Running Great Stores

Today we’re diving into one of the most overlooked opportunities in brick-and-mortar retail — your foot traffic. Based on insights from Mark Ryski’s powerful book Store Traffic is a Gift , we’re going to unpack why every person who walks through your door ismore than just a potential sale — they’re a brand touchpoint, a loyalty moment, and a chance to grow. If you’ve ever said “we’re not getting e...

Brick and Mortar retail at holiday? Well there is nothing better.  It's exhilarating and at the same time, can be stressful.  Today's guest, Jim O'Toole, has mastered the art of winning at holiday as a multi-unit leader and he shares his secrets with us!   James is a successful multi-unit leader who has spent time working for some of the most iconic brands like The Gap, Pottery Barn, Banana Republ...

I am so excited to launch this episode! Brandon has spent much of his life coaching, developing and training competitive athletes and now leads store teams for one of the most iconic brands in specialty retail.  He is a hands-on leader and passionate Store Manager with a consistent track record of driving top line sales, recruiting talent and building high performance selling teams.  Everyone is g...

Scott Kerby is today's guest.  He is currently the Head of Retail for Sephora Canada.  Scott has spent his career building leadership teams focused on winning at the retail fundamentals knowing retail is a game of inches and not miles.  He lives by the principle that if you run a fleet like you run a one store business, you will always win. Enjoy the listen and don't forget to share...

Welcome to our 4th Season of the Running Great Stores Podcast where we talk all retail all the time.  We are kicking off our 4th season with Cassie Kane, owner and principal consultant for Kane Learning, a boutique consulting firm that partners with companies to create and implement talent development and learning solutions.  She has a passion for helping companies create practical, mean...

If you love retail, you will love today's episode!  Kendra shares her story and how she is building multi-million dollar businesses from her cell phone.  As a former corporate executive of over 15 years and someone who recently served on the Board of Directors for a local non-profit, Kendra knows great strategy, teamwork, and solid operations. With five years of Network Marketing experie...

In this podcast, Tristan Rogers, CEO of Concrete Platform, shares his perspective on the future of stores and store operations...but not through the lens of everyone else.  Listen to his unique perspective (& fantastic British accent) on how Gen Z is shaping the future of retail.  Tristan brings his knowledge and authentic point of view on what retailers and landlords alike must do t...

In today's episode, Scott Galloway of Galloway Resource Partners talks to us about how to reach our leadership potential.  He shares 5 important steps we all need to take.  While it isn't easy, the steps are simple.  It is really about becoming intentional about our own leadership.  It's a 'can't miss' episode! Scott and his team connect People to the Talent and Resources they...

Melissa Latham has spent her entire career working in retail, from key holder to head of stores for multi-billion dollar companies.  When she experienced her second position elimination, she decided to pivot to a different career while still doing what she loves most...supporting people who work in retail.  She started her executive search firm, Global Recruiters Lowcountry to do just th...

2020 has been an overwhelming year for many, especially if you work in the retail industry.  With 2021 just around the corner, Meghan motivates us to think about our careers, business and life goals.  Meghan has launched the Meghan Houle Method providing private and group coaching to help provide inspiration and motivation to get our lives back on track.  You will LOVE Meghan's energy!   Meghan is...

Ron Thurston loves retail. And he's proud of it. Ron has led the retail teams for some of America's most prominent brands, inspired thousands of store employees, and traveled relentlessly across the country to sit and listen to what they have to say. From a part-time sales associate to a vice president of stores, Ron has put in the hard work that a retail career requires and wrote a wonderful book...

Meghan Houle is in the business of building relationships.  A seasoned luxury retailer who turned a passion for people into a full time recruiting role understanding the unique chemistry that makes a candidate a great fit for a brand.  Her authentic nature and spirit are what she brings to her methods of coaching through next steps in the delicate decision of choosing a career path with a high suc...

Shannon Kruse owns Popup-Pros, a consulting group that enables retailers to open popup shops around the globe.  Whether you know exactly the popup shop you want or require an expert to help you create the strategy, Shannon has this super power and will guide you.  This podcast is filled with positivity and energy on what retail looks like now and into the future.  Enjoy the listen!

Stop what you are doing and listen to this podcast!  April is ah-mazing!  April Sabral has spent over 25 years in various sales and operations roles.  She has now taken her knowledge and passion for people and retail and created retailu, an online learning retail leadership development company.  April has a new book coming out called The Positive Effect.  I know you are go...

This podcast features Darlene Y Mitchell, an Inventory Management retail executive who helps boutique and brand owners turn inventory overwhelm into profit and cash flow.  In the first few minutes of this podcast, you will feel Darlene’s love for retail and her passion to help retail owners be successful.  While Darlene owns her own consulting firm, she has also joined DeAnna McIntosh in...

In this podcast, DeAnna McIntosh shares her passion for fashion and working alongside boutique retailers to help them navigate this rapidly changing retail environment.  Both of her companies, The Affinity Group International and Retailing Evolved have put small retailers front and center, giving them the tools that historically, only the big retailers have had access to!  This podcast w...

COVID 19 closed virtually every non-essential retail store in the world for the first time that many of us can recall.  Store teams were furloughed in many instances and when stores reopened, leaders like Cody Stockton were determined to come back with a vengeance and be there for their customers, no matter what that looked like.  Cody is a store manager with Le Creuset in Orlando, Flori...

John Hanson is a CX (Customer Experience) guru and has written a book called WOW Your Customers, 7 Ways to World-Class Service. In today’s podcast, John shares the 4 different types of customers and the importance of each.  Now you might be saying to yourself, 4 types of customers?  I know about the internal customer and the external customer.  Who are these other two?  You wil...

Stuart Silverman and Shelly Hood are my guests today and talk about an innovative new tool created by becco. Imagine getting customer feedback regarding your team’s performance right at the checkout counter in 15 seconds or less! This solution provides field leaders with insight into the customer experience in real time. What a phenomenal coaching tool for store managers and district managers to u...

Saira Sethi is a delightful guest who shares her retail expertise in how to create trust and empathy with your retail customers and associates.  You will want to listen to this with a pen and paper in hand as her tips for elevating your team’s skill with customers will be easy to implement resulting in elevating the customer experience in your store.  Enjoy the listen!

Are you a retail business owner?  Now is not the time to hide from coronavirus, it is the time to FIGHT FOR YOUR BUSINESS.  Join three Retail and E-commerce consultants as we discuss strategies to cope with the effects of the Coronavirus on retailers and brands.  Now is the time to prepare for the comeback that will happen.  It's up to you to utilize this time to prepare for it so that once it hap...

Welcome to the third in the series called Life of a Store Manager. In today’s podcast, I am interviewing Megan Bibeau who is a District Training Store Manager for Piercing Pagoda, a division of Signet Jewelers.   You will love hearing directly from Megan how she moved from a retail sales associate to a Store Manager in 5 years!  Megan is bright and passionate about retail, her team...

Welcome to the second in the series called Life of a Store Manager. In today’s podcast, I am interviewing Krystal Davis, Store Manager for Justice in Virginia.  Krystal shares her passion for retail, creating a strong culture inside her store which delivers remarkable experiences for both her associates and customers.  Enjoy the listen!

Welcome to the first in the series called Life of a Store Manager. In today’s podcast, I am interviewing Hugh Linn, Store Manager for Lane Bryant in Orlando Fl. Hugh shares his passion for the customer (both internal and external) and gives some of his best tips that any store manager can apply. Enjoy the listen!

My host is Kim Pagano, President of Publikimage, a retail consulting firm with a focus on brick and mortar stores. In this episode, you will learn tips for recruiting talent to your retail store and once you hire them, how to train and develop them to deliver amazing customer experiences.