2020 was a tumultuous year for us all, both personally and professionally. Retail in particular saw its ups and downs, starting with positive holiday results and ending with uncertainty stemming from COVID-19. To reflect on all we went through, and all the opportunities for innovation and growth that are to come, we're digging into the Retail Remix vault and spotlighting some of our stand-out conversations from the past year. A special thanks to all our guests, including those spotlighted in thi...
Jan 04, 2021•15 min•Ep. 43
Nikki Baird has spent her career helping retailers bring their big ideas to life. Whether she's part of an executive team, trusted analyst firm or VP of Innovation at Aptos , she has established herself as a leading voice in all things omnichannel retail. During this episode of Retail Remix, she shares her honest take on what's happening in retail right now and where she thinks the industry is headed. She answers key questions including: Which product categories will be in demand? Which shopping...
Dec 21, 2020•37 min•Ep. 42
For Madeline Fraser , shopping for an engagement ring was overwhelming. She knew she wanted something unique and customized, but also sustainably sourced and easy to buy. This ended up being a tall order. She ended up having to custom design her ring at a small shop -- a process that took several weeks. Many shoppers have the same desires as Madeline but don't have the access or the funds for custom jewelry. That's why she founded Gemist , a direct-to-consumer DTC brand designed to disrupt onlin...
Dec 14, 2020•41 min•Ep. 41
In today's digital-first world, content is key. But as the number of channels and apps expands, our content strategies must evolve. This creates a lot of complexity and, frankly, eats up a lot of time, resources and budget. During this episode of Retail Remix, Marcel Hollerbach , the CMO of Productsup , discusses the new content realities and best practices brands must note. While discussing the unique attributes of different channels and how they impact content creation, Marcel also alludes to ...
Dec 07, 2020•33 min•Ep. 40
Every year, Adobe analyzes one trillion visits to U.S. retail sites, 100 million SKUs and 80 of the 100 largest retailers in the U.S. This year, these results are being gathered in a new context due to COVID-19. Which trends reaffirm our new reality? How will the Thanksgiving holiday influencer the remainder of the holiday season? How can retailers take these insights and leverage them to engage and support customers in new ways? Peter Sheldon , Senior Director of Commerce Strategy at Adobe, pro...
Dec 02, 2020•29 min•Ep. 39
A quick peek at this week's holiday episode!
Nov 30, 2020•3 min
Many of us know the risks of creating obvious and uncomplicated passwords like "password123," "12345," or (gulp) our name and birthday. But has that really stopped us from changing our ways? Not really, according to Steve Ragan , Lead Security Researcher at Akamai . Ragan has been covering the cybersecurity space for about 15 years and he believes that although the threats have become more sophisticated and widespread, retailers' and consumers' response plans haven't changed effectively. As a re...
Nov 23, 2020•38 min•Ep. 38
Even when we're not in lock down, we've likely all been minimizing the number of trips we take to stores, even grocery stores. That's why, following years of buzz, we're finally seeing a boost in digital grocery shopping. Although grocery shopping app Basket has always focused on helping customers find the best price for items on their shopping lists, the company has uncovered a new opportunity: to help grocers and brands better understand and serve shoppers, even as their needs and behaviors ch...
Nov 16, 2020•37 min•Ep. 37
Streaming services have disrupted traditional TV advertising as we know it. Gone are the days when brands and retailers could push messaging via commercial spots and see revenue roll in. With more households bingeing on Netflix, Hulu and Apple+ content, companies need a more contextual way to reach and influence consumers. Laura and Hank Frecon started Source Digital as a result of Laura's work as a costume designer for shows like "Mad Men." She wanted to find a better, more organic way to conne...
Nov 09, 2020•39 min•Ep. 36
As the pandemic continues to shift consumer behaviors and sentiment, brands and retailers should rethink the way they market. Historically, demographic consumer data was enough to formulate a messaging and marketing plan. But humans are complex and they want to buy from companies that offer great value, great experiences and align with their needs and values. During this episode, Ross Kimbarovsky , Founder and CEO of crowdspring , shares his perspective on how the psychology of marketing has cha...
Nov 02, 2020•33 min•Ep. 35
As Co-founder and CEO of retail technology company Bluecore , Fayez Mohamood has had his fair share of conversations with brand executives, especially those in the direct-to-consumer (DTC) space. While many think of companies like Warby Parker and Dollar Shave Club, which have successfully disrupted their categories, we're seeing household names like PepsiCo and Clorox launch their own branded experiences to get closer to their customers. As more companies try to capitalize on the DTC movement, ...
Oct 26, 2020•37 min•Ep. 34
Historically, payment has been defined merely as a "last step" in the buying journey — the aftermath of the immersive and exciting elements that make a brand or retailer stand out. Klarna is changing that; the "buy now, pay later" company was recently valued at $10.65 billion in an investment round led by Silver Lake and garnered investment from Macy's. Klarna also has an impressive roster of brand and retailer partners in its corner, and coupled with partnerships with the likes of Cosmopolitan,...
Oct 19, 2020•36 min•Ep. 33
When you get the right people in a room (or in most cases today, on a video call), magical things can happen. New ideas are shared and new opportunities are discovered. But make no mistake, the "right people" doesn't mean the "same people." As CEO of The Medici Group , Frans Johansson spends his days consulting with business leaders on the value of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I), and how they support business differentiation and growth. He founded the business following the release...
Oct 12, 2020•19 min•Ep. 32
Jason McNary is no stranger to pop-ups. As UNOde50's CEO of the Americas, McNary has helped the brand generate awareness, boost engagement and connect more directly with local markets. Pop-up stores were an integral part of this strategy. But what does the future of pop-ups look when the entire brick-and-mortar world is being turned upside down? During this episode, McNary shares his insights on: The successes and lessons of UNOde50's pop-up strategy; Whether he believes the pop-up trend will fi...
Oct 05, 2020•22 min•Ep. 31
James Thomson is a former Amazon executive that helped make the Internet titan what it is today. Now, he's using his experiences and learnings to help brands be successful on the platform...and beyond. As Chief Strategy Officer of Buy Box Experts and Co-Founder of the PROSPER Show , James sits down with host Alicia Esposito to discuss: The unavoidable growth of Amazon during the pandemic; Key developments and innovations from the company; Important findings and takeaways from Jeff Bezos's antitr...
Sep 28, 2020•41 min•Ep. 30
Bra shopping has never been easy. Even in high-end locations with white-glove fitting services, consumers often find themselves with imperfect fits and money down the drain. ThirdLove was founded to make the bra shopping process painless. Using cutting-edge technology and data, ThirdLove has built a cult-like following because the company doesn't just make finding the perfect bra super easy; it helps customers feel connected to a larger community of like-minded individuals. But the brand's fitti...
Sep 21, 2020•23 min•Ep. 29
Influencer marketing has become a hot-button trend for brands and retailers alike. Lauded for its effectiveness and overall ability to foster engaged communities, influencer marketing also has received its fair share of criticism, especially in light of some influencers using bots and other methods to inflate their results. During this episode, Stacy DeBroff , Founder and CEO of Influence Central , breaks down what brands and retailers need to know about the present and future of the space, and ...
Sep 14, 2020•54 min•Ep. 28
We all know that a stellar customer experience is key to winning attention, sales and loyalty. But what happens when your strategy gets turned upside down by a pandemic? Moving quickly is key, but how can teams do that when they're all working remotely? Luxury shopping destination Olivela was able to adapt, with Chief Experience Officer Matthew Alland guiding the way. During this episode, Matthew sits down with Alicia Esposito to discuss: How the Olivela team changed their approach to collaborat...
Sep 08, 2020•42 min•Ep. 27
Mobile devices have long been considered a powerful extension of our minds. They're always extremely close to us, if not in our hands. But how have mobile behaviors changed in light of the pandemic, when consumers are at home and spending more time on desktops and laptops? During this episode, hear Movable Ink 's Julio Lopez break down where mobile engagement is today, and how the pandemic will likely influence: Omnichannel customer journeys; Marketing strategy and experience orchestration; and ...
Aug 31, 2020•44 min•Ep. 26
In March 2020, Brian Solis began his tenure as Global Innovation Evangelist at Salesforce . Brian has built a career around studying humans, technology and how their intersection impacts businesses and humanity overall. Little did he know that he would begin his new role during one of the most disruptive happenings in decades. During this special episode of Retail Remix, Brian and Alicia talk about how these developments inspired the creation of the Novel Economy, and how our mindsets, lifestyle...
Aug 24, 2020•48 min•Ep. 25
The future of e-Commerce has become a hot topic in the industry, especially as brick-and-mortar operators continue to navigate constant volatility. Digital channels enable brands and retailers to keep their businesses running, but they also present new threats. Research from Red Points has found that while 58% of companies saw a surge in e-Commerce revenue once COVID-19 was declared a national emergency, 39% also saw an uptick in counterfeiting. During this episode, host Alicia Esposito chats wi...
Aug 17, 2020•28 min•Ep. 24
Businesses use advertising to get their products and messages in front of consumers as they browse the web. However, the expansion of the media landscape and the emergence of platforms that spread hateful messages and misinformation are forcing marketing teams to take a firm look at where their money is going. Claire Atkin and Nandini Jammi , Co-Founders of Check My Ads , connected over their passion for calling out media misinformation and brands that are advertising on these platforms. Their n...
Aug 10, 2020•36 min•Ep. 23
In the wake of the pandemic, flexible fulfillment and contactless commerce both came to the forefront. To enable great experiences in these areas, retailers need to bridge the gap between their online and digital inventories, and ensure real-time visibility into product availability and location. This is an area of great struggle for retailers, and it's something that RAIN RFID can help address. During this episode of Retail Remix host Alicia Esposito sits down with Gaylene Meyer , VP of Global ...
Aug 03, 2020•31 min•Ep. 22
Retailers have bolstered their delivery and fulfillment offerings to cater to an increasingly demanding consumer. While speed is critical, retailers also need to think about how efficient and profitable these fulfillment offerings are. Not to mention the fact that organizations are being held more accountable for their environmental and sustainability initiatives. The fulfillment puzzle is becoming incredibly complicated to solve, but Roadie has a mission: to make "on-the-way" delivery an effici...
Jul 27, 2020•36 min•Ep. 21
Most purchase decisions still begin with a basic search. What's changing, however, is where those searches take place. Most still happen on a search engine, but some occur via personal digital assistants, Amazon and other platforms. This is making brand discovery and engagement far more difficult, especially for smaller brands. Not to mention, recent announcements from Google indicate that rankings will be influenced by more experience-driven factors, such as slow load times, disruptive advertis...
Jul 20, 2020•36 min•Ep. 20
Barbara Kahn is the Patty and Jay H. Baker Professor of Marketing for the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania . Over the course of her career, Barbara has kept a close watch on the evolution of retail and key economic and social trends that are impacting it. In recent weeks, she has assessed the impact of COVID-19 in an effort to determine its impact in comparison to the Great Recession and the latest Retail Apocalypse. During this episode, Barbara and host Alicia Esposito dig into ...
Jul 13, 2020•40 min•Ep. 19
Sure, the Internet has given us undeniable power, connecting us to millions of sources of information, inspiration and commerce. But when we take a closer look at most e-Commerce experiences, Andrew Blachman , who is the President of Tophatter , believes there's plenty of room for improvement. Specifically, he believes that many brand and retailer sites lack the capabilities that add surprise and delight to shopping, and encourage the "thrill of the hunt." That's where Tophatter comes in. During...
Jul 06, 2020•31 min•Ep. 18
Last Mile has evolved from an operational concern, to a core component of the customer experience. Essential retailers have successfully pivoted to offer flexible fulfillment options, such as curbside pickup, while e-Commerce giants like Amazon are bolstering their workforce and partnerships to fulfill their delivery promises. These initiatives leave other retailers asking: How can we keep up? During this episode of Retail Remix, host Alicia Esposito sits down with Dan Eblagon , CMO of Bond , a ...
Jun 29, 2020•46 min•Ep. 17
Astound Commerce is a digital commerce company that has worked with top brands, including L’Oréal, Under Armour and Jimmy Choo. To understand how these and other brands must adapt and evolve in light of the pandemic, the company studied consumer sentiment and shifting habits during the crisis. During this episode of Retail Remix, host Alicia Esposito sits down with Vanessa Cartwright , Chief Client Success Officer, to unpack key findings from the report, as well as: The long-term influence and s...
Jun 22, 2020•38 min•Ep. 16
As a principal at Eastbanc , a prominent retail landlord in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington DC, Philippe Lanier has been having a lot of conversations with retail partners. Through steady communication, Philippe and his tenants are determining the best way to navigate current realities, and develop a forward-looking plan for success that revolves around serving shoppers in the best way possible. During this episode, he and host Alicia Esposito discuss: How the mall experience will evol...
Jun 15, 2020•35 min•Ep. 15
