Episodes

  • Anthropologie has developed a truly distinct in-store experience; one that evokes emotional attachment and inspires discovery. How does the brand achieve this as it grows across formats, markets and even into digital channels?

    During this episode of Retail Remix, Mindy Massey, Global Executive Director of Retail for Anthropologie, shares how her growth and evolution within the company has helped her shape the brand’s store design and experiential approach. She shares:

    How the Anthropologie physical environment has had to evolve with the brand’s growth into different markets; Why cross-category curation is key to driving in-store engagement and delight; How the team balances digital connectivity and savviness with the entertainment value of physical stores; How her team collaborates with marketing on shaping pop-up environments; and Ways to use data across store formats and territories to refine and optimize store investments.

    RELATED LINKS

    Follow Mindy on LinkedInSee Retail TouchPoints’ latest coverage on Anthropologie
  • User-generated content (UGC) has become central to brands’ marketing and customer experience strategies over the past decade. But as social channels and trends have evolved, so too have brands’ methods for collecting, amplifying and monetizing their UGC.

    In August 2024, the FTC issued a formal ban on fake reviews and testimonials — an effort designed to prevent businesses from purchasing and “growth hacking” inaccurate, malicious or misleading content. During this episode of Retail Remix, Bazaarvoice CMO Zarina Stanford digs into:

    Why new policies were needed as the social media landscape evolved and expanded; How some businesses monetized, even weaponized, UGC for their own gain, and what the new ruling means for this gray area of the web; What brands can do to comply with new guidelines, and how they need to adapt their UGC strategies moving forward; andThe unknown ways brands could be misleading consumers with UGC, and what they can do to course correct.

    RELATED LINKS

    Learn more about BazaarvoiceDownload the company’s latest Channel Mix StudyGet more details from Bazaarvoice’s authenticity researchRead the article outlining the new ban on fake reviews and testimonials See all the latest coverage on FTC cases and rulingsConnect with Zarina on LinkedIn
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  • The payment experience has always been considered a “necessary evil” for ecommerce sites. There’s information merchants need to accept, validate and fulfill online orders.

    But now, technology is turning the payment experience into an opportunity for differentiation. During this week’s Retail Remix, two executives embedded in this exciting new world of payment share their thoughts on:

    What consumers actually expect from the checkout phase of the online shopping journey; How the rise of mobile wallets, accelerated checkout tools and BNPL has set new standards for success; How merchants can best align their current ecommerce experiences with consumer needs to identify key ways to improve; and Why tech players across the ecommerce ecosystem, including BigCommerce and PayPal, are coming together to drive innovation in payments.

    RELATED LINKS

    Learn more about BigCommerce conversion solutionsLearn more about PayPal’s retail offeringsGet details on how BigCommerce is helping merchants offer FastLane by PayPal on their sitesDownload Retail TouchPoints’ deep-dive report on the payment experience
  • Marci Zaroff coined the term “ECOfashion” in 1995 and has spent decades driving meaningful conversations and tangible change in the fashion industry. Nearly three decades later, she is reflecting on the market’s evolution and the work that still needs to be done.

    During this episode of Retail Remix, Marci shares:

    Her vision for “ECOfashion” and how she believed it would influence the way all players in fashion and retail collaborate; How evolving consumer behaviors, including their love for resale and more ethical brands, is driving urgency among the C-suite; The making and growth of ECOfashion Corp, and how she’s won the support of Nigel Barker, Hilary Swank and other industry superstars; and New innovations in sustainable fashion, sparked by collaborations with Universal Music Group and other adjacent organizations.

    RELATED LINKS

    Learn more about ECOfashion CorpConnect with Marci on LinkedInRead Retail TouchPoints' latest content on sustainability
  • Brandon Rael has decades of retail industry experience. As a member of RetailWire’s BrainTrust, a Rethink Retail Top Industry Influencer, and part of Kynryl’s consulting team, his daily focus is keeping pace with the new trends driving the retail industry forward.

    So who would be a better person than Brandon to dig into holiday trends and predictions? During this episode of Retail Remix, he shares:

    The critical role that social commerce will play in driving product awareness and conversions; How retailers can optimize their marketing and promotions strategies to maximize revenue; and Why personalization and curation are both critical for standing out and setting a foundation for loyalty.

    RELATED LINKS

    Connect with Brandon on LinkedInRead this article featuring Brandon’s holiday predictionsLearn more about KyndrylCheck out other industry experts’ holiday predictions
  • VICI was founded in 2012, when women were looking for trendy, high-quality fashions on a relatively new platform called Instagram, but were extra wary of their spending. With consumers now in a very similar headspace, it is an optimal time for Co-founder and Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer Aimee Dudum Colorado to reflect on how the business has evolved.

    During this episode, Aimee chats with host Alicia Esposito about:

    How the mission and values of VICI have evolved since the company’s inception, if at all;How VICI helped shape the “Instagram Brand” model; The distinct role that influencers and creators play in driving marketing and new product creation; andHow the “meme-ification” of marketing is making standing out harder for brands.


    RELATED LINKS

    Learn more about VICISee Retail TouchPoints’ latest coverage on all things social commerce
  • To identify new collaborative opportunities, retailers should focus on their distinct business values and how they translate into serving specific customers and communities. That is how Dollar General was able to turn its commitment to supporting households into a successful multi-year partnership with Bayer.

    For this special episode of Retail Remix, Allen Warch, VP of Food & Fresh Merchandising at Dollar General, gets behind the mic with Jenny Maloney, Global-Americas Strategic Accounts Manager at Bayer, to discuss:

    How both companies serve local communities by providing access to fresh fruit and vegetables;Why the commitment to feeding communities inspired a new partnership surrounding National School Lunch Week; andThe lessons both companies learned in 2023 and how they’ve applied them to their 2024 partnership.

    RELATED LINKS

    See details on the 2023 partnership between Dollar General and BayerLearn more about Dollar General’s commitment to offering fresh produce in storesDownload Dollar General’s “Serving Others” report to see how the retailer is serving local communities
  • If you want to create store experiences that are not only engaging, but truly immersive, storytelling should be your central design strategy.

    American Girl is one brand that has taken storytelling to the next level, creating realms where imaginations flourish and brand narratives are celebrated. For this episode of Retail Remix, we’re replaying a session from the Retail Innovation Conference & Expo, where Kristina Duncan, Creative Executive at American Girl, and Ted Galperin, Partner & Director of Retail Design at creative studio Mythology, shared how executives can:

    Explore, imagine or reimagine their brand story; Harness what’s happening in pop culture to deliver a highly relevant and curated retail environment; and Identify the right partners to bring their physical storytelling to life.

    RELATED LINKS

    Learn more about American GirlLearn more about MythologyGet more insights on how to design spaces for kidsSubscribe to Design:Retail for more retail design trends and insights
  • Rachel Frederick oversees various aspects of Sur La Table’s digital business, from digital marketing to the brand’s direct-to-consumer ecommerce site, fraud prevention and even fulfillment offerings.

    To ensure Sur La Table creates experiences that meet and exceed customer expectations, Rachel and her team rely heavily on customer data. During this episode of Retail Remix, Rachel discusses how audience insights have helped the brand:

    Adopt new fulfillment offerings and experiences, such as Amazon Today; Understand Sur La Table’s key differentiators to strike the perfect balance between high-quality service and convenience; and Embrace a more collaborative, multi-disciplinary culture within the organization.

    RELATED LINKS

    Learn more about Sur la TableConnect with Rachel Frederick on LinkedIn
  • Merchants of all sizes and across categories have heard the call: to survive in an era of heightened expectations, they must empower consumers to buy anytime, anywhere and in any way they want. And oh yeah, they have to get those products to customers’ doorsteps faster.

    Companies like Feedonomics are making it a reality by ensuring product data is accurate, compelling and integrated across all platforms, from marketplaces to social apps. During this episode of Retail Remix, Alicia Esposito sits down with Sharon Gee, SVP of Sales and Partnerships at Feedonomics, to discuss:

    The evolution of omnichannel and how new platforms like TikTok Shop are making the landscape more complex; The challenges brands are facing as they try to keep pace with the proliferation of new commerce experiences, and why data is central to success; and What instant commerce really is and how Feedonomics is powering it by partnering with Amazon Today.

    RELATED LINKS

    Learn more about FeedonomicsRead about Feedonomics’ partnership with Amazon Today Get more details on Instant CommerceSee more coverage featuring Feedonomics and BigCommerce
  • For his latest book, Gary Hawkins wanted to explore the gap between technology's rapid evolution and retailers' slow adoption of it. With Bionic Retail: How to Thrive in an Exponential World, he identifies what's holding retailers back, and how they can adapt their systems, processes and cultures to embrace innovation.

    During this Retail ThinkTank Ideation Session, Hawkins explores what's happening in retail today...and what's possible in the future, from in-store retail media to wearable commerce. Listen to get a peek into the conversation, and click the link below to watch the full episode.


    Click here to watch the Retail ThinkTank Ideation Session

  • The beauty and wellness industries are brimming with new trends and growth opportunities. Yuriy Boykiv and his team at Front Row are focused on helping brands in these dynamic markets adapt, innovate and drive growth.

    During this episode of Retail Remix, Yuriy outlines:

    How the growth of marketplaces has created new challenges for smaller brands; Why social commerce may reach a tipping point, especially for beauty and skincare brands; Ways brands can harness trend and behavioral data to figure out their next move; and
    The key traits of a successful, high-growth brand.

    Ramping up your holiday plans? Register for the Retail Strategy & Planning series to get tactical tips and best practices to drive your Q4 and holiday season success.

    RELATED LINKS

    Learn more about Front RowConnect with Yuriy Boykiv on LinkedIn
  • Bodegas are a fixture in local communities and large cities alike. Rachel Krupa has her own fond memories of local corner stores, which is why she’s leveraging her deep CPG experience to reimagine and elevate the experience.

    During this episode of Retail Remix, Rachel provides insight into why she founded The Goods Mart, and how she has:

    Created a distinct space for “good for you” brands to enter physical retail; Embraced local events and community activations to drive foot traffic and engagement; Designed a “test-and-learn" model that drives collaboration with CPG brand partners; and Identified new opportunities for brands to differentiate and grow through retail.

    Ramping up your holiday plans? Register for the Retail Strategy & Planning series to get tactical tips and best practices to drive your Q4 and holiday season success.

    RELATED LINKS

    Learn more about The Goods MartConnect with Rachel Krupa on LinkedIn
  • The streaming era isn’t just giving households one-click access to a seemingly endless supply of content; it’s enabling brands and retailers to deliver relevant and impactful advertising to target consumers, making media moments shoppable.

    Walgreens Advertising Group is capitalizing on this opportunity by testing new connected TV (CTV) advertising offerings through Roku. For this week’s Retail Remix episode, we’re replaying a session from the Retail Innovation Conference & Expo featuring Caitlin McKnight of Roku and Katie Vogt of Walgreens, who shared:

    The most important steps for retailers to test and learn TV-driven sales;How to use retail media networks (RMNs) to enhance TV campaigns; andBest practices for calls-to-action and products to promote.

    Want to dig deeper into what’s new and what’s next in retail? Subscribe to the Retail ThinkTank hub to get exclusive access to high-value content on the emerging trends poised to shape the future of the industry.

    RELATED LINKS

    Learn more about Roku AdvertisingLearn more about Walgreens Advertising GroupSee Retail TouchPoints’ coverage of this session
  • Consumers want to make more thoughtful decisions about what and how they buy. They don’t want to just minimize their environmental impact, though. They also want to purchase high-quality goods that are good for them and the individuals they love. Yes, that even includes their pets.

    During this episode of Retail Remix, we explore Nestlé Purina PetCare’s vision and launch of Purina ONE DualNature. Gabriella Herrera joins a dynamic conversation with Andrew Hovells, who’s with the brand’s key agency partner, Live & Breathe, to discuss:

    How sustainability is influencing purchase behaviors across categories;The distinct nuances of pet parents and what they really look for in brand marketing and product development;How Nestlé Purina PetCare effectively balances the scientific and emotional aspects of communicating the value of high-quality, sustainable products; and Lessons from the initial launch, and how the brand plans to evolve its omnichannel engagement approach moving forward.

    Want to dig deeper into what’s new and what’s next in retail? Subscribe to the Retail ThinkTank hub to get exclusive access to high-value content on the emerging trends poised to shape the future of the industry.

    RELATED LINKS

    Learn more about Live & BreatheExplore the Nestlé Purina PetCare portfolio

    Connect with Gabriella and Andrew on LinkedIn

  • Have you ever walked into such a beautiful store, you couldn’t mutter another word other than, “dang”? Well, that was Nicki Gitlin’s inspiration when the time came to name her design and architecture business.

    With years of hands-on experience, including a stint at Theory when she designed stores worldwide, she focuses on “intersecting architecture and interaction with daily life,” including the unique attributes of a space. During this week’s Retail Remix, Nicki shares:

    What she believes makes a “dang”-worthy space;How her experience at Theory helped her identify her unique approach to designing store spaces; Ways to tap into the distinct features of a space, from lighting to materials, to create a space that shines; and Lessons from working with some of the industry’s most buzzy brands, from Kith to Billionaire Boys Club.

    Want to dig deeper into what’s new and what’s next in retail? Subscribe to the Retail ThinkTank hub to get exclusive access to high-value content on the emerging trends poised to shape the future of the industry.

    RELATED LINKS

    Learn more about DangConnect with Nicki on LinkedInGet the latest store design news and trend insights at Design:Retail
  • More than half of U.S. shoppers are concerned with the quality and legitimacy of the product discovery channels they use most, according to research from Reddit. And yes, that includes social media.

    That is why, rather than relying solely on social media ratings and reviews, brands need to connect with consumers in context, according to Bob Ferdman, Reddit’s Head of Retail.

    During this week’s Retail Remix, we’re replaying a panel session from the Retail Innovation Conference & Expo, where Bob sat down with three executives from The Home Depot, Altra Running and PMG Advertising Agency to discuss:

    What contextual commerce means to them;How the innate design and experience of Reddit inspires authentic conversations and commerce moments;Campaign strategies and advertising formats that resonate most; andMeasuring impact and value of contextual commerce and advertising.

    Want to dig deeper into what’s new and what’s next in retail? Subscribe to the Retail ThinkTank hub to get exclusive access to high-value content on the emerging trends poised to shape the future of the industry.

    RELATED LINKS

    Learn more about RedditSee our coverage of this session in the Retail ThinkTankConnect with Bob Ferdman on LinkedIn
  • Although some use the words “membership” and “subscription” interchangeably, 64% of consumers believe there is a distinct difference in these types of programs.

    But what do consumers really expect from these commerce experiences? Retail TouchPoints and CI&T collaborated on a survey of 1,000+ consumers to find out. Melissa Minkow, author of the report, sits down with host Alicia Esposito to dig into some of the report’s key takeaways, including:

    How consumers differentiate membership models from subscription models; Which categories are seeing the most traction and why; How the economy is influencing the number of membership programs to which they subscribe; and The triggers that drive consumers to register (or leave) a membership program.

    RELATED LINKS

    Learn more about CI&T Download a copy of Building a Membership Model That ResonatesConnect with Melissa on Linkedin
  • Rebekah Kondrat has worked for brands known (and loved) for their incredible store experiences: Apple, Starbucks and Warby Parker, among others. She has taken these experiences to start Rekon Retail, a company that helps brands scale their retail operations and set them up for long-term success.

    During this RetailThinkTank Ideation Session, host Alicia Esposito sits down with Kondrat to discuss the keys to a successful store operation and how Rekon Retail is helping brands like Olfactory and M.M.LaFleur scale their brick-and-mortar strategies to new consumers and new cities.

    Click here to watch the Retail ThinkTank Ideation Session.

  • Milani Cosmetics has been around for more than 20 years. And although plenty of beauty trends have come and gone in that time, the brand has maintained relevance and even acquired new customers by staying true to its core value props — and its distinct marketing approach.

    During this episode of Retail Remix, we’re replaying an episode of Experience Insiders featuring Milani Cosmetics Chief Marketing Officer Jeremy Lowenstein. During their discussion, Jeremy and host Alicia Esposito dig into:

    How Milani Cosmetics has continued to make luxury beauty products accessible and inclusive for all;Tips for balancing fundamental values (like inclusivity) and more creative marketing tactics to stand out across channels; andLessons from some of Milani Cosmetics’ most successful campaigns, such as one recent TikTok-driven initiative for its Fruit Fetish Lip Oil.

    Want to dig deeper into what’s new and what’s next in retail? Subscribe to the Retail ThinkTank hub to get exclusive access to high-value content on the emerging trends poised to shape the future of the industry.

    RELATED LINKS

    Learn more about Milani CosmeticsGet the details on the brand’s latest campaignConnect with Jeremy on LinkedIn