Future Shop Podcast with WSL

In this episode of Future Shop, host Wendy Liebmann sits down with Rachel Marler, the North American Chief Commercial Officer for Lifestyles (the makers of SKYN condoms). Together, they explore the rapid evolution of the sexual and intimate wellness category from a restricted retail afterthought to a crucial pillar of holistic physical and mental health. From breaking retail stigmas and adapting t...

In this episode of Future Shop , Wendy Liebmann sits down with the industry’s most plugged-in duo, Peter V.S. Bond and Sri Rajagopalan (The CPG Guys), to dissect a retail landscape currently in the throes of a "hot mess" transformation. They navigate the complex collision of agentic AI , the shifting power of retail media , and a growing leadership talent crisis. From why Target is strug...

In this episode of Future Shop, Wendy Liebmann sits down with renaissance man and ROAR Forward founder Michael Clinton to discuss his latest book, Longevity Nation . As life expectancies climb and today’s children face a 50% chance of living to 100, the “second half of life” is being completely rewritten. Michael shares how businesses, retailers, and individuals must adapt to a world where 74 is t...

In this episode of Future Shop , Wendy Liebmann sits down with retail powerhouse Ali Kole to dissect the “accelerated evolution” of the beauty and wellness industry. Drawing on her extensive background at McKinsey, Amazon, and Sephora, Kole explores how technology—from back-end logistics to front-end AI—is empowering the modern, information-hungry consumer. They dive into the expansion of beauty d...

As we transition into 2026, the retail landscape is being reshaped by two powerful, seemingly opposite forces: the rapid ascent of autonomous AI and a growing hunger for authentic human connection. In this special year-in-review, Wendy Liebmann reflects on a transformative period of “perpetual chaos,” where shoppers are seizing control of their journeys amid economic and global uncertainty. From t...

This podcast episode of Future Shop features WSL’s Wendy Liebmann and Elia Auchane as they recap their recent trip to Cosmoprof North America in Miami. Together, they explore the shifting landscape of the beauty industry, questioning if the sector is “tapped out” while identifying the viral trends, from K-Beauty to Middle Eastern fragrances , that are currently dominating the global market. Throug...

Join host Wendy Liebmann as she sits down with Kelsie Johnston, a retail strategist with a career spanning Macy’s, Walmart, Coty, and most recently, TikTok. In this episode of Future Shop , Kelsie breaks down the seismic shift from traditional omnichannel retail to the exploding world of social commerce and the dawn of “Agentic AI.” They discuss why brands and retailers must move beyond transactio...

In this episode of Future Shop , Wendy Liebmann sits down with Christi Geary, EVP at Advantage Marketing Partners, to explore the evolving landscape of retail and the enduring power of the human connection. They dive into the intersection of technology and emotion, discussing why physical retail remains vital despite the digital explosion and how brands must shift from simple execution to true tra...

In this episode of Future Shop, Wendy Liebmann sits down with retail veteran Andy Murray to dissect the conflicting forces impacting the modern shopper. From the bifurcated "K-shaped" economy to the rise of "vibe shopping" among Gen Z, Andy shares insights from his time at Walmart,  ASDA, and P&G, and his current work with the University of Arkansas. Together, they explore...

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann and Justin Honaman (Amazon Web Services) dive into the chaotic yet exciting world of retail and technology as 2025 wraps up. From AI’s real-world impact on commerce to the rise of “agentic AI,” they explore what’s truly changing the business —and what’s just hype. They also touch on talent, innovation, loyalty, and what brands should expect heading into NRF 2026. Hi...

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann sits down with April Showers , the founder of Afro Unicorn® , a brand born from purpose, community, and the need for representation.  They discuss how April’s personal passion and smart retail partnerships brought her vision to life. Highlights: How Afro Unicorn grew from T-shirts to Walmart shelves and national recognition Why purpose and community are central to b...

In this milestone episode, Wendy Liebmann celebrates 100 episodes of Future Shop with WSL’s newest Director of Research & Insights, Rich Kaminski. Together, they unpack the latest How America Shops® in Chaos study — revealing how shoppers are navigating a world defined by constant disruption, rising prices, and shifting trust in retailers. From Gen Z to Boomers, everyone’s learning how to stay...

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Gina Zilleox, Senior Director Category Management, Glanbia Performance Nutrition about the need to make dramatic assumptions about the competitive landscape in order to thrive in the future.  They discuss: Whether or not category management, as we know it, is dead.   How essential it is to broaden the perspective of what a category is, especially – but not...

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to regular guest Justin Honaman, Global Head, Restaurants, Retail & Consumer Goods Business Development at Amazon Web Services, about what’s now – and next – as technology transforms retail and consumer goods businesses. They discuss: Retail sales and the tension between inflation, tariffs and spending Managing pricing as shoppers shop and buy across multi...

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Amanda Coussoule, Chief Customer Officer at Kenvue , Marla Fielder, Health & Wellness Leader at Kroger and Sharon Glass, Global VP, OTC & Pharma at InMarket ,  about how to transform organizations in challenging retail times.  They discuss: Knowing when to use “soft” or “hard” influence to move organizations to change The importance of situational a...

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Liza Rapay, Vice President, Head of Cosmoprof North America, and Founder of Beauty New York, about the importance of bringing industry, innovators and consumers together to grow the beauty business in chaotic times. They discuss: The importance of connecting the industry in-person to build relationships, and drive innovation, education and growth How the be...

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Anna Mayo, NielsenIQ VP Beauty Vertical, and WSL Strategic Retail’s Elia Auchane and Katie Hornsby about the importance of collaboration to drive innovation at retail. They discuss: In challenging retail times, how critical it is to inspire new thinking The power of bringing different companies and different disciplines to address critical challenges and de...

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Fiona Sartoretto Verna, retail architect and co-leader of the company Sartoretto Verna™, founded by her grandfather to reshape the global pharmacy landscape.  Today, the company has designed pharmacies in over 48 countries, including the US.  Episode Highlights: How her family company was founded to create a “temple of care”, rather than merely a dispensary...

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Justin Honaman, Head of Worldwide Retail & Consumer Goods Business Development at Amazon Web Services, about the impact of the latest technologies transforming business.   They discuss: How generative AI is the next big thing – at least for a moment. How the issues are around tariffs have turned CPG and retail conversations back to supply chain – for th...

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Kevin Host, SVP Health & Wellness Pharmacy at Walmart about how the retailer is bringing accessible health care to communities across the US, every day and in times of crisis.  They discuss:  The ongoing challenges to delivering easy to access pharmacy and medical care in the US  How Walmart is bringing solutions to “health deserts”  The ways technology...

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Anna Harman, CEO and co-founder of Studs, the specialty ear piercing and earring retailer, with 33+ stores and e-commerce site, founded in 2019 just in time for Covid.   They discuss: Going from corporate law to Walmart innovation lab to opening Studs. Creating a unique brand ecosystem through quality products, hospitality, and people. Learning early how to...

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Keith Sleight, expert in “shopping understanding”, who most recently lead the Shopper Centre of Excellence at Unilever, about the state of shopper insights and where it’s headed. They discuss: The biggest changes in the shopper research field over the last five years How “connected commerce” has changed how companies need to study shopping behaviors How we...

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Diana Melencio, partner at XRC Ventures, an investor in the early-stage intersection of consumer behavior and technology, and its investment approach in the health, beauty, and technology sectors. They discuss:  How XRC finds opportunities (one way:  scraping the web) The touchpoints of the consumer journey that have become so critical in understanding oppo...

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Justin Honaman, Head, Worldwide Retail & Consumer Goods Business Development at Amazon (AWS) about innovation and what expertise -- technology and people driven -- is required to build a modern company.  They discuss: Real life use cases for how AI – and generative AI – is transforming work for retailers and brands, whether it’s product design or writin...

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Joanna Jensen, founder of Child’s Farm, the British multi-award winning, baby and child personal care brand that took leadership of the category from behemoth Johnson’s Baby. They discuss: How to take on the biggest brand and win. Why passion so often leads to disruptive brand and retail innovation. That the spending power of women will drive growth – now a...