In this captivating episode of The Voice of Retail , host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Cameron Conn , CEO of Champlain Apparel , to explore an extraordinary career journey that spans Las Vegas casinos, tech startups, and Canada’s emerging entry-level luxury menswear scene. Raised in a third-generation casino family, Cameron’s early career in hospitality taught him the art of customer service, loyalty, and operational excellence. From developing multi-million-dollar casino projects in Edmonton ...
Aug 15, 2025•29 min•Ep. 478
Retail success isn't just about having a fantastic product—it's about understanding the business of selling. On this special encore episode of The Voice of Retail , I welcome Liza Amlani, renowned retail strategist and co-author of The Whole Sale: Profitable Wholesale Strategies for Brands . Liza shares insider insights from her 20+ years in buying, merchandising, and retail consulting, helping brands navigate the complexities of wholesale expansion. In a rapidly changing marketplace, many direc...
Aug 08, 2025•35 min•Ep. 477
On this Encore episode of The Voice of Retail , host Michael LeBlanc speaks with retail strategist, professor, and author Carl Boutet about his journey in academia and his latest book, Blind Spot: Navigating the Unforeseen Effects of Technology on Commerce . Carl discusses his evolving role in retail education, including his work at McGill University and teaching in Asia. He shares how his exposure to different global markets, particularly in Vietnam, has shaped his perspectives on retail innova...
Aug 01, 2025•40 min•Ep. 476
In this episode of The Voice of Retail , I’m thrilled to welcome back Chris Jones, Founder and CEO of Cannabis Xpress, for his third appearance on the show. Chris offers an insider’s view of the fast-changing cannabis retail landscape in Canada. Since we last spoke, Cannabis Xpress has grown to 21 stores—14 in Ontario and 7 in New Brunswick—becoming the largest private cannabis retailer in New Brunswick. Chris shares how his focus on underserved communities and cost-efficient, compact store form...
Jul 25, 2025•31 min•Ep. 474
In this special live episode of The Voice of Retail , recorded at RCC STORE 2025 , I sit down with two retail thought leaders: Simone Lumsden , Senior Vice-President, Triangle Customer Loyalty and Triangle Retail Media, Canadian Tire Corporation , and Sandra Duff , Founder and Principal at Another Story Consulting . Together, we explore what it takes to deliver loyalty, excitement, and differentiation in an increasingly parity-driven retail environment. Simone shares how Canadian Tire is evolvin...
Jul 18, 2025•25 min•Ep. 473
In this episode of The Voice of Retail, I’m joined by James B. Smith, Founder and CEO of Rare Placement, for a wide-ranging conversation on modern leadership, executive search, and the future of talent in the retail industry. James brings an exceptional career journey to the mic, beginning in advertising with agencies like Grey and Ogilvy, moving into marketing leadership at Citibank, in leadership roles at Esquire and then Conde Nast Traveller—where he helped it become the top-performing title,...
Jul 11, 2025•31 min•Ep. 472
In this special encore episode of The Voice of Retail , recorded live at the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, host Michael LeBlanc is joined by longtime Remarkable Retail #podcast collaborator and retail thought leader Steve Dennis to celebrate the launch of Steve’s latest book, Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption . Best known for his bestselling book Remarkable Retail , Steve steps outside the retail-specific lens to explore a bro...
Jul 04, 2025•40 min•Ep. 471
In this must-listen episode of The Voice of Retail , host Michael LeBlanc is joined by seasoned retail strategist Jim Okamura , Partner at McMillan Doolittle and Co-Founder of the Global E-commerce Leaders Forum (GELF) . Recorded live at the CommerceNext show in New York City, the two Canadians delve deeply into the current and future state of retail, blending global expertise with practical insights from the ground up. The conversation begins with Jim's background and a look at McMillan Doolitt...
Jun 27, 2025•29 min•Ep. 470
In this powerhouse episode of The Voice of Retail , I sit down with Sharon Gai, an international keynote speaker, AI expert, former Alibaba executive, and recent keynote speaker on the stage at the Retail Council of Canada's STORE2025, for an illuminating conversation on the future of retail in the age of artificial intelligence. Joining from São Paulo, Sharon offers a global lens on how retailers must rethink customer engagement, merchandising, and data infrastructure to remain competitive. We ...
Jun 20, 2025•30 min•Ep. 469
In this encore episode of The Voice of Retail from January 2025 , I’m joined by Sergeant Craig Reynolds and Arezo Zarrabian , Senior Crime Analyst at the Vancouver Police Department, for an exclusive look inside Project Barcode —a pioneering effort to combat organized retail crime in Vancouver. Sparked by a staggering 260% increase in retail theft involving weapons, Project Barcode was launched in 2021 and has evolved into a city-wide operation. Combining targeted police action, strategic analyt...
Jun 13, 2025•43 min•Ep. 468
In this exclusive interview, I chat with Peter Hlynsky, CEO of MEC (Mountain Equipment Company), one of Canada's most iconic outdoor retailers. Peter shares his remarkable journey from CFO to CEO over five years at MEC, detailing his passion for the outdoors that initially drew him to the company rather than retail specifically. MEC's origin story is captivating - it began in the early 1970s, when University of British Columbia students drove to REI in Washington, bought climbing gear, and sold ...
Jun 06, 2025•32 min•Ep. 467
In this energizing and thought-provoking episode, I welcome back Ron Thurston, bestselling author, veteran retail executive, and passionate advocate for the frontline retail workforce. With the launch of his second book, Human Pride: Optimizing Your Human Potential in a Digital Job Market , Ron brings a refreshing, people-centric perspective to leadership and career development in the era of AI, automation, and gig work. Michael and Ron discuss the implications of the rising prevalence of gig wo...
May 30, 2025•34 min•Ep. 466
In this episode, Jenn Harper, founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics and 2025 recipient of Retail Council Canada's Independent Retail Ambassador of the Year award, joins me on the mic. Our inspiring conversation explores Jenn's remarkable journey from food industry sales to building a nationally recognized Indigenous beauty brand now available in Sephora, Canada, and JCPenney. Jenn's entrepreneurial story begins with a vivid dream in January 2015 featuring Indigenous girls covered in lip ...
May 23, 2025•28 min•Ep. 465
In this exclusive episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, host Michael LeBlanc interviews Karl Haller, Partner at IBM Consulting and leader of their retail and consumer products center of competency, ahead of his highly anticipated keynote presentation at Retail Council of Canada's STORE2025 conference on June 3rd. With nearly 30 years of retail experience at brands including Brooks Brothers, Tommy Hilfiger, and Karl Lagerfeld, Haller brings unique insights at the intersection of retail business...
May 16, 2025•22 min•Ep. 464
In this timely episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes back frequent guest and audience favorite Ira Kalish, Chief Global and US Economist for Deloitte, who is set to deliver the opening keynote address at Retail Council of Canada's STORE2025 conference on June 3rd. This conversation offers listeners a valuable preview of the critical economic insights Canadian retailers can expect from his highly anticipated keynote. As LeBlanc notes in the introduction, "I'm very excited ...
May 09, 2025•24 min•Ep. 463
🎧 Encore Episode Alert! Revisit one of our most popular conversations from Fall 2024 as I sit down with Michon Williams, Chief Technology Officer at Walmart Canada , for a wide-ranging discussion on leading technology innovation in Canada’s largest retail landscape. Recorded live at Walmart Canada headquarters, Michelle shares her career journey—from a high school intern at RBC to helming technology strategy at Walmart—highlighting the passion for problem-solving and creativity that fueled her ...
May 02, 2025•28 min•Ep. 462
In this compelling episode of The Voice of Retail , I sit down again and catch up with Emma May, Founder of SophieGrace, a Calgary-based fashion brand transforming professional womenswear with modular, machine-washable designs. With a diverse background spanning law, politics, and real estate, Emma shares the origin story of SophieGrace, born from her frustration with the lack of cohesive, high-quality wardrobe options for professional women. Emma discusses how her brand serves an underserved se...
Apr 25, 2025•30 min•Ep. 461
In this compelling encore episode of The Voice of Retail , I reconnect with Craig Baxter, Group President of Techtronic Industries Canada Inc., a division of the $13.7 billion global manufacturing giant known for its market-leading brands including Milwaukee, RYOBI, Hoover, and Dirt Devil. Our conversation spans decades of experience, lessons learned, and the cutting-edge strategies Craig and his team are deploying to dominate the power tools and home improvement space. Craig shares his fascinat...
Apr 18, 2025•37 min•Ep. 460
In this enlightening episode of The Voice of Retail , host Michael LeBlanc interviews Anabel Maldonado , Founder and CEO of PSYKHE AI , a company at the forefront of using psychographic intelligence and generative AI to transform the future of e-commerce merchandising. With a rich background that spans neuropsychology and luxury fashion—having worked with the founding team of Net-a-Porter—Anabel brings a unique perspective to the conversation about personalization, retail AI, and customer behavi...
Apr 11, 2025•29 min•Ep. 459
In the latest episode of The Voice of Retail , host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Phil Wahba, Senior Writer at Fortune , to explore the ever-evolving landscape of retail leadership, consumer behavior, and strategic transformations. Wahba reflects on more than a decade covering retail bankruptcies, leadership shifts, and innovation, highlighting that while consumer desires have remained relatively stable—good value, seamless experiences, and quality products—retailers often struggle to meet thes...
Apr 04, 2025•33 min•Ep. 458
In this special encore episode of The Voice of Retail , host Michael LeBlanc welcomes Dr. Rebecca Homkes, a globally recognized high-growth strategy expert and author of the acclaimed book Survive, Reset, Thrive: Leading Breakthrough Growth Strategy in Volatile Times . Dr. Homkes, who holds faculty positions at the London Business School and Duke University, shares invaluable insights into how leaders can build resilient and adaptive growth strategies in today’s rapidly changing business landsca...
Mar 28, 2025•29 min•Ep. 457
In the latest episode of The Voice of Retail , host Michael LeBlanc speaks with Yale Holder, Vice President of Customer Experience at Moneris , about emerging retail fraud prevention trends and strategies for payment security . Drawing on Moneris’ extensive transaction data—covering billions of annual payments—Yale explains how fraud cases in 2024 dropped by 15% overall, primarily due to increased awareness and more widespread adoption of secure payment technologies. Despite this good news, he n...
Mar 21, 2025•30 min•Ep. 456
In the latest groundbreaking episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, host Michael LeBlanc presents a true innovation in nearly 500 episodes of broadcasting – the first 100% AI-generated episode, created entirely by Google's Notebook LM AI tool. This experimental episode marks a significant milestone in retail podcasting. LeBlanc uploaded a PDF of his popular annual NYC NRF Big Show retail tour – a document typically used to guide dozens of top Canadian retailers through New York's most innovativ...
Mar 14, 2025•19 min•Ep. 455
In this episode, I welcome back Albert Chow, co-founder & CEO of Silk & Snow, to explore the company’s dramatic evolution from a digital-native sleep brand to a powerhouse in physical retail. The conversation dives into Silk & Snow’s ambitious expansion plans, with 14 new stores set to open across Canada by the end of the year. Albert shares the brand’s journey from its 2017 launch as an online mattress-in-a-box retailer to its current position as a multi-category sleep essentials an...
Mar 07, 2025•26 min•Ep. 454
In this episode I welcome Lindsey Mazza Capgemini's Global Retail Lead, to explore the latest findings from their annual What Matters to Today's Consumer report. The conversation uncovers significant shifts in consumer behaviour, AI-driven retail strategies, and the future of fast delivery. Mazza outlines how 2025 marks a turning point where science fiction meets retail reality. Consumer expectations are rapidly changing, with a notable surge in demand for ultra-fast delivery. According to the s...
Feb 28, 2025•31 min•Ep. 453
In this episode of The Voice of Retail , I sit down with Cheryl Ong Seng, Vice President of Retail at Circana, to explore the latest trends shaping the Canadian retail landscape. From consumer confidence and value-seeking behaviours to the challenges of personalization and pricing strategies, they cover the key insights retailers need to know. Cheryl shares her journey from Mauritius and Australia to leading Circana’s retail insights based in Canmore, Alberta, providing a unique perspective on t...
Feb 21, 2025•29 min•Ep. 452
Retail success isn't just about having a fantastic product—it's about understanding the business of selling. On this episode of The Voice of Retail , I welcome Liza Amlani, renowned retail strategist and co-author of The Whole Sale: Profitable Wholesale Strategies for Brands . Liza shares insider insights from her 20+ years in buying, merchandising, and retail consulting, helping brands navigate the complexities of wholesale expansion. In a rapidly changing marketplace, many direct-to-consumer (...
Feb 14, 2025•35 min•Ep. 451
On this episode of The Voice of Retail , I reconnect with Daryl Aitken, the founder of Fabric Spark, for an engaging conversation on the shifting landscape of retail. Darrell's journey is a masterclass in adaptation—starting in advertising and e-commerce, then pivoting into a fabric business that blends digital and brick-and-mortar retail. Fabric Spark began as a passion project to improve the customer experience in the online fabric space. What started as a side hustle quickly became a full-fle...
Feb 07, 2025•39 min•Ep. 450
On this episode of The Voice of Retail , host Michael LeBlanc speaks with retail strategist, professor, and author Carl Boutet about his journey in academia, insights from NRF 2025, and his latest book, Blind Spot: Navigating the Unforeseen Effects of Technology on Commerce . Carl discusses his evolving role in retail education, including his work at McGill University and teaching in Asia. He shares how his exposure to different global markets, particularly in Vietnam, has shaped his perspective...
Jan 31, 2025•40 min•Ep. 449
In this episode, meet Sgt. Craig Reynolds & Arezo Zarrabian , a Senior Crime Analyst from the Vancouver Police Department. Together, they take us behind the scenes for a comprehensive discussion of both the criminal justice system & an update reflecting the work of their innovative and data-driven task force, Project Barcode, investigating and fighting violent retail crime on the streets of Vancouver. https://vpd.ca/news/2024/06/06/vpd-targets-downtown-eastside-fencing-operations/ Michae...
Jan 24, 2025•43 min•Ep. 448
