Episodes
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Mars, Inc. has embarked on a digital transformation that encompasses ecommerce experience and in-store activation. Throughout this journey, which began with the M&MâS brand, the company has successfully embraced experience innovation that has composable technology and agile processes at the center of it all.
During this episode of Retail Remix, Kyle Barz of Mars, Inc., shares how he helped drive this new era for the business alongside Casper Rasmussen and the Valtech team. Together they break down:
What inspired Mars to begin its transformation journey, and the challenges that Kyle and his team had to tackle early on to ensure success; How composable technology accelerates innovation and empowers teams to better spot and respond to new business opportunities; and The end-to-end transformation process for M&MâS, including the lessons that will be applied for other brands.RELATED LINKS
See the original case studyLearn more about ValtechLearn more about MarsConnect with Casper and Kyle on LinkedIn -
You may think shopping online for a car (especially a used car) is overwhelming, even frustrating. But Jim Lyski is trying to change that.
As EVP and Chief Growth & Strategy Officer for CarMax, Jim has helped drive the companyâs AI efforts, which span various touch points and all stages of the buying journey. Listen to get details into how CarMax is:
Evolving its value proposition to align with the new needs and expectations of consumers; Investing in chat agents that provide proactive and reactive support to shoppers;Creating opportunities for virtual, high-touch discovery and customization; and Embedding personalization into the entire journey.RELATED LINKS
Learn more about CarMaxSee CarMax coverage on Retail TouchPointsDownload the ultimate guide to Gen AI -
Episodes manquant?
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Livestreaming was said to completely transform retail as we knew it. A commerce staple in Asia, experts claimed it was only a matter of time before it took the west by storm.
Although the hype cycle has slowed, companies like Orca are working to turn livestreaming and social commerce into highly effective and scalable sales channels. During this weekâs Retail Remix, Orca co-founders Max Benator and Lauren Stevens share:
How their TV roots inspired the mission and vision for Orca;Details on the Orca business model and how the company supports both brands and creators; Why brands like e.l.f. Beauty, Samsung and Zappos are working with Orca to level up their social commerce strategies; andHow they are thinking about the evolution of AI and its role in content creation.RELATED LINKS
Learn more about OrcaGet the scoop on Orcaâs SoCom eventRead the latest content on all things social commerce -
Over the past year, retail executives have had to navigate many forces: the rise of disruptive tech like generative AI, ever-changing consumer spending patterns and economic volatility.
How did these and other issues drive C-level decision-making? And at the end of the day, what really kept retail leaders up at night? To find out how all this impacted retail leader's strategies this year, we went straight to the source at three top brands. Listen to hear executives from BaubleBar, Boisson and Sloomoo Institute discuss:
How to balance strategic vision and tactical execution;Challenges with growing and scaling a business; Tips for fostering a culture of innovation; andHow to maintain your brandâs position as a category leader or disruptor.RELATED LINKS
Learn more about Boissonâs journeyGet more details on BaubleBarâs expansion strategyExplore Sloomoo Instituteâs newest location in LA -
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 brandâs store design and experiential approach. She shares:
How the Anthropologie physical environment has had to evolve with the brandâs 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 TouchPointsâ latest coverage on Anthropologie -
User-generated content (UGC) has become central to brandsâ marketing and customer experience strategies over the past decade. But as social channels and trends have evolved, so too have brandsâ methods for collecting, amplifying and monetizing their UGC.
In August 2024, the FTC issued a formal ban on fake reviews and testimonials â an effort designed to prevent businesses from purchasing and âgrowth hackingâ 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 companyâs latest Channel Mix StudyGet more details from Bazaarvoiceâs 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 -
The payment experience has always been considered a ânecessary evilâ for ecommerce sites. Thereâs 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 weekâs 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 PayPalâs retail offeringsGet details on how BigCommerce is helping merchants offer FastLane by PayPal on their sitesDownload Retail TouchPointsâ deep-dive report on the payment experience -
Marci Zaroff coined the term âECOfashionâ 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 marketâs evolution and the work that still needs to be done.
During this episode of Retail Remix, Marci shares:
Her vision for âECOfashionâ 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 sheâs 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 RetailWireâs BrainTrust, a Rethink Retail Top Industry Influencer, and part of Kynrylâs 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 Brandonâs holiday predictionsLearn more about KyndrylCheck out other industry expertsâ 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 companyâs inception, if at all;How VICI helped shape the âInstagram Brandâ model; The distinct role that influencers and creators play in driving marketing and new product creation; andHow the âmeme-ificationâ of marketing is making standing out harder for brands.
Learn more about VICISee Retail TouchPointsâ latest coverage on all things social commerce
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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 theyâve applied them to their 2024 partnership.RELATED LINKS
See details on the 2023 partnership between Dollar General and BayerLearn more about Dollar Generalâs commitment to offering fresh produce in storesDownload Dollar Generalâs âServing Othersâ 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, weâre 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 whatâs 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 Tableâs digital business, from digital marketing to the brandâs 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 Tableâs 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 customersâ 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 Feedonomicsâ 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.
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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 sheâs 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 âgood for youâ brands to enter physical retail; Embraced local events and community activations to drive foot traffic and engagement; Designed a âtest-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.
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Learn more about The Goods MartConnect with Rachel Krupa on LinkedIn -
The streaming era isnât just giving households one-click access to a seemingly endless supply of content; itâs 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 weekâs Retail Remix episode, weâre 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 whatâs new and whatâs 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.
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Learn more about Roku AdvertisingLearn more about Walgreens Advertising GroupSee Retail TouchPointsâ coverage of this session -
Consumers want to make more thoughtful decisions about what and how they buy. They donât 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 NestlĂ© Purina PetCareâs vision and launch of Purina ONE DualNature. Gabriella Herrera joins a dynamic conversation with Andrew Hovells, whoâs with the brandâs 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 NestlĂ© 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 whatâs new and whatâs 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 portfolioConnect with Gabriella and Andrew on LinkedIn
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Have you ever walked into such a beautiful store, you couldnât mutter another word other than, âdangâ? Well, that was Nicki Gitlinâs 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 âintersecting architecture and interaction with daily life,â including the unique attributes of a space. During this weekâs Retail Remix, Nicki shares:
What she believes makes a âdangâ-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 industryâs most buzzy brands, from Kith to Billionaire Boys Club.Want to dig deeper into whatâs new and whatâs 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.
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Learn more about DangConnect with Nicki on LinkedInGet the latest store design news and trend insights at Design:Retail - Montre plus
