Podcasts about Retail

In this episode of Rooted in Retail, Crystal Vilkaitis sits down with marriage and relationship counselor Kathy Rushing to explore why communication and intentional relationship-building are foundational (not optional) for healthy retail teams, strong leadership, and sustainable business growth.Drawing from over 30 years as a marriage and family therapist and 40+ years of marriage to a serial entrepreneur, Kathy shares practical frameworks and mindset shifts that help retailers strengthen relationships at work and at home. From nervous system regulation and burnout to simple daily rituals and the powerful CRAVE framework, this episode offers actionable tools retailers can implement immediately to improve culture, retention, and connection.[02:10] — Why communication and connection are culture-shaping forces in retail, not just “soft skills.”[05:01] — Kathy shares her personal story of hitting relational burnout after years of entrepreneurial pressure.[08:38] — Understanding fight-or-flight, irritability, and why prolonged stress changes how we show up at work and at home.[12:38] — Small moments of connection that radically shift team morale and customer experience.[14:46] — The danger of assuming “we're fine” and how slow relational drift happens unnoticed.[17:00] — You're either moving toward connection or slowly drifting apart — at work and in life.[19:57] — Relationships as long-term assets, not emergenciesWhy proactive maintenance prevents burnout, turnover, and even divorce.[22:10] — Why people don't leave jobs, they leave relationships, and how leadership directly affects retention.[25:40] — How understanding communication styles improves leadership, hiring, and teamwork.[27:05] — Introducing the CRAVE frameworkA five-pillar system for maintaining strong relationships:C — CommunicationR — Rhythms & rituals that connectA — Appreciation & affirmationV — VisionE — Energy[28:17] — A simple but transformative communication tool that reduces defensiveness and builds trust.Join the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation Join our newsletter for all the latest marketing news for retailers Show off your super fandom by getting your Rooted in Retail Merch! Go to http://indera.co/prompt to access the prompt

Follow Last Call on SpotifyFollow Last Call on Apple PodcastsJoin Jack Forehand and Matt Zeigler for the premiere episode of Last Call, a new monthly market wrap show where we go beyond the headlines to deliver actionable investment insights — and have a little fun along the way.Instead of focusing on index performance or short-term moves, we step back and connect the dots between macro instability, narrative shifts, options market signals, private credit risk, AI capital spending, and the changing nature of the Magnificent Seven.Featuring conversations with Brent Kochuba from SpotGamma, Ben Hunt from Perscient, Kai Wu from Sparkline Capital, and clips from our recent interviews with Liz Ann Sonders and Aswath Damodaran, the episode blends market structure, behavioral finance, valuation discipline, and long-term investing context to help investors understand what is really driving today's market environment — and how to think about it going forward.Main Topics:• Why this is not a traditional market recap and how Last Call is designed to be more useful for investors• Instability versus uncertainty — and why today's market feels different• Loss of trust in institutions, policy, and global systems and its impact on markets• What options market flows reveal about hidden market risks and sudden volatility• How private credit has reached bubble-like conditions and why narrative risk matters• The debate over retail and retirement account exposure to private credit• Why valuation discipline looks different when correlations rise across asset classes• Aswath Damodaran on trimming positions, raising cash, and the difficulty of finding uncorrelated assets• How the Magnificent Seven are changing from asset-light to asset-heavy businesses• AI capital expenditure, historical spending booms, and why infrastructure builders often underperform• Whether this AI cycle is truly different from railroads, telecom, and past technology boomsTimestamps00:00 — Intro and opening clips01:10 — What Last Call is and why this format exists04:30 — Instability versus uncertainty in today's market09:58 — Loss of trust, gold, and historical parallels13:18 — Brent Kochuba on options flows and hidden market stress25:17 — How options dislocations explain sudden market drops25:40 — Ben Hunt on private credit narrative risk28:00 — Why private credit exposure is everywhere32:32 — Retail access versus restrictions in private credit36:19 — What happens if the private credit bubble breaks39:28 — Aswath Damodaran on raising cash and trimming positions47:08 — The changing nature of the Magnificent Seven47:42 — Kai Wu on AI capex and asset-heavy tech50:48 — Why high capital spending often leads to underperformance56:01 — Historical parallels from railroads to the dot-com boom

What if the biggest risk to your marketing AI strategy isn't the technology itself, but the org chart it's fracturing? Agility requires more than just speed; it demands a framework of trust and collaboration. When it comes to AI, this means your ability to innovate is directly tied to your ability to partner effectively across the organization, especially with IT and security. Today, we're going to talk about a critical tension point in the modern enterprise: Marketing is moving at the speed of AI, adopting powerful, often low-code tools to drive results. But this speed creates new complexities and risks, disrupting traditional roles and processes. Success is no longer just about having the best tech stack; it's about forging a strategic partnership between the CMO and IT leaders to balance innovation with governance, and productivity with security. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Renu Upadhyay, Chief Marketing Officer at Omnissa. About Renu Upadhyay Renu Upadhyay is senior vice president of Marketing at Omnissa, leading global marketing strategy, demand generation, product and solution marketing and brand to establish Omnissa as the leading digital work platform company. Renu is an experienced technology marketer with a deep understanding of products, industry, and customers spanning mobile, wireless networking and collaboration solutions across large and mid-size organizations. Prior to Omnissa, she served as vice president of Marketing for VMware's End-user Computing (EUC) business. In that role, she led marketing strategy and was responsible for customer messaging, demand, content marketing, sales and technical enablement, and product pricing strategy. She oversaw marketing programs and campaigns for EUC's comprehensive portfolio of solutions including employee engagement programs. Prior to VMware, Renu held senior product marketing roles at leading companies including Good Technology, Cisco Systems and AT&T Wireless. ,Yes,This will be completed shortly Renu Upadhyay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renuupadhyay/ Resources Omnissa: https://www.omnissa.com/ Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/agile The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com/ Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://advertalize.com/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Andrew McLuhan (The McLuhan Institute) and Paulo Ferreira (co-founder, Barrons Brand Publishing) join us to dissect the seismic shift from persuasion to publication. As institutions crumble and audiences demand transparency, brands are discovering they don't need platforms—they need publishing strategies. From Brazil's brand publishing revolution to venture capital as the ultimate gamble, this conversation explores how commerce and culture collapse into a single, trust-driven narrative where every brand becomes its own campfire.Content Is Dethroned, Context Is KingKey Takeaways:Brands must shift from persuasive advertising to informational publishingBrand publishing empowers direct audience relationships, cutting out middlemenContext and transparency build trust, but objectivity is increasingly seen as a mythWell-informed consumers strengthen brands, while fear of knowledge signals weaknessStorytelling is the new sales department and remixability drives cultural powerKey Quotes:"A good brand doesn't fear a well-informed client. A good brand wants a well-informed client." — Paulo Ferreira [00:58:52]"With our new media, people have the freedom to find it themselves. Brands are becoming their own campfires, allowing people to crowd around and exchange stories." — Andrew McLuhan [00:10:11]"‘The medium is the message' was telling radio people to calm down about TV. Being obsolete doesn't mean death, it means rebirth." — Andrew McLuhan [00:23:53]"Trust is built through transparency. The scroll is infinite now. The stakes have never been higher for laying our cards on the table." — Andrew McLuhan [01:00:22]Associated Links:Learn more about The McLuhan InstituteLearn more about Barrons Brand PublishingCheck out Future Commerce on YouTubeCheck out Future Commerce Plus for exclusive content and save on merch and printSubscribe 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! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As Super Bowl LX nears, sports betting has become inseparable from the modern fan experience, even as scandals ripple through the NBA, MLB, and NCAA. Journalist Danny Funt joins Rapid Response to explore his new book, Everybody Loses, and explain how legalized gambling is transforming leagues, media, and the economics of fandom. From the dominance of FanDuel and DraftKings to the rise of prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket, Funt reveals who's winning, who's being exploited, and whether the industry is headed for a reckoning.If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, you can call 1-800-662-HELP. Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Clare Walsh is Managing Director of Leasing Strategy at Asana Partners, a retail-focused investment firm with over $7 billion in assets under management. Walsh discusses the company's focus on neighborhood retail across the top 25 U.S. metropolitan areas, highlighting key properties in neighborhoods including Dallas Design District, Charlotte's South End, and Salt Lake City's East Bench. She covers current retail trends including the wellness economy, the rise of authentic Asian cuisine and beauty concepts, and the growing demand for small-format retail. Walsh also explains Asana Partners' active investment approach, the challenge of finding quality all-day cafes, and how experiential retail and AI-powered personalization are shaping the future of neighborhood shopping centers.   James Cook is the Director of Retail Research in the Americas for JLL.  Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify  Listen: WhereWeBuy.show  Email: jamesd.cook@jll.com  YouTube: http://everythingweknow.show/ Read more retail research here:  http://www.us.jll.com/retail Theme music is Run in the Night by The Good Lawdz, under Creative Commons license.  

Host Brian Walsh takes up ImpactAlpha's top stories with editor David Bank. Up this week: How some LPs are going ‘beyond the check' to help their GP impact managers survive the fundraising drought; enabling US retail investors to back solar projects in Africa and Latin America (8:05); and, at “He for She,” recognizing men who champion women in asset management (13:40).Check out this week's stories:“Ten ways LPs are going ‘beyond the check' to help impact managers survive the fundraising drought,” by Erik Stein.“Solar projects in Africa and Latin America pay dividends to US retail investors,” by Lucy Ngige.Listen to "Women Changing Finance"The lyrics to Kat Taylor's re-write of "The Times They Are A-Changin'":Come gather around people wherever you roamand admit that the dangers around you have grownand accept it that soon you'll be cut to the bone if your time isn't spent saving, we better start swimming or we'll sink like a stormfor the times they are changin'.Investments they come and investments they go without purpose of fixing the mean status quountil voices left out become voices we know at the ballot the lectern on Wall Street's beggars row take back your impact through your almighty tollFor investors, they are changin'.Come Senators, Congressmen, please heed the call.Don't stand in the doorway, don't block up the hall.For he that gets hurt will be he who has stalled.But that outside it is raging will soon shake your windows and rattle your walls for the times they are changin'.

Host Brian Walsh takes up ImpactAlpha's top stories with editor David Bank. Up this week: How some LPs are going ‘beyond the check' to help their GP impact managers survive the fundraising drought; enabling US retail investors to back solar projects in Africa and Latin America (8:05); and, at “He for She,” recognizing men who champion women in asset management (13:40).Check out this week's stories:“⁠Ten ways LPs are going ‘beyond the check' to help impact managers survive the fundraising drought⁠,” by Erik Stein.“⁠Solar projects in Africa and Latin America pay dividends to US retail investors⁠,” by Lucy Ngige.Listen to "⁠Women Changing Finance⁠"The lyrics to Kat Taylor's re-write of "The Times They Are A-Changin'":Come gather around people wherever you roamand admit that the dangers around you have grownand accept it that soon you'll be cut to the bone if your time isn't spent saving, we better start swimming or we'll sink like a stormfor the times they are changin'.Investments they come and investments they go without purpose of fixing the mean status quountil voices left out become voices we know at the ballot the lectern on Wall Street's beggars row take back your impact through your almighty tollFor investors, they are changin'.Come Senators, Congressmen, please heed the call.Don't stand in the doorway, don't block up the hall.For he that gets hurt will be he who has stalled.But that outside it is raging will soon shake your windows and rattle your walls for the times they are changin'.

Royalmount is not just "doing fine" it is accelerating. In this episode Axel Monsaingeon sits down with Michael Stroll, Partner at Carbonleo and SVP Leasing, to break down what actually drives a successful mixed use destination in Montreal. They explore how consumer habits are changed, why occupancy momentum matters more than first month headlines, and how the right tenant mix, events, and access strategy can reposition an asset quickly. You will hear the measurable results behind the Royalmount lease up, the expansion logic for phase two retail, why a hotel on site makes sense, and how Class A office demand is being reshaped by commute patterns and lifestyle convenience. If you work in development, leasing, investment, or brokerage, this conversation is a masterclass in building durable demand through placemaking and long term vision. Topics & Timestamps

When it comes to meeting customer expectations for delivery in the e-commerce era, the shortest distance can be the biggest challenge.

This Week In Startups is made possible by:Gusto - http://Gusto.com/twistZite - http://zite.com/twistCircle.so - http://circle.so/twistGuest links: Andrew Duffy, Founder and CEO, http://sparkplug.app — Retail incentives and brand partnerships platformFord Smith, Founder of http://Ultranative.com — Investing in transformative startupsSocrates Rosenfeld, Founder and CEO of http://iheartjane.com — One stop shop for cannabis productsToday's show: On TWiST's first Cannabis Roundtable, Jason is joined by three top Cannabis founders and investors: Ford Smith of Ultranative, Andrew Duffy of Sparkplug, and Socrates Rosenfeld of Jane.How will the regulatory environment and the move to Schedule III change the industry? Are those regulations shaping consumption? How are investors thinking about cannabis startups given the difficulty with exits? Most importantly, what's the deal with the increasing potency of cannabis?Each guest has their own perspective, Andrew sees it as a natural reaction from CPG brands to power users, Ford points to “flyover” operators unconcerned with long-term health of the industry, while Socrates refers to moonshine drinking during the prohibition to say that regulations create these problems.Speaking of moonshine, alcohol consumption is dropping dramatically among Gen-Z, with many pointing to cannabis consumption as a substitute. Some perceive cannabis as healthier and lacking caloric nature of alcohol, which could explain why there are now more daily smokers than daily drinkers!Timestamps:(0:00) Guest Introductions for the Cannabis Roundtable!(2:50) Why Jason invested in Sparkplug(6:44) How Ford Smith got into Cannabis investing — is it Cannabis a good investment?(11:40) Gusto - Check out the online payroll and benefits experts with software built specifically for small business and startups. Try Gusto today and get three months FREE at http://Gusto.com/twist.(12:46) Socrates breaks down building a major cannabis marketplace(18:13) Canadian legalization and tailwinds for cannabis.(20:25) How Cannabis startups are pivoting to deal with high competition and regulatory pressure(21:47) Zite - Zite is the fastest way to build business software with AI. Go to http://zite.com/twist to get started.(27:07) Who benefits from legalization of cannabis? Healthcare? Retail? Banking?(28:03) How the alcohol industry is getting crushed by cannabis usage(31:27) Circle.so -  The easiest way to build a home for your community, events, and courses — all under your own brand. TWiST listeners get $1,000 off Circle's Professional Plan by going to http://circle.so/twist.(32:47) Is new cannabis too potent? Is high potency cannabis a result of illegal rules.(42:05) Why heavy consumers are driving CPG startups to high doses(44:14) Cannabis psychosis and the problem with brands selling potency items.*Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com/Check out the TWIST500: https://twist500.comSubscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp*Follow Lon:X: https://x.com/lons*Follow Alex:X: https://x.com/alexLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm/*Follow Jason:X: https://twitter.com/JasonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis/*Thank you to our partners:(11:40) Gusto - Check out the online payroll and benefits experts with software built specifically for small business and startups. Try Gusto today and get three months FREE at http://Gusto.com/twist.(21:47) Zite - Zite is the fastest way to build business software with AI. Go to http://zite.com/twist to get started.(31:27) Circle.so -  The easiest way to build a home for your community, events, and courses — all under your own brand. TWiST listeners get $1,000 off Circle's Professional Plan by going to http://circle.so/twist.Check out all our partner offers: https://partners.launch.co/

Wild Rye designs stylish, sustainable outdoor gear for women, growing 30% to 50% annually through strong partnerships and community-driven fundraising.For more on Wild Rye and show notes click here  Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Theory meets tarmac. Sushmitha "Sushi" Radhakrishnan runs finance and operations at Birddogs, the men's apparel brand born from a Shark Tank moment that's now selling through Dick's Sporting Goods. She breaks down what cash flow actually looks like when summer—not holidays—is your Super Bowl, tariffs hit mid-growth, and every trend cycle could make or break a season.Key takeaways:Seasonal brands need capital access during revenue troughs, not just peaksMulti-channel operations demand different buying cycles—wholesale plans months ahead while DTC converts in hoursSpeed separates winners in apparel—trends change faster than traditional finance approval loopsSmall teams need executive-level spend control with rapid scalability for growth momentsKey Quotes:Sushi Radhakrishnan [00:14:49]: "Because we are a seasonal business, having access to credit cards like a Brex where we have charge cards—in those situations when we're in our cash flow troughs, having that extra flexibility is really critical to us. There's a six month period where we have to have really good months because that's what funds the business in the lower months."Sushi Radhakrishnan [00:20:28]: "This is my first foray into apparel and selling it online and trends change so quickly. A winning product—it's definitely a very dynamic environment to operate in."Sushi Radhakrishnan [00:18:12]: "We move really fast. Getting that feedback loop shortened is really important when we're managing cash. That's been refreshing with Brex—the support we're getting from a credit card provider. I don't have that same level of one on one service with American Express."Sushi Radhakrishnan [00:23:22]: "People buy apparel based on emotion, not just because they see it come across their Instagram reel. It's really important that we continue to appeal to our buyers in a way that's more than just selling the value prop of our product."Associated Links:Learn more about BrexLearn more about MelioCheck out Future Commerce on YouTubeCheck out Future Commerce Plus for exclusive content and save on merch and printSubscribe 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! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Coming up on this hour of All Sides, we're discussing the bankruptcy of Value City Furniture, Saks Fifth Avenue and other big name stores and what it means about the future of retail.

To kick things off, can you share a bit about your journey and what led you to your role at CMX, and what experiences have shaped the way you think about omnichannel media today?CMX is known for turning consumer intent into action. Can you walk us through how your team uses precision and scale to thoughtfully connect brands with customers across the entire funnel?You often describe CMX's approach as fueling meaningful shopping experiences. Can you share a case study that illustrates how full-funnel strategies have driven measurable results for a brand or retail partner?From your vantage point, how are omnichannel media strategies evolving, and what should brands be doing today to ensure they're driving both brand growth and long-term performance in such a fragmented landscape?When you look ahead, what excites you most about the future of full-funnel media and the role CMX is playing in transforming how brands connect with consumers?

Summary: Want your frontline employees to consistently deliver wow moments—not just when they feel like it? Discover the proven DiJulius Group methodology that transforms random acts of kindness into designed, trained, and repeatable customer experiences that build emotional connection and loyalty at scale. In this episode of the Customer Service Revolution podcast, customer experience expert John DiJulius breaks down the four-pillar system world-class organizations use to eliminate "employee roulette" and create signature experiences customers can't stop talking about. What You'll Learn: Service Aptitude: How to train teams to read customer cues and recognize wow opportunities—even when customers don't explicitly ask for help (why "fine" is the F-bomb of customer service) Secret Service Systems: Hidden intelligence tools that make every customer feel like a VIP, from color-coded appointment books to the "white cape vs. black cape" technique used in John Robert's Spa for 30+ years Zero Risk Service Recovery: The fastest way to earn loyalty isn't delight—it's removing uncertainty through communication, clarity, and ownership (includes the Service Recovery Paradox research) Non-Negotiable Standards: How to turn wow behaviors into journey-mapped touch points that don't depend on superstar employees Real-World Examples Featured: The $15,000 Painter Story: How one contractor earned a lifetime referral by taking down a Christmas tree, switching out a damaged bedpost, and cleaning up so well "you couldn't tell he was there" at 5pm each day—proof that wow moments don't have to be expensive The Concierge Doctor Paradox: Why a 4-month wait for primary care appointments is driving patients back to premium concierge services (and what that teaches about making price irrelevant) The $4 Airline Snack Fail: When a flight attendant argued with a frequent flyer over a declined card instead of just giving him the item—a masterclass in missing the wow moment Key Frameworks & Systems: The LEAST Service Recovery Method: Listen Empathize Apologize Solve Thank The 80-20 Rule for Service Defects: 80% of problems happen in 20% of areas—train intensely on those bottlenecks first FORD Intelligence System: Track Family, Occupation, Recreation, Dreams to personalize every interaction The Three-Stage Journey Map Structure: Service Defects: What frustrates customers (don't do this) Non-Negotiable Standards: Operational + experiential musts (do this every time) Above & Beyond Opportunities: Pattern recognition moments (do this when it presents itself) Critical Insights: "The customer may complain about what went wrong, they're gonna rave about how well we handled it." - John DiJulius The Service Recovery Paradox: Companies that drop the ball and pick it up create MORE loyalty than never dropping it at all Employee roulette is the #1 killer of customer experience—your experience shouldn't depend on which employee someone gets Policy-driven cultures create employee paranoia and customer frustration—empowerment drives both morale and revenue Wow moments work in ANY industry, even ones without repeat customers (injury attorneys, funeral homes, basement waterproofing) Discount is the tax you pay for an average experience—make the experience so good that price becomes irrelevant Perfect For: Customer Experience Directors training frontline teams Contact center managers reducing complaint volume Retail and hospitality leaders eliminating employee roulette Service business owners wanting more referrals Anyone trying to scale personalization without adding headcount Tactical Implementation Guide: Start Tomorrow: Pick ONE stage of your customer journey and improve it this week. Focus on: The greeting (eye contact, enthusiastic greeting, ear-to-ear smile, engage, educate) Using customer names twice per interaction Asking "Is there anything else I can do for you today, Ms. [Name]?" Weekly Cadence: Send 2-5 minute micro-learning videos every Wednesday covering service aptitude, secret service, zero risk, or celebrating employee above-and-beyond stories (creates positive FOMO) Celebrate Above & Beyond: When employees deliver wow moments, share stories company-wide to reinforce behavior AND inspire others Featured Resources: Experience Revolution Membership (March 9th workshop: Breaking Down Silos) Customer Experience Executive Academy (CXEA) 12-month certification The Five E's: Eye contact, Enthusiastic greet, Ear-to-ear smile, Engage, Educate Stop hoping your people deliver great experiences. Start building systems that make it normal. Learn how to coach service aptitude, implement secret service, deliver zero risk, and turn wow behaviors into non-negotiable standards that create raving fans. Schedule your free strategy call here Links: The DiJulius Group Methdology: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/x-commandment-methodology/ Company Service Aptitude Test:  https://thedijuliusgroup.com/c-sat-forms/individual-c-sat/ Schedule a Complimentary Call with one of our advisors:  tdg.click/claudia Ask John!  Submit your questions for John, to be aired on future episode:  tdg.click/ask Customer Experience Executive Academy: https://thedijuliusgroup.com/project/cx-executive-academy/ Experience Revolution Membership:  https://thedijuliusgroup.com/membership/ Books:  https://thedijuliusgroup.com/shop/ Contacts:  Lindsey@thedijuliusgroup.com , Claudia@thedijuliusgroup.com   Subscribe We talk about topics like this each week; be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you don't miss an episode.

This episode is brought to you by Airia.AI dominated conversations at NRF 2026—but as adoption accelerates, so do the risks. In this Retail Remix Deep Dive bonus episode, host Adam Blair, Editor at Retail TouchPoints, sits down with Kevin Kiley, CEO of AIRIA, to explore how retailers can unlock the promise of AI without exposing themselves to unnecessary vulnerability.Together, they unpack where AI is delivering real value across retail, from store associate enablement to back-office operations, while also addressing the growing challenges around security, governance, reliability, and ROI. Kevin shares why “AI sprawl” is becoming a serious issue, how model outages and hallucinations can derail critical workflows, and why retailers must avoid locking themselves into a single AI provider.The conversation also draws parallels to earlier tech shifts like mobile and e-commerce, offering a grounded look at what retailers should prioritize now—and what to be cautious about—as AI moves from experimentation to enterprise-wide deployment.Key TakeawaysWhy AI is a strong fit across retail functions, from the store floor to legal and supply chainThe hidden risks of agentic AI, including data access, outages, and model driftHow governance, observability, and auditability are becoming non-negotiableWhy flexibility across AI models is critical as capabilities evolve at breakneck speedWhere retailers are seeing the biggest ROI today—from associate training to contract reviewA realistic outlook on AI's trajectory through 2026, including where hype may coolRelated LinksLearn how AIRIA helps enterprises govern and secure AI deployments:Explore more retail insights and and NRF26 coverage at  Retail TouchPointsSubscribe so you don't miss more episodes of Retail Remix from the show floor of NRF26. -----Discover how Airia's no-code AI platform empowers retail teams to automate inventory, customer support, and more—without technical expertise. Ready to make AI work for you? Visit airia.com/retailtouchpoints to learn more.

Retail royalty Brown Thomas and Arnotts have stood as big-ticket landmarks for shoppers on both sides of the River Liffey for generations, encountering new owners, fires, floods and even the War of Independence along the way. This week, however, they faced the wrath of a consumer watchdog and a date in Dublin District Court. How did a Black Friday misstep land them in trouble? And why did it only cost €1,000? Host: Kevin Doyle Guests: Adrian Weckler and James HanbySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coming up on this hour of All Sides, we're discussing the bankruptcy of Value City Furniture, Saks Fifth Avenue and other big name stores and what it means about the future of retail.

Ray Reddy is VP of Retail at Shopify, leading the company's retail business and championing local entrepreneurs. With a career focused on leveraging technology for commerce, he previously co-founded Ritual, a mobile commerce platform supporting local restaurants, and PushLife (acquired by Google), where he later led mobile product management for shopping and commerce. Ray is passionate about building products that simplify complexity and create new opportunities to help local entrepreneurs win. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. Retailers are entering a modern renaissance where AI and rapid innovation make entrepreneurship easier than ever. 2. Shopify POS Hub delivers near-perfect reliability by solving the long-standing pain of iPad-peripheral incompatibility. 3. Expanding delivery and payment capabilities, like Uber Direct and global Tap to Pay, helps merchants offer world-class customer experiences. Learn more about Shopify's retail solutions and the Winter '26 Edition - Shopify Winter '26 Edition Sponsors HighLevel - The ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies. Learn more at HighLevelFire.com. Intuit QuickBooks - Transform your cash flow and your business this year. Check out QuickBooks money tools today! Learn more at QuickBooks.com/money. Terms apply. Money movement services are provided by Intuit Payments Inc., licensed as a Money Transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services.

When an AI agent makes a decision that costs your company millions in a lawsuit, who do you fire? Agility requires both the speed to adopt new technologies like AI agents, as well as the foresight to build the guardrails that prevent that speed from driving your brand off a cliff. Today, we're going to talk about the hidden crisis brewing behind the AI revolution: the accountability gap. As companies race to replace roles with autonomous AI agents, a critical question is being ignored: when an agent makes a biased, unethical, or simply wrong decision that harms a customer or an employee, who is actually responsible? This isn't a future problem; it's happening right now, and it poses a massive threat to brand trust, customer relationships, and legal standing. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Albert Castellana, Co-Founder & CEO at GenLayer. About Albert Castellana Albert Castellana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acastellana/ Resources GenLayer: https://www.genlayer.com Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: ⁠https://incogni.com/agile⁠  The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com/ Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

What Does It Mean to Think Like an Owner in Property Management?Retail real estate is not won in boardrooms. It is won in the field. Chris Ressa sits down with Tine Helton, Regional Property Manager at DLC, to talk about the work that actually keeps open-air retail centers running across Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. From tenant relationships to infrastructure issues, Tine walks through what it means to own the day-to-day when performance, responsiveness, and consistency are the difference between a good center and a great one.Tine's path into property management started on the leasing side, where she learned how a deal turns into a real, operating business. That curiosity led her into operations, professional certifications through IREM, and a leadership role focused on getting better at the craft, not just holding the title. The conversation digs into why education, ethics, and peer networks still matter in a business that moves fast and demands real accountability.At DLC, Tine shares what stood out most: a culture that backs its people and expects them to take ownership of outcomes. The result is a practical look at how strong operators build better properties, stronger tenant partnerships, and long-term performance in open-air retail.What You'll HearWhy the best property managers operate like owners, not order-takersHow leasing knowledge becomes an operational advantage once the deal is signedWhat IREM certifications actually change in day-to-day decision-making and leadershipHow to turn education and peer networks into real career leverageWhat strong culture looks like when performance and accountability matterHow Midwest open-air centers stay competitive through consistency, speed, and follow-throughChapters00:00 – The Operator's SeatChris introduces Tine Helton and sets the stage for a conversation about what it really takes to run retail centers, not just lease them.01:00 – From Leasing to LeadershipTine explains how her early work supporting leasing teams shaped the way she thinks about operations, tenants, and long-term performance.02:45 – Choosing the Harder PathA look at why she moved into property management and embraced the challenge of being accountable for everything that happens after the deal is done.04:00 – The IREM AdvantageTine breaks down how certifications, ethics, and peer networks through IREM sharpened her decision-making and accelerated her career.07:30 – Turning Education into OpportunityHow investing in professional development led directly to promotions, leadership roles, and industry recognition.12:45 – Joining DLC and Thinking Like an OwnerWhat stood out about DLC's culture and why ownership, accountability, and support matter in daily operations.15:40 – Growth Without a CeilingTine shares why continuous learning, new disciplines, and community involvement keep her pushing forward.17:45 – Defining a Successful YearWhat success looks like when it is measured by team performance, process improvement, and being a leader others can count on.

The old retail calendar is dead. Between TikTok virality, celebrity sightings, and ChatGPT-powered discovery, brands face a new reality: commerce runs on culture's clock. Nicole Thomas (Brex) and Anand Mehta (Melio) break down how this shift from predictable peaks to perpetual possibility demands radical financial agility.Key takeaways:Retail shifted from twice-yearly peaks to monthly cultural spikes brands can't predictCash conversion cycle reveals hidden supplier payment leverage beyond inventory optimizationCredit card float extends working capital without compounding traditional loan debtLiquidity separates trend leaders from trend chasers regardless of business sizeKey Quotes:Nicole Thomas [00:06:27]: "Seasonality is kind of taking shape in the way that it's less of like these ebbs and flows maybe twice a year to maybe once a month. If your product goes viral or if a celebrity endorses something, your consumers are now expecting to get those products when they want it."Anand Mehta [00:22:17]: "Costco managed to have a very low, if not negative cash conversion cycle because their store is the warehouse. They've already sold and converted their inventory to cash before they even have to pay it out."Nicole Thomas [00:37:06]: "Commerce is definitely making a big shift to flattening out, but not flattening out enough to where you can actually predict those peaks and valleys. We're definitely shifting from a calendar economy to more of a cultural economy."Anand Mehta [00:32:14]: "This use case of extending cash flow isn't just for businesses who are struggling. If you're a brand that is very liquid, having that cash buffer allows you to be a brand that's jumping in on a trend in the early stages of the trend, not chasing a trend."In-Show Mentions:Learn more about BrexLearn more about MelioCheck out Future Commerce on YouTubeCheck out Future Commerce+ for exclusive content and save on merch and printSubscribe 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! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Recorded live at NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show, the RETHINK Retail Podcast dives into how Rebag is using conversational AI to transform luxury resale. Olivier Hepner, CPTO at Rebag and Howe Gu Senior Vice President, Partnerships & Ecosystem at Rezolve AI, discuss moving beyond traditional search, helping shoppers make confident decisions, and blending AI with human expertise. Discover what intelligence-driven retail looks like in a one-of-a-kind product world.

In this episode of the Real Estate Pros podcast, host Michelle Kesil interviews Matthew Kane, a seasoned real estate investor and broker from North Carolina. Matthew shares his journey from retail real estate to building a successful investment team, discussing key strategies in lead generation, hiring, and navigating challenges in property flipping. He emphasizes the importance of networking and collaboration in the real estate industry while providing valuable advice for new investors. Matthew also outlines his goals for the upcoming year and insights into the North Carolina real estate market.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true 'white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a "mini-mastermind" with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming "Retreat", either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas "Big H Ranch"? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

Christopher shares a career spent in restaurants, not just behind a desk. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on KPIs before investing in technology, and standardizing operations while preserving your brands' identity.Welcome to Elevating Brick and Mortar. A podcast about how operations and facilities drive brand performance.On today's episode, we talk with Christopher Gumprecht, VP of Marketing and Information Technology at Craveworthy Brands. Craveworthy Brands was founded in 2022 to invigorate legacy restaurant brands while nurturing and growing emerging brands. GUEST BIOChristopher is a tech savvy restaurant leader with over 20 years of experience in food and beverage. He's had roles in Restaurant Operations, Learning and Development, Marketing, IT, Software Development, and Sales. He spends his time giving back to his community by mentoring local students and helping entrepreneurs reach their goals.TIMESTAMPS00:43 - About Craveworthy Brands04:50 - Chris' journey10:02 - Competing for attention13:16 - Gaining loyalty15:52 - The promise of off-premise catering23:23 - The challenge of tech in restaurants36:21 - Today's consumer expectations42:46 - Where to find Chris43:19 - Sid's takeawaysSPONSORServiceChannel brings you peace of mind through peak facilities performance.Rest easy knowing your locations are:Offering the best possible guest experienceLiving up to brand standardsOperating with minimal downtimeServiceChannel partners with more than 500 leading brands globally to provide visibility across operations, the flexibility to grow and adapt to consumer expectations, and accelerated performance from their asset fleet and service providers.LINKSConnect with Chris on LinkedInConnect with Sid Shetty on LinkedinCheck out the ServiceChannel Website Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Building a supplement brand sounds exciting—until you understand the real economics behind it.  In this episode, Jake Hadlock, co‑founder of Nutrient, breaks down what it truly takes to manufacture products, manage capital, and scale in one of the most competitive industries in the country. We explore how trends like protein, clear whey, electrolytes, fiber, and even the rise of Ozempic are reshaping consumer behavior, and why so many founders underestimate the operational and financial demands of this space. Jake also shares the harsh reality of retail—how big‑box expansion can make or break a brand, why most DTC companies struggle to survive the transition, and what ultimately separates the few that last from the many that disappear.

In this episode of Mastering eCommerce Marketing, host Eitan Koter sits down with Talor Ofer, founder of Retail Empire, to talk about what it really takes for brands to get into brick and mortar retail in the US.Talor has spent more than 25 years working directly with retail buyers and helping brands move from online-only sales into physical stores. At Retail Empire, his team connects vendors with buyers across hundreds of retail chains, from specialty stores to major big-box retailers.In this conversation, Eitan and Talor talk through why retail still plays such a big role in 2026, even as more brands start online. Talor explains why many founders are closer to retail-ready than they think, and what usually holds them back.They cover how buyers make decisions today, why samples matter more than most brands realize, and what retailers look for beyond just a good product. Talor also breaks down pricing expectations, common mistakes that slow deals down, and how brands should think about wholesale, packaging, and supply chain before approaching buyers.If you're running a DTC brand, selling on Amazon, or thinking about wholesale for the first time, this episode gives a clear look at how retail actually works, straight from someone who's in those conversations every day.Website: https://www.vimmi.net Email us: info@vimmi.net Podcast website: https://vimmi.net/mastering-ecommerce-marketing/ Talk to us on Social:Eitan Koter's LinkedIn | Vimmi LinkedIn | YouTube Guest: Talor Ofer, Founder at Retail EmpireTalor Ofer's LinkedIn | Retail EmpireWatch the full Youtube video here:https://youtu.be/f6-nuwE5-NATakeaways:Retail is a crucial channel for brands, despite the rise of D2C.Brands must ensure they have a solid supply chain before entering retail.Packaging is key; it should communicate the product's value quickly.Retail buyers are looking for brands with a compelling story.Fast decision-making is becoming more common among retail buyers.Pricing strategies are evolving due to market competition and tariffs.Samples are essential for securing orders from retailers.Understanding the setup process with retailers is critical for success.Brands should be aware of market trends to stay relevant.Loyalty and honesty are foundational for long-term business relationships.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to...

Join host Wendy Liebmann as she sits down with Kelsie Johnston, a retail strategist with a career spanning Macy's, Walmart, Coty, and most recently, TikTok. In this episode of Future Shop, Kelsie breaks down the seismic shift from traditional omnichannel retail to the exploding world of social commerce and the dawn of “Agentic AI.” They discuss why brands and retailers must move beyond transactional selling to build genuine community and trust in an era where algorithms and AI agents will soon curate what we buy.Highlights:From Omnichannel to Agentic: Tracing the evolution of shopping from “buy online, pickup in store” to AI-driven discovery.The TikTok Strategy: Why the platform is less about selling and more about fueling the “trust signals” of the future.Fast vs. Slow: Understanding the modern shopper's desire for friction-free speed or immersive, slow retail experiences.Retailer Advice: Why prioritizing pace and psychological safety is critical for legacy brands trying to survive the next disruption.Send us a textVisit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!

Show Highlights: The current state and evolving landscape of ag retail. [02:44] Must retailers diversify and "own" all grower needs within service radii? [05:18] Driving equipment utilization decisions for grower profitability. [08:19] The growing need for agronomic talent with sales skills. [14:37] Framing up-to-date agronomic recommendations with credibility. [17:43] Why fertility offers more opportunity for differentiation. [23:54] Customer and cultural focus value over efficiency in ag M&A. [27:50] Empowering top talent with commonsensical policies. [35:55] Strategies for boards to foster cultural fit during M&As. [40:30] To explore Farrell Growth Group, visit https://www.farrellgrowth.com/. If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/, or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com.  

AI is moving fast. Find out what leaders need to do keep it human.In this episode of Women Leaders on the Move, Natalie Benamou sits down with Dominique Murray, author and Head pf Head of Industry-Retail and CPG at Amazon. Listen in as they share why critical thinking is something we need to retain and how leaders can use AI to speed up work without losing their authentic voice.From digital personas to pausing to let tech catch up, this is a must listen to episode for all leaders. Dominique also shares the premise behind her futuristic fiction series Dominion Ascension, where technology shapes society in ways that hit close to home.Keep shining your light bright. The world needs you.About Our GuestDominique Murray is Head of Industry- CPG & Retail, AmazonDominique Murray was born and raised in California. She studied Economics and Japanese at the University of California, Los Angeles. She began writing her debut novel during Covid. When she's not writing, she is working in the tech industry or doing Hot Pilates. Dominique creates content that uplifts and celebrates the female spirit.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominique-murray/Book: Dominion Ascension https://a.co/d/0EWpznsWebsite: https://damurrayofficial.com/HerCsuite® is a leadership network where women build what's next. Our members land board roles, grow businesses, lead the AI conversation, and live their best portfolio career with our programs. Join us at HerCsuite.com, or connect with host Natalie Benamou on LinkedIn.

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Want to Start or Grow a Successful Business? Schedule a FREE 13-Point Assessment with Clay Clark Today At: www.ThrivetimeShow.com   Join Clay Clark's Thrivetime Show Business Workshop!!! Learn Branding, Marketing, SEO, Sales, Workflow Design, Accounting & More. **Request Tickets & See Testimonials At: www.ThrivetimeShow.com  **Request Tickets Via Text At (918) 851-0102   See the Thousands of Success Stories and Millionaires That Clay Clark Has Helped to Produce HERE: https://www.thrivetimeshow.com/testimonials/ Download A Millionaire's Guide to Become Sustainably Rich: A Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Successful Money-Generating and Time-Freedom Creating Business HERE: www.ThrivetimeShow.com/Millionaire   See Thousands of Case Studies Today HERE: www.thrivetimeshow.com/does-it-work/  

In coffee shops, we don't just sell coffee. We sell a variety of retail items that are related to, support, and go with coffee and with our brand. But are we doing as good with our retail as we can be? Are leaving money on the shelf or losing opportunities to serve our guests more with truly well considered, sourced, displayed, and sold retail?  Today on the show we have retail coach Wendy Batten! Wendy Batten is a retail coach and business strategist for independent small business owners and the host of the Creative Shop Talk podcast. With nearly 30 years of hands-on experience, she helps retailers grow profitably while designing a life they actually want. Known for grounded strategy, honest leadership, and a belief that success doesn't have to come at the cost of joy, Wendy coaches clients around the world from her tiny crooked cottage by the sea in Nova Scotia.  We discuss:  Wendy's Coffee Shop Genesis Lessons from the Coffee Shop The Emotional Toll of Entrepreneurship Designing a Business for Life Intentional Retail Strategies Understanding Customer Needs The Importance of Presentation Customer Psychology in Retail Training for Effective Retail Setting Boundaries While Being Kind Wendy's website:  https://wendybatten.com/   CAFE OWNERS! KEY HOLDER COACHING GROUPS ARE BACK!  Spring 2026 Applications are now open! Become a part of a small focused group of experienced coffee shop owners in this powerful mastermind cohort hosted by Keys to the Shop! APPLY HERE!  Learn more at this link:  https://keystotheshop.com/key-holder-coaching-groups/     KEYS TO THE SHOP ALSO OFFERS 1:1 CONSULTING AND COACHING! If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email  chris@keystothshop.com or book a free call now:  https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min  Related episodes:  432 : How to Win in Specialty Retail Coffee Soul Searching in the New Landscape of Retail 211 : Straight Talk from the Retail Doctor, Bob Phibbs 173 : 5 Areas of Focus for Retailers The Hospitality Paradox : Preparing for the most critical & perplexing time in retail   SPONOR The world loves plant based beverages and baristas love the Barista Series!  www.pacificfoodservice.com

Steve Dennis and Michael LeBlanc kick off their annual predictions episode with a fast-moving review of the retail news of the week. They begin with the long-delayed U.S. TikTok deal finally reaching resolution, noting how deeply TikTok now influences product discovery, cultural trends, and transactional commerce through TikTok Shops. While the platform remains critical for retailers, both hosts raise concerns around privacy, political influence, and how algorithmic control may evolve under new ownership.The conversation then turns to tariff volatility and geopolitical uncertainty, highlighting how unpredictable trade policy continues to make planning difficult for retailers. Steve points out that Amazon is already seeing tariff-driven price increases creep into both its first-party and marketplace businesses, reinforcing how global policy decisions are now flowing directly into consumer pricing. They also discuss Gap's creation of a Chief Entertainment Officer role, using it as a signal that retailers are increasingly seeking growth through media, licensing, and brand-driven content ecosystems rather than traditional merchandising alone.From there, Steve delivers his provacative 2026 retail predictions. He argues that the “Great Concentration” will continue, with Amazon, Walmart, and Costco capturing a disproportionate share of both sales growth and profits. This concentration fuels a powerful investment flywheel that makes it increasingly difficult for mid-tier retailers to compete. He predicts a mixed year for major turnarounds, with some traction at Gap and Nike, limited progress at Macy's, and deeper structural challenges for Target.AI emerges as one of the most consequential themes, with Steve describing 2026 as a truly “agentic” year. Search, shopping, and discovery are rapidly shifting toward AI-driven experiences, creating massive innovation but also high risk of disintermediation for brands that fail to adapt. Physical stores, he argues, will matter more for experiential brands and less for undifferentiated ones, accelerating the bifurcation between meaningful store concepts and those that lack a clear role.Steve also predicts intensifying competition in last-mile delivery, as Amazon and Walmart push same-day and narrow delivery windows even further, especially in grocery and essentials. Luxury faces an uneven future, with Saks Global likely emerging from bankruptcy smaller and fragile, and growth concentrated among a few elite brands. Resale, however, finally appears poised for breakout momentum, driven by affordability pressures and improving business models across the sector. Wellness and longevity become a new growth frontier, extending far beyond groceries into subscriptions, services, and lifestyle ecosystems.The episode closes with their “remarkable” stories of the week and a look around the corner, led by Lululemon's latest product misstep involving see-through apparel and a tone-deaf customer response. Michael highlights the promotion of former guest Chris Nicholas to lead Walmart International, while Steve flags growing bond-market volatility as a key macro signal to watch.   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.

Cash flow isn't just spreadsheets—it's survival. In an era of tariffs, currency swings, and supply chain whiplash, small businesses face a paradox: grow fast while everything shifts beneath you. Corinne Boonstra (Brex) and Aharon Naveen (Melio) unpack how payment independence becomes the ultimate competitive advantage.Key takeaways:Tariff volatility forces brands to message consumers directly about pricing pressuresSmall businesses gain agility advantage by switching suppliers faster than competitorsPayment independence decouples cash flow from vendor relationship power dynamicsTechnology stacks need finance-novice friendliness, not just CFO sophisticationKey Quotes:Corinne Boonstra [00:08:11]: "Brands are having to reach out to their consumer base to communicate with them why prices are increasing or using that as kind of a pivotal point of, say, buy these goods now while they're this price."Aharon Naveen [00:12:06]: "Switching vendors is complex. It comes with an operational overhead of different net terms, different currency conversions, different shipping time, different payment acceptance."Aharon Naveen [00:19:45]: "Giving the control back to small business, putting them in a position that they can overcome the relationship dynamic or the power dynamic of a new vendor—that is what technology brings to play."Corinne Boonstra [00:23:10]: "These tools need to be able to be leveraged by your CMO, your head of digital, your founder—whoever is ultimately making these decisions might not have an accounting background."Associated Links:Learn more about BrexLearn more about MelioCheck out Future Commerce on YouTubeCheck out Future Commerce+ for exclusive content and save on merch and printSubscribe 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! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Retail AI is evolving — and the biggest breakthroughs are happening after the sale. In this episode of the Rethink Retail Podcast, host Michael Zakkour speaks with Aadil Kazmi, Head of AI at Infios, about how agentic AI is reshaping retail execution across order management, fulfillment, and transportation. Key Takeaways - Execution is the new battleground – AI's biggest retail impact is shifting from planning to fulfillment and post-purchase experience - Connected systems win – Breaking silos between OMS, WMS, and TMS enables real-time visibility and self-healing operations - Agentic orchestration is here – AI agents are already making live sourcing, routing, and exception-handling decisions - Modularity unlocks scale – Flexible, interoperable architectures outperform monolithic systems in speed and ROI - Purpose-driven AI pays off – Fewer backorders, faster deliveries, and higher customer satisfaction Ready to transform retail execution with AI? Connect with Infios to learn how agentic AI can power intelligent, end-to-end supply chain operations.

As global leaders disperse from the World Economic Forum, LinkedIn co-founder and tech investor Reid Hoffman joins Rapid Response to break down the biggest challenges and opportunities facing business today, from political headwinds tied to immigration and geopolitics to AI's real-time impact on industries like music and healthcare. Hoffman also explains why fears of a tech bubble aren't shaping his investing, what it really means to be an AI-first organization, and why this moment calls for CEOs to speak up and show courage.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joshua Kreitzer, Founder & CEO at Channel Bakers, joins Double Take to explore the rise of agentic commerce and how autonomous shopping agents are transforming the retail ecosystem.

In this episode of Next in Media, I sit down with Kiri Masters, host of the Retail Media Breakfast Club podcast, to explore the biggest shifts happening in retail media advertising. We dive into the recent announcement about ads coming to ChatGPT and what that means for brands trying to meet consumers where they are. Kiri shares her perspective on whether AI-powered shopping will truly disrupt the retail media landscape - and why she's optimistic that LLM-based ads could actually be more relevant and less annoying than traditional formats. We also unpack the Walmart-Google partnership and discuss what it signals about the future of conversational commerce.Beyond the AI conversation, we tackle some of the industry's most pressing questions. Will we see consolidation in retail media networks this year? Can shoppable TV finally gain traction? And what happens when offsite retail media faces competition from platforms with their own transactional data? Kiri brings both historical context - including a fascinating story about Piggly Wiggly's self-service revolution - and forward-looking insights about how brands and retailers need to collaborate differently. Whether you're a marketer navigating this space or just curious about where AI and commerce intersect, this conversation offers a clear-eyed look at what's real, what's hype, and what's coming next._______________________________________________Key Highlights 

Retail is an industry built on people, emotion and constant reinvention, and few leaders embody that reality more fully than Ulta Beauty President and CEO Kecia Steelman. In this episode of Retail Gets Real recorded live from NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show in New York City, Steelman explores her remarkable career journey, leadership philosophy and how she's guiding the nation's largest specialty beauty retailer through one of the most transformative moments in retail history.(00:00:00) From the sales floor to the CEO seat(00:05:48) How retail creates opportunity at every level(00:09:14) Why beauty retail is about emotion, not just products(00:12:52) Why the future of retail has no finish line(00:16:24) How culture drives performance at Ulta Beauty(00:19:28) How Ulta Beauty localizes a global brand(00:22:14) What retail needs more (and less) of right nowThe 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:• 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:• 380: How Vera Bradley transformed a legacy brand• 376: How Target's consumer-first strategy drives success

This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0Rii4gb5Snw    Welcome back to Stories from the River. In this episode, Tyler Trill and Charlie Malouf sit down just after Broad River Retail's first Town Hall of 2026. With the presentation still fresh, they reflect on why the kick-off Town Hall matters—recognizing the wins of 2025, celebrating individual and team achievements, and setting direction for the year ahead.  Highlights include the Albemarle Aces earning Ashley Store of the Year and Broad River once again being named Ashley Licensee of the Year. Looking forward, the conversation centers on DURABLE SCALABILITY. Charlie breaks down the company's shift from a regional operator to a national one, guided by three clear areas of focus: people, processes, and purpose. They also discuss the Rule of 72 as a practical way to think about growth and what it will take to reach $500 million in revenue by 2030.    Visit https://www.storiesfromtheriver.com for more episodes.    Broad River Retail brought this show to you. Visit https://BroadRiverRetail.com  Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/broad-river-retail     

Fins, Fur and Feathers: Mussels in Kansas US Beef Retail Market and Demand Keeping Winter Calves Safe   00:01:05 – Fins, Fur and Feathers: Mussels in Kansas: Today's show begins with part of the Fins, Fur and Feathers from Drew Ricketts and Joe Gerken as they describe mussels and their population changes. Fins, Fur and Feathers wildlife.k-state.edu   00:12:05 – US Beef Retail Market and Demand: Brain Coffey, K-State agricultural economist, continues the show as he explains work looking into the U.S. beef retail market and beef demand. A Microeconomic Assessment of the US Retail Beef Market - Beef Demand Matters bcoffey@ksu.edu    00:23:05 – Keeping Winter Calves Safe: K-State dairy specialist Mike Brouk ends the show discussing how to keep winter-born dairy calves healthy. He says it involves immediate drying and warming them after birth, providing a warm, dry, draft-free shelter with deep bedding for insulation, and the use of calf jackets to prevent cold stress.       Send comments, questions or requests for copies of past programs to ksrenews@ksu.edu.   Agriculture Today is a daily program featuring Kansas State University agricultural specialists and other experts examining ag issues facing Kansas and the nation. It is hosted by Shelby Varner and distributed to radio stations throughout Kansas and as a daily podcast.   K‑State Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well‑being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu. K-State Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

I'm thrilled to share some incredible insights from my latest podcast episode with Andy Weiner, the founder and president of Rock Step Capital. Andy's journey in the real estate investment world is nothing short of inspiring, and I can't wait for you to dive into our conversation. Here are some of the key takeaways and intriguing points we discussed:

"AI is enabling us to deliver more sophisticated and seamless payment experiences, allowing consumers to shop in a more frictionless way. However, it also presents challenges, such as combating AI-powered fraud, which requires us to continuously innovate and adapt our solutions."Global Payment Trends & How Agentic AI Could Redefine Online Shopping and Payment Acceptance.In this episode, we cover emerging payment trends in ecommerce and the role of AI in enhancing payment security and preventing fraud. Understanding these trends is crucial for merchants aiming to optimise payment authorisation and secure transactions.Our guest is Ed Harries, VP Ecommerce Global SMB for market leader Worldpay. Ed brings a wealth of experience having being on the leadership team of leading ecommerce agency Visualsoft before joining Worldpay to lead their SMB solution.What you'll get from this podcast:Equip yourself with knowledge about emerging trends and technologies that will shape the future of ecommerce payments.Keep up with the latest developments in AI and payment security, ensuring your business remains competitive.Learn practical strategies to protect against fraud.Understand how to build trust with your customers, leading to increased loyalty and sales.Key discussion points:AI's Role in Fraud Prevention: how AI technologies are being leveraged to detect and prevent fraudulent activities, ensuring safer transactions for merchants and consumers.Enhancing Payment Authorisation: learn about the latest advancements that are improving payment authorisation processes, reducing declines and increasing approval rates.Consumer Trust and Security: how payment solutions are building consumer trust by providing secure and seamless buying experiences.Future Trends: insights into future trends in payment security, including the integration of AI with other technologies to create more robust security frameworks.Chapters:[00:30] Introduction to Ecommerce Payment Trends[04:15] Current Trends in the Payments Landscape[06:40] Regional Payment Patterns and Consumer Behaviour[08:30] The Role of AI and Agentic Commerce[11:55] Balancing Fraud Prevention and Acceptance Rates[18:15] The State of Open Banking in Retail[23:45] Marketplace Commerce and Payment Challenges[28:20] Worldpay's Technological Direction and Innovations

Today - A tale of two retail experiences. Merchants are getting eaten up by the cost of returns and stiff new policies are reflecting that, with strict deadlines and fees as high as $45 to process mailed items. By contrast, Costco continues to lead with customer-friendly policies, including a little-known "price drop" perk.  Also - The ABLE (529A) program has undergone significant expansion, with millions more people now eligible. Clark breaks down everything you need to know, including a NEVER NEVER rule to protect your wallet.  Many Unhappy Returns: Segment 1 Ask Clark: Segment 2 The Updated 529A: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: Costco Home Insurance: 5 Things To Know Before You Buy It Costco Car Insurance: 5 Things To Know Before You Get a Policy Travel Alert: New Requirement for UK Travelers European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) What Is an ABLE Account? 10 Clark Howard 'Never, Not Ever' Rules To Protect Your Money Clark.com resources: Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com  /  Ask Clark Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices: megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For years, we've heard about AI transforming software development. But what if that same level of agentic, AI-driven collaboration could be applied not just to writing code, but to writing your entire go-to-market playbook? Agility requires that your go-to-market teams operate at the speed of insight, not at the speed of manual data entry and fragmented workflows. This means empowering them with tools that don't just provide data, but automate action based on strategic intent. Today, we're going to talk about the concept of an 'agentic' go-to-market platform, where AI doesn't just assist, but actively collaborates with sales and marketing teams to automate entire workflows, from strategy to execution. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Marcio Arnecke, Chief Marketing Officer at Apollo.io. About Marcio Arnecke As Apollo.io's Chief Marketing Officer, Marcio Arnecke brings a visionary approach to scaling high-growth B2B SaaS marketing in the AI-driven sales landscape. With over two decades of experience driving revenue acceleration across global markets, he has consistently transformed early-stage technology companies into market-defining brands. Hisexpertise in AI-powered go-to-market strategies uniquely positions him to accelerate Apollo's mission of empowering sales teams through intelligent data and automation. Previously, he played a pivotal role in scaling marketing functions at SaaS giants like Intercom and Zendesk, where he drove remarkable growth from $40M to $1.7B, culminating in a successful IPO that raised $100 million in 2014. Leveraging his comprehensive background in demand generation, product marketing, and strategic storytelling, Marcio is focused on positioning Apollo as the go-to AI sales platform for SMB and mid-market teams. His approach combines data-driven insights with targeted narrative strategies, translating Apollo's technological capabilities into practical business value. Drawing from his global experience across Silicon Valley and international markets, Marcio aims to expand Apollo's brand and demonstrate how AI can meaningfully improve sales engagement for growing businesses. Marcio holds advanced degrees from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business and Golden Gate University, complemented by a BS in Business Administration from Universidade Feevale in Brazil. Marcio Arnecke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcioarnecke/ Resources Apollo.io: https://www.apollo.io Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/agile  The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/ Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com/ Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agile Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom Don't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.show Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Recorded at NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show, this episode of the RETHINK Retail podcast explores how retailers are translating data into more informed decision-making at the store level. In 'From Insight to Impact: How Intelligent Retail Creates Results', industry leaders discuss how connected retail ecosystems, spanning POS, self-checkout, back office operations, and analytics, can support operational efficiency and contribute to improved customer experiences. The conversation brings together perspectives from Loblaws and Diebold Nixdorf, sharing practical observations on how retailers approach technology integration, scale innovation across store networks, and align digital investments with business priorities. Podcast participants include: - Roman Gerlicher, SVP, Retail Technology, Loblaw Companies Limited - Arvin Jawa, VP, Global Marketing & Strategy, Diebold Nixdorf

Silver Dealer: Retail Buying Is Pandemonium Right Now - 'In Excess of COVID' We have an update from one of the largest silver dealers, who describes the surge of buying over the past few weeks as "pandemonium," and "in excess of COVID." To find out more, click to watch this brief update now - Get access to Arcadia's Daily Gold and Silver updates here: https://goldandsilverdaily.substack.com/ - Join our free email list to be notified when a new video comes out: click here: https://arcadiaeconomics.com/email-signup/ - Follow Arcadia Economics on twitter at: https://x.com/ArcadiaEconomic - To get your copy of 'The Big Silver Short' (paperback or audio) go to: https://arcadiaeconomics.com/thebigsilvershort/ - #silver #silverprice #gold And remember to get outside and have some fun every once in a while!:) (URL0VD)Subscribe to Arcadia Economics on Soundwise