The rise of Instagram is a great example to illustrate how the power of influence has shifted from brands to creators. This shift has sparked the evolution and expansion of the “creator economy,” which is fundamentally changing the shopping experience. How can brands keep pace and capitalize on these new opportunities? During this episode of Retail Remix, our host Alicia Esposito talks with Rodney Mason, Head of Marketing and Brand Partnerships for LTK . The pair chat about how the creator econo...
Jun 05, 2023•35 min•Ep. 163
In today's digital world, getting caught up in the constant need for online presence and engagement is easy. With the rise of always-on communication channels, leveraging every robot available to maintain a genuine connection with customers can be tempting. However, many successful brands recognize the importance of staying true to the Human-to-Human (H2H) engagement philosophy. During this episode of Retail Remix, host Alicia Esposito chats with Tony Drockton, Founder and Chief Cheerleader of t...
May 29, 2023•30 min•Ep. 162
Have you noticed all the stores at your local shopping center vying for your attention? The big, bold signs advertising special sales, discounts and events? These marketing tactics not only cost time, but they also come with a hefty price tag. But did you know that there are usually digital and physical marketing opportunities baked into lease agreements and these resources either go unused or are not fully optimized? That’s why Sean Snyder, Founder and President of Engagement Agents, calls shop...
May 22, 2023•19 min•Ep. 161
The success of any brand hinges on its ability to deliver personalized and immersive customer experiences. Enter Web3, which unlocks a new infrastructure and new capabilities for digital teams to give shoppers more control over their experience. Chris Silver, Co-founder of the customer loyalty platform BambuMeta, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise on this topic as he and his team explore the various ways brands can embrace Web3 to enhance customer engagement and drive loyalty. During thi...
May 15, 2023•30 min•Ep. 160
As businesses expand globally, they begin to face more complex issues such as global payments, ambiguous compliance requirements and language barriers – and that’s just naming a few! But Aditi Pany founded Qalara to help small and emerging brands scale more seamlessly, and empower retailers to discover these brands, too! During this episode of Retail Remix, host Alicia Esposito sits down with Aditi to learn about why she wanted to create a platform designed to support the growth of ethically mad...
May 08, 2023•33 min•Ep. 159
Gone are the days of overwhelming and uninspiring beauty shopping online. With Youthforia’s branded ecommerce site, robust content strategy and seamless beauty discovery platform, we see a new era of online shopping for the beauty consumer. Fiona Co Chan, Founder and CEO of Youthforia, has focused on leveling up the way sustainable skincare and makeup brands connect with consumers – from social media and beyond. During this episode of Retail Remix, host Alicia Esposito chats with Fiona about her...
May 01, 2023•21 min•Ep. 158
Subscription models have evolved beyond offering consumers merely convenience and savings. Look at companies like FabFitFun, which now offer curation tools, loyalty programs, access to community and so much more to create a loyal customer base. During this episode of Retail Remix, host Alicia Esposito chats with Paul Chambers, CEO and Co-founder of the Subscription Trade Association (SUBTA). The pair talk about how brands and even media companies are working together to unlock the power of subsc...
Apr 24, 2023•33 min•Ep. 157
As retailers consider investing in in-store technology, their goals typically fall into two categories: efficiency and engagement. Some retailers may want to focus on making employees’ lives easier while others may want to prioritize high-touch service to shoppers. How can retailers determine which model makes the most sense? Is it possible to prioritize both goals to create a differentiated customer experience? During this episode of Retail Remix, we listen in on a conversation between our host...
Apr 17, 2023•33 min•Ep. 156
Expanding your brand into a new market or category can be tricky. How much should you innovate and expand upon what you already do? What do customers expect from such an experience? Rick Gomez, EVP and Chief Food & Beverage Officer at Target, played a crucial role in transforming the retailer’s identity from a typical retailer with limited food and grocery options to a comprehensive grocery store. Last summer, at the Retail Innovation Conference & Expo in Chicago, Rick shared a behind-th...
Apr 10, 2023•37 min•Ep. 155
In the luxury space, in-person experiences are still king. Brand representatives are able to provide high-touch service that allows them to personally consult, fit and connect with customers. But as consumers increasingly consult digital channels, luxury brands are struggling to truly capitalize on new service and engagement opportunities. During this episode of Retail Remix, host Alicia Esposito chats with Olivia Steele, Co-founder of Conversation Couture, a virtual sales training and consultin...
Apr 03, 2023•44 min•Ep. 154
Connected product experiences require so much more than a QR code and call to action. Brands need detailed insight into audience interests and expectations, robust technology to bridge the gap between physical products and digital experiences and, of course, powerful storytelling forged by a genuine connection established between customers, brands and products. With a highly functional and engaging connected product experience, businesses can foster brand loyalty while boosting sales. During thi...
Mar 27, 2023•36 min•Ep. 153
Retail TouchPoints has been studying and reporting on the evolution of resale for years. Over this time, we’ve seen consumer behaviors shift and demand accelerate, which means retailers have had to rethink the way they research and source “pre-loved” goods. How do they find the right wholesale partners? What are the risks they face while selecting products? How can they ensure their customers get the best deal and their business gets the best margins? During this episode of Retail Remix, host Al...
Mar 20, 2023•24 min•Ep. 152
Branded recommerce is gaining momentum in retail. Could it be the key to success for your company? To find out, you’ll have to do some deep strategic work to ensure your brand, your products and your customer align. During this episode of Retail Remix, Alicia Esposito talks with Andy Ruben, Founder & Executive Chairman at Trove . They discuss how Andy has seen the recommerce space grow and evolve, and the unique approaches brands have taken to use ecommerce to drive acquisition, engagement a...
Mar 13, 2023•42 min•Ep. 151
Are you in on the NFT craze or playing it safe? If you fall into the latter, you may miss out on some amazing opportunities for engaging with customers and cultivating a loyal community of fans and collectors. During this episode of Retail Remix, our host Alicia Esposito sits down to chat with Ash Pampati, Head of Partnership at the NFT creation platform Metaplex. The pair discuss who manages NFT projects in today’s market, the strategic priorities, and what opportunities are available to brands...
Mar 06, 2023•47 min•Ep. 150
Having a focus on the customer has always been an important, if not obvious, part of retail. But in this era of digital transformation, brands need to remain focused on what their customer needs and expects as they try to simultaneously do more with less. During this episode of Retail Remix, we chat with Kathy Kimple, the Executive Director of OSF Digital’s Strategy Group, to dig into some key findings from the firm’s latest Omnichannel Retail Index. She and host Alicia Esposito discuss how the ...
Feb 27, 2023•25 min•Ep. 149
In today’s fast-paced and competitive marketplace, many consumer brands and digitally native DTC brands are fighting to stand out and chart a path to sustainable growth. To fully understand the dynamics shaping this area of the retail industry in particular, we sat down with Jenny Fleiss, Senior Advisor for Volition Capital, who is most known for starting Rent the Runway with her co-founder Jennifer Hyman. Now, Jenny works closely with CPG and DTC brands to help them understand new competitive p...
Feb 20, 2023•36 min•Ep. 148
Technology and ecommerce have certainly changed the face of retail. From innovative payment methods to omnichannel platforms, retailers now have access to a wealth of tools and options that can help them reach customers more effectively while providing better service overall. And after a couple of years of uncertainty for brick-and-mortar stores during the pandemic, signs show retailers need to find that balance of in-person and digital shopping experiences. During this episode of Retail Remix, ...
Feb 13, 2023•17 min•Ep. 147
When Natalie Gordon started Babylist, she wanted to provide the knowledge, guidance and support she was seeking when she was pregnant with her first child. Now, the ecommerce baby registry company is making it easier for parents, caretakers and all family members to research and purchase the items they need. During this episode of Retail Remix, Natalie shares how the business has evolved in the age of social media, and how branded and user-generated content in particular have helped build the Ba...
Feb 06, 2023•33 min•Ep. 146
With her wealth of experience and diverse industry connections, Kimberly Lee Minor is driving positive change in the retail world. She has an infectious enthusiasm for community connection and a proven track record in implementing effective data-backed strategies around Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. During this episode of Retail Remix, we tap into Kimberly’s wealth of expertise by looking back at her session at the 2022 Retail Innovation Conference & Expo. During the session, Kimberly s...
Jan 30, 2023•42 min•Ep. 145
During this special episode of Retail Remix, Alicia Esposito sat with Adam Blair, Editor at Retail TouchPoints, and Philip Jackson, Co-founder of Future Commerce, to dig into their experiences bouncing around sessions and the expo floor at this year’s NRF Big Show. If their insights are any indication, 2023 is shaping up to be a year of optimization, not revolution. For example, instead of pulling out pieces of tech from your stack – what Philip innocently referred to as “noodles” – retailers wi...
Jan 23, 2023•43 min•Ep. 144
Companies often become so fixated on short-term and long-term goals that they forget to prioritize the most important objective: creating value. Stuart Landesberg, CEO at Grove Collaborative, says that the company’s success, and vision for long-term value creation, can be attributed to four key areas. During this episode of Retail Remix, Stuart breaks down these four areas and shares his perspective on how to effectively grow business through providing customer value. When done right, it can tak...
Jan 16, 2023•40 min•Ep. 143
The metaverse is creating a lot of buzz in the media, especially with its promise of creating a more integrated and open digital world. With its many associated technologies, such as Web3, NFTs and blockchain, it has especially generated a lot of hype in the retail industry. But it also has garnered a lot of speculation. Ben Earl, Partner at Skyview Way Studios and “Web2.5” strategist, has been busy implementing forward-thinking projects in NFTs, blockchain and the film industry, and is passiona...
Jan 09, 2023•51 min•Ep. 142
As the founder and CEO of Argo Tea, Arsen Avakian faced challenges managing an expansive list of retail partners and all of their distinct marketing and advertising offerings. With the rise of retail media, he saw a unique opportunity to bring robust, data-driven creative to the physical environment, which inspired him to start Cooler Screens. During this episode of Retail Remix, get Arsen’s perspectives on: The evolution of retail media and the specific challenges brands and retailers will need...
Jan 02, 2023•43 min•Ep. 141
Mirakl has helped hundreds of brands and retailers launch their own marketplaces. As a result, Adrien Nussenbaum and his team have a pretty good understanding of what works and, most of all, what doesn’t. As the marketplace model continues to evolve, now is the time for retail execs to find ways to build, improve and expand their strategy. Listen to this episode of Retail Remix to get insights from Mirakl’s Co-founder and CEO on: How retailers can determine if the marketplace model is a fit for ...
Dec 19, 2022•40 min•Ep. 140
McKinsey indicates that commerce media has the potential to generate more than $1.3 trillion of enterprise value in the U.S. alone. Many believe that commerce media is poised to completely transform the advertising world because it helps close the loop between media impressions and commerce transactions and give brands and retailers more insight into consumer behaviors and expectations. During this episode of Retail Remix, Emily Del Greco, Partner at McKinsey, offers her expansive expertise in m...
Dec 12, 2022•29 min•Ep. 139
To achieve true loyalty, brands need to ensure they’re creating value for their customers. That value can be found in discounts, exclusive offers, access to unique products and experiences, and so much more. With an expansive portfolio of brands, General Mills wanted to think critically about what loyalty meant to its customers, and brainstorm unique ways to build and nurture this loyalty across the business. KC Glaser, Senior Manager of Brand Experience – Loyalty & Rewards, embarked on a jo...
Dec 05, 2022•39 min•Ep. 138
Every brand and retailer seems to be talking about Gen Z or Gen Alpha. But new data from GWI shows that there is more to millennial consumers than meets the eye...and businesses need to take note. During this episode of Retail Remix, we dig into the data with Consumers Trends Manager Laura Connell. She shares: How new life stages are impacting category trends and channel usage; Whether sustainability and inclusivity influence brand loyalty; Which social platforms are influencing content consumpt...
Nov 28, 2022•32 min•Ep. 137
TOMS was an early pioneer of the purpose-driven retail model. Although many know the brand for its one-for-one approach to charitable giving, the brand recently underwent a transformation that included rethinking its approach to social impact. To get the scoop, we brought Amy Smith, who is the Chief Strategy & Impact Officer for TOMS, on the show. She shared how her role within the company has transformed with the brand’s evolution, and how she and the broader team have: Balanced mission and...
Nov 21, 2022•37 min•Ep. 136
We’ve all fallen for it: The point-of-purchase display that has a plethora of small items you just have to have. Some brands and retailers are realizing there’s power in creating similar experiences online. However, few have truly mastered the checkout experience, using data to feature relevant products and services that boost basket sizes. During this episode of Retail Remix, we chat with Ashley Firmstone, SVP of Customer Success for Rokt, to find out why. She shares: Why data disconnects are p...
Nov 14, 2022•38 min•Ep. 135
PacSun is one of the most beloved brands among Gen Z consumers. Tyler MacDonald attributes the retailer’s longevity to its focus on being authentic and relevant across all channels. As Senior Manager of Influencers and Social Media, Tyler leverages a core strategy that revolves around four core pillars: Nostalgia; Humor; Being trend-focused; and Being raw and organic. During this episode of Retail Remix, we dig into this strategy, and how PacSun leverages its highly engaged network of influencer...
Nov 07, 2022•35 min•Ep. 134
