Podcasts about retail leadership

In this special summer episode of the Remarkable Retail podcast, recorded live at the CommerceNext Growth Show in New York, Steve Dennis and Michael LeBlanc from The Remarkable Retail Podcast welcome Jeannie Yoo, CEO of Draper James, for a wide-ranging conversation on the brand's growth trajectory, the power of celebrity in retail, and the rise of human-centric retail experiences.Jeannie brings two decades of fashion retail experience to the table, from her early days at Michael Kors and Coach to leading the luxury house Adam Lippes. Now nine months into her role at Draper James, Yoo is steering the Southern-rooted lifestyle brand—founded by Reese Witherspoon—through its next stage of growth, marked by its 10th anniversary "decade tour" and a sharpened focus on customer connection.Yoo discusses how Draper James defies the "digitally native" label, thriving through retail stores, with licensing and pop-ups that foster personal, local, and sensory experiences. While the brand's celebrity origin story is foundational, Yoo emphasizes how its growth is now powered by inclusive pricing, joyful storytelling, and a culture of Southern hospitality. Reese Witherspoon remains involved, but the brand is scaling under Yoo's operational leadership and with the backing of Consortium Brand Partners.Central to the conversation is Yoo's take on "human-centric retailing"—a strategy rooted in community engagement, elevated in-store experiences, and product innovation informed by customer passions for gardening, books, and food. She describes how Draper James curates joy through both product and experience, emphasizing quality over quantity in an era of fashion abundance. Technology, particularly AI, plays a role, but not the leading one. The focus, she notes, is on enabling smarter, more efficient work—not replacing human intuition or creativity.Looking ahead, Yoo sees North American expansion—especially retail and licensing—as the brand's most significant opportunity before tackling global markets. She also reflects on her leadership style, which has been forged in both large organizations and niche luxury brands, allowing her to scale thoughtfully without losing the emotional resonance that makes Draper James special. About UsJennifer MarloHead of Content, CommerceNextJennifer Marlo drives industry-leading programming at CommerceNext, drawing on experience from Ascendant Network and iMedia Connection, where she spearheaded content strategies to inspire retail, brand and agency marketing leaders. Guided by the belief that “a rising tide lifts all boats,” Jennifer uses in-person and digital platforms to educate and foster industry collaboration. Steve 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, top retail influencer, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. 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.

The Weekly News RundownThe episode opens with a fast-moving retail update. New DataWeave analytics reveal that Nike has raised prices significantly — by 17 percent for footwear and 14 percent for apparel — as tariff cost mounts, potentially disrupting their turnaround plans. Steve and Michael then examine the continuing U.S. government shutdown and its potential economic ripple effects. Despite flagging consumer confidence, September retail sales surged 5.4% year-over-year, led by sporting goods and apparel, while big-ticket categories such as furniture and home improvement stalled. They turn next to Adobe's holiday sales forecast, calling for 5.3 percent online growth — the slowest in years. AI-driven shopping, meanwhile, is expected to grow fivefold, underscoring how rapidly technology can reshape consumer behaviour.The Interview — Scot Wingo on Agentic CommerceReturning guest Scot Wingo brings a veteran entrepreneur's perspective on the next leap in retail innovation. Leveraging his ChannelAdvisor roots to his latest venture, ReFiBuy.ai, Wingo describes how AI agents are poised to reshape the shopping journey — from research, to finding, and buying — through "agentic commerce." He details how ChatGPT's new checkout feature effectively turns it into a merchant-friendly marketplace and why this could challenge Google and Amazon's ad-tax models. Wingo explains how Google is evolving from a search engine to an "answer engine," already costing retailers organic traffic, and outlines the steps brands must take to prepare their catalogues for AI-driven visibility. He also explores how personal-shopping agents and vertical AI start-ups in fashion and re-commerce are creating hyper-custom experiences, while warning retailers not to block "good bots" in their fear of AI scraping.Stories That Spread and A Peek Around the CornerIn their closing segment, Steve and Michael discuss some recent remarkable stories including the revival of brands like Bed Bath & Beyond, Toys "R" Us, and Forever 21, as well as Lululemon founder Chip Wilson's latest shot at his former company. They close by discuss what's on their mutual radar screens for the weeks ahead. About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling authro of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fourth year in a row, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

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

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

This special 5th anniversary episode of the Remarkable Retail podcast marks a milestone: five years of insights, disruption, and conversations with the world's most innovative retail thinkers. We reflect on the pod's origin story during the early COVID lockdowns, tracing its evolution from Steve's book Remarkable Retail: How to Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption into an industry-leading show featuring CEOs, founders, and thought leaders shaping global commerce. They share highlights from an impressive guest roster, including Scott Galloway (whose episode remains the most downloaded in the show's history), Artemis Patrick of Sephora, Hal Lawton of Tractor Supply, Chris Nicholas of Sam's Club, Joe Kudla of Vuori, and Neil Blumenthal of Warby Parker. Each clip showcases the powerful themes of customer centricity, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of remarkability.The centerpiece of the episode is a deep and engaging conversation with Seth Godin, returning for his sixth visit. Seth—bestselling author of classics including Purple Cow—first inspired the very language of “remarkability” in Steve's book and the podcast itself. Here, Seth reflects on why being remarkable matters more than ever in an era where “average is dead.” He warns leaders that chasing efficiency or “suck less” strategies won't suffice; brands must create conditions where customers want to talk about them. He draws a sharp distinction between simply being “better” through incremental improvements and being truly remarkable in ways that spark conversation, loyalty, and cultural resonance.Seth also delves into the impact of AI as the biggest societal shift since electricity. Rather than reducing costs by outsourcing tasks, he urges retailers to harness AI to enable new projects and creative possibilities. He illustrates this with his latest Kickstarter project—AI-driven card decks designed to spark learning, decision-making, and storytelling. For Seth, experimentation and accessible tools are the gateway to innovation, and he emphasizes that risk-taking in the AI era costs little but delivers exponential learning.Together, Michael, Steve, and Seth explore enduring themes: knowing who it's for and what it's for, the value of continuous improvement, and why shunning non-believers is essential to staying authentic.  About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling authro of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fourth year in a row, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

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

This week the Remarkable Retail podcast delivers a dynamic mix of breaking retail news and an in-depth interview with a top retail innovators, Lauren Steinberg, Loblaw Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer at Loblaw, Canada's biggest retailer.Steve Dennis and Michael LeBlanc kick off a wide-ranging news segment, analyzing how tariffs, inflation, and global economic uncertainty are reshaping retail. They explore the upcoming Federal Reserve decision, the rise in food and apparel costs, energy pressures tied to AI-driven data centers, and how these forces are squeezing consumers' discretionary spending. The hosts also discuss RH's Paris flagship opening as a bold case study in reinvention, contrasting the brand formerly known as Restoration Hardware's bold ambition with the incremental strategies that have failed legacy brands. Finally, they highlight Sam's Club's new digital-first presentation layer—showing how even complex retailers can aim higher, move faster, and deliver remarkable customer experiences.Guest Lauren Steinberg--who recently assumed the expanded role of Chief Digital Officer at Loblaw after a decade leading digital, loyalty, and retail media--offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Loblaw is serving nearly every Canadian through its grocery, pharmacy, financial services, and apparel businesses, anchored by iconic brands like President's Choice, and Joe Fresh.Laurnen explains how Loblaw's digital strategy is centered on convenience, affordability, and relevance, with AI playing a critical role in personalization, supply chain efficiency, and the evolution toward agentic AI. Lauren also details the company's fast-growing retail media network, designed to connect brands with customers in ways that are accountable, measurable, and integrated across both digital and physical retail. 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.

Season Six, Episode Two of The Food Professor Podcast, presented by Caddle, blends sharp industry commentary with a fascinating guest interview. Hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois kick off with a rapid-fire news roundup before diving deep into the global lobster story with award-winning journalist and author Greg Mercer.The news segment sets the tone with big changes in consumer packaged goods. Kraft Heinz's decision to split operations sparks debate on the future of “bigger is better” corporate strategies, recalling the infamous ketchup wars and highlighting how local plants may be impacted. The hosts also explore the collapse of Yves, a once-beloved Canadian plant-based food brand, and the broader struggles facing Beyond Meat and other players in the competitive, margin-tight meat alternatives market. Meal kits return to the spotlight with fresh survey data showing usage doubling since pre-pandemic levels, despite consumer pushback over price and packaging waste. Other highlights include Canadian trade friction over canola biofuel, positive signals in Canada–India relations, and Doug Ford's controversial Crown Royal protest following Diageo's U.S. plant shift. Wrapping up, the hosts acknowledge leadership transitions at McDonald's Canada and the Retail Council of Canada.The second half welcomes Greg Mercer, investigative reporter for The Globe and Mail and author of The Lobster Trap: The Global Fight for a Seafood on the Brink. Mercer shares his journey into journalism, the painstaking work of investigative reporting, and the inspirations behind his first book. He explains how lobster evolved from a “cockroach of the sea” to a global luxury product, and why the industry now sits at a dangerous crossroads. From the collapse of Rhode Island's lobster fishery to escalating tensions between Indigenous and commercial fisheries in Nova Scotia, Mercer paints a vivid picture of an industry both lucrative and fragile. He examines the outsized role of China as a market driver, the looming threat of climate change, and the urgent need for ecological—not just economic—policy decisions to prevent history from repeating the cod fishery collapse of the 1990s. The Food Professor #podcast is presented by Caddle. About UsDr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor in food distribution and policy in the Faculties of Management and Agriculture at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University. Before joining Dalhousie, he was affiliated with the University of Guelph's Arrell Food Institute, which he co-founded. Known as “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. Google Scholar ranks him as one of the world's most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability.He has authored five books on global food systems, his most recent one published in 2017 by Wiley-Blackwell entitled “Food Safety, Risk Intelligence and Benchmarking”. He has also published over 500 peer-reviewed journal articles in several academic publications. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, including The Lancet, The Economist, the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, BBC, NBC, ABC, Fox News, Foreign Affairs, the Globe & Mail, the National Post and the Toronto Star.Dr. Charlebois sits on a few company boards, and supports many organizations as a special advisor, including some publicly traded companies. Charlebois is also a member of the Scientific Council of the Business Scientific Institute, based in Luxemburg. Dr. Charlebois is a member of the Global Food Traceability Centre's Advisory Board based in Washington DC, and a member of the National Scientific Committee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Ottawa. 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.

Dit is geen gewone podcast... maar een door AI gemaakte podcast!Voor het eerst experimenteren we bij #teamretail met de kracht van AI om een podcast te creëren. Luister naar een gesprek over de aankomende Retail Leadership Summit, volledig gegenereerd door kunstmatige intelligentie. We bespreken de essentie van dit exclusieve event, de top sprekers, de unieke opzet met ronde tafelgesprekken en de cruciale reden waarom je als retailleider niet langer om AI heen kunt.Een must-listen voor elke retailer die wil weten hoe ver de technologie al staat, en zich wil voorbereiden op de toekomst.Meer info & tickets op www.retailleadershipsummit.euIn deze podcast gaan we in gesprek met eigenzinnige retailerondernemers die zich met hun unieke visie weten onderscheiden in hun branche. Dat doen we om onze brede community van retailers en retailondernemers, #teamretail, te inspireren positief naar de toekomst te kijken. De podcast wordt gehost door Tim Gielen, oprichter van design studio Wave of Engagement die de winkel, showroom & hospitalityconcepten van morgen bedenken en ontwerpen.Heb je plannen, ideeën die je wil uitwerken contacteer ons dan op tim@waveofengagement.com Sponsor: https://solutions.dobit.com/

Live from eTail Boston An unbelievable treat to have Ash McMullen, Kimberly Lee Minor, Christine Monaghan, Lockie Andrews and Erica Randerson hit the mics and discuss all things Women in Retail! A brilliant discussion of industry icons! Enjoy Always Off Brand is always a Laugh & Learn!  Ash McMullen  LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashmcmullen/ Website:https://www.advanticehealth.com/   Kimberly Lee Minor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlyleeminor/ Website:  https://www.kimberlyleeminor.com/   Christine Monaghan  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-monaghan/ Website: https://almondcow.co   Lockie Andrews LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lockieandrews/ Website: https://www.richhaircare.com/   Erica Randerson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helloericaranderson/ Website: https://www.ediblearrangements.com/    FEEDSPOT TOP 10 Retail Podcast! https://podcast.feedspot.com/retail_podcasts/?feedid=5770554&_src=f2_featured_email Quickfire Podcast Network Shows: Brain Driven Brands  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SarahLevinger Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brain-driven-brands/id1752169629   QUICKFIRE Info:   Website: https://www.quickfirenow.com/ Email the Show: info@quickfirenow.com  Talk to us on Social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quickfireproductions Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quickfire__/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@quickfiremarketing LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/quickfire-productions-llc/about/ Sports podcast Scott has been doing since 2017, Scott & Tim Sports Show part of Somethin About Nothin:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/somethin-about-nothin/id1306950451 HOSTS: Summer Jubelirer has been in digital commerce and marketing for over 17 years. After spending many years working for digital and ecommerce agencies working with multi-million dollar brands and running teams of Account Managers, she is now the Amazon Manager at OLLY PBC.   LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/summerjubelirer/   Scott Ohsman has been working with brands for over 30 years in retail, online and has launched over 200 brands on Amazon. Mr. Ohsman has been managing brands on Amazon for 19yrs. Owning his own sales and marketing agency in the Pacific NW, is now VP of Digital Commerce for Quickfire LLC. Producer and Co-Host for the top 5 retail podcast, Always Off Brand. He also produces the Brain Driven Brands Podcast featuring leading Consumer Behaviorist Sarah Levinger. Scott has been a featured speaker at national trade shows and has developed distribution strategies for many top brands. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-ohsman-861196a6/   Hayley Brucker has been working in retail and with Amazon for years. Hayley has extensive experience in digital advertising, both seller and vendor central on Amazon.Hayley is the Director of Ecommerce at Camco Manufacturing and is responsible for their very substantial Amazon business. Hayley lives in North Carolina.  LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayley-brucker-1945bb229/   Huge thanks to Cytrus our show theme music “Office Party” available wherever you get your music. Check them out here: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cytrusmusic Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cytrusmusic/ Twitter https://twitter.com/cytrusmusic SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6VrNLN6Thj1iUMsiL4Yt5q?si=MeRsjqYfQiafl0f021kHwg APPLE MUSIC https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cytrus/1462321449   “Always Off Brand” is part of the Quickfire Podcast Network and produced by Quickfire LLC.  

In this episode of OFFBounds, Paula Macaggi sits down with retail leadership expert and author April Sabral to explore how positivity can transform teams, culture, and results. From her start as a 17-year-old sales associate to leading hundreds at Starbucks, Banana Republic, and David's Tea, April shares lessons from three decades in retail leadership, including her ACT framework (Accept, Create, Teach), the $1M chocolate bar story, and insights from her upcoming book Positive Accountability. Packed with practical advice and inspiring stories, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to lead with purpose, empathy, and impact.

What do you do when a customer asks for something you've never made? For Tyler Hortin, it meant pivoting from emergency food manufacturing to creating his first solar generator. That single leap sparked Lion Energy—now a nationwide leader in cobalt-free battery technology, powering everything from RVs to entire homes. In this episode, Tyler shares how one customer request grew into a brand sold in Costco, Buc-ee's, and hundreds of dealers, proving that the right product, the right timing, and relentless execution can transform any business.  

Lauren Steinberg, Chief Digital Officer at Loblaw Companies Limited, shares how Canada's largest retailer transformed from an in-store-only business into a multi-billion-dollar digital powerhouse. She reveals how building a “startup within the enterprise” enabled agility and innovation at scale, the role of personalization and AI in reshaping online grocery, and why true customer loyalty goes far beyond points. Lauren also reflects on leadership lessons from her 13-year journey and how Loblaw is connecting food, health, and technology to better serve millions of Canadians.Lauren will be speaking at Groceryshop this September in Vegas. Click here to join us!

In this special summer episode of the Remarkable Retail podcast, recorded live at the CommerceNext Growth Show in New York, we welcome Jeannie Yoo, CEO of Draper James, for a wide-ranging conversation on the brand's growth trajectory, the power of celebrity in retail, and the rise of human-centric retail experiences.Jeannie brings two decades of fashion retail experience to the table, from her early days at Michael Kors and Coach to leading the luxury house Adam Lippes. Now nine months into her role at Draper James, Yoo is steering the Southern-rooted lifestyle brand—founded by Reese Witherspoon—through its next stage of growth, marked by its 10th anniversary "decade tour" and a sharpened focus on customer connection.Yoo discusses how Draper James defies the "digitally native" label, thriving through retail stores, with licensing and pop-ups that foster personal, local, and sensory experiences. While the brand's celebrity origin story is foundational, Yoo emphasizes how its growth is now powered by inclusive pricing, joyful storytelling, and a culture of Southern hospitality. Reese Witherspoon remains involved, but the brand is scaling under Yoo's operational leadership and with the backing of Consortium Brand Partners.Central to the conversation is Yoo's take on "human-centric retailing"—a strategy rooted in community engagement, elevated in-store experiences, and product innovation informed by customer passions for gardening, books, and food. She describes how Draper James curates joy through both product and experience, emphasizing quality over quantity in an era of fashion abundance. Technology, particularly AI, plays a role, but not the leading one. The focus, she notes, is on enabling smarter, more efficient work—not replacing human intuition or creativity.Looking ahead, Yoo sees North American expansion—especially retail and licensing—as the brand's most significant opportunity before tackling global markets. She also reflects on her leadership style, which has been forged in both large organizations and niche luxury brands, allowing her to scale thoughtfully without losing the emotional resonance that makes Draper James special. About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling authro of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fourth year in a row, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, I'm joined by James B. Smith, Founder and CEO of Rare Placement, for a wide-ranging conversation on modern leadership, executive search, and the future of talent in the retail industry.James brings an exceptional career journey to the mic, beginning in advertising with agencies like Grey and Ogilvy, moving into marketing leadership at Citibank, in leadership roles at Esquire and then Conde Nast Traveller—where he helped it become the top-performing title, even outpacing Vogue. His passion for growth and transformation led him to become a CEO, owner-operator, and eventually launch Rare Placement, a boutique executive search firm focused on personalized, human-centric talent solutions.In our conversation, James emphasizes the power of storytelling—not just for brands, but for leaders. He reveals that every candidate he's placed has gone on to become a client, a testament to his laser focus on culture fit, agility, and soft skills over just resumes. We dive into how executive hiring has changed, why modern CEOs need courage, humility, and the ability to say “I don't know,” and how COVID permanently reshaped leadership styles and expectations around flexibility and culture.James shares practical advice for current and aspiring retail leaders—from building a strong, concise personal narrative to investing in ongoing networking, not just when you're in transition. He stresses that succession planning should be an ongoing, layered strategy, and reminds executives that “people buy leaders, not logos.”We also explore the increasing importance of board roles—both fiduciary and advisory—and how executives can position themselves for these opportunities by knowing what they uniquely bring to the table.Whether you're a retail executive planning your next move, a CEO rethinking your leadership team, or a rising leader wondering how to stand out, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

In the first of our 8-part summer series produced in partnership with CommerceNext, our guest is  Ken Pilot—retail executive, tech investor, and host of The Retail Pilot: Leaders & Legends podcast.Ken's legendary career spans decades and includes pivotal roles such as President of Gap Global, Factory Stores at Ralph Lauren, and leadership positions at J.Crew, American Eagle, and ABC Carpet & Home. He takes us behind the scenes of launching Gap Outlet, transforming a single underperforming store into over 100 high-margin locations in just 36 months, ultimately making it the most profitable division at Gap. The conversation then shifts to current macro challenges, particularly tariffs and global sourcing. Ken unpacks the "tariff math" few are talking about, warning that even modest increases could wipe out 10 points of margin, especially for smaller brands without pricing power or manufacturing flexibility. He anticipates a hit to Southeast Asia, outlines strategic moves by companies like Gap to diversify sourcing, and speculates on the economic implications for North American retail.Next, Ken delves into the retail tech landscape, providing a forward-looking perspective on Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), the emergence of natural language search, and how retailers must adapt both on-site and externally to remain visible and competitive. He highlights the companies he's advising and investing in, including "Curated For You" (an AI-driven occasion-based merchandising platform) and "Raspberry AI" (tools that help designers iterate visuals from sketches to campaign-ready assets). He also discusses the creative tension AI can introduce and how forward-thinking teams are adapting.Finally, we examine the potential of Retail Media Networks (RMNs) as an underutilized profit stream, particularly in a high-cost, low-margin environment. Ken balances caution with optimism, emphasizing the need for retailers to experiment, remain agile, and stay laser-focused on the customer and core product offering. About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling authro of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fourth year in a row, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

In this exclusive interview, I chat with Peter Hlynsky, CEO of MEC (Mountain Equipment Company), one of Canada's most iconic outdoor retailers. Peter shares his remarkable journey from CFO to CEO over five years at MEC, detailing his passion for the outdoors that initially drew him to the company rather than retail specifically.MEC's origin story is captivating - it began in the early 1970s, when University of British Columbia students drove to REI in Washington, bought climbing gear, and sold it from their van on campus. This evolved into Canada's premier outdoor retail cooperative with 21 stores by 2020, becoming what Peter describes as "a candy store for the outdoors."The company's unique employee culture sets MEC apart in the competitive outdoor retail landscape. Staff members genuinely live the lifestyle they sell through "Rad Days" - paid outdoor adventures where employees test gear and bring back real-world experiences. This authentic product knowledge enables staff to provide honest recommendations, sometimes even steering customers away from products that don't fit their specific needs.Peter discusses MEC's significant transformation from a member-owned cooperative to a private company, maintaining the "member" terminology and benefits that resonate with Canadian consumers. The recently relaunched membership program includes purchase-based discounts, exclusive access to popular store events, and MEC's legendary "rock solid guarantee" - one of the industry's most comprehensive return policies.A significant development is MEC's return to Canadian ownership after being acquired by private equity in 2020. Peter and Chief Merchandising Officer Chris Beyer joined the new Canadian ownership group, led by Tim Gu, bringing manufacturing expertise that is particularly valuable for MEC's private label products, which comprise one-third of their business alongside branded products from Patagonia, Arc'teryx, and Yeti.The merchandising strategy balances premium branded products with MEC's highly-regarded private label offerings, providing similar quality at lower prices without wholesale markups. This combination creates a compelling value proposition that competitors struggle to match.Looking ahead, Peter sees significant growth opportunities as competitors exit the market following the COVID-19 pandemic. Atmosphere closed standalone stores, and regional players shuttered operations, creating organic growth potential. MEC plans opportunistic store expansion in underserved Canadian markets, capitalizing on available real estate from retailer closures.Peter's retail advice emphasizes focusing relentlessly on core competencies rather than chasing trending business models. For MEC, this means maintaining its specialty outdoor retailer identity through exceptional in-store service, curated product assortments, and a consistent customer experience across all channels.The episode highlights how authentic brand positioning, employee engagement, and customer-centric policies can sustain competitive advantages in challenging retail environments. MEC's successful transition from a cooperative to a company while preserving its brand values demonstrates effective change management in retail transformation. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

In this energizing and thought-provoking episode, I welcome back Ron Thurston, bestselling author, veteran retail executive, and passionate advocate for the frontline retail workforce. With the launch of his second book, Human Pride: Optimizing Your Human Potential in a Digital Job Market, Ron brings a refreshing, people-centric perspective to leadership and career development in the era of AI, automation, and gig work.Michael and Ron discuss the implications of the rising prevalence of gig work, how many retailers are reverting to "COVID playbooks" with minimal staffing, and the importance of treating even temporary team members as valuable contributors. Ron shares powerful insights on how a simple, intentional 60-second conversation can dramatically transform an employee's sense of pride and purpose—emphasizing the importance of human-to-human leadership even amidst operational speed.The heart of the episode is Ron's deep dive into Human Pride, a follow-up to his 2020 bestseller Retail Pride. Ron explains how this new book expands his message beyond the retail sector, encouraging readers to reflect on their values, refine their personal stories, and lead with purpose. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling in both job interviews and team leadership, describing it as an underutilized yet transformative tool.Ron and Michael also reflect on Ron's first book tour, where he crisscrossed the U.S. in an Airstream and F-150 to connect with frontline retail workers, and what he learned about the commonalities shared across the industry, from Walmart to luxury brands. Ron emphasizes the importance of leaders being curious, asking thoughtful questions, and helping team members discover their strengths through storytelling and open dialogue.Whether you're a retail executive, HR leader, or just navigating today's job market, this episode offers timely and timeless advice on how to show up with pride, lead with humanity, and build a more resilient workforce.Buy Ron's eBook on IndigoBuy Ron's Book on Amazon Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

In this episode of Five Things Friday, Alex and Laura break down the strategies, trends, and tensions shaping the retail landscape.Fresh from the World Retail Congress in London, Alex shares how Morrisons is rebuilding trust with a simple but powerful 5-5-5 framework. Laura brings sharp insights from Australia, highlighting Shein's explosive $12B sales surge and what it means for domestic retailers.They also explore:The overlooked role of inclusive leadership and how gender conversations need a resetWhy marketplaces like Amazon are reshaping luxury commerceHow brands can stay relevant in an era of shifting customer loyaltyThe impact of tariff changes and cost-of-living pressure on global expansion strategiesWhether you're a CEO, operator, strategist, or startup founder — this episode delivers the frontline signals you need to make better decisions.

In this episode, the CPG Guys are joined by Greg Pulsifer, SVP of eCommerce at Sam's Club, the club format division of Walmart.Find Greg on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregpulsifer/Find Sam's Club on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sam's-club/Find Sam's Club online at: https://corporate.walmart.com/about/samsclub/sams-club-suppliers?Greg answers these questions:Tell us about you the person? Take us through your career growth journey in digital and ecommerce and how you got here?Take us through Sam's ecommerce strategy and what is the 2025 focus? [Greg will respond to #6 below as a response to this strategy question, hence striking out the questions below.]NRF digital council - what does this mean and how are you and Sam's club contributing through it in our industry? How has ecommerce fundamentally changed over COVID and in a post COVID environment? How are you and Sam's dealing with this?Tell us about your team and how you motivate them everyday? What is your approach to people leadership?Retail media has fundamentally changed shopping. How are you partnering with MAP and leveraging this for your customers experiences?What trends are you following these days? AI, tech, other or digital trends? Why are these important?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comCPG Scoop Website: http://CPGscoop.comRhea Raj's Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual's use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.

On this encore episode, I sit down with a colleague from back in my work on the brand side, Craig Baxter, Group President of Techtronic Industries Canada Inc., part of a global 13 billion dollar powerhouse tool house of brands that includes Milwaukee, Ryobi, andHoover. In a wide-ranging and engaging conversation, Craig talks about radical innovation, retail go-to-market strategy, leadership for growth, and the epic come-from-behind marketplace win for his Milwaukee brand of power tools as the sixth horse in a five-horse race.  About CraigSixteen years ago, I was given the opportunity to become the president of TTi Canada; a world class leader in design, manufacturing, and marketing of power tools and accessories, outdoor product equipment and floor care for consumers, professional and industrial users in the home improvement, repair, and construction industries.Since then, I have had the privilege of working alongside a team of outstanding performers who share the same belief in setting audacious goals and holding ourselves accountable to deliver those goals while continuing to cultivate a best in class working environment.Along with our unrelenting strategic focus on powerful brands, innovative products, operational excellence, and exceptional people, we strive to continuously build upon a corporate culture where our employees can realize more and more of their abundant potential. What inspires me, is seeing people striving to do great work and growing into the best version of themselves. By continuously improving our culture through all of our success we have further leveraged our biggest differentiator as a company, and that is something I am very proud of.“Show class, have pride, and display character. And if you do, winning takes care of itself” – Bear Bryant Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

Brieane Olson is the CEO of PacSun, where she has worked for 17 years. With over two decades of experience in the retail industry, she spearheaded PacSun's collaborations with cultural figures like Kanye West and Kendall and Kylie Jenner. Brieane is also a board member at Women in Retail Leadership, Shoptalk, and Design Thinking for UC schools. In this episode… Fashion brands face the ongoing challenge of remaining relevant in youth culture. With shifting values, rapid trend cycles, and a demand for authenticity, many businesses struggle to connect with Gen Z and Gen Alpha in meaningful ways. How can brands stay ahead while building long-term loyalty with a constantly evolving consumer? Fashion, youth culture, and retail leadership expert Brieane Olson has transformed a leading youth fashion brand into a cultural movement by embracing innovation, co-creation, and purpose-driven leadership. She emphasizes balancing bold innovation risks with data-informed decisions, like investing in new technology early on while building long-term partnerships with influencers to drive trust and engagement. By leveraging social listening through platforms like TikTok and Discord, building a community through co-creation, and ensuring each initiative aligns with a clear, resonant mission, brands can build loyalty with younger generations. Tune in to this episode of the Up Arrow Podcast as William Harris welcomes Brieane Olson, the CEO of PacSun, to discuss staying culturally relevant in the fast-paced realm of youth fashion. Brieane talks about navigating brand evolutions, the role of technology in the future of retail, and lessons and tips for unlocking the next stage of brand growth.

VTEX: https://vtex.com---What does it take to digitally transform a £13B retail giant across eight countries and nearly 2,000 stores? In this episode, I sit down with Christopher Blatchford, Global CTO of Kingfisher PLC — the company behind B&Q, Screwfix, Castorama, and more — to unpack the tech strategy powering one of Europe's biggest home improvement groups. We dive into why modularity (not just microservices) is the real key to agility, how to scale innovation across diverse banners, and what “do it for me” means for the future of DIY. Chris also shares a powerful take on the business case for DEI, and why backing down on it is simply weak.Subscribe to our newsletter!✨ Thanks to VTEX for powering this episode — VTEX is the enterprise platform trusted by bold CIOs and CEOs to slash TCO by 50% and scale fast. Trusted by global leaders such as Carrefour, Walmart, and Cencosud, VTEX is the go-to choice for bold CIOs and CEOs who demand excellence. Discover how VTEX can elevate your business today—visit VTEX.com

In the latest episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Phil Wahba, Senior Writer at Fortune, to explore the ever-evolving landscape of retail leadership, consumer behavior, and strategic transformations. Wahba reflects on more than a decade covering retail bankruptcies, leadership shifts, and innovation, highlighting that while consumer desires have remained relatively stable—good value, seamless experiences, and quality products—retailers often struggle to meet these expectations consistently.Wahba shares insights into how some of the biggest names in retail excel by focusing on core strengths. He points to Costco and Walmart as prime examples of companies that continue to thrive by relentlessly pursuing operational efficiency, value pricing, and consistent store execution. In contrast, many department stores have downsized or disappeared because, as Wahba puts it, they “chased the wrong rabbits”—pursuing short-term gains over long-term brand definition. Dillard's stands out by maintaining steady store counts and focusing on a solid merchandising strategy, proving that success hinges on knowing your customer and offering them a clear reason to shop.The conversation then shifts to Hudson's Bay and its recent struggles, which Wahba attributes to a lack of focus on fundamental retail principles and a greater emphasis on real estate extraction. He also touches on the broader implications of retail real estate vacancies, noting that large anchor-store spaces often require creative repurposing—whether converted into smaller retail footprints, medical clinics, or mixed-use developments.Looking ahead, Wahba anticipates a future where technology plays a more backstage role, with the spotlight on operational improvements such as inventory management, demand forecasting, and smoother omnichannel experiences. Shoppers do not seek flashy tech for its own sake; rather, they want frictionless pathways to purchase. The episode also explores how retailers like Foot Locker and Gap might engineer turnarounds under new leadership, taking cues from successful transformations at brands like Abercrombie & Fitch.Wahba underscores that retail “winners” will be those that evolve with shifting consumer expectations while staying true to foundational principles: consistently fair pricing, well-curated inventory, and reliable customer service. The conversation wraps up with a look at up-and-coming brands and international retailers—including Uniqlo—that could make bigger U.S. expansions in the coming years if they adapt carefully to the market's nuances.Whether you're watching for the next big turnaround or seeking to understand why some iconic names falter, this episode offers deep insights into the interplay of leadership, strategy, and consumer loyalty—critical elements shaping the future of modern retail. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

In today's episode of The Root Cause Medicine Podcast, Dr. Kate Kresge sits down with Dr. Eve Henry to explore the often-misunderstood world of cholesterol, lipids, and heart disease risk. You'll hear them discuss: 1. Why cholesterol matters for longevity and heart health 2. Advanced lipid testing beyond standard panels 3. How to interpret ApoB, LP(a), and triglyceride levels 4. Understanding medications, supplements, and lifestyle approaches for heart health Dr. Eve Henry is board certified in Internal and Integrative Medicine. With extensive experience in personalized medicine and longevity science, she is dedicated to providing innovative care that optimizes healthspan and lifespan. She was previously Medical Director at Early Medical and is now founder of her own clinic, Eve Henry MD. She also serves as Medical Advisor to multiple start ups and enjoys her work educating leadership teams and consumers on ways to enhance their own health.

In this episode of Careers Unwrapped, host Mark Fawcett is joined by Will Lankston, Managing Director of Timpson Direct. They explore Will's 15-year journey from management trainee to senior leader, the unique culture that's kept him at Timpson, and how embracing opportunities and taking risks have shaped his career growth in the retail service industry.

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, host Scott Luton welcomes Bill Thorne, Senior Vice President of Communications, Research, and Marketing at the National Retail Federation (NRF) and host of the Retail Gets Real podcast. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of retail, from how customer insights drive innovation to the power of storytelling in shaping brand loyalty.This engaging conversation covers the impact of COVID-19 on retail operations, how agility and speed became key to survival, and why retailers must embrace change to stay competitive. Bill also shares insights from his time at Walmart, lessons from Savannah's booming port economy, and why successful retailers prioritize community and connection.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) The pace of change in retail(01:22) The power of customer insights(05:15) Retail storytelling and brand loyalty(10:05) Savannah's role in global supply chains(14:26) The future of retail logistics(18:03) Walmart's digital transformation(22:50) Retail's pandemic response and lessons learned(27:36) The importance of personalization in shopping(31:11) Why agility is key in modern retail(38:29) How data drives retail successAdditional Links & Resources:Connect with Bill Thorne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-thorne-b82a146/Learn more about the National Retail Federation: https://nrf.com/Check out Retail Gets Real: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mpqKwH4QSDwFS8ukDbSIe?si=cdc84c550d034763Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now's NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkWEBINAR- Bridging the Gap: Investigating the Disconnect Between Supply Chains and the People Who Run Them: https://bit.ly/3F1iZr2WEBINAR- Unpacking the Latest Tariff Updates, Best Practices & What to Expect Next: https://bit.ly/4ikvdcSWEBINAR- Lessons Learned from the Trenches: How AI Will Impact the Future of Work: https://bit.ly/3DUnROxWEBINAR: Adapting to Volatility: Navigating Trade Wars, Supply Chain Disruptions & AI: https://bit.ly/4kqSv2DThis episode was hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Joshua Miranda. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/keeping-real-retail-leadership-1407

AD: Shoptalk EuropeRetail is evolving fast, and we're diving into what's next! In this episode of OFFBounds, I sit down with Joe Lazslo, Head of Content US at Shoptalk, to explore the biggest shifts in retail—Unified Commerce, Loyalty, Customer Experience, and more. We break down why loyalty is harder than ever, how retailers are redefining customer experiences, and why Shoptalk's new event, Shoptalk Luxe, is a game-changer for the industry. Plus, in the end, we tease something BIG that OFFBounds and Shoptalk have been working on.

Welcome back to the second episode of the Retail 101 Series on Stories from the River. The episode includes perspectives from GM Alexis Strafuss, REM Amanda Parrish, Home Furnishings Associate Jacob McMillan, and Home Furnishings Consultant Kay Edwards, who share their unique experiences and takeaways from the Retail 101 onboarding and educational program. Each guest brings a unique perspective and represents a different role within the Company from Retail Leadership to individual contributor and producer.  The guests speak about the benefits of the Retail 101 program, the growth of the Company over the years, and their renewed enthusiasm and motivation upon returning to or joining the Company. Jacob McMillan and Kay Edwards, both returning Memory Makers, express their appreciation for the improved processes and technologies that have been integrated since their last tenure. Amanda Parrish highlights the practical benefits of the training, such as better managing the CXM process, while Alexis Strafuss reflects on the meaningful relationships formed and the motivational impact of leaders who presented like CEO Charlie Malouf and EVP of Retail Performance "Coach" Stacey McCormick. The episode captures a broad spectrum of experiences and insights, all pointing towards a shared goal of mutual growth and excellence within Broad River Retail. Each Memory Maker emphasizes the supportive and family-like environment that characterizes the Company's culture, leaving listeners with a sense of commitment and passion that drives their success. This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yV2-ocx_444  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 

Welcome back to the second episode of the Retail 101 Series on Stories from the River. The episode includes perspectives from GM Alexis Strafuss, REM Amanda Parrish, Home Furnishings Associate Jacob McMillan, and Home Furnishings Consultant Kay Edwards, who share their unique experiences and takeaways from the Retail 101 onboarding and educational program. Each guest brings a unique perspective and represents a different role within the Company from Retail Leadership to individual contributor and producer.  The guests speak about the benefits of the Retail 101 program, the growth of the Company over the years, and their renewed enthusiasm and motivation upon returning to or joining the Company. Jacob McMillan and Kay Edwards, both returning Memory Makers, express their appreciation for the improved processes and technologies that have been integrated since their last tenure. Amanda Parrish highlights the practical benefits of the training, such as better managing the CXM process, while Alexis Strafuss reflects on the meaningful relationships formed and the motivational impact of leaders who presented like CEO Charlie Malouf and EVP of Retail Performance "Coach" Stacey McCormick. The episode captures a broad spectrum of experiences and insights, all pointing towards a shared goal of mutual growth and excellence within Broad River Retail. Each Memory Maker emphasizes the supportive and family-like environment that characterizes the Company's culture, leaving listeners with a sense of commitment and passion that drives their success. This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yV2-ocx_444  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 

        Chapters (00:00) - Retail Transformation and Career Success (15:05) - Elevated Customer Experience in Retail Navigate the ever-evolving landscape of modern retail alongside us, as Loretta sheds light on the necessity for retailers to innovate and adapt. From the challenges posed by fast fashion to the potential of pop-up shops as agile retail solutions, explore how the industry is transforming. We highlight how specialty and vertical stores streamline the shopping experience, contrast the large department store model, and discuss the importance of leveraging technology for seamless customer interactions. This episode promises valuable insights for thriving in fast-paced industries and staying ahead of the curve. (23:40) - Retail Challenges and Solutions (38:56) - Fast Fashion and Retail Strategy (49:45) - Retail Innovation and Customer Experience (56:49) - Thriving in Fast-Paced Industries For more, be sure to visit Yyzsportsmedia.com and follow @yyzsportsmedia

Meet Deb Craven, President of Longo's, one of Canada's most popular grocery stores with dozens of locations and more on the way across Southern Ontario. I joined Deb in the Longo's Store Support offices, and we talked about leadership and what it takes to innovate and compete in the crowded Southern Ontario grocery marketplace.   Encore Episode. About DebDeb Craven is a seasoned executive with decades of progressive experience. She has built an incredible career grounded in hard work, supportive managers, curiosity, and having the confidence to speak her mind with strong humility.Deb is the President at Longo's. She joined the organization in 2019 as the Chief Financial Officer and later became the Chief Operating Officer. During her tenure at Longo's, she has successfully delivered exceptional growth while architecting the extraordinary expansion of the company, including supporting the partnership with Empire. Previous to Longo's, she has held progressive financial management positions at Purolator, Nike, and Canadian Tire (Mark's and Sportchek).She achieved her Chartered Accountant designation (ICAO) and an Honours BBA (Co-Op) from Wilfrid Laurier University. She also received the Star Women in Grocery award.Deb is married with 2 adult children and enjoys the gym, cycling and is learning to play tennis (and trying to love golf).She gives back to the community with her support of charitable organizations. Over the years she has proudly served on the Board of Directors for The Learning Partnership, Sagesse, and Kids Help Phone. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fourth year in a row, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

In this episode of 'The Wisdom Of' Show, host Simon Bowen engages in an insightful conversation with John Hardy, a titan of Australian retail who has led multiple national brands including Godfreys, Barbecues Galore, and Amart Furniture to remarkable success. With over four decades of retail experience, John shares his proven approach to building sales cultures and transforming retail businesses.Ready to unlock your leadership potential and drive real change? Join Simon's exclusive masterclass on The Models Method. Learn how to articulate your unique value and create scalable impact: https://thesimonbowen.com/masterclassEpisode Breakdown:00:00 Introduction and retail leadership journey05:13 The importance of sales culture10:46 Building customer loyalty18:58 Leadership and team development25:44 Driving organizational change33:44 The future of retail38:35 The power of enthusiasm45:13 Rapid-fire questions and conclusionAbout John HardyJohn Hardy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from over five decades in the retail industry. His journey through some of Australia's and New Zealand's most celebrated retail brands has seen him at the helm of transformative growth and strategic turnarounds, establishing him as a venerated figure in sales, marketing, and strategic leadership.John's tenure as CEO and Board Member across various esteemed retail organizations illustrates a career dedicated to excellence in sales techniques, marketing, retail leasing, and developing and procuring private label brands/products. His strategic acumen has been the cornerstone of performance revivals for notable companies such as Barbeques Galore, Amart Furniture, and Fusion Retail Brands, where his leadership catalyzed significant growth and market repositioning.John led Godfreys through its boom years, demonstrating his exceptional capability to steer the company through periods of change. He served as CEO from June 2016 to June 2017 and again from May 2018 to May 2019, in addition to his role as a Board Member from March 2016 to May 2019. His leadership was characterized by a deep understanding of the retail landscape and an unyielding commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.His role at Fusion Retail Brands further exemplifies his capacity to guide and transform retail operations. He served as CEO from September 2014 until April 2017 and maintained a position on the Board until May 2019. John's influence extended to Amart Furniture, where, as CEO from August 2012 to September 2014, he implemented strategies that propelled the company toward greater profitability and market share.John's foundational years in the industry, starting as a Salesperson in 1966, progressing to Sales Manager, and eventually leading Godfreys as CEO for over 26 years, underscore a career built on the principles of hard work, innovation, and an intimate knowledge of what drives consumer engagement and loyalty.Connect with John LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-hardy-retail/About Simon BowenSimon has spent over two decades working with some of the most influential leaders across many complex industries and circumstances. His very clear finding is quite simply that thinking is valued less than doing in almost every situation in our modern world. However, Simon has conversely observed that the power and success of any business, project or organization will be in direct proportion to the level and quality of thinking of the people and the quality of the idea or ideas on which it is built. As such, Simon is leading the renaissance of thinking.A sought-after speaker, facilitator and advisor to global leaders, Simon has demonstrated the efficacy of his line method for over 20 years with Fortune 500 companies, heads of...

In this podcast episode, Ryan Moss, CEO of Little Giant Ladders, shares his journey from an entry-level role sweeping floors to leading the company. Ryan recounts how he initially joined Little Giant after working in construction and, over the years, has been deeply involved in nearly every part of the business. He reflects on the challenges and triumphs of building Little Giant's brand, including a pivotal moment when the company invested in an infomercial to counteract a competitor's knockoff product. This high-stakes move turned into a critical branding success, illustrating both the resilience and innovation that have been central to Little Giant's growth and partnership strategies.      

ABOUT RON THURSTON:LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rthurston/Websites:Retail Pride book: https://www.amazon.com/Retail-Pride-Celebrating-Accidental-Career/dp/1544515928OSSY: https://www.useossy.comRetail In America podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/retail-in-america/id1618323713 Ron Thurston's Bio:Ron Thurston's life mission is to celebrate, elevate, and empower the people and spirit of the retail industry.With over three decades of leading retail stores and operations for top American brands like Gap, West Elm, Apple, Tory Burch, Bonobos, and Saint Laurent, Ron has honed an extensive skill set in retail strategy, management, and innovation.In January 2024, Ron co-founded OSSY, a forward-thinking retail recruiting agency. This venture is dedicated to addressing the biggest hiring and recruiting challenges in retail, reinforcing Ron's unwavering commitment to the industry.As the best-selling author of RETAIL PRIDE, Ron inspires retail professionals to embrace their unique career paths. He also hosted the RETAIL IN AMERICA podcast and tour, journeying across the nation in an Airstream trailer during 2022/2023 to uncover and highlight the remarkable stories and individuals in retail.Ron also serves on the Advisory Boards of several rapidly growing retail tech companies, including Ometria, Butterfly, and YOOBIC, lending his expertise to drive their success.SHOW INTRO:Welcome to the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast.EPISODE 71… and my conversation with Ron Thurston, retail veteran, best-selling author, podcast host and man on a mission to celebrate, elevate, and empower the people and spirit of the retail industry.On the podacast our dynamic dialogues based on our acronym DATA - design, architecture, technology, and the arts crosses over disciplines but maintains a common thread of people who are passionate about the world we live in and human's influence on it, the ways we craft the built environment to maximize human experience, increasing our understanding of human behavior and searching for the New Possible.    The NXTLVL Experience Design podcast is presented by VMSD Magazine part of the Smartwork Media family of brands.VMSD brings us, in the brand experience world, the International Retail Design Conference. The IRDC is one of the best retail design conferences that there is bringing together the world of retailers, brands and experience place makers every year for two days of engaging conversations and pushing the discourse forward on what makes retailing relevant. You will find the archive of the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast on VMSD.com.Thanks also goes to Shop Association the only global retail trade association dedicated to elevating the in-store experience. SHOP Association represents companies and affiliates from 25 countries and brings value to their members through research, networking, education, events and awards. Check then out on SHOPAssociation.orgIn this 70th episode I talk with Samar Younes is a Beirut-born hybrid artist, futurist, and creative catalyst whose work embodies a transcultural approach. Ron Thurston has spent years opening stores for major internationally recognized brands and knows a thing or two about a career in retail. In our talk we dig into the shifting the mindset of retail being an accidental career to one of choice, about with you should be proud. We'll get to all that in a moment but first though, a few thoughts…              *                         *                         * Throughout my career in the retail design world I have often heard this statement “I never planned to be in retail”.And it's often said with some slight lilt of apology, that in a way somehow as an architect it was somehow not taken quite as seriously as the design of public buildings or housing or other things that architects with a capital “A” do.What's more, when I entered into the retail design world, quite by serendipity I might add, I came into the design of stores by way of visual merchandising. I was the resident architect of a small 4 personn design and visual merchandising consulting firm on 36th street just east of Park.Working with a couple of seasoned pros, I learned that visual merchandisers were often regarded simply as window trimmers and I don't think quite got the respect that they were due for the power they had in shaping the retail experience for customers. Often seen as the silent seller, visual merchandising was a key component to how the customer journey unfolded in a shopping experience. Mannequins and other displays in the store added that extra flavor to the store as a stage set in which the merchandise was the principal actor.Architecture wasn't unimportant, but it wasn't the be all and end all of the in-store experience. You could have terrific architecture but if you couldn't get your assortment planning right department layouts an in store messaging you were likely not to perform quite as well.It was through my first employer and mentor Joe Weishar of New Vision Studios in New York that I began to really understand the power of visual merchandising in the store designers toolboxand that it couldn't be simply left to be an afterthought but had to be integral to the initial strategic design thinking of how a store would be laid out. Where those special moments of surprise and delight would occur often had little to do with architecture but a lot to do with theatrics, art, marketing, graphics – in short, storytelling.Going back to that comment a moment ago about serendipity finding me and putting me firmly in the world of retail design, it does very much align with the often heard message that “I didn't plan to be in retail.” It is in fact true, that one now is an architecture I had no awareness and probably no interest in designing stores for a living.But, that said, I actually had no shame about being in retail.Retail combined all the things that I loved:stage set design, industrial design architecture, marketing, consumer behavior, trend analysis, fashion and advertising - all of these disciplines came together in the experience that a brand or retailer would provide for their customers.The fact of the matter is, that the exchange of goods and services otherwise know as ‘retail,' is one of the key cornerstones of cultures around the world. Exchange has always been tied with ideas and that makes it extremely powerful. And, these ideas change over time influenced by the comings and goings of merchants and trends and technologies. It seems to me, and this comes from someone who was educated trained and licensed as an architect, that retail locations are probably more frequented by the general population than are the major civic buildings that would have been typically called “architecture” in the past.Think about it, when was the last time that you went to a post office, a library, an Opera House, a government building, a church, synagogue, or mosque or a courthouse?When did you last walk the campus of a university or visit a museum?And I am sure that there are some of you who will say well I did all of those yesterday but I'd also hazard a guess that they would be in the minority.now, when was the last time you went to a store a shopping mall a department store or used your phone to buy something from Amazon or some other online company?The point here is that shopping is so deeply ingrained in our everyday lives that it's inextricably tied to how we come to understand the world around us. Shopping places therefore are important and even though many people who work in the retail space find their way there as a transition between the end of one semester and the beginning of another.Students or younger members of our society are not the only people who find meaningful work in retail and who ultimately end up building their entire careers around working for retailer or brand or some company in the design and construction industry who's connected to designing and building stores.And somehow our society has often placed a judgment on what type of retail you might likely be engaged in. I have often heard the position that price point of product is somehow equated to pride in a sales associate's work or price of products being a precursor to better service but this should not be the case. Experiences in retail stores should not be better if the products it sells are expensive. Service should be excellent across the product price spectrum of retail experiences.In fact we've all probably had experiences where being in high priced stores did not render necessarily better service.The point is that you need to strip away what you sell and deliver high levels of experience regardless of the product or the service that you're providing to your customers.Providing great service often has to do with how people connect to others and the level of emotional intelligence that sales associates bring to their job every day. Which also suggests that the way we train sales associates in customer interaction protocols might likely be less about the rubric of sequential steps on how to connect – first you do this, say that, then do this, and say that – but might likely be more effective if you train on why we all need emotionally resonant, empathic connection – how empathy is built into our collective DNA.And this is where my guest, Ron Thurston comes into the story.Ron suggests that empathy, curiosity and focus translate into every job in retail. He believes that we need to teach human connection rather than sales training. I would bet that most of us can spot the ‘sales pitch' a mile away. We could almost speak the script because we have been exposed to it too many times.Ron Thurston's life mission is to celebrate, elevate, and empower the people and spirit of the retail industry.Core to his philosophy is to stop referring to your career in retail as “accidental” because you diminish you own power. Its ok to say “I choose to be the best sales associate, leader or stock person and I am proud of my role in the world of retail.”With over three decades of leading retail stores and operations for top American brands like Gap, West Elm, Apple, Tory Burch, Bonobos, and Saint Laurent, Ron has honed an extensive skill set in retail strategy, management, and innovation.In January 2024, Ron co-founded OSSY, a forward-thinking retail recruiting agency. This venture is dedicated to addressing the biggest hiring and recruiting challenges in retail, reinforcing Ron's unwavering commitment to the industry.As the best-selling author of RETAIL PRIDE, Ron inspires retail professionals to embrace their unique career paths. He also hosted the RETAIL IN AMERICA podcast and tour, journeying across the nation in an Airstream trailer during 2022/2023 to uncover and highlight the remarkable stories and individuals in retail.I was happy to catch up with Ron Thurston after his key note presentation at the SHOP Marketplace event and sit down for a great talk…             *                         *                         *ABOUT DAVID KEPRON:LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/david-kepron-9a1582bWebsites:  https://www.davidkepron.com    (personal website)vmsd.com/taxonomy/term/8645  (Blog)Email: david.kepron@NXTLVLexperiencedesign.comTwitter: DavidKepronPersonal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkepron/NXTLVL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nxtlvl_experience_design/Bio:David Kepron is a multifaceted creative professional with a deep curiosity to understand ‘why', ‘what's now' and ‘what's next'. He brings together his background as an architect, artist, educator, author, podcast host and builder to the making of meaningful and empathically-focused, community-centric customer connections at brand experience places around the globe. David is a former VP - Global Design Strategies at Marriott International. While at Marriott, his focus was on the creation of compelling customer experiences within Marriott's “Premium Distinctive” segment which included: Westin, Renaissance, Le Meridien, Autograph Collection, Tribute Portfolio, Design Hotels and Gaylord hotels. In 2020 Kepron founded NXTLVL Experience Design, a strategy and design consultancy, where he combines his multidisciplinary approach to the creation of relevant brand engagements with his passion for social and cultural anthropology, neuroscience and emerging digital technologies. As a frequently requested international speaker at corporate events and international conferences focusing on CX, digital transformation, retail, hospitality, emerging technology, David shares his expertise on subjects ranging from consumer behaviors and trends, brain science and buying behavior, store design and visual merchandising, hotel design and strategy as well as creativity and innovation. In his talks, David shares visionary ideas on how brand strategy, brain science and emerging technologies are changing guest expectations about relationships they want to have with brands and how companies can remain relevant in a digitally enabled marketplace. David currently shares his experience and insight on various industry boards including: VMSD magazine's Editorial Advisory Board, the Interactive Customer Experience Association, Sign Research Foundation's Program Committee as well as the Center For Retail Transformation at George Mason University.He has held teaching positions at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), the Department of Architecture & Interior Design of Drexel University in Philadelphia, the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (L.I.M.) in New York, the International Academy of Merchandising and Design in Montreal and he served as the Director of the Visual Merchandising Department at LaSalle International Fashion School (L.I.F.S.) in Singapore.  In 2014 Kepron published his first book titled: “Retail (r)Evolution: Why Creating Right-Brain Stores Will Shape the Future of Shopping in a Digitally Driven World” and he is currently working on his second book to be published soon. David also writes a popular blog called “Brain Food” which is published monthly on vmsd.com.  The next level experience design podcast is presented by VMSD magazine and Smartwork Media. It is hosted and executive produced by David Kepron. Our original music and audio production by Kano Sound. The content of this podcast is copywrite to David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design. Any publication or rebroadcast of the content is prohibited without the expressed written consent of David Kepron and NXTLVL Experience Design.Make sure to tune in for more NXTLVL “Dialogues on DATA: Design Architecture Technology and the Arts” wherever you find your favorite podcasts and make sure to visit vmsd.com and look for the tab for the NXTLVL Experience Design podcast there too.

Today, we have an inspiring conversation with retail powerhouse Jenn Luna. In this episode, Jenn shares her incredible journey from hiring part-time staff who share her values to developing them into key leadership roles within her company. You'll hear about Jenn's transformation from a control-driven leader to one who empowers her team to take on significant responsibilities and make decisions. We'll explore how Jenn balances taking calculated business risks with aligning ventures to the overall vision of her brand, which focuses on local, small-scale shopping experiences.  As an owner of 4 locations, she dives deep into the importance of creating a positive, community-focused work environment that attracts and retains top talent. She also discusses how her leadership team engages in strategic conversations and masters their roles, contributing to a highly committed and participative team. Connect with Jenn Luna: LinkedIn Paper Luxe The Curious Bear Toy & Book Shop Kindship Co. Work with Shelli Warren: Book a call with Shelli to talk about how coaching can help you eleveate your leadership capability. Confidence Starts Here: Get the Ask Shelli scripts to know what to say and how to say it. Free Resources: Click here to get our list of red flags to watch for in interviews. Click here to get the 12 Ways to Motivate Your Team Without a Pay Raise guide. Click here for free resources and tools from Stacking Your Team. Click here to get the guide on how to position your role as their next best career move. Connect with Shelli Warren: Email: leader@stackingyourteam.com Instagram LinkedIn Subscribe to the Stacking Your Team Newsletter

Welcome back to Pivot With Purpose! Today I have Matt Marcotte on the show with me and I am so pumped about the wisdom he is going to share with you! Matt is the founder and principal at M2 Collaborative, an executive leadership and high-performance consultancy. He brings 34 years of building, scaling, reinventing, leading and advising some of the most valuable brands in the world. At M2 Collaborative, Matt's approach to helping clients drive results is grounded in unleashing human potential- individuals, teams and cultures to create commitment not compliance around a clear and compelling brand vision and strategy. He works with companies across industries to help leaders lead better through meaningful relevant connection and relationship with employees and consumers. Prior to M2 Collaborative Matt was SVP, Head of Global Industry Advisors for Retail, Consumer Goods, Manufacturing, Automotive and Energy at Salesforce. He was also the head of the North America retail organization at Apple, scaling the technology company's culture and sales during explosive growth early on in his career. Matt has countless experiences in retail and merchandising strategy and he currently teaches Consumer and Brand Relationship at his alma mater Boston College. I can't wait to get into his insights and experiences navigating the ever-evolving landscape of retail! Topics Covered:(02:53) Matt reflects on his early career and the pivotal experiences that shaped his trajectory.(07:25) Learning from pivotal career moments that fueled personal growth and resilience.(38:02) The changing landscape of leadership today and the need for adaptability and empathy.(42:59) The future of retail as impacted by e-commerce, social media, and the pandemic.(51:23) How employee development and training impact retention and company culture.(52:22) Prioritizing employee satisfaction to enhance customer experience.(54:21) Strategies for effective leadership through clarity, support, and team empowerment.Matt's long tenure in retail is a testament to his leadership, innovation and ability to pivot with purpose! Want to learn more from Matt? Connect with him on LinkedIn!Matt's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mamarcotte/Meghan Houle Method Career Community & Recruitment Resources: LinkedIn Meghan Houle Instagram Pivot with Purpose Instagram Book a Call With Meghan Subscribe to the Pivot with Purpose Blog Season 6 Sponsor TripleTen TripleTen's boot camps turbocharge your journey into the world of tech, equipping you with the cutting-edge skills needed for a game-changing career pivot. Ranked at the top of the charts, Tripleten's programs in Software Engineering, Quality Assurance, Business Intelligence Analytics, and Data Science are the ultimate launchpad for your career transformation. Learn more about TripleTen: https://tripleten.com/

Gina Anstee, is the retail director for Aje Athletic and has a reputation for building and leading iconic luxury brands to unprecedented growth. In this episode, Tory and Gina, highlight insights on retail leadership and customer experience. Gina fell into sales after starting her career in marketing and communications, and discovered the importance of building relationships with customers. Gina emphasizes the need for authenticity and genuine connections in retail, as well as empowering and celebrating her team. She discusses the use of data and analytics to drive growth and improve the customer experience, and the implementation of click and collect and same-day delivery. Key Takeaways Building relationships and making genuine connections with customers is crucial in retail. Empowering and celebrating the team leads to better customer experiences and retention of talent. Data and analytics can be leveraged to drive growth and improve the customer experience. Click and collect and same-day delivery are important services in the retail industry. Global trends can be used to improve local retail experiences. Women in their 50s bring valuable wisdom and resilience to leadership roles. Personal growth and stepping into one's power are important for career advancement.   Contact with Gina: www.linkedin.com/in/gina-anstee-58b5194a Connect with Tory: www.powerful-steps.com Find out more about the Business Attraction Program: www.powerful-steps.com/business-attraction-programSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tune in to the Retail Corner Podcast for an enlightening discussion featuring Ram Venkataraman, CEO of Kibo, as he delves into the essence of effective retail leadership and strategies to empower teams for success. Ram explores the pivotal roles of reward-centric and responsibility-centric individuals within companies, highlighting their potential to either elevate or hinder organizational outcomes. About our guest, Ram Venkataraman: Ram has spent more than 25 years of his career working in software companies that range from bootstrapped startups to public companies. He has held senior executive positions for more than a decade, driving product and technology functions. Prior to Kibo, he was at NCR, where Ram was the CTO of the NCR payment platforms. He has a bachelor's degree in electronics engineering from the University of Mumbai. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramvenkataraman/ Website: https://kibocommerce.com/   About Retail Corner Podcast: Guest Host: Cole Koumalats Producer: Sachin Kumar Bhate Podcast Sponsor: Proxima360 Listen to other podcasts at: https://proxima360.com/retail-corner.podcast or https://retailcorner.live Subscribe our Podcast: Apple iTunes: https://apple.co/3eoeUdT Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3dvjpDJ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3DFHXHw Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3tkbhk1 Interested in being on our podcast? Submit request at: retailcorner@proxima360.com  

Meet Deb Craven, President of Longo's, one of Canada's most popular grocery stores with dozens of locations and more on the way across Southern Ontario. I joined Deb in the Longo's Store Support offices, and we talked about leadership and what it takes to innovate and compete in the crowded Southern Ontario grocery marketplace. Deb also previews her upcoming keynote for Retail Council of Canada's Retail HR conference on April 25th. Learn more and get your tickets today: https://rcchrconference.ca/About DebDeb Craven is a seasoned executive with decades of progressive experience. She has built an incredible career grounded in hard work, supportive managers, curiosity, and having the confidence to speak her mind with strong humility.Deb is the President at Longo's. She joined the organization in 2019 as the Chief Financial Officer and later became the Chief Operating Officer. During her tenure at Longo's, she has successfully delivered exceptional growth while architecting the extraordinary expansion of the company, including supporting the partnership with Empire. Previous to Longo's, she has held progressive financial management positions at Purolator, Nike, and Canadian Tire (Mark's and Sportchek).She achieved her Chartered Accountant designation (ICAO) and an Honours BBA (Co-Op) from Wilfrid Laurier University. She also received the Star Women in Grocery award.Deb is married with 2 adult children and enjoys the gym, cycling and is learning to play tennis (and trying to love golf).She gives back to the community with her support of charitable organizations. Over the years she has proudly served on the Board of Directors for The Learning Partnership, Sagesse, and Kids Help Phone. About MichaelMichael is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. He 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 Secure conference with leaders from The Gap and Kroger talking about violence in retail stores, keynotes on the state & future of retail in Orlando and Halifax, and at the 2023 Canadian GroceryConnex conference, hosting the CEOs of Walmart Canada, Longo's and Save-On-Foods Canada. Michael brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael also produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in North America, Remarkable Retail, Canada's top retail industry podcast; the Voice of Retail; Canada's top food industry and the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor, with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail influencers for the fourth year in a row, Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer, and you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state of the retail industry in Canada and the U.S., and the future of retail.

Meet Alyssa Rade, chief sustainability officer at Sustain.life, a leading carbon accounting platform, where she leads the company's strategy for product content, guiding retailers across North America on their decarbonization and ESG journeys. Alyssa unpacks the complexities of carbon accounting for all of us, providing a uniform model for retailers, brands and vendors in tracking, reporting and understanding their decarbonization work.  Links:  https://www.sustain.life https://www.sustain.life/blog https://www.sustain.life/resources/esg-regulations-frameworksAbout AlyssaAlyssa Rade is the chief sustainability officer at Sustain.Life where she leads the company's strategy for product content, guiding users on their decarbonization and ESG journeys. Her 10+ years of corporate sustainability experience guides the program recommendations, carbon management and ESG disclosures featured in Sustain.Life's software. Prior to joining Sustain.Life, Alyssa directed the ESG program at Vornado Realty Trust, where she managed sustainable operations and development for over 30 million sf of class A commercial space. Alyssa is accredited as a LEED and WELL AP and holds a MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University and a BA in Environmental Studies from Washington University in St. Louis. Links:  https://www.sustain.life https://www.sustain.life/blog https://www.sustain.life/resources/esg-regulations-frameworks About MichaelMichael is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc. and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada and the Bank of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, Today's Shopping Choice and Pandora Jewellery. Michael has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. He has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions with C-level executives and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels. ReThink Retail has added Michael to their prestigious Top Retail Experts list for 2024 for the third year in a row.Michael is also the president of Maven Media, producing a network of leading trade podcasts, including Canada's top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail. He produces and co-hosts Remarkable Retail with best-selling author Steve Dennis, now ranked one of the top retail podcasts in the world. Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers. Last but not least, Michael is the producer and host of the "Last Request Barbeque" channel on YouTube, where he cooks meals to die for - and collaborates with top brands as a food and product influencer across North America.

Welcome to a new year, and maybe a new you, regarding your perspectives around leadership.  My special guest is Steve Worthy, who, with over 27 years of North American on the front lines as a senior retail store leader and operator, brings a unique mix of executive coaching, training, and real-world experience to senior retail leaders and corporate teams.   About SteveSteve Worthy, Founder and CEO, brings a unique mix of executive coaching and training to senior retail leaders and corporate teams. With over 27 years of experience as a senior retail leader, Steve's passion lies in guiding high-potential leaders to new heights in their careers. He embarked on his coaching journey in 2006, holds an MBA from the University of Maryland, and is certified in several personality profile tools such as the Enneagram, DISC, and Myers Briggs, establishing him as a go-to expert for leadership insights.All of his insights can be experienced in his podcast, RETAIL LEADERSHIP with Steve Worthy, and his upcoming book “The Approachable Retail Leader.” About MichaelMichael is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc. and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada and the Bank of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, Today's Shopping Choice and Pandora Jewellery. Michael has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. He has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions with C-level executives and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels. ReThink Retail has added Michael to their prestigious Top Retail Experts list for 2024 for the third year in a row.Michael is also the president of Maven Media, producing a network of leading trade podcasts, including Canada's top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail. He produces and co-hosts Remarkable Retail with best-selling author Steve Dennis, now ranked one of the top retail podcasts in the world. Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers. Last but not least, Michael is the producer and host of the "Last Request Barbeque" channel on YouTube, where he cooks meals to die for - and collaborates with top brands as a food and product influencer across North America.

Live from the main stage at RCC's Retail Sustainability conference in Toronto, my discussion with two visionary retail leaders, Geraldine Huse, President of P&G Canada, and George Soleas, President and CEO of LCBO, as they offer invaluable insights from their respective organization's journeys to net zero, spotlighting the innovations, cultural changes, triumphs and tribulations on their paths to real sustainable change.About GeorgeGeorge Soleas is one of Canada's best-credentialed wine experts. He joined the LCBO in 1997 as Director of Quality Assurance after serving more than 11 years in the Canadian wine industry, taking on progressively senior leadership positions until he was named President & Chief Executive Officer in 2016. George's diverse education includes a BSc from McMaster University, a diploma in Oenology from U.C. Davis, as well as a MSc and PhD from the University of Toronto.  He remains committed to higher education through professional affiliations with McMaster University, Brock University, and the University of Guelph. George completed executive training through the New CEO Workshop at Harvard Business School, the Masters Certificate in Supply Chain and Logistics Management program from the Schulich Executive Education Centre, the Breakthrough Program for Senior Executives at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland, and the Rotman Institute of Corporate Directors program (ICD.D). His widely published research focuses primarily on the biochemical aspects of beverage alcohol constituents and their effects on humans. George currently serves as a Member, Board of Directors of the Retail Council of Canada. He is also the recipient of such awards as the Ontario Imported Wine-Spirits-Beer Association's Industry Partnership Award, the Greek Wine Industry Award, the McMaster Alumni Gallery Award, and was appointed to the Jurade de Saint Emilion and Chevaliers du Tastevin wine organizations as well as the Keepers of the Quaich. About GeraldineAs President of P&G Canada, Geraldine is responsible for the Company's business and operations of one of the Company's Top 10 Focus Markets.She has oversight of almost 2000 employees across a manufacturing sitein Belleville, a distribution center in Brantford, and a general office located in Toronto. Since joining P&G in 1986, her career has spanned across various Sales,Marketing and General Management positions including senior leadership roles across Europe, Asia, IMEA and America. Geraldine has led P&G Sales in UK & Ireland, followed by a position of Senior VP Global Sales with responsibility for a key customer account in 12 markets. Prior to joining P&G Canada, she was the CEO and Chairman of the Board for P&G Central Europe. During her career, Geraldine has championed Equality & Inclusion efforts by addressing the gender balance in leadership roles and promoting inclusive leadership as the unique way to succeed in the age of disruption. UK's top trade magazine identified Geraldine as one of the top 100 influential women in business, Canadian Grocer named Geraldine a Star Women in Grocery in 2021, and WXN named Geraldine as one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2022. Outside of work, Geraldine conducts an active lifestyle. Her passion is firstly family and then sports including running (covered 4 marathons in London, Edinburgh and Rome), theatre and restaurants.About MichaelMichael is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc. and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada and the Bank of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, Today's Shopping Choice and Pandora Jewellery.   Michael has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. He has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions with C-level executives and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels. ReThink Retail has added Michael to their prestigious Top Global Retail Influencers list for 2023 for the third year in a row.Michael is also the president of Maven Media, producing a network of leading trade podcasts, including Canada's top retail industry podcast_,_ The Voice of Retail. He produces and co-hosts Remarkable Retail with best-selling author Steve Dennis, now ranked one of the top retail podcasts in the world. Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers. Last but not least, Michael is the producer and host of the "Last Request Barbeque" channel on YouTube, where he cooks meals to die for - and collaborates with top brands as a food and product influencer across North America. About MichaelMichael is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc. and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada and the Bank of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, Today's Shopping Choice and Pandora Jewellery. Michael has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. He has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions with C-level executives and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels. ReThink Retail has added Michael to their prestigious Top Global Retail Influencers list for 2023 for the third year in a row.Michael is also the president of Maven Media, producing a network of leading trade podcasts, including Canada's top retail industry podcast_,_ The Voice of Retail. He produces and co-hosts Remarkable Retail with best-selling author Steve Dennis, now ranked one of the top retail podcasts in the world. Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers. Last but not least, Michael is the producer and host of the "Last Request Barbeque" channel on YouTube, where he cooks meals to die for - and collaborates with top brands as a food and product influencer across North America.

On this year's Holiday Hacks, we break down the leadership videos being watched by the most Gen Z leaders. The second video is "Retail Leadership" by John Addison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in5s6_QF-FoPatreon Account: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=22174142This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4805674/advertisement

It's women's month on the CPGGGUYS. Every year in November we feature only female executives, startup founders and leaders from CPG brands and retail on the podcast. This is episode one for the cpg guys women's month 2023.We're happy to be formal sponsors of NextUp whose mission is to advance all women in business. We are giving away memberships to this prestigious network and organization so drop us a line at contact@cpgguys.com to learn more and take advantage of what NextUp has to offer.The CPG Guys speak to our seventh guest to come from the iconic CPG manufacturer the Coca-Cola Company Pamela Stewart is the Chief Customer Officer for North America Retail.Follow Pamela on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pammiestewart/Follow Coca-Cola on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-coca-cola-company/Follow Coca-Cola online at: https://www.coca-colacompany.com/Here's what we asked Pamela: Take us through your career journey from Georgia state university to entering retail sales, to foodservice and then to run a region to now CCO for NA retail at the world's most beloved beverage Coca-Cola?What leadership attributes have served you well over the years and championed your career success?A successful leader builds a good team around them. What do you look for in a team and how do you help build teams?It's an omnichannel world - how did you adjust your organizational strategy as the pandemic arrived and have things changed for ever, returned to normal, or something else?If Coca-Cola wasn't enough, you have quite a number of leadership activities. Talk to us about your involvement over the years as a member of the board of directors of so many organizations such as Utz, National restaurant association, FMI, save the children and black women in boards?The role you have in retail leadership is anchored on refreshing beverage satisfaction for consumers at the end of the day. How do you help drive this to deliver for your consumers and retail partners by partnering with the brand teams and business units and your CMO?Business in 2023 looks very different than the last 3 years as consumer retail purchase and consumption seems to have slowed down significantly. How are you coaching your teams to adapt?What advice do you have for other women wishing to pursue a corporate career in the CPG/Retail industry?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comCPG Scoop Website: http://CPGscoop.comNextUp Website: http://NextUpisnow.org/cpgguysRetailWit Website: http://retailwit.comRhea Raj's Website: http://rhearaj.comDISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are the CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual's use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.

Welcome to The Voice of Retail podcast. My name is Michael LeBlanc, and I am your host. This podcast is produced in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada. Live from Dublin, meet Martin Bailie, a global retail executive with an impressive 30 years of proven expertise and experience within the global food and fashion retail industries, including c-Level roles at Lidel, Primark and Tata/Tesco in India.  In a wide-ranging conversation, mics across the pond, we cover the critical issues in modern retail from a European operator's perspective with someone on the front lines of retail innovation and retail technological change his whole career. About MartinAn exceptional leader, change manager and cultural architect, with over 30 years proven expertise and experience within the global food and fashion retail industries - Pan Europe, South Asia and NE America.Skilfully blends commercial, financial and brand leadership with a visionary strategic overview and an analytical, comprehensive knowledge of local and global context. A solution-focused and innovative practitioner, highly responsive to current and emerging trends and flourishing within two of the leanest operational models for 23 years. Universally acknowledged as a gifted and responsive driver of sweeping strategic and operational transition; transforming efficiency, dynamism and fluidity to achieve measurable increases in market share.About MichaelMichael is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc. and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada and the Bank of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, Today's Shopping Choice and Pandora Jewellery.   Michael has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. He has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions with C-level executives and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels. ReThink Retail has added Michael to their prestigious Top Global Retail Influencers list for 2023 for the third year in a row. Michael is also the president of Maven Media, producing a network of leading trade podcasts, including Canada's top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail. He produces and co-hosts Remarkable Retail with best-selling author Steve Dennis, now ranked one of the top retail podcasts in the world. Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers. Last but not least, Michael is the producer and host of the "Last Request Barbeque" channel on YouTube, where he cooks meals to die for - and collaborates with top brands as a food and product influencer across North America.