POPULARITY
How Gerber Children's Wear is Future-Proofing Retail with AI & Authenticity In this episode of the RETHINK Retail podcast, host Richard Kestenbaum, Partner at Triangle Capital and Forbes contributor, sits down with Alicia Littleton, Director of E-commerce at Gerber Children's Wear, to explore how technology, AI, and personalization are transforming the retail experience—especially for today's digital-native parents. ⏱ Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction: Meet Richard and Alicia [03:30] Social algorithms, data, and understanding today's parent [08:45] Retail channel strategy: Target, Walmart, Amazon & DTC [14:10] Resale, sustainability & loyalty in babywear [19:20] The future of retail tech: AI & conversational commerce [21:05] AI's role in personalization and consumer expectations [24:00] What is conversational commerce and why it matters
Joining us for another interview recorded live in the Bambuser remote podcast studio at Shoptalk Fall event is Joe Megibow, Casper Sleep's CEO. Joe is a veteran of both more traditional companies as well as disruptor brands, and he helps us understand the evolution of digitally-native brands, the trials and tribulations of trying to reinvent the mattress category, and how he hopes to reinvent Caspar and set it on a path of profitable growth.As usual we open by dissecting the most important news of the week including making sense of last week's US monthly retail sales report, news that the Tapestry/Capri merger is off and that 7-Eleven is looking to fend of Couche-Tard by taking the company private. We also discuss Amazon's debut of Haul, its response to Temu, before a quick dip into quarterly earnings reports from Shopify, On Running, and Home Depot. The it's deals, deals, deals as before Vuori receives a big new investment and BNPL leader Klarna looks to go public. We wrap up with the unfortunate news that Advanced Auto will close some 700 stores after another rough quarter.Richard Kestenbaum episode.Joe Kudla interview About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling authro of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fourth year in a row, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.
Joining us for our final interview recorded in the Scratch Event DJs remote podcast studio at the Revtech Rev Summit is Richard Kestenbaum, leading retail influencer, Forbes contributor, and co-Founder and Partner at Triangle Capital.Richard and his firm specialize in mergers, acquisitions and capital-raising for consumer-related businesses, and were fortunate to get his insightful perspective and uniques takes on a variety of topics, including the accelerating pace of disruption, resistance to change, and the transformative impacts of AI. We also get Richard's hot-takes on an improving deal environment, department store consolidation, and whether taking a company private makes any difference whatsoever.But first we unpack the most important retail news of the week, starting with the impacts of climate change and the imminent US elections, brought to you by SCAYLE. Then it's on to talk about the implications of Amazon Prime Days on the holiday season. We conclude with deals, deals, deals as MyTheresa's plans to acquire YNAP from Richemont, Moose Knuckles gets a minority investment from Chinese apparel giant Bosideng, Couche-Tard ups its offer to take-over convenience store giant 7-Eleven. and Selfridge's receives a 40% investment from PIF, the Saudi wealth fund.For more on the Berns Communication Group's Retail Influencer Network go here.For our 2022 interview with MyTheresa's CEO Michael Kliger go here. About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling authro of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fourth year in a row, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.
This episode is part two in a recurring series examining and debunking the most common “excuses” and justifications we see for supporting, maybe even protecting(?) fast fashion and fast everything. And this week we are going to explore a classic comeback to conversations about fast fashion: “it's classist to talk about fast fashion.” We will explore the following questions:What is class? What are the differences between socioeconomic class and social class?What is classism? And how does it play out in day to day life?Why is income not always a simple indicator of one's financial situation?How are fast fashion and classism *actually* linked? You might be surprised!How does fast fashion actually exacerbate economic inequality?Did fast fashion really democratize fast fashion?Why is the fight against fast fashion actually a matter of class solidarity?And what can ALL of us do to dismantle the fast fashion system?On our journey to figuring all of this out, we'll find out if Shein customers are actually rich, and if fast fashion executives actually wear clothing made by their companies. Amanda will share her own experiences dealing with classism within the fashion industry.And HEY! BUY YOUR TICKETS TO THE CLOTHESHORSE JAMBOREE ASAP!Additional reading:MIT Living Wage Calculator"Meet Shein's typical shopper," Jennifer Ortakales Dawkins, Business Insider.American Attitudes About Poverty and the Poor"Retail Wages Are A Growing Problem That Will Only Get Worse," Richard Kestenbaum, Forbes.Dynamics of Economic Well-Being: Poverty 2009-2011, Ashley N. Edwards, US Census Bureau.If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it's a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.worldDid you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseFind this episode's transcript (and so much more) at clotheshorsepodcast.comClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:High Energy Vintage is a fun and funky vintage shop located in Somerville, MA, just a few minutes away from downtown Boston. They offer a highly curated selection of bright and colorful clothing and accessories from the 1940s-1990s for people of all genders. Husband-and-wife duo Wiley & Jessamy handpick each piece for quality and style, with a focus on pieces that transcend trends and will find a home in your closet for many years to come! In addition to clothing, the shop also features a large selection of vintage vinyl and old school video games. Find them on instagram @ highenergyvintage, online at highenergyvintage.com, and at markets in and around Boston.The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot cards, tea towels and handpicked treasures, available to you from the comfort of your own home. Responsibly sourced from across Rome, lovingly renewed by fairly paid artists and artisans, with something for every budget. Discover more at thepewterthimble.comSt. Evens is an NYC-based vintage shop that is dedicated to bringing you those special pieces you'll reach for again and again. More than just a store, St. Evens is dedicated to sharing the stories and history behind the garments. 10% of all sales are donated to a different charitable organization each month. New vintage is released every Thursday at wearStEvens.com, with previews of new pieces and more brought to you on Instagram at @wear_st.evens.Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at decodenim.com to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.Vagabond Vintage DTLV is a vintage clothing, accessories & decor reselling business based in Downtown Las Vegas. Not only do we sell in Las Vegas, but we are also located throughout resale markets in San Francisco as well as at a curated boutique called Lux and Ivy located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jessica, the founder & owner of Vagabond Vintage DTLV, recently opened the first IRL location located in the Arts District of Downtown Las Vegas on August 5th. The shop has a strong emphasis on 60s & 70s garments, single stitch tee shirts & dreamy loungewear. Follow them on instagram, @vagabondvintage.dtlv and keep an eye out for their website coming fall of 2022.Country Feedback is a mom & pop record shop in Tarboro, North Carolina. They specialize in used rock, country, and soul and offer affordable vintage clothing and housewares. Do you have used records you want to sell? Country Feedback wants to buy them! Find us on Instagram @countryfeedbackvintageandvinyl or head downeast and visit our brick and mortar. All are welcome at this inclusive and family-friendly record shop in the country!Located in Whistler, Canada, Velvet Underground is a "velvet jungle" full of vintage and second-hand clothes, plants, a vegan cafe and lots of rad products from other small sustainable businesses. Our mission is to create a brand and community dedicated to promoting self-expression, as well as educating and inspiring a more sustainable and conscious lifestyle both for the people and the planet.Find us on Instagram
Prepare to have your mind blown as we sit down with the legendary Richard Kestenbaum of Triangle Capital LLC to unravel the complex world of mergers and acquisitions. As we navigate through the depths of human psychology pivotal in deal-making, you will gain unprecedented insights into the ballet of numbers and narratives shaping the fate of consumer retail and merchandising companies. Richard's four decades on Wall Street have honed his instincts, not just for the hard data driving valuations but equally for the soft power of relationship-building and networking - skills that any businessperson will find invaluable.Venture further with us into the dynamic interplay between consumer values and business growth, as Richard illuminates the seismic shift towards sustainability and ethical practices. We scrutinize how this evolution challenges established brands and carves paths for emerging disruptors, all while ensuring that our conversation remains firmly grounded in real-world examples. Our discourse doesn't shy away from the delicate balancing act between creative integrity and commercial imperatives, especially salient for those of us in the handbag industry striving to maintain artistic vision without sacrificing market appeal.To cap off this conversation, we peer into the crystal ball to discern the markers of brand longevity and dissect the strategies behind crafting a brand that resonates across generations. Richard shares his perspective on navigating the diversification of product lines without diluting a brand's essence and the criticality of building a solid core audience. His invitation for listeners to connect weaves a golden thread through the conversation, reminding us that an engaging online presence is more than a profile—it's a platform for building professional bridges. So, whether you're a handbag aficionado or a business enthusiast, this is an episode that promises to enrich your understanding of the art and strategy behind successful brands.Connect with Richard:https://trianglecapitalllc.com/ Shop Handbag Designer 101 Merch: https://www.emilyblumenthal.com/category/all-products Register for the Handbag Designer 101 Masterclass: https://www.emilyblumenthal.com/challenge-page/Masterclass Book a handbag session with Emily: https://www.emilyblumenthal.com/ Hire Emily to be a guest speaker at your event: https://www.emilyblumenthal.com/speaking Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HandbagDesigner101-IHDA Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handbagdesigner/ Follow me on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@handbagdesigner Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/handbagdesigner
In this episode of The Ecommerce Braintrust, Kiri Masters, Head of Retail Marketplace Strategy at Acadia, dives deep into the nuances of navigating industry conferences and events with expert precision. Kiri delivers an insightful look into maximizing the value of attending conferences, based on personal experiences, fruitful strategies, and networking best practices. Make sure you tune in to find out more! In today's episode, Kiri talks about: - Her growth trajectory as a manager and practitioner, and the importance of leveraging events for continuous learning. - Strategies for connecting with professionals across various companies to expand perspectives and foster potential collaborations. - Implementing event-learned knowledge into business practices to secure the ROI on travel and conference expenses. - Tips on sharing insights on LinkedIn after events, including creating listicles, and the use of engaging visuals such as mind maps. - Understanding the true essence of networking and the significance of stepping out of one's comfort zone for long-term career advantages. - Handling interactions with exhibitors, including learning from Richard Kestenbaum, asking pertinent questions, and extracting meaningful insights. - Best practices for securing speaking opportunities and maximizing post-event follow-up routines. - An overview of the value-packed conferences Kiri is set to participate in during the first half of 2024, such as Etail West and Retail Media Summit among others. - Insights into devising a strategic approach to select and benefit from various industry events, especially when under budgetary constraints. - Kiri's six golden tips for effective networking and creating authentic relationships by avoiding trivial small talk using her innovative AVH conversation formula. - Guidance on how to engage with fellow attendees and vendors pre-event, during, and post-conference for enhancing networking opportunities and building lasting connections. - Navigating the exhibition floor with confidence, dispelling the awkwardness, and transforming it into a treasure trove of industry knowledge and trends. Events at which Kiri is speaking this year: Etail West ANA media conference DSI event Acadia - Retail Media Summit
Meet Julie Tamerler, a family law, business, and intellectual property attorney…and big time secondhand shopper! She is going to talk to us about the quandaries resale platforms face when it comes to knockoffs and fakes. It's VERY complicated from both a legal and operational perspective. We'll explore what *might* (or might not) happen to seller's stuff if The Real Real or ThredUp went bankrupt. And she'll explain to us why we should read those terms and conditions before we agree to sell on these platforms! Read Julie's writing in this area: "If Resale Companies Go Bankrupt, Who Is Left Holding the Bag?" The Fashion Law."A Case Over Canal Street Fakes Raises Questions About the Potential Bounds of Landlord Liability," The Fashion Law.Other reading: "The RealReal Sold Me A $3,600 Fake; Here's Why Counterfeits Slip Through Its Authentication Process," Richard Kestenbaum, Forbes."THE REALREAL'S AUTHENTICATION PRACTICES ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM, ACCORDING TO NEW INVESTIGATION," Dhani Mau, Fashionista."HEY, QUICK QUESTION: WHY IS THE REALREAL SELLING UNMARKED TARGET DESIGNER COLLABORATIONS?" Alyssa Lapid, Meredith Lawrence, Lisa Peterson, Fashionista."The RealReal slashes workforce, store base in quest for profits," Daphne Howland, Retail Dive."At a Glance: See How These Six Corporations Control the Luxury Fashion Industry," Nika Mavrody, The Fashion Spot."Sasha Benz & The Curious Case Of The Fake Chanel Earrings," Christie Grimm, The Social Post."The RealReal BadBad: Fashion's next big scandal?" The Wreck List.Check out Amanda's other podcast, The Department.Have questions/comments/cute animal photos? Reach out via email: amanda@clotheshorse.worldFind the transcript at clotheshorsepodcast.comWant to support Amanda's work on Clotheshorse? Learn more at patreon.com/clotheshorsepodcastClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Blank Cass, or Blanket Coats by Cass, is focused on restoring, renewing, and reviving the history held within vintage and heirloom textiles. By embodying and transferring the love, craft, and energy that is original to each vintage textile into a new garment, I hope we can reteach ourselves to care for and mend what we have and make it last. Blank Cass lives on Instagram @blank_cass and a website will be launched soon at blankcass.com.St. Evens is an NYC-based vintage shop that is dedicated to bringing you those special pieces you'll reach for again and again. More than just a store, St. Evens is dedicated to sharing the stories and history behind the garments. 10% of all sales are donated to a different charitable organization each month. New vintage is released every Thursday at wearStEvens.com, with previews of new pieces and more brought to you on Instagram at @wear_st.evens.The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot cards, tea towels and handpicked treasures, available to you from the comfort of your own home. Responsibly sourced from across Rome, lovingly renewed by fairly paid artists and artisans, with something for every budget. Discover more at thepewterthimble.comVagabond Vintage DTLV is a vintage clothing, accessories & decor reselling business based in Downtown Las Vegas. Not only do we sell in Las Vegas, but we are also located throughout resale markets in San Francisco as well as at a curated boutique called Lux and Ivy located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jessica, the founder & owner of Vagabond Vintage DTLV, recently opened the first IRL location located in the Arts District of Downtown Las Vegas on August 5th. The shop has a strong emphasis on 60s & 70s garments, single stitch tee shirts & dreamy loungewear. Follow them on instagram, @vagabondvintage.dtlv and keep an eye out for their website coming fall of 2022.Country Feedback is a mom & pop record shop in Tarboro, North Carolina. They specialize in used rock, country, and soul and offer affordable vintage clothing and housewares. Do you have used records you want to sell? Country Feedback wants to buy them! Find us on Instagram @countryfeedbackvintageandvinyl or head downeast and visit our brick and mortar. All are welcome at this inclusive and family-friendly record shop in the country!Located in Whistler, Canada, Velvet Underground is a "velvet jungle" full of vintage and second-hand clothes, plants, a vegan cafe and lots of rad products from other small sustainable businesses. Our mission is to create a brand and community dedicated to promoting self-expression, as well as educating and inspiring a more sustainable and conscious lifestyle both for the people and the planet.Find us on Instagram @shop_velvetunderground or online at www.shopvelvetunderground.comSelina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using only reclaimed, vintage or thrifted materials: from tea towels, linens, blankets and quilts. Sustainably crafted in Los Angeles, each piece is designed to last in one's closet for generations to come. Maximum Style; Minimal Carbon Footprint.Salt Hats: purveyors of truly sustainable hats. Hand blocked, sewn and embellished in Detroit, Michigan.Republica Unicornia Yarns: Hand-Dyed Yarn and notions for the color-obsessed. Made with love and some swearing in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia by Head Yarn Wench Kathleen. Get ready for rainbows with a side of Giving A Damn! Republica Unicornia is all about making your own magic using small-batch, responsibly sourced, hand-dyed yarns and thoughtfully made notions. Slow fashion all the way down and discover the joy of creating your very own beautiful hand knit, crocheted, or woven pieces. Find us on Instagram @republica_unicornia_yarns and at www.republicaunicornia.com.Cute Little Ruin is an online shop dedicated to providing quality vintage and secondhand clothing, vinyl, and home items in a wide range of styles and price points. If it's ethical and legal, we try to find a new home for it! Vintage style with progressive values. Find us on Instagram at @CuteLittleRuin.Thumbprint is Detroit's only fair trade marketplace, located in the historic Eastern Market. Our small business specializes in products handmade by empowered women in South Africa making a living wage creating things they love like hand painted candles and ceramics! We also carry a curated assortment of sustainable/natural locally made goods. Thumbprint is a great gift destination for both the special people in your life and for yourself! Browse our online store at thumbprintdetroit.com and find us on instagram @thumbprintdetroit.Gentle Vibes: We are purveyors of polyester and psychedelic relics! We encourage experimentation and play not only in your wardrobe, but in your home, too. We have thousands of killer vintage pieces ready for their next adventure! Picnicwear: a slow fashion brand, ethically made by hand from vintage and deadstock materials - most notably, vintage towels! Founder, Dani, has worked in the industry as a fashion designer for over 10 years, but started Picnicwear in response to her dissatisfaction with the industry's shortcomings. Picnicwear recently moved to rural North Carolina where all their clothing and accessories are now designed and cut, but the majority of their sewing is done by skilled garment workers in NYC. Their customers take comfort in knowing that all their sewists are paid well above NYC minimum wage. Picnicwear offers minimal waste and maximum authenticity: Future Vintage over future garbage.Shift Clothing, out of beautiful Astoria, Oregon, with a focus on natural fibers, simple hardworking designs, and putting fat people first. Discover more at shiftwheeler.comHigh Energy Vintage is a fun and funky vintage shop located in Somerville, MA, just a few minutes away from downtown Boston. They offer a highly curated selection of bright and colorful clothing and accessories from the 1940s-1990s for people of all genders. Husband-and-wife duo Wiley & Jessamy handpick each piece for quality and style, with a focus on pieces that transcend trends and will find a home in your closet for many years to come! In addition to clothing, the shop also features a large selection of vintage vinyl and old school video games. Find them on instagram @ highenergyvintage, online at highenergyvintage.com, and at markets in and around Boston.
In this episode of Coffee N° 5, I sit down with Richard Kestenbaum, co-founder and partner of Triangle Capital, who has a great deal of experience advising clients in merchandising businesses, particularly in the retail and consumer sector. Richard shares his extensive experience in advising clients and offers valuable insights on how to approach investors when launching your business.We'll talk about:Raising capital to grow your businessStating what makes your business uniqueThe importance of a solid marketing strategyFor more information, visit Triangle Capital's website.Join our Facebook Group.Follow our host Lara Schmoisman on social media:Instagram: @laraschmoismanFacebook: @LaraSchmoismanLinkedIn: @laraschmoismanTwitter: @LaraSchmoismanSupport the show
What metrics matter for ecommerce brands today? We asked Richard Kestenbaum, a New-York based investment banker and co-founder of Triangle Capital who has spent the last 20 years working with consumer facing brands. Kestenbaum brings a tremendous wealth of knowledge and experience — from fashion, apparel, and beauty, to pet retail and subscriptions. A regular contributor to Forbes business blog, Kestenbaum shares the latest ecommerce trends, technology, and metrics you should be aware of whether you are just starting out, or leading a high-growth enterprise. Some topics we discuss: Metrics and key indicators used to determine whether a business is performing well or not. The rapid rise of the subscription economy and what the future holds for subscription brands. Why certain subscription verticals are performing better than others. How AI has influenced retail and the future of machine learning commerce. Omnichannel vs. Omniretail and the rise of “anywhere” commerce. The top challenges facing retailers in commerce today, the latest trends and technologies shaping the marketplace. Guest bio: Richard Kestenbaum has been an investment banker for over 40 years and founded New York based Triangle Capital in 2003. Since then he has developed a long and successful track-record completing transactions for clients in consumer-facing businesses. With a focus on mergers, acquisitions, and capital raising, Kestenbaum shares his knowledge and experience regularly on a blog about consumers and trends hosted by Forbes.com. Links and resources: Forbes Triangle Capital The new omniretail: Getting to anywhere commerce Beyond the Product
Richard is a co-founder and Partner of Triangle Capital and has been an investment banker for over 35 years. Richard has a great deal of experience advising clients in merchandising businesses, particularly in the Retail & Consumer sector. Richard sits down with Rob and Rebecca to talk about the supply chain issues and merger and acquisitions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Richard is a co-founder and Partner of Triangle Capital and has been an investment banker for over 35 years. Richard has a great deal of experience advising clients in merchandising businesses, particularly in the Retail & Consumer sector. Richard discusses the current landscape of retail and what will draw motivate consumers to go back into stores. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Do not miss this fascinating episode with Richard Kestenbaum, Partner at Triangle Capital LLC and contributor at Forbes.com. Gary, Shekar, and Richard discuss the impact the growth of online has had on physical store economics, why testing and failure are a part of the road to success, how subscription is an opportunity for grocery to make e-commerce profitable, and so much more.
There is more content available to consumers than ever before. Content that stimulates almost all our senses -- streaming video, podcasts, short social clips, blogs and much more. With so many content options, creators have to produce high quality content to be rewarded. And the more that quality content is rewarded, the more incentive there is for brands and creators to elevate the content they are making. My recent guest on the podcast, Triangle Capital Partner, Richard Kestenbaum believes this pattern has us in the golden age of content. Richard is an expert on consumer products, apparel, retail and digital markets, co-author of three books on finance and computer programming as well as a Forbes contributor. I also recently contributed a Forbes article about the creator economy that explored how influencers and content are reshaping retail and the consumer experience. Amway, an unexpected leader, essentially created the influencer economy by working with and launching entrepreneurs—which is really what creator/influencers are. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rebootchronicles/message
This episode features an interview with Richard Kestenbaum, Co-Founder and Partner of Triangle Capital. As an investment banker, author, and speaker, Richard has spent his career advising clients in the retail & consumer sector, with a speciality for mergers & acquisitions. On this episode, Richard discusses the importance of running your business as though you're never going to sell it, how consumer tastes have shifted to focus on brand values, and what legacy companies can learn from young upstarts.3 Takeaways:Consumers today want products from companies that convey values like sustainability, ethical supply chain, and local production. The ability to adapt to those changes in an authentic way is where young upstarts succeed while legacy retailers struggle.Run your business as though you're never going to sell it. Buyers are generally very smart, and when they see that you're making investments for the long term that will benefit them, they're going to give you more credit for it.What is a store? It used to be a place to sell “stuff.” Now, it functions as a space to deliver experiences and raise brand awareness.Key Quotes: “It's not that online and stores are different channels. There are no channels. There is only the consumer, and wherever they are, you have to find the best way to sell to them.”“We don't talk enough about Artificial intelligence and machine learning...what we are observing now is a land grab in technology, because whoever becomes the leader has the opportunity to remain the leader.”“What I look for in a great company is: is the technology transformative, and is this the team that understands they're standing in front of a brick wall, and they have to figure out a way to go through it, under it, around it, knowing full well that behind that wall is another wall.”—This podcast is presented by Dell Technologies and Intel. Together they help you realize digital transformation across retail by driving IT innovation to better engage with today's connected consumer. Learn more at DellTechnologies.com/retail and Intel.com/retail.
No time for news? We've got you covered. Welcome to the Retail Rundown, your go-to weekly podcast where RETHINK Retail teams up with industry experts to deliver the top trending news stories in retail. September 21, 2020: Amazon launches luxury shopping, fashion houses find a new home on TikTok, Twitch, micro-fulfillment centers pop up around the globe. Hosted by Julia Raymond Written and produced by Gabriella Bock Edited by Trenton Waller
A round table discussion with Joël Palix, Founder, Palix Unlimited, Brandon Ford, Chief Accelerator Director, Lubrizol Life Science, Richard Kestenbaum, Partner, Triangle Capital; Rachel ten Brink, Co-Founder, CMO, Partner, Five Four Ventures LLC You already know what the shutdown means.
All Change: Industry Voices on Disrupting the Fashion System
The founders of Doyen New York are joined by Richard Kestenbaum, a Co-founder and Partner at Triangle Capital LLC. Triangle Capital specializes in mergers, acquisitions and capital-raising for consumer-related businesses. Today we discuss how attitudes towards fashion have changed, for both consumers and investors, as well as who the potential winners and losers in the retail space will be.
Find Your Exit - Exit Planning Strategies for Business Owners
In business, the ability to stay nimble and adapt will determine your long-term success. Just how flexible is your organization and the culture you have built? A crisis such as the pandemic we are experiencing now will put this to the test. Errol Glasser and Richard Kestenbaum have decades of business experience building a people-first culture that can adapt to fit the times. Today, Errol and Richard join the podcast to discuss how they view the retail and consumer landscape. They also discuss deal-making and how they foresee it changing through the pandemic. FULL SHOW NOTES CONNECT WITH US Twitter LinkedIn
Today’s consumers have a variety of different ways to shop and buy, so it’s important for retailers not just to have a great product, but also to communicate their message and values clearly to the consumer. That’s part of what today’s guest is here to talk about Richard Kestenbaum is Cofounder and a partner at Triangle Capital LLC and a contributing writer to Forbes. Listen in to today’s episode to hear what Richard has to say about the challenges that he’s noticed in consumer behavior, what retailers need to be thinking about post-COVID-19, and why retailers need a solid message about their values as a foundational part of their business. Topics Discussed in Today’s Episode: ✔ What Richard does at Triangle Capital ✔ Richard’s backstory ✔ The biggest challenges Richard has noticed in consumer behavior ✔ Whether Richard approaches coaching with a pre- and post-COVID approach ✔ What retailers are getting wrong in developing omnichannel experiences ✔ Best practices retailers can use to implement their values ✔ What consumers are looking for ✔ Whether there are areas that retailers should avoid ✔ The best in-store experiences that Richard has seen ✔ Technologies that are being adopted faster than others ✔ Technologies that Richard thinks are ready to take off ✔ Richard’s guidance for listeners Resources: Richard Kestenbaum QUOTES: “In order to do what we do, you have to spend all day talking to CEOs, because they’re the only ones who can make the kinds of decisions involved in doing mergers and acquisitions.” “We’ve seen that as new brands are created and go direct to consumer, the cost of acquiring customers is very high.” “If the customer acquisition cost is not built into the foundation of the business, it’s going to be really hard to get to profitability.”
Richard Kestenbaum is the co-founder and a partner at Triangle Capital LLC for almost 20 years. Richard is an investment banker who focuses on acquisitions, mergers, and capital-raising for consumer-facing companies. He is also a frequent contributor to Forbes Magazine for almost four years now, and with over 35 years specializing in retail, consumer sectors, and retail, he brings to the table expert advice on how to create financial success in a commercial setting. Buying and selling a company can be an emotional rollercoaster. Whether you're building your company in hopes of selling it one day or you have intentions of keeping it for the long term, the decisions you make will have an impact on the company's success and in its capacity to gain and maintain capital. Richard Kestenbaum, who is the co-founder and partner at Triangle Capital LLC, works with founders as they work their way through mergers, acquisitions, and many more aspects of the commercial sector. In this week's episode of Wish I'd Known That, host Betsy Pearce interviews Richard Kestenbaum, co-founder and partner of Triangle Capital, about how he helps companies raise capital for their business or to sell control of their business. He talks about the artistic value of a business versus the marketable part of their company, his insights on the selling and buying process while maintaining a flexible mind, and the honest expectation on what happens after the change of control. Stay tuned.
The swift spread of COVID-19 has dealt a significant blow to the retail sector. During these troubling times, many business leaders are wondering which brands will fail, which will survive, and which may even thrive due to the current health crisis. Join JP Kuehlwein, Marketing Institute Leader at The Conference Board, for a fascinating discussion with investment banker and co-founder of Triangle Partners LLC, Richard Kestenbaum, about the impact COVID-19 has had on retail. Discover the different ways various sectors within retail are being impacted, where non-essential retailers should consider investing their money, why essential grocers and manufacturers are seeming to struggle with their supply chains, and how the pandemic has accelerated the evolution of retail away from traditional brick and mortar stores.
In July 2019, a report [link is below] came out that squarely pointed the finger at private equity and Wall Street for the loss of 600,000 retail jobs and 1.3 million jobs overall during great retail correction (that we’re still in, btw). Many analysts agreed with the report. My guest today, Richard Kestenbaum, does not. Richard is in mergers and acquisitions, and is a fan and professional follower of active outdoor markets. He is the perfect person to walk us through today’s investment landscape and how that may or may not be in influencing the health of retail. He sees the bigger retail picture, and can tie it right back to our specialty markets. In this episode, we dig down into the cause of why start-ups are able to scratch away at legacy retailers grip on sales, and why legacy brands seem to be the ones going bankrupt more frequently. Richard analyzes this specifically through the lens of private equity and through the competitive advantages of specialty. But what if your business is looking for funding? Is there still money for capital investment? You betcha. But it’s time for new metrics to capture the new retail reality, which in large part will be a measurement of how well a brand is meeting customer expectations.
Richard Kestenbaum is a co-founder and partner of Triangle Capital and has been an investment broker for over 35 years. Richard has a great deal of experience advising clients in merchandising businesses, particularly in the retail & consumer sector.
Today we're taking a look at the fall of Toys R Us. What made the beloved toy retailer go out of business? Was it Amazon? I pods? Millennial? We'll take a look to figure it out. Foot Notes - A recent account of Toys R Us income statements https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/stockdetails/financials/fi-127.1.TOY.TSE - Kohlberg Kravis Roberts https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kohlberg_Kravis_Roberts - Forbes article by Richard Kestenbaum https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardkestenbaum/2017/04/07/why-so-many-stores-are-closing-now/#4286375d4159 - C Space (The company that researches shopping trends) https://cspace.com/work/ -A brief history of Amazon https://www.computerworld.com/article/2575106/amazon-records-first-profitable-year-in-its-history.html
A new Viant study shows that "passive commerce" can persuade customers away from CPG loyalty brands. We break open the data and go deep with Richard Kestenbaum, a Forbes Retail contributor.
Why are so many stores closing now? Forbes contributor Richard Kestenbaum says it’s because they don't meet consumers' needs. End of discussion. On the podcast, he explains why things are changing so much, what consumers want, and what existing retailers can do about it. Listen to this episode to learn: • The biggest reason why stores are closing now • Why the importance of retail stores has declined as technology has grown • How different generations impact the evolution of the retail industry