Over the course of his 20-year career, Harvey Ma has held roles at NielsenIQ and Roundel, the in-house marketing and advertising agency for Target. He also held several leadership positions at Target spanning marketing, merchandising and negotiations. Now, he’s taking his passion for retail and advertising to the next level as Vice President of Albertsons Media Collective. In this episode of Retail Remix, host Alicia Esposito chats with Harvey about how retail and the advertising landscapes have...
Jan 15, 2024•27 min•Ep. 193
PRODUCTION UPDATE: Shortly after this podcast launched, Solo Brands announced that John Merris would “mutually separate” from the company as President, CEO and Director starting on Jan. 15, 2024. Christopher Metz will replace Merris, beginning on the same date. The news comes on the heels of Solo Brands updating its fiscal 2023 guidance , decreasing it from between $520 million to $540 million, to between $490 million and $500 million . In an era where technology and scale often precede personal...
Jan 08, 2024•31 min•Ep. 192
The Retail TouchPoints editorial team engaged with 15 esteemed experts, analysts and strategists to determine which trends and technologies will influence the industry most significantly in 2024. All insights were curated in a multimedia recent report , but for this week’s special episode of Retail Remix, we’re highlighting four key themes that emerged several times in the entire piece. Join us as we explore the trends and forces propelling our industry forward, including: How consumers’ lifesty...
Jan 03, 2024•29 min•Ep. 191
With his finger firmly on the pulse of the tech industry, Matt Maher, Founder of M7 Innovations, has helped brands across categories push creative boundaries to resonate with consumers in new ways. During this week’s Retail Remix, we’re replaying his session from the Retail Innovation Conference & Expo 2023, where he outlined the emerging technologies and platforms that can help merchants drive immersion and accelerate the purchase funnel. Listen to this episode to learn how: Discord is faci...
Dec 18, 2023•45 min•Ep. 190
1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc., is a pioneer in the gifting and entertaining space. By taking a holistic approach to marketing and content strategy, this renowned retailer has captured hearts worldwide, transforming how we celebrate special moments and connect with one another. During this Retail Remix episode, we sat down with Jason John, CMO of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc., to learn how the company is driving engagement and loyalty across its growing portfolio of brands. Check out this episode to learn ho...
Dec 11, 2023•22 min•Ep. 189
Once illegal and highly stigmatized, cannabis has become a legitimate, diverse and thriving market. Not only has the cannabis industry experienced significant growth over the past few years, it has also driven significant innovation in marketing, store design and customer experience. Despite this positive disruption, the cannabis retail space still faces its fair share of challenges. During this Retail Remix episode, we sat down with Filip Luneski, VP of Marketing for the UPC cannabis company Lu...
Dec 04, 2023•38 min•Ep. 188
Despite rumblings of a wary consumer, shopping results from Thanksgiving weekend reveal that consumers were eager to shop. For example, data from Adobe Digital Insights reveals that results from the weekend, especially Cyber Monday, beat initial projections. In this special episode of Retail Remix, host Alicia Esposito sits down with Vivek Pandya from Adobe Digital Insights to discuss how consumers shopped from the Thanksgiving table and their couches during the long weekend. Drawing on Adobe's ...
Nov 29, 2023•27 min•Ep. 187
Results from Retail TouchPoints ’ latest Store Ops Survey reveal that store ops budgets are increasing, and retailers are investing more in new in-store technology. As merchants strive to improve efficiency and personalize customer experiences, they need to ensure they’re prioritizing the right solutions, whether it be mobile devices, digital signage or other technologies. In this Retail Remix episode, we dive into the findings from the recently released Store Ops Survey with Nikki Baird, VP of ...
Nov 20, 2023•32 min•Ep. 186
From leveraging social media to exploring marketplaces and strategic advertising, there are countless avenues to capture mindshare and carve a unique space for your brand online. You can find a shining example of this immense potential in the canned water company Liquid Death. In this episode of Retail Remix, we listen back to an exclusive conversation from the 2023 Retail Innovation Conference & Expo between Claire Tassin from Morning Consult and Natalie Cotter, a key player in Liquid Death...
Nov 13, 2023•46 min•Ep. 185
At Monica + Andy, thoughtfulness is at the core of everything the brand does. The team, led by founder and CEO Monica Royer, believes that every decision should be made by first considering the possible impact on customers, employees and the environment. This episode of Retail Remix highlights how this mindset applies to all aspects of Monica + Andy, from product design to customer service, marketing and company culture. Alicia Esposito chats with Monica + Andy Founder Monica Royer about: The in...
Nov 06, 2023•40 min•Ep. 184
The luxury consumer is changing. She’s younger, more tech-savvy and embracing a hybrid of trends, from “quiet luxury” to bold colors and patterns. Kurt Geiger is adapting to these new realities while staying true to its UK roots – and is expanding globally along the way. During this week’s Retail Remix, Alicia Esposito chats with CEO Neil Clifford, a visionary leader who has championed the brand’s evolution and found new ways to drive brand relevance and loyalty. Listen to learn how Kurt Geiger ...
Oct 30, 2023•37 min•Ep. 183
Gen Z’s spending power is growing. That’s why brands are focused on truly understanding their behaviors and preferences across all channels. To shed light on how Gen Z prefers to shop in stores, MG2 conducted a comprehensive study that included both qualitative and quantitative feedback. The results paint a detailed picture of this influential cohort, helping brands break free of their pre-existing notions and biases. During this Retail Remix episode, Alicia Esposito chats with Melissa Gonzalez,...
Oct 23, 2023•28 min•Ep. 182
Starting as a pop-up sensation, the Museum of Ice Cream quickly captured the hearts and minds of visitors. It also left an indelible mark on the retail landscape and has become a model for experiential retail. But what made it such a splash? Was it the innovative model, the creative marketing approach or something else entirely? During this Retail Remix episode, Alicia Esposito chats with Manish Vora, Co-founder of the Museum of Ice Cream. The pair discuss how this extraordinary concept evolved ...
Oct 16, 2023•43 min•Ep. 181
The celebrity-backed brand isn’t dying…it’s evolving. In fact, Leonard Brody, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Caravan, believes that these brands carry substantial weight and increasingly resonate with consumers thanks to the power of social media. Leonard would know. Caravan plays a secret role in building these brands behind the scenes, elevating the role of celebs like Carrie Underwood and “Queer Eye’s” Antoni Porowski and Jonathan Van Ness. During this Retail Remix episode, Alicia Espos...
Oct 09, 2023•44 min•Ep. 180
At the Retail Innovation Conference & Expo (RICE), attendees learned that you can elevate your brand's presence, engage your audience and stand out in an increasingly competitive digital climate by tapping authentic content, partnerships with the right influencers, and healthy doses of experimentation. During this Retail Remix episode, we go back to a panel of marketing leaders who shared their unique approaches to social media marketing and advertising. They discussed how they take a full-f...
Oct 02, 2023•49 min•Ep. 179
To its community of loyal customers, Hanna Andersson is so much more than just a children's clothing company. It’s a trusted brand that puts safety, quality and ethical production at the forefront to empower parents around the world. With a steadfast dedication to protecting childhood innocence, Hanna Andersson also aims to create spaces where parents can find simplicity online without compromising style or substance. In this episode of Retail Remix, Alicia Esposito chats with Callie Canfield, C...
Sep 25, 2023•32 min•Ep. 178
In an era where sustainability and environmental consciousness are at the forefront of consumer demands, the fashion industry is facing increasing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint. Fortunately, technology is stepping in as a powerful ally in this quest for change. From digital samples to recommerce platforms, innovative solutions are emerging to revolutionize the way fashion operates. In this episode of Retail Remix, our host Alicia Esposito chats with Emily Gittins, Co-founder and...
Sep 18, 2023•31 min•Ep. 177
From its humble beginnings as a small jewelry startup to a household name, Kendra Scott has not only thrived in the direct-to-consumer (DTC) space but has also made significant strides in the world of wholesale and branded brick-and-mortar experiences. In this episode of Retail Remix, our host Alicia Esposito chats with Colleen Wilson, SVP of Retail and Wholesale for the jewelry brand. They explore Kendra Scott's growth journey, and how the brand ensures the customer experience is immersive, con...
Sep 11, 2023•39 min•Ep. 176
Welcome to the new frontier of retail marketing, where the power of “mind building” is reshaping the industry. Mind building takes the concept of worldbuilding and elevates it to a whole new level, focusing on immersive experiences that captivate the minds and emotions of customers. In this episode of Retail Remix, we relive a session from the Retail Innovation Conference & Expo. Ari Peralta, CEO of the research consultancy Arigami, shares the transformative potential of mind building in ret...
Sep 04, 2023•55 min•Ep. 175
In today's highly competitive retail landscape, private label brands have emerged as a powerful force, capturing the attention of both consumers and retailers alike. Once considered a category of cheap generic alternatives, private label has undergone a remarkable transformation and become a way for retailers to differentiate. In this episode of Retail Remix, host Alicia Esposito chats with Todd Maute, who is a partner at the brand strategy firm CBX, to dig into how retailers can build robust an...
Aug 28, 2023•37 min•Ep. 174
The future of commerce is marked by resilience, diversification and a willingness to embrace technological change. Square's third annual Future of Commerce report sheds light on this optimism, including how businesses are embracing new revenue streams through services and partnerships, implementing cutting-edge technologies to power connected experiences and using AI to drive efficiency. In this episode of Retail Remix, host Alicia Esposito chats with Roshan Jhunja, Head of Retail at Square. The...
Aug 21, 2023•27 min•Ep. 173
The beauty and skincare markets are growing increasingly crowded and competitive, but Covey Skincare has managed to stand out thanks to the powerful influence of its founders and a streamlined, science-backed methodology. In this episode of Retail Remix, host Alicia Esposito chats with Asha Talwar Coco, CEO of Covey Skincare. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how Covey has tackled this challenge and discover actionable takeaways for your own business in this rapidly evolving industry. Li...
Aug 14, 2023•35 min•Ep. 172
If brands want to connect with the hearts and minds of today's consumers, they need to foster a vibrant community across all channels. Dormify, the brand designed to serve young consumers outfitting dorms and other small spaces, uses its ambassador program to guide major decisions, from product development to marketing and brand expansion. In this episode of Retail Remix, host Alicia Esposito chats with Amanda Zuckerman, Co-founder, President, and Chief Brand Officer of Dormify to dig into how t...
Aug 07, 2023•39 min•Ep. 171
Generative AI has garnered a lot of buzz (and debate) in the retail industry. Although the technology is still relatively new to many brands, some have tested the tech and realized clear benefits, especially within marketing and ecommerce. In this episode of Retail Remix, host Alicia Esposito chats with Sarah Coles, who drives go-to-market strategy for Persado. During their conversation, Alicia and Sarah explore this exciting new world of ecommerce and how generative AI can help improve marketin...
Jul 31, 2023•40 min•Ep. 170
Marketers understand the importance of both brand and performance marketing. Brand marketing aims to create a strong brand identity over time, while performance or demand marketing focuses on delivering measurable results such as lead generation, sales and revenue. The real challenge for modern marketing teams is balancing the two strategies while ensuring long-term goals are not compromised. So, how can marketing teams invest their resources in creating content that delivers immediate results a...
Jul 24, 2023•33 min•Ep. 169
Consumers today demand seamless and personalized shopping experiences across all channels – that even applies to the checkout experience. But the reality is the payment process is still cumbersome and complex online. Shilpi Narang, SVP of Customer Experiences at Bolt , believes that identity can help unlock shopping innovation on any surface. During this episode of Retail Remix, hear how the payment experience can be reimagined to boost conversions and drive long-term loyalty. Listen in to learn...
Jul 17, 2023•28 min•Ep. 168
ThredUP's annual resale report predicts that the U.S. resale market will reach $70 billion by 2027, outpacing the growth of traditional retail by 9X. Why? Because consumers, especially Gen Z, are looking to make smarter, more eco-friendly buying decisions. Brands like American Eagle are tapping into this growing market by partnering with thredUP to offer innovative programs through apps like Snapchat that appeal to their young, digital-savvy customers. These initiatives reflect the brand's DNA a...
Jul 10, 2023•25 min•Ep. 167
For years, retail industry experts discussed augmented reality (AR) at a high level. Now, we're finally seeing the technology being used in creative and innovative ways. During this episode of Retail Remix, our host Alicia Esposito speaks with Neil Redding, Head of Product at Auki Labs, about how AR can drive the entire customer experience, from discovery to conversation. Neil also shares how his company is fueling AR innovation by helping people, technology and AI interact in physical spaces to...
Jun 26, 2023•44 min•Ep. 166
Shoppers are looking for more immersive in-store experiences – from personalized attention to customization and convenient access to products. But crafting the perfect in-store experience means understanding what your customers expect and incorporating technology thoughtfully to empower both shoppers and associates. During this episode of Retail Remix, our host Alicia Esposito chats with Beth Warren, SVP of Marketing for Creative Realities, a company that helps brands select and implement the ri...
Jun 19, 2023•32 min•Ep. 165
The modern shopping experience is about creating immersive, personalized experiences for shoppers. What better way to make your customers feel seen and appreciated than by tailoring ads and promotions to them? By leveraging data-driven advertising strategies like targeted campaigns and segmenting audiences, brands can create more effective campaigns that point toward what customers need and what they don't even know they need yet! During this episode of Retail Remix, host Alicia Esposito chats w...
Jun 12, 2023•28 min•Ep. 164