Podcasts about Retail

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.

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   —--------------------

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.

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.  

Topics Discussed:

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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.

From Salt Spring Island to Small-Town Retail: Angela Donnelly on Running Raise the Root Organic MarketAngela Donnelly, founder of Raise the Root Organic Market in Caledon, Ontario, shares her journey from working on her parents' mobile produce truck on Salt Spring Island to opening her own natural foods store. Angela talks about learning the produce business at Vancouver's terminal markets, the transition from hippie back-to-the-landers to strategic retailer, and the harsh realities of competing against grocery giants in 2025.Find Raise the Root here: https://www.raisetheroot.ca/You can find Angela on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-donnelly-3a73123a/Thank you to Haddas and Rebecca at Ontario Made for connecting us. Thank you to LGDF Wholesale for sponsoring this episode. You can find them at https://www.lgdfwholesale.com/   

"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

In episode 285 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesús sits down with leadership expert Leanne De Jesús for an in-depth conversation on how pool business owners, service techs, retailers, and builders can grow without burning out, falling behind, or constantly starting over. What is upskilling? Upskilling means improving and expanding the skills you already use in your role — not changing careers, but getting better, smarter, and more effective at what you're already doing. In the pool industry, upskilling can look like: Developing leadership and people-management skills Improving pricing, financial clarity, and decision-making Learning new equipment, technology, and automation Building sales and customer communication skills Training your team so the business doesn't rely only on you Reskilling, on the other hand, is learning an entirely new role or function — like moving from service into building, retail, or management. Throughout this episode, Edgar and Leanne break down why most frustration, burnout, and leadership struggles aren't people problems — they're skill gaps. They also explain why access to information alone doesn't create better leaders, and how structure, mentorship, and intentional learning are what actually drive growth. Whether you're a one-truck operator or scaling a multi-location business, this conversation will help you: Understand when to upskill vs when to reskill Recognize early signs of burnout and stagnation Build stronger leaders and more accountable teams Create growth without chaos Shift from operator thinking to owner thinking This episode isn't about working harder — it's about thinking differently so your business can grow with clarity and control. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast 01:05 – Why upskilling and reskilling matter right now 03:00 – Pool Nation events, shows, and upcoming education 06:10 – What upskilling really looks like in real life 09:45 – AI, technology, and staying relevant 13:20 – How pool pros upskill without realizing it 16:10 – The difference between upskilling and reskilling 18:50 – When you should reskill vs improve your current skills 21:40 – Why people think they need to quit when they really need new skills 25:10 – Learning, testing, applying, and sharing knowledge 30:00 – Burnout, overwhelm, and hidden skill gaps 33:10 – Leadership problems vs skill problems 37:20 – Why information alone doesn't create better leaders 40:50 – Time, structure, and intentional learning 44:30 – Sponsor break 46:00 – Upskilling business owners for growth and scale 50:30 – Hiring for skill vs hiring for personality 55:10 – Upskilling pool techs: sales, safety, and trust 1:01:40 – Retail teams, product knowledge, and relationships 1:07:30 – Why training fails without structure 1:12:00 – Train-the-trainer mindset and leadership confidence 1:17:40 – Why guided learning and mentorship matter 1:21:10 – The most important mindset shift: growth mindset 1:26:30 – Final thoughts and takeaways 1:30:00 – Closing remarks and where to find Pool Nation

I'm joined by landscape architects Andy Harris and Andy Sturgeon to explore the thinking behind the transformation of London's Sloane Street. Together, they tell the story of a project that set out to reimagine this 1km stretch as a green boulevard inspired by the nearby Chelsea Physic Garden — shifting it from a traffic-dominated thoroughfare into a calmer, more human-centred place. We talk about how landscape can knit together retail and residential life, improve wellbeing, and encourage people not just to pass through, but to linger — using planting as environmental infrastructure. From underground constraints and traffic reduction to biodiversity uplift and long-term stewardship, this conversation reveals how thoughtful urban greening can reshape experience, behaviour and connection in the heart of the city and it provides a great companion episode to last year's one on New York's High Line.  Benny's Insect of the Week: The Seven-Spot Ladybird - sponsored by Cerddwr's Herbs go to www.cerddwrshb.com and use the code BUGPODS for a listener's discount. www.cerddwrshb.com Cerddwr's Herbs on Facebook Sloane Street | John McAslan + Partners – official project page outlining the landscape and public realm transformation of this 1 km London boulevard with widened pavements, planting and green infrastructure as part of a masterplan for Cadogan Estates. Andy Harris | John McAslan + Partners – leading the Landscape and Urban Design Studio and responsible for the Sloane Street masterplan and other major public realm projects. Andy Sturgeon Design – the official site for Andy Sturgeon's landscape architecture and garden design practice, responsible for the planting and horticultural design on the Sloane Street project. Please support the podcast on Patreon

As a big year for capital markets kicks off, Hamish discusses a potential Rakon takeover, while there are some big potential IPOs on the way. Retail numbers dropped off in December and as inflation creeps above the Reserve Bank target band, what will that do to interest rates in the coming year?

Retail media is moving beyond scale, and Roundel wants marketers to rethink what performance really means. In this sponsored episode of Marketer's Brief, Ad Age's contributing editor, Natalie Zfat, sits down with Matt Drzewicki, senior vice president and general manager of Roundel, Target's retail media network, to discuss how guest-centric strategies, responsible AI and deeper partnerships are reshaping the retail media landscape. Drawing insights from CES and early results from Roundel's new Precision Plus offering, Drzewicki explains why relevance is outperforming repetition, how first-party data and closed-loop measurement are helping brands prove incrementality, and why discovery increasingly happens offsite through creators, video and social platforms. Tune in to hear how AI-powered optimization is improving efficiency across the funnel, the role of storytelling in an always-on shopper journey, and what marketers should prioritize as signal loss and fragmentation accelerate.

Dans cet épisode, j accueille François Duranton, entrepreneur lillois et co-fondateur du cabinet de conseil ZeTrace. François partage son parcours dans l'e-commerce, la transformation des modèles économiques, et l'omnicanalité. Ils abordent les grands enjeux actuels pour les retailers, la dualité entre marque enseigne et marque produit, ainsi que la place de l'humain et de la culture d'entreprise au cœur des transformations. L'échange met en lumière les défis de la rentabilité et de l'innovation à l'ère digitale, et le rôle du courage managérial dans un contexte de permacrises et de durabilité. Points clés :1/ L'optimisation de la rentabilité et la transformation des modèles chez les distributeurs.2/ La synergie entre culture, stratégie et architecture IT pour réussir à naviguer les crises et innover durablement.

Welwitschia mirabilis is one of the most unique plant species and on this episode we dive into everything about it. Succulent extraordinaire, Gianluca Bacci of rareplantcatalog.com, joins me in discussing its care, morphology, propagation and more.  Gianluca can be found at:        Retail website:  rareplantcatalog.com        Retail Nursery:  Boojums, 1505 Echo Park Ave, Los Angeles        Instagram:  @rareplantcatalog, @boojumstudygroup   Help support feral cat rescue/spay-neuter/finding good homes by contributing at Flower Power Garden Hour Patreon.   To ask questions for future shows, submit them at:        Facebook        Instagram        email Marlene at marlenetheplantlady@gmail.com Find Marlene over on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

Are you chasing trends or building a brand that feels like you? In this episode of Rooted in Retail, Crystal Vilkaitis chats with Tori Dahl, founder of The Dahl Farmhouse, about the power of staying true to your unique vision—even if that means breaking all the retail rules. Tori shares her incredible journey from working on the opening team of Anthropologie to launching her own lifestyle boutique and fragrance line. She reveals the serendipitous "Actor Story" that led to her storefront, her philosophy on why you should "sell the pink pants" if you love them (regardless of trends), and how to create a sensory experience that makes customers feel right at home. If you're a retailer feeling the pressure to do it all or look like everyone else, this episode will inspire you to set boundaries, trust your instincts, and grow with intention.[0:40] Tori's background: From the airport gift shop to the opening team of Anthropologie [2:15] The "Pink Pants" Philosophy: Why you should sell what you love, regardless of trends [4:30] The origin of the fragrance line and the problem with candles [6:45] The "Actor Story": A chance gym encounter that led to a storefront [11:15] Grow with Intention, Not Imitation: Why you shouldn't worry about trends [15:00] Authenticity in action: Refusing to carry popular items (like patchouli or leopard print) because they don't align with the brand [18:00] Learning to "color outside the lines" and building self-trust [22:30] Battling burnout: Why The Dahl Farmhouse is only open 4 days a week [28:00] Sensory retail tips: How lighting changes the emotional experience of a shop 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

The hour opens with a traffic accident on Hollywood Way at Tulare, followed by a visit from Kiana Raymondo, now with ABC30 TV in Fresno. We also talk about COSM, the immersive venue quickly becoming the place to watch Rams games, and dive into the oddly fascinating Costco rotisserie chicken lawsuit, plus the viral “9:45 trick” shoppers swear by. Retail takes center stage as we break down reports that nearly 80% of holiday decorations are returned, including at Hobby Lobby, and why retailers are cracking down on returns as the practice costs companies billions of dollars each year. The Costco chicken controversy continues with details about a lawsuit alleging hidden preservatives, while attention shifts back to football as the Rams gear up for the NFC Championship game against the Seattle Seahawks. The hour wraps with a major weather alert as a historic winter storm puts 235 million people in the path of dangerous snow and ice, with the first impacts expected tonight. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recorded live at FMI 2026, Omni Talk Retail hosts Anne Mezzenga and Chris Walton wrap up their conference coverage with Benjamin Bond, SVP, Strategy & Client Success at Simbe, from the Simbe booth. In this final interview of the conference, Ben shares how Simbe thinks about long term strategy while working day to day with retailers to ensure value realization at scale. He explains why shelf intelligence succeeds when entire organizations align around the store associate, and how Simbe's technology helps teams prioritize, act in real time, and run better stores. The conversation goes beyond the robot demo to explore how retailers move from pilot programs to full chain deployments, how CFOs evaluate emerging technology investments, and why shelf data is becoming one of the most foundational datasets in retail. Ben also looks ahead to how Simbe's platform, AI, and computer vision continue to evolve across grocery and other retail verticals. Key Topics Covered - Ben Bond's role spanning strategy and client success at Simbe - Empowering store associates with real time shelf intelligence - Moving from pilot programs to large scale deployments - Building the business case and ROI for retail robotics - Operating models that drive long term retailer success - The future of computer vision, AI, and multimodal platforms - Expanding beyond grocery into additional retail sectors This conversation closes out Omni Talk Retail's live coverage from FMI 2026, recorded at the Simbe booth. #FMI2026 #OmniTalkRetail #Simbe #RetailTechnology #ShelfIntelligence #RetailOperations #StoreExecution #RetailRobotics

What happens when your best customer is no longer a person, but an AI agent acting on their behalf? Agility requires not just adapting to new technologies, but fundamentally rethinking the customer journey when those technologies change the very definition of a customer. It demands a proactive stance on what's next, rather than a reactive one. Today, we're going to talk about the seismic shifts happening in e-commerce, fresh off the floor of NRF 2026, and what it all means for the year ahead. We'll explore the real-world impact of AI on the customer experience, the rise of agentic commerce, and how marketing leaders can prepare for a future that's arriving faster than anyone expected.To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome back Lena Moriarty, Head of Marketing at eTail. About Lena Moriarty Lena Moriarty is the Head of Marketing at eTail, the conference community designed to power your growth 365 days a year. At eTail, she takes charge on all things omnichannel marketing and strategy, from point A to point Z. Lena Moriarty on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/lenamoriarty Resources eTail Palm Springs: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/ 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

Kaz Nejatian is the CEO of Opendoor. In this conversation, we discuss the housing market, interest rates, and how Kaz is thinking about expanding access to homeownership. We also go inside Opendoor, including how AI is reshaping the home-buying and mortgage process, his approach to building companies, and why transparency and accountability to retail shareholders matter.=======================As markets shift, headlines break, and interest rates swing, one thing stays true — opportunity is everywhere. At Arch Public, we help you do more than just buy and hold. Yes, our dynamic accumulation algorithms are built for long-term investors… but where we really shine? Our arbitrage algos — designed to farm volatility and turbocharge your core positions. The best part of Arch Public's products is they are free! Yes, you heard that right, try Arch Public for free! Take advantage of wild moves in assets like $SOL, $SUI, and $DOGE, and use them to stack more Bitcoin — completely hands-free. Arch Public is already a preferred partner with Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini, and Robinhood, and our team is here to help you build smarter in any market. Visit Arch Public today, at https://www.archpublic.com, your portfolio will thank you.=======================Sign up for the Gemini Credit Card: https://gemini.com/pomp#GeminiCreditCard #CryptoRewards This video is sponsored by Gemini. All opinions expressed are my own and not influenced or endorsed by Gemini. Gemini-branded credit products are issued by WebBank. For more information regarding fees, interest, and other cost information, see Rates & Fees: https://gemini.com/legal/cardholder-agreement Some exclusions apply to instant rewards; these are deposited when the transaction posts. 4% back is available on up to $300 in spend per month for a year (then 1% on all other Gas, EV charging, and transit purchases that month). Spend cycle will refresh on the 1st of each calendar month. See Rewards Program Terms for details: https://gemini.com/legal/credit-card-rewards-agreement Checking if you're eligible will not impact your credit score. If you're eligible and choose to proceed, a hard credit inquiry will be conducted that can impact your credit score. Eligibility does not guarantee approval.=======================0:00 – Intro1:54 – Opendoor mission: tilting the world toward homeownership8:41 – Opendoor's next layer: AI-native mortgage & underwriting13:34 – Shopify lessons: the “first-derivative” business model19:48 – Retail shareholders & transparency/accountability23:38 – Kaz's principles: turning down money & career philosophy29:47 – $1 CEO pay structure & aligning incentives with shareholders37:04 – Kaz's wife & building an independent media company38:44 – Government policy & housing affordability41:06 – Interest rates: where they should be & why42:54 – Why economic data is wrong46:25 – AI inside Opendoor: speed, efficiency, bringing jobs back49:14 – Consultants/committees vs weekly reviews54:12 – Message to retail shareholders

Vanessa Friedman, fashion director and chief fashion critic of The New York Times, discusses what the Saks Global bankruptcy filing to find out what it means for shoppers and vendors, and what it says about the state of retail sales in the city.

In this week's episode of the Rich Habits Podcast, Robert Croak and Austin Hankwitz share updates on Trump's housing affordability efforts, SpaceX's summertime IPO, and the recent outperformance of the Russell 2000. They're also joined by David Dziekanski, CEO and Chief Investment Officer of Quantify Funds, to talk about the different between real hedge fund-like strategies and "retail candy." To learn more about Quantify Funds, visit their website by clicking here or follow them on X by clicking here!---

CEO of Optimove, Pini Yakuel, returns to explore the roots of positionless thinking and how AI pushes us to visionary methods over specialization. We explore how breaking departmental siloes unlocks 88% faster campaign cycles, and why a refreshed mindset will be your strongest tool in 2026.Key takeaways:Positionless marketing drove 88% campaign efficiency gains in 2025AI accelerates range; humans provide judgment and validation70% of consumers unsubscribed from 3+ brands in 3 monthsMindset change precedes technology adoption in successful AI integrationKey Quotes:[00:09:20] "The biggest compliment you get is something called ‘rosh gadol'...It means, I want your head to think about more things than it's currently thinking.” – Pini Yakuel[00:21:26] "Consumption and making decisions are the work. If you can't make decisions for yourself, you can't work with AI." – Brian Lange[00:28:44] "We have access to knowledge on every field...we have the best personal tutor in our pockets available 24 over seven." – Pini Yakuel[00:38:10] "It's very, very difficult to scale personalization. That's the bottom line. It's almost impossible to scale it." – Pini YakuelIn-Show Mentions:Optimove Connect (March 2026)Optimove + Forrester Study: Closing the Gap Between Promise and PerformanceOptimove Marketing Fatigue ReportAssociated Links:Check 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.

In this Omni Talk Retail interview, recorded live from FMI 2026 at the Simbe booth, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga speak with Karen Fang Grant, Managing Director and Global Research Lead at Accenture, about how technology, health trends, and AI are reshaping the future of grocery retail. Karen shares how forces like GLP 1 adoption, evolving definitions of health and wellness, and changing consumer expectations are influencing assortment, operations, and enterprise decision making across grocery. The conversation explores why AI is moving from experimentation to execution, how agentic AI and automation are beginning to drive real operational impact, and what retailers must do to scale these technologies responsibly. Karen also discusses why organizational readiness, strong data foundations, and cross functional collaboration matter more than any single technology investment, and what separates retailers successfully deploying AI from those still stuck in pilot mode. Key Topics Covered - How GLP 1 and health trends are reshaping grocery retail strategy - The evolving role of AI and automation in retail operations - Why agentic AI represents the next phase of enterprise transformation - Moving from AI pilots to scalable, real world impact - The importance of data readiness and organizational alignment - How retailers can responsibly adopt AI while maintaining trust - What grocery leaders should prioritize heading into 2026 Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from FMI 2026, recorded live from the Simbe booth in the FMI Tech section. #FMI2026 #Accenture #GroceryRetail #RetailTechnology #ArtificialIntelligence #HealthAndWellness #RetailLeadership #DigitalTransformation #OmniTalk

Live from FMI 2026 in San Diego, Omni Talk Retail's Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga sit down with Thom Blischok, Chairman and CEO of The DiaLogic Group, at the Simbe booth to discuss why 2026 will be the year retail robotics finally move from pilots to scale. Thom breaks down what's driving broader adoption of in store robotics, including rising cost to serve, labor productivity pressures, and the growing need to improve shelf execution and shopper experience. He also shares why change management is often the missing piece in successful deployments and what independent grocers must get right to compete with larger retailers. Key topics covered: - Why 2026 is the year retail robotics scale - Moving from pilot programs to enterprise deployment - Cost to serve, labor productivity, and shelf efficiency - Change management as a critical success factor - Robotics, shelf intelligence, and the connected store - How independent grocers can compete using technology - Lessons from Schnucks and other early adopters Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from FMI 2026, recorded live from the Simbe booth in the FMI Tech section. #FMI2026 #GroceryRetail #RetailTechnology #RetailRobotics #InStoreInnovation #ShelfIntelligence #FutureOfRetail #OmniTalkRetail

This Omni Talk Retail Fast Five segment, sponsored by the A&M Consumer and Retail Group, Mirakl, Ocampo Capital, Infios, Quorso, and Veloq, breaks down why entertainment has become retail's latest buzzword... from Fanatics launching Fanatics Studios to Gap appointing its first-ever Chief Entertainment Officer. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga debate whether retail entertainment is a true growth engine or just modern marketing, why Fanatics' sports flywheel gives it a massive edge, and whether Gap's LA-based “fashiontainment” strategy will drive ROI or simply add cost. ⏩ Tune in for the full episode here: https://youtu.be/jVDymvwAUXg #Fanatics #Gap #RetailEntertainment #Retailtainment #BrandMarketing #RetailStrategy #RetailFastFive #OmniTalk

In this Omni Talk Retail interview, recorded live from FMI 2026 at the Simbe booth, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga speak with Julian Mintz, VP of Sales at Albertsons Media Collective, about how retail media is evolving and what brands are looking for next. Julian shares how Albertsons Media Collective is leveraging national scale, local banner strength, and true omnichannel reach to help brands connect with shoppers from the couch all the way to checkout. The conversation explores why in store media is moving into the spotlight, how measurement and closed loop attribution are shaping brand confidence, and what it takes to align media, merchandising, and promotion into a single strategy. Julian also discusses how Albertsons works with CPG partners to break down silos between traditional media, shopper marketing, and retail media, and why education and internal collaboration are critical to driving unit sales and long term growth. Key Topics Covered - What differentiates Albertsons Media Collective in a crowded retail media landscape - How Albertsons defines true omnichannel reach - Why in store media is still early but gaining momentum fast - The role of measurement and closed loop attribution in brand adoption - Aligning media, merchandising, and promotion for better outcomes - Breaking down silos between brand, agency, and shopper budgets - How technology enables precision across banners and demographics Stay tuned to Omni Talk Retail for continued coverage from FMI 2026, recorded live from the Simbe booth in the FMI Tech section. #FMI2026 #AlbertsonsMediaCollective #RetailMedia #InStoreMedia #GroceryRetail #RetailTechnology #Omnichannel #RetailLeadership #OmniTalk

For the last two decades, marketers have lived by the decisions one company has made and the experience customers have with that company's search bar (and in many cases, browser). But what happens when Google is dethroned by an AI? Agility requires not just adapting to new channels, but fundamentally rethinking the entire customer discovery journey when the rules are rewritten overnight. It's about moving from optimizing for keywords to influencing AI-driven conversations. Today, we're going to talk about the rise of AI browsers and Generative Engine Optimization, or GEO. Whether it's using ChatGPT or Perplexity to search the web or with tools like OpenAI's Atlas browser, we're seeing a convergence of search, shopping, and conversation that could fundamentally change how brands are discovered, evaluated, and purchased, creating a new battleground for customer data and attention. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Imri Marcus, CEO and Co-Founder at Brandlight. About Imri Marcus Imri Marcus is the CEO and Co-Founder of Brandlight AI, the strategic data and influence partner for Fortune 500 enterprises navigating the shift to AI-driven consumer discovery. A serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits in the media and AI sectors, Imri is now focused on empowering the world's leading brands to own their narrative in this new, zero-sum marketing channel. Imri earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Reichman University and splits his time between Tel Aviv and New York.,Yes,This will be completed shortly Imri Marcus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imri-marcus-89074a79 Resources Brandlight: https://www.brandlight.ai/ 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/agileConnect 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