Total Retail Talks

In episode 293 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Chase Fisher, founder and CEO of Blenders Eyewear, a direct-to-consumer (D-to-C) lifestyle eyewear brand specializing in fresh, vibrant and affordable eyewear. Listen in as Fisher discusses the origin of Blenders Eyewear, his professional and personal background as a semi-pro surfer, and the first steps…

In episode 292 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Kecia Steelman, chief store operations officer at Ulta Beauty, the largest U.S. beauty retailer for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. Steelman discusses her recently announced transition to the chief operating officer position at Ulta Beauty and the company's…

In episode 291 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Jeffrey Berk, managing director at Privé Porter, a luxury goods resale e-commerce company, specializing in sourcing and delivering authentic Hermès handbags. Listen in as Berk discusses the luxury handbag resale market, Privé Porter's unique business model of reselling hard-to-find Hermès handbags, and his professional bac...

In episode 290 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Kendra Stepp-Davis, senior content producer and co-chair of the Black Hive, and Randy Goldberg, co-founder and chief brand officer of Bombas, a comfort-focused sock and apparel brand with a mission to help those in need. Listen in as Stepp-Davis discusses the origin story behind the…

In episode 289 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Janet Ries, vice president of marketing at Carhartt, a U.S.-based apparel company founded in 1889 known for its workwear. Listen in as Ries discusses Carhartt's partnership with Guinness for St. Patrick's Day, the limited-edition Carhartt x Guinness apparel collection, and why the iconic beer maker…

In this bonus episode of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Brian Lange, co-founder of Future Commerce, a retail media research startup focused on helping e-commerce businesses create strategic vision. Listen in as Lange discusses his career background, the inspiration behind starting Future Commerce, and what he finds compelling about working in the retail…

In episode 288 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Topper Luciani, founder and CEO of Goodfair, an online thrift store that sells used clothing in mystery bundle packs. Listen in as Luciani discusses Goodfair's business model, his career background in the used apparel and vintage space, and the company's new wholesale partnership with Nordstrom.…

In episode 287 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Phil Ryan, CEO of City Chic Collective, a women's plus-size apparel retailer. Listen in as Ryan discusses City Chic Collective's brand portfolio and history, his personal background in retail, and the company's recent acquisition of U.K. plus-size fashion brand Evans. He shares why Evans is a seamless…

In episode 286 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Suzanne Quigley, director of global corporate responsibility at Qurate Retail Group, and Meghan Cruz, director of grassroots at the National Retail Federation (NRF). Listen in as Quigley discusses why Qurate wanted to launch the Small Business Spotlight program, and how the initiative is helping dozens of…

In episode 285 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Gregg Melnick, executive vice president and chief stores officer at Bed Bath & Beyond. Listen in as Melnick discusses how the retail chain has transformed at an accelerated rate due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the value of operating within an "omni-always" lens, and how…

In episode 284 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Mark Murrell, founder and CEO of Get Maine Lobster, a direct-to-consumer seafood seller based in Portland, ME, delivering the finest seafood in the world straight from the dock to its customers’ doorsteps. Listen in as Murrell discusses Get Maine Lobster's origin story and its sales…

In episode 283 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Anne Cavassa, president of Saucony, a global running shoes, accessories and clothing brand. Listen in as Cavassa discusses the history of Saucony, its target customers and distribution channels, and how the brand is catering to both new runners and the entire running community. In…

In episode 282 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Maggie Dawkins, vice president of merchandising, design, planning, and production at FabKids, the largest membership-based children's apparel and shoes brand. Listen in as Dawkins discusses the history of the brand and her role with the company, how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted FabKids, and…

In episode 281 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Stacey Helbig, vice president of solution strategy, and Brian Coupland, senior vice president of merchandising at Staples. Listen in as Helbig and Coupland discuss the Staples Connect Breakthrough Project, the inspiration behind the initiative, and the criteria being used to evaluate new product ideas during the…

In episode 280 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Bradford Manning and Bryan Manning, co-founders of Two Blind Brothers, ultra-soft designer clothing funding blindness research. Listen in as Bradford and Bryan discuss the brand story and why they founded Two Blind Brothers, their lack of prior retail experience, and the charitable aspect of…

In episode 279 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Phillip Raub, CEO of Model No., the first custom furniture brand that operates at the intersection of technology, design and sustainability. Listen in as Raub discusses his professional background, the ethos of the Model No. brand, and why he was drawn to join the…

In episode 278 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Shane Pittson, vice president of growth and marketing at quip, the modern oral health company. Listen in as Pittson discusses the growth of the startup brand, his professional background and role at quip, and when and why the company expanded into wholesale and brick-and-mortar retail.…

In episode 277 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Trish Patton, vice president of human resources at The Body Shop, a global beauty brand and a certified B Corp™ offering high-quality, naturally inspired skincare, body care, hair care and makeup produced ethically and sustainably. Listen in as Patton discusses The Body Shop's Open Hiring…

In episode 276 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Sean Kell, CEO of Blue Nile, the largest e-commerce retailer of GIA-certified diamonds and fine jewelry. Listen in as Kell discusses his career journey leading up to his joining Blue Nile last year, the company's recently announced store expansion plan, and why now is…

In episode 275 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Lizzy Ellingson, chief digital experience officer at David's Bridal, the largest American bridal store chain. Listen in as Ellingson discusses David's Bridal's use of 3D and augmented reality (AR) technology to let shoppers try on virtual bridal gowns; why it was important to provide customers a seamless,…

In episode 274 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Ron Thurston, vice president of stores at INTERMIX, a collection of specialty boutiques and division of Gap, Inc. Listen in as Thurston discusses his 25-plus year career in retail, what he enjoys most about working the industry, and the inspiration behind his new book,…

In episode 273 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Jonathan Wahl, co-founder and CEO of Abbio, a new direct-to-consumer (D-to-C) kitchenware brand with a mission to inspire home cooks through a combination of accessible, professional-grade cookware; unique recipes; and educational tools. Listen in as Wahl discusses Abbio's mission and business, his professional background...

In episode 272 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Zach Freeze, senior director of sustainability at Walmart. Listen in as Freeze discusses Walmart's Project Gigaton, its recent partnership with Schneider Electric to launch the Gigaton PPA (GPPA) Program, and how the initiative educates Walmart suppliers about renewable energy purchases and accelerates renewable energy ado...

In episode 271 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Matthew Rubin, senior vice president of business development and growth at Michaels, North America's largest specialty provider of arts, crafts, framing, floral, wall décor, and seasonal merchandise for makers and do-it-yourself home decorators. Listen in as Rubin discusses the launch of the new MichaelsPro…

In episode 270 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Jeanne Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of Saatchi Art, the world’s leading online art marketplace, connecting people with art and artists they love. Listen in as Anderson discusses the company's history and mission, how Saatchi Art has evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic,…