The difference between the customer journey and the customer experience (CX) is extremely important to understand. Of equal importance, is being able to tie the two together. How do retailers accomplish this? And what value can be unlocked by doing so? Tune into this episode where Robert Brown, National Digital Leader for Retail and Consumer Products at BDO USA, answers these important questions.
May 22, 2023•5 min•Season 1Ep. 133
What is a dynamic shopping experience? Why is implementing this so important for retailers? And what is the value proposition in creating these experiences for consumers? Tune into this episode where we are once again joined by Robert Brown, National Digital Leader for Retail and Consumer Products at BDO USA, who explains how the advancements in technology are leading to better data collection and more innovative ways of employing that data.
May 15, 2023•4 min•Season 1Ep. 132
What exactly is an NFT? And how can they be leveraged to improve a company's digital presence and build relationships with consumers? Tune into this episode to hear Robert Brown, National Digital Leader for Retail and Consumer Products at BDO USA, explain the value proposition of NFTs for retailers looking to take their brand virtual.
May 08, 2023•4 min•Season 1Ep. 131
Now that the Metaverse has been around for a bit, have brands changed the way they are leveraging this important platform? Are there any lessons to be learned from retailers who have activated in the virtual world? In this episode we are joined by Robert Brown, National Digital Leader for Retail and Consumer Products at BDO USA, to discuss just how rapidly the virtual world is evolving and the trends to watch out for.
May 01, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 130
Headlines as of late are reporting mass talent shortages across a variety of industries. But is there a talent shortage happening in the retail industry? How can retailers circumvent the negative impacts this issue may bring? Tune into this episode where Ross Forman, Managing Director in the Workplace Operations & Strategy Group at BDO USA, speaks with us about this very important topic.
Apr 24, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 129
Resale has been steadily gaining momentum in some unusual categories. In this episode we dive into some of the staggering growth statistics we've been tracking over the last few years, delve into why consumers are shifting their spending to the resale market, and discuss some ways retailers can win back the consumer's attention and wallet.
Apr 14, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 128
We’re seeing a shift in the types of clothes that consumers are purchasing as of late, with more business attire flying off the shelves at a lot of retailers. But business attire doesn't look quite the same as it did pre-pandemic. Could there be a new business attire category on the market? Tune into this episode where James McNamara, Partner in Core Tax Services at BDO USA, speaks with us about one of the bigger fads we've seen emerge in post-pandemic times.
Apr 10, 2023•4 min•Season 1Ep. 127
How does 2023 compare to 2022 when it comes to retail bankruptcy filings and store closures? Are certain segments in a better position than others? What will the impact of excess inventory be on the financial outlook for the rest of the year? Tune into this episode to hear what David Berliner, Partner & National Leader of Business Restructuring at BDO USA, thinks is in store for the industry as we move full steam ahead into 2023.
Apr 03, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 126
BNPL is great for consumers and has taken off in recent years, but is it viable for retailers? What economic factors and risks need to be taken into consideration when determining whether to offer it as a payment option? In this episode we examine why BNPL has become so popular with consumers, and discuss the growing risks retailers are taking on in today's economy in order to spur big ticket item sales.
Mar 08, 2023•5 min•Season 1Ep. 125
Are retailers across the globe facing the same challenges as we are stateside? What do we stand to learn from retailers in the UK, who may be taking a different strategy to address shared issues? Are there potential hurdles on the horizon our counterparts have a head start on overcoming? Listen in to the very first episode of 60-second Retail - International Edition, where we are joined by Laura McNaughton, Consumer Brands M&A Partner for BDO UK, to do a side-by-side comparison of the U.K. a...
Mar 08, 2023•11 min•Season 1Ep. 124
What retail sector is speeding ahead in the digital innovation race and how are they doing this? What can you borrow from these digital gurus to strengthen your own digital transformation strategy? Tune in to this episode of our 60-second Retail podcast, as Robert Brown, National Digital Leader for Retail and Consumer Products at BDO USA, discusses some of the more interesting findings from the 2023 Retail CFO Outlook Survey, and why digital innovation shouldn’t take a back seat even in these mo...
Feb 27, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 123
How are Retail CFOs planning to deal with the fallout from supply chain strains that have left them at times with not enough inventory, and at other times too much? What vulnerabilities can be negated simply by going back to the basics with your supply chain strategy? In this episode of our 60-second Retail podcast, Ted Vaughan, Assurance Managing Partner and Retail and Consumer Products Leader of the Southwest region at BDO USA, unveils some of the key findings from the 2023 Retail CFO Outlook ...
Feb 20, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 122
Why are retailers planning to take on debt even in the face of a potential recession? Who are the most vulnerable retailers as the economic volatility continues? How can retailers build resiliency in the year ahead? In this episode of our 60-second Retail podcast, David Berliner, Partner & National Leader of Business Restructuring at BDO USA, talks about some of the 2023 Retail CFO Outlook Survey findings and what it might mean for the retail sector in the year ahead.
Feb 13, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 121
The U.S. college enrollment fell for the 3rd consecutive year since the pandemic, and there has been a drop in high school graduation in many states. How does this "backlash against education" impact the retail industry? Can retailers turn this into an opportunity to attract talent? Tune in to hear why Ross Forman, Managing Director in the Workplace Operations & Strategy Group at BDO USA, is keeping a close eye on these troubling trends.
Jan 30, 2023•5 min•Season 1Ep. 120
With the retail partnership space rapidly evolving, there's a new hybrid format that’s taking off. Big box retailers are renting out retail space in their stores to small businesses. Is this a good strategy for retailers to consider when looking for new ways to expand business? What benefits does it bring to the consumer? Tune into this episode where Ross Forman, Managing Director in the Workplace Operations & Strategy Group at BDO USA, explains why this may be a highly beneficial partnershi...
Jan 23, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 119
Why has the retail industry seen so many corporate job cuts over the last few months? How does this move reconcile with the need to create an employee experience that keeps them happy, engaged and invested in the company? Listen in to this episode to hear what Ross Forman, Managing Director in the Workplace Operations & Strategy Group at BDO USA, thinks is going on, and what retailers need to do continue to attract and retain talent with corporate cuts underway.
Jan 17, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 118
With shipping charges decreasing on the international front, and last-mile delivery companies announcing poor performance predictions on the domestic front, what's really going on with the retail supply chain? In this episode we are joined by R.J. Romano, Managing Director, Business Advisory Services & Supply Chain Advisory Practice Leader at BDO USA, who helps us sort through all the mixed signals.
Jan 09, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 117
How can retailers use extra inventory to lower their total taxable income? What tax benefits might there be for a retailer who chooses to donate excess inventory? Tune into this episode where James McNamara, Partner in Core Tax Services at BDO USA, lays out some considerations for retailers when determining the best way to manage excess inventory.
Jan 04, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 116
Now that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has been rolled out with a new book minimum tax in place, are there any implications that retailers need to be aware of? Tune into this episode to hear why John Marquardt, Central Tax Regional Managing Partner at BDO USA thinks this is a very unusual move for the IRS to make.
Jan 02, 2023•5 min•Season 1Ep. 115
Are consumers so programmed to see price increases that another uptick in shrinkflation doesn’t even matter? Can retailers double down with increased prices AND product modifications? Tune into this episode where Ted Vaughan, Partner and Southwest Regional Retail Leader at BDO USA, gives us his thoughts on how retailers can best navigate the impacts of shrinkflation.
Dec 19, 2022•6 min•Season 1Ep. 114
Many retailers have been testing a variety of pre-holiday sales formats well in advance of the typical holiday shopping season - including Amazon, Target and Walmart. Were any of these retailers able to spur consumer spending ahead of time? Tune into this episode where we examine whether the pre-holiday sales were a strategic success or a bust.
Nov 30, 2022•5 min•Season 1Ep. 113
With a 4th interest rate hike approved just before the holidays, what impacts can retailers expect? What is the macroeconomic effect of companies borrowing with interest rates going up? Tune into this episode to hear what David Berliner, Partner & National Leader of Business Restructuring at BDO USA thinks the ramifications are, and what retailers may need to do to spur consumer spending and move inventory.
Nov 28, 2022•6 min•Season 1Ep. 112
What's happening with governance practices and policies in the retail sector? What is ethical consumerism? And why is this so important to a retailer looking to stay top of mind with consumers? In this episode, the last of our 3-part mini-series dedicated to ESG in retail, we are again joined by Karen Baum, ESG Service Leader at BDO USA, who explains the importance of using ESG to keep consumer mind – and wallet - share.
Nov 14, 2022•6 min•Season 1Ep. 111
What can retailers do to improve their employee experience? What labor practice concerns should be top of mind for retailers? In this episode, the 2nd of our 3-part mini-series dedicated to ESG in retail, we are joined by Karen Baum, ESG Service Leader at BDO USA, to help us understand how the social aspect plays out in retail.
Nov 07, 2022•6 min•Season 1Ep. 110
Why is ESG so important for retailers to pay attention to and incorporate into their business strategy? What are some top environmental concerns and how do they impact the retail industry? In this episode, the first of our 3-part mini-series dedicated to ESG in retail, we are joined by Karen Baum, ESG Service Leader at BDO USA, who helps us answers these important questions.
Oct 31, 2022•6 min•Season 1Ep. 109
With the rapid evolution of the retail industry over the last few years, have the critical KPIs for retailers changed? Tune into this episode to hear what Robert Brown, National Digital Leader for Retail and Consumer Products at BDO USA, thinks are the most important metrics to track today and how these differ from what retailers have historically looked at.
Oct 24, 2022•7 min•Season 1Ep. 108
How can technology and data analytics support the retail supply chain? Why are strategic investments in the retail tech stack so critical? In this episode we are joined by Robert Brown, National Digital Leader for Retail and Consumer Products at BDO USA, who explains why retailers need to address gaps in their tech stack and prioritize data analytics, and where to start.
Oct 17, 2022•6 min•Season 1Ep. 107
Along with the growth of e-Commerce comes growth in returns. What are some of the important operational areas for retailers to examine to insure they are reducing returns? Can virtual try-on technology assist in this arena? Listen in to this episode where Robert Brown, National Digital Leader for Retail and Consumer Products at BDO USA, answers these questions.
Oct 10, 2022•7 min•Season 1Ep. 106
What pain points AI can help relieve for retailers? How does AI analysis of data differ from traditional data analysis in improving the bottom line? And where do you even start if you're looking to implement AI? In this episode Robert Brown, National Digital Leader for Retail and Consumer Products at BDO USA, helps us understand the opportunities AI presents for retailers.
Oct 03, 2022•6 min•Season 1Ep. 105
Sep 26, 2022•6 min•Season 1Ep. 104