The RetailWire Podcast

Ready to unravel the ever-changing world of retail payments? We've got a fascinating conversation lined up with our guest, Tom Burgess from SnippMedia. Together, we'll explore the concept of a Payments Media Network, a potentially game-changing platform that combines purchase data from retailers and banks to create targeted offers for consumers. If that piques your curiosity, join us as we delve d...

Ever wonder how a pet supply company stands out in an overcrowded market? That's exactly what we're unraveling in today’s conversation with Erin DeAngelis and Betsy Weakland from Pet Supplies Plus. As a beacon in the pet industry, Pet Supplies Plus distinguishes itself through an uncommon approach that revolves around infusing local flavor and personal experiences. From shaping the company's ethos...

Ready to decode the retail revolution? Join us for a panel discussion with our industry experts Lisa Taylor, Scott Benedict, Ted McCaffrey & Brandon Rael as we navigate the dynamic world of Omnichannel. We promise a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities that this versatile approach presents, with a sharp focus on the significance of coordinated efforts across all touchpoints. With custom...

Are you facing the dilemma of balancing sustainability with profitability in your retail business? We've got you covered. This episode is a powerful dialogue with seasoned retail experts - Lisa Taylor, Brandon Rael, Mark Self, Jay Fiske, and Scott Benedict, as we navigate through the complex interplay of sustainability and profitability in retail amidst challenging economic pressures. We delve int...

How far would you go to secure your retail store and protect your associates? If you're one of the countless retailers grappling with the growing problem of theft and violence, this episode is a must-listen. We're joined by industry experts Mark Self, Gus Downing, Ted McCaffrey and Pedro Ramos to examine the alarming trend of organized retail crime and its devastating impact on businesses and comm...

Get ready for a riveting discussion about the evolving world of livestream shopping in retail. Our esteemed guests for this episode include Mark Price, Ricardo Belmar, and Sharon Gai, who's got her fingers on the pulse of livestream shopping through her extensive experience at Alibaba. As we unpack the rise of livestream shopping from being a marketplace sellers' tactic to a multi-billion dollar i...

What if I told you that the path to innovative retail success involves a Volkswagen bus and a lifelong passion for music? That's the fascinating journey of Sweetwater, the leading e-commerce retailer of musical instruments and audio gear in the U.S. Joined with us today is Mike Clem, the new CEO of Sweetwater, Mike shares his unique transition from musician to retailer, and provides insightful ane...

Is the era of department stores finally ending? Join us in a thought-provoking conversation with department store and specialty store expert, Jeff Sward, as we dissect the downfall of department stores from a booming 10% market share to a staggering 2%. We take a hard look at TJ Maxx and similar discount store business models that have successfully capitalized on this downfall, leaving us to wonde...

Ever wondered how technology is revolutionizing the retail industry? Get ready to discover the transformative power of retail tech innovations you can discover at the NWA Tech Summit, an event designed to keep businesses at the cutting edge of technology. We sat down with some of the leaders behind the event to bring you a sneak peak at what you may hear (and potentially see) at the summit from as...

Batteries Plus has consistently shattered company sales records this year, leaving many curious about the secret behind their remarkable success. In this insightful interview, we sit down with Jon Sica, the Chief Business Officer of Batteries Plus, to unravel the strategies that have propelled this specialty retailer to new heights in a challenging economic landscape marked by inflation. Jon provi...

Curiosity and a deep understanding of consumer behavior have been the driving forces behind Melissa's journey from working at Target headquarters to her current role as Director of Retail Strategy for digital solutions provider, CI&T. She joins us to shed light on some of the biggest tech mistakes retailers are making today and the potential risks that come along with them. We corner every aspect...

Are you ready to wrap your mind around the future of retail? Join BrainTrust members, James Tenser and Ricardo Belmar, as they explore the compelling conversations emerging from Grocery Shop 2023.  Uncover the transformative power of artificial intelligence as it shapes this landscape.  This isn't your typical event recap; we're delving into the nitty-gritty of practical use cases, inflation, pric...

Ever wondered how a hilarious misstep in placing a manual order could lead to some serious career development? Well, our guest Neil Saunders, Managing Director of Global Data Retail, did just that. Neil shares his journey through the retail industry, from his humble beginnings at John Lewis to his current role, and highlights a memorable ordering blunder that changed his perspective and fueled his...

Strap in for an enlightening dialogue with the dynamic Allison McCabe, a respected member of our BrainTrust. Allison's retail journey, which started from Allied Department Store's executive training program, has culminated in her becoming the Director of Retail Technology at Invista. Prepare to be inspired as we unpack her personal life, transition from executive training to consulting, and her gl...

What happens when you mix the passion for pets and the power of retail? Meet Kristin Shane, Chief Merchandising Officer at PetSmart, who's going to share her insights on this compelling synergy. With her rich career history, including consulting at Accenture and running diverse departments at Target, Kristin unveils some powerful narratives on the resilient pet industry during the pandemic. Did yo...

Welcome to our latest podcast episode where we're thrilled to present Liza Amlani, a powerhouse in the retail industry, who brings with her a wealth of experience from working with big-league brands such as Nike, Holt Renfrew, Ralph Lauren, and Accenture. Now leading her own organization, The Retail Strategy Group, Liza brings her sharp insights and retail acumen to our conversation. We kick off w...

Are you ready to unlock the mysteries of the retail world? We certainly are! This episode is a fascinating exploration of the industry, featuring a candid conversation with retail tech advisor Ricardo Belmar. Ricardo's insights from his own journey into the retail industry, which he amusingly stumbled upon, are genuinely enlightening. Let's buckle up and appreciate the significance of good wi-fi i...

Prepare to be enlightened as we spend some quality time with Dave Wendland, a recognizable figure in our BrainTrust. This fascinating individual, born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, has journeyed through a noteworthy career trajectory. From a humble beginning as the Director of Marketing for Applied Computer Research to the illustrious position of VP of Strategic Relations for HRG Group, Dave...

We're thrilled to have Cathy Hotka on the show today, a seasoned veteran in the retail industry whose career journey is nothing short of remarkable. From her days as VP of Information Technology for the National Retail Federation and a congressional liaison for the White House, to her unique insights as a sixth-generation native Washingtonian, Cathy's story is nothing but fascinating. Her progress...

Imagine that you could understand the world of affiliate marketing better, learn about key players in the ecosystem, and get insider tips from the top minds in the field. Well, you're in luck! Join us in conversation with Evan Johnson from Admitad, a tech-whiz with a teaching background, who is revolutionizing this landscape. With his unique perspective and Admitad's innovative approach, we're tea...

What’s the secret to navigating a career that spans a fascination with business from childhood, pioneering work in geographic information systems, and community engagement? We had the privilege of sitting down with Brian Numainville - a member of our BrainTrust, Principal at The Feedback Group - who unveils his personal journey, filled with insightful stories and practical advice. From branding an...

Have you ever wondered about the journey of a retail industry maven? Join me as I sit down with the dynamic Shelley Kohan, whose fascinating career started on the sales floor at Bloomingdale's and led to the lecture halls of the Fashion Institute of Technology. Shelley, who is also the Chief Strategy Officer at the Robin Report, Senior Contributor in Retail at Forbes, and the CEO and Founder of Sh...

What if the traditional retail shopping experience you've known is rapidly changing, influenced by technology, and the impact it's having is not just on our shopping habits, but on human interaction overall? This is the intriguing narrative we explore in a thoughtful conversation with our special guest, Mark Self, President/CEO of Vector Textiles and a seasoned technology veteran. Mark brings a un...

Get ready to revolutionize your understanding of brand identity in a digital world. We promise you won't look at Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) strategies the same way again after hearing from our esteemed guest, Sonal Gandhi, Chief Content Officer at The Lead Innovation Summit. Drawing on her rich experience with big names like Macy's and eBay, Sonal shares insider insights on how established brands ha...

Get ready for an engaging and lively episode of The RetailWire Podcast as host Brian  Crum welcomes David Spear, the dynamic former senior partner at Teradata and current vice president of professional services at NCR Corporation. Join the conversation as they dive into David's impressive career journey, spanning Fortune 100 and 500 companies, and discover his fascinating hobbies outside of work,...