OFFBounds is where the world’s retail and commerce leaders go beyond headlines to talk about the decisions, strategies, and ideas shaping the future of the industry.
Every week, Paula Macaggi sits down in person with executives from leading brands, retailers, and technology companies for candid conversations about leadership, innovation, growth, and the realities behind building modern commerce businesses.
More than a traditional interview show, OFFBounds explores the human side of leadership: the risks taken, the lessons learned, the moments of reinvention, and the perspectives that rarely make it into press releases or conference stages.
Recorded in person with premium audio and video production, OFFBounds brings global commerce executives together in conversations designed to inform, challenge, and inspire the next generation of industry leaders.
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Build-A-Bear Workshop turned birthday rituals and heart ceremonies into a growth engine, with its stock up about 1,900 percent in five years and domestic store traffic up 3 percent while the national benchmark fell. Paula revisits her conversation with CTO Dara Meath to unpack the experience-first model, the rapid 18-month digital sprint from mobile POS to 2D/3D visualization, and the rise of the “kidult” that powers higher-value collecting and gifting. From clever social drops like the Fruit St...
In our episode 2 of Retail Intelligence in Action Series in partnership with Ometria, our host Ron Thurston speaks with Ivan Mazour (CEO,Ometria) and Julie Channing (Fractional CMO; ex-Allbirds, Levi’s, Nest) about leading with trust and authenticity in an AI-driven era. They unpack why clean, connected data is the bedrock of customer trust, how to use AI as an accelerant (not a replacement) to free teams for storytelling, where personalization truly adds value, and why transparency around AI us...
Cristian Arcangeli, VP of Marketing at Illy Caffè, details the brand's successful expansion in the U.S. market, transforming from a niche player to a widely distributed premium choice. He shares insights into identifying and engaging their discerning customer base through consistent messaging, leveraging Amazon's streaming TV for brand awareness, and the importance of discipline and cultural adaptation in achieving significant growth while upholding Italian heritage and quality.
Welcome to Episode 1 of Retail Intelligence in Action, a new series by OFFBounds in partnership with Ometria where we explore how AI is revolutionizing enterprise retail marketing, hosted by retail leader Ron Thurston. There is no established roadmap for AI in retail. In this launch episode of Retail Intelligence in Action , Ron Thurston hosts Nicole Tapscott (CCO, Knix) and Djalal Lougouev (President and Co-Founder, Ometria) to show how teams can chart their own course. They discuss identifying...
In this episode of OFFBounds, Paula Macaggi sits down in New York with retail veteran and professor Matt Marcotte to celebrate the launch of his new book Built on Belief: Why Cultures of Commitment Are the Competitive Advantage . Drawing on three decades of leadership at Apple, Gap, Tori Burch, Bergdorf Goodman, and Salesforce, Matt shares why employees should be seen as a company’s most important customers, the difference between compliance and commitment, and why profit should be viewed as the...
In this episode of OFFBounds , host Paula Macaggi sits down with Danielle Sporkin , SVP of Media and Marketing Services at Ferrero, to explore how one of the world’s most beloved confectionery companies is balancing heritage with innovation. From Nutella and Kinder to Butterfinger and Keebler, Ferrero’s portfolio is as diverse as it is iconic. Danielle shares how the company is embracing digital transformation, evolving its retail media strategy from search to full funnel, measuring success thro...
In this episode of OFFBounds , Paula Macaggi sits down with Azita Martin , VP & GM of AI for Retail, CPG, and QSR at NVIDIA , the world’s most valuable company. Together they explore how AI is transforming retail, from e-commerce and supply chain optimization to computer vision, robotics, and digital twins. Azita shares real-world examples from companies like L’Oréal, Lowe’s, and Yum! Brands, and explains why agentic AI and “Physical AI” will redefine how we shop and experience brands in the...
In this episode of OFFBounds in partnership with Groceryshop, Paula Macaggi sits down with Linda Bethea, CMO of Danone North America , to explore how one of the world’s largest food companies is navigating a massive shift in consumer behavior. From the rise of GLP-1 medications and America’s growing focus on wellness, to innovations like Oikos Fusion , cultural activations at Coachella, and retail media strategies, Linda shares how Danone is making health both accessible and engaging . She also ...
In this episode of OFFBounds , Paula sits down with Jenna Bromberg, Chief Marketing Officer of Papa Johns , to explore how pizza, hospitality, and retail collide in her career journey. From Pizza Hut to Hilton to Carter’s and now Papa Johns, Jenna shares how each experience shaped her leadership and vision for the brand. We talk about personalization at scale, creative campaigns that break through culture (yes, even a garlic bath bomb 🧄🛁), and the balance between creativity and performance . S...
In this episode of OFFBounds , Paula Macaggi sits down with Jessica Alsing, Chief Digital Officer at Grendene Global Brands — the powerhouse behind Melissa, Ipanema, and Rider . Jessica shares how she helped Melissa achieve 12x growth in the U.S. , why storytelling and community are essential to building authentic global brands, and the leadership lessons she’s carried from her time at Gap, West Elm, and Crocs . From Melissa’s cult following and iconic collaborations to its sustainable closed-lo...
In this episode of OFFBounds , Paula Macaggi sits down with retail leadership expert and author April Sabral to explore how positivity can transform teams, culture, and results. From her start as a 17-year-old sales associate to leading hundreds at Starbucks, Banana Republic, and David’s Tea, April shares lessons from three decades in retail leadership, including her ACT framework (Accept, Create, Teach) , the $1M chocolate bar story, and insights from her upcoming book Positive Accountability ....
Lauren Steinberg, Chief Digital Officer at Loblaw Companies Limited, shares how Canada’s largest retailer transformed from an in-store-only business into a multi-billion-dollar digital powerhouse. She reveals how building a “startup within the enterprise” enabled agility and innovation at scale, the role of personalization and AI in reshaping online grocery, and why true customer loyalty goes far beyond points. Lauren also reflects on leadership lessons from her 13-year journey and how Loblaw is...
While in Singapore for NRF APAC 2025 , Paula Macaggi sits down with Josh Friedman , SVP of Digital & E-commerce at Ulta Beauty , to explore how the iconic beauty retailer is blending personalization, AI, and omnichannel innovation to shape the future of shopping. From the Shop My Store feature and 45 million–strong loyalty program to a thriving online community and an upcoming curated marketplace, Josh shares how Ulta is creating seamless, relevant, and inspiring experiences that connect cus...
In this special episode recorded live at NRF APAC 2025 in Singapore, Paula Macaggi sits down with Panchalee Weeratammawat, Chief People Officer at Central Retail Group, and Mia Anderson, GM of Retail and Channels at 2degrees, to explore how investing in employee happiness leads to stronger customer experiences and business growth. From transforming HR into a strategic powerhouse to turning around employee NPS from -19 to +72, this candid conversation reveals the fundamental strategies behind bui...
In this episode recorded in Singapore for NRF APAC 2025, Paula Macaggi sits down with Ian Burl , Chief Retail Officer at Mecca Brands , Australia's leading prestige beauty retailer. Ian shares how Mecca has built a cult-like following by designing every part of the customer journey around how people feel . From spending every Friday on the store floor to investing 4% of revenue into team education and empathy training, Ian reveals how Mecca scales human connection across 110+ stores. Together, t...
In this episode, Shaoming Yang, VP of DingDong Fresh, shares how the company is transforming grocery retail in China through a deeply integrated, AI-powered model. From operating over 1,000 dark stores to delivering live seafood in under 30 minutes, DingDong combines precision forecasting, supply chain innovation, and customer personalization to create one of the most efficient grocery ecosystems in the world. Shaoming breaks down how AI drives everything — from replenishment and logistics to cu...
India is one of the fastest-growing retail markets in the world, and at the center of its fashion and lifestyle revolution is Myntra , one of the country’s largest e-commerce platforms. In this episode, Paula Macaggi sits down with Nandita Sinha , CEO of Myntra, to explore how the company is digitizing a still largely offline market, shaping Gen Z shopping behavior, and powering the rise of trend-driven retail through AI, personalization, social commerce, and even 30-minute fashion delivery. Fro...
Retail in APAC Series with NRF APAC 2025: Korea Retail in South Korea doesn’t look like retail anywhere else. With over half of all shopping happening online, the line between digital and physical has completely disappeared. At the center of it all is Lotte Retail, a household name that’s now rethinking everything it does. In this episode, Group CEO Sam Kim shares what it really takes to lead transformation at this scale. From AI-powered experiences to ecosystem thinking, he opens up about the c...
In this special episode recorded live at NRF APAC 2025 in Singapore, Paula Macaggi kicks off a six-part series exploring the boldest innovations and biggest challenges shaping retail across Asia-Pacific. From Indonesia’s 22,000-store convenience giant to India’s booming quick commerce scene and Korea’s "no-line" retail revolution, this episode is packed with insights on AI, customer experience, logistics, and emotional intelligence from some of the region’s most visionary leaders. Welcome to the...
In this episode, Paula Macaggi sits down with Dusan Vujovic, Head of North America at Tony’s Chocolonely, to explore how the Dutch-born chocolate brand is rewriting the rules of ethical business in the U.S. retail landscape. From turning a mission into a movement to breaking into a competitive $4B market, Dusan shares how Tony’s combines bold storytelling, radical transparency, and uncompromising taste to win shelf space and consumer trust — all while pushing the industry toward a more just and ...
In this episode, I sit down with Andrew Laudato, COO of The Vitamin Shoppe, a leading U.S. health and wellness retailer with 650+ stores, to explore how great IT teams are built, why innovation starts with operational excellence, and how AI is transforming retail. From vibe coding and RPA to inclusivity and composable commerce, Andrew shares why tech leaders must speak the language of business and why the best strategy isn’t about AI—it’s about using AI to better serve the customer. ---- Sponsor...
In this episode of OFFBounds, I sit down with Tarek Müller, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of About You, to unpack how he built one of Europe’s most innovative fashion-tech companies from the ground up. From early bets on mobile and influencer marketing to launching a hybrid model that combines retail and enterprise software, Tarek shares the strategies behind About You’s $2B success, the tech powering 200+ online stores, their approach to AI and personalization, and why the upcoming merger with Zalando ...
In this special episode of OFFBounds , Paula Macaggi invites you to Singapore for NRF APAC 2025 , the region’s biggest retail event, to explore why Asia-Pacific is the most powerful engine of global retail growth. With 60% of the world’s population and 3.49 billion people expected to join the middle class by 2030, APAC is transforming how the world shops. Paula is joined by Ryf Quail , Managing Director of Comexposium, and David Mann , Chief Economist APAC at Mastercard, to unpack the region’s c...
In this episode, Paula sits down with Mike Dupuis , Chief Digital Officer at Catalyst Brands (Aéropostale, Nautica, Lucky Brand, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, and JCPenney), to explore the art of digital transformation at scale. We discuss the evolution from 2 brands to 1,700+ stores, the challenge of building unified tech and data platforms, and the critical balance between building and farming brand equity. Mike also shares his insights on AI in retail, from early adoption to automation, and w...
Join me as I sit down with Paul Porter , Global Chief Experience Officer at Hamleys , the world’s oldest and most iconic toy retailer, for a deep dive into the art of creating unforgettable in-store experiences. In this episode, we discuss how Hamleys has captivated generations of shoppers for 265 years , the magic behind its seven floors on London’s Regent Street, and the power of play in a digital world. Learn how Hamleys scales joy across 200 stores in 17 markets , why emotion and storytellin...
Shoptalk Europe - https://shoptalkeurope.com OFFBounds listeners can get a discount using the codes below: 🎟️ Retailers and Brands, use code RBOFFBO20 🎟️ General Attendees, use code GAOFFBO20AD: ----- In this special BONUS episode of the OFFBounds podcast, host Paula Macaggi had a coffee chat with Ben Miller, VP of Original Content & Strategy at Shoptalk & Groceryshop, for a rapid-fire chat about the upcoming Shoptalk Europe 2025 in Barcelona. They discuss what makes this event the go-...
In this special episode recorded in London, bestselling author and retail leader Ron Thurston joins Paula Macaggi to launch his new book Human Pride —a bold call to embrace what makes us human in an age dominated by AI. They discuss how frontline retail, purpose-driven leadership, and personal pride are the real future-proofing tools in a changing job market. From multigenerational teams to algorithmic interviews, this episode is a masterclass in leading with heart and thriving in the digital er...
Step inside the yellow-bag world of Selfridges as host Paula Macaggi sits down with CTO Ross Beaumont to reveal how a 1906 department store stays at the cutting edge of luxury retail: from “Selfridges Unlocked” keys that trade spend for once-in-a-lifetime experiences, to ReSelfridges buy-back tech fuelling a circular economy, to AI that augments—never replaces—the human touch that turns shoppers into “Very Selfridges People.” Ross lifts the curtain on juggling million-square-foot store ops with ...
In this episode, I sit down with Lindsay Haselhurst , Chief Operating Officer at Currys , to unpack what it really takes to lead transformation at scale in one of the UK’s largest retailers. From navigating Brexit and pandemic-era supply chain chaos to pioneering innovation in re-commerce, 3D printing, and customer-centric operations, Lindsay shares a masterclass in operational excellence and people-first leadership. We dive into how Currys is building a culture of high performance and continuou...
What does it take to digitally transform a £13B retail giant across eight countries and nearly 2,000 stores? In this episode, I sit down with Christopher Blatchford , Global CTO of Kingfisher PLC — the company behind B&Q, Screwfix, Castorama, and more — to unpack the tech strategy powering one of Europe’s biggest home improvement groups. We dive into why modularity (not just microservices) is the real key to agility, how to scale innovation across diverse banners , and what “ do it for me ” ...
