Retail Remix

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 exp...

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 bran...

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...

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:...

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 deve...

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 he...

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...

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...

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 li...

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 abou...

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 eme...

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 pass...

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. D...

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 becomin...

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 ranking...

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 Recessi...

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...

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? Dur...

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 Clien...

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 p...

During the National Retail Federation's 2020 BIG Show, host Alicia Esposito had the chance to sit down with Bob Phibbs , the Retail Doctor, and Carol Leaman , CEO of Axonify . While the conversation was insightful, zeroing in on the fact that associates were tasked to do more than ever, the current situation has completely re-framed the conversation. That is why Alicia caught up with Bob and Carol...

As retail stores begin to reopen, business leaders are thinking more critically about the future of the in-store experience. What is the best way to build consumer trust and make them feel at ease about going into a store? How can brands creatively bring the best of digital and physical experiences together without forcing them into an uncomfortable experience? During this episode of Retail Remix,...

For many years, the Internet of Things (IoT) got a lot of buzz. Smart home and store technology illustrated the value of connecting devices and data. However, most IoT use cases have revolved around improving efficiencies, reducing energy consumption and tracking inventory throughout the store. Experience use cases are not as widely known which ultimately, creates new opportunities for brands to i...

Testing, learning and pivoting haven't necessarily been retailers' strong points. Right before COVID-19 hit, many businesses were still struggling with legacy infrastructures and disjointed processes. These legacy qualities inhibited them from responding swiftly to new consumer behaviors and competitive forces. That is why Elizabeth Elliott , who is a Managing Partner at Columbus Consulting , beli...

Now more than ever, consumers want brands to stand for something. They want authenticity and meaning. But what's the best way for retailers to stand for something when they're facing ongoing uncertainty? Nicola Smith , Founder and CEO of REBEL & REASON , believes that now is the time for business leaders to take risks and find new ways to connect and resonate with their audiences. After all, i...