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Episode 304 reunites The Analysts — Remarkable Retail's celebrated panel of Forrester's Sucharita Kodali, Guggenheim's Simeon Siegel, and GlobalData's Neil Saunders — to take stock of retail coming out of earnings season. Steve Dennis and Michael LeBlanc open on the paradox of 2026: results are largely strong, sentiment is dismal. Simeon argues the link between the two is "tenuous at best" — people talk one way and spend another. Neil has the data: roughly 60% of shoppers who expect the economy to worsen still spent more than a year ago, propped up by spring tax refunds that won't repeat. Then the K-shaped economy. Higher-income households drive most of the real volume growth; middle-income shoppers prop up value growth mainly because prices are higher. Sucharita revisits "peak ambiguity" and the "vibe session," noting record sales barely outrun stubborn inflation. The panel unpacks the standouts — Ross's 17% comp, Victoria's Secret up 15% — and debates GLP-1's role in surging apparel and beauty: wardrobe replacement, new confidence, trading up to statement pieces. On turnarounds, Simeon lands the episode's sharpest thesis: brands "ubiquitize" and peak around $3–4 billion in the US. Lululemon got too big, over-distributed, and over-earning — so the bad sales have to "walk out the door" before the brand can re-elevate, the same lens that frames Nike's long reset. He and Sucharita draw the Gap parallel ahead of Simeon's on-stage interview with Mickey Drexler, noting Old Navy now dwarfs Gap itself. Neil makes the case for Macy's under Tony Spring — basics fixed first, satisfaction and visitation improving — while Steve stays skeptical of the pace. Next, the DTC reckoning. Simeon reframes his old "DTC is not all it's cracked up to be" call as "anti-anti-wholesale": outside high-margin luxury, nearly every brand needs a healthy wholesale business — and stores remain the best channel because "the customer is your employee." Sucharita pushes back on the AI narrative, reminding everyone it's far more than generative hype, as the panel digs into why scaled players — Amazon, Walmart, Costco, off-price — keep compounding through retail media, marketplaces, and flywheel economics. It closes on the wealth effect, trillion-dollar market caps, and whether a market correction could rattle high-end spending — then rapid-fire hot takes: brands to watch (Cozey, Ross Stores, Goyard) and what's on each analyst's radar, from inflation and surging oil prices to a quiet "middle of the doughnut" news lull and an election year's hunt for stability. Join us at the CommerceNext Growth Show in New York June 23rd and 24th with this exclusive discount code for 10% off general admission tickets and FREE retail tickets: Your code is "REMARKABLE" . See you in the Big Apple! About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling author of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the NRF as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025 and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.
This is a free preview of a paid episode (59 min), exclusively available on our subscriber-only premium feed. Become a premium subscriber to tune into the full episode: https://cubicletoceo.co/podcast Questions about our premium podcast subscription? Send us a DM @cubicletoceo Introducing “Revenue → Returns (How My Money Makes Me Money)”: our next case study series where we interview entrepreneurs on how they're investing the money their business makes in ventures outside of their main business to grow their wealth. Kicking off the series with a highly requested discussion on using your business profits to buy another existing business, our founder Ellen Yin debriefs her recent acquisition of Runway Fashion Exchange, a brick and mortar resale store in a college town in Oregon. With details on deal structure, due diligence process, and what returns the store is generating, this is an honest account of what buying a business is actually like — from the first conversation with the seller to now four months in operation as the new owner. Links mentioned in today's episode: Codie Sanchez's episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4T1AQVVwDENbIklsKUFTme?si=74b67d89ee9e4123 https://www.bizbuysell.com/ https://flippa.com https://empirebuilders.com https://bizscout.com If you enjoyed today's episode, please: Post a screenshot & key takeaway on your IG story and tag us @cubicletoceo so we can repost you. Subscribe to our premium feed for case-study style interviews every Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPISODE 373 - Clark and Hyung open the show revisiting the PSA grading stoppage for the Value Tier submissions. And Hyung shares what he's going to do with all the Shohei Ohtani base and refractor cards he was initially going to submit all to PSA until the recent announcement.Then for Hobby Headlines, the guys discuss the future of the hobby store in light of the announcement from Geoff Wilson (aka Sports Card Investor) that CardsHQ will be expanding into new locations across the U.S. Does this mean the end of local mom and pop shops? What can smaller retail hobby shops do to survive? Next, they play a round of Over/Under (Superfractor edition), before they end the episode with their regular weekly segment called Pick 1.--------------------------CONNECT WITH US!Instagram: @cardstothemoon | @fivecardguys (Clark) | @yntegritysportscards (Hyung) | @tradeyouatrecess (John)Website: https://fivecardguys.com/podcastDaily Auctions (w/ affiliate links): https://fivecardguys.com/dailyauctionsIf you have any questions about the hobby that you would like addressed, email us at hello@fivecardguys.com or DM us on Instagram at @cardstothemoon or @fivecardguys.
Dillon Okner is the Founder & Partner of SiteRise, a retail development and construction platform helping brands streamline site selection, store development, and portfolio expansion. With more than 15 years of experience in retail construction and operations, Dillon previously helped support the expansion of major brands including Apple and Tesla. Today, he focuses on helping retailers, restaurants, and franchise operators eliminate development bottlenecks and open locations faster through better data, workflow management, and portfolio visibility.(01:13) - How Retail Openings Break(03:36) - Retail Innovation Edge (05:00) - Store development with SiteRise(07:38) - Apple & Tesla Lessons (09:26) - Proprietary Data (14:07) - Construction Influence on Deals(15:27) - Working with Brokers(16:33) - SiteRise's Clients(17:44) - Getting Buy-in From Stakeholders(20:50) - Collaboration superpower: Dillon's father and grandfather
Retail stores are expanding as developers open new locations nationwide, driven by technology and AI investments. Colliers reports that retailers investing in technology achieve three times the profits of those who do not. Physical stores account for 85.1% of US retail sales, with 71% of retailers growing their footprints in 2026. E-commerce integration is significant, with one in four online orders fulfilled through physical stores. AI adoption is accelerating, with 40% of major US retailers implementing AI shopping assistants. Leading retailers increase IT spending by 52%, creating a performance gap. Landlords benefit from treating properties as technology-enabled platforms, impacting asset value and net operating income.Learn more on this news by visiting us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If you're carrying inventory that just won't sell, this episode is for you. Kathy breaks down what dead inventory in retail is really costing your business and why it's more than just the product sitting on your shelves. She explains the "squatter effect," how unsold inventory ties up your cash flow, and what most store owners get wrong when trying to fix it. You'll also hear a straightforward review of Max Retail, a platform that helps independent retailers move unsold inventory outside of their stores and turn it back into cash. If you're ready to stop letting inventory hold your business back, this episode will give you a smarter way to think about it. For show notes, including links to the documentary and resources I mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode274 Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website: Savvy ShopkeeperInstagram: @savvyshopkeeperMastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers
What does it really take to build a business that lasts nearly three decades without relying on traditional marketing? In this episode, I sit down with Brandon Pugmire, founder of ImprintCity, to unpack a journey that started with door-to-door hustling as a kid and evolved into a multi-service branding and print company serving clients across the country. Brandon shares how relationships, calculated risks, and a willingness to bet on himself shaped his success. We dig into the moments that could have ended his business, the unconventional decisions that saved it, and why he believes the future belongs to those who combine human connection with digital innovation. If you are building something long term and want to understand what actually sustains growth, this conversation delivers. In this episode, you'll learn: The intrinsic wiring of entrepreneurs and how to identify that early drive. The blueprint Brandon used to scale ImprintCity through human connection and referrals. The critical, unconventional lesson that protected his business during a market downturn. Why standard approaches to promotional products often fail and how to fix them. How to navigate high-stakes risks without compromising your long-term position. The massive shifts currently transforming the landscape of print and branding. The specific strategy for using high-quality giveaways to drive lasting brand impact. What it takes to sustain growth while maintaining the integrity of a family-owned business. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to BizNinja + Meet Brandon Pugmire 00:43 The First Signs of an Entrepreneurial Mindset 01:58 Building a Business from Scratch After College 03:05 Early Wins with Retail Stores and Embroidery 05:22 What ImprintCity Does Today 06:47 The Power of Relationships Over Marketing 08:18 How Referrals Built the Business 09:17 A Turning Point That Saved the Company 11:12 Lessons from Direct Response Marketing 13:08 Surviving Business Cycles and Client Dependency 14:33 Costly Mistakes and Lessons in Risk 16:04 Running a Family-Involved Business 17:28 Advice for the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs 18:25 Industry Trends and the Rise of AI 19:18 Competing with Amazon Through Human Connection 20:17 Big Wins and Unexpected Opportunities 21:30 Memorable Projects and Product Innovation 23:20 The Shift Toward Premium Promotional Products 25:38 Creating a Life Beyond the Business 27:19 What's Next for ImprintCity
This special AI in the AM episode features Sergiy Nesterenko of Quilter on using reinforcement learning for circuit board design, Andy Hall of Stanford on AI behavior in politics and new governance models, and Lukas Peterson and Axel Backlund of Andon Labs on their AI-run retail store in San Francisco. Nathan and Prakash also reflect on the pace of AI progress, the public reaction to existential risk, and why constructive civic action matters as AI systems grow more powerful and autonomous. Sponsors: Roboflow: Roboflow's free 2026 Vision AI Trends report analyzes 200,000+ real-world projects to reveal how top companies are deploying Vision AI and turning proprietary data into an edge. Download it now at https://roboflow.com/trends VCX: VCX, by Fundrise, is the public ticker for private tech, giving everyday investors access to high-growth private companies in AI, space, defense tech, and more. Learn how to invest at https://getvcx.com Tasklet: Build your own Cognitive Revolution monitoring agent in one click.Try it for free and use code COGREV for 50% off your first month at https://tasklet.ai CHAPTERS: (00:00) About the Episode (07:57) Live stream kickoff (09:52) Sam Altman attacks (16:37) Quilter from SpaceX (19:02) Why autorouters fail (Part 1) (20:52) Sponsors: Roboflow | VCX (23:09) Why autorouters fail (Part 2) (28:14) Compute and odd layouts (34:19) Simulations and safety margins (Part 1) (39:22) Sponsor: Tasklet (41:01) Simulations and safety margins (Part 2) (41:01) Superintelligence meets hardware (48:18) AI constitutions debate (55:55) Deepfakes and persuasion (01:02:24) Virtue and institutions (01:11:05) Agent governance problems (01:16:56) Andon store debut (01:21:25) Luna's store choices (01:28:21) Supply chains and spread (01:36:23) AI boss behavior (01:43:47) How retail scales (01:53:54) Processing the future (01:59:50) Markets need context (02:26:42) Episode Outro (02:30:37) Outro PRODUCED BY: https://aipodcast.ing SOCIAL LINKS: Website: https://www.cognitiverevolution.ai Twitter (Podcast): https://x.com/cogrev_podcast Twitter (Nathan): https://x.com/labenz LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nathanlabenz/ Youtube: https://youtube.com/@CognitiveRevolutionPodcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-cognitive-revolution-ai-builders-researchers-and/id1669813431 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6yHyok3M3BjqzR0VB5MSyk
My guest today is Teresa Olson, founder of Olson House in Milwaukee, a beautifully curated store known for Scandinavian-inspired homewares, design-led products, and now a growing vintage collection. But her story does not begin in retail showrooms and brand catalogues. It starts in a Kmart, moves through a record store, a speech communications degree, DJing, interior design, corporate office life, and eventually a leap into opening her own store in 2015. In this conversation, Teresa shares how she built Olson House with intention, how she sourced directly from Scandinavia, what she learned from navigating freight and tariffs, and how a vintage pivot helped drive a 90 percent jump in online sales. This is one of those episodes that is full of heart, but also packed with quiet commercial wisdom. In this episode, we cover: Teresa's unconventional journey from record stores to retail founder Why she left corporate life and retrained as an interior designer How a trip to Scandinavia shaped the Olson House brand What independent retailers can learn from sourcing with intention The hard realities of tariffs, freight, and small-space inventory decisions How vintage became a strategic pivot, not just a passion project What drove a 90 percent increase in online sales Why Google Shopping ads worked better than broad awareness marketing How Teresa uses email segmentation and VIP offers to increase conversions What local retailers can do when external factors hit foot traffic Why nimbleness matters more than ever in today's retail environment You can explore her store online at Olson House.
In Part 2 of this conversation, Matthew Brown — Retail Trend Futurist & Keynote Speaker — joins Alex to break down some of the most innovative retail concepts in the world right now.From Pop Mart in Bangkok and Nespresso's Flatiron flagship to Restoration Hardware, Gentle Monster, and Louis Vuitton's immersive Shanghai concept, this episode explores how leading brands are transforming physical retail into something far bigger than a store.Topics covered in this episode include:experiential retailflagship store innovationhospitality in retailsocial-first store designstorytelling through physical spaceretail trends shaping Gen Z and Gen Alphathe future of luxury and lifestyle retailMatthew explains why the most successful stores today are built around immersion, surprise, local relevance, and shareability — and why Asia continues to set the pace for retail innovation globally.Brands and concepts discussed include Pop Mart, Nespresso, Restoration Hardware, Gentle Monster, Louis Vuitton, Zara, and Lefties.If you work in retail, brand, customer experience, design, innovation, or commercial strategy, this episode is packed with practical insight and standout examples.#RetailInnovation #MatthewBrown #FutureOfRetail #StoreDesign #ExperientialRetail #LuxuryRetail #CustomerExperienceChapter Timestamps00:00 Pop Mart and Asia's social-first retail model00:47 Why the Pop Mart Bangkok flagship stands out01:35 Local design, hospitality, and retail theatre02:22 Nespresso's Flatiron flagship in New York03:10 The basement lounge, vinyl, and hidden speakeasy03:46 Bringing coffee to life through scent and storytelling04:26 Restoration Hardware and aspirational lifestyle retail06:01 How Gentle Monster inspired a new flagship vision07:06 Inside House Nowhere and immersive concept retail08:41 Why Gentle Monster was ranked number two09:07 Louis Vuitton's standout retail spectacle in Shanghai10:46 Can retail keep getting more innovative?11:06 One store that just missed the top ten11:33 Closing thoughts
Retail is changing fast, and store formats are evolving even through crisis. In this episode of the Retail podcast, Alex sits down with Matthew from Echo Chamber to unpack what the best physical stores in the world are doing differently right now.Drawing on nearly three decades of studying retail, Matthew explains why the top end of physical retail keeps getting more immersive, more inspiring, and more operationally sophisticated. The conversation spans global retail hotspots including Seoul, Bangkok, Madrid, Melbourne, Dublin, and New York, and explores how beauty, fashion, food, and department-store concepts are all pushing the in-store experience forward.This episode covers:why Asia is leading retail innovationwhy Madrid is emerging as a standout city for new retail formatshow value brands are creating premium-looking experienceswhy flagship stores need more than product to winwhat brands can learn from MECCA, Donnybrook Fair, Lefties, Hoff, and a new concept department store in New Yorkwhy the “push for posh” is forcing the mid-market to evolve or disappearIf you care about store design, customer experience, retail strategy, and the future of physical retail, this conversation is packed with ideas worth stealing.Featured in this episode: Echo Chamber, global retail trends, flagship strategy, immersive store design, store format innovation, Madrid retail, beauty retail, food retail, department store reinvention.Chapter timestamps00:00 Cold open: Zara Serrano almost makes the list00:00:22 Why store formats are changing globally00:01:25 Meet Matthew from Echo Chamber00:02:18 Where store formats are heading now00:03:07 Why retail keeps getting more immersive00:03:29 Asia, Seoul, Bangkok, and Madrid as innovation hubs00:05:34 MECCA Melbourne and the modern beauty flagship00:07:09 Donnybrook Fair and food retail done right00:08:30 Lefties Madrid and the “push for posh”00:10:20 Why premium value is crushing the mid-market00:11:11 Hoff Madrid and building retail around culture and community00:14:12 New York's concept department store experiment00:15:45 Does experiential retail actually convert?
3AW Breakfast is joined by Bunnings Managing Director Michael Schneider to break down the amount of crime retail stores are being subject to. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ABOUT JOE PINE: Joe's LinkedIn profile; linkedin.com/in/joepine Websites: strategichorizons.com (Blog) StrategicHorizons.com (Company) strategichorizons.com (Personal) SHOW INTRO: Today, EPISODE 86… I talk with Joe Pine Joe Pine, an internationally acclaimed author, speaker, and management advisor to Fortune 500 companies and entrepreneurial start-ups alike... * * * * I've been in the world of retail place-making for a few decades. 3 would qualify as ‘a few' I guess. I took a detour for a few years in the late 20-teens, shifting from retail design into the play space of hospitality – a wonderful diversion. The transition was transformative to be sure. I got to re-imagine what I knew about customer experience place making in terms of retail stores and turn my lens towards another fascination – hotels. The interesting thing that emerged was the recognition that in the world of retail everyone, brands, and retail designers and architects alike, were all going on about experience. Now this in and of itself was curious because I'd been designing stores for a couple decades, and I couldn't recall one client who had ever come to the game and said – ‘hey lets create a really miserable experience for our customers…' ‘…Let's make it hard to understand the assortment, hard to read the labels, bathe the product in bad lighting, have people walk the store not being able to find the thing they came in for, etc…' Not one. Ironically though, while many clients never asked for that, we have all had the experience of that exactly being the case in many stores we go to. So no,… creating a bad experience was never the strategy. We retail designers always sought to create places where positive experience was key. The stuff was important to be sure, but the experience - the emotional residue of the retail interaction - was what was critically important. The stuff was supposed to deliver on what it purported to do, fit well, wear well, not break down, taste good, make you feel better, whatever… it was supposed to work. Otherwise why buy it? In some cases, the stuff just had to deliver on its practical, functional level, it didn't need to give you more than that. It was a commodity that lived up to its promise. In other cases the stuff delivered on function but gave you oh so much more on an emotional, socio-cultural, psychological, spiritual, level… and all of that is about brand relevance and emotional impact of owning the thing – what it says about you. It's like looking at the difference between a paper bag which you could get for about 5 cents and a Birkin bag for which you'd drop $50,000. They both provide the same functional use – they carry other stuff – I think we could make a pretty sound argument that that is true. But now the Birkin bag, well… it is supposed to offer you so much more about who you are, and what tribe you run with and a host of other non-tangibles that deeply connect us to a brand. Things way beyond function. And if the paper bag got wet and fell apart, well… you could be confident that for the price of the Birkin bag you could literally get a million replacements. The interesting thing about the stuff, or services, in retail places whether a commodity or something altogether magnificent and magical was that in either case we had to wrap it in positive experience. Mess up the experience and you've damaged the relationship. And repairing that rupture can take some time. So, experience matters because the overt and subtle messaging that accompanies a shopping trip is important in fostering the long-term connection between a customer, product (or service) and the brand. The value proposition that determines my choice of one brand or retailer over another can't just be they have lots of whatever it is at low prices. Price point and SKU count are not differentiators in an economy where you can get virtually anything on Amazon and have it delivered to your door and, as a brand or retailer, you are hoping to engage an emerging cohort of customers who craves more than getting a good deal. Now... the interesting thing about hospitality is that industry never really sold stuff. You didn't take home the hotel room (at least not until more recently). You took in, and took home, experience - the body memory and emotional residue of being there. Your stuff, as it were, was a camera full of images and tchotchkes bought along the way during the trip that serve as a conduit or a link to, or a trigger of memories and emotional responses to experiences previously lived. You don't bring home the hotel room, though you can now buy the Westin Heavenly bed and all of the linens – I have often wondered why, if I love the room décor, I can't just walk around with my phone and point it at QR codes on everything and in a flash have the whole thing purchased and sent off to my home or apartment to redo the guest room – or my own bedroom for that matter? So…in the end retail sells stuff and wraps it in experience and hotels only sells experience though the industry is starting to get it that selling stuff may extend the brand experience beyond the hotel stay into your home…. Another interesting distinction between hospitality and retail is time. In the hospitality world you spend an overnight or maybe a few days immersed in the brand experience. In a retail store dwell time is often measured in seconds or minutes. This matters because it suggests that retail has to come on strong and be impactful quickly, capturing interest and trying to hold it. Everyone in retail knows the longer the stay the more conversion – larger basket size. Get customers to linger longer and their consideration of other things that were not on their primary shopping list begin to be a little more interesting. There are environments that sell spectacle, the digitally immersive environments that we see emerging into the market like Moment Factory Lumina walks, meow wolf, the Monet digital experiences and things like Artechouse. While they are visual captivating, what is being sold is time in the form of 20-minute shows and 2 hour walks in a midnight forest. Time is the currency of experiences, and more companies should figure out how to charge for it. The both challenge and opportunity here is that in an economy that seems to be time starved because our attention is so fractured into micro moments, time and attention are intricately intertwined. And the rules of basic economics are at play suggesting that the more scarce something is the more expensive it becomes to acquire it. Customer acquisition when pedaling time becomes a costly endeavor. But then time seems to pass by without notice when experience is built on a good story. All good experiences engage the imagination in narrative. We are built for story more than logic though we have believed the at later is the dominant prowess of our species. And stories directly effect our neurobiology in remarkable ways that allow the narrative to come alive in us. Remember, that we came to understand the world through dance, rhythm and stories told around fires for millenia - even before language became a prime vehicle for expression. Our affinity for story is deeply woven into our very beings. So, all great experiences are built on great stories. Narrative manifest become brand experience places. These places for selling goods and services are like stage sets for stories to unfold. I love the theatre and have always felt that retailers and brands should instruct their sales associates to act out their parts in the brand narrative and embrace the idea of theater as a customer interaction strategy. I've always thought of the theatre as something into which I dove for a time, becoming full emersed in the story and emerged somehow changed. I learned something I didn't know previously, saw the world from a different point of view, I would become one of the characters in the story and was, may be, in some way transformed. Certainly during the performance, I was definitely in and out of body state – no longer me. The world beyond the story unfolding in front of me disappeared for a time. And so great experiences can also be transformative... The NXTLVL 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 is 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.
It's Friday 13 March, and this week's Five Things Friday UK Edition breaks down the retail stories worth watching right now.In this episode, we cover:Links mentionedSHEIN Xcelerator – https://sheinxcelerator.com/John Lewis TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@johnlewis/video/7614188535574285590John Lewis TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@johnlewis/video/7614188535574285590Otiumberg Reels – https://www.instagram.com/otiumberg/reels/Footasylum at Silverburn – https://www.shopsilverburn.com/shop/footasylum/Asda George concept rollout – https://corporate.asda.com/newsroom/2026/26/02/asda-kicks-off-10-store-george-concept-rollout-with-peterborough-relaunchWhole Foods new store openings – https://www.wholefoodsmarket.co.uk/newstoreopeningsWaitrose Haslemere transformation – https://www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/media-centre/latest-news/2026/23868Exploring London TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@exploringlondon/video/7616363419817495830What gets discussedSHEIN Xcelerator is positioned as a platform giving brands access to SHEIN's supply chain, logistics, fulfillment, and direct customer reach. The episode frames the opportunity clearly, but also asks the harder question: does speed and scale outweigh the reputational trade-off?John Lewis is discussed through the lens of AI-powered shopping and social commerce, while Waitrose is highlighted for its multi-million-pound Haslemere transformation, including upgraded service counters, redesign work, and bakery improvements.The episode also touches Otiumberg's in-person retail play, Footasylum's Silverburn presence, George at Asda concept expansion, Whole Foods' London growth, and Tesco Mobile's “frozen” Clubcard-price-themed froyo activation. Footasylum is listed at Silverburn Glasgow, and Whole Foods UK is actively promoting new store openings.Chapters00:00 Intro: Friday the 13th and opening banter00:01 Meet Simone Oloman and Need It For Tonight00:02 SHEIN Xcelerator and the supply chain debate00:05 John Lewis, AI shopping and TikTok beauty00:06 Otiumberg's physical retail move00:07 Footasylum, giant store formats and shopping centres00:07 George at Asda concept stores00:08 Whole Foods opening six new London stores00:09 Waitrose store transformation and bakery growth00:10 Tesco Mobile froyo pop-up at King's Cross00:11 Wrapping up and next week in Brussels#Retail #UKRetail #JohnLewis #SHEIN #WholeFoods #Asda #Footasylum #TescoMobile #RetailNews #RetailStrategy #StoreFormats #SocialCommerce #AIShopping #Logistics #Ecommerce
New York City lawmakers are considering legislation that would ban retail stores from collecting customers' biometric data, including facial and voice scans. WNYC and Gothamist reporter Liam Quigley recently reported that the grocery chain Wegmans posted signs warning shoppers their biometric data could be collected in some New York City stores. Supporters of the bill say biometric identifiers are especially sensitive because they are tied to a person's body and cannot be changed like a password. Businesses argue the technology can help improve security and prevent theft as the use of biometric surveillance spreads faster than the laws meant to regulate it. Got any questions, comments or story ideas? Send us a message at NYCNow@WNYC.org
From Pro Golfer to 500+ Retail Stores: The Sales-First Apparel Growth Playbook with Taylor Artman Want to get your apparel brand into retail accounts, even if you're not viral on Instagram or TikTok? In this episode of The Business of Apparel Podcast, Rachel sits down with Taylor Artman, founder of Surf & Turf Golf, to break down how he leveraged community, credibility, and relentless sales focus to grow into 500+ retail stores, with minimal paid marketing. Taylor shares the real story of going from pro golfer to building a course-to-coast apparel brand, starting with a private "speakeasy" style golf club that created demand for merch. You'll hear how Surf & Turf landed early elite pro shop accounts, why wholesale-first helped build long-term stability (even with cash flow challenges), and the leadership lessons that came from hiring too reactively, then rebuilding the team with the right roles and ownership. Taylor also previews Surf & Turf's 2026 initiatives, including an NIL program, PGA section sponsorships, and a private-label offering designed to help founders scale without getting crushed by sourcing mistakes. Sign up for the Secrets Behind Billion Dollar Apparel Brands Masterclass here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/secrets Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com Key Moments: 00:12 Meet Taylor Artman 01:03 From Pro Golf to Startup 01:58 Surf and Turf Origins 06:12 Sales Over Branding 08:31 Wholesale Growth Playbook 12:41 2026 Vision and NIL 16:08 Partnerships and Sourcing Lessons 17:36 Confidential Private Label 18:44 Community Over Competition 23:24 First Hire Breakthrough 30:23 Rebuilding Team the Right Way 32:16 Where to Find Surf and Turf CONNECT WITH TAYLOR AND SURF AND TURF GOLF: WEBSITE: https://surfandturfgolf.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoro6L-0yeo5pthxs_vqKUT7NMjS7-NuRqoPmpdsgBZqE5g6jyIx INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/surfandturfclub/?hl=en Watch episodes of The Business of Apparel Podcast: Wholesale 101: https://youtu.be/lpezH1YwCyE Use AI in Your Apparel Brand: https://youtu.be/Dn9tjPNmfaw Grow A 7-Figure Apparel Business: https://youtu.be/rpQYDyo5Rao We can't wait to hear what you think of this episode! Purchase the Business of Apparel Online Course: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/course ABOUT RACHEL: Rachel Erickson—Fractional COO, Apparel Industry Consultant, and founder of Unmarked Street and The Business of Apparel. With 20+ years in technical design and product development leadership, I've sat at the executive table of a $25M apparel line and helped scale it to $60M in one year. After decades working inside major fashion companies, I learned the truth behind billion-dollar brands, and it's not about chasing trends or pumping out endless products. It's about building clean processes, tightly edited assortments, and obsessively focused customer targeting. I help founders and CEOs of performance apparel brands: ✅ Build lean, profitable product lines ✅ Streamline operations for growth ✅ Replace overwhelm with executive clarity ✅ Create garments that fit bodies in motion Whether you're just hitting $1M in revenue or trying to break through the $10M ceiling, my team joins you as an embedded operations and product partner—running fittings, line plans, tech packs, and vendor communications so you can get back to leading. To connect with Rachel, you can join her LinkedIn community here: LinkedIn. To visit her website, go to: www.unmarkedstreet.com.
Send us a textWhen there's no handbook for building a career, you rely on tenacity, positivity, and education. David Gavin learned retail marketing the hard way: by watching, asking questions, and looking for the white space everyone else ignored.In this episode, Danny sits down with his uncle, David Gavin, a worldwide sales and merchandising consultant who went from navigating apartheid-era South Africa to becoming a strategic force in North American jewelry retail. David shares how focusing on what competitors aren't doing beats racing to the bottom of price, how mentors who throw you in the deep end can change your career trajectory forever, and how the true mark of a salesperson isn't the sum of a set of soft skills, it's how you connect with people.Episode Highlights: Success comes from identifying white space, the opportunities competitors overlook, rather than fighting over what everyone else is already doing.PowerPoint presentations aren't just sales tools; they're strategic frameworks that help clients see concepts they couldn't articulate themselves.Calculated risk-taking means being willing to leave comfort behind when you see a bigger opportunity, even if the path isn't clear.Mentorship often looks like being thrown into the deep end with people who believe you'll figure out how to swim.Retail success requires understanding both the corporate and independent sides of the business, and being willing to walk into stores and observe what's actually happening.Episode Links: David Gavin on LinkedInDavid Greg WebsiteRapaport Magazine: The Rise of Desert DiamondsFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.
Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAlbert Chow built Silk & Snow in the shadow of the DTC mattress wars—but instead of racing to burn VC cash, he played the long game. Today, Silk & Snow has grown into a full home brand with 10 retail stores, a thriving Canadian customer base, and a strong U.S. expansion roadmap.For DTC founders scaling from $5M to $50M...Why they skipped the mattress arms race and leaned into vertical integrationHow bundling less (and planting trees instead) saved $1.3MWhat they learned scaling from 1 to 10 retail stores in a yearThe metrics they track now that ROAS is irrelevantWhy launching a sofa was more about customer affinity than furnitureWho this is for: Operators scaling past one SKU or one channel—and looking for a sustainable path to growth.What to steal:Bundling with purpose (optional tree planting vs. free stuff)Bottom-up brand building: low-funnel mastery firstHow to use DTC data to drive brick-and-mortar strategyTimestamps00:00 Organic growth and surviving the DTC mattress crash02:00 Entering the crowded mattress market in 201704:00 Why Silk and Snow became a full home brand06:00 Factory-first supply chain and Canadian manufacturing08:00 Launching with Kickstarter and early traction10:00 The 2019 DTC apocalypse and sustainable growth12:00 Expanding beyond mattresses into sleep accessories14:00 Functional vs aspirational buying in home goods16:00 Becoming a multi-channel retailer18:00 Using customer data to choose store locations20:00 Canada vs US growth strategy22:00 Building brand from the bottom of the funnel24:00 Replacing bundles with tree planting26:00 Performance marketing roots and early Google28:00 Shifting into awareness and brand media30:00 Why ROAS isn't the real growth signal32:00 Retail partnerships and staying DTC34:00 Black Friday for big-ticket home products36:00 Fulfillment, returns, and sustainability38:00 Repeat customers and long-term LTV40:00 Sleep Country acquisition and retail scale42:00 Vancouver store and physical retail strategyHashtags#DTC #EcommercePodcast #SilkAndSnow #AlbertChow #DTCBrands #HomeGoods #MattressIndustry #BrandBuilding #RetailStrategy #DirectToConsumer #EcommerceGrowth #StartupPodcast #FounderStory #CanadianBrands #PerformanceMarketing #Omnichannel #RetailExpansion #DTCpodcast Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video
In this episode, farmer Vincent Cuneo of Agrarian Feast shares which microgreen varieties give them the highest profits from retail sales. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower: Instagram Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Carrot Cashflow Farm Small Farm Smart Farm Small Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast The Urban Farmer Podcast The Rookie Farmer Podcast In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books: Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Today I am looking back at one of the worst times in my life - when I worked for the horrible big box electronics store Currys. Formerly knows as Currys PC World, Formerly known as Dixons.
In this episode of Rooted in Retail, host Crystal Vilkaitis breaks down the Market Magic framework—seven must-have elements every independent retailer should check off to stay resilient, profitable, and top-of-mind in 2026.If you're closing out a busy holiday season or planning for the new year, this episode gives you actionable ideas you can start using today to boost visibility, strengthen your brand, and elevate your customer experience.[00:00] — Market Magic overview[02:10] — Adaptability & quick pivots[05:45] — Using mystery boxes & FOMO marketing[11:20] — Branding consistency & audits[16:35] — Leveraging customer data + email segmentation[21:50] — Community involvement & partnerships[27:40] — Omnichannel selling in 2026[33:15] — New channels: Podcasts, YouTube & local showsJoin the Rooted in Retail Facebook Group to continue the conversation Join our newsletter for all the latest marketing news for retailers Show off your super fandom by getting your Rooted in Retail Merch!
In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred dives into the impact and importance of Shop Small Saturday, a nationwide initiative designed to spotlight and support small businesses during the critical holiday season. Tom is joined by two powerhouse guests: Tyler Teresa, SBA Regional Administrator for the Southeast, and Jennifer Johnson, founder of True Fashionistas, Florida's largest lifestyle reseller. Tyler shares his personal connection to entrepreneurship and the SBA's ongoing mission to empower small businesses across the Southeast. Jennifer recounts her entrepreneurial journey, scaling her retail brand from a small boutique to a 13,000-square-foot powerhouse. Together, they break down why Shop Small Saturday is the “Super Bowl” for small businesses and offer actionable strategies for small business owners to stand out, attract customers, and maximize the benefits of this nationwide shopping event. Topics discussed include gathering customer data, boosting community involvement, and utilizing assets such as the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Connect with Our Guests: Jennifer Johnson's Retail Store: truefashionistas.com | Jennifer Johnson's Coaching & Speaking: jenniferannjohnson.com SBA
Is private equity eroding the soul of the accounting profession? Blake and David unpack NASBA's PE task force, the BDO–First Brands meltdown, and why ‘appearance of independence' matters. They also break down the end of IRS Direct File, Intuit's TurboTax stores, the Supreme Court's skepticism of Trump tariffs, and a new IRS notices law. Plus: AI agents that fall for scams. Learn what these shifts mean for firms, auditors, and your clients this tax season.SponsorsRelay - http://accountingpodcast.promo/relay Cloud Accountant Staffing - http://accountingpodcast.promo/casBILL - http://accountingpodcast.promo/billChapters(00:00) - Welcome to The Accounting Podcast (01:16) - Viral Tweet and Personal Anecdotes (01:53) - Interview with Furloughed IRS Lawyer (05:45) - Government Shutdown Economic Impact (10:11) - Intuit's New Retail Stores and IRS Direct File Shutdown (14:30) - IRS Leadership and Controversies (17:28) - Trump's Pardons and IRS Math and Taxpayer Help Act (24:53) - Supreme Court Hearing on Tariffs (31:17) - Major Authority and the Power of the Purse (32:03) - AI Agents Falling for Scams (35:32) - NASBA's Private Equity Task Force White Paper (37:02) - Concerns Over Auditor Independence (49:10) - BDO and First Brands Scandal (01:02:35) - Wrap up and Final Thoughts Show NotesLongest Shutdown in History Costs U.S. Economy About $15 Billion Each Week https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/11/05/longest-shutdown-in-history-costs-u-s-economy-about-15-billion-each-week/172368/IRS tells states Direct File 'will not be available' in 2026 https://federalnewsnetwork.com/it-modernization/2025/11/irs-direct-file-will-not-be-available-in-2026-agency-tells-states/Intuit to open 20 brick-and-mortar TurboTax stores+officeshttps://www.accountingtoday.com/news/intuit-to-open-20-brick-and-mortar-turbotax-stores-officesSocial Security, IRS Leader Bisignano Panned After Fiserv Stock Tanks https://401kspecialistmag.com/social-security-irs-leader-bisignano-panned-after-fiserv-stock-tanks/Trump Tariffs Face Supreme Court Challenge From Chicago Toymaker https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-11-02/trump-tariffs-face-supreme-court-challenge-from-chicago-toymakerSupreme Court justices appear skeptical that Trump tariffs are legal https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/05/supreme-court-trump-trade-tarrifs-vos.htmlAICPA Applauds the Passage of the IRS Math and Taxpayer Help Act https://www.aicpa-cima.com/news/article/aicpa-applauds-the-passage-of-the-irs-math-and-taxpayer-help-actFirst Brands founder accused of looting company https://fortune.com/2025/11/05/first-brands-bankruptcy-founder-allegations-patrick-james/Are Alternative Practice Structures in Private Equity Considerations and Questions for Boards of Accountancy (NASBA White Paper) https://nasba.orgMicrosoft Gave AI Agents Fake Money to Buy Things Online. They Spent It All on Scams https://decrypt.co/347709/microsoft-ai-agents-fake-money-buy-online-they-spent-scamsNeed CPE?Get CPE for listening to podcasts with Earmark: https://earmarkcpe.comSubscribe to the Earmark Podcast: https://podcast.earmarkcpe.comGet in TouchThanks for listening and the great reviews! We appreciate you! Follow and tweet @BlakeTOliver and @DavidLeary. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you like what you hear, please do us a favor and write a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. Call us and leave a voicemail; maybe we'll play it on the show. DIAL (202) 695-1040.SponsorshipsAre you interested in sponsoring The Accounting Podcast? For details, read the prospectus.Need Accounting Conference Info? Check out our new website - accountingconferences.comLimited edition shirts, stickers, and other necessitiesTeePublic Store: http://cloudacctpod.link/merchSubscribeApple Podcasts: http://cloudacctpod.link/ApplePodcastsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAccountingPodcastSpotify: http://cloudacctpod.link/SpotifyPodchaser: http://cloudacctpod.link/podchaserStitcher: http://cloudacctpod.link/StitcherOvercast: http://cloudacctpod.link/OvercastClassifiedsCollective by DBA - https://collective.cpa/ Want to get the word out about your newsletter, webinar, party, Facebook group, podcast, e-book, job posting, or that fancy Excel macro you just created? Let the listeners of The Accounting Podcast know by running a classified ad. Go here to create your classified ad: https://cloudacctpod.link/RunClassifiedAdTranscriptsThe full transcript for this episode is available by clicking on the Transcript tab at the top of this page
In this episode, microgreen farmer Vincent Cuneo of Agrarian Feast shares how he goes about the task of keeping their retail store inventories in check and keeping them stocked. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower: Instagram Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Carrot Cashflow Farm Small Farm Smart Farm Small Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast The Urban Farmer Podcast The Rookie Farmer Podcast In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books: Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
We'd love to have your feedback and ideas for future episodes of Retail Unwrapped. Just text us!When you are an architect who works on projects around the world, your perspective about American retail changes through a refined filter. Kevin Roche, Founder of Roche Design Strategy, has the advantage of understanding firsthand the power of Return on Experience (ROE). He believes traditional retailers face an uncomfortable truth: Legacy KPIs are measuring the wrong things entirely. The most successful retail destinations have quietly augmented traditional metrics with something more elusive: ROE. Join Shelley and Kevin as they discuss innovators like Le Bon Marché (a TRR Retail Radical) that invests half a million euros in evening concerts with no direct sales conversion tracking. Dior's Paris flagship operates a museum with paid admission. And Restoration Hardware (another Retail Radical) builds luxury hotels and operates yachts. These are calculated investments that require a decade or more to mature funded by patient capital. They explore the fundamental question confronting retailers: Are they in the hospitality and entertainment business or the transaction business? The stores winning today don't sell products—they orchestrate experiences so compelling that customers join the brand rather than simply buy from it. Yet most retail boards remain trapped in short-term thinking, unable to make the courageous leap toward investments that won't show ROI or ROE for years.Special Guest: Kevin Roche Founder, Roche Design StrategyFor more strategic insights and compelling content, visit TheRobinReport.com, where you can read, watch, and listen to content from Robin Lewis and other retail industry experts, and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
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Learn how e-commerce sellers can scale beyond Amazon and into retail. In this episode, our guest shares insider steps to go retail-ready and build a brand that truly lasts. What if the key to transforming your e-commerce brand into a retail powerhouse lies in understanding the nuances of today's retail landscape? Join us for an insightful conversation with Yohan Jacob from Retail Bound as we challenge common misconceptions Amazon sellers hold about retail. Discover how the post-COVID-19 era has created opportunities for online brands to thrive in physical spaces, with retailers integrating enhanced online experiences and buy online, pick up in-store models. We'll uncover the strategies behind pricing consistency across platforms and how a strong online presence can serve as a stepping stone to retail success. Ready to master the marathon that is retail success? We dive deep into the transition from crowdfunding to the big leagues of traditional retail, revealing the strategic planning needed for product packaging, pricing, and marketing in environments like Best Buy, Walmart, and Costco. Through Yohan's expert lens, learn about the importance of understanding margins, price points, and product derivatives, and how these factors can be leveraged to thrive amidst fierce competition. Hear real-world examples of how brands have navigated these challenges, ensuring their place on the shelves of major retailers. But the path to retail success isn't just about getting onto the shelves; it's about staying there. We tackle the financial intricacies of working with large retailers, from managing extended payment terms to financing purchase orders. Yohan shares valuable insights into the unique world of platforms like QVC and HSN, where product demonstrations are key. Plus, discover practical advice on breaking into the market through smaller channels, honing your craft before taking on the giants. Whether you're an e-commerce seller ready to expand or an Amazon aficionado eager for new opportunities, this episode is packed with actionable strategies and expert advice to elevate your retail game. In episode 468 of the AM/PM Podcast, Kevin and Yohan discuss: 00:00 - Navigating Retail for E-Commerce Sellers 04:37 - Changing Attitudes Towards Online Retailers 07:57 - Challenges of Crowdsourced Product Manufacturing 09:42 - Navigating Retail Margins and Strategies 13:45 - Retail Pricing Strategies and Brand Derivatives 18:01 - Preparing for Retail Success 24:05 - Understanding Retail Economics and Margins 27:46 - Consumer Electronics Profit Margins and Costs 30:23 - Retailers' Margin and Product Strategy 37:50 - Handling Retail Transitions and Liquidation 42:03 - Exit Strategy for Seasonal Products 42:32 - Navigating Retail Payment Terms and Strategies 48:31 - Retail Financing and Distribution Strategies 54:51 - Exploring Trade Shows for Business Growth 58:11 - Utilizing Brand Exposure for Retail Expansion 1:02:09 - Retail Growth Strategies for E-Commerce
This is Part 2 of a special 2-part series on competition and product overlap in indie retail. Once you've processed the emotions behind a “copycat” moment, what comes next? In this episode, I walk you through my CLEAR framework for grounding yourself, then share three common paths store owners take when a competitor feels too close for comfort: focusing inward, protecting their turf, or collaborating with caution. You'll hear the benefits and trade-offs of each, my personal stance, and a mic-drop truth I've learned after years of studying independent retailers. For show notes, including links to the documentary and resources I mentioned in this episode, visit www.savvyshopkeeper.com/episode259 Kathy Cruz is an Independent Retail Coach who helps store owners work smarter, profit more, and grow their brick and mortar businesses. Connect with Kathy and learn more here: Website: Savvy ShopkeeperInstagram: @savvyshopkeeperMastermind Group: Master Shopkeepers
Want to Start or Grow a Successful Business? Schedule a FREE 13-Point Assessment with Clay Clark Today At: www.ThrivetimeShow.com Join Clay Clark's Thrivetime Show Business Workshop!!! Learn Branding, Marketing, SEO, Sales, Workflow Design, Accounting & More. **Request Tickets & See Testimonials At: www.ThrivetimeShow.com **Request Tickets Via Text At (918) 851-0102 See the Thousands of Success Stories and Millionaires That Clay Clark Has Helped to Produce HERE: https://www.thrivetimeshow.com/testimonials/ Download A Millionaire's Guide to Become Sustainably Rich: A Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Successful Money-Generating and Time-Freedom Creating Business HERE: www.ThrivetimeShow.com/Millionaire See Thousands of Case Studies Today HERE: www.thrivetimeshow.com/does-it-work/
Send us a textThe dynamic duo of Matt Blackett and Dylan Reid have been part of an intriguing organization that has played a critical role in making our city better. Matt is the publisher and creative director of Spacing Magazine while Dylan is the Executive Editor. The magazine that analyzes public spaces in Toronto has been nominated for 22 national magazine awards and has taken home four honours.As if that isn't enough, Matt also manages a retail outlet called Spacing Toronto, which sells all things Toronto related. While they both bring a critical eye and indepth analyses of our city's environment it is done from a hearfelt love of our city. They are fierce committed advocates for Toronto. Thanks for listening! Please visit our website at hiddengemstoronto.netFollow us on Instagram at hiddengems.torontoand Facebook at hiddengems.toronto
Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
Bootstrapped with $20K, Still Here grew from painted jeans to an eight-figure denim brand through grit, creativity, and discipline.For more on Still Here and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.
Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
Bluboho grew from kitchen parties to six retail stores through human connection, customer intimacy, and strategic location planning. Today, it's one of Canada's most successful independently owned jewelry companies.For more on Bluboho and show notes click here. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.
This week on the Buck Junkies Podcast, we welcome Vandy Stubbs from Mossy Oak to talk all about his history with Mossy Oak and how it became the company we know and love today!... Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:09 - Welcome Vandy Stubbs! 01:11 - How did Vandy get affiliated with Mossy Oak 02:17 - Other than camo, what else does Mossy Oak create? 08:07 - Vandy is ALWAYS cookin' over at Mossy Oak... 10:33 - Vandy's FAVORITE things to cook at camp 12:22 - Mossy Oak Deer Camp in West Point 17:14 - FoxHole ShootOut 23:53 - Catch A Dream 29:08 - Mossy Oak's Retail Store 32:00 - Vandy's DREAM wild game dinner 35:01 - The most UNDERRATED wild game 37:47 - Vandy's one pot squirrel and dumplings 39:16 - What is the ONE THING that made Mossy Oak successful? 45:45 - The most underappreciated person at Mossy Oak 48:36 - Vandy's BEST deer camp story
In this episode of the Gloria Chou PR Podcast, I sit down with Katie Hunt, founder and CEO of Proof to Product and host of the Proof to Product Podcast. Katie has helped tens of thousands of product-based business owners land wholesale deals with retailers like Anthropologie, Target, and The Container Store—without relying on paid ads or flashy trade shows.Whether you're selling candles on Etsy or bath and body products from your kitchen, this episode is your go-to guide for getting started with wholesale.How to Know If You're Ready for WholesaleKatie breaks down what really makes a product “wholesale-ready”—from pricing and inventory to minimum order quantities and production methods. Spoiler: You don't need 15,000 units in stock to get started.Pricing for Profit (Not Panic)Katie shares why underpricing is a red flag to buyers and what the term “keystone pricing” really means. If you've ever been confused about wholesale vs. retail margins, this part is a must-listen.The Pitch Process That Gets Buyers to Say YES Pitching wholesale buyers is a lot like pitching the media. Katie walks us through:How to find the right buyers (hint: use LinkedIn, social, and direct mail)Why cold pitching still works—and what to sayWhat not to do (like showing up unannounced at a shop!)Why PR and Social Proof Still Matter in Wholesale While emotional storytelling matters more in DTC, wholesale buyers still look for credibility. Katie explains how PR features, retail testimonials, and even just having your ducks in a row can help build buyer trust.Real Talk: It Can Take Time—But It's Worth It Katie shares how one wholesale buyer took four years to finally place an order—and why persistence, visibility, and relationship-building paid off.Success Story Spotlight: Alex from Shake On The A Katie highlights the journey of a client who went from making greeting cards on her kitchen table to building a multi-million-dollar brand in 3,500+ stores.Final Takeaway Don't let fear or lack of knowledge stop you from going after wholesale. As Katie says, “If you don't go to the tryout, you're telling yourself no.”✅ Know your pricing✅ Build relationships✅ Use systems (Katie teaches them!)✅ Hit send—even if you're scaredIf you want to see your products on store shelves, this episode is your first step.
MRKT Matrix - Tuesday, July 29th S&P 500 retreats from record as comeback rally pauses before Fed decision (CNBC) Trump's New Trade Order Is Fragile (WSJ) China lays out its AI vision in foil to Donald Trump's ‘America First' plan (Financial Times) Nvidia orders 300,000 H20 chips from TSMC due to robust China demand, sources say (Reuters) Apple to Shutter a Retail Store in China for the First Time Ever (Bloomberg) The Driver of Apple's Exploding Valuation Is Under Threat. See What's at Stake. (WSJ) Microsoft's Access to OpenAI Tech Is Focus of Contract Talks (Bloomberg) Waymo taps Avis to manage robotaxi fleet in Dallas (TechCrunch) Union Pacific to Buy Norfolk Southern in $85 Billion Deal (Bloomberg) -- Subscribe to our newsletter: https://riskreversalmedia.beehiiv.com/subscribe MRKT Matrix by RiskReversal Media is a daily AI powered podcast bringing you the top stories moving financial markets Story curation by RiskReversal, scripts by Perplexity Pro, voice by ElevenLabs
build your profitable product business with mel robbins thelotco business podcast
Send us a textIn this raw and refreshing episode of thelotco Business Podcast, I chat with Lucy Moss founder of Mink and Me, a vibrant lifestyle brand that blossomed from a tiny rural shop into a bold online store and now a budding wholesale business.Lucy shares her incredible 10-year journey, starting from a collaborative store in Coonamble (yep, population 2,500!) to navigating ADHD diagnosis, burnout, a booming Christmas season, a massive pivot, and a spontaneous buying trip to India that changed everything.We unpack:How her dog's name (RIP Minky!) sparked a business name and legacyThe power of collaboration and building a retail hub in a small townWhat she learned from buying “dud” products and how she refined her retail buying over timeWhy selling 760 Queen Elizabeth Christmas decorations was a pivotal moment (yes, really!)How burnout led her to hit pause and what that looked likeHer candid experience with an ADHD diagnosis and what changed afterwardThe unexpected decision to close her physical store (despite strong sales) and go all in on onlineWhy her India trade show trip with Christine from She.Freights opened a whole new wholesale opportunityHer advice for evolving with your business, listening to your gut, and not being afraid to pivotLucy gets real about the highs and lows, from toddler chaos to trade show prep, and gives insight into what it truly takes to stay resilient, creative, and profitable in today's retail and product landscape.Links + Resources:Follow Lucy at @minkandmeCheck out her online store: minkandme.com.auWant to prep for your own trade show? Grab the Trade Show BootcampListen to more episodes at thelotco Business Podcast If this episode sparked an “OMG I need to pivot too” moment or you've been toying with launching wholesale or shutting your physical store send me a DM @thelotco. Lucy's story is proof you don't have to stick to one version of success. You get to evolve. ✨Be sure to subscribe, share this with your biz bestie, and leave a review if this episode hit home.Support the showI'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions! Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here. Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
What happens when Amazon pulls the rug out from under your most profitable brand? Most sellers panic. Jeff Storch built a plan and scaled to $25M a year.In this no-fluff episode of the Clear the Shelf podcast, Jeff returns to talk about brand gating, sourcing like a machine, scaling smart, and turning Amazon returns into pure profit.Whether you're a beginner just cracking into online arbitrage or a seasoned seller juggling OA, RA, and wholesale—this is the tactical roadmap you didn't know you needed.Here's what you'll learn:• The real reason behind Amazon's wave of brand restrictions (and how to protect your inventory)• Why single-brand reliance is a death sentence for Amazon sellers• How Jeff runs a full-blown returns department that monetizes "unsellable" products• What it actually takes to build a $25M/year arbitrage business (hint: reps and systems)• The diversification playbook Jeff used to survive Nike shutdowns, supplier limits, and the Adidas-gate saga• Why returns, eBay, and even brick-and-mortar stores matter more than you think• The #1 hiring mistake most sellers make when scalingIf you're serious about Amazon FBA especially online arbitrage, retail arbitrage, or wholesale sourcing this episode is your unfair advantage.Like what you heard? Smash that like button, subscribe for more tactical Amazon seller content, and join our email list at https://www.cleartheshelf.com/newsletter] for exclusive resources.Drop your biggest takeaway in the comments—we read every one.----------RESOURCES FOR YOU:
Today on our show:Klarna CEO Claims They Will Be a Super AppWalmart Investor Event Sheds New LightShould You Put a Chatbot In Front Of Your Retail StoreMusings from CommerceNext and Mirakl's Summit- and finally, The Investor Minute which contains 5 items this week from the world of venture capital, acquisitions, and IPOs.Today's episode is sponsored by Mirakl.https://www.rmwcommerce.com/ecommerce-podcast-watsonweekly
Morning Show 06-25-25 Hour 2 Victoria Jone, retail stores, tipping by The Watchdog
Smarter Stores. Empowered Associates. Data-Driven Retail. In this episode of the RETHINK Retail Podcast, host and top retail expert Matthew Adam Smith sits down with Jim Norred, Chief Commercial Officer at VusionGroup, to explore how connected retail is transforming from buzzword to bottom-line strategy. You'll hear:
Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
P.F. Candle Co. makes one of the most recognizable candles in the world. Here's how founder and crafter Kristen Pumphrey expanded the brand to three retail stores and high-profile collaborations.
The great Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini, joins John Williams to talk about witnessing a theft of three Apple watches at a cell phone store yesterday. Lou explains how nobody from the store did anything to prevent the theft. Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on WGN each Saturday morning at 6 am.
The great Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini, joins John Williams to talk about witnessing a theft of three Apple watches at a cell phone store yesterday. Lou explains how nobody from the store did anything to prevent the theft. Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on WGN each Saturday morning at 6 am.
Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
Amanda McClements made a major pivot in her career, from journalism to retail store owner. She also honed her own taste in home goods to bring customers unique and handcrafted gifts. Amanda shares how she built a community of other small business owners that she could go to for advice, and hosts advices to foster connection between makers and customers. Here's some of her tips for other small retailers.
In this episode, Scott Becker shares a lighthearted take on retail shopping.
How is AI transforming retail technology? In this episode, Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga talk with Jessica Grisolia from Scandit about the latest innovations in smart data capture, shelf intelligence, and workforce efficiency. Find out how AI is not replacing store associates but enhancing their productivity, and why next-best-action intelligence is coming soon to inventory management. ⏳ Key Moments: 0:08 – Intro to OmniTalk's Ask An Expert Series 1:21 – The importance of human-centric retail AI 5:41 – The $1.7 trillion inventory problem retailers face 9:25 – How AI optimizes store associates' workflows 18:52 – Staples Canada's 45% cost reduction with smart data capture 27:44 – Retail AI trends for 2026: Agentic AI and coordinated computer vision
Experts predict more store closures are on the way.
Shopify Masters | The ecommerce business and marketing podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs
Making terrariums started as a hobby for Emma Sibley. The business grew organically, first through sales to friends and family, then markets and workshops. Here's how she scaled London Terrariums, which now has a storefront in East London.To learn more about London Terrariums and for show notes: https://www.shopify.com/blog/london-terrariums-scaling-hobbySubscribe to the Shopify Masters YouTube channel for video interviews.
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