Navigating the flood of new technology rushing into retail isn’t for the faint of heart. As promising as the possibilities are, deciding where to go first and how far will be a constant conundrum for retailers and brands. Carol’s guest, Chris Corbin, is VP and BI and Analytics Practice Leader for Sophelle, a boutique consulting firm that navigates the complexities of technology selection, implementation, and optimization for retailers and brands. Prior to his role at Sophelle, Chris led technology and data transformations for diverse retail companies including J. Jill, Alex and Ani, and Christ ..read more

The retail media juggernaut is showing no signs of slowing down as retailers seize the opportunity to monetize first-party consumer data. Payments media networks (PMNs) are emerging as the next frontier, extending the reach of CPG advertising while revolutionizing the loyalty landscape. From empowering CPG brands to connect with millions of banking customers to providing loyalty benefits for shoppers and top-of-wallet status for banks, PMNs are reshaping the retail advertising ecosystem in profound ways. As president of SnippMedia, Tom Burgess is leveraging his years of digital advertising and ..read more

Clienteling has evolved from a cumbersome, manual hustle reserved for high-end brands into an accessible, scalable retail tactic. To take full advantage, retailers need to let go of old ways of thinking about store productivity and the crucial new roles store associates play.  Carol’s guest, Casey Drake, is the VP of Sales for Endear, a retail CRM and clienteling platform that hits the sweet spot where high tech drives high touch experiences. Casey is a self-described “sales and customer service nerd” who brings a fresh and timely perspective on the future of customer engagement.  Th ..read more

Retailers are diversifying into new channels, business models, and touchpoints and in-store experience is taking center stage once again. In this environment, human resources emerges as a new frontier. Previously siloed and unsung, HR professionals are now poised to be at the forefront of retail transformation, defining the new ways of working that will drive retail forward. Roz Johnson’s role as SVP and chief people officer for Build-A-Bear Workshop represents the culmination of a career spent listening and encouraging people to be their best for recognized retailers including American Eagle ..read more

Retailers and brands know that attracting a diverse workforce and consumer base is critical to their future. Yet, casting a wider net without phoning it in has never been more challenging.  As chief consulting officer and executive producer for The Equity Project, Monica Williams is a powerful voice and a true thought leader in the equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) space. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded assessment, strategic planning, and implementation projects that drive equitable outcomes and quantifiable results. She is passionate about creating a culture of equity and ..read more

Sales in discretionary categories are soft, the hype surrounding direct-to-consumer brands is dulling, and achieving E-commerce profitability remains elusive. Against this backdrop, SuitShop emerges as a triple threat.  SuitShop is a thriving direct-to-consumer, E-commerce company specializing in discretionary goods that people aren’t used to buying. Co-founder Diana Ganz is a fervent advocate for delivering exceptional customer experiences and personally ensuring results that defy industry standards. In this episode, Diana shares insights into how she and her partner have broken through ..read more

The one-two punch of Q2 earnings reports from Walmart and Target is always a harbinger of retail’s health as Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the make-or-break holiday season loom. Yet the daylight between these power players keeps getting brighter. Increasingly direct comparisons between Walmart and Target do a disservice to both as their priorities, capabilities, and business models diverge. Carol Spieckerman teases out uncommon takeaways from this second quarter double feature, highlighting the growing differences that now set Walmart and Target apart. Episode highlights: ·      ..read more

Big money. Massive margins. Exponential reach. It’s no wonder retail media has emerged as retailers’ top platform monetization play. Opportunities will hit new heights as in-store digitization accelerates and new touchpoints are energized. Brandcrush CEO, Teresa Aprile returns to the show joined by Criteo’s general manager of global enterprise, Sherry Smith, to share exciting updates on retail media’s next revolution as the companies join forces. Join Carol and this dynamic duo as they explore the powerful possibilities that will be unleashed as new in-store, out-of-store, and online assets ar ..read more

A new breed of retail chain emerged in the 80s that spelled a last hurrah for brick & mortar before the digital floodgates opened in the 90s. Bigger than a specialty store yet smaller than a supercenter, category killers offered every size, style, and color imaginable, all in one place, and at nice prices. Suburban expansion, supply chain leaps, and global communications advances added momentum. Then came Amazon and its wake of digital competitors, slaying niches without mercy. A recent wave of retail bankruptcies attests to how lack of diversification has become deadly trap. Category kill ..read more

 Walmart’s Windy City wind-down and portfolio purges, Bed Bath & Beyond going bust, retail returns resets, “free” shipping surges…It’s been a newsy couple of weeks in retail to say the least! In this lightning-round episode, Carol claps back at the clickbait and sets the record straight on retail’s buzziest stories.  You’ll learn: ·      How retailers’ latest returns schemes might (finally) make the math work. ·      Why shipping perks are a gateway drug for diversified retailers. ·      How crime is crashing retailers’ big city dreams ..read more