RETHINK RETAIL

Marie Schwartz caught up with MaryLeigh Bliss from Ypulse at NRF to talk Gen Z in 2026. The old marketing playbooks? They’re history. The 20-year trend cycle is over. MaryLeigh explains how social media has created a "firehose" of fragmented trends where Gen Z is nostalgic for everything at once. Whether it’s a 90s reboot or a meme from two weeks ago, the pace is moving faster than most retailers can keep up with. We’re also seeing the rise of the "AI Detective." Gen Z is hunting for glitches and demanding that AI-generated content be clearly labeled. Transparency is now a requirement for trust, which is why brands like Aerie are winning by doubling down on human authenticity. Finally, the "post-social" era has arrived. Follower counts don't guarantee reach anymore, the algorithm is the new gatekeeper. From the "social closet" (dressing up for TikTok but living in sweatpants) to the surprising return of cinema-going, this episode covers exactly how to reach the next generation in 2026. Watch the full interview for the complete Gen Z playbook.

In this episode, RETHINK Retail host Marie Schwartz sits down with Jake Randolph and Adel Cruz from LINKED Permanent Jewelry to discuss the explosive growth of experiential retail. Key Highlights: - Experiential Sales: Why "permanent" products are winning on social media. - The AI Advantage: How solo owners use AI to scale marketing and operations. - Future of Retail: A first look at LINKED’s new "no-welding" model for traditional stores. Building 2026 Entrepreneurs From Air Force pilots to estheticians, the permanent jewelry business model is empowering a new wave of retail owners. Discover how simple tech and a "community-first" mindset are redefining the gig economy.

Retailers often chase AI for its own sake instead of solving specific operational problems. In this session of Retailer Tech Tips, Thaddeus Segura from VusionGroup and Guy Courtin from Tecsys discuss how to move past "irrational exuberance" to build an operating model that survives the current industry bifurcation. Key Discussion Points: - The Hardware Flywheel: Intelligence starts at the shelf, using battery-powered cameras to gather necessary AI signals. - Managing Expectations: The industry must move away from "magic beans" toward transparent conversations about AI capabilities. - The Future of Discovery: AI tools are changing how consumers find brands, shifting loyalty from ads to personalized recommendations. - The Omnichannel Hurdle: Traditional safety stock is no longer viable as modern retail demands real-time inventory precisio Are you ready to "bite the bullet" on tech costs now, or will you wait for another budget cycle?

As Shoptalk Spring 2026 approaches, one theme is shaping the conversation across the retail industry: AI is moving from experimentation to real-world application. In this episode of the RETHINK Retail Podcast, Fritz Finlay speaks with Joe Laszlo, Head of Content & Insights at Shoptalk, about the ideas and trends expected to define this year’s event. Their discussion explores several themes emerging across AI in retail today: - Human-Centric AI As automation expands across retail operations, successful brands are focusing on how technology can enhance, not replace, the human elements of service, connection, and experience. - AI as a Multiplier Rather than asking what roles AI replaces, retailers are increasingly exploring how AI can expand what teams are capable of accomplishing. - From AI Hype to Retail Impact The most valuable AI applications are solving long-standing retail challenges, from merchandising decisions and demand planning to customer engagement and discovery. Joe also shares how these themes are reflected in the Shoptalk Spring 2026 agenda, where leaders from companies such as New Balance, Victoria’s Secret, and Reddit will discuss how AI is shaping the next phase of retail innovation.

In this episode of the RETHINK Retail Podcast, Digital Shelf Institute Executive Director Lauren Livak joins Paul Murphy to discuss what’s shaping the next phase of ecommerce, from changing shopper behavior to the growing gap between browsing and buying. They discuss why many digital experiences still struggle to help shoppers make decisions, and what retailers can do differently to better capture attention and support the path to purchase. Key discussion points include: - The Conversion Gap: Why rising site traffic doesn’t always translate into completed purchases. - The “Imagination Gap” in Ecommerce: How visualization and contextual experiences help shoppers understand products in their own environment. Explore the insights shaping the next phase of ecommerce.

Is Your Store Ready for What's Next? Modern retail is about more than just selling products. It’s about being fast, reliable, and smart right when the customer needs it most. In our latest podcast, Intelligence at the Edge: Powering the Store of Tomorrow, we’re breaking down how the world's leading retailers are using edge computing to transform the shopping experience. Why Listen? Host Michael Klein talks with Mariya Zorotovich, General Manager at Intel and Frank Baur, COO at Diebold Nixdorf about the tech that keeps stores running at peak performance. Forget the buzzwords. We’re talking about real solutions for real-time retail. What You’ll Discover: - Speed That Matters: Why processing data in the store (not the cloud) is the key to zero-friction checkouts. - Reliability at Scale: How to keep thousands of locations synced and surging without system failures. - Smart Growth: How to build a modular foundation that supports AI, computer vision, and personalization today. Don't let your infrastructure hold you back. Tune in to find out how to build a store that is truly future-ready.

Luxury Retail: High-Tech Meets High-Touch In a market saturated with options, true luxury is defined by the depth of the experience. In this episode, Barney Stacher and Shunda D. Lynch of Bloomingdale’s, explore how leading retailers stay relevant in a digital-first world.They break down the necessity of storytelling and why the most advanced AI should serve the sales associate, not replace them. What we explore in this session: - The secret to turning one-time shoppers into lifelong clients through rapport. - Leveraging AI to pinpoint manufacturing defects and minimize return rates. - How different age groups are adapting to new retail tools and follow-up strategies. Discover how to blend predictive data with authentic human connection to keep your brand at the top of the luxury market.

The Human Heart of Retail Innovation The message from NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show was clear: Technology is the tool, but humanity is the strategy. In this episode, Chris Igwe and Dominik Olejko, Head of Customer Insights at Pepco, debrief on the "thousands of years of experience" that met in New York this year. They dive into how global leaders are integrating AI to empower staff and why the "User First" mantra is more critical than ever. Why Tune In: - Beyond AI: How to shift from "AI everywhere" to "AI integrated." - Dark Social & Community: Why the best customer insights are moving to private spaces. - Authenticity: The secret to building trust in an automated world. Get the boots-on-the-ground insights you need to stay future-ready.

Is your AI strategy solving problems or just building more dashboards? Retailers are drowning in data, yet most still struggle to move the needle on store performance. In this episode of the AI in Retail podcast series, Top AI Leader David Polinchock sits down with Corey Spencer, GM & GVP of AI at UKG, to dismantle the "ivory tower" theories failing the frontline. They explore why the industry must shift from static lagging indicators to real-time orchestration. By making AI an "invisible assistant," managers can stop "scheduling" and start coaching, effectively cooling down frontline burnout before it hits the breaking point. Strategic Takeaways: - From Reports to Orchestration: Moving beyond Monday morning dashboards to real-time "AI angels" that flag compliance and staffing gaps as they happen. - The Semantic Layer: Why unifying payroll, HR, and workforce data is the non-negotiable first step to avoiding AI "hallucinations." - The Wisdom Luxury: How AI handles the "knowledge" (facts) so humans can provide the "wisdom" (connection) that defines high-end retail. Stop chasing "shiny objects" that end up as shelfware. Tune in to learn how to build an AI strategy that empowers your people and drives operational excellence.

At a time when "agents" and AI dominate every conversation, it is easy to forget that the ultimate channel is the consumer. In this RETHINK Retail episode, host DeAnn Campbell, Head of Retail Strategy at AAG Consulting and Scott Wueschinski, AVP of Retail Applied Advisory at Genpact, cut through the noise to explain why the human experience is the only real competitive advantage left. They dive into the friction points technology alone cannot fix, from punitive return fees to the "magic" of a store associate who actually knows their craft. Strategic Takeaways: - Cooperative Returns: Moving away from punitive fees by giving customers better tools to get the fit right the first time. - Associate-First Design: Shifting toward frontline tools that employees actually want to use, rather than systems they are penalized for ignoring. - The Data Reality: Why AI agents won't save a business if the foundational data is "crap in, crap out". - The Multiplier Effect: How fixing low-hanging fruit in the store, like removing outdated kiosks, at the same time you deploy AI drives immediate results. Stop chasing "shelfware." Tune in to learn how to balance high-tech agents with the human touch that builds true brand stickiness.

Is Your Supply Chain Your Biggest Competitive Advantage? We often hear about "the art of the merchant," but rarely do we discuss the unsexy mechanics that actually make a brand profitable. In this RETHINK Retail sit-down, Kimberly Lee Minor, CEO of WOCRA, catches up with her longtime friend and fellow retail expert Liza Amlani. From starting on the shop floor at 13 to consulting for the world’s largest brands, Liza has seen firsthand how "broken" the traditional fashion lifecycle can be and shares why CEOs need to spend less time in the boardroom and more time on the shop floor to bridge the gap between strategy and execution. The team explores how elevating materials teams from "service providers" to "strategic partners" can drastically reduce physical sampling and overdevelopment. By shifting the focus to digital material libraries and smarter assortment building, brands can actually do more with less, gaining the creative space needed to innovate. Stop letting inefficient cycles drain your profit. Tune in to discover why the future of fashion is built on smarter processes, not just faster trends.

Is Your Brand Built to Last or Just Built to Sell? Most brands treat retail as a "shiny" trophy, but the reality is that expansion often breaks your margins before it builds your brand. In this RETHINK Retail sit-down, host Gail Rodwell-Simon talks with Brett Gallagher, COO at Nulastin, about the disciplined path from a 2010s DTC startup to a true omnichannel player. They dig into the "ugly" side of growth: why your house must be in order before you expand and how to prove your brand actually matters when you aren't "screaming into Meta". The Reality Check: - The distractions of retail: Why opening new channels can drain your core team if you aren't ready. - The Brand Passport: How to make your customer reviews and social proof travel across every platform. - Testing your reach: Using marketplaces to prove your marketing has omnichannel "pull". - The 2-week rule: Why waiting for quarterly board meetings to check your metrics is a mistake in today's market. Stop the "growth at all costs" cycle. Listen to the conversation to see how to scale without losing your soul or your profit.

How do brands scale AI governance without slowing down innovation? In this episode, Yael Kochman sits down with NRF leaders Christian Beckner and Caroline Reppert to discuss the industry’s shift toward responsible, high-ROI AI adoption. While this conversation was recorded just before the NRF Big Show, the insights remain the definitive roadmap for the year ahead. They dive into why the most successful retailers are prioritizing internal productivity tools and "Agentic" commerce guardrails before rolling out customer-facing AI. Key Topics Covered: - The Governance Shift: Why the CEO and Board are now leading the AI policy conversation - Internal First: How coding and productivity tools are providing the first real wins for ROI - Empowering Employees: Using AI chatbots to support store associates and improve the customer experience - The 2025 Benchmark: Insights from the now-published Retail AI Trends report The report mentioned in this episode is now live! Get the full benchmark data on how your peers are investing in AI today.

The Future of the Store Isn’t Digital. It’s Intelligent. Are we drowning in data but starving for results? Recorded on the ground at Euroshop, host Martin Bailie sits down with industry heavyweights Sam Vise, Marc Jamieson, and John Magill to dismantle the biggest myths in the industry. For years, we’ve been told that "more technology" is the magic bullet. Yet, store teams are more distracted than ever. This conversation dives deep into why the "shiny object" syndrome is failing and how intelligent retail is finally emerging to close the execution gap. Key Takeaways You Can’t Miss: - The AI Myth: Why AI should be a tool for action and not just another dashboard to look at. - Human-Centric Tech: Why the best technology is often the kind the customer never sees. - The "Anti-iPad" Movement: Why it is time to put down the devices and bring back the human greeting. - Hyper-Localization: How the "intelligent planogram" is replacing the one-size-fits-all model. Stop piloting and start executing. Listen now to discover how to transform your strategy from a digital distraction into a high-performance, human-centric engine.

People have been declaring “the store is dead” for years. They were wrong. What’s actually dying is lazy retail. Stop leading from the top down. In this episode of Rethink Retail, experts Linda Johansen, David Polinchock, and Paula Angelucci reveal why a successful frontline retail strategy starts on the shop floor. Key Takeaways: - Respect the Peak: Move corporate planning to Mondays to protect high traffic weekends for the customer. - Authentic Connections: Why "Welcome in" fails and how to build genuine trust with savvy shoppers. - The AI Unlock: Using generative tools to provide real time expertise to store associates. Incentivized Loyalty: Closing the gap between in store service and online conversions.

Generative AI is moving beyond the lab and into the production environment. But for many enterprises, "pilot fatigue" is becoming a major bottleneck to real ROI. In this episode of AiR (AI in Retail), Top AI Leader, Barry McGeough (Group VP, AmeriCo) and Top Retail Expert, Michael Zakkour (Top Expert) deliver a masterclass on Applied Innovation. Through a real-world case study, they reveal how brands are using generative design to collapse the distance between a creative spark and a finished product. Key Takeaways: - The Text-to-Design Workflow: How designers are using text prompts to bypass traditional CAD bottlenecks, moving from 2D patterns to 3D assets and video in record time. - Crossing the Uncanny Valley: Why high-fidelity realism is the prerequisite for consumer trust and digital transactions. - Applied Innovation vs. "Big I" Innovation: The framework for ensuring AI projects solve core business problems rather than staying stuck in the lab. - The AI Super-Cycle: Why AI is a foundational layer for the next decade of retail, not a temporary financial bubble.

As artificial intelligence and immersive technologies dominate the headlines, the core of the industry remains unchanged: the human connection. In this episode of Rethink Retail, Monica San José (Retail Escool) and Richard Honiball (NEXCOM) explore why a successful retail digital transformation must be rooted in a company’s mission and values rather than technology for technology's sake. From the shop floor to the executive suite, our guests share 25+ years of expertise on navigating the "AI wave" while staying authentic to the consumer. Key Takeaways: - Mission Over Machines: Why leading with values and service is the only way to differentiate in a crowded market. - The Gen Z & Alpha Factor: Understanding why younger generations crave community and authenticity over traditional status-driven marketing. - Strategic Innovation: A cautionary look at immersive commerce (AR/VR) and gaming platforms like Roblox, why your core strategy must be solid before you "jump in." - Cultural Evolution: Why true retail digital transformation requires overcoming the human fear of replacement and fostering a culture of innovation from the ground up.

AI is now a core requirement, not a side project. In this episode of the AiR Podcast, Top AI Leader Kimberly Morgan sits with Sameer Sharma and CK Wang from MediaTek, to discuss how edge AI and AIoT platforms are delivering measurable ROI across retail operations The conversation explores why intelligence is moving closer to the device, how edge AI supports real-time decision-making, improves cost efficiency, strengthens data privacy, and enables scalable AI deployment across stores. Key themes include shrink reduction, checkout optimization, infrastructure strategy, and the practical realities of adopting AI at scale. If you are defining your retail AI roadmap, this episode offers a grounded, execution-focused perspective.

Real-time inventory management is reshaping how grocery retailers manage availability, labor, and store execution. On the latest RETHINK Retail Podcast, DeAnn Campbell speaks with Aidan Mittra, Co-Founder of OrderGrid, about how real-time, location- and expiry-aware inventory gives retailers true operational visibility that drives better product availability, reduced waste, and stronger margin protection across stores and distribution networks. Key Takeaways - Inventory quality matters: Accurate counts are not enough. Items must be findable, sellable, within date, and in the right location to support profitable operations. - Automated replenishment: Demand-aware ordering reduces manual work for store teams and enables faster, more consistent ordering. - Perishables management: Granular tracking and demand forecasting help minimize waste and maximize sales. - Inventory as an early indicator: Real-time data can surface operational and margin risks before they appear in sales reports. This episode explores how real-time inventory can form the foundation for more predictable, disciplined grocery operations and help position inventory as a measurable business advantage.

Physical retail isn’t just surviving, it’s thrilling, immersive, and unforgettable! In this episode, Sandi Danick, SVP at Triple Five Group, shares how immersive attractions, authentic experiences, and tech-driven insights are transforming shopping into something people can’t wait to return to. Key Takeaways: - Why experience drives loyalty and foot traffic - Engaging Gen Z authentically - Blending entertainment, retail, and culture - Using tech to enhance, not replace, the human touch Want to see how commerce and entertainment collide to create loyalty and foot traffic?