Podcasts about retailers

Enterprise retailers index only 40-50% of their product pages. Joe Doran, Chief Product Officer at Botify, breaks down why LLM crawlers—decades behind Googlebot in sophistication—struggle to render JavaScript-heavy PDPs and confirmation-crawl product data before citing it. Learn why product feeds now demand the same scrutiny as on-page SEO, how OpenAI's Agentic Commerce Protocol reshapes structured data requirements, and why citation rate and crawl volume correlations outperform synthetic share-of-voice metrics for measuring AI search visibility.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tom Szaky built TerraCycle into a recycling giant, then decided recycling wasn't good enough. His new venture, Loop, aimed to replace disposable packaging with reusable containers for brands like Tide and Häagen-Dazs. Consumers loved it. Retailers loved it. So why did it nearly die in four out of five test markets? Szaky breaks down the hidden flaw that almost killed Loop, and the simple insight that finally made it scale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s program, we talk with a senior vice president of the Massachusetts Association of Retailers about the summer so far and the back to school economy. The chief financial officer of the Boston Red Sox looks at the red hot Red Sox during the month of July. The executive editor of the Boston Business Journal shares this week‘s top business headlines, including a new way to get to the airport. And finally, Jim Koch, CEO of Boston Beer, makers of Sam Adams, shares the latest news about his industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the most valuable customer acquisition channel you're ignoring is the one you've always written off as just a discount tool?Agility requires not just adapting to new customer behaviors, but fundamentally re-evaluating long-held beliefs about which channels drive growth and which ones are merely a race to the bottom.Retailers are making big moves into the cashback ecosystem.Today, we're going to talk about the shifting economics of customer acquisition and how they are causing many brands to rethink their channel strategy. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Carolina Paradas, GM, North America at ShopBack.Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716baCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.comThe Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will your boutique be ready for Fall/Winter 2026—or will you be buying yesterday's trends? Before you head to market, discover the colors, silhouettes, prints, denim, shoes, and styling trends expected to define the upcoming season. After visiting 28 trade shows and working with more than 800 wholesale brands, Samantha Conner shares what's emerging on the showroom floor—and how boutique owners can buy smarter before these trends hit the mainstream. You'll learn: The colors expected to dominate Fall 2026 Ways to merchandise and style trends to increase sales Smart buying strategies for your next market trip How to build collections instead of buying random pieces Join The Boutique Hub  ____________________________ Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

Gap Inc. is expanding its creator affiliate program to employees across Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta, allowing staff to earn commissions by becoming brand influencers. Chris Walton and Josh Hahn discuss why employees may be a brand's most authentic creators, how retailers can scale employee-generated content, and whether this could become the future of retail marketing. ▶️ Watch the full Fast Five episode here: https://youtu.be/_GsTHL9DBYA

How can independent publishers achieve sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive marketplace? In this episode of “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA),” AdventureKEEN Publisher and COO Molly Merkle shares advice about the power of niche publishing and the strategies publishers can use to build loyal readers, stronger sales, and resilient businesses. You'll learn practical tactics about: - growing your backlist through publisher acquisitions and mergers - revitalizing older titles through redesign and repackaging - how to build strong relationships with specialty retailers and distribution partners - and more! Whether you're looking to grow your publishing company, strengthen your backlist, increase profitability, or better understand your target audience, this episode is packed with real-world insights and proven publishing strategies you can put into action right away. GUEST BIO Molly Merkle began her career in book publishing nearly 40 years ago as an intern during college, then moved to full-time work for Menasha Ridge Press, one of AdventureKEEN Publishing's now seven imprints. In early 2023, she was named AdventureKEEN's publisher and continues to serve as its COO. Merkle has been key to executing the company's vision for growth, including the acquisition and integration of several independent presses over the years. She's also helped lead the company through hardship and challenges, which are a fact of life for entrepreneurial publishers. Merkle serves on the board of The Publishers Cooperative, a group of established and emerging independent publishers committed to creating a strong, diverse, equitable, and inclusive publishing industry together. Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 3,900 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He's also passionate about indie publishing, because he's an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/ Learn more about the AdventureKEEN at https://adventurewithkeen.com/ Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/independent-book-publishers-association Follow the AdventureKEEN on: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/adventurekeen/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/adventurewithkeen/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@adventurekeen LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/adventurekeen/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@adventurekeen Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/adventurekeen.bsky.social Blog - https://adventurewithkeen.com/blog/ Learn more about The Publishers Cooperative at https://thepublisherscooperative.com/ Learn more about the Book Industry Charitable Foundation at https://bincfoundation.org/ This episode is presented by Total Printing Systems. Learn more at https://www.tps1.com/

Portland, Oregon is making headlines for all the wrong reasons — Keith Wilson was just hauled into court facing 88 separate retail theft charges, with stores across Multnomah County tallying more than $115,000 in total losses. That's not a crime spree. That's a career. And Portland let it run for case after case after case before anyone intervened.Sean breaks down what it actually takes to get arrested in the Pacific Northwest — apparently something north of 87 prior theft incidents. Security footage existed. Repeat-offender records existed. What didn't exist was the political will to act until the case count became too embarrassing to ignore. Wilson now sits on $300,000 bail, which tells you everything about how dangerous repeat offenders become when cities treat shoplifting as a non-arrest offense.Portland's soft-on-crime experiment has a body count — not always in lives, but in storefronts. Retailers across Oregon, Washington, and California have been quietly closing locations for years because insurance won't cover the losses and employees can't safely intervene. Open-air drug markets absorb stolen merchandise within hours. Wilson's 88-case run is a symptom of a policy failure, not an outlier.Subscribe to @reasonablenews and hit the notification bell — Sean will follow up on this one if it moves.#NFRP #Portland #RetailTheftGO PREMIUM WITH REASONABLE+ FOR UNCENSORED ACCESS

Can businesses help solve one of the world's biggest environmental challenges?In this episode of Logistics with Purpose®, hosts Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter sit down with Jesse Langley, CEO of Lotus Sustainables, to explore how innovation, purpose-driven leadership, and supply chain collaboration are reducing our dependence on single-use plastic bags.Jesse shares his remarkable journey from serving in the U.S. Navy to leading a global sustainability company that has already diverted more than 6.5 billion plastic bags from landfills. Together, they discuss why changing consumer behavior is so difficult, the role legislation plays in accelerating sustainability, and how businesses can create products that are better for both people and the planet.The conversation also explores leadership during uncertainty, the power of B Corps and Conscious Capitalism, sustainable innovation, resilient supply chains, and why solving environmental problems starts with building better partnerships.Whether you're a supply chain professional, sustainability leader, entrepreneur, or simply passionate about creating positive impact, this episode offers practical insights and inspiring ideas for building a better future.In this episode you'll learn:Why legislation may be the biggest driver of reducing single-use plasticsHow Lotus Sustainables has diverted over 6.5 billion plastic bags from landfillsWhat purpose-driven leadership looks like during uncertain timesWhy innovation should focus on solving real customer problemsHow B Corps and stakeholder-focused businesses create lasting impactLessons from military leadership that translate into business successWhy Europe is leading the way in sustainability and what others can learnAdditional Links & Resources:Connect with Jesse: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-langley/Learn more about Lotus Sustainables: https://lotus-sustainables.com/Learn more about Logistics with Purpose®: https://supplychainnow.com/brands/logistics-with-purpose/Subscribe to Logistics with Purpose®: https://logistics-with-purpose.captivate.fm/listenLearn more about Vector Global Logistics: https://vectorgl.com/Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comThis episode was hosted by Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter. For addtional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/how-why-retailers-replacing-billions-plastic-bags-lwp161

Nick Goad, BCG's global co-leader for retail merchandising, argues that retail's biggest problem isn't a lack of data, it's the gap between data and real customer understanding. He explains how AI and large language models are finally bridging that divide, making it possible to localize assortment, sharpen pricing, and accelerate product innovation at scale. For leaders wondering where to start, he makes the case for codifying the knowledge already in merchants' heads.What You'll Learn:Retailers have more data than ever, but AI finally gives them the tools to turn it into action merchants can actually trust.The biggest near-term opportunities are in assortment localization, smarter pricing, and AI-accelerated product innovation.The new data advantage for retailers isn't raw data — it's codifying the knowledge already in their merchants' heads.Learn More:BCG's Latest Thinking on the Retail Industry: https://on.bcg.com/4bYoe8xMerch AI by BCGX: https://on.bcg.com/3RxTfJFChapters(0:00) Has Retail Lost Its Personal Touch?(1:13) Serving Customers Before the Digital Age(2:33) The Internet's Impact on Retail(3:11) Does More Data Mean Better Customer Understanding?(4:12) Why Are Retailers Drowning in Complexity?(5:32) What Can AI Do to Help Retailers?(7:02) Will AI Create a New Data Overload?(7:54) What Are Retail Leaders Hopes and Fears for AI?(9:02) Will AI Get Products to the Shelf Faster?(9:57) Will AI Influence Product Design?(10:37) Can AI Create More Personalized Loyalty Programs?(11:34) How Will AI Shape the Shopping Experience?(12:02) Is Physical Retail Here to Stay?(13:36) Will AI Make All Our Shopping Decisions for Us?(14:23) Where Can Retailers Make the Biggest Changes?(15:00) Where Should Retailers Apply AI First?(15:48) What New Data Advantage Can AI Create?Meet the Expert:Nick Goad, BCG Managing Director & Senior Partner: https://on.bcg.com/4wuIlU0Listen to Other Episodes of The So What from BCG podcastPunch Cards, Frequent Flyers, and the Future of Loyalty: https://lnk.to/so-what-BCG-Crouch-Loyalty09YouTube | https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMJgyXjV5gMI9JV-GcF_D1Y6zyf1Eab_0&si=plXqe7-YNzbG56U8Apple | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-so-what-from-bcg/id1591194141Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/2NSVR7qrAyZ4CaGsnknbBk?si=1d846c2af8784923Other platforms | https://lnk.to/so-what-general-show12Follow BCGhttps://www.bcg.com/LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/boston-consulting-groupThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelensky and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sit down with President Donald Trump for separate high-stakes meetings. The US Geological Survey says southern Japan was rocked by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake. The northeastern US is on high alert for flooding today. Retailers are staying away from produce coming from part of Central Mexico – we'll tell you why. And President Trump wants the Supreme Court to consider his plan to reshape mail-in voting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

More retailers are offering buy now pay later services to meet shopper demand, but an industry association says a significant number remain unconvinced the lay-by payment options are actually worth it. Retail NZ chief executive, Carolyn Young spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

This episode is brought to you by KWI.Instacart recently crossed $1 billion in quarterly revenue, and alongside its impressive marketplace growth, it's also evolving into a powerful technology partner for retailers while continuing to redefine the digital grocery experience.In this episode of Retail Remix, Kate Robertson speaks with Ryan Hamburger, Chief Commercial Officer at Instacart, about the company's expanding role across marketplace services, enterprise technology, retail media and AI. Ryan explains why trust has become the foundation of digital grocery, how Instacart is helping retailers modernize their digital infrastructure and why the future of grocery depends on connecting online and in-store experiences—not choosing between them.  Key TakeawaysHow Instacart's marketplace, enterprise technology, retail media and AI businesses work together to fuel long-term growth  Why trust—from accurate substitutions to reliable fulfillment—is the biggest driver of customer loyalty in digital grocery  How AI is improving both the customer experience through shopping assistants and store operations through computer vision and shelf monitoring  Why retailers should focus on building connected omnichannel experiences instead of treating digital and physical stores as separate businesses  Why Instacart believes enterprise technology represents one of grocery retail's biggest opportunities over the next several years Related LinksLearn more about Instacart's platform and enterprise technology solutions for retailersDon't miss RTP's latest reports on Instacart: CEO Chris Rogers Shares AI and Ad Strategy as Instacart Revenues Reach $1 Billion in Q1; Instacart Acquires Arpalus Shelf-Scanning TechnologyGet more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPointsSubscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail RemixKWI is the best-kept secret in retail. Find out what the secret is at kwi.com/RTP. ----KWI is the best-kept secret in retail. Find out what the secret is at kwi.com/RTP.

Pat Maher, CEO of Atkins Ranch, discusses how Atkins Ranch has created a differentiated, yet high-quality lamb product that justifies premium shelf placement -- and is putting more money back in the pockets of the 100-plus New Zealand sheep farmers who are part of the cooperative.

City of Toledo Chief Growth Officer Brandon Sehlhorst says attracting business requires years of planning, preparing development-ready sites and changing how companies view Toledo as a place to invest.

The recent imposition of new tariffs on imports from 60 countries, effective as of 12:01 AM today, constitutes a pivotal development that necessitates our immediate attention. With rates ranging from 10% to 12.5%, the complexities surrounding these duties extend far beyond the headline figures, as they often compound existing tariffs, thereby significantly impacting the cost structure of various products within the furniture industry. This episode delves into the multifaceted consequences of these tariffs, drawing upon a recent study that quantifies the financial burden placed upon households in the Midwest, revealing an estimated cost of approximately $2,000 per household due to last year's trade disruptions. Furthermore, we shall examine the paradoxical consumer behavior wherein spending continues to rise despite eroding savings, thereby compelling retailers to adapt their strategies in response to shifting economic pressures. Additionally, we will explore the critical role of online reviews in influencing consumer decisions, underscoring the necessity for businesses to maintain an exemplary digital reputation amid these turbulent times.Takeaways:The recent implementation of tariffs on imports from sixty countries significantly complicates the cost structure for the furniture industry.Despite rising costs due to tariffs, consumer spending continues to reach unprecedented levels, highlighting a paradox in economic behavior.A recent study indicates that the trade war has had a profound financial impact on Midwest households, costing them approximately $2,000 each in 2025.Retailers must acknowledge that the current economic environment has led to increased reliance on credit, which complicates consumer purchasing power.Store experiences have improved, with high satisfaction scores; however, price perception remains a critical area needing attention.Online reviews play a pivotal role in consumer decision-making, necessitating that businesses actively manage their digital reputation.

Why do most new products fail — even when they solve a real problem? In this episode of The Voice of Retail, presented by Konek – Canada's way to pay. Visit Konek.ca to learn more., host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Rob Snyder, founder and author of the new book The Power of Pull, to unpack why understanding customer demand is fundamentally different from pitching supply — and what that means for retailers, vendors, and startups trying to win business today. Snyder's path here started at McKinsey & Company, where he grew frustrated with consulting from the outside and moved into the startup world to learn how companies actually work. After Harvard Business School, he built his first startup selling into retail and restaurants — and spent two brutal years hitting a wall before finally cracking the code and scaling to $4 million in annual recurring revenue in under two years. That hard-won experience became the foundation for his PULL framework, and for a career spent studying, through Harvard Innovation Labs, startup advising, and angel investing, why some new ideas take off while most don't. The conversation digs into the core distinction at the heart of Snyder's book: demand is not the same thing as wanting a product. Demand is a person trying to accomplish something in their life; supply is simply the tool they pull in to get it done. Snyder revisits the famous (and possibly apocryphal) Henry Ford "faster horses" quote to explain why asking customers what they want often produces the wrong answer — and why the real skill is identifying what people are stuck trying to do with the options already in front of them. For retailers fielding constant vendor pitches, Snyder offers a practical filter: can this startup speak your language, cite specific relevant case studies, and explain exactly how they've unstuck a comparable business — or are they hiding behind buzzwords like "agentic AI"? He also tackles how AI is reshaping the competitive landscape for B2B startups, arguing that as AI closes gaps in the "limitations" side of the PULL framework, vendors need to find pull in places AI hasn't reached yet. The episode closes with Snyder's advice for retail leaders trying to uncover genuine, unfiltered demand: skip the customer interviews, and instead watch shoppers struggle in real time — in-store and online — to find the moments where existing options fall short. Rob Snyder's new book, The Power of Pull, is available now wherever books are sold. Connect with him on LinkedIn or at robsnyder.org.  This episode presented by Konek – Canada's way to pay. Visit Konek.ca to learn more. 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. 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 and 2026. Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail. 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.

Today's episode is a short excerpt from a previous conversation I had with one of our amazing Paper Camp students.I really love using this podcast to spotlight the incredible things that our students are doing because there is so much value in hearing how other product brands are navigating wholesale in real time. These episodes are also a great reminder that there is no singular path to success when it comes to selling wholesale. You get to decide what works best for you and your brand. Today you're getting an inside look at how one brand does things which will surely spark ideas for you. You can listen to the full episode with Alex Gagné of Chez Gagné here: http://prooftoproduct.com/106 Quick Links:Free Wholesale Audio SeriesFree Resources LibraryFree Email Marketing for Product MakersPTP LABSPaper Camp

I've had retailers with 18 years in business tell me the same thing after just a few months working with us — and it isn't what you'd expect.Hi, I'm retail strategist and founder of Resilient Retail Club, Catherine Erdly.Most of us are convinced we're on top of our numbers. Shopify pings with every sale, we know our best sellers by heart, and we watch the sales roll in. But in this episode I dig into the uncomfortable gap between looking at your numbers and actually understanding what they're telling you to do next — the difference that quietly decides whether your stock is working for you or slowly working against you.I walk through the questions most retailers never stop to ask. Is your best seller selling fast enough, or should you be buying twice as many? Are you carrying twice the stock you actually need? Is one category — or even one supplier — secretly funding your whole business, or quietly trapping your cash? If you've ever felt like you're “all over your numbers” but still can't confidently answer what to buy, what to clear, or what to plan for next, this one is for you.I also share the shift that's helping retailers get more sales from less stock, free up cash they didn't know was trapped, and walk into their busiest months without panic-buying — plus how to tell whether you need a Stock Doctor, an accountant, or both. By the end, you'll know exactly why collecting data isn't the same as making decisions, and what to do about it. Press play to hear how.In this episode00:00: The confession every experienced retailer makes02:36: Rear-view mirror vs sat nav: how to actually read your numbers04:53: What we look for when we analyse your stock07:52: Stock Doctor vs your accountant — and who this is really forUseful linksFind out more about Stock Doctor: https://stockdoctor.netConnect with me on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/catherineerdlyMore episodes & resources: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/podcast/

In this episode of Bicycle Retail Radio, we sit down with Michael Potter, Partnerships Director at Bikeflights, fresh off the NBDA Retailer Summit Central in Bentonville, to discuss the latest shipping trends shaping the bike industry, including common e-bike shipping misconceptions, and insight into shipping trends with events and bike travel.Michael also unveils Bikeflights' new RFID tracking label program, a game-changer for shops dealing with transit delays or lost packages, and shares how retailers can start leveraging shipping as a competitive advantage.Support the show

The recent imposition of a 50% tariff on a wide array of Canadian imports, including furniture, represents a significant development within the industry, prompting urgent reflection among retailers regarding their sourcing strategies. This tariff, set to take effect on August 19, directly challenges the previous assumption of Canada as a safe haven for sourcing, compelling stakeholders to reassess their inventory and pricing structures in light of potential margin pressures. Additionally, the episode delves into the ramifications of Sleep Number's acquisition by Sleep Country Canada, following its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, which may redefine competitive dynamics in the bedding sector. The discussion further encompasses the evolving marketing strategies employed by manufacturers of adjustable bases, emphasizing the necessity for retailers to enhance their sales techniques to better convey the health benefits of these products. As we navigate this complex landscape, it becomes evident that the interplay of tariffs, corporate acquisitions, and innovative selling approaches will significantly shape the future of the furniture industry. The podcast delves into the implications of the recent imposition of a significant tariff on a wide spectrum of Canadian imports, including furniture, which has been a surprise to many within the retail sector. This new regulation, which is set to take effect imminently, comes at a time when many retailers had strategically shifted their sourcing to Canada to circumvent tariffs on Asian goods. The speakers elucidate how this unexpected tariff demonstrates the volatility of international trade relations, particularly emphasizing that businesses must remain vigilant and adaptable to such changes. They underscore the importance of assessing one's supply chain in light of this new duty, urging retailers to evaluate their Canadian-sourced products and anticipate potential margin pressures that may arise in the coming months. This analysis is not only essential for immediate operational adjustments but also critical for long-term strategic planning as the industry navigates these tumultuous waters. Moreover, the conversation transitions to the recent developments regarding Sleep Number's Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, culminating in the announcement of a buyer, Sleep Country Canada. The speakers provide a comprehensive overview of the implications of this acquisition for the broader bedding market, highlighting how a stabilized Sleep Number brand, backed by a financially robust parent company, poses a renewed challenge to competitors. They thoughtfully consider the ramifications of this transaction, noting how it may influence market dynamics and consumer perceptions, especially as Sleep Country seeks to leverage Sleep Number's innovative technologies in their expansion efforts. This segment of the podcast serves to inform industry stakeholders about the evolving landscape of competition and the necessity for proactive strategic responses. Lastly, the discussion shifts to the retail environment, characterized by dwindling foot traffic amidst a backdrop of uneven sales performance. The speakers analyze the current consumer behavior patterns, illustrating a dichotomy between premium buyers and value-seeking shoppers. They articulate that even in a challenging market, the quality of demand remains robust among those who do venture into stores, emphasizing the importance of enhancing the customer engagement experience. The podcast suggests that retailers ought to focus on optimizing their sales strategies and training their staff to capitalize on the high-stakes nature of each customer interaction, thereby maximizing revenue per visit. In conclusion, the episode encapsulates a series of critical insights into the complexities of the furniture industry and the multifaceted challenges that retailers must adeptly navigate in this evolving landscape.Takeaways:The recent imposition of a 50% tariff on Canadian imports, including furniture, significantly alters sourcing strategies for retailers, necessitating immediate reassessment of cost structures.The acquisition of Sleep Number's assets by Sleep Country Canada marks a pivotal transition, with implications for market competitiveness, particularly in the bedding sector.Manufacturers of adjustable bases are advocating for a paradigm shift, asserting that these products should be perceived as essential components of sleep systems rather than mere upgrades.Retailers are urged to enhance their sales techniques by focusing on the health benefits of adjustable bases, thus optimizing customer engagement and sales conversion rates.The remodeling market remains robust despite challenges in new home construction, suggesting a strategic avenue for furniture retailers to capitalize on existing homeowner investments.Artificial intelligence is poised to transform supply chain visibility and efficiency, yet it is crucial for organizations to ensure data integrity and interconnectivity across platforms to maximize its potential.

Why can we track a meal traveling across town almost minute by minute, yet an international parcel can seemingly disappear between checkout and delivery? In this episode, I speak with Dieter Van Putte from Crossborder Global, a division of Bnode that provides global commerce and logistics services. Dieter oversees technology and operations across Landmark Global and Apple Express, giving him a close view of what happens when retailers attempt to sell and deliver products across international markets. Dieter explains why cross border delivery remains so difficult to track despite years of investment in supply chain technology. A domestic shipment may involve one main carrier, but an international order can pass between warehouses, road carriers, airports, airlines, customs authorities and final-mile delivery companies. Each participant may record events differently, operate at a different level of technical maturity or provide information at a different speed. We discuss why the customer rarely sees this complexity. They simply expect to know when their order will arrive, what duties and taxes they must pay, plus what will happen if the product needs to be returned. When retailers cannot provide those answers, the problem quickly becomes one of trust rather than logistics alone. Dieter also describes the less visible cost of manual reconciliation. Teams can spend hours checking carrier websites, comparing rates, reviewing spreadsheets, correcting customs information and translating inconsistent tracking events. Mistakes create further work through delayed parcels, billing disputes, customer inquiries and complaints. The direct labor cost matters, but the effect on repeat purchases and customer reviews may prove even more expensive. Our conversation then turns to the role of automation and AI. Dieter explains how technology can support product classification, customs documentation, landed-cost calculations and exception handling. We also examine logistics control towers, which combine data from multiple parties to provide an end-to-end view of an order. With enough reliable information, these systems can detect patterns, predict delays and recommend or initiate corrective action before the customer is affected. There is plenty of promise here, but good software cannot remove every customs rule, carrier handoff or data-quality problem. Retailers still need the right partners, accurate product information and a clear understanding of the promise they are making at checkout. Could better use of data finally make international delivery feel as dependable as domestic shipping, and what would need to change first? Listen to the conversation and share your thoughts with me.

We all know business, at least at the point of sale, has gotten pretty impersonal. Even at the grocery store, you can avoid other people altogether. Just pop in your earbuds and use the self-checkout line. The name of the game here is efficiency. Retailers and service companies are betting that most customers prefer speed and convenience at the cost of human contact and oversight. An age-old lesson in business: It pays to zig when your competitor zags. Some people still value trust and reliability, especially when it comes to work done on their homes. Pool Sure, you can get a robot to clean your pool. But when it starts to leak, it sure is nice to call on someone who knows the pool in question. That’s the kind of transaction Ross Gresham is betting on. When you call Gresham Pool Services, you’re getting Ross himself. It’s a one-man operation by design. Ross is targeting the customer who is fed up with getting a different technician every time something breaks down. Ross started working on pools almost three decades ago, as a side job while he was a student at UL. After graduating in 2005 with a degree in industrial technology, he built a career at Lafayette Consolidated Government. But pool work never let go of him. In 2025, he left local government to launch Gresham Pool Services full time.Today Ross has a book of 25 weekly maintenance clients and another 20 who call him for repairs. He's not chasing rapid growth. He's chasing an underground leak-detection niche most of Acadiana can't find locally. "It's me coming to your house," he says. "Not a different employee every week." Fabric Retail, of course, has changed dramatically in the information age. Again, online stores are betting that folks don’t really need to touch and feel something before they buy it. That might make sense if you’re door-dashing paper towels, but if you’re picking out fabrics to glow up your living room — you might want to see what it looks like in real life. For about the last 40 years, folks in Lafayette have done that at the Interior Fabric Shoppe, owned by Jack Emling. Jack didn't set out to run a fabric business. In the early 1980s, he and his then-wife ran a small furniture and gift store, and noticed Lafayette didn't have a proper in-stock fabric shop — somewhere you could see and feel the material before you bought it. That gap became The Interior Fabric Shoppe, which opened in 1986. It's since grown into a full-service interior design resource — custom draperies, bedding, motorized window treatments you can run from your phone. Jack buys fabric direct from textile mills, which keeps prices competitive and the shop stocked deep. On top of the online retail revolution, the business has survived hurricanes, a fire, and a few decades of shifting buying habits. Conclusion? It turns out, the human touch still holds up pretty well against the algorithm. More than that, it’s not hard to imagine that dealing with a real-live person is going to remain in demand, at least for a little while longer. Out to Lunch Acadiana was recorded live over lunch at Gravy in downtown Lafayette. You can find photos from this show by Astor Morgan at itsacadiana.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Retailers have no shortage of data. But what if the most valuable insights aren't coming from sales reports or demand forecasts, but from what's happening on store shelves in real time? In this edition of 5 Insightful Minutes, Caitlin Allen, SVP of Market at Simbe, joins Omni Talk to discuss the latest findings from the Simbe Index and why shelf data is quickly becoming one of retail's most powerful leading indicators. Drawing from more than 45 billion shelf images captured across retailers worldwide, Caitlin explains how real-time shelf intelligence is revealing shifting shopper behavior, exposing supply chain pressure before it's reflected in sales data, and helping retailers respond faster during volatile seasons like back-to-school. She also makes the case that despite billions invested in retail technology, many retailers are still missing the foundational data needed to make those investments pay off. Key Topics Covered: • Why the shelf has become retail's most important source of real-time intelligence • What the latest Simbe Index reveals about this year's back-to-school shopping season • How tariffs, inflation, and supply chain disruptions first show up on store shelves • Why observational shelf data can be more valuable than transactional sales data • Where retailers are still losing billions due to in-store execution challenges • Why shelf digitization should come before other store technology investments • How leading retailers are improving inventory availability, fulfillment, and associate productivity • Why the future of retail starts with understanding what's happening at the point of customer decision Music by hooksounds.com Sponsored Content

Bonjour et bienvenue dans la revue de presse hebdo et audio du secteur retail / e-commerce en France proposée par Les Digital Doers.

The White House has proposed new tariffs on 60 countries that allegedly aren't doing enough to ban forced labor. Domestic businesses, already burned from last year's trade war, are bracing for more hurt. In this episode, companies weigh early orders against rising costs. Plus: Recent positive inflation data could convince the Fed to hold interest rates steady, Kroger buys Giant Eagle in ongoing effort to unseat Walmart as the supermarket market-share king, and parents sacrifice to put their kids through youth sports.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.Read the stories from today's episode: Retailers map out tariff strategiesThe Fed digests an optimistic week for economic dataTraditional supermarkets are struggling. Kroger hopes its Giant Eagle merger will helpBusiness Botox: What it takes to sell a luxury homeYouth sports have turned into a five-figure-a-year commitment for many parents

The White House has proposed new tariffs on 60 countries that allegedly aren't doing enough to ban forced labor. Domestic businesses, already burned from last year's trade war, are bracing for more hurt. In this episode, companies weigh early orders against rising costs. Plus: Recent positive inflation data could convince the Fed to hold interest rates steady, Kroger buys Giant Eagle in ongoing effort to unseat Walmart as the supermarket market-share king, and parents sacrifice to put their kids through youth sports.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.Read the stories from today's episode: Retailers map out tariff strategiesThe Fed digests an optimistic week for economic dataTraditional supermarkets are struggling. Kroger hopes its Giant Eagle merger will helpBusiness Botox: What it takes to sell a luxury homeYouth sports have turned into a five-figure-a-year commitment for many parents

Vincent Jennings, Chief Executive of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association, on retailers being asked to suspend the sale of disposable BBQs for the duration of the Orange Wildfire warning.

In a recent edition of CSP's "At Your Convenience" podcast, our team talked to industry experts Dan Razowsky from R-Marts and Rick Schepp from GTI and Rhythm, discussing the current trends, challenges and opportunities for hemp beverages in the Chicago market.As the hemp beverage market continues to grow in Chicago, the podcast highlights both the challenges and opportunities of this emerging category. Retailers must remain adaptable to changing regulations and consumer preferences while leveraging partnerships to enhance brand visibility. For consumers, the increasing availability of hemp beverages in familiar retail spaces offers a welcome introduction to the world of THC products. Here are the brand assets to share about the campaign to save hemp beverages: https://brandfolder.com/wswa/save-hemp-bevsLink to take action: https://wswa.quorum.us/campaign/SaveHempBevs/

Shane Gleeson, Gleeson's Group in Limerick

In this Industry Insight episode of the On Aon podcast, Aon leaders discuss why employee benefits have become a critical leadership agenda item for retailers. As benefits costs rise and workforce expectations evolve, organizations have an opportunity to unlock greater value from one of their largest workforce investments. The conversation explores how leading retailers are using data, analytics and governance to make more informed decisions, align workforce investments with business priorities and strengthen outcomes across talent, operations and financial performance. They also examine how a more strategic approach to benefits can help organizations gain deeper insight, deploy capital more effectively and stay ahead in a rapidly changing environment. Key Takeaways:      Employee benefits have a significant impact on performance, employee experience and financial outcomes across the organization. Leading organizations are using data and analytics to connect benefits to business priorities, enabling more confident decisions and greater visibility into costs and outcomes. Organizations can create greater value by improving visibility of their benefits programs, strengthening governance and taking a more sophisticated approach to financing. Experts in this episode:    Tom Bowman, Global Retail and Consumer Goods Industry Leader, Aon      Matt Duffy, Chief Commercial Officer, Global Benefits, Aon Key Moments:      (01:50) Why employee benefits have moved beyond a traditional HR function and become a leadership priority tied to workforce performance, financial outcomes and risk management. (08:25) How organizations can improve visibility into benefits spending, strengthen governance and identify opportunities to create greater value from workforce investments. (13:08) How data and analytics are transforming benefits decision-making and helping organizations connect workforce investments to business outcomes. Soundbites:      Tom Bowman: "Benefits are no longer simply a cost of employment. They are now much more of a strategic lever that can actually influence workforce performance. And that then improves employee experience that then drives real benefits, both on operational resilience and also the real financial outcomes of an organization." Matt Duffy: “Benefits have now become one of the largest workforce investments that organizations make, secondary only to payroll. And yet historically they've received far less attention and far less strategic oversight by the people within the organization that really matter.”  

Retailers must take responsibility for how e-scooters are marketed and sold, according to Fine Gael TD for Tipperary South and Chair of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, Michael Murphy.His comments come as Children's Health Ireland reports a 50% rise in children and young people admitted to hospital with traumatic brain injuries linked to e-scooter incidents…Deputy Michael Murphy joins Ciara to discuss.

Retailers quietly deduct three to five percent of a brand's invoice for compliance mistakes that have nothing to do with the product itself: a label an inch out of place, a carton that breaks the routing guide, a shipping notice the retailer's scanner can't read. Across the US that's roughly $40 billion a year, and it comes off the top line, not the cost line. You made the product, you shipped it, and you simply don't get paid for part of it.Rick Watson sits down with Elle Smyth, cofounder and CEO of RetailReady, and Art Nimbley, IT Director at Pierre Fabre USA, to work the chargeback problem from both sides. Ellie built an AI-native compliance platform that ingests the 399-page Walmart routing guide so warehouse operators don't have to memorize it. Art rolled it out during a 3PL switch and watched technical chargebacks fall to near zero on the very first order.They get into what a routing guide actually is, why an ASN transmitted at 12:55 and 55 seconds still isn't always enough, how one Pierre Fabre employee was losing 40 hours a month building shipping notices by hand, and why Art keeps challenging billion-dollar retailers when he's convinced they're wrong. He's three for three so far. If you sell into retail and you've been writing off chargebacks as the cost of doing business, this conversation is worth your time.The Watson Weekly interview is sponsored by Radial and Avalara.

Hear how Target's Roundel is helping brands navigate AI, retail media and the changing consumer journey, while proving the impact of every advertising investment. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New day, same great conversations. Catch new episodes of SUPERLATIVE every Wednesday!In this episode of SUPERLATIVE, aBlogtoWatch founder and our host Ariel Adams sits down with Frederic Gasser, President of B.R.M North America, to discuss the unconventional story of bringing the French motorsport inspired watch brand to the United States. Frederic shares how a phone call, a handful of watches, and an unexpected first sale helped launch B.R.M in America, eventually leading to early opportunities with Neiman Marcus and retailers across the country. He also explains how B.R.M translates the colors, materials, mechanics, and energy of the racetrack into its watches, why the brand has remained committed to its distinctive racing identity, and how customization has helped build a passionate collector base.The conversation also explores the changing realities of the American watch market, from the growing influence of major brands over retailers to the challenges independent companies face in traditional wholesale. Frederic discusses B.R.M's shift toward direct relationships with collectors, bespoke watches, and creative collaborations, while sharing why smaller brands need to stay focused rather than chase every market opportunity. Ariel and Frederic also examine the challenges European watch companies face when entering the United States, the importance of having a genuine local presence, and why finding your own niche may be more valuable than just pursuing volume.Learn more about B.R.M:- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brmchronographes/ - Website - https://brm-chronographes.com/ This week's episode is sponsored by the Movado Heritage Kingmatic collection, learn more at the link below:- https://www.movado.com/ SUPERLATIVE IS NOW ON YOUTUBE! To check out Superlative on Youtube as well as other ABTW content:- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/To keep updated with everything Superlative, aBlogtoWatch Weekly, and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/- Twitter/X - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!Key Timestamps:[0:35] Intro & B.R.M Origins[3:58] Frederic Brings B.R.M to America[9:26] Early U.S. Growth & Retail Expansion[11:08] How B.R.M Manufactures Its Watches[13:19] B.R.M's Racing Inspired Design[19:54] Richard Mille Comparisons & Staying Focused[23:47] Doing Fewer Things Well[24:31] The Power of Human Connection[26:00] Polarizing Design & Passionate Collectors[30:47] Technical Innovation & Lightweight Watches[35:08] Pricing & Customization[36:32] The Shift to Direct & Bespoke[39:12] Retailers & Big Brand Pressure[45:30] U.S. vs. European Discounting[47:23] Why the U.S. Market Is So Difficult[56:26] The Importance of the U.S. Market[58:10] Why Brands Need a Local Presence[1:00:47] Watches and Wonders & B.R.M's Future[1:04:23] Closing

EP 429 — Two brothers turn British honey into a fast‑growing drinks brand while fighting cheap imports and scaling on a shoestring.Hive Mind Mead Co went from brewing in a garage to landing listings with Selfridges, Co‑op and top restaurants — all while protecting UK beekeeping and battling a drinks industry full of shortcuts. Kit explains the real cost pressures, the rebrand fight, and the constant juggle of production, stock and authenticity.They dig into the practical decisions behind scaling a physical product: pricing under duty pressure, navigating retailers, managing 180 hives, and avoiding the traps that sink early‑stage drinks businesses. No fluff — just the reality of turning a hobby into a viable UK brand.What You'll Learn in This Episode:• Price a craft product when duty dwarfs ingredients• Decide when to rebrand and how to manage the pain• Spot BS in food and drink manufacturing• Use small batches as a smart marketing tool• Scale a physical product without wrecking marginsPerfect for UK founders building a physical product or anyone curious about growing an authentic drinks brand without losing your soul.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:0:00 Starting with too many products02:30 From geologist and designer to mead makers06:30 What mead actually is11:00 Turning a hobby into a business14:00 The rebrand fight: Y Valley Meadery to Hive Mind18:00 Retailers, awards and credibility23:00 Honey sourcing, supply and UK provenance27:00 Bee health, climate and the rural economy32:00 Alcohol duty and margins34:30 Launching honey‑based soft drinks38:00 Industry shortcuts and authenticity43:00 Courses, community and brand building46:00 Business or BS55:00 Scaling a physical product57:30 Where to find Hive Mind MeadWatch and subscribe to us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedInTwitterFacebookIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - contact@withoutbs.com

Episode Summary: If you want to understand where employee ownership in Canada is going, it helps to talk to a company that has been living it for the better part of a century. In this episode, host Colleen O'Connell-Campbell sits down with Chad Friesen, CEO of Friesens Corporation - a $120 million book manufacturer and publishing company based in Altona, Manitoba (population 4,500) - to trace one of the most remarkable ownership stories in the country. Founded in 1907, Friesens has moved through nearly every ownership form imaginable: sole proprietor, family business, ESOP, hybrid, and today a 100% Employee Ownership Trust. Chad shares how the founding family turned down dozens of offers to sell because they believed the business belonged to the people and community who built it, how the company "backed into" broad-based employee ownership during the 2007-2008 crisis, and how the Friesens model went on to influence Canada's actual EOT legislation. He also introduces Tall Grass Employee Owner Equity Fund, a new venture that provides patient capital and a proven playbook to help other founders exit to their employees. It is a story about print, yes - but really about legacy, community wealth, and doing succession on purpose. Key Takeaways: Friesens Corporation was founded in 1907 and is a roughly $120 million company based in Altona, Manitoba, a community of 4,500. It operates three book-related businesses: trade books (working with the largest and smallest publishers in the world), school yearbooks (a business defined by constant customer turnover, since students graduate every year), and Friesen Press, a self-publishing services business working with around 1,000 new authors annually. The company's mantra: helping others share their best story with the world. Fun fact: all five leaders in the company's history have shared the last name Friesen - the first three from the founding family, the last two (including Chad) unrelated to it. The company has been owned in nearly every form: sole proprietorship, family-owned, ESOP, hybrid ESOP/EOT, and today 100% Employee Ownership Trust. The founding family's roots in the cooperative, credit union, and mutual movements of the 1940s and 50s framed their path toward employee ownership. The founding family had opportunities to sell dozens of times - Chad keeps a file folder of historic offers from companies and equity funds - but chose employee ownership because they believed the business served a greater purpose than enriching one family, and they wanted to preserve the company and its economic impact in the community. Employee ownership started organically in the 1970s and 80s, with shares given in lieu of bonuses or raises. Over time, share values rose, and the ratio between new employees able to buy shares and retiring owners needing to sell became unbalanced. The first Friesens Employee Trust was created in the 1980s as a "market of last resort" to buy shares from retiring employees and redistribute them. By 2007-2008, a "trifecta of challenge" - the U.S. economic downturn, Asian supply/distribution pressure, and the introduction of the Kindle e-reader - left employee-owners nervous, with a drying-up internal share market. The company financed the trust to buy back all employee shares over a five-year period, freezing share values, paying cash, and keeping everyone as a trust beneficiary. Friesens effectively "backed into" being a 100% EOT as a defensive move that became a lasting strength. The Friesens model influenced Canada's federal EOT legislation. Chad's team worked with four people in the finance department building the legislation, sharing governance structures and practices as a real-world case study - evidence that broad-based employee ownership works at scale. A major, initially unintended benefit: the EOT became a great equalizer. Over 40% of Friesens employees were not born in Canada, many immigrating with the company's support and without excess cash to buy shares. Under the trust, every employee becomes a beneficiary three months after joining - no capital required. This equal-access principle became a tenet the federal government wanted to emulate. Distributions use two formulas baked into the legislation's guidance: roughly 70-80% based on compensation (last five years of an individual's pay relative to the pool) and the remainder on years of service. Friesens deliberately uses a dividend model rather than equity, distributing value three times a year - including a physical cheque handed to each employee-owner at a celebration, to make ownership tangible and immediate. The community impact is profound: Friesens generates an estimated $60-80 million in annual local economic spin-off. Retailers can tell when a distribution has happened because foot traffic spikes the next day. Chad estimates the company would likely have been sold 20-30 years ago without employee ownership - and all that recurring community wealth would have left with it. Tall Grass Employee Owner Equity Fund: Born from Friesens' search for diversification, Tall Grass is a separate entity that puts Friesens' surplus capital to work helping other founders transition to employee ownership. It targets stable, long-term, proven companies (not startups or turnarounds) whose owners are motivated to preserve legacy. Tall Grass provides patient capital - investing with little expected return in the early years to de-risk seller financing - and a proven structural playbook, taking a minority position. The goal: modest long-term diversified passive income for Friesens' stakeholders, with an enormous return on social impact. When Chad brought the idea to his employee-owner council, he braced for pushback about risking their capital; instead they embraced it, saying they would not be where they are if someone had not paid it forward to them. Employee ownership can be more than a structure - it is a strategy for community wealth, long-term resilience, and legacy. If today sparked questions about your own exit - what you will need financially, how to protect your people and values, and what a true cash-rich transition could look like - book a one-on-one Wealth Gap Analysis with Colleen O'Connell-Campbell. Reach out on LinkedIn or email. Please leave a five-star rating and review - it helps more founders find the show and have their best exit. *** The Cash Rich Exit Podcast is brought to you by O'Connell-Campbell Wealth Management at RBC Dominion Securities.   All opinions expressed by the host, Colleen O'Connell-Campbell, and podcast guests are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinion of RBC Dominion Securities.   This podcast is for informational purposes only before taking any action based on information in this podcast you should consult with a qualified professional.   Colleen O'Connell-Campbell is a Wealth Advisor at RBC Dominion Securities, a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund.

Welcome to the Rethink Roundup. Your weekly brief to help retail leaders decode the biggest news in retail, AI, and commerce—and understand what those developments mean in practice. To kick us off, VP of Editorial & Insights Jeremy Goldman, CEO Marie Chevrier Schwartz, and Senior Retail Analyst Lavina Suthenthiran break down a massive structural shift: the transition from tech experimentation to real-world deployment, the growing value of digitally native leadership, and why smaller brands must abandon corporate copycat strategies to survive. Inside This Week's Episode: AI: From Experimentation to Practical Deployment - Retail AI has moved past superficial pilots into live, shopper-facing tools focused on solving real customer friction: buying certainty, listing friction, and automated cart building. - While brands are rushing to adopt AI, few have restructured their operations around it. Adoption is currently outpacing true business transformation. "More than 75% of companies are now using AI in their business functions, but only 21% actually redesigned their workflows around it, and only 16% have scaled it enterprise-wide." - Lavina Suthenthiran Rise of the Digitally Native Leadership - The traditional pipeline to top executive leadership is being disrupted. - Boards are now selecting leaders based on digital ecosystem thinking, media literacy, and community building. - Modern fields like retail media are so new that universities don't yet teach them. Retailers have to train their own future leaders internally. “While merchandising and store operations experience still matters, you know, I would say that we have to be really focused on where commerce is headed.” - Marie Chevrier Schwartz How Smaller Retailers Fight Back - Walmart's multi-billion-dollar acquisitions of Vizio and Vibe.co show how retail giants are linking TV viewing data directly to what customers buy. - Smaller retailers must focus on hyper-specialized product categories, authentic storytelling from real experts, and building passion-driven communities. "Whatever you see Amazon and Walmart doing, you don't try to do the same thing because you're not going to be successful. You have to find other ways to kind of compete in a David and Goliath-like manner." — Jeremy Goldman Click play above for the full conversation on the trends shaping retail.

Retailers rarely manage to scale new storefront technology beyond a basic pilot phase. Demo modes simulate perfect conditions, but they completely ignore the chaotic reality of a live store. This operational gap kills widespread rollouts. Mark Propes, Chief Business Development Officer at Vusion, and Hitha Herzog, Chief Retail Analyst at H Squared Research, join Jeremy Goldman to pinpoint exactly why these retail trials hit a wall, and how brands can actually make in-store tech work. “Are you really building something that's durable enough and rugged enough for what happens in the aisle?" From fragile lab environments to a cracked data foundation, they break down the roadblocks stalling retail innovation. INSIDE THE EPISODE: - Why teams must build store tools for physical durability rather than treating them as fragile science experiments - How central strategic alignment solves the 95% failure rate of AI pilots - Why you must clean up baseline inventory metrics before touching advanced AI - How to shift evaluation metrics away from abstract vendor marketing and toward real operational numbers Stop blindly throwing disconnected tools at your tech stack. Listen to the full conversation above to see how teams turn experimental pilots into operational realities.

In a recent episode of CSP's “At Your Convenience” podcast, Drew Walls, sales director for retail media at Broadsign, discussed the challenges retailers face when building retail media networks. Walls said retailers often focus on deploying screens first without considering monetization strategy, leading to missed revenue opportunities."We are still pricing the screen and not necessarily the moment," Walls said, noting that a 7 a.m. coffee run represents different shopper intent than an evening cold vault visit. He advised retailers to maintain control over audience data, direct brand relationships and measurement methodologies while leveraging hybrid approaches that offer flexibility.Walls stressed the importance of commercial separation and optionality in retail media architecture, allowing retailers to adapt their technology stack as business needs evolve without losing critical data or demand pathways. Listen to the entire conversation above.

Paddy O'Brien, Loco E-scooters.

TIME STAMPS:00:00:01 Community Guest Intros00:00:35 Asha Sharma On Resetting XBOX For A Stronger Future | This Changes Everything!00:55:00 Playstation's Move Away From ALL Physical Media Is More Concerning Then Gamers Realize. A FULL Breakdown On Why It Will Be VERY Bad For Consumers and Retailers!01:57:00 Panel Outros and Special Message to the Community!

In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Editor Chuck Ulie talks with Liza Salaria, senior vice president – category management and foodservice, at Chicago-based W. Capra, about crafting promotions with purpose.The two spoke at CSP's Foodservice Forum on June 11 in Schaumburg, Illinois.On the podcast, Salaria offers suggestions on which strategy or strategies to use when promoting an item.“If you find yourself in a situation where maybe transactions are soft and trips are down in your store, you may elect to run a heavily discounted product, like maybe fountain, with the sole purpose to drive incremental trips into the store,” Salaria said.In addition, if customers are visiting a c-store less often, “We need to get them to buy more when they are in our stores, and that's called increasing the basket size, and there are certain promotions we do to particularly accomplish that,” she said.Retailers also need to get creative on how to develop new daypart missions, Salaria said.“How do we create new reasons for customers to break in the middle of their day, get away from their computers and come to the local convenience store for maybe something unique, like maybe it's a smoothie, or it's a hot cookie, or some new reason?” she asked.“At Your Convenience” brings industry experts and analysts together with CSP editors to discuss the latest in c-store news and trends. From mergers and acquisitions to foodservice and technology, the podcast delivers the story straight to listeners in short-format episodes, perfect for the morning commute or a quick break at the office.

Netflix rewrites beloved characters, Sony walks away from physical media, Westeros delivers, and DC Studios stumbles out of the gate again. This week on the podcast, Brian and Darryl discuss Netflix's handling of Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 and why disrespecting beloved characters is becoming one of streaming's biggest problems. They also break down Sony's latest PlayStation decisions and what they mean for the future of physical media and game ownership. Then it's back to Westeros for House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 2 before wrapping things up with their review of Supergirl (2026) and whether DC Studios has another winner on its hands. Episode Index Intro: 0:07 Playstation Kill Physical Media: 06:07 AtLAB, Netfilx is why we can’t have nice things: 28:20 House of the Dragon: 41:57 Supergirl: 56:27 PlayStation Announces the End of Physical Media Announcement Date: July 1, 2026 Effective Date: January 2028 Company: Sony Interactive Entertainment Summary: Sony announced that beginning in January 2028, all new PlayStation games will be released digitally only, ending production of physical Blu-ray game discs for future releases. Games already released—or scheduled for release before the 2028 cutoff—will continue to be sold on disc, but every new title afterward will require a digital download through the PlayStation Store or participating retailers. Sony says the decision reflects changing consumer habits, noting that digital purchases now account for roughly 80% of full-game sales on PlayStation. Key Details: – Physical discs for new PlayStation releases end in January 2028. – Existing disc-based games will continue to work and remain available while supplies last. – Retailers will transition to selling digital download codes instead of boxed games. – Sony says the move follows overwhelming consumer preference for digital purchases. Why It Matters: – Gamers lose the ability to buy, sell, trade, or lend future PlayStation games. – Collectors will no longer have physical editions for new releases. – Consumers become increasingly tied to Sony's digital storefront and licensing model. – Preservation advocates worry that future games could become inaccessible if licensing changes or digital storefronts eventually close. – Digital-only distribution gives publishers greater pricing control by reducing competition from the used-game market. Discussion Points: – Do you really own a digital game, or are you simply purchasing a revocable license? – What happens to game preservation when no physical copy exists? – Will digital-only distribution lead to higher prices due to reduced retail competition? – Is convenience worth giving up ownership rights? – Does this set the stage for the PlayStation 6 to become a fully digital platform? Industry analysts increasingly believe so. Infamous Take: While digital downloads are undeniably convenient, this announcement marks the end of an era. Physical media has always given players tangible ownership, resale value, and long-term access independent of corporate licensing agreements. Sony's decision may make business sense, but it also shifts even more control away from consumers and toward platform holders; a trend that extends far beyond gaming. Avatar: The Last Airbender (Netflix) Season: 2 Platform: Netflix Summary: Brian and Darryl discuss Netflix's continued adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender and why they believe the series is losing sight of what made the original so beloved. The conversation focuses on major character changes, the difference between adaptation and rewriting, and why respecting the heart of the source material matters just as much as updating it for a modern audience. House of the Dragon (HBO Max) Season 3, Episode 2 Title: Queen’s Landing Air Date: June 28, 2026 Director: Clare Kilner Writer: Sara Hess Summary: Following the devastating Battle of the Gullet, Rhaenyra's grief quickly turns into resolve as Team Black moves to seize King's Landing. Alicent secretly conspires to surrender the city in hopes of saving part of her family, while Daemon returns to continue the campaign. The episode marks a major turning point in the Dance of the Dragons as alliances shift, old loyalties collapse, and Rhaenyra finally claims the Iron Throne at tremendous personal cost. Rating out of 5 Otto Not So Hightower Brian: 4.5/5 Darryl: 4.45/5 Supergirl (2026) Release Date: June 26, 2026 Runtime: 108 minutes Director: Craig Gillespie Writer: Ana Nogueira Based On: Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King and Bilquis Evely Studio: DC Studios Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures Summary: Kara Zor-El embarks on a brutal interstellar journey alongside the young warrior Ruthye Marye Knoll to hunt down the man responsible for murdering Ruthye's family. Along the way, Kara confronts her own trauma while facing the ruthless Krem of the Yellow Hills, resulting in a darker, more cosmic take on the Girl of Steel than previous film adaptations. Main Cast: – Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El / Supergirl – Eve Ridley as Ruthye Marye Knoll – Matthias Schoenaerts as Krem of the Yellow Hills – Jason Momoa as Lobo – David Krumholtz as Zor-El – Emily Beecham as Alura In-Ze – David Corenswet as Superman (cameo) Production Notes: The second film in DC Studios' new shared universe adapts Tom King's acclaimed Woman of Tomorrow storyline, emphasizing Kara's emotional scars and cosmic adventures over a traditional superhero origin. Despite strong expectations and praise for Milly Alcock's performance, the film opened below box office projections and received mixed critical reception, making it one of the first commercial disappointments of the new DC Universe. Rating out of 10, Temu GotG or Will Poulter’s Supergirl, You Decide Brian: 4.3/10 Darryl: 4/10 Contact Us The Infamous Podcast can be found wherever podcasts are found on the Interwebs, feel free to subscribe and follow along on social media. And don't be shy about helping out the show with a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help us move up in the ratings. @infamouspodcast facebook/infamouspodcast instagram/infamouspodcast stitcher Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play iHeart Radio contact@infamouspodcast.com Our theme music is ‘Skate Beat’ provided by Michael Henry, with additional music provided by Michael Henry. Find more at MeetMichaelHenry.com. The Infamous Podcast is hosted by Brian Tudor and Darryl Jasper, is recorded in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show is produced and edited by Brian Tudor. Subscribe today!

More traffic won't fix a boutique that's speaking to the wrong customer. Ashley sits down with Josh Orr, CEO of Capital Commerce, to break down what separates seven-figure boutique brands from everyone else. They discuss why identifying your perfect customer changes everything—from your website and social media to your product selection and marketing strategy. If you've been creating content, posting consistently, and still struggling to grow online, this conversation explains why attracting the right customer matters far more than attracting more customers. You'll learn: Josh's framework for building a high-converting website Why successful boutiques know their customer inside and out Why boutique owners need to think like media companies How to attract your ideal shopper while repelling the wrong one Join The Boutique Hub Get Swym Josh Orr & Capital Commerce: Instagram:@retailjosh Website: madebycapital.com                  ____________________________ Ashley Alderson: Instagram     The Boutique Hub: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube

Aishwarya Iyer built Brightland into an eight-figure California olive oil brand by saying no to major retailers, outside investors, and every shortcut that came her way. She breaks down the brand's scrappy early days, the organic press strategy that landed her in Bon Appétit, and why she said no to Whole Foods—twice. For more on Brightland and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Coming to you from the JRE Tobacco Aladino Studios, Nick details some issues he had this week trying to get some budget friendly cigars in a bundle and how some retailers need to learn to stock more than just singles. Going through the story, Nick details the importance of having a variety of purchase options available for consumers, because you never know who might be walking in looking to drop money on a box or bundle of 20. From there, he details an incident at a Target where a little boy got him in some embarrassing trouble. Find out what movie Nick watched and thinks has a wonderful message for kids in the Villiger Cigars Entertainment Report. And learn what three cigars Nick smoked and enjoyed this week. Get your calls in for Ask the Pulpit at (863)874-0000. Or email your comments to Nick@CigarPulpit.com! SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS... For all your online cigar purchasing needs, head over to 2GuysCigars.com! In business for 40 years, they are THE trusted name in the cigar industry! Family owned and operated, they provide a great selection, fair prices, and outstanding customer service. That's 2GuysCigars.com! Follow JRE Tobacco/Aladino at @AladinoCigars on Instagram or check out their website, JRETobacco.com for a store near you that carries their cigars Follow Villiger Cigars at @VilligerCigar on Instagram or check out their website, VilligerCigars.com for a store near you that carries their cigars, or visit their new online shop at https://villigercigars.store/home

Links Hitchcock's Hair Obsession: Blondes vs. Brunettes David Attenborough Gets Called Out By One of His Oldest Colleagues | SNL UK Classic 1970's Slinky® Commercial The Accidental Invention of Play-Doh Silly Putty - Wikipedia Claim to fame is not a stretch Illionois Pharmacy Practice Act Pilot G2 Premium Gel Roller Pens, Fine Point 0.7 mm, Blue Ink Pens Fine Point, Pack of 12 - Ideal for School, Journaling, and Office Writing Flat PopSockets Are Targeting Men — How It Began | One More Thing PopSockets Low-Pro Grip & Stand (MagSafe compatible) Jakob Nielsen (usability consultant) - Wikipedia JAWS Windows 10 Desktop Overview It just works. Seamlessly. Apple unveils new accessibility features, and updates with Apple Intelligence - Apple How Dollar Stores Quietly Consumed America Why Hexagons Waste the Least Space Gas Station Drugs: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) Screw Size Charts & Thread Terms: Your Guide from MW Components Tripod thread and lens thread explain How Did Cubes of Solid Tungsten Become a Trophy for Cryptocurrency Bros? | GQ Roderick on the Line - "It's a new kind of hybrid mattress." (2015) ‘A necessary evil': Why standard fitting rooms are set to stick Retailers try to solve the fitting room dilemma as online sales grow 513: 129 Cars - This American Life New College faculty member charged with repeated indecent exposure

Friday - Clark Stinks day! Christa  shares Clark Stinks posts with Clark. Submit yours at Clark.com/ClarkStinks.    Also, we all love the thrill of scoring a great deal, but a dangerous retail trap called "spaving"—spending money to "save" money—might be quietly sabotaging your budget. Retailers like Amazon have mastered the art of the impulse buy, using tricks like "buy two, get an extra discount" or free shipping minimums to trigger a dopamine rush that makes us chase the deal instead of the actual value. Even Clark is guilty of it! Know how to recognize when you're being manipulated at checkout, and the simple rules you can use to protect your hard-earned cash from the spaving trap.  All this and more on the June 12, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Clark Stinks: Segments 1 & 2 Defeat This Spending Trap: Segment 3 Ask Clark: Segment 4 Mentioned on the show: How To Get a Free Credit Report - Clark Howard  How To Monitor Your Credit - Clark Howard  National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Home NAELA Best Free Streaming Services in 2026: Movies and TV for Cord Cutters Streaming TV - Clark.com Are You ‘Spaving'? Why Trying to Save Could Be Costing You More Target Date Funds: Clark Howard's Favorite Retirement Investment 10 Secrets All Shoppers Need To Know About Costco - Clark Howard Warehouse Clubs Archives - Clark Howard  Clark.com resources: Episode transcripts Community.Clark.com  /  Ask Clark Clark.com daily money newsletter Consumer Action Center Free Helpline: 636-492-5275 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1978, Brian Smith quit his accounting job in Australia and headed to California with a surfboard, some savings, and ambition. He figured California was where he'd find an idea or a product to bring back home to Australia to build a business. A year in, he was still looking.But then he saw an advertisement in a surfing magazine for Australian sheepskin boots. Uggs were so widespread in Australia at the time, the name was a generic term - like flip flops - not a brand. Brian was immediately stoked: these boots were virtually unknown in America. If he could get ugg boots for sale in the U.S., they would be a huge success! Almost nobody else agreed.For years, Brian lived on the edge of collapse. He sold boots from the back of his van and worked construction and golf course maintenance jobs to survive. Retailers laughed him out of stores. He lost control of his company twice. At one point, he literally crawled across the floor from stress, ready to walk away forever.And yet…he kept going.What followed was one of the most unlikely brand-building stories in modern retail history — involving surf culture, trademark wars, miraculous timing, brutal financing mistakes, and a product the fashion world initially dismissed.Today, UGG generates more than $2.5 billion a year in sales.You'll hear how Brian:Turned rejection into problems to solveDiscovered marketing insights that changed UGG foreverSurvived years of cash-flow disastersLost control of the company and regained it a couple of times.Used surf culture to build an emotional connection with customersNearly quit… over and over again…And how he eventually sold UGG to footwear giant, DeckerTimestamps:09:51 Brian's eureka moment that led to the birth of UGG12:41 The first sales trip results in ZERO sales21:10 The mantra that kept Brian going while doing odd summer jobs to survive28:32 Brian gets a critical lesson in marketing…from some 12-year-old kids51:59 Brian's most effective strategy for retail: the “Six-Pair Stocking Plan”56:42 On track to regain his ownership - Brian hits a huge snag01:01:57 A midnight phone call from Australia saves the business01:11:28 Brian gets the last laugh in the trademark dispute - and acquires a boot factory01:14:54 Pamela Anderson wears UGGs on the set of Baywatch01:23:39 A chance meeting in the Atlanta airport leads to a deal to sell UGGThis episode was researched and produced by Casey Herman, with music by Ramtin Arablouei, and edited by Andrea Bruce.Follow How I Built This:Instagram → @howibuiltthisX → @HowIBuiltThisFacebook → How I Built ThisFollow Guy Raz:Instagram → @guy.razYoutube → guy_razX → @guyrazSubstack → guyraz.substack.comWebsite → guyraz.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.