steve's new Linked Group for his new book.Michael LeBlanc  is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice, a keynote speaker around the world and consumer growth consultant.   He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.  Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada's top retail industry podcast,   The Voice of Retail, plus  Global eCommerce Leaders podcast, and The Food Professor , Canada's top food industry podcasts and one of the top management podcasts in the nation according to Apple, with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.    You can learn more about Michael  on  LinkedIn. Be sure and check out Michael's Last Request Barbecue,  his YouTube BBQ cooking channel! 

In this episode, recorded at the National Retail Federation (NRF) Big Show in New York City in January 2024, host Matt Rubel discusses current trends in the retail industry with NRF President & CEO Matt Shay and Forrester Retail Industry Analyst Sucharita Kodali. Topics of discussion include the role of technology (especially AI and generative AI) in shaping the industry, the rise of retail media and the significance of a strong online presence and social commerce for brands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LPRC Kickoff was a great success, this week our hosts discuss the amazing things the LPRC is doing! On this episode, our hosts discuss their experience at the NRF Big Show, Supply Chain disruptions that are around the corner, AI deep fakes are getting better, LPRC Integrate and Ignite are around the corner, and 2024 is starting off strong for the LPRC. The hosts also go into a recap of the recent layoffs affecting the LP/AP industry. Listen in to stay updated on hot topics in the industry and more!

Angela Clark, Patagonia's VP of Digital--and one of retail's most celebrated and experienced e-commerce leaders--joins us to discuss driving digital transformation and how purpose is integral to Patagonia's strategy. She drops a ton of wisdom gleaned from her roles at multiple brands on the leading edge of the digital commerce evolution. In particular, we look at how Patagonia is building on its remarkable success to both build its direct-to-consumer capabilities and continuing to be a leader on climate action.But before our interview we do a bit of humble-bragging, calling attention to our both being named once again to Rethink Retail's Top Retail Expert list. We also announce that Steve will be on stage at both Shoptalk US and Shoptalk Europe, while sharing a special discount code for our listeners (see below).Then it's on to the news of the week, including our take-aways from the NRF Big Show, where retail sales may be headed in the new year, and what to make of Macy's just announced store closings and layoffs, We also lament yet another round of layoffs at Wayfair before celebrating Birkenstock's remarkable first quarter as a public company, We close with our view on Apple's soon to go on sale Vision Pro device. Presented by Celonis.Steve's new book--"Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption"--will be released March 12th. And for a limited time pre-order it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop,org, or any other retailer worldwide, and get some very special FREE bonuses.Buy 1 Copy and receive:- An exclusive PDF book excerpt- An invitation to a private pre-launch virtual event.Buy 5 Copies and receive:- All the above, plus access to a small group virtual Q&A session.Buy 25 copies or more and receive:- All the above, plus a private one-on-one 20 minute Zoom consulting or executive leadership coaching session with me.Simply email your receipt to leadersleap@sageberryconsullting.com and we will handle the rest! About AngelaAngela Clark is an accomplished Digital and Brand Strategist, with expertise in transforming organizations into a digital-first framework. With a passion for sustainability and a deep understanding of the power of digital media, Angela heads the Digital business for Patagonia, where she spearheads the development of strategies and processes to support the company's mission to save the home planet. Her ability to blend creativity, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of digital landscapes makes her a valuable asset to the brands, having worked for some of the most iconic American brands, like Levi Strauss, True Religion and Pottery Barn. Her impressive track record, coupled with her passion for the outdoors and commitment to sustainability, makes her an inspiring figure in the business world.About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor, board member, and keynote speaker focused on strategic growth and transformation and the impact of digital disruption. He is the author of the bestselling book Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption and the forthcoming Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption , which will be published in March 2024 and is now available for pre-order at book retailers everywhere. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior contributor and on social media..Don't forget to join Steve's new Linked Group for his new book.Michael LeBlanc  is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice, a keynote speaker around the world and consumer growth consultant.   He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.  Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada's top retail industry podcast,   The Voice of Retail, plus  Global eCommerce Leaders podcast, and The Food Professor , Canada's top food industry podcasts and one of the top management podcasts in the nation according to Apple, with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.    You can learn more about Michael  on  LinkedIn. Be sure and check out Michael's Last Request Barbecue,  his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

We have a special bonus episode for you today; hot on the heels of the NRF Big Show, we reached out to two Retail Experts who graced the stage in New York, all the way from the U.K. and Brazil to get a more global take on the significant trends and the year in retail ahead, from London, Kate Ancketill, Founder, CEO and chief story-teller at GDR Creative Intelligence, and from São Paulo, Alberto Serrentino, Founder, advisor, board member, speaker and author, Varese Retail.Presented by CelonisDon't miss the World Retail Congress to be held April 16-18 in Paris. Each year, top retail leaders from around the world join together to hear great speakers, join in amazing conversations, and much much more!For the second year in a row the Remarkable Retail podcast is delighted to be a media partner and to offer a 20% discount on registrations for a limited time.Simply go to https://lnkd.in/ekk3_s4 for more info and to pre-register by using our special registration codes.Non-Retailer: REM-SPONRRetailer: REM20 About KateAs CEO and founder of Business Futurist consultancy GDR, Kate is a ‘wayfinder to the future' and a retail guru with tech, consumer, retail and brand specialisation.  GDR is the innovation partner to around 30 of the world's largest consumer brands, including: Target, P&G, Costa Coffee, Coca-Cola, Clorox, Danone, Carlsberg, Google, Microsoft, Jaguar Landrover, Tesco, Sainsburys, Waitrose and Lego. Kate delivers compelling big picture narratives explaining how retail, brands and experiences are changing as a result of climate, economic, cultural and social shifts, the technology revolution and the cost of living crisis. She advises on the near to medium term future of customer experience, how marketing is evolving, and how best in class global players are using tech to meet emerging environmental and customer demands. Kate takes a cross-sector, global view of innovation, which includes any interaction between brand and consumer, on or offline. Her goal is to make the audience feel inspired about their industry and their own ability to create, shape, or transform the future. She has the ability to clearly explain complex trends, societal shifts, or emerging technologies in a way that is relatable for any audience.  You can expect a charismatic performance, whether on a large stage, at a corporate event, in the boardroom, or as a panelist. Every presentation Kate gives has the WOW factor and will contain tailored research and analysis, Kate is renowned for inspirational WOW factor talks that are customised to each audience with bleeding edge innovation sourced by GDR's research and strategy teams. Much of the thinking will have been road-tested with the world's largest consumer-facing corporations, often at board level. Kate is the 'Wayfinder to the Future' for the world's largest retail conference, the NRF Big Show, having been invited to speak on future trends for the last 8 years. To read more from Kate follow the link below to her blog. Company website with newsletter signup link: www.gdruk.comMy speaking biog: www.kateancketill.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateancketill/X, Insta etc: gdrukAbout AlbertoAdvisor, board member, author and speaker.Founder of Varese Retail, a retail strategy, digital transformation and thought leadership boutique. He has over 30 years of experience in the retail and consumption industries. Serves on several boards of directors, innovation and digital acceleration committees of various retail companies and of the Brazilian Retail Consumption Society (SBVC). As an international speaker, he has made over 700 presentations, including 20 editions of the National Retail Federation's Annual Convention (NRF Big Show). He authored and co-authored 9 books and published over 300 articles. Served as an invited professor at the Fundação Getúlio Vargas' business school (FGV), and the University of São Paulo (USP). Appointed as the Only Latin-American Top Retail Influencer 2023by RETHINK Retail.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alberto-serrentino-4588691/ About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor, board member, and keynote speaker focused on strategic growth and transformation and the impact of digital disruption. He is the author of the bestselling book Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption and the forthcoming Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption , which will be published in March 2024 and is now available for pre-order at book retailers everywhere. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior contributor and on social media..Don't forget to join Steve's new Linked Group for his new book.Michael LeBlanc  is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice, a keynote speaker around the world and consumer growth consultant.   He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.  Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada's top retail industry podcast,   The Voice of Retail, plus  Global eCommerce Leaders podcast, and The Food Professor , Canada's top food industry podcasts and one of the top management podcasts in the nation according to Apple, with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.    You can learn more about Michael  on  LinkedIn. Be sure and check out Michael's Last Request Barbecue,  his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

Kicking off our 2024 season of the podcast, Phillip and Brian discuss the storylines of the upcoming NRF Big Show. PLUS: the spatial computing hype cycle is upon us, as is a new handheld device revolution. Listen now!The Year of Spatial Computing{00:09:54} - “Shopify has conquered down market, and so naturally, the most obvious place for growth is in the enterprise, and it's just where they have to go. And then, one of the reasons why Shopify struggled mightily trying to sell to the enterprise initially is because they didn't hire what I would consider to be truly enterprise-grade sellers, and they didn't give the toolbox to be able to sell.” - Brian{00:13:18} - “Even if you don't go to NRF, the halo around The Big Show is now big enough to incorporate all of these brands that survived the tech and SaaS recession over the last year and a half. The companies that have come out the other side are now stronger for it. Even the ones that have received some critique online.” - Phillip{00:26:55} - “I think what we see in an AI-centric future is not just a gesture. It's not just, "Hey, Siri." It's not just language, it's "And this doesn't require an Internet connection for it to work.'" - Phillip{00:35:36} - “Every AI use case, every one of them, even OpenAI, in the opening demo is a commerce-centered use case. It is "Order me an Uber." It is "Get me a pizza." It is "Put this on my shopping list." Commerce is such a requirement for human existence and our connection with each other that you have to have commerce at the center of these experiences.” - Phillip{00:46:43} - “In the current state of the world, you have to capture mimesis before you actually create product market fit.” - Phillip{00:47:57} - “There's a reckoning on multiple fronts with app stores, in that app stores are about to become democratized. And they cannot be the walled gardens they have been in for 15 years. App stores are about to get disrupted.” - PhillipAssociated Links:The MUSES Bundle is here! Grab your copy of our latest annual journal today at musesjournal.comHave you checked out our YouTube channel yet?Subscribe to Insiders and The Senses to read more about what we are witnessing in the commerce worldListen to our other episodes of Future CommerceHave any questions or comments about the show? Let us know on futurecommerce.com, or reach out to us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. We love hearing from our listeners!

TalkLP Host Amber Bradley sits down with Bobby Haskins, Vice President of Retail Partnerships, at Auror to talk critical technology that helps keep employees and customers safe: License Plate Recognition (LPR).  Most practitioners don't know that Auror has this technology and Bobby clears up why that is -- and many other insights on industry trends. Although this may be new for the folks in the United States -- this technology isn't a new venture for Auror.  Hear how long Auror has been doing this and why they are considered an expert in this field. Curious to check it out beyond this amazing podcast?  Visit Auror at the NRF BIG Show in NYC at booth 1041! Need more information on their LPR technology?  Click here! TalkLP is also STOKED that Auror is supporting our Asset Protection Executive Xchange (APEX) conference September 22 - 25, 2024 as THE title sponsor!  Get SO BIG AUROR!!