Podcasts about retailers

As we head into 2026, one thing is clear - the gap between average retailers and top performers is widening — and it has nothing to do with effort. In this Five Minute Friday, Ashley Alderson breaks down what the top 10% of retailers do differently right now, and why those decisions are positioning them to grow and scale while others feel stuck. Hard work isn't the issue. Strategy is. Ashley shares the four key differences separating high-performing retailers from those struggling to gain traction — and how you can start applying these shifts immediately as you plan for the year ahead. You'll learn: How building systems before you need them changes everything Why top retailers operate like CEOs — not reactive entrepreneurs What it really means to use AI as a strategic partner (not a shortcut) Why customer retention is outperforming reach and visibility The retailers winning in 2026 aren't guessing. They're operating with clarity, data, and intention — and you can too.  

Pool Pros text questions hereIn this episode, Natalie Hood sits down with Ryan Walker to unpack how retail sales in the pool industry have evolved over the last two decades—and what dealers, builders, and retailers need to understand to stay competitive today.From the rise of online shopping and social media influence to changing homeowner expectations and shifting economic realities, this conversation challenges long-held myths about retail, sales strategy, and customer behavior. Ryan draws on 20 years of experience across lifeguarding, distribution, manufacturing representation, and national sales to explain why the future of pool retail isn't about fighting online competition—but learning how to work alongside it.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeRetail Isn't Dead—It's EvolvingRyan explains why online sales are no longer the enemy of brick-and-mortar stores and how retailers can use online visibility as a tool rather than a threat. Homeowners today expect convenience, information, and options—and stores that adapt win loyalty.Why Personal Service Still WinsDespite access to Amazon, TikTok, and Instagram, customers are still willing to pay more for expertise, education, and a trusted relationship. Retailers who focus on solving problems—not just selling products—stand out.The Power of Analytics, Algorithms, and Social MediaFrom phones “listening” to user behavior to influencers shaping purchasing decisions, Natalie and Ryan break down how digital marketing now drives customer expectations before they ever walk into a store.Selling the Solution, Not the ProductRyan emphasizes that customers don't need technical jargon—they need someone who understands their pain points. Whether it's water loss, recurring algae, or sanitizer confusion, great sales start with the right questions.Breaking the ‘We've Always Done It This Way' MindsetLong-standing habits can quietly cap growth. This episode explores how flexibility, testing new ideas, and being open to global trends can increase profitability without sacrificing integrity.Why Dealers Must Show What's PossibleJust like car dealerships show upgraded models, pool professionals should present options—even if the customer thinks they want the “basic” version. Many homeowners don't know what's available until someone shows them.Economic Reality Has ChangedFrom rising costs to dual-income households and post-COVID income shifts, the conversation highlights why price sensitivity isn't what it used to be—and why experience and value matter more than shaving a few dollars off the ticket.Key Takeaways• Online competition is unavoidable—but it can be leveraged • Education and trust justify premium pricing • Customers want guidance, not resistance • Social media shapes expectations before the sale • Retail success depends on adaptability and curiosity • Selling without passion turns stores into warehousesAbout the GuestRyan Walker brings more than 20 years of industry experience, starting as a lifeguard and facility manager before moving into distribution, manufacturing representation, and national sales. His career spans multiple climates, pool types, and retail models, giving him a wide-angle view of what works—and what doesn't—in today's poo Support the showThank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

Pool Pros text questions hereIn this episode, Natalie Hood sits down with Ryan Walker to unpack how retail sales in the pool industry have evolved over the last two decades—and what dealers, builders, and retailers need to understand to stay competitive today.From the rise of online shopping and social media influence to changing homeowner expectations and shifting economic realities, this conversation challenges long-held myths about retail, sales strategy, and customer behavior. Ryan draws on 20 years of experience across lifeguarding, distribution, manufacturing representation, and national sales to explain why the future of pool retail isn't about fighting online competition—but learning how to work alongside it.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeRetail Isn't Dead—It's Evolving Ryan explains why online sales are no longer the enemy of brick-and-mortar stores and how retailers can use online visibility as a tool rather than a threat. Homeowners today expect convenience, information, and options—and stores that adapt win loyalty.Why Personal Service Still Wins Despite access to Amazon, TikTok, and Instagram, customers are still willing to pay more for expertise, education, and a trusted relationship. Retailers who focus on solving problems—not just selling products—stand out.The Power of Analytics, Algorithms, and Social Media From phones “listening” to user behavior to influencers shaping purchasing decisions, Natalie and Ryan break down how digital marketing now drives customer expectations before they ever walk into a store.Selling the Solution, Not the Product Ryan emphasizes that customers don't need technical jargon—they need someone who understands their pain points. Whether it's water loss, recurring algae, or sanitizer confusion, great sales start with the right questions.Breaking the ‘We've Always Done It This Way' Mindset Long-standing habits can quietly cap growth. This episode explores how flexibility, testing new ideas, and being open to global trends can increase profitability without sacrificing integrity.Why Dealers Must Show What's Possible Just like car dealerships show upgraded models, pool professionals should present options—even if the customer thinks they want the “basic” version. Many homeowners don't know what's available until someone shows them.Economic Reality Has Changed From rising costs to dual-income households and post-COVID income shifts, the conversation highlights why price sensitivity isn't what it used to be—and why experience and value matter more than shaving a few dollars off the ticket.Key Takeaways• Online competition is unavoidable—but it can be leveraged • Education and trust justify premium pricing • Customers want guidance, not resistance • Social media shapes expectations before the sale • Retail success depends on adaptability and curiosity • Selling without passion turns stores into warehousesAbout the GuestRyan Walker brings more than 20 years of industry experience, starting as a lifeguard and facility manager before moving into distribution, manufacturing representation, and national sales. His career spans multiple climates, pool types, and retail models, giving him a wide-angle view of what works—and what doesn't—in today's poo Support the showThank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media: Facebook Instagram Tik Tok Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com

(December 22, 2025) How a speeding ticket can be worse than killing someone with your car in California. 60 Minutes pulls piece, producer says it's political. The year of the ‘cranky consumer.’ The hottest Christmas gifts! Poop tests & sleep monitors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's a snapshot of what happened in every sector of the US economy in 2025, from housing to retail, interest rates to unlikely breakout businesses.

As a final send-off to the year, host Nicole Silberstein shares some off-the-cuff thoughts on something we forgot to talk enough about this year — the irreplaceable pleasure of shopping in stores, and why AI won't change that.Happy Holidays from your friends at Retail Remix — see you in 2026!Key TakeawaysMaybe what we all need a little more of right now is in-person shoppingRelated LinksEpisode 258 - Redesigning with Reverence: Inside the New MoMA Design Store ExperienceEpisode 253 - How Primark Is Rewriting the Rules of Value Fashion in the U.S. Related reading: How Printemps' New NYC Store Supports ‘Democratic Luxury' with Subtle TechnologySubscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix

Here's a snapshot of what happened in every sector of the US economy in 2025, from housing to retail, interest rates to unlikely breakout businesses.

Here's a snapshot of what happened in every sector of the US economy in 2025, from housing to retail, interest rates to unlikely breakout businesses.

This podcast episode delves into the pivotal trends, challenges, and opportunities that will shape the furniture industry as we transition into 2026. Among the myriad topics discussed, the economic outlook emerges as a central theme, characterized by an anticipated weak start to the year followed by a promising rebound later on. The discussion highlights the complexities faced by retailers, including the potential impact of new tariffs and a shifting labor market, all while consumer spending is projected to experience modest growth. Furthermore, we explore the transformative influence of artificial intelligence, which is fundamentally altering retail dynamics and enhancing consumer engagement through sophisticated technologies. As we navigate these multifaceted landscapes, the episode underscores the necessity for businesses to adopt strategic innovations and embrace sustainability, ultimately revealing that the key to success in 2026 will lie in understanding and responding to a more discerning and intentional consumer base. A comprehensive examination of the furniture industry reveals a complex landscape as we approach the year 2026. The discussion commences with an analysis of the economic forecast, highlighting a dichotomy within the anticipated market conditions. Early projections suggest a sluggish start to the year, primarily due to external pressures such as potential tariffs, a softening labor market, and the persistent ambiguity surrounding interest rates. Nevertheless, a glimmer of optimism emerges; consumer expenditure on furniture and bedding is expected to rise, albeit modestly, by approximately 1.9%. The anticipated recovery in the housing market, characterized by a significant uptick in existing home sales, is poised to serve as a pivotal catalyst for growth within the industry. This backdrop sets the stage for further exploration of technological advancements, particularly the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence, which is now fundamentally transforming retail practices. The advent of generative engine optimization signifies a shift in consumer engagement, as customers increasingly seek tailored interactions over traditional keyword searches, thus necessitating a more sophisticated approach from retailers.Takeaways:The economic forecast for 2026 indicates a bifurcated narrative, with a weak initial phase followed by a robust conclusion, shaped by various unpredictable factors.Consumer spending on furniture is anticipated to grow, albeit modestly, reflecting a cautious yet persistent desire to enhance living environments amid inflationary pressures.The emergence of artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the furniture retail landscape, enabling smaller retailers to leverage sophisticated tools previously reserved for larger corporations.In the luxury market, consumer expectations are shifting towards sustainability and craftsmanship, necessitating brands to tell compelling stories about their products.The growing importance of sustainability is evident as consumers increasingly prioritize brands' ethical practices and environmental impact in their purchasing decisions.Retailers must adapt to the evolving expectations of consumers, particularly through experiential retail approaches that blend digital convenience with personalized service.Companies mentioned in this episode:Purple Innovation

With pennies vanishing from circulation, retailers and state lawmakers are debating whether cash transactions should be rounded up or down and how to protect consumers without federal guidance, as states like New York move to set their own rules. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/without-pennies-should-retailers-round-up-or-down/ #CashTransactions #ConsumerProtection #RetailPolicy #Pennies #StateLegislation #UnitedStates

Here's a snapshot of what happened in every sector of the US economy in 2025, from housing to retail, interest rates to unlikely breakout businesses.

If you’re going online to buy some last-minute gifts this holiday season, there’s a chance the price you pay will be influenced by what’s known as “surveillance pricing.” Some retailers are using artificial intelligence to set individualized prices online by sifting through personal data, including age, gender, location and browsing history. Ali Rogin speaks with Jay Stanley at the ACLU for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

As we close out the year and head into a new one, it's time to get honest. Most businesses won't fail in 2026 because of the economy — they'll fail because they're still operating like it's 2019. In today's Five Minute Friday, I'm breaking down the four biggest mistakes I saw retailers make over the last year — mistakes that are quietly costing you time, money, margin, and momentum. If your business feels busy but not profitable, chances are one (or more) of these is holding you back. You'll learn: What winning retailers will do differently in 2026 The shift from "pretty branding" to real customer relationships How ignoring cash flow and margin creates long-term stress Why underutilizing AI and automation is no longer an option  The dangerous gap between sales and actual profitability  

Christmas & A New Player in PredictionsDescription: Over $7 trillion of options expire today-- the largest expiration ever. Retailers are coming to the rescue in the last-minute holiday shopping rush. Plus, DraftKings CEO Jason Robins joins us as the gambling giant enters prediction markets. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bonjour et bienvenue dans la revue de presse hebdo et audio du secteur retail / e-commerce en France proposée par Les Digital Doers en partenariat avec le One to One Retail Ecommerce de Monaco.

In this episode of RETHINK Retail, Top Retail Experts unpack how much customer expectations have accelerated and expert tips for retailers trying to compete across stores, apps, loyalty programs, and connected channels. Join Emily Pfeiffer, Principal Analyst of Commerce Tech at Forrester and Roopi Crowley, Managing Director of Strategic Retail at T-Mobile for Business, as they explore: - The future of loyalty programs - Dynamic pricing and personalized offers - Collecting and leveraging customer feedback - Using connectivity and data to drive smarter merchandising Learn how to turn customer expectations into opportunities.

Chances are, you're getting a lot of ads right now inviting you to celebrate the holidays by spending money. The U.S. economy is lopsided toward this time of year. Retailers rely on holiday shopping. And nonprofits, too, depend on end-of-year donations. For the latest in our series Professional Help we asked an expert how to prioritize giving back during the holidays.Our ask: Help me give back during the holidaysOur professional: Nathan Dungan, president and CEO of Share Save SpendHandsOn Twin Cities has this guide for volunteering during the holidays.

In "Beyond FBA: Unlocking Amazon's Fulfillment for Retailers", Joe Lynch and Wainwright Yu, the General Manager and Director for Amazon's externalized fulfillment services, including Buy with Prime and Multichannel Fulfillment, discuss how retailers can scale their brands by leveraging Amazon's global logistics and the Prime badge to drive multi-channel growth. About Wainwright Yu Wainwright Yu is a technology executive and leadership coach who currently serves as the General Manager and Director for Amazon's externalized fulfillment services, including Buy with Prime and Multichannel Fulfillment. Over a distinguished thirteen-year tenure at Amazon, he has launched transformative products for Kindle and Amazon Logistics while training emerging leaders through executive development programs. As a scholar-practitioner and father to four multi-exceptional children, he brings a unique, personal perspective to cognitive diversity in the workplace. Through his diverse work in global business operations and private coaching, Wainwright remains dedicated to his mission of establishing mindful, compassionate leadership as the standard for the modern professional world. About Amazon Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth's Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth's Best Employer, and Earth's Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews. Key Takeaways: Beyond FBA: Unlocking Amazon's Fulfillment for Retailers In "Beyond FBA: Unlocking Amazon's Fulfillment for Retailers", Joe Lynch and Wainwright Yu, the General Manager and Director for Amazon's externalized fulfillment services, including Buy with Prime and Multichannel Fulfillment, discuss how retailers can scale their brands by leveraging Amazon's global logistics and the Prime badge to drive multi-channel growth. Leveling the Playing Field with MCF: Wainwright explains how Multi-Channel Fulfillment allows any retailer—whether they sell on Amazon or not—to tap into Amazon's global network of 200+ fulfillment centers. This turns Amazon into a high-performance 3PL that handles picking, packing, and shipping for orders from your own website, Shopify, or even social media stores. The "Halo Effect" of Buy with Prime: A major focus is how Buy with Prime allows D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) sites to offer the familiar Prime logo and checkout experience. By providing the same fast, free delivery promise shoppers trust on Amazon, retailers have seen an average 25% lift in conversion rates on their independent sites. Unified Inventory Management: Wainwright discusses the strategic advantage of a single pool of inventory. Instead of splitting stock between various warehouses, retailers can keep all their products in Amazon's centers to fulfill both Amazon.com orders (via FBA) and off-Amazon orders (via MCF), drastically reducing out-of-stock risks. Frictionless Checkout via Amazon Pay: With Buy with Prime, the checkout process is streamlined using the customer's existing Amazon account details. This reduces "cart abandonment" because shoppers don't have to enter credit card or shipping info, making the purchase as simple as a few clicks. Unbranded Packaging Options: A common concern for retailers is brand identity. Wainwright highlights that MCF orders can be shipped in unbranded, "blank box" packaging, allowing the retailer's brand to remain front and center rather than being overshadowed by Amazon's smile logo. Trust-Building through Reviews: Through Buy with Prime, retailers can now display their Amazon.com star ratings and reviews directly on their own websites. This social proof helps "new-to-brand" shoppers feel confident enough to buy from a site they may be visiting for the first time. Predictable, All-In Pricing: Wainwright clarifies that both services offer a simple, transparent fee structure that includes storage, picking, packing, and shipping. For many brands, this eliminates the hidden costs of managing private warehouses and allows for more accurate margin forecasting. Learn More About Beyond FBA: Unlocking Amazon's Fulfillment for Retailers Wainwright Yu | Linkedin Amazon | Linkedin Relentless.com Amazon MCF Amazon MCF Case Study: JLab Recent News The Logistics of Logistics Podcast If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

Beck's Broth, is a nourishing collection of bone broth-based lattes, matcha, hot chocolate, and more, with every cup coming complete with 14+g of protein. This week on the Community podcast, Kristina sits down with Founder and CEO, Beckie Prime for an exclusive interview on her journey to 450+ retailers stocking Beck's Broth in Canada and the USA with scrappy Marketing and founder-led content.Tune in to hear:How Beckie used her background in gut health nutrition to create a product that not only nourishes but truly fits into people's lives.How Beckie has turned her scrappy marketing into a superpower.Why Beckie gave herself permission to show up as her authentic self on LinkedIn, and how it's driving real business.The importance of collaboration, not competition, in the CPG industry.How Beckie is using community feedback and founder storytelling to build brand loyalty.Becky doesn't hold back in this episode, whether you're a product-based founder or not, this episode is packed with marketing wisdom and a reminder that authenticity and scrappy strategy can be your secret weapon, not a disadvantage! If you loved this episode, share it with a friend or tag us on Instagram! Let us know what resonated most or what you're going to try in your own business. And don't forget to follow along Beck's Broth journey on Instagram @becksbrothConnect with Beckie:Beckie PrimeBeck's BrothBeck's Broth InstagramUse Code SOCIALSNIPPET20Buy Beck's Broth:Healthy PlanetGoodness MeAmazonMentioned in Episode:Take Our Social Media QuizWork with The Social Snippet!Join the Weekly SnippetSend me a text!PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For InterviewsSupport the showFor Your Information: • Host your podcast on Buzzsprout! •Join The High Vibe Women Online Community! • Join our favourite scheduling platform Later • FLODESK Affiliate Code | 25% off your first year! Don't forget to come say hi to us on Instagram @thesocialsnippet, join the Weekly Snippet or follow us on any social media platform! Website . Instagram . Facebook . Linkedin

ICSC New York cuts through the noise fast. After days of meetings with investors, retailers, and landlords, the same themes kept resurfacing again and again.This episode breaks down six clear signals from the conference floor based entirely on real conversations and active deal discussions. No predictions. No panel soundbites. Just what is actually driving underwriting, expansion, and capital today.6 Key Takeaways from ICSC New York 1. Cap rates are being driven more by tenant and business risk than by interest rates alone 2. Retail supply remains extremely tight with many retailers focused only on locations they can realistically execute 3. Value add net lease deals are seeing strong demand especially assets with shorter lease terms or below market rent 4. New store openings are performing and supporting continued physical retail expansion 5. Long term credit tenant deals are hard to come by and investors are stepping up to compete. 6. Retailers are reinvesting in their stores through remodels upgrades and reconfigurations often without landlord contributionsTogether these six signals explain why retail fundamentals remain durable.Timestamps:00:00 Intro and why ICSC conversations matter04:50 Cap rates tenant risk and underwriting focus11:17 Tight retail supply and realistic expansion plans15:57 Demand for value add net lease strategies23:48 New store performance and retailer confidence30:14 Shorter lease terms and financing implications34:24 Retailers reinvesting in stores and operations#ICSC #RetailRealEstate #CommercialRealEstate #NetLease #ICSCNewYorkWarning-IRS Circular 230 Disclosure: CBRE and its affiliates do not provide tax advice and nothing contained herein should be construed to be tax advice. Please be advised that any discussion of U.S. tax matters contained herein is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by the recipient of any Information for the purpose of avoiding U.S. tax-related penalties; and was written to support the promotion or marketing of the transaction or other matters addressed herein. Accordingly, any recipient of this video should seek advice based on your particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor. You also agree that the information herein down not constitute legal or other professional advice and you should obtain legal advice from a qualified attorney licensed in your state. The opinions contained in this video are those of Karly Iacono and may not represent those of CBRE. All content is for educational purposes only. The following content may contain the trade names or trademarks of various third parties, and if so, any such use is solely for illustrative purposes only. All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with, endorsement by, or association of any kind between them and CBRE or Karly Iacono.

Can a $5 squishy toy really outsell the competition and take home a Toy of the Year award? Schylling's CEO Paul Weingard is betting on it and honestly, the numbers are on his side.The NeeDoh Nice Cube Swirl isn't just another sensory stress ball. It's a Specialty Toy of the Year finalist that's been an Amazon best seller, is selling out in stores, AND building real emotional connection with kids and adults worldwide. The CEO shared with me that they've gotten handwritten letters from kids, therapists, and even college students sharing how this tiny cube helps them relax, reset, and focus. Retailers can't restock it fast enough and during this interview I'm on a mission to find out why.Join me in the Schylling office where I sit with Paul Weingard to unpack the exact strategies that turned a simple sensory ball into a branded, collectable empire that's dominating on Amazon, thriving in toy stores, and blowing up organically online. You'll learn how they scaled sales without leaning on trends, built retail momentum through independent stores, and created a $5 product that buyers and therapists can't get enough of. If landing a TOTY nomination is on your vision board, or you're trying to get retailers to reorder faster than you can ship, this episode will show you what it really takes to turn a small idea into a big win.Vote for NeeDoh Nice Cube Swirl in the Specialty Toy of the Year category. Voting is open to Toy Association members AND members of the media. Cast your vote for NeeDoh Nice Cube Swirl in the Specialty Toy of the Year category! If you're in the media (like an industry influencer) and you aren't registered to vote, contact the toy association at info@toyassociation.org for details.Listen for these Important Moments:[00:01:30] – Find out how Schylling transformed a simple squishy ball into a multi-million dollar brand with over 50 SKUs.[00:11:30] – Discover how NeeDoh tapped into the specialty retail channel to test and scale — with 10X reorders in 30 days. [00:18:40] – See how organic fan content and surprise use-cases (from therapy to dental offices!) shaped the Nice Cube's evolution.[00:26:05] – Hear how the team designed packaging that sells itself, with irresistible shelf appeal and built-in trial moments.[00:33:20] – Unpack what a TOTY nomination really does for sales and why Paul says you need to be ready to airfreight inventory if you win.Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail!Support the showVisit for The Toy Coach's toy of the year picks at thetoycoach.com/toty for the link to vote before January 7th.

Episode Overview In this episode of Talk Retail To Me, Parker Avery's chief revenue officer, Dan Wittner, and Blue Yonder's head of global retail strategy, Jim Hull, discuss the evolving landscape of retail, focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence, the importance of data quality, and the transformation of store models into fulfillment centers. They explore the challenges retailers face with labor and the need for dynamic data models to adapt to changing consumer demands. The conversation also highlights the upcoming NRF 2026 Big Show and the excitement surrounding innovations in the retail sector. Key Takeaways AI is now a core part of retail strategy and must be tied to business outcomes. The most successful initiatives focus on measurable impact, such as cost reduction, revenue growth, or operational efficiency. Human adoption is critical to AI success. AI works best when it augments teams and is embraced by users, rather than positioned as a replacement for people. Data quality and dynamic data models are foundational to modern retail. Clean, consistent data and continuously evolving models are essential for accurate forecasting and decision-making. Stores are evolving into hybrid fulfillment hubs. Retailers are hyper-focused on redesigning store models to support fulfillment alongside shopping, improving speed, cost, and customer experience. Labor models must adapt to support fulfillment-enabled stores. New operating models require updated labor standards, expanded skill sets, and more flexible workforce planning. NRF 2026 will showcase retail innovation moving from concept to reality. The event is expected to highlight proven, market-ready solutions delivering real value at scale. Episode Highlights Why most AI projects succeed or fail in retail How retailers are rethinking demand signals and forecasting The growing importance of data quality and dynamic data models The evolution of stores into fulfillment and service hubs What to expect at NRF 2026 (& meet Parker Avery at booth #2703) Related Content Blog Post: Optimizing Data Readiness for AI in Retail Podcast: Retail's Data Reckoning: Your First Move in Transformation Case Study: New Data-Driven Solution Strengthens Grocer's Competitive Pricing Capabilities Insights: The Expert Guide to Data Governance in Retail  

There's encouraging numbers on retail crime in New Zealand, according to new reports. Data from retail crime intelligence company Auror shows year on year for the 10 months to October, weapon use fell 12 percent and violent events dropped 6 percent. In Australia, the same kinds of incidents are trending upwards. Auror spokesperson Nick McDonnell says there's a reason such crime is dropping here. "Retailers have really led the way in leaning into it, and then the police on the other side of the system have also leaned into this earlier than other markets - and are really collaborating together through the platform." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Nima Jalali built SALT & STONE out of his apartment into a $100M+ brand, without ever pitching a single retailer. After an ACL injury redirected his path, he created something he desperately wanted but didn't exist, a high quality, clean deodorant, that actually performs. SALT & STONE has now become one of the fastest growing brands in the space to-date by doing things differently. Even right now, every 60 seconds a SALT & STONE deodorant is bought.  In this candid conversation Nima opens up about transitioning from a pro surfboarder into the Founder role, what it takes to build a killer team, and what keeps him going. He reveals the counter-intuitive strategy that got Sephora to come to him, and how he iterated his deodorant formula through 5 generations before calling it perfect. You'll Learn: Why going through 5+ product iterations beats launching "good enough"The digital excellence strategy that makes retailers chase you (not the other way around)How to build legacy brand positioning even as a one-person startupWhy getting a "no" from retailers too early can kill your momentumThe mindset shift from solo athlete to team builderThe key to building a digital identity that inspires & attracts customersCHAPTERS: 00:00 Introducing Nima Jalali, Founder & CEO of SALT & STONE3:00 Transitioning from Pro Snowboarder to Business Owner 4:55 The 5 Generations of Product Perfection6:45 How to Think Like Nike When You're a One-Man Show8:13 What Nima Did to Build a Brand Sephora NEEDS to Have10:09 Steps to Achieve Digital Excellence 12:39 SALT & STONE'S Philosophy on: Ingredient Sourcing, Product Development & Testing 19:06 How to Set Your Business Up to Grow Into a Legacy Brand From Day 1  22:07 The Retail Strategy That Never Fails 28:35 Tackling Global Expansion & Managing Expectations as a Founder   29:55 Single Most Impactful Thing NIma Did in The First 6 Months That Made SALT & STONE Successful  Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

As NAMM approaches its 125th year, the conversation around The NAMM Show 2026 centers less on products alone and more on the people, relationships, and creative energy that sustain the music industry. In this episode, John Mlynczak, President and CEO of NAMM, joins Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli to frame the upcoming show as a moment shaped by resilience, adaptation, and shared purpose.Mlynczak positions NAMM's history as a long record of responding to disruption. Musical genres shift. Technologies rise and fall. Companies appear and disappear. Music itself remains. That continuity shapes how NAMM views its role today, particularly amid global trade pressures and ongoing debates around AI in music creation. These pressures are not framed as endpoints, but as forces the industry has encountered many times before, each eventually reshaped into opportunity.A major theme is the renewed emphasis on human connection. While innovation remains central, differentiation increasingly comes through artists, creators, and authentic storytelling. Product launches are no longer just technical showcases. They are expressions of identity, collaboration, and trust between musicians and the tools they choose. According to Mlynczak, this shift is driving a larger presence of artists and creators at The NAMM Show 2026, reinforcing the idea that brands are ultimately represented by people, not specifications.Education also plays a defining role. With more than 200 sessions planned, alongside new half-day and full-day summits, The NAMM Show 2026 expands its commitment to learning across experience levels and professional communities. Retailers, educators, engineers, marketers, and performers each have distinct paths through the show, designed intentionally rather than left to chance. Data-driven planning allows NAMM to understand how attendees engage, enabling more tailored experiences now and in the years ahead.Underlying it all is energy. Not hype, but momentum built through in-person connection. The NAMM Show is described as a space where competitors share ideas, musicians find inspiration, and creativity compounds simply by being present. For those who attend, The NAMM Show 2026 serves as a springboard into the year ahead, shaped by music's enduring ability to connect, adapt, and move people forward.The NAMM Show 2026 is taking place from January 20-24, 2026 | Anaheim Convention Center • Southern California — Coverage provided by ITSPmagazine — Follow our coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/cybersecurity-technology-society-events/the-namm-show-2026GUEST:Guest: John Mlynczak, President and CEO of NAMM | View Website | Visit NAMMHOSTS:Sean Martin, Co-Founder, ITSPmagazine and Studio C60 | Website: https://www.seanmartin.comMarco Ciappelli, Co-Founder, ITSPmagazine and Studio C60 | Website: https://www.marcociappelli.comNAMM Organization: https://www.namm.org/The NAMM Show 2026: https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/attendCatch more stories from NAMM Show 2026 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/cybersecurity-technology-society-events/the-namm-show-2026Music Evolves: Sonic Frontiers Newsletter | https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7290890771828719616/More from Marco Ciappelli on Redefining Society and Technology Podcast: https://redefiningsocietyandtechnologypodcast.com/Want to share an Event Briefing as part of our event coverage? Learn More

*** the sound balance is a bit off on this episode and we couldn't resolve it in editing - apologies!Shopify's bi-annual Editions launch is a key industry event that generates a lot of buzz.Learn about the latest developments from Shopify's winter editions with Ben Homer, Senior Solutions Engineer at Shopify. The discussion centers around the transformative impact of AI and agentic commerce on the platform, highlighting Shopify's commitment to enhancing both user and developer experiences. Why listen:Get insights into Shopify's strategic directionUnderstand the potential of AI in commerceLearning about new tools that democratise business capabilities.Key discussion points:Shopify's AI integration: explore how Shopify is leveraging AI to enhance platform capabilities, including the rollout of agentic commerce tools like Sidekick.Catalogs API Access: learn about the new access for developers to Shopify's catalogs API, enabling innovative tooling and expanded commerce capabilities.Pulse and SimGym: discover how these tools are democratising data-driven insights and testing, making advanced capabilities accessible to businesses of all sizes.Future of Shopify Flow: understand the potential of Shopify Flow in automating complex tasks and enhancing operational efficiency. Tinker and A/B Testing: get a glimpse into upcoming tools designed to simplify content creation and enhance hardware connectivity for Shopify users.

This episode is brought to you by Commerce.AI is reshaping the retail landscape faster than any technology in recent memory, but with the hype comes confusion — and a lot of big questions about what AI can actually do for retailers today.In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein sits down with Andrew Bialecki, Co-founder and CEO of Klaviyo, to separate reality from speculation and explore how AI is changing marketing, customer service and the entire shopping experience.Andrew shares the origin story behind Klaviyo's “digital brain for businesses,” explains why retailers will increasingly become hybrid product-and-service companies, and breaks down the AI behaviors already shaping consumer expectations. He also takes a look into his crystal ball to offer a forward-looking perspective on how voice, avatars and in-store AI agents could define the next era of commerce.Key TakeawaysHow retailers will evolve into hybrid product-and-service brands as AI makes information and personalization easily accessible to all;Why multimodal AI — including chat, voice and in-store agents — could propel the next wave of omnichannel experiences;The role humans will continue to play in the AI future through creative direction, brand judgment and defining customer experience goals;What consumers actually want from AI: speed, summarization, better recommendations, and easier product discovery; Why the ability to do “napkin math” is critical for businesspeople of all stripes; andThe hardest thing about going from being a private to a public company.Related LinksExplore Klaviyo's AI-powered marketing and customer relationship toolsGet more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPointsSubscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix -----How to Win Customers Across Every ChannelThis guide from BigCommerce brings you expert insights on data, branding, and marketing to help you grow sales across every major channel. Read the Guide.

The furniture industry stands on the precipice of significant transformation as we approach the conclusion of 2025, with forecasts indicating that holiday spending may surpass the unprecedented $1 trillion mark for the first time in history. This episode examines the intricate dynamics shaping our market, including a notable 3.7 to 4.2% growth in spending compared to the previous year and the stabilization of furniture sales following a challenging three-year downturn. We delve into the implications of shifting consumer demographics, particularly highlighting the increasing polarization of income among shoppers, which influences purchasing behaviors and priorities. Furthermore, we explore the burgeoning role of artificial intelligence within retail, anticipating that its integration will redefine the sales landscape and customer interactions. As we navigate these multifaceted trends, we underscore the necessity for retailers to adapt strategically to seize the opportunities presented by both consumer demands and technological advancements.The exploration of the furniture industry in this episode presents a multi-faceted overview of the current and emerging trends as we approach the end of 2025. The presenters detail the heightened expectations surrounding the holiday shopping season, forecasting a historic surge in consumer spending that is set to exceed $1 trillion, marking a significant milestone in retail history. With consumer behavior reflecting a sense of urgency as the shopping season progresses, the discussions around Super Saturday highlight the anticipated participation of nearly 159 million consumers, suggesting an unprecedented level of engagement. This optimistic consumer sentiment is mirrored in the furniture sector, where sales have experienced a minor yet positive year-on-year increase, emphasizing a resilient retail environment amidst broader economic fluctuations. The dialogue delves into critical economic factors influencing the industry, particularly the ramifications of tariffs and the specter of potential layoffs that loom over the market. Despite these challenges, there are illuminating prospects, such as the robust balance sheets of homeowners, which are characterized by substantial equity that could drive future remodeling and furniture purchases. The presenters articulate the implications of growing income polarization, where lower-income consumers face declining incomes while wealthier households enjoy increased financial stability. This disparity necessitates that retailers reassess their approaches to meet the diverse needs of consumers, from budget-conscious shoppers to affluent buyers seeking premium offerings. Looking ahead, the conversation pivots towards the transformative impact of technology and artificial intelligence on the retail landscape. The presenters suggest that the retail sector is on the cusp of an autonomous era, where AI will play a pivotal role in reshaping customer interactions and operational efficiencies. They emphasize the need for sales professionals to evolve, moving beyond traditional sales tactics to embrace a more consultative and relationship-driven approach. The discussion concludes with a call to action for industry stakeholders to remain agile and innovative, harnessing the potential of emerging technologies and adapting to the changing consumer landscape, thereby positioning themselves advantageously in an evolving market.Takeaways: The holiday season of 2025 is projected to witness unprecedented consumer spending, crossing the $1 trillion threshold for the first time ever. Furniture sales have stabilized after a challenging three-year downturn, positioning the industry for potential growth in the forthcoming year. Economic factors such as homeowner equity and tax refunds are expected to drive significant consumer spending in early 2026. Income polarization among consumers is...

S5E13 Future of AI-Powered Consumer Insights with Trevor Sumner & Stan SthanunathanIn Season 5, Episode 13 of The Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden tackle one of retail's biggest blind spots in consumer insights: the consumer sentiment gap. For decades, brands relied on surveys to understand shoppers. But what people say doesn't always match what they do.Enter AI-powered shopper insights!Joining the conversation are Trevor Sumner (CEO of i-Genie AI) and Stan Sthanunathan (Executive Chairman of i-Genie AI, former EVP at Unilever and VP at Coca-Cola). Together, they reveal how billions of unfiltered signals — from searches, reviews, and social posts — can be transformed into real-time, actionable consumer insights that reshape retail decision-making.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why traditional consumer surveys are breaking downHow AI and natural language processing uncover real customer behaviorThe role of empathy vs sympathy in understanding consumersHow disruptor brands are reshaping competitive landscapesWhy augmented intelligence (AI + human insight) is the future of retail strategy and consumer insightsSubscribe to the Retail Razor Podcast Network: https://retailrazor.com/Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTubeAbout our GuestsTrevor Sumner, CEO, i-Genie.AI - https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevorsumner/Trevor is a NYC-based entrepreneur, product and marketing executive and recognized startup advisor and angel. Trevor is the CEO at i-Genie.ai, the leading AI platform for consumer insights, revolutionizing an industry that had been dominated with antiquated survey methodologies by synthesizing tens of billions of searches, social and video posts, ratings and reviews and market data for industry leaders like Kenvue, Unilever, Coca-Cola, Bayer, Clorox and more.Previously, Mr. Sumner was Head of AI and Data Platform products for Raydiant, a leading VC-backed digital experience platform that is transforming over 250,000 digital touch points across 4,500 clients with AI, computer vision and data.Mr. Sumner came to Raydiant when it acquired Perch, a recognized leader in in-store Product Engagement Marketing, interactive retail displays and augmented reality, where Mr. SUmner served as CEO. Perch was named a Top Tech Company to Watch by Forbes, a Top 10 Retail Technology company by CIO Review and has won numerous Clio, Fast Company, Edison, Bloomberg and Digi awards.Stan Sthanunathan, Executive Chairman, i-Genie.AI - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stan-sthanunathan-1ab4035/Stan Sthanunathan joined Unilever in July 2013 as Executive Vice President of Consumer & Market Insights. As chief provocateur, he headed up the insights function globally based in London. He retired from Unilever on June 1, 2021.Post retirement he has started an AI/ML enabled company called i-Genie.AI focused on delivering near real time insights and ideas to help business identify Next Big Thing. Prior to joining Unilever, he was Vice President of Marketing Strategy & Insights for The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, heading up the function on a global basis.Stan co-authored a paper on Building an Insights Engine that was published in Harvard Business Review, Sept 2016. He has also co-authored a book titled AI for Marketing and Product Innovation.He was awarded Lifetime Achievement award at TMRE 2022 event.Chapters:00:00 Previews 01:23 Show Intro 04:43 The Consumer Sentiment Gap 05:37 Welcome Trevor Sumner & Stan Sthanunathan 06:30 Backgrounds of Trevor and Stan 09:11 Challenges in Understanding Consumers 16:58 The Evolution of Influencers 18:32 Limitations of Surveys and the Need for AI 25:46 Augmented Intelligence: AI + Human Insight 31:46 Challenges in CPG Innovation 33:02 Innovate: A Data-Driven Product 34:42 AI and Predictive Analytics 36:21 Democratizing Data Access 38:07 Mindset Shift for Rapid Actions 40:46 Adopting AI in CPG 48:16 Retailers and Data Utilization 52:59 Future of Brand Understanding 57:23 Conclusion and Contact Information 58:15 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 & a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2025. Thinkers 360 has named him a Top 10 Retail, & AGI Thought Leader, a Top 50 Management, Transformation, & Careers Thought Leader, a Top 100 Digital Transformation & Agentic AI Thought Leader, plus a Top Digital Voice for 2024 and 2025. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation, and the Retail Cloud Alliance. He was most recently the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods in the Americas at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2023 - 2025, and a 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! Currently, Casey is the North America Leader for Retail & Consumer Goods at CI&T.Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Heston Mimms, published by Imuno.

Dear RLR friends,Attached you will find 195 - US LAW and CHRISTMAS DISPLAYS - 2025 NAUGHTY AND NICE RETAILERS - AI ADVANCEMENT or AI APOCALYPSE?Thank you for your valuable support. God bless you. Alexander 

Bonjour et bienvenue dans la revue de presse hebdo et audio du secteur retail / e-commerce en France proposée par Les Digital Doers en partenariat avec le One to One Retail Ecommerce de Monaco.

Australia’s world-first under 16 social media ban has officially kicked in and that means TikTok, Meta and Snap are plotting their next move ASIC is on a fining-spree after hitting companies like Grill’d, Bob Jane and MJ Bale with fines for failing to lodge their financial accounts ChatGPT has officially become the most downloaded free iPhone app for 2025 - meaning it has overtaken TikTok, Instagram and even Google _ Download the free app (App Store): http://bit.ly/FluxAppStore Download the free app (Google Play): http://bit.ly/FluxappGooglePlay Daily newsletter: https://bit.ly/fluxnewsletter Flux on Instagram: http://bit.ly/fluxinsta Flux on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flux.finance —- The content in this podcast reflects the views and opinions of the hosts, and is intended for personal and not commercial use. We do not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, statement or other information provided or distributed in these episodes.__See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeff Rosenberg brings a multi-generation perspective to open-air, retail shopping centers, a sector most investors once wrote off.   His family built and operated supermarkets and the centers around them starting in the 1940s. Big V Property Group grew out of that platform and today controls a $2.5 billion, 9 million square foot national portfolio of open-air shopping centers anchored by the likes of Target, TJX brands, Ross, HomeGoods, Sierra Trading, and others.   That background matters: Big V understands how retailers actually make money, how store-level performance drives traffic, and why certain locations survive every cycle.   A few insights stood out in our conversation: • Physical retail never died (online shopping, Covid etc) it evolved. Retailers now use stores as omnichannel infrastructure: showroom, warehouse, and last-mile all at once. • Power-center retail is effectively an ecosystem. A Target anchor drives demographic analysis, infrastructure improvements, credit co-tenancy, and consistent foot traffic for the rest of the center. • Supply discipline is doing the heavy lifting. Two decades of minimal development plus 96–97% occupancy make today's retail fundamentally different from overbuilt asset classes. • Lenders are leaning back in. Big V recently rolled eight core assets, about $1.1 billion, into a single fund and closed a $765 million on-balance-sheet bank loan, the largest retail financing in the country in 2025. • Underwriting today requires humility. Big V assumes no cap-rate compression. All value has to come from NOI growth and execution, not financial engineering.   Here are five questions we covered: Why did retail survive when everyone predicted structural decline? How does a Target anchor change a center's economics? What does today's capital stack look like for high-quality retail? How do you underwrite exits when cap-rate compression is off the table? Where are the real risks in a sector that looks "safe" on the surface? If you want a grounded view of where the next leg of the retail cycle is heading and how an operator with a decades-long track record has never lost investor capital, this conversation is worth your time.   *** In this series, I cut through the noise to examine how shifting macroeconomic forces and rising geopolitical risk are reshaping real estate investing.   With insights from economists, academics, and seasoned professionals, this show helps investors respond to market uncertainty with clarity, discipline, and a focus on downside protection.    Subscribe to my free newsletter for timely updates, insights, and tools to help you navigate today's volatile real estate landscape. You'll get: Straight talk on what happens when confidence meets correction - no hype, no spin, no fluff. Real implications of macro trends for investors and sponsors with actionable guidance. Insights from real estate professionals who've been through it all before. Visit GowerCrowd.com/subscribe Email: adam@gowercrowd.com Call: 213-761-1000

As the festive shopping rush begins, vendors are bracing for a surge in shoplifting. Australia-wide, theft has hit a 21-year high. Experts say it's part of a broader trend. - С началом рождественского ажиотажа продавцы готовятся к всплеску магазинных краж. По всей Австралии уровень хищений достиг максимума за 21 год. Эксперты говорят, что это часть более широкой тенденции.

This episode is brought to you by Commerce.Independent retailers have always been nimble, but the past few years have demanded even more adaptability. In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein is joined by Jen Burke, Chief Revenue Officer at wholesale marketplace Faire, who helps us dig into how independent retailers are thriving amid so much socioeconomic and technological change.Jen shares how this powerful segment of retailers — which account for more than half of all U.S. retail sales — are shifting buying strategies, navigating economic pressure, responding to fast-moving trend cycles, and using Faire's tools to better manage cash flow, discover products and respond to customer demand. She also reveals what Faire is building next, from improved platform capabilities to new fulfillment solutions.Key TakeawaysHow independent retailers are adjusting order volume, frequency and sourcing strategies in response to tariffs and other headwinds;What wholesale buying patterns on Faire foretell about the trends and categories that will be hot in 2026;The growing importance of reflecting the cultural zeitgeist on shelves and how to do it;Why curation will remain retailers' superpower despite the potential of new technologies like AI; andA peek at Faire's next big move — fulfillment services.Related LinksExplore how Faire supports independent retailers of all sizesRelated Reading: Faire Surpasses 100K Members as Indie Retailers Seek Out Value, VarietyRelated Reading: Inside the Luxury Advent Calendar Boom with DTC Brand Cheese BrothersGet more retail industry insights at Retail TouchPointsSubscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix -----How to Win Customers Across Every ChannelThis guide from BigCommerce brings you expert insights on data, branding, and marketing to help you grow sales across every major channel. Read the Guide.

While most companies obsess over removing their contact centers to eliminate friction, they may actually be creating it. Sometimes the most frictionless experience is talking to another human who can say, "This hotel is perfect for you, you're going to love it."Join hosts Chuck Moxley and Nick Paladino as they sit down with Joe Megibow, a veteran executive who started as an engineer, discovered data-driven marketing at business school, and co-founded Tealeaf Technology. Joe shares war stories from leading digital transformations at Expedia, American Eagle Outfitters, Casper and Purple (mattresses), revealing how removing a single "business name" field generated millions in incremental revenue, why omnichannel strategies often create more channel conflict than customer value, and how American Eagle built a $100 million sales channel through their contact center after everyone said it was impossible.He explains the critical difference between page load metrics and meeting customer expectations, why Square's magic email receipt moment reset consumer benchmarks forever, and how selling mattresses online requires deliberately introducing friction (like encouraging store visits) to reduce friction across the entire purchase journey.Key Actionable Takeaways:Audit form fields and test removing "optional" fields that confuse customers - Even optional fields prompt users to fill them out, and misplaced fields (like "business name" near billing address) can tank conversion by making customers enter wrong information, costing millions in lost revenueAlign P&L incentives across channels to eliminate organizational friction - When store associates get no credit for online sales made in-store, they create artificial barriers for customers; true omnichannel means the same customer should experience consistent rules regardless of how they choose to transactInvest in contact centers as conversion engines, not cost centers - Human interaction excels at high-consideration purchases where empathy and reassurance matter; contact center conversion rates (30-40%) often dwarf digital (2-3%) for complex products, and trained agents can become your highest-performing salesforceNick & Chuck's previous conversation with David Cost from Rainbow Apparel Co: https://youtu.be/yhMd3M3jOpo Want more tips and strategies about creating frictionless digital experiences?Subscribe to our newsletter! https://www.thefrictionlessexperience.com/frictionless/Download the Five Step Site Speed Target Playbook: http://bluetriangle.com/playbookJoe Megibow's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megibow/Nick Paladino's LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/npaladinoChuck Moxley's LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/chuck-moxleyChapters:(00:00) Introduction(02:35) Joe's journey - From engineer to data-driven marketing pioneer(04:30) Founding Tealeaf Technology(07:00) The evolution from static to dynamic web pages(09:00) Experience-based monitoring and perceived performance(11:15) Tying friction to economic impact(13:45) The business name field disaster - $1M monthly revenue recovery(15:15) Shopify checkout consistency vs. innovation trade-offs(16:15) Square's magic moment(17:00) Financing friction in locked checkout flows(19:41) Omnichannel alignment challenges at American Eagle(21:00) P&L misalignment creates customer friction(22:45) Buy online, ship from store(25:15) DTC turnarounds - Low frequency, high risk purchases(27:00) Considered purchases require different friction strategies(29:00) The Purple Pillow story(30:00) Marketing high-touch products digitally(31:15) Breaking through the "best ever" noise(32:10) The greatest pillow ever invented - Provocative marketing(34:30) Contact centers as strategic assets, not failure points(35:45) Expedia's 30-40% contact center conversion rates(37:30) American Eagle's $100M contact center sales channel(38:20) Conclusion

As the festive shopping rush begins, vendors are bracing for a surge in shoplifting. Australia-wide, theft has hit a 21-year high. Experts say it's part of a broader trend. - ช่วงเทศกาลของการจับจ่ายเริ่มต้นขึ้นอีกครั้ง แต่หลายร้านกลับต้องเตรียมรับมือกับการลักขโมยสินค้าที่พุ่งสูงขึ้น โดยออสเตรเลียมีอัตราการโจรกรรมเพิ่มขึ้นสุงที่สุดในรอบ 21 ปี ผู้เชี่ยวชาญชี้สิ่งนี้บ่งชี้ถึงประเด็นที่ใหญ่กว่าแค่การลักขโมย

What are supermarkets and consumer brands saying about shoppers? And which companies are getting a boost from higher-income customers? Plus, who are the winners and losers after Netflix's biggest acquisition? Host Francesca Fontana discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lancaster County Shows Consumer Fatigue: Colleague Jim McTague reports that retailers in Lancaster are using deep discounts to attract price-sensitive shoppers, noting that while weekend traffic is decent, weekdays are slow and high-end dining is struggling, with the job market tightening significantly as skilled labor demands vanish, suggesting consumers are "running out of disposable income". 1912 ALLENTOWN

What are supermarkets and consumer brands saying about shoppers? And which companies are getting a boost from higher-income customers? Plus, who are the winners and losers after Netflix's biggest acquisition? Host Francesca Fontana discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the festive shopping rush begins, vendors are bracing for a surge in shoplifting. Australia-wide, theft has hit a 21-year high. Experts say it's part of a broader trend.

From Wall Street to Main Street, the latest on the markets and what it means for your money. Updated regularly on weekdays, featuring CNBC expert analysis and sound from top business newsmakers. Anchored and reported by CNBC's Jessica Ettinger. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's Wednesday, December 3rd, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Thailand orders Christian back to Vietnam to likely torture Last Wednesday, a court in Thailand ordered that a Christian activist and asylum seeker must be sent back to Vietnam. Y Quynh Bdap, the co-founder of Montagnards Stand for Justice, faces a 10-year sentence in Vietnam for alleged anti-Communist activities.   International Christian Concern noted, “If extradited to Vietnam, he will likely face torture, violence, and imprisonment. … This will set a dangerous precedent for the thousands of other Christian refugees in Thailand who could also be extradited to their home country, where they fled persecution.” According to Open Doors, Vietnam is the 47th most dangerous country worldwide for Christians. Flooding and landslides in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand Monsoon rains brought catastrophic flooding and landslides to Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand last week. The death toll has surpassed 1,300, and nearly a thousand people are missing. The National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka is distributing emergency aid to pastors and Christian workers in the country. The group said the flooding has been “displacing families and severely impacting pastors, Christian workers, and churches.” Trump pauses immigration from Third World countries In the United States, President Donald Trump announced last Thursday his administration will “permanently pause” migration from Third World countries.  This came a day after an Afghan national shot two National Guard members with a  357 revolver in Washington, D.C. near the White House. U.S. Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, aged 20, died the next day. U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolf remains in serious condition. However, doctors report that he was able to give a thumbs-up sign when prompted and he wiggled his toes on command as well. Brigadier General Leland Blanchard spoke at a press conference. BLANCHARD: “Their families' lives are all changed forever because one person decided to do this horrific and evil thing.” Officials charged the 29-year-old Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, with first-degree murder yesterday. The Afghan man drove cross country, from his home in Washington State, to carry out the targeted attack. He had immigrated to the United States in 2021 under a Biden era program evacuating Afghan refugees during the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces. Listen to comments from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.  LEAVITT: “Sarah and Andrew represent the very best of America, two young patriots who were willing to put on the uniform and risk their lives in defense of their fellow Americans. Both of them truly embody the profound words spoken by Jesus Christ in the Gospel. Greater love has no one than this to lay down one's life for one's friends.” (John 15:13) Mass killings are down this year Mass killings in the U.S. are down according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today. There have been 17 shooters who killed four or more people in a 24-hour period not including themselves. That's the lowest on record since 2006. Mass killings mostly occur at people's homes and often involve family members.  California officials dropped $70,000 in COVID fines against church Officials in California recently dropped nearly $70,000 in fines against a church and Christian school. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health targeted Calvary Chapel San Jose and its affiliated Calvary Christian Academy during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Joel Oster with Advocates for Faith & Freedom said, “This is a complete victory, not only for Calvary Christian Academy, but for every church and Christian school in California. The State tried to use [the Occupational Safety and Health Administration] as a weapon to intimidate a religious institution. They failed. And they were forced to walk away from their own claims.” Should pro-life ministry be compelled to reveal names of donors? The U.S. Supreme Court heard a case yesterday involving a pro-life ministry in New Jersey. The case began in 2023 when the state targeted First Choice Women's Resource Centers with a subpoena, demanding the names of its donors.  Reuters reports that the justices appeared favorable to the pro-life ministry. William Haun with The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty said, “The Court should make clear that state bureaucrats cannot exploit their power to intimidate ministries or chill the faith commitments that guide their work.” Isaiah 10:1-2 says, “Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, who write misfortune, which they have prescribed to rob the needy of justice, and to take what is right from the poor of My people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless.” The “Naughty and Nice List” of U.S. retailers And finally, AUDIO: “He's making a list and checking it twice. He's going to find out who's naughty or nice.” Liberty Counsel released its latest “Naughty and Nice List” last month. The list catalogs retailers that are censoring Christmas and ones that are publicly celebrating it. Companies that celebrate Christmas include Costco, Lowe's, and Walmart. Companies that silence and censor Christmas include TJ Maxx, Barnes & Noble, and CVS Pharmacy.   Mat Staver with Liberty Counsel said, “Christianity remains the largest faith tradition in the United States and is associated with worship, family traditions, nostalgia, and seasonal joy. … We are happy to report that some retailers still recognize that the Christmas season is about the birth of Jesus and is not just a winter holiday.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, December 3rd, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

In this episode of the Sleeping Barber Podcast, Marc and Vassilis discuss topics that caught their attention over the last couple of weeks, including the recent merger between Omnicom and IPG, the impact of AI on retail, particularly through Amazon's new shopping assistant Rufus, and Adidas' innovative approach to market research by utilizing search data instead of traditional surveys. They also delve into leadership insights as a part of their marketing moment, emphasizing the importance of happiness and well-being in the workplace, and conclude with a case study on the emotional marketing strategy of John Lewis' Christmas ads.Enjoy the show!Episode TakeawaysThe Omnicom and IPG merger creates the largest advertising holding company.AI is significantly influencing retail, as seen with Amazon's Rufus.Adidas has shifted from traditional surveys to using search data for brand tracking.Happiness can be cultivated through daily habits and leadership practices.Unhappy leaders can negatively impact team morale and productivity.Auditing meetings can free up time and improve team well-being.The John Lewis Christmas ad exemplifies emotional marketing and connection.Music plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of advertisements.Retailers need to adapt to changing consumer behaviours and preferences.The holiday shopping experience has evolved into a multi-day event rather than a single day frenzy.Chapters00:00 - Introduction and Personal Updates03:01 - Industry News: Omnicom and IPG Merger05:50 - AI in Retail: Amazon's Rufus and Holiday Shopping Trends12:11 - Adidas' Shift to Search Data19:11 - The Marketing Moment - The Four Habits of Happier Leaders32:12 - John Lewis Christmas Ad: A Case Study in Emotional MarketingEpisode Links:Omnicom finalizes IPG acquisition with experts calling it the ‘natural outcome' of a changing agency model - https://www.marketingweek.com/omnicom-finalises-ipg-aquisition/Amazon's $124B Christmas Bet - https://stocks.apple.com/ASmqJwrDDQD2AuFnWpJbglAWinners and losers of Black Friday 2025 - https://www.retaildive.com/news/winners-losers-black-friday-2025/806610/Adidas Ditches Surveys for Search Data - http://warc.com/content/feed/adidas-sees-big-returns-from-using-share-of-search-for-brand-tracking/en-GB/11070The Four Habits of Happier Leaders - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7S6MMcYM6k Ad of the week - John Lewis "The Man On The Moon" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsyD3W2pWU8

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1208: Today we're joined by guest host Todd Caputo and break down why car buyers are finally pushing back on pricing and how BMW and Audi are muscling into the booming off-road segment.Show Notes with links:American car buyers are finally tapping the brakes. After years of paying whatever it took to get into a new car, stretched consumers are hitting affordability ceilings and forcing both dealers and OEMs to rethink what demand really looks like heading into 2025.Shoppers are shifting downmarket—buying used, taking longer loans, delaying purchases, and gravitating toward lower-priced models like the Chevy Trax.Industry projections for 2025–26 have softened as tariffs, inflation, and tighter labor markets cool big-ticket spending.Rising days' supply is prompting deeper discounting while lower-income borrowers fall behind on payments and overall vehicle spending drops YoY.Retailers report weaker new-vehicle margins, though service traffic is climbing as more owners try to stretch aging vehicles.“People are asking, ‘How can I afford this?'” said dealer Robert Peltier. “There are people who are in debt and living paycheck to paycheck.”The all-terrain SUV segment is heating up fast as BMW and Audi prepare to challenge icons like Wrangler, Bronco, G-Wagen, and Defender—tapping into a growing niche that's suddenly not niche at all.The off-road segment is booming: nine core models totaled 371,495 sales through Q3 2025, on pace for a post-pandemic record. Wrangler and Bronco remain the kings.Audi will build its first true off-roader on the upcoming Scout Terra/Traveler platform in South Carolina, offering both full EV and range-extender options.BMW's G74 aims straight at the G-Wagen and Defender, built on the X5 platform in Greer, SC, with U.S. production helping dodge tariff pressure.Analysts say styling—not specs—will make or break these newcomers; anything too close to G-Wagen territory risks immediate backlash.“Adding a true off-road-capable SUV will attract buyers… but whether that investment pays off is the challenge,” said S&P Global Mobility's Sam Fiorani Bernard.Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/

Retailers don't seem to be looking for many temp workers this holiday season. But it's not the only sector that hires winter workers — event venues, transportation and warehousing still have some demand. Also in this Thanksgiving episode: There's a growing market to manage kids' screen time, a musician combats AI scraping, and a family explores stock market investing.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.

Retailers don't seem to be looking for many temp workers this holiday season. But it's not the only sector that hires winter workers — event venues, transportation and warehousing still have some demand. Also in this Thanksgiving episode: There's a growing market to manage kids' screen time, a musician combats AI scraping, and a family explores stock market investing.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.

Jessica Wynn uncovers Black Friday's dark secrets — fake discounts, cheaper products, and manufactured urgency — on this week's Skeptical Sunday.Welcome to Skeptical Sunday, a special edition of The Jordan Harbinger Show where Jordan and a guest break down a topic that you may have never thought about, open things up, and debunk common misconceptions. This time around, we're joined by writer and researcher Jessica Wynn!Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1245On This Week's Skeptical Sunday:Black Friday "deals" are often illusions. Many retailers quietly raise prices weeks before, then discount back to regular prices, creating fake savings that trigger dopamine responses rather than actual financial benefits.Tiered manufacturing means bargains are literally inferior products. Companies create cheaper versions of items specifically for Black Friday sales, using plastic instead of metal parts and downgraded components you won't notice until they fail.The shopping frenzy is engineered chaos. Retailers deliberately create urgency and scarcity to exploit loss aversion, where the pain of missing a discount feels greater than the pleasure of getting the item itself.Scammers weaponize Black Friday urgency. Phishing sites, fake URLs, and fraudulent sellers exploit the fast-paced nature of Black Friday sales to steal personal information and payment details from rushed shoppers.You can outsmart the system by planning ahead. Create a wishlist of genuinely needed items before sales begin, compare model numbers, check price histories with tools like CamelCamelCamel, and only buy what you already planned to purchase.Connect with Jordan on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. If you have something you'd like us to tackle here on Skeptical Sunday, drop Jordan a line at jordan@jordanharbinger.com and let him know!Connect with Jessica Wynn at Instagram and Threads, and subscribe to her newsletters: Between the Lines and Where the Shadows Linger!And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course!Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom!Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger!This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: Uncommon Goods: 15% off: uncommongoods.com/jordanUplift: Special offer: upliftdesk.com/jordanApretude: Learn more: Apretude.com or call 1-888-240-0340Land Rover Defender: landroverusa.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

TJX, the parent company of off-price retailers T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods, posted excellent earnings this week, while Target cut its sales forecast. “Off-price” means TJX sells excess inventory at a discount, which may be more attractive to increasingly stressed shoppers hunting for deals. Also in this episode: Political affiliation colors consumer sentiment, USDA cuts end a major revenue stream for small-scale farmers, and supply chains are unusually slow this holiday season.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.