In this episode, Wendy Liebmann, WSL’s CEO and Chief Shopper talks to Mara Sipzener, General Manager of Loyalty at CVS Pharmacy about what’s driving all the recent activity and upgrades to retail loyalty programs.   They discuss: What shoppers expect to be loyal today Why CVS, Walmart, Target Bath & Body Works, and others have upgraded their programs recently How loyalty programs need to focus on not only delivering affordability (discounts) but also convenience and personalization How the new shopper journey (and all the many touchpoints) needs to be part of a meaningful program Be ..read more

Wendy Liebmann, WSL’s CEO and Chief Shopper and Justin Honaman, Head of Worldwide Retail & CPG, GTM & Segment Leader for Food & Beverages for Amazon Web Services, continue discussions about emerging technology and the implications for the future of retail. They discuss:  How quickly companies are integrating generative AI into operating systems Efficiency plays that are delivering better access to information and images faster The intense focus on stores and how new technologies are impacting in-store experience, through physical store technology  The implications for l ..read more

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Craig Dubitsky, founder of Happy™ products, about his recent launch of Happy™ Coffee, his partnership with Robert Downey Jr., and how philanthropy is embedded in reinventing the category at retail.  They discuss: What it takes to be a serial entrepreneur (a clue: it’s being obsessed with people) How to disrupt massive, CPG categories, including home care, lip care, oral care and now coffee Building a unique business model based on bringing happiness to everyday categories at affordable prices Finding the right retailers who understand and can arti ..read more

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to WSL Retail Strategy Consultant, Elia Auchane, and Retail Innovation Manager, Allie Chilicki, about curating a Retail Safari® at the inaugural Cosmoprof Miami event.  And the power of connecting in store and on the convention floor. They discuss: A behind-the-scenes view to customizing the perfect Retail Safari®  Best-in-class retailers in the Latin-inspired Miami market The power of people to build emotional engagement at retail, at Nike and at Aesop How Amazon and Ulta unlocked the challenges of doing business today The excitement of seeing ..read more

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Alex Gourlay, Executive Chair of Holland & Barrett, the UK’s leading wellness retailer, and formerly Executive Vice President and Co-Chief Operating Officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance, and President of Walgreens about the future of health care retailing.  They discuss: The generational opportunities in health care (from food to pharmacy) How younger people are much more proactive in taking care of their health, and how longevity means opportunity to support older people with solutions for a continued healthy life  The power of the pharma ..read more

In this Cloud Chat episode, Wendy Liebmann, WSL’s CEO and Chief Shopper and Justin Honaman, Head of Worldwide Retail & CPG, GTM & Segment Leader for Food & Beverages for Amazon Web Services, continue Cloud Chat, a short, sharp take on emerging technology and the implications for the future of retail. They discuss: The year ahead: the yin and yang of the economy, technology and how companies – and shoppers -- are responding, and will How slow some companies have been to respond to personalization. The urgency to test generative AI and its power to enhance customer experience, and ..read more

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Maly Bernstein, CEO, Bluemercury, the luxury specialty beauty retailer, about her vision for the future of beauty retail and how her strategy is coming to life neighborhood by neighborhood. They discuss: What makes Bluemercury shoppers unique  The focus on personalized skincare – both products and services  The importance of new categories and private brands  The new store format, with its “modern residential” focus, in-store service bars, master classes and other events that are driving shopper engagement and loyalty How wellness is del ..read more

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to WSL’s president Candace Corlett about the latest How America Shops® research that reveals how Americans are feeling (not happy), and what that means for 2024 and beyond (challenging).  They discuss: How shoppers see the challenges for their standard of living in 2024, and what they plan to do about it.   The lack of innovation that leaves shoppers wanting – with little inspiration to pay more. Where shoppers will actually spend more in 2024 – categories, services and retail experiences. There are some. New ways shoppers are defining convenien ..read more

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann, WSL’s CEO and Chief Shopper and Justin Honaman, Head of Worldwide Consumer Goods at AWS, continue Cloud Chat, a short, sharp, sometimes provocative take on emerging technology and the implications for the future of retail.   They discuss:   The holiday season – binge or bust – and implications for 2024 What’s up – and down – with Generative AI E-commerce and creating a more flexible platform Soon-to-be-revealed AI use cases from brands and retailers All in 10 minutes or less. Visit our website for transcripts and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate u ..read more

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Muriel Gonzalez, President, The Vitamin Shoppe about how the pandemic brought her out of retirement to lead the transformation of street corner vitamin shop into a model of 21st century wellness. They discuss: The keys to transforming a store for fitness jocks into one for anyone on a wellness journey How to manage fast-emerging categories and products in the health and wellness space, from hydration to sports fitness, from menopause to immunity Working with young entrepreneurs and the power of influencers and social media The importance of the “health ..read more