In episode 35 of OFFBounds , host Paula Macaggi dives deep into the future of Starbucks under the leadership of its new CEO, Brian Niccol. Joined by top retail experts DeAnn Campbell and Brandon Rael , the episode explores whether Niccol, known for his successful turnaround of Chipotle, is the right person to steer Starbucks back to its growth trajectory. The discussion touches on the challenges Niccol faces, from revitalizing the iconic third-place experience to balancing operational efficienci...
Aug 27, 2024•19 min•Ep. 34
In this special episode of OFFBounds , inspired by the recent 2024 Olympic Games, we explore the remarkable connection between athletic grit and business success. Host Paula Macaggi is joined by two former athletes who have transitioned into successful business leaders—Jenna Posner and Brian Librach. Together, they dive into how the qualities that drive Olympians to excel—resilience, discipline, and determination—are the same traits that can lead to success in the corporate world. Listen in as J...
Aug 20, 2024•20 min•Ep. 33
In this episode of OFFBounds , host Paula Macaggi brings you a curated list of 8 essential books that every commerce leader should read this summer. Whether you're leading a team, running a business, or simply looking to enhance your leadership skills, these books will inspire and equip you with the insights needed to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. What You'll Learn: 📖 Why reading is a critical skill for leaders, enhancing abilities like critical thinking, communication, and storytell...
Aug 13, 2024•19 min•Ep. 32
OFFBounds Summer Series - Episode 01/04 Today we dive into one of retail's hottest trends: Recommerce. As the urgency for sustainable business practices grows, recommerce—repairing, recycling, and reselling—is becoming a vital strategy for many retailers and brands. Driven by consumer preferences and regulations, the market is projected to grow five times faster than overall retail by 2025, reaching 120 billion euros in Europe. In this episode, we explore the pressures behind this shift and show...
Aug 06, 2024•25 min•Ep. 31
Today, you'll meet the CIO and CDO of the H2O Retailing Group, a Japanese group that owns department stores, shopping malls, and supermarkets in West Japan. Toru Koyama joined the group about three years ago to lead the midterm and long-term digital strategies to become a communication retailer and develop direct communication with customers and deepen relationships. For that, it's necessary to create an IT infrastructure with integrated data. This episode was recorded in Singapore during NRF AP...
Jul 30, 2024•15 min•Ep. 30
In this episode, Paula Macaggi sits down with Ngai Yuen Low , the Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer at AEON Group Malaysia and an advisory board member of NRF APAC. AEON Group, originally founded as Jusco in Japan in 1969, has grown significantly and played a pivotal role in modernizing Malaysia's retail industry. Yuen shares her insights on the unique challenges and opportunities in the retail sector, drawing from her extensive background in media. She discusses how her ability to under...
Jul 23, 2024•23 min•Ep. 29
Welcome to Episode 28 of OFFBounds! Join Paula Macaggi as she sits down with Nicole Sheffield, Managing Director of Wesfarmers OneDigital and President of the Australian Retailers Association in Singapore while we were visiting the NRF APAC event last month. In this insightful episode, we delve into Australia's retail landscape, Wesfarmers' diverse operations, including OneDigital which was founded in 2022 and brings together the Group's digital ventures like the OnePass membership program, the ...
Jul 16, 2024•20 min•Ep. 28
In this episode, Paula Macaggi takes you on an exhilarating journey to Singapore, where she attended the much-anticipated NRF APAC event. Tune in as Paula shares her firsthand experiences and key insights from the event, held from June 11-13, 2024. Discover why Singapore, known as the City of Lights, was the perfect host for this international retail event. Explore the stunning Changi Airport, marvel at the iconic Marina Bay Sands, and dive deep into the world of APAC retail. Paula's discussions...
Jul 09, 2024•25 min•Ep. 27
Paula Macaggi sits down with Danielle Diliberti , CEO of Sommsation , a wine marketplace born during the pandemic that connects independent wineries and world-class sommeliers with consumers. Danielle shares how her background in technology helped build Sommsation with a legacy-free architecture to support decades of growth. We explore Som sation's innovative approaches, such as the Rebel Wine Club and digital tasting experiences, and discuss the blend of traditional winemaking with modern techn...
Jul 02, 2024•25 min•Ep. 26
In the latest episode of OFFBounds, host Paula Macaggi sits down with retail veteran and best-selling author Steve Dennis to discuss his new book, Leaders Leap . With an extensive background that includes strategic roles at Sears and Neiman Marcus, Steve brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation about why many transformations fail and how leaders can effectively navigate change. The discussion delves into Steve's experiences and insights on innovation, transformation, and leadership in a ...
Jun 25, 2024•31 min•Ep. 25
In this episode of OFFBounds, host Paula Macaggi sits down with Celso Borges Shimabukuro , VP of E-commerce at PepsiCo Europe, during Shop Talk Europe in Barcelona. Celso delves into PepsiCo's mission to drive outrageous growth and develop differentiating capabilities in the e-commerce space. He explains how the company navigates the complexities of partnering with both traditional retail giants and digital natives while experimenting with direct-to-consumer strategies. Celso highlights the chal...
Jun 18, 2024•25 min•Ep. 24
Welcome to Episode 23 of OFFBounds! In this episode, Paula Macaggi sits down with Matthieu Houle , the CIO of Aldo, one of the world's most popular shoe brands. Matthieu shares his fascinating journey from running a surf magazine in Costa Rica to leading digital transformation at Aldo. Learn about his unique insights on the importance of embracing change, leveraging AI, and maintaining agility in the retail industry. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a retail professional, or an Aldo fan, this e...
Jun 10, 2024•41 min•Ep. 23
Welcome to Episode 22 of OFFBounds! Today, we take you to Montreal, Canada. The city is famous for its bagels, poutines, Anthony Bourdain, and incredible education. I had two distinguished guests from the Bensadoun School of Retail Management at McGill University. Join me as I sit down with Charles de Brabant, the Executive Director, and Carl Boutet, a Senior Advisor and Lecturer, to delve into the evolving landscape of retail leadership. We'll explore why dedicated retail management education i...
Jun 04, 2024•39 min•Ep. 22
In this episode, Paula welcomes to OFFBounds a reference in the digital commerce: Rick Watson . He's a consultant and host of both Watson Weekly and Watson Weekend . Probably one of the best experts to follow if you want to be up to date with the industry. We asked Rick to join us to help us understand a few things about the market: - What happened to DTC? - What happened to Allbirds? - Are companies re-platforming? Should they? - What is the incredible Walmart results about? ---- Sponsored by V...
May 28, 2024•27 min•Ep. 21
In this episode of OFFBounds Market , we travel to the largest country in the South Hemisphere: Brazil. Paula Macaggi shares insights from her recent visits to VTEX Day and WebSummit and explores the complexities and opportunities within the Brazilian retail market. She discusses Brazil's advanced financial system, highlighting its innovative payment methods and high banking penetration. Macaggi delves into the unique retail landscape, noting the lack of market share dominance by any single play...
May 21, 2024•14 min•Ep. 20
In this compelling episode of OFFBounds, host Paula Macaggi is joined in London by Oliver Banks , retail expert and author of "Driving Retail Transformation." Together, they delve into the intricacies of retail change, discussing the balance between strategic decisions and ongoing adjustments needed to stay competitive. Oliver shares insights from his career, including his time at Tesco and as a consultant, exploring themes like the importance of intentional transformation, the role of data in d...
May 14, 2024•27 min•Ep. 19
With over 30 years in the industry, Paul Sims - the company's Chief Architect - shares his journey from learning Mandarin in Shanghai to leading Primark's tech strategy as they aim to expand to over 500 stores by 2026. This episode explores the challenges of global retail expansion, balancing legacy technologies with innovative solutions, and the role of AI in enhancing customer experiences without losing the human touch. Tune in for a compelling discussion on the future of retail and subscribe ...
May 07, 2024•31 min•Ep. 18
Paula Macaggi engages in a captivating discussion with Renee Hartman, co-author of "Next Generation Retail," exploring the revolutionary trends in China's retail sector. Broadcasting from Lisbon, this episode delves into Renee's decade-long experience in China, her insights into social commerce, and the significant impact of technological advancements on Chinese and global retail landscapes. Join them as they uncover the dynamics of consumer behavior and the future of retail in one of the world'...
Apr 30, 2024•35 min•Ep. 17
Throughout the years that I’ve been working in retail I met with many tech companies from different levels of development and often when they explain what they do they struggle to tell the problem they are solving. In many cases, it’s easy to notice that they are so amazed by the solution that they aren’t really solving any real problem and according to my guest today the key to value creation is to fall in love with the problem, not the solution. While I was in São Paulo, the city I called home...
Apr 23, 2024•24 min•Ep. 16
The Asia Pacific retail market is undergoing a significant transformation due to technological innovation, evolving consumer preferences, and rising disposable income. The National Retail Federation (NRF) is hosting its first show in Asia in Singapore in 2024, highlighting the region's importance. The APAC region is a trendsetter and a growth engine for the world, with a young, tech-savvy population. Retail designers in APAC have the opportunity to create unique experiences that reflect regional...
Apr 16, 2024•12 min•Ep. 15
Tiago shares the unique approach of O Grupo Valor do Tempo towards innovation in retail, emphasizing experience and storytelling over technological advancements. By meticulously crafting store environments that captivate the senses, from the layout and lighting to the curated music, Tiago's ventures invite customers into a world where every product tells a story of tradition and craftsmanship. This focus on creating an immersive shopping experience has not only differentiated their brands in the...
Apr 09, 2024•39 min•Ep. 14
Worten is a leading brand that has been democratizing access to technology in Portugal and Spain. With more than 230 physical stores and a presence strong online, Worten offers a wide range of products, from consumer electronics to entertainment and telecommunications, ensuring innovation, and the best prices for its customers. In today's episode, Paula sits with Rui Cohen, the CTO who's leading several initiatives to change the IT Architecture landscape and drive business agility to better addr...
Apr 02, 2024•28 min•Ep. 13
Join Paula Macaggi in this exciting episode of OFFBOUNDS as we dive into the transformative power of Apple Vision Pro in the retail industry. Featuring insights from experts DeAnn Campbell , Neil Redding , Carl Boutet , and Jeffrey Roberts , we explore how this VR/AR technology could revolutionize consumer engagement and profitability in retail. From virtual try-ons to immersive in-store experiences, discover the potential challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. As we speculate on the futur...
Mar 26, 2024•24 min•Ep. 12
The episode today is about a super-loved fashion brand called AllSaints. The British brand was founded in 1994 and it sells menswear, womenswear, footwear, accessories and is mostly famous for its leather jackets. Today, they have almost 300 stores in 27 countries in Europe, North America, and Asia. For this interview, I went to London and met with James Reid, he’s the Chief Innovation Officer of the brand and brought to the studio in Shoreditch his wonderful British sarcasm and knowledge. I can...
Mar 12, 2024•51 min•Ep. 11
From Gotheburg, Sweden. Florian Westerdahl, the leader of the tech team at Lindex, discusses how technology has empowered their stores and the importance of designing the organization for innovation. He shares insights into Lindex's digital store program and their use of generative AI through their project called Co-Pilot. Florian emphasizes the need to engage with new technologies, such as generative AI, and the importance of building a strong team with shared goals in the retail industry. Chec...
Mar 05, 2024•43 min•Ep. 10
Kicks is the largest beauty retailer in the Nordics. They achieved this title by investing in community-building and expertise as their competitive advantage and today, Kicks Beauty Talks has 140K members which is more than their Instagram following. In this interview, Carola Lundell, the EVP of Kicks Group sits with Paula Macaggi and talks about loyalty and their membership program Kicks Club as well as live shopping, fostering innovation, and incorporating AI in their business. Visit Kicks Web...
Feb 27, 2024•36 min•Ep. 9
In episode 8 of OFFBounds, Paula Macaggi talks with Jonas Karlén, CEO of Adlibris, a pioneering force in Nordic e-commerce. With Adlibris boasting an extensive catalog of over 13 million titles, Jonas shares his insights into the beauty of managing such a vast assortment while navigating operational challenges. From crisis management to the fusion of offline and online retail experiences, Jonas provides invaluable perspectives on leadership and strategic adaptation in the digital age. This episo...
Feb 20, 2024•35 min•Ep. 8
Join us for an insightful conversation with Giorgio Pradi, Sunglass Hut's North America President, as he unveils the brand's innovative strategies and global vision for the future of retail. Discover how Sunglass Hut ensures a consistent customer experience across continents, from New York to Barcelona, Milan, and Brazil. Pradi shares how meticulous training and adaptation empower associates to embody a standardized approach while respecting diverse cultures. Explore Sunglass Hut's cutting-edge ...
Feb 13, 2024•35 min•Ep. 7
From a career in agencies to leading marketing at the largest retailer in Finland, Lauri Toivonen has a phenomenal perspective on serving grocery customers with creativity. He is now the CMO of SOK, a Finish co-op with 47% of the grocery market share and 78% of the country's households as loyalty members. In this episode, Lauri shares how successful marketing campaigns often involve thinking outside the box and embracing unconventional ideas as well as how companies should foster a culture that ...
Feb 06, 2024•39 min•Ep. 6
Silvia Mazzucchelli has had leadership roles in fashion brands throughout her career being responsible for transformation and turnarounds in companies like Guess, Toms, and American Apparel. In this conversation, Silvia shares her experiences and insights from her career in the retail and fashion industry. She discusses the impact of her dual cultural experience on her professional growth and the value of working with strong personalities. Silvia also talks about her time as CMO at American Appa...
Jan 30, 2024•37 min•Ep. 5
