Landini Associates are in the business of “reinventing normal.” The firm has helped world-renowned businesses like McDonald’s, Unilever, Walgreens and Aldi reimagine their brands and their physical experiences. Needless to say, principal and founder Mark Landini has gleaned his fair share of lessons and best practices along the way. But what new technologies and experience principles are key to success moving forward? He and managing director Rikki Landini sit down to discuss: How to bring the e...
Aug 16, 2021•40 min•Ep. 73
For the past 18 months, Shopkick has surveyed consumers consistently to identify new behaviors, expectations...and even concerns. Although the conditions worldwide vary greatly and are ever-changing, Jaysen Gillespie , EVP, Head of Analytics and Data Science at Shopkick, has uncovered some universal truths that impact retailers. In this conversation, he reveals: How vaccine trust has impacted physical retail behaviors and preferences; New and unchanging safety expectations for brick-and-mortar r...
Aug 09, 2021•35 min•Ep. 72
Is the shift to digital is a one-way street or will ecommerce go back to how it operated before the pandemic? Which categories will be able to capitalize on new or accelerated digital behaviors? During this discussion, initially aired as part of Retail TouchPoints ’ Retail ThinkTank hub, host Alicia Esposito sits down with Rick Watson, Founder and CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting, to discuss what is fueling innovation in once-laggard categories like digital, advertising, social and marketplaces. G...
Aug 02, 2021•28 min•Ep. 71
As fulfillment comes more to the forefront of the modern customer experience, brands of all sizes are trying to differentiate. Shopify Fulfillment Network is expanding its capabilities and honing its craft of helping entrepreneurs do just that. But what trends are driving the division’s strategic priorities? What lessons and examples from the pandemic are setting the foundation for future innovation? Thomas Epting , Director of Shopify Fulfillment Network shares: How DTC expansion is shaking up ...
Jul 26, 2021•38 min•Ep. 70
Retail is a hot market for venture capital and investment firms. VCs, funds and other investors are funneling cash into hot tech startups and disruptive brands alike, helping to shape the future of retail. RevTech Ventures is one firm that sits at the intersection of the brand and tech worlds, and has a sole focus on the retail industry. Rachel West plays a crucial role in discovering viable businesses and helping them differentiate and scale. Listen to learn: Which retail trends and innovations...
Jul 19, 2021•37 min•Ep. 69
Riding on the hype surrounding cryptocurrencies, NFTs have become hot commodities in the digital creation space. While some tech fanatics are bidding on NFT versions of tweets, brand loyalists are snatching up NFT products. But what does the future hold for NFTs? How do they present new opportunities for brands and retailers to fuel digital innovation and virtual experiences? This special edition of Retail Remix highlights insights from two NFT experts. Listen to get their perspectives on: The c...
Jul 12, 2021•47 min•Ep. 68
Stephanie Fox , COO of Thrasio, was employee number one and has played a critical role in the company’s growth. Now, following a year of significant funding and the onboarding of a new retail CFO, Thrasio is in a prime position to lead in the marketplace space. Stephanie joins Retail Remix to dig into Thrasio’s story and how her roots in brand building have inspired her work as COO and a liaison to founders and entrepreneurs. Listen to hear: Thrasio’s data-driven process for acquiring and scalin...
Jun 28, 2021•36 min•Ep. 67
The payment experience has always been convoluted and clunky, especially when consumers’ need to authenticate their information. But in the new retail era, consumers want security to be ever-present yet invisible throughout their shopping experiences. During this episode of Retail Remix, David Britton of Experian shares how retailers can respond and still be mindful of new security trends and fraud methods. Listen to learn: New threats that have emerged with new payment tech and apps; The role o...
Jun 25, 2021•36 min•Ep. 66
In the new world of brand marketing, authenticity trumps all. You could say that influencers helped shape this new reality. In the post-COVID era, influencer marketing has reached a tipping point that is redefining marketing and advertising as we know it. During this episode of Retail Remix, Lindsay Jerutis , General Manager of ShopStyle Collective, shares how the company is helping retailers identify, engage and nurture influencer partnerships that activate a “ripple effect” that drives tangibl...
Jun 25, 2021•50 min•Ep. 65
What does the store of the future look like? A common question that is being answered in completely new ways due to the pandemic. During this special episode of Retail Remix, we have two design experts on board to discuss the latest research, investments and best practices that are driving design innovation. Aaron Birney of Gensler has helped brands across industries develop their store experiences and Jessie Dowd always has a finger on the pulse of the latest trends and success stories. Check o...
Jun 25, 2021•37 min•Ep. 64
Allen Adamson has decades of experience in branding and marketing, and he’s even helping shape the minds of future marketers! That’s why on Retail Remix, we ask him some pointed questions on how the essence of branding has changed over the past year and what tactical advice he has for businesses moving forward. Listen to learn: How brands can best “ride the wave” of disruption and develop a proactive plan to action; The social, environmental and sociological trends shaping the rules of branding;...
May 24, 2021•39 min•Ep. 63
Dr. Steven Shwartz has more than 40 years of experience in artificial intelligence (AI). A researcher, analyst, author and investor, Steven has invaluable knowledge of how the technology has evolved and, most of all, how retailers can realize the value of its capabilities. As a result, Steven has uncovered some misconceptions and flat-out lies about AI. During this episode of Retail Remix, Steven and host Alicia Esposito discuss the most common myths that are impacting AI adoption, and what is n...
May 17, 2021•35 min•Ep. 62
“Vending commerce” is joining the contactless commerce conversation. While product vending machines have been a staple in airport terminals for years, Dawn Dickson , Founder and CEO of PopCom, believes implementation will reach new heights in the digital-driven era of retail. During this episode, Dawn makes her case for the vending machine’s powerful role in the customer journey. In fact, she believes it will add new value as shoppers look for more seamless and self-guided experiences and retail...
May 10, 2021•40 min•Ep. 61
During the heart of the pandemic, consumers reported a 23% increase in the number of brands they felt an emotional connection with. While some of this was likely indicative of the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 lockdowns, Mario Natarelli believes that the measures retailers took to nurture relationships with consumers during this critical time will set a new standard in brand intimacy moving forward. This week, host Alicia Esposito sits down with Mario Natarelli, Managing Partner at MBLM, to...
May 03, 2021•41 min•Ep. 60
As consumers rely more on digital channels to browse and buy, retailers are embracing real-time communication channels to drive consumer engagement and conversions. Text messaging, live chat and social messaging are driving a new era of customer engagement that supports personalized, contextual experiences. During this week’s Retail Remix, we sit down with Dennis Steele , Co-Founder of Podium , a company that is helping shape this new era of CX. Listen to get his take on: Which new consumer beha...
Apr 26, 2021•36 min•Ep. 59
This week’s episode is brought to you by Gimbal . Of all the different trends and tech in the industry, 56% of retailers say they expect supply chain to be the area they transform the most over the coming years. Why? Because as consumers expect instant and convenient access to products, fulfillment is becoming a key point of differentiation. EY’s Americas Consumer Retail Leader Jeff Orschell , calls this a “big E” experience opportunity. Listen to this episode to learn: EY’s five consumer segmen...
Apr 19, 2021•38 min•Ep. 58
Do you feel overwhelmed by the volume of emails and messages you get? So do your consumers. In fact, David Wachs believes they’re so overwhelmed that they’re spending less time engaging with your marketing messages...and more time deleting them. That’s why David made a career shift from digital to more personal communication. With Handwrytten , he’s helping businesses of all sizes master the art of the handwritten note. Listen to this episode to learn: How different retailers are integrating han...
Apr 12, 2021•35 min•Ep. 57
Margot Bloomstein has helped brands like Timberland and Lindt develop their marketing, content and user experience (UX) strategies. She has used her experience and research on brands across industries to tackle a known industry problem: winning and keeping customer trust. The result is the new book called: Trustworthy: How the Smartest Brands Beat Cynicism and Bridge the Trust Gap . During this episode of Retail Remix, Margot shares why she felt a book like this was needed, and real-life example...
Apr 05, 2021•43 min•Ep. 56
Michelle Collins built her business, A Non-Agency, in the early days of the “experiential marketing” era. Now, as the digital divide closes and retailers rethink their real estate strategies, she believes there’s significant opportunity for innovation. During this episode of Retail Remix, Michelle shares her take on experiential marketing’s evolution and how brands and retailers can prepare for the future. You'll learn: Why the principles of journalism, marketing and sales support customer exper...
Mar 29, 2021•50 min•Ep. 55
Cause marketing. Purpose-driven marketing. Brands across industries are hearing these phrases more frequently as consumers seek to align with brands with similar beliefs. But brands that simply create one-off campaigns based on social holidays risk looking like performative allies. To help organizations navigate through this exciting (yet inundating) era of “woke marketing,” Katie Martell is studying the intersection of marketing and social issues. During this episode of Retail Remix, Katie shar...
Mar 22, 2021•43 min•Ep. 54
This week’s episode is brought to you by Podium . The pandemic has accelerated retail’s latest reinvention. While the news cycle is churning out new ideas, predictions and perspectives about this reinvention, Andrew Smith, Co-Founder of ThinkUncommon, believes folks are getting a lot wrong. Andrew and his fellow co-founder Gareth Jude tackle these myths and misconceptions head on with their new book, Retail Innovation Reframed . During this episode, Andrew sits down with Alicia to dig into their...
Mar 15, 2021•47 min•Ep. 53
Each social network has a unique way of rating content based on the unique needs and behaviors of its users. Their goal is to ensure they’re creating highly curated, relevant feeds that feature only the best content. These algorithms are what make the apps so engaging — even addictive. But how do different algorithms impact brands and retailers who are working diligently to create a diverse library of content that drives customer acquisition, conversion and retention? Matthew Maher , Founder of ...
Mar 08, 2021•47 min•Ep. 52
Brilliant Earth made a splash in the retail industry with its emphasis on ethical sourcing and it’s digital-first business model. Over the past 15 years, the company has maintained its dedication to both by prioritizing purpose-driven business strategy and experience innovation. But what’s driving Brilliant Earth today, while so many businesses are trying to find their footing and forge a path for the future? We sit down with Co-Founder and CEO Beth Gerstein to talk about what drives her as a le...
Mar 01, 2021•34 min•Ep. 51
Beers, wines and spirits is a $3 trillion industry worldwide and this industry is seeing a significant transformation as a result of COVID-19. As consumer mindsets and behaviors change, especially as they buy more alcohol online, 3x3 Insights is helping brands and independent retailers find new ways to reach and engage their audience. These methods stem from rich data, which includes demand data, as well as rich behavioral data. During this episode of Retail Remix, Mike Provance , CEO of 3x3 Ins...
Feb 22, 2021•36 min•Ep. 50
The Outlook Guide has been an editorial mainstay for Retail TouchPoints for nearly a decade. Every year, the editorial team gets fascinating takes from experts and analysts on the trends they believe will dominate in the year ahead. But this year’s guide was especially interesting to curate, given the great acceleration of trends we witnessed in 2020. During this special episode of the Retail Remix podcast, Alicia sits down with editor Adam Blair to discuss the latest iteration of the Outlook Gu...
Feb 15, 2021•36 min•Ep. 49
Millennial and Gen Z consumers are extremely cognizant of their financial health. They’re more likely to use their debit accounts and are more wary of racking up credit card debt. It’s no surprise, then, that the “buy now, pay later” space is booming. Afterpay is one of the companies driving this new payment revolution, giving consumers the power to pay for purchases over four installments, interest-free. With more than 11 million active customers globally and 63,000 retail customers, the compan...
Feb 08, 2021•30 min•Ep. 48
The murder of George Floyd in May 2020 sparked a social reckoning around the U.S. It also sparked intense conversations among executive leaders — and those conversations are continuing to this day. But what separates the organizations with the best intentions and those who are taking significant action to create more opportunity and equality for black employees and other minorities? During this episode of Retail Remix, get diversity and inclusion insights, challenges and best practices from Mich...
Feb 01, 2021•48 min•Ep. 47
Yasmeen Tadia has planned corporate events for big brands from Facebook to Forbes and Laura Mercier. When the pandemic hit, she took her love of creating luxurious, memorable events and created Make Your Life Sweeter , a brand of high-end treats like cotton candy, popcorn and chocolate truffles. As her brand grew, she decided to officially venture into brick-and-mortar with a pop-up in the Galleria Dallas. The end result was an immersive café-candy store experience filled with Instagrammable mom...
Jan 25, 2021•45 min•Ep. 46
This episode is sponsored by Treasure Data . As the founder of sport lifestyle brand Ball and Buck , Mark Bollman has learned a lot about growing and scaling a brand. He also learned quite a bit about what it takes to craft a differentiated in-store experience. After seeing the power of creating community hubs for passionate, likeminded individuals to gather, Mark started American Field (AF), a business that helps build brand partnerships and bring them to life through local discovery marketplac...
Jan 18, 2021•46 min•Ep. 45
This episode is sponsored by Brother . Ron Thurston started his career in retail at the Gap as a store associate. Over the years, he’s been able to work his way up the ranks and has served in executive roles at brands like Apple, Tory Burch and Saint Laurent. His experiences and conversations with peers inspired him to write Retail Pride: The Guide to Celebrating Your Accidental Career. During this episode of Retail Remix, Ron shares how his “accidental” path in the industry is quite common, as ...
Jan 11, 2021•43 min•Ep. 44
