Podcasts about retail transformation

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 the present hyper-connected, expectation-driven world, retail is being reshaped at unprecedented speed. As consumer demand rises, supply chains face pressure, and technology accelerates, the rules of engagement have shifted. Innovation is no longer a differentiator—it's a survival imperative.In this episode, we explore insights from the article “The New Rules of Retail: Innovate Now or Be Left Behind,” unpacking how leading retailers are future-proofing their business models through strategic transformation.What You'll Learn in This Episode:

In this special “Five Things Friday: APAC Edition,” Alex from The Retail Podcast and Laura from Neat sit down with Ryf Quail, Managing Director of NRF APAC, to unpack the biggest trends shaping retail in Asia-Pacific ahead of NRF APAC in Singapore.

In this episode of the Remarkable Retail podcast, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Steve Dennis begin with a news segment covering recent market developments, notably the "tariff turmoil" between the US and China. They discuss how the US has partially de-escalated its stance, with tariffs dropping from a proposed 145% to 30%, creating a 90-day window for retailers to import products. However, they emphasize that smaller retailers remain disproportionately affected due to limited resources compared to giants like Home Depot.The hosts also cover recent retail earnings reports, including Walmart's strong comp store sales growth despite withdrawing Q2 guidance, and their strategic pricing approach to tariff impacts. Other earnings news included On Running's impressive 40% sales growth, while American Eagle, JC Penney, and Burberry reported significant losses. Additional news touched on refinancing challenges at Kohl's, potential bankruptcy concerns at Saks, and Dick's Sporting Goods' surprising acquisition of Foot Locker.The featured interview with Stephen Yalof, CEO and President of Tanger, explores his extensive career spanning retail real estate, including roles at New Plan Realty Trust, Gap, Ralph Lauren, and Simon before joining Tanger in 2020 – humorously noting he arrived when "every one of their 3,000 stores was closed" due to COVID.Yalof provides a fascinating historical perspective on outlet centers, explaining how they evolved from manufacturers' sales of returned items and factory seconds to a strategic retail channel. He details how the Tanger family themselves were shirt manufacturers who realized they were "selling more stuff out the back door than out the front door" before creating the first outlet center in Burlington, North Carolina.The conversation explores how vertical retailers like Gap transformed the model, creating consolidation stores for excess inventory before establishing dedicated outlet locations. This evolution progressed from pure excess inventory management to serving aspirational customers who understand brands but can't afford full price – what Yalof describes as bringing customers "into your ecosystem."In response to competition from online and fast-fashion retailers, Yalof explains Tanger's strategy shift from purely "power shopping" to full-service experiences with improved food, entertainment, and amenities. He compares this to how stadiums have evolved despite at-home viewing advances, stating, "We're the general merchandise managers of our shopping centers... it's about picking the right uses, right experiences, the right amenities."The interview concludes with insights into Tanger's digital engagement strategies, including how they leverage customer data to create targeted marketing campaigns and provide stackable discounts through retailer partnerships, guided by their vision of "using customer insight to inform the future of shopping." Here is a 10% off code for the CommerceNext Growth Show exclusive to Remarkable Retail listeners: REMARKABLE. About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling 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.

AI is no longer a “nice-to-have”—it's a game-changer for dealerships that want to win in today's competitive market. In this episode of Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, I sit down with Lance Schafer, General Manager of Product and Technology at LotLinx, who's been leading the charge in applying machine learning to the core areas where dealers often struggle most: inventory management, pricing, and customer experience. Lance breaks down how traditional dealership strategies—like pricing based on gut feeling or managing inventory with old sales data—are being replaced with data-driven, real-time AI systems that help stores become more profitable and efficient. We talk about: How AI shifts inventory strategy from reactive to predictive How dynamic pricing boosts both speed and profitability Using machine learning to match inventory with what customers actually want The biggest hurdles in AI adoption and how to overcome them What trends are coming next, and how to prepare now Whether you're just exploring AI or already testing tools, this episode will give you clarity on where the real impact is—and how to start modernizing before the market forces your hand. Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |

S5:E3 From Retail Pride to Human Pride: Navigating Leadership and Connection with Ron ThurstonIn this episode, Ron Thurston returns to discuss his new book 'Human Pride' and its themes of optimizing human potential in a world increasing its reliance on technology and AI. The conversation takes us through Ron's extensive experience leading major retail brands, his journey from publishing his first book 'Retail Pride' to 'Human Pride', and the crucial balance between human connection and technological efficiency. We explore various aspects of leadership, including the importance of empathy, curiosity, and the significant role of human connection in the workplace. Ron emphasizes the need for self-reflection, understanding core values, and maintaining strong interpersonal relationships despite technological advancements. Rejecting 'hustle culture' in favor of fostering meaningful connections and optimizing individual strengths, Ron highlights the need for human-centric approaches to recruitment, leadership, and career development via examples and insights from his own career. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with practical insights and inspirational stories that underscore the power of pride and human potential in the workplace!About Ron Thurston:Author, “Human Pride: Optimizing Your Potential In A Digital Job Market”Ron Thurston is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and bold voice in the movement to reimagine leadership in a world transformed by technology. His new book, HUMAN PRIDE: Optimizing Your Human Potential in a Digital Job Market (May 2025), delivers a powerful roadmap for standing out, staying relevant, and thriving in the future of work. With over 30 years of executive experience leading teams at iconic brands like Apple, Gap, West Elm, Tory Burch, Bonobos, and Saint Laurent, Ron knows how to build winning cultures that drive performance. His first book, *RETAIL PRIDE (*2020) became a career-defining guide for thousands of industry professionals, helping them reclaim confidence and purpose in their work.As the creator and host of the Retail in America tour and podcast, Ron spent over a year traveling across 30 states in an Airstream to spotlight the real stories and remarkable people shaping retail's future. Today, he serves on multiple retail tech supplier advisory boards, helping brands integrate AI and digital tools without losing sight of what matters most: people. A sought-after keynote speaker, Ron brings energy, insight, and inspiration to global conferences, C-suite offsites, and corporate events. His message resonates across industries: your greatest competitive advantage is human.Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube00:00 The SKUpe Newsletter00:34 Show Intro06:51 Welcome Back, Ron Thurston!07:43 Discussing Ron's New Book: Human Pride08:46 The Importance of Human Connection in Retail10:24 Optimizing Human Potential in a Tech-Driven World15:37 Defining and Standing by Non-Negotiables in Job Search22:54 The Role of Empathy and Curiosity in Leadership26:48 Challenges in Modern Hiring Practices35:11 The Future of Work: Balancing Technology and Human Connection38:15 Career Longevity and Brand Affinity in Retail41:56 Navigating the Fast-Paced Industry43:36 Adapting to Office Culture44:39 Broadening Job Search Perspectives47:40 Leadership with Empathy and Emotional Intelligence, But Without Titles51:21 The Future of Work and Technology59:11 Balancing Technology and Human Connection01:05:26 Final Thoughts and Takeaways01:09:58 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 and a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2024. Thinkers 360has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, and a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation, and is the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is the CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2023 and 2024, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Heston Mimms, published by Imuno.

S5:E2 Influencers, Gen Z, & Beyond Social Commerce: Lessons from AliExpress with Chris CarlWelcome to the second episode of Season 5 of the Retail Razor Show! Join hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden as they dive into the fresh tactics and cutting-edge strategies that are driving the future of retail and e-commerce with Gen Z. In this episode, they are joined by Chris Carl, the US Head of Marketing for AliExpress (Alibaba Group), to discuss ‘the new playbook for digital marketing' fresh from his insightful session on marketing to Gen Z at eTail West!Discover how AliExpress is capturing Gen Z's attention, building a robust social media presence, leveraging influencers like David Beckham, and exploring the future of cross-border shopping with a full-funnel marketing strategy. Chris shares the impressive growth metrics (500% increase in social media following, for example) and innovative campaigns that have set AliExpress apart - think social commerce, live shopping, Gen AI, and TikTok Shops. Plus, new enticing innovations in logistics to help onboard more US-based sellers to the AliExpress marketplace. Whether you're a product junkie, retail leader, or commerce technologist, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss!About Chris Carl:Chris Carl is a strategy, operations, and marketing executive with a proven track record in retail, beauty, spirits, lifestyle, hospitality, and luxury goods. As the first US Head of Marketing for AliExpress, Chris focuses on making online shopping more engaging and affordable. Since May 2023, Chris has increased order volume by 60%, increased brand share of voice by 75%, expanded headcount by 400%, boosted social media following by 500%, and doubled brand awareness.Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube00:00 Show Intro03:04 Introducing Christopher Carl from AliExpress & His Background05:43 Conversation with Chris Carl, Head of US Marketing for AliExpress08:52 Cracking the Code with Gen Z16:00 AliExpress's Social Media and Influencer Strategy21:22 Leveraging Social Media for Brand Growth23:30 Navigating the Shifting Digital Marketing Landscape25:46 The Future of Social Commerce and Live Shopping28:17 The Importance of Brand Personality and Humor31:50 AliExpress: A Unique Business Model35:09 Expanding AliExpress's US Presence38:45 The Future of Cross-Border E-Commerce42:20 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 and a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2024. Thinkers 360has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, and a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation, and is the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is the CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2023 and 2024, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Heston Mimms, published by Imuno.

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.

S5:E1 Unleashing Retail Media's Potential: A Conversation with Drew CashmoreWelcome to Season 5 of the Retail Razor Show! In our premiere episode, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden dive deep into retail media with special guest Drew Cashmore, Chief Strategy Officer at Vantage and a pioneer in the retail media space, with a background scaling Walmart Connect to a $2 billion business. Drew shares his insights on the evolution of retail media, the driving forces behind its rapid growth, and the challenges retailers face in scaling their media networks. Drew also discusses the importance of workflow automation, the use of first-party data, and the balance between digital and in-store media. We highlight the necessity for retailers to invest in their media capabilities to stay competitive and speculate on the future direction of retail media. We also touch on the complexities of managing multiple media platforms and the potential for consolidation within the industry. Packed with valuable insights, don't miss out on this must-listen episode for product junkies, commerce technologists, retail leaders, and everyone in retail tech! Plus, learn about the Retail Razor Podcast Network's exciting new shows!About Drew Cashmore:Drew is a retail media strategist and thought leader with a background in building, commercializing and scaling new business models in the retail sector across the globe. Heading up strategy for Vantage - the platform that powers self-serve and managed-service for The Home Depot among other retailers - Drew is helping to architect the next generation of unified retail media technologies. He was an original architect of and former executive at Walmart Connect in the U.S. and Canada, helping to scale the retail media business to $2BN and beyond. In addition, Drew was a founding member of Walmart eCommerce and the CMO of SoftBank-backed Live Shopping platform, Firework.Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube00:00 Show Intro07:38 Unleashing Retail Media's Potential: A Conversation with Drew Cashmore08:43 Drew's Background in Retail Media10:28 The Evolution and Challenges of Retail Media14:18 ROI and Measurement in Retail Media18:34 The Future of Retail Media26:41 First-Party Data and Consumer Privacy34:47 In-Store Media and Workflow Automation47:21 Retail Media is a Different Business Model50:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts51:05 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 and a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2024. Thinkers 360has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, and a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation, and is the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is the CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2023 and 2024, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Heston Mimms, published by Imuno.

Join us for a conversation with Masoud Negad! From a single sales role to the CEO's office—his journey at Tepperman's is a testament to dedication and leadership. Hear him discuss the evolution of retail, company culture, and the core values that have sustained Tepperman's for 100 years, along with what it takes to drive success in an ever-changing industry!

Retail transformation is never a one-time event - it's an ongoing journey. A year ago, Oliver Banks's book 'Driving Retail Transformation' was published to help retailers take control of change rather than react to it. Since then, the industry has continued to evolve, but the core principles in the book remain just as relevant today. In this special episode, we celebrate the book's first birthday by revisiting the Retail Transformation Steering Wheel, exploring the six types of transformation, and reflecting on why people and psychology are still the biggest success factors. Whether you've read the book before or are just discovering it now, this episode will help you apply its lessons to your business today. Listen to this episode and hear:How the Retail Transformation Steering Wheel is a vital tool for navigating change effectively.The six types of transformation and why retailers can't afford to ignore them.How to get teams engaged in the transformation, overcome resistance, and embed transformation into the organisation's culture.Why you must choose to be the driver of transformation and why this is the biggest mindset shift leaders need to make.The show notes are at www.obandco.uk/334.

S5 Trailer - Retail's Next Chapter: AI and Media Meet HumanityJoin hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden in Season Five of The Retail Razor Show as they explore the intersection of AI, media, and human connection in retail. This season will examine the power of AI-powered personalization, retail media evolution, and the role of in-store associates in enhancing customer experiences. Key discussions will include how AI makes retailers more resilient, the impact of media on commerce, and the next wave of retail tech innovation. Tune in to understand how technology transforms shopping, selling, and scaling while emphasizing that retail's core is human connection. Subscribe and follow for sharp insights and expert opinions so you don't miss out on unlocking new opportunities in retail!Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTubeMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 and a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2025. Thinkers 360has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, and a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation, and is the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is the CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2023 - 2025, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!

In this episode of the OFFBounds, you will meet Javier Figar de Lacalle, Chief Retail Officer of Tendam, one of Spain's largest fashion groups. Javier discusses how technology is empowering frontline employees to provide exceptional customer experiences while driving operational efficiency across Tendam's global retail network. From the implementation of RFID and clienteling platforms to the evolution of stores into omnichannel hubs, Javier shares how these innovations are transforming the retail landscape. Tune in to hear about the challenges and strategies behind driving digital transformation, empowering teams, and shaping the future of physical stores.Javier will be speaking at Shoptalk Europe, our partner for this Europe's Retail Evolution series, and you can get discounted tickets on the links below:

Can AI revolutionize retail? C&A Brazil and Sam's Club share their strategies. In this Global Retail Leaders episode, Top Retail Expert Alberto Serrentino chats with Paulo Correa, CEO of C&A Brazil, and Todd Gardner, Chief Product Officer at Sam's Club, about how AI is transforming business efficiency, customer experience, and decision-making in retail.

S4:E10 On the Razor's Edge: The Season Four Final CutIn the season four grand finale of the Retail Razor Show, guest host J.P. Kamel, managing director of RFID Sherpas, takes over to interview our regular hosts, Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden. This episode first reviews the top 10 retail predictions the team had for 2024, evaluating which ones hit the mark and which ones were a total miss! Then the discussion spans a range of topics from throughout Season 4 including the rise of retail media, the evolution from omni-channel to unified commerce, and the transformative potential of AI in retail. Key takeaways include the importance of unified commerce strategies, the necessity for retail media, and the enduring need for human connection in the retail experience. The episode also reflects on memorable moments from the season, the future of department stores, and evolving career paths in retail. Both insightful and entertaining, this grand finale offers an in-depth look into the current and future trends shaping the retail industry, and gives you a behind the scenes view of how our two hosts think about retail and the show!Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube00:00 Show Intro02:52 2024 Top 10 Check-in 03:03 Prediction No 1 05:00 Prediction No 2 06:31 Prediction No 3 10:31 Prediction No 4 12:45 Prediction No 5 16:33 Prediction No 6 18:43 Prediction No 7 21:19 Prediction No 8 23:12 Prediction No 9 30:41 Prediction No 10 33:13 Season 4 Recap 33:43 Favorite Moment 35:34 Most Surprising Moment 38:07 The Big Retail Avengers Reunion Episode 45:04 Smart Fitting Rooms 48:39 Unified Commerce & Everything Shoppable 52:39 Immersive Commerce & Livestreaming 59:47 Retail Media 3.0 01:02:08 Responsible AI 01:08:56 Retail Career Paths 01:15:21 Generative AI Transformation 01:17:43 Relay Race vs Rugby Approach 01:21:48 Data-Driven Decision Making 01:22:36 Key Takeaways from Season 4 01:24:56 Any hints for Season 5 and beyond? 01:28:33 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 and a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2025. Thinkers 360has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, and a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation, and is the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is the CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2023 - 2025, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Heston Mimms, published by Imuno.

AD: Shoptalk EuropeIn this episode of OFFBounds, I chat with Stuart Frelick, Dyson's Global Head of Product, about the ambitious retail transformation that's redefining the stores of the brand. Stuart takes us behind the scenes of how Dyson modernized its systems, tackled the challenges of scaling innovation globally, and delivered a seamless customer experience. We explore the importance of bold leadership, the surprising ways Dyson's passionate community influences product development, and what's next for the brand—from Stuart's wishes for loyalty programs to future-focused technology. This conversation is full of real-world insights for anyone interested in retail, innovation, and driving change.Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter.

Liesl Walsh, a pioneer in digital retail transformation, explores the dynamic shifts in the shopping landscape, from fast fashion to immersive retail experiences. Drawing from her extensive experience with retail giants like Gap Inc. and Restoration Hardware, Liesl offers valuable perspectives into how e-commerce is redefining consumer habits, particularly for time-pressed parents.  The conversation examines the rapid rise of fast fashion brands like Shein and Temu, highlighting their innovative customer engagement tactics and the sustainability challenges they pose. Liesl also discusses the growing importance of personalization and technology in improving customer experiences.  Show Highlights: Examination of fast fashion's impact on retail, focusing on companies like Shein and Temu, their business models, and sustainability concerns. How personalization and strategic notifications enhance customer experience in modern retail. Insight into immersive retail experiences and how these experiences transform shopping into an event. The role of technology and data in enhancing customer engagement and personalization in retail. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Join the Commerce Cloud Community: http://sforce.co/commercecrew Would you like to be on the podcast, or do you know someone who should? Submit a nomination here: http://sfdc.co/podnomination To learn more about Commerce Cloud Innovations, go here: https://www.salesforce.com/commerce/innovations/  *** Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know I sent you.

S4:E9 Department Stores 2.0: Building Experiences for TomorrowIn this episode, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden bring back the original Retail Avengers team for a highly anticipated reunion. What discussion could bring the team back together again? The current struggles and future opportunity for department stores! Welcome back Jeff Roster, Shish Shridhar, and Brandon Rael to explore why these once-iconic shopping destinations have lost their appeal and what innovations can bring them back into relevance. Key themes include the use of AI, retail media, and enhancing the human connection in shopping. The team covers detailed insights such as the need for improved customer data usage, creating engaging in-store experiences, and leveraging technology to empower store staff. The conversation also touches on successful strategies from other retailers like Target and the importance of loyalty and community in retaining customers. If you're wondering how (or if) department stores can return to relevance with consumers, this is a can't miss discussion full of insights and recommendations!Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube00:00 Show Introduction 04:28 Retail Avengers Reunion - The Future of Department Stores 06:36 The Decline of Department Stores 14:01 Challenges and Opportunities 18:23 Future Strategies and Innovations 32:39 The Decline of Department Stores 33:52 The Marketplace Model for Department Stores 38:10 The Role of Technology in Retail 43:14 Creating Human Connections in Retail 46:38 The Future of Retail Experiences 55:37 Leveraging Technology for Better Retail 01:01:42 The Role of Department Stores in Modern Retail 01:03:57 The Balance Between Technology and Human Interaction 01:07:01 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 and a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2024. Thinkers 360has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, and a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation, and is the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is the CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2023 and 2024, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Heston Mimms, published by Imuno.

S4:E8 Navigating Responsible AI in Retail: Trust in a Digital WorldIn this episode of the Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden dive deep into the ethical implications of AI and commerce technology in the retail industry. They reflect on past discussions about AI innovations and the necessity of critical groundwork before deploying new technologies. They cover the balance between leveraging synthetic media for marketing and maintaining brand trust, highlighting examples like Levi's virtual AI models. The conversation touches on the potential of generative AI, virtual influencers, and the risk of losing authenticity. They stress the importance of building an ethical framework for technology initiatives and the long-standing questions of deception in advertising, emphasizing transparency and responsible AI use. Ricardo and Casey also explore how brands can balance cost-saving measures with realistic, authentic representations and the impact of these decisions on sustainability and customer trust.Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube00:00 Show Intro00:43 Reflecting on Past Discussions01:27 The Role of AI in Retail02:49 Ethical Considerations in AI03:50 Building Brand Trust04:52 Listener Engagement and Feedback06:31 AI and Virtual Influencers07:07 The Future of Influencer Marketing10:51 Cost and Authenticity in AI Marketing11:45 Engineered Influencers15:57 Transparency in AI Content17:35 Aspirational vs. Unrealistic Marketing22:10 The Evolution of Body Diversity in Fashion23:36 Balancing Real and Virtual Models25:44 Ethical Implications of AI in Fashion29:35 Sustainability and AI in the Fashion Industry30:48 The Impact of AI on Marketing and Operations33:02 Navigating Ethical AI Deployment36:52 The Future of AI in Retail and Fashion42:20 Final Thoughts and Call to ActionMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 and a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2024. Thinkers 360has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, and a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation, and is the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is the CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2023 and 2024, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Heston Mimms, published by Imuno.

932: Customer loyalty is a key metric for success in retail, prompting companies to leverage AI to optimize customer engagement. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High interviews Sharmeelee Bala, Chief Information Officer and Head of Product Management at JCPenney, to explore how she is enhancing customer engagement and the transformative role AI plays in this process.

        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

S4:E7 How Smart Fitting Rooms' Data Insights Transform Store Operations & Shopper ConversionHosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden dive into the transformative potential of smart fitting rooms in the fashion and apparel industry. Joined by Matthew Cyr, founder and CEO of Crave Retail, the discussion explores how digital fitting rooms enhance customer experience, boost conversion rates, and provide invaluable analytics that can revolutionize store operations and merchandising strategies. The episode emphasizes the importance of integrating technology with personalized service to create a seamless and satisfying shopping experience. Discover how retailers can leverage smart fitting rooms to gain deeper insights into customer behavior, optimize in-store performance, and ultimately drive revenue.About Matthew Cyr & Crave Retail:Matthew is a seasoned and three-time founder, CEO and co-founder of Crave Retail. Starting back with Abercrombie and Fitch and Skechers, he developed the commit to convert program that led Skechers expansion across southeast Asia, opening over 250 stores and optimizing in store experiences. Matthew has earned a 40 under 40 recognition from Retail Touch Points.Crave Retail helps retailers elevate their stores by giving shoppers the best-in-class digital fitting room experience. Crave's proprietary fitting room technology and touchless experiences allow retailers to meet each customer's unique needs, access real-time insights into all customer activity, increase conversion, and improve customer satisfaction..Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube00:00 Show Intro03:31 Converting Customer Insights to Action Through Smart Fitting Rooms06:40 Challenges and Benefits of Smart Fitting Rooms10:37 Customer Journey: Enhancing the Fitting Room Experience18:16 Impact on Retail Operations and Return Rates20:36 Leveraging Data for Retail Success23:55 Implementing Smart Fitting Room Technology26:56 Importance of Executive Leadership in Retail Strategy28:28 Engaging Store Operations for Smart Fitting Rooms30:15 Understanding Store Performance Metrics32:47 Leveraging Fitting Room Data for Business Insights38:03 Enhancing Customer Experience with AI and Technology47:43 Future of Smart Fitting Rooms in Retail54:39 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 and a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2024. Thinkers 360has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, and a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation, and is the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is the CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2023 and 2024, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Hestron Mimms, published by Imuno.

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson speaks with Dan Eernissee, Economic Development Director for the City of Everett, Washington. Leading economic development efforts in this dynamic city of 115,000 residents north of Seattle, Dan reveals how his unique blend of private sector experience and public service shapes his approach to community development. From attracting cutting-edge technology companies to reimagining traditional retail spaces, Dan shares practical insights on how economic developers can transform their communities while maintaining their distinct character and creating new opportunities for residents. Dan also talks about reimagining highway corridors as valuable community assets rather than eyesores. Through his unique perspective, Dan explains how these often-overlooked areas can become dynamic mixed-use spaces that provide essential services, housing opportunities, and quality jobs while maintaining their crucial role in transportation infrastructure. Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/) — even one sentence helps! Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers: Consider highway corridors as opportunities for mixed-use development rather than just retail spaces Utilize planned actions to streamline development processes and attract investors Look for opportunities to convert underperforming retail spaces into multifamily housing Focus on creating higher-paying jobs through industrial and manufacturing development along corridors Embrace the existing infrastructure and traffic capacity of highway corridors for development Balance the need for pedestrian-friendly spaces with the practical reality of highway commerce Consider how online shopping trends affect corridor development opportunities Look for ways to integrate housing solutions into existing commercial corridors Leverage existing utility infrastructure along corridors for new development Focus on creating true mixed-use environments that serve multiple community needs Special Guest: Dan Eernissee.

In this episode of Net Takeaways, BJ and Isaiah bring their A-game with a nostalgic and insightful look into the evolving world of retail and community spaces.Topics Covered:Opening Banter: BJ and Isaiah share a trip down memory lane, discussing the days of TiVo, VHS, and the lost art of waiting for Saturday morning cartoons. This sets the stage for a conversation about how our relationship with “waiting” and “experience” has shifted.Starbucks' Identity Crisis: With sales sliding and a new CEO at the helm, Starbucks is at a critical juncture. BJ and Isaiah discuss the potential causes—rising prices, complex menus, and, most notably, the impact of mobile ordering. Isaiah shares his hot take: mobile ordering may be undermining Starbucks' coffeehouse vibe, making the once community-centered space feel more transactional.Possible Solutions for Starbucks: The hosts explore how Starbucks could bring back the coffeehouse experience by rethinking their store layouts. Ideas include separating mobile order pickups to reduce congestion and possibly creating distinct community-focused locations, similar to Chipotle's “Chipotlane” model for efficient ordering.Retail Success through Community Vibes: BJ and Isaiah contrast Starbucks' challenges with the successful community-centric models of brands like Barnes & Noble, which has revived its “local bookstore” feel, and high-end shopping centers like The Grove, which prioritize experience over pure convenience.McDonald's & Krispy Kreme Partnership: The duo analyzes McDonald's decision to bring Krispy Kreme donuts into select stores, framing it as a smart move to broaden their breakfast appeal and drive coffee sales. They discuss how strategic partnerships like this can create memorable customer experiences without losing brand identity.Key Takeaways:Balancing Convenience with Experience: Retailers face a challenge: customers want convenience, but also crave community. Brands that find the right balance, like Barnes & Noble, are thriving.Strategic Partnerships Matter: McDonald's collaboration with Krispy Kreme exemplifies how two brands can enhance each other's value, broaden customer reach, and drive sales—without losing their unique identities.Retailers Must Reevaluate Physical Spaces: As consumer expectations evolve, traditional retailers like Starbucks need to rethink their physical spaces to foster community, create meaningful experiences, and avoid becoming purely transactional.Join BJ and Isaiah as they break down what's working in retail and what's not, with plenty of humor, hot takes, and memorable references along the way!

S4:E6 Unlocking Generative AI for the Retail C-Suite with Peter CohanIn this episode of The Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden explore the transformative potential of generative AI in retail, featuring insights from Peter Cohan, an associate professor, strategy consultant, startup investor, book author, columnist and AI expert. The discussion covers AI's evolution compared to the dot-com era, the influence of large tech companies, and the substantial growth opportunities AI presents for retailers. Key topics include the contrast between the relay vs. rugby approaches to AI transformation, the crucial role of CEOs in AI adoption, and the importance of a quality data foundation for AI inputs. The episode highlights strategic investment, customer-centric innovations, and practical examples of successful AI implementations, guiding C-suite listeners on how to embrace AI as a long-term investment for unlocking new revenue streams versus a short-term quick fix.About Peter Cohan:Peter is an Associate Professor of Management Practice at Babson College, he is the faculty lead for the core undergraduate strategy course and has created popular electives on Startup Cities and Scaling Strategy. His strategy consulting firm has completed over 150 projects to help companies identify, evaluate, and profit from growth opportunities created by changing technology. He has invested in seven startups, three of which were sold for over $2 billion and one of which, SoFi, went public in 2021 at an $18 billion valuation. He is the author of 17 books, most recently "Brain Rush: How to Invest and Compete in the Real World of Generative AI" and he is a senior contributor at Forbes and a contributor at Inc. RETHINK Retail named him a Top Retail Expert every year between 2021 and 2024 and chose him as a Top AI Leader for 2024 this year.Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube00:00 Show Intro02:49 Meet Our Guest: Peter Cohan04:21   Unlocking Generative AI for the Retail C-Suite05:40 Peter Cohan's Background and Journey10:25 Impact of Generative AI in Retail12:48 Challenges and Risks of AI in Customer Service16:34 Strategies for Embracing AI in Retail17:21 Relay Race vs. Rugby Approach in Product Development28:48 Best Practices for AI Implementation32:43 Driving Company Growth: The CEO's Role35:15 The Value Pyramid Framework39:36 AI's Role in Retail Innovation47:49 Challenges and Opportunities with AI Data53:19 Entrepreneurial Insights and Cognitive Hunger57:18 Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions58:56 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2021 – 2024, and a Thinkers 360 Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, and a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation, and is the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is the CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2023 and 2024, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Hestron Mimms, published by Imuno.

Joining us for the first of our interviews recorded in the Scratch Event DJs remote podcast studio at the Revtech Rev Summit in Dallas is Greg Merrill, most recently global head of digital transformation at Nike. Greg draws on his extensive start-up experience, board advisory roles, and his just completed tenure at global powerhouse Nike, to help us understand how to accelerate the pace of innovation, ensure better cultural buy-in, and a whole lot more. it's a master class from the front lines of driving change that executives at any company will benefit from.As usual we open by unpacking the most important retail news of the week, starting with the good news that the potential port strike in the US has been averted--at least for now. Then it's on to the stalled turnarounds at two iconic retail brands: JC Penney--whose situation seems increasingly dire--and Levi's, which is caught up in a challenging shift from wholesale to DTC. We wrap up with a bit of optimism, highlighting the continued success of JD Sports' global expansion.You can check out our interview with Arianne Parisi, JD's EVP & Global Chief Digital Officer here. About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling 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.

What does it take to run a top Michigan Apple Cider Destination? Meet Allan Robinette of Robinette's Apple Haus and Winery. Allan shares insights into the time sacrifices and challenges of managing a farm and business, the history of his family's farm since 1911, and the diversification strategies that have helped the business thrive, including adding a winery and various agritourism activities.Links:Robinette's Website: https://robinettes.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Robinettes/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robinettesapplehaus/Address:3142 4 Mile Rd NEGrand Rapids, MI 49525Subscribe to our Email Newsletter: https://totalmichigan.com/join/Find us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/totalmichiganWatch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@totalmichiganShow Notes:00:00 Introduction01:00 Meet Allan Robinette02:38 The History of Robinette's Apple Haus07:01 Challenges of Farming and Business Management08:27 Retail Transformation and Diversification10:21 Year-Round Operations and Customer Engagement17:54 Expanding Offerings: Wine, Hard Cider, and More20:23 U-Pick and Seasonal Activities27:58 Conclusion and Contact Information

S4:E5 Unlocking Retail Media: Measurement, Innovation, and Customer EngagementIn this episode of The Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden explore the evolving landscape of retail media with expert insights from Andrew Lipsman, analyst and founder of Media, Ads + Commerce, and James Bauer, CEO and founder of Venvee. They discuss the progression of retail media 1.0 with online ads to retail media 2.0 - in-store media, highlighting key metrics like closed-loop attribution and incrementality. The conversation moves into innovative technologies such as spatial AI, the importance of first-party data, and privacy concerns. They also emphasize the collaborative efforts needed to integrate these advancements effectively for full funnel customer conversion and attribution in retail media 3.0. This episode delivers a comprehensive overview of how retailers and brands can use modern technology to bring the same level of measurement currently enjoyed in the 15% of retail sales happening in ecommerce, to the larger 85% of sales happening in stores!About Andrew Lipsman:Andrew Lipsman is an independent analyst and consultant at Media, Ads + Commerce. His industry coverage specializes in retail media—which he is known for anointing as “digital advertising's third big wave”—and other areas of the digital media, advertising, and commerce ecosystem. He has published more than a half dozen articles in the Journal of Advertising Research and is frequently quoted in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, The Financial Times, and Advertising Age.About James Bauer:James Bauer is the Founder and CEO of Venvee, a retail media technology company that is closing the loop on in-store measurement and attribution. Venvee leverages AI-generated digital twins of physical stores, combined with computer vision running on existing cameras, to enable precise measurement of impressions, interactions, and conversions on a shopper-by-shopper basis. This innovative approach requires no changes to the store and provides comprehensive aggregate measurement for in-store video, audio, fixtures, and products.Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube00:00 Show Intro02:50 Exploring Retail Media 3.0 & Measurement 03:29 Evolution of Retail Media 07:08 In-Store Attribution and Measurement 14:44 Challenges and Opportunities in Retail Media 32:37 Future of Retail Media and Final Thoughts 44:43 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2021 – 2024, and a Thinkers 360 Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, and Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation, and director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, CEO of Luxlock, RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2024 and 2023, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Hestron Mimms, published by Imuno.

In this episode of The Retail Pilot - Tech Talk, Ken Pilot speaks with Vic Drabicky and Josh Krepon about performance marketing in the Retail/Fashion Industry.SummaryIn this conversation, Vic Drabicky, CEO and founder of January Digital, and Josh Krepon, President of US D2C and Global Digital at Steve Madden, discuss the current state of performance marketing and the importance of balancing algorithmic marketing with inspirational and influential marketing. They also touch on the challenges of creating and managing content, the role of video in marketing, and the rise of TikTok shops. The conversation covers various topics related to retail and marketing, including the impact of consumer behavior shifts, the role of video commerce, the importance of collaborations and influencers, the use of MarTech in loyalty and data management, and the potential impact of the election on the retail environment.Key TakeawaysPerformance marketing has dominated the marketing landscape in the past decade, but brands now need to find a balance between algorithmic marketing and inspirational/influential marketing.Creating and managing content can be challenging, and brands need to strike a balance between volume and quality.Video marketing is becoming increasingly important, and brands need to adapt to the changing landscape of platforms like TikTok.The rise of TikTok shops and partnerships with platforms like Amazon indicate that video commerce is on the horizon. Consumer behavior takes time to shift, and it may not always align with predictions or trends.Video commerce is a growing trend, but it may take a long time for people to change their behaviors and adopt it on a large scale.Collaborations and partnerships with influencers or other brands can be successful if they are authentic, aligned with the brand's values, and provide value to the customers.MarTech tools can be used for retention and loyalty programs, as well as data management and analysis.The outcome of the election can impact the retail environment, with consistency and confidence being important factors for stability and growth.

S4:E4 Retail Transformers: Michael ZakkourIn this episode of The Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden are joined by special guest Michael Zakkour, founder of 5 New Digital and author of two Amazon #1 bestselling books, to discuss the transformative power of unified and immersive commerce in the retail industry. Michael, a thought leader and practitioner in digital commerce with 25 years of experience as a CEO, CMO, and Founder, shares his extensive expertise on retail strategies, AI, the evolution of e-commerce, and the impact of video as a foundational tool for immersive commerce. Together they explore key topics such as the shift from omnichannel to unified commerce, the impact of social commerce and livestreaming from Asia on global markets, and future opportunities with AI in retail. Michael also provides practical advice for retailers to enhance both digital and physical store experiences that resonate with today's digitally savvy consumers, while aiming for higher conversions, better customer engagement, and sustainable profitability.00:00 Show Intro 04:36 Retail Transformer - Michael Zakkour 06:42 The Evolution of Retail12:36 Challenges in E-commerce 16:35 The Future of Immersive Commerce 26:07 Video Commerce: The Next Frontier 28:39 The Evolution of E-commerce 30:04 The Importance of Immersive Commerce 32:10 Case Study: Live Streaming Success 38:47 The Role of AI in Retail 48:04 Navigating the Future of Retail 50:57 Future Trends 58:05 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2024, 2023, 2022 & 2021, RIS News Top Movers and Shakers in Retail for 2021, advisory council member at George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation, and director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, CEO of Luxlock, RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2024 and 2023, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Hestron Mimms, published by Imuno.Follow The Retail Razor Show on SocialLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/LI-RRazorTwitter: https://bit.ly/TwRRazorFacebook: https://bit.ly/TRRSfaceInstagram: https://bit.ly/TRRSinstaThreads: https://bit.ly/TRRSthreadsBlueSky: https://bit.ly/TRRSbskyHost → Ricardo BelmarFollow on Twitter - https://bit.ly/twRBelmarConnect on LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/LIRBelmarCo-host → Casey GoldenFollow on Twitter - https://bit.ly/twCaseyConnect on LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/LICasey

Welcome to a special Remarkable Retail podcast summer series focused on what leaders need to do to help their organizations win the future and leap to higher ground. In this six-part limited series, Steve will be unpacking key lessons from his new best-selling book “Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption,” available everywhere books are sold.***Special thanks to John Parolisi for joining us for a fun cameo on this episode!In a world where anything less than delivering highly differentiated and truly remarkable customer value is often ignored, sucking less, merely closing the gap on competitive performance (what Steve calls “innovating to parity”) or offering a slightly better version of mediocre is choosing to move into a zone of irrelevance, or perhaps even putting your organization on the path to outright extinction.Moreover, in a world where the pace of change is only accelerating, often becoming more exponential than linear, failure to transform at the speed of disruption only creates the likelihood that you will fall further and further behind. Minding this potential gap is critical. For struggling organizations, failure to close it by aiming higher, moving faster, and acting more boldly may mean they fall so far behind they can never catch up.But even organizations that are performing well can find themselves in trouble if they don't pay attention and let go of merely delivering incremental changes.This pattern of focusing on simply sucking less (at worst) or a relentless stream of optimization (at best) and exposing one's organization to disruption is not new. In his classic book from the nineties, legendary HBS professor Clayton Christensen labelled this the “Innovator's Dilemma.” The forces that keep legacy brands stuck are still very much in play today, but the challenge to truly transform in the face of disruption is much greater. And the penalty for merely closing a competitive gap, rather than leaping boldly ahead, has become much greater.This 6-part summer series will explore why we must choose remarkable or risk irrelevance. We will go deep on unpacking the root causes that lead to an overly timid transformation. We will delve into what is required to lead in the face of relentless, unyielding disruption.Season 9 of the Remarkable Retail podcast returns on September 10th in its usual format. Follow us wherever you enjoy your podcasts, and don't forget to give us a 5-star review. About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor, board member, and keynote speaker focused on strategic growth and transformation and the impact of digital disruption. He is the author of two bestselling books: Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption and the all new Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption , now available for purchase in hardcover, as an e-book, or exclusively as an audiobook on Audible. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior contributor and on social media. Don't forget to join Steve's new Linked Group for his new book.Michael LeBlanc is the 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.

Also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DcptOEqEACwJoin Kurt Elster, host of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast, as he sits down with Lawson Thalmann, CTO of Chalet Nursery, to discuss how they've transformed their family business with Shopify POS. Lawson shares insights into their journey from legacy systems to cutting-edge retail technology.Guest Background: Lawson Thalmann, CTO of Chalet Nursery, has been at the forefront of integrating technology into the family business. Started by his great-grandfather in 1917, Chalet Nursery is a local institution in Wilmette, Illinois. Lawson joined the business officially seven years ago, bringing a tech-savvy approach to retail operations. His first major project was moving their sales online with Shopify, a groundbreaking move for the garden center industry. Lawson's passion for innovation has kept Chalet Nursery ahead of the curve, from mobile POS systems to advanced UI extensions.Visit Chalet Nursery: chaletnursery.comShopify POS: shopify.com/pos

Curious about what's inside Oliver Banks's book "Driving Retail Transformation"? In this episode, take a chapter-by-chapter journey through the book, to discover the insights, strategies, and tools you'll find in each section. Learn more about the style of the book and how this can be your guide to successful retail transformation. Tune in to get an insider's look and see how "Driving Retail Transformation" can progress your business forward.Listen into this episode to discover:A chapter-by-chapter blow of what's inside the book.How the Retail Transformation Steering Wheel will help you steer your change initiatives. Additional behind-the-scenes stories about the origins of the book.Show notes at www.obandco.uk/301.

S4:E3 Revolutionizing Retail Hiring: A Conversation with Ron ThurstonIn this episode of the Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden welcome back Ron Thurston, founder of OSSY, and author of 'Retail Pride', to discuss the company's innovative approach to transforming the retail hiring process. Focusing on the integration of AI and the human touch, Ron shares insights into how OSSY is addressing common retail recruitment challenges, such as speed to hire, candidate experience, and the importance of clear career paths. The discussion highlights the broader implications for the retail industry and the immense value of creating supportive and accountable hiring practices. This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in retail and retail hiring.Meet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2024, 2023, 2022 & 2021, RIS News Top Movers and Shakers in Retail for 2021, advisory council member at George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation, and director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, CEO of Luxlock, RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2024 and 2023, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Hestron Mimms, published by Imuno.The Retail Razor ShowFollow us on Goodpods: https://bit.ly/TRRSgoodpodsFollow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/TRRSinstaFollow us on Threads: https://bit.ly/TRRSthreadsFollow us on Twitter: https://bit.ly/TwRRazorConnect with us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/LI-RRazorSubscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTubeSubscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/RetailRazorShowRetail Razor Show Episode Page: https://bit.ly/RRShowPodHost → Ricardo BelmarFollow on Twitter - https://bit.ly/twRBelmarConnect on LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/LIRBelmarCo-host → Casey GoldenFollow on Twitter - https://bit.ly/twCaseyConnect on LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/LICasey

In this exclusive interview recorded live from the Walmart Commerce Technologies studio at Shoptalk Europe, Arianne Parisi, Chief Digital Officer at JD Sports, discusses the company's retail transformation journey and omnichannel commerce strategy. As a leading sports fashion retailer, JD Sports is focusing on putting the customer at the center of their operations while expanding their presence in the US market. Parisi shares insights on overcoming legacy systems, achieving cross-channel consistency, and meeting evolving consumer expectations. She emphasizes the importance of building brand awareness and redefining success metrics in the age of omnichannel retail. Discover how JD Sports is navigating the challenges of digital leadership and driving retail innovation in this engaging conversation.

How is technology reshaping the way businesses connect with their customers? Today on Tech Talks Daily, I, Neil Hughes, sit down with Shad Aul, Senior Manager of Network Engineering at Lowe's, to uncover how the home improvement giant is transforming its customer interactions through a groundbreaking collaboration with Cisco. In our discussion, Shad delves into the strategic shift from a traditional on-premise solution to a unified SaaS platform using Cisco Webex Contact Center. This bold move not only streamlines operations across 25 business units and accommodates 8,781 agents but also plays a pivotal role in reducing Lowe's IT overheads and licensing costs significantly. With over 1 million customer calls handled seamlessly in the first quarter of 2024 alone, Lowe's exemplifies how scalability and reliability in technology can lead to superior customer service. Moreover, we explore how this technological overhaul is not just about efficiency but also enhancing customer satisfaction through a seamless omnichannel experience that meets evolving consumer expectations. Shad shares insights on the integration of advanced AI applications, set to redefine the future of customer engagements and drive Lowe's forward in attracting top-tier tech talent. Join us as we discuss the intricacies of implementing such extensive changes without interrupting business flow and the ongoing benefits of Cisco's Lifecycle Services in speeding up the realization of business value through AI-driven outcomes. What could this mean for the future of retail and customer service? Share your thoughts and join the conversation as we delve into the intersection of innovation, customer satisfaction, and business growth.

S4:E2 The Evolution from Omnichannel to Unified Commerce with Giri AgarwalIn this episode of the Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden discuss the shift from omnichannel to unified commerce in the retail industry. Special guest Giri Agarwal, Chief Strategy Officer at Incisiv, joins to share insights on how unified commerce is transforming customer experiences and driving revenue growth. They explore the concept of unified commerce, the integration of AI, and the challenges retailers face in adopting this approach. Key highlights include the importance of customer identification, empowering frontline staff, and rethinking store experiences. Giri also addresses the financial implications, generational differences in consumer behaviors, and the need for a cultural shift towards unified commerce. Tune in for an in-depth discussion on why now is the critical moment for retailers to embrace this change.Meet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2024, 2023, 2022 & 2021, RIS News Top Movers and Shakers in Retail for 2021, advisory council member at George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation, and director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, CEO of Luxlock, RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2024 and 2023, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Hestron Mimms, published by Imuno.The Retail Razor ShowFollow us on Goodpods: https://bit.ly/TRRSgoodpodsFollow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/TRRSinstaFollow us on Threads: https://bit.ly/TRRSthreadsFollow us on Twitter: https://bit.ly/TwRRazorConnect with us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/LI-RRazorSubscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTubeSubscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/RetailRazorShowRetail Razor Show Episode Page: https://bit.ly/RRShowPodHost → Ricardo Belmar,Follow on Twitter - https://bit.ly/twRBelmarConnect on LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/LIRBelmarCo-host → Casey Golden,Follow on Twitter - https://bit.ly/twCaseyConnect on LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/LICasey

*Hosted by Stéphanie Moles-Rota*In this episode, I sat down with Wouter Kolk, CEO of Europe and Indonesia at Ahold Delhaize, to discuss the latest trends in talent, leadership, transformation, and diversity.Wouter shared his personal journey, from joining Ahold Delhaize to leaving the company to expand his horizon, returning, and the valuable lessons he learned along the way. He also shed light on the impact of the pandemic on retail businesses and the various transformations they went through to adapt to the changing times.Discover more details here.Follow us on:Instagram: http://bit.ly/2Wba8v7Twitter: http://bit.ly/2WeulzXLinkedin: http://bit.ly/2w9YSQXFacebook: http://bit.ly/2HtryLd

Craig and Lee discuss the relocation of Harry Rosen's flagship store from 82 Bloor Street West to 153 Cumberland Street in Toronto's upscale Yorkville neighborhood. This move from its long-standing Bloor Street location represents a major development in the city's retail scene. The store's design features will include a three-floor layout and expanded back-of-house operations, which are part of Harry Rosen's evolving retail strategy. The relocation is seen as a transformative moment for Yorkville, further establishing it as a luxury retail hub. They also touch upon the broader implications of this move for Yorkville and Bloor Street's retail dynamics. The conversation highlights the influx of luxury brands into the area, including new and expanding stores like Bulgari and Lululemon, and the role these developments play in attracting more foot traffic and elevating the shopping experience. The historical context of Harry Rosen's establishment and its founder's legacy in Canadian menswear is explored in the conversation. From its origins in 1955 to the passing of its founder in 2023, Harry Rosen has been instrumental in shaping men's fashion in Canada. The discussion concludes with reflections on the store's past locations and the evolution of Toronto's retail environment over the decades. Episode Sponsor: SAJO - Canada's first specialized retail builder. Visit SAJO to see their holistic approach and transdisciplinary team to explore and understand your needs. Discussed in this Episode: Harry Rosen to Relocate Bloor Street Flagship to New Cumberland Street Premises in Toronto Subscribe, Rate, and Review our Retail Insider Podcast!Follow Craig:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/CraigPattersonTorontoInstagram: @craig_patterson_torontoTwitter: @RI_EICFollow Retail Insider:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/Retail-InsiderFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/RetailInsider/Twitter: @RetailInsider_Instagram: @Retail_Insider_CanadaListen & Subscribe:Apple PodcastsSpotifyOvercastStitcherShare your thoughts!Drop us a line at Craig@Retail-Insider.com. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show!Background Music Credit: Hard Boiled Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Craig and Lee discuss the recent announcement of closures of two long-standing establishments in Yorkville, Toronto – Pusatiri's grocery and Flo's Diner. Pusatiri's, known for its upscale grocery offerings, is closing due to a strategic decision by the owners, with plans for the space potentially converting into a restaurant. The closure of Flo's Diner, a beloved local eatery, follows a landlord dispute, leaving its future uncertain. These closures signal significant shifts in the neighborhood, emphasizing the changing dynamics of retail and community spaces in Yorkville. The podcast delves into the broader transformation of the Yorkville area, which includes not only retail changes but also significant luxury residential developments. Craig highlights the influx of super-wealthy residents through new high-end condominium projects, suggesting a continued evolution towards an even more upscale neighborhood. This shift is anticipated to further influence the types of retail and dining establishments that will thrive in Yorkville, potentially attracting more luxury brands and high-end restaurants to cater to the affluent demographic. Finally, Craig and Lee reflect on the mixed reactions from the Yorkville community, ranging from disappointment over the closures to excitement about the neighborhood's future. They discuss the potential for new opportunities and spaces that could emerge from these changes, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a vibrant, diverse community amidst the luxury developments. The conversation underscores the dynamic nature of urban neighborhoods and the continuous cycle of change, highlighting Yorkville as a case study in balancing growth with community needs. Episode Sponsor: Salesforce - Turn today's shopping trends into tomorrow's retail success. Visit Salesforce to see the global insights from Salesforce to boost your bottom line. Subscribe, Rate, and Review our Retail Insider Podcast!Follow Craig:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/CraigPattersonTorontoInstagram: @craig_patterson_torontoTwitter: @RI_EICFollow Retail Insider:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/Retail-InsiderFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/RetailInsider/Twitter: @RetailInsider_Instagram: @Retail_Insider_CanadaListen & Subscribe:Apple PodcastsSpotifyOvercastStitcherShare your thoughts!Drop us a line at Craig@Retail-Insider.com. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show!Background Music Credit: Hard Boiled Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

In this episode of the Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden kick off season 4 by discussing their top 10 predictions for the retail industry in 2024. Amid personal anecdotes and a tribute to Ricardo's late father, the episode dives deep into the future of retail alongside guest Ben Miller, VP of Original Content and Strategy at Shoptalk & Groceryshop. Key predictions include the Temu-fication of retail, the evolution of Retail Media Networks (RMNs) and their impact on digitizing physical stores, the integration with streaming and social commerce platforms, and the re-emergence of heritage brands leveraging digital commerce. The conversation also touches on the increasing consumer expectations around sustainability versus the temptation of low-cost options like Temu, the potential of AI in enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency, and the death of the term 'Omnichannel' in favor of 'Unified Commerce' to better represent seamless retail experiences. The episode concludes with a look forward to the Shoptalk event and the importance of staying ahead in a rapidly evolving retail landscape.Meet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2024, 2023, 2022 & 2021, RIS News Top Movers and Shakers in Retail for 2021, advisory council member at George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation, and director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, CEO of Luxlock, RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2024 and 2023, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Hestron Mimms, published by Imuno.The Retail Razor ShowFollow us on Goodpods: https://bit.ly/TRRSgoodpodsFollow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/TRRSinstaFollow us on Threads: https://bit.ly/TRRSthreadsFollow us on Twitter: https://bit.ly/TwRRazorConnect with us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/LI-RRazorSubscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTubeSubscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/RetailRazorShowRetail Razor Show Episode Page: https://bit.ly/RRShowPodHost → Ricardo Belmar,Follow on Twitter - https://bit.ly/twRBelmarConnect on LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/LIRBelmarCo-host → Casey Golden,Follow on Twitter - https://bit.ly/twCaseyConnect on LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/LICasey

Retail Transformation maven Oliver Banks is back on the podcast live from the U.K., discussing his new book, "Driving Retail Transformation: How to Navigate Disruption and Change."   Using a clever set of automotive metaphors, Oliver takes us through his retail transformation steering wheel tool. He takes us to a better place in our journey to becoming a high-performing retailer.  About OliverOliver Banks is an expert consultant working with senior leaders to transform retail businesses and operations. One of the most influential voices in retail, Oliver is author of the new book, 'Driving Retail Transformation: How to Navigate Disruption & Change' a LinkedIn Top Voice, host of the Retail Transformation Show podcast and keynote speaker, and advises on navigating transformation and the ever-evolving world of retail.LinksLinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliverbanks1/Book website (including a sample) - https://drivingretailtransformation.com/ 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.

Retail leaders face disruption on every side. But transforming in response, while necessary, is easier said than done. Oliver Banks's new book, Driving Retail Transformation gives you the strategies and techniques you need to lead your organization through the journey of transformation in an age of uncertainty. In this special episode, explore the Retail Transformation Steering Wheel. The book, Driving Retail Transformation: How to Navigate Disruption and Change is available in all good book stores. Find out more at www.DrivingRetailTransformation.com.

Meet Marshal Kay, Global Director, Retail Transformation Services for Avery Dennison Smartrac, who takes us through the retail business case for RFID, from supper accurate inventory to Loss Prevention, seamless self-checkout and more, and what it takes to break through with this robust process and technology solution.  Avery Dennison's RFID homepageThe video recording of Walmart's presentation at the RFID Journal LIVE conference in May 2023 (including a link to get the slides themselves)Some good Forbes articles:The video recording of the Panel Discussion with Macy's at the 2024 NRF Big Show (called RFID: The Key To Digitizing Loss Prevention) 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.

In Season Four of the Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden explore the theme of Unlocking Retail with the Integration of AI, Humans, and Media. This involves discussing how artificial intelligence, human interaction, and innovative retail media are transforming the industry. Topics will include optimizing inventory, pricing, merchandising for online and offline channels with AI, enhancing customer service, connecting brands with consumers through engaging content, creating strong communities and increasing loyalty. The show will also discuss human centered design and the crafting of memorable retail experiences. Moreover, two of its mini-series from last season, Blade to Greatness and Data Blades, will be transformed into their own podcasts. Ricardo and Casey remind everyone that this season has more surprises in store for listeners!And we can't thank our Goodpods listeners enough! We love your support! Please continue giving us those 5-star ratings and send us your comments. Your support allow sus to hit the top of the charts for Indie Management and Indie Marketing podcasts!Meet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2024, 2023, 2022 & 2021, RIS News Top Movers and Shakers in Retail for 2021, advisory council member at George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation, and director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, CEO of Luxlock, RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2024 and 2023, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!The Retail Razor ShowFollow us on Goodpods: https://bit.ly/TRRSgoodpodsFollow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/TRRSinstaFollow us on Threads: https://bit.ly/TRRSthreadsFollow us on Twitter: https://bit.ly/TwRRazorConnect with us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/LI-RRazorSubscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTubeSubscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/RetailRazorShowRetail Razor Show Episode Page: https://bit.ly/RRShowPodHost → Ricardo Belmar,Follow on Twitter - https://bit.ly/twRBelmarConnect on LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/LIRBelmarCo-host → Casey Golden,Follow on Twitter - https://bit.ly/twCaseyConnect on LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/LICasey

In the season three finale of the Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden provide a detailed recap of their journey throughout the season, discussing their top ten predictions for 2023 and evaluating their accuracy – did they nail it or miss the mark? The hosts touch upon diverse topics including private label domination, the evolution of retail media networks, investment in returns management, and the growth of store automation, among others. They also highlight a few memorable moments and important insights from their guests throughout the season. The episode concludes with a lively discussion on their expectations for retail and technology in 2024, teasing the audience with a glimpse of what's to come in season four.WOW! As we march into a new year on the show, we're honored and humbled to have hit the top of the charts on the Goodpodspodcast platform on multiple episodes!We can't thank our Goodpods listeners enough! We love your support! Please continue giving us those 5-star ratings and send us your comments!Meet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2024, 2023, 2022 & 2021, RIS News Top Movers and Shakers in Retail for 2021, advisory council member at George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation, and director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, CEO of Luxlock, RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2024 and 2023, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Hestron Mimms, published by Imuno.The Retail Razor ShowFollow us on Goodpods: https://bit.ly/TRRSgoodpodsFollow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/TRRSinstaFollow us on Threads: https://bit.ly/TRRSthreadsFollow us on Twitter: https://bit.ly/TwRRazorConnect with us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/LI-RRazorSubscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTubeSubscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/RetailRazorShowRetail Razor Show Episode Page: https://bit.ly/RRShowPodHost → Ricardo Belmar,Follow on Twitter - https://bit.ly/twRBelmarConnect on LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/LIRBelmarCo-host → Casey Golden,Follow on Twitter - https://bit.ly/twCaseyConnect on LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/LICasey

4:00) - Most Interesting | 126. Amputees Feel Warmth In Their Missing Hand(8:40) - Listener Favorite | 118. Robotics & AI in Sheet Metal Forming(12:23) - Most Impactful | 112. Bringing Humans Back Into The Loop For AI(16:30) - Hidden Gem(s) | 135. Reinventing Retail in The Connectivity Age & 144. An implantable device could enable injection-free control of diabetes

Ken interviews three experts in Retail store staffing for the inaugural Tech Talk podcast episode.Sharonda Weatherspoon is the SVP, Head of Retail Transformation, Client Development, and Operations, as well as the Co-Chair of North America's Diversity and Inclusion ERG. She has spent over 24 years at Ralph Lauren, surviving my tenure, and moving up through the ranks, starting as a General Manager, and in her most recent role, as SVP of retail stores from North America. Sharonda has always worked directly with the stores and fully understands the frontline experience where her focus has been to create the best customer experience and the appropriate staff to support it.Ron Thurston is the founder of OSSY, a platform that aggregates store employee talent from sales associate to leadership roles, enabling retailers and brands to easily access Aussie's labor pool. Ron is also the author of the Amazon bestseller, Retail Pride, championing joy and success in the service industry. Ron's book draws on his experience and store leadership roles with Intermix, San Laurent, Tory Burch, Apple, West Elm, and Gap. Ron also hosts a podcast, Retail in America.Mike Myers is the co-founder and CEO of Reflex and has spent the last decade building early stage companies as both a founder and an early stage venture. Reflex works with some of the top brands in retail today and helps brands leverage a flexible labor model to drive store performance. Retailers use Reflex to connect with experienced on-demand retail store associates and to flex their labor models to support the real time needs of the business.Key Takeaways from this episode are:1.    Evolution of Retail Staffing Post-COVID: The post-COVID environment has significantly changed the landscape of retail staffing. Retailers have had to adapt rapidly to evolving business models, leading to challenges in finding and retaining talent. Competing for local talent, dealing with the gig economy, upskilling rapidly, and identifying the right candidate profiles have become significant hurdles.2.    Shift Towards On-Demand Flexible Talent: The emergence of platforms like Reflex has transformed the staffing model. They facilitate connecting retailers with on-demand, experienced retail talent, allowing for real-time staffing adjustments based on business needs rather than fixed hiring plans.3.    Tech-Driven Recruitment Solutions: Reflex, as a tech platform, streamlines the staffing process. It provides a platform for retailers to access a pool of vetted workers for various roles, from back of house to front of house, offering flexibility in scheduling and facilitating worker-retailer feedback through ratings and reviews.4.    Challenges and Benefits of Adopting New Staffing Models: Trust remains a significant obstacle for retailers adopting flexible staffing solutions like Reflex. However, the platform's benefits, including reducing turnover costs, addressing immediate staffing needs, and potential cost savings in comparison to traditional hiring and retention methods, make a compelling case for its adoption.5.    Changing the Perception of Retail Jobs: The introduction of platforms like Ossy seeks to redefine the hiring process, especially for the retail workforce. It aims to replace traditional resumes with dynamic digital profiles, utilizing AI-driven algorithms to match candidates with suitable retail roles, focusing on soft skills, empathy, and curiosity, ultimately changing how individuals perceive and access retail job opportunities.6.    Industry Insights through Trade Shows and Networking: Sharonda gains industry knowledge and stays updated by attending trade shows like NRF. and various others. Networking through LinkedIn and connections with individuals like Ron and Mike allows her to stay informed about innovative solutions.7.    Innovative Solutions in Staffing: Both Ossy and Reflex offer platforms that provide accessible solutions through mobile applications and digital platforms, simplifying the staffing process compared to traditional methods like phone calls or emails. These platforms offer an automated and convenient way to connect available staff to positions.8.    Integration of AI: Both Ossy and Reflex are integrating AI into their platforms. Ossy aims to replace the traditional resume with a more interactive and multimedia-based platform for job seekers, while Reflex employs AI in the background to enhance the operational experience for workers and retailers without overtly marketing it as an AI platform.9.    Marketing Challenges and Strategies: Both platforms face marketing challenges in a crowded space. They are using strategies like word-of-mouth referrals, industry events (such as Shop Talk and NRF), and social media channels like TikTok and Instagram for worker acquisition. They also emphasize thought leadership, sharing insights, and building a presence within the retail industry.10. Funding and Business Challenges: Ossy is self-funded with an intention to create a new category, while Reflex has raised $12 million in funding and is focused on delivering for retail partners, launching new markets, and scaling worker experiences. Building the right tech infrastructure and understanding the time investment required has been a significant challenge for both platforms.

(3:00) - Reinventing Retail in The Connectivity AgeThis episode was brought to you by Mouser, our favorite place to get electronics parts for any project, whether it be a hobby at home or a prototype for work. Click HERE to check out the article written by our friend Paul discussing the growing role of connected devices in traditional retail.