Total Retail Talks

In episode 246 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Alexander Sienkiewicz, chief marketing officer at SwimOutlet, the largest swim retailer in the United States. Listen in as Sienkiewicz discusses the brand's history, its e-commerce offerings, and his career background in retail. He shares how SwimOutlet launched an automated SMS campaign with Attentive, offering inspiratio...

In episode 245 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Paige McFarling, director of mission advancement at Ten Thousand Villages, a nonprofit fair trade organization that markets handcrafted products made by disadvantaged artisans from more than 120 artisan groups in more than 35 countries. Listen in as McFarling shares the brand's story and mission;…

In episode 244 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Ben Scrivens, founder and president of Fright-Rags, a designer and producer of original and licensed horror T-shirts. Listen in as Scrivens discusses the history of the brand, Fright-Rags' business evolution during COVID-19, and how the company has dealt with an uptick in orders in recent…

In episode 243 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews James Brohamer, director of omnichannel marketing at Purple, a comfort technology company that specializes in the direct-to-consumer sales of mattresses, pillows and other bedding accessories. Listen in as Brohamer discusses the brand's history, its online and brick-and-mortar distribution channels, and why Purple decided...

In episode 242 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Chelsea Riggs, brand president at amika, a brand of hair care and styling tools. Listen in as Riggs discusses how amika's sales in beauty salons and Sephora stores have been impacted by the crisis, the growth of the brand's direct-to-consumer business, and how the…

In episode 241 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Jessica Herrin, CEO and founder of Stella & Dot, a family of brands of fashion, accessories and skincare. Listen in as Herrin discusses managing during the COVID-19 crisis, how Stella & Dot is adjusting to this new normal, and how she is motivating her…

In episode 240 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Lexy Onofrio, vice president, brand marketing strategy and creative at Lane Bryant, a leading retailer of plus-sized clothing for women. Listen in as Onofrio discusses the brand's history and audience, as well as how Lane Bryant is improving its customers' in-store shopping experiences through…

In episode 239 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Michael Markesbery, co-founder and CEO of OROS, a performance outerwear brand that features product inspired by NASA technology. In this wide-ranging interview, Markesbery discusses his inspiration for launching OROS, why product innovation is at the core of the brand's ethos, the digital-native company's decision…

In episode 238 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Gail Buffington, vice president of marketing and analytics at Soft Surroundings, a women's apparel, shoes and accessories retailer. Listen in as Buffington discusses Soft Surrounding's brand history as a cataloger, its expansion into brick-and-mortar retail, and her career at the company. She shares how Soft…

In episode 237 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Steven Borelli, founder and CEO, and Carter Shae, director of finance, both of Cuts Clothing, an online men's apparel brand that's the first to accessorize the basic tee. Listen in as Borelli and Shae share why Cuts Clothing was founded, the brand's history, and how…

In episode 236 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews David Pisker, general manager, customer experience and e-commerce at Officeworks, a big-box Australian retailer providing office supplies and business services. Listen in as Pisker discusses Officeworks use of an in-store traffic tool from Kepler Analytics, which has helped with in-store operations such as merchandising…

In episode 235 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Kevin Moffitt, chief retail officer at Office Depot. Listen in as Moffitt discusses Office Depot’s transformation from a B-to-C office supplies retailer to a business services platform, why the brand is making this transition, and how the brand's history plays into that decision. Moffitt shares…

In episode 234 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Ian Leslie, chief marketing officer at Industry West, a modern B-to-B and D-to-C furniture retailer. Listen in as Leslie shares the history of the brand, including its long-standing success in the B-to-B space and it's focusing on growing stronger direct-to-consumer relationships. He discusses how…

In episode 233 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Jan-Willem Driessen, former vice president of global marketing and direct-to-consumer at Black Diamond Equipment, a global retailer specializing in climbing, hiking and skiing apparel and equipment. Listen in as Driessen discusses Black Diamond Equipment's growing direct-to-consumer business, its transition away from being...

In episode 232 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Laurie Simpter, senior manager of customer relations at Pier 1 Imports, an omnichannel retailer of unique, decorative home furnishings, decor and gifts. Listen in as Simpter discusses the challenges many retailers face when handling customer service phone calls, including staffing, especially during peak holiday times.…

In episode 231 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Melanie Huet, chief marketing officer at Serta Simmons Bedding (SSB), the largest manufacturer and distributor of mattresses in North America. Listen in as Huet talks about her career background in both global brand and D-to-C marketing, as well as where she hopes to lead SSB's…

In episode 230 of Total Retail Talks, Executive Editor Joe Keenan interviews Eli Winkler, chief marketing officer at La-Z-Boy, a leading home furniture manufacturer and retailer. Listen in as Winkler discusses the furniture retailer's history, how the business has adjusted to consumers' changing behaviors, and the technology enhancements La-Z-Boy offers shoppers in its stores and…

In episode 229 of Total Retail Talks, Executive Editor Joe Keenan interviews Drew Chamberlain, director of operations and customer experience at JO-ANN Stores, a specialty retailer of crafts and fabrics. Listen in as Chamberlain discusses JOANN's recent partnership with customer service platform Gladly, why the craft retailer felt the need to invest in new technology,…

In episode 228 of Total Retail Talks, Executive Editor Joe Keenan interviews Marcus Wilson, co-founder of NOBULL, a footwear, apparel and accessory brand for people who train hard and don't believe in excuses. Wilson discusses NOBULL's story, including its expansion into physical retail and its organic growth into various areas of the training market. He…

In episode 227 of Total Retail Talks, Executive Editor Joe Keenan interviews Annie Hurlbut, founder and CEO of Peruvian Connection, an internationally renowned brand for luxury Peruvian textiles and fibers. Listen in as Hurlbut discusses the company's 43-year history, how the brand sources fibers from artisans in Peru, and its commitment to environmental sustainability. Peruvian…

In episode 226 of Total Retail Talks, Executive Editor Joe Keenan interviews Sheila Sciocchetti, divisional merchandise manager at David's Bridal, the largest American bridal store chain, specializing in wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, and other formal wear, as well as accessories and gifts. Listen in as Sciocchetti discusses the company's new bridesmaid gifting program, why David's…

In episode 225 of Total Retail Talks, Executive Editor Joe Keenan interviews Anthony Marino, president of thredUP, the world's largest online thrift store, from which consumers can buy and sell high-quality, secondhand women's and kid's clothes. Listen in as Marino discusses thredUP's mission and business model, its partnerships with traditional retailers J.C. Penney and Macy's, and the…

In episode 224 of Total Retail Talks, Executive Editor Joe Keenan interviews Mike Ward, president and CEO of ThriftBooks, the world's largest seller of used books. Ward discusses the growth of secondhand stores and used products, and how ThriftBooks has capitalized on this market. He shares why ThriftBooks sells product on third-party sites such as…

In episode 223 of Total Retail Talks, Executive Editor Joe Keenan interviews Jennifer Palerino, head of digital marketing at Kroger, one of the world’s largest retailers operating two dozen banners in nearly 2,800 stores across the U.S. Palerino discusses Kroger's discount vitamins and health foods brand Vitacost, and how the brand is using data to improve its…

In episode 222 of Total Retail Talks, Executive Editor Joe Keenan interviews Mike Del Pozzo, chief customer officer and senior vice president of sales at Frito-Lay North America, a leading PepsiCo snack foods brand. Listen in as Del Pozzo discusses the history of the 80-year-old brand, its distribution channels, and how shifting consumer behaviors has impacted…