The Voice of Retail

Welcome to the Voice of Retail special St. Patrick’s Day edition! Continuing along the lines of retail tourism and the deep connection between food, restaurants and retail experience , I had the exclusive opportunity to sit down with J.P. McMahon, chef, restaurateur and owner of Michelin stared Aniar Restaurant (http://aniarrestaurant.ie/ ) along with Cava Bodega and Tartare Cafe and wine Bar, all...

Two back-to-back great interviews in this week's edition! First up, Sonny Brar, MC and session moderator for Retail Council of Canada's upcoming Retail HR Forum on April 17 (http://rcchrconference.ca/ ) joins us to talk about Retail HR trends and give us a sneak peak into the great sessions planned for the event. Next, we catch up with RCC alumni Andrew Siegwart who joins us for the first of a two...

Produced in conjunction with RCC, this edition of The Voice of Retail podcast features part two of our feature interview with Wiseplum President & CEO Paula Courtney, author of the groundbreaking Understanding the Canadian Consumer 2018 study sponsored by Google and released by RCC, plus an interview with Canadian Retail editor Sean Tarry on the latest issue of Canadian Retailer, and of course...

A very special Shoptalk 2019 edition of The Voice of Retail podcast is now live! Almost, kinda sorta like being there, this feature edition takes you to Vegas with a review of the conference, analysis and trends, plus on-site commentary from special guests including Scott Adel, Caroline Papadatos, Jim Okamura and Aran Hamilton who all share their insights of the show. #shoptalk2019 Michael LeBlanc...

The Voice of Retail podcast is live! In this episode part one of my two part feature interview with customer insight pioneer Paula Courtney, Founder of Wiseplum and her groundbreaking research study sponsored by Eric Morris & Google and released by Retail Council of Canada "Understanding the Canadian Consumer". Released in late 2018, the study [https://lnkd.in/egGTQCK ] compiles 5,00...

Produced in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada, The Voice of Retail podcast this week features a full length interview with RCC's Canadian Shopping Centre author and Retail Insider Founder & Editor-In-Chief Craig Patterson on the state of shopping centres and the future in Canada and around the world for this retail format, plus Retail This Week top news stories and analysis! Michael Le...

In episode 29 for the week of February 11, 2019 Interviews with Influencer Jonathan Cavaliere talking about his tradecraft and how retailers can best work with influencers and part two of my interview with StreamCommerce President and CEO Ted Starkman talking about his choice of Shopify Plus as their eCommerce platform. In Retail This Week news, Endy partners with Urban Barn to get physical, retai...

Produced in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada, The Voice of Retail TM podcast this week features part one of an interview with Ted Starkman, President & CEO Stream Commerce talking eCommerce and building an Amazon strategy, plus This Week in Retail top news stories and analysis: Canada comes to the rescue of UK music retail, Indigo talks Canada Post effects on their retail & eComme...

This episode feature interviews with Dave Rodgerson, Retail Industry Leader for Microsoft Canada & Sean Tarry, editor Canadian Retailer magazine. In the retail news, Loblaw making a physical statement in Vancouver, Metro expands eCommerce pilot to Ontario, Rexall & M&M Food Market join forces, cashless in Canada, Asian value brand stores experience success in Canada, 140 parcels a day...

Recorded live from Dublin attending Showcase Ireland, this edition includes a feature on-site interview with retailers Jennifer Grimm, owner of Edmonton's LuxBeauty, and Melissa Austria, owner of Toronto's GotStyle. Both were in Dublin checking out the showcase, looking for new and high quality merchandise to offer their customers. In the news, Staples launches their new retail concept in Toronto,...

It's the #NRF2019 edition of the Voice of Retail podcast, with articles, recaps and an exclusive interview with Diane J. Brisebois from Retail Council of Canada on her impressions of the Big Show in NYC and big apple retail. Also an edition filled with 2019 predictions for retail in Canada and the U.S., Indochino and Mark McEwan openings, 17,000 people throw their hat into the Ontario cannabis dra...

This episode featuring an exclusive interview with Neil Cooney and Lizzie Curran from Enterprise Ireland in their Toronto offices in advance of my visit to the Dublin showcase later in the month. In Retail This week Aritzia results knocks the cover off the ball with their 1st outlet, influencer and great product, Ontario gives out 25 chances to open the province's 1st cannabis store(s), Miniso and...

Reflections on Boxing Day sales, getting ready for New York and NRF's Big Shop plus a trip to the Dublin Retail Showcase, Canada Goose takes flight in Beijing, remembering Blake Nordstrom and his many contributions to retail and retail in Canada, Shoppers gets clinical, retail tech. in the spotlight, debating Holiday closures, retail cannabis comes to Toronto's Mink Mile (will they win the first r...

And many Happy Returns! Great chatting with Brett & Lauren from CJOB Radio in Winnipeg about the art & science of retail returns! Be sure and listen through to the end - great conversation between hosts Brett & Lauren after our interview about how they (consumers) expect returns to work at retail and the opportunity to surprise and delight customers & win repeat business. Retail re...

Early Sunday morning cup of coffee and an quick chat with the fine folks in Winnipeg on CJOB Radio! Chatting about changing trends in retail, last minute shopping and digital, online gift cards - the last, last resort of the ultimate procrastinators! Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur....

Had a fun chat as I was driving around Toronto checking out the retail traffic December 21, projected to be the busiest shopping day of the year by Moneris. We talked about the role and importance of retail stores, both on main street and the shopping malls, and how retail continues to thrive (This is no retail apocalypse) as Canada's No. 1 private sector employer. Relentless competition, changing...

Fun chat with retail legend Peter Woolford as part of his live Retail Conditions Webinar, Canadian Retail mag hot off the digital presses, Miniso mess, NYT asks Canadians "Was It Something We Said" when it comes to decreases in cross-border shopping, L Brands sells La Senza to west coast PE shop, Ontario's cannabis lottery causes grief for entrepreneurs, Amazon to open new Edmonton wareh...

Freshly baked, Voice of Retail podcast edition No. 21 now available: Toronto votes yes for cannabis retail, Mississauga & Markham vote no, Ontario says..."whoa!" Dollarama tests the eCommerce waters, Grinch bots jamming up websites, Canada Goose trouble in China & 600 digital first bricks & mortar stores a trend makes - all that and more plus analysis from yours truly! Michae...

Have a listen to my exclusive interview with the one and only Peter Woolford as he prepares his last report after 17 years of providing insight and analysis for the retail industry in Canada. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur.  He has been on the front lines of retail industry ch...

Edition No. 20 for the retail week of December 3rd of the Voice of Retail podcast is now live! This special edition features an interview with Peter Woolford reflecting on 30 years of insights on the Canadian retail industry! Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur.  He has been on the...

Voice of Retail podcast Edition Number 19 for the week of November 26, 2018 by Michael LeBlanc Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur.  He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.  Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions an...

Voice of Retail Podcast Edition Number 18 week of November 19 - Black Friday Edition! by Michael LeBlanc Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur.  He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.  Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side disc...

Michael LeBlanc on Vancouver 980 CKNW Radio November 23 by Michael LeBlanc Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur.  He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.  Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated world...

Michael LeBlanc on CJOB Winnipeg Radio Talking Retail Self Check Out Nov 20 by Michael LeBlanc Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur.  He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.  Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions an...

Michael LeBlanc talking retail and Holiday shopping with Rick Gibbons on 1310 Ottawa Radio Nov 19 by Michael LeBlanc Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur.  He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.  Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fi...