RETHINK RETAIL

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?

Frictionless checkout has become one of the most discussed topics in retail technology. But for enterprise retailers, the real question is not whether checkout can be frictionless. It is whether it can perform consistently under pressure. Checkout is where throughput, labor efficiency, compliance, and shrink converge. It is the operational control point of the store. In a conversation hosted by Emily Crowe, Editor-in-Chief at Progressive Grocer, Matt Redwood, VP Retail Technology Solutions at Diebold Nixdorf, joined Zara Ngouen, VP Information Technology at Lidl US, to examine what modern AI-enabled checkout requires at scale. The discussion explores how retailers are applying AI-powered age verification to reduce associate interventions while strengthening regulatory compliance. It addresses how real-time behavioral analytics can proactively identify risk patterns and support shrink reduction strategies. And it examines how retailers are redesigning front-end environments to balance automation with human oversight, preserving both efficiency and customer trust. A key theme throughout the conversation is that frictionless checkout is not about removing people or layering in disconnected technology. It is about intelligent retail infrastructure. AI, software, hardware, and services must work together to optimize front-end performance across diverse store formats. As labor volatility continues and cost pressure intensifies, front-end optimization has become a strategic priority. Retailers are rethinking checkout architecture not only to improve customer experience, but to strengthen operational resilience, reduce shrink exposure, and scale modernization efforts across large store estates. For retail executives evaluating AI checkout solutions, loss prevention technology, and automation strategies, this episode offers practical insight into how leading organizations are approaching front-end transformation today.

What does it really take to win over Gen Z and Gen Alpha in 2026? Aliyah Flowers, B2B Community Manager at RETHINK Retail, connects with Sourabh Sharma, Head of Marketing at Histoires de Parfums, to unpack what younger generations actually value. They discuss: - Why community and values now matter more than visibility - How Gen Z and Gen Alpha think differently about sustainability and spending - Where AI genuinely adds value in personalization and where it’s just noise From cultural relevance to conscious consumerism, this conversation challenges brands to think deeper, not louder. Join the conversation with our global retail community at www.globalretailleaders.com

At NRF 2026, April Sabral, Founder of April Sabral Leadership & Ask April AI, spoke with Marie Schwartz, CEO of RETHINK Retail, about leadership, community, and the real future of AI in retail. They explore: - Why true community starts with deep listening, not followers - What retailers must prioritize in 2026 beyond chasing every new AI trend - How leading with vulnerability can be a competitive advantage - From venture-backed founder to community-driven CEO, Marie shares why 2026 must be the year of execution and application in retail. Join the conversation with our global retail community at www.globalretailleaders.com

From garage startup to global cult following. During NRF 2026, one thing really stood out in this conversation between Marie Schwartz and Jennifer Sprague, CMO at Hammit. Hammit has built something rare. Customers do not just buy a bag. They collect them. They trade them. They know the story behind the rivets. That kind of loyalty is intentional.. They discuss: - How Hammit protects its brand identity while expanding physical retail - Why resale and community are strengthening long-term loyalty - The operational discipline behind rapid DTC and store growth - Luxury today is built on identity, connection, and strategic retail expansion. Join the conversation with our global retail community at www.globalretailleaders.com

Enterprise AI doesn’t fail because the models aren’t ready. It stalls when operating models, data foundations, and decision paths can’t keep up. Recorded at NRF, this AiR Podcast features Yael Kochman in conversation with Rakesh Srinivasan (The Estée Lauder Companies) and Chris Daniels (Toptal) on what it takes to move from scattered experimentation to repeatable, enterprise deployment - across brands, regions, teams, and partner ecosystems. Key takeaways - Why saturation, skepticism, and a fragmented customer journey are forcing beauty brands to rethink how innovation gets delivered - What must change inside the enterprise to scale AI: product-oriented teams, clear intake and sequencing, and strategy-led roadmaps - The real governance challenge: maintaining brand voice and trust as data flows through platforms, vendors, and generative layers - How modular, “build once, scale many” platforms enable faster deployment across brands - When partnering accelerates outcomes - and why building everything internally can slow progress - A concrete example: Jo Malone London’s Scent Finder and what it shows about treating AI as a product, not a pilot Learn more about The Estée Lauder Companies and Toptal

There is a reason NRF is called Retail’s Big Show. Each year, it generates an unmistakable buzz across the retail industry. What matters most, however, is how that buzz translates into real insight and action. NRF 2026 delivered bold predictions, big ideas, and no shortage of conversation around AI. The real question is what retailers actually took seriously this year. In this episode of Retail Therapy, host Andrew Smith of ThinkUncommon is joined by Liza Amlani of Retail Strategy Group and Casey Golden of CI&T to break down the signals that mattered most from both the show floor and the stage. Rather than rehashing headlines, the conversation focuses on the realities retailers are facing today, including: • Why NRF 2026 felt fresher and more grounded than recent years • The shift from AI education to AI implementation and accountability • Where pressure is building around data readiness, change management, and ROI • Practical examples of what is working, what remains difficult, and what may be overhyped • Why transparency, experimentation, and learning from failure stood out this year Whether you missed NRF or attended in person, this episode offers a clear, honest debrief designed to help retail leaders cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters. Listen to the full episode of Retail Therapy

Recorded live at NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show, The RETHINK Retail Podcast features Fritz Finlay, Head of Production at RETHINK Retail, in conversation with Will Burghes, Head of Professional Services at Rockerbox & DoubleVerify. The discussion focuses on how retail media measurement is evolving as brands and retailers move beyond impressions and clicks toward outcome-based metrics that matter to the business. Key insights from the episode include: - Why impressions and clicks are no longer enough for measuring retail media success - How retailers and brands are shifting toward revenue, incrementality, and ROAS - The role of verification, fraud prevention, and brand suitability as table stakes - How retail media networks, CTV, and walled gardens should be measured - Where AI fits into the future of advertising measurement, and where human judgment still matters With retail media networks growing rapidly, this episode breaks down what “good measurement” actually looks like in 2026 and how retailers can prioritize smarter budget decisions without waiting for perfect data. 🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear the top NRF insights on retail media measurement.

Unlock the Future of Brand Growth Discover what’s changing fastest in how brands grow today, straight from industry leaders who are shaping modern commerce. The RETHINK Retail Podcast takes you behind the scenes of marketplace strategies, ecosystem-driven growth, and omnichannel success. Learn from the expertise of Tim Derner of Authentic Brands Group and Remington Tonar of Cart.com as they explore: - Marketplace acceleration: How Amazon, TikTok Shop, and global platforms are driving brand expansion. - Ecosystem advantage: Why combining brands, IP, talent, entertainment, and retail partnerships creates outsized impact. - Omnichannel pitfalls: The most common traps brands fall into when trying to be everywhere at once. - AI in operations: Where automation and intelligence are quietly improving efficiency without being the headline. Whether you’re a brand manager, retailer, or commerce innovator, this episode provides actionable insights to help your brand scale globally, simplify operations, and stay ahead of the competition. 🎧 Listen now and transform the way your brand grows.

Recorded live at NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show, this episode of the RETHINK Retail Podcast features Michelle James, Vice President at CTIA, in conversation with Melissa Blassingame, RVP of Partner Alliances at Twilio. As consumers increasingly ignore unknown calls, this episode explores how Branded Calling ID in retail is helping brands rebuild trust and improve voice engagement. - Why trust in voice communications is critical for modern retail - How Branded Calling ID improves answer rates and customer experience - Real-world retail use cases, including delivery and customer support - How industry standards and collaboration are restoring trust in voice 🎧 Listen to the episode to learn how Branded Calling ID is bringing trusted voice back to retail.

Can technology actually make shopping feel more personal? Recorded live at NRF 2026, this RETHINK Retail Podcast moves past the AI hype to focus on the people behind the counter. Host Michael Klein is joined by David Weissman from Tulip, Rissa Jarrat from Jenni Kayne, and Kimberly Levine from TUMI for a candid conversation about the future of clienteling. In a world of digital noise, these leaders are using AI to bring back the "little black book" of retail, at scale: - The "Gift of Time": How TUMI uses technology to free up associates so they can focus on the person standing in front of them. - Authenticity First: Why Jenni Kayne prioritizes "reading the room" over automated messaging. - Million-Dollar Performers: What happens when you give every associate the tools to build their own book of business. This isn't just about efficiency; it's about making sure the "human" stays at the heart of your brand.

Recorded live at NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show, the RETHINK Retail Podcast dives into how Rebag is using conversational AI to transform luxury resale. Olivier Hepner, CPTO at Rebag and Howe Gu Senior Vice President, Partnerships & Ecosystem at Rezolve AI, discuss moving beyond traditional search, helping shoppers make confident decisions, and blending AI with human expertise. Discover what intelligence-driven retail looks like in a one-of-a-kind product world.

Retail AI is evolving — and the biggest breakthroughs are happening after the sale. In this episode of the Rethink Retail Podcast, host Michael Zakkour speaks with Aadil Kazmi, Head of AI at Infios, about how agentic AI is reshaping retail execution across order management, fulfillment, and transportation. Key Takeaways - Execution is the new battleground – AI’s biggest retail impact is shifting from planning to fulfillment and post-purchase experience - Connected systems win – Breaking silos between OMS, WMS, and TMS enables real-time visibility and self-healing operations - Agentic orchestration is here – AI agents are already making live sourcing, routing, and exception-handling decisions - Modularity unlocks scale – Flexible, interoperable architectures outperform monolithic systems in speed and ROI - Purpose-driven AI pays off – Fewer backorders, faster deliveries, and higher customer satisfaction Ready to transform retail execution with AI? Connect with Infios to learn how agentic AI can power intelligent, end-to-end supply chain operations.

Recorded at NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show, this episode of the RETHINK Retail podcast explores how retailers are translating data into more informed decision-making at the store level. In 'From Insight to Impact: How Intelligent Retail Creates Results', industry leaders discuss how connected retail ecosystems, spanning POS, self-checkout, back office operations, and analytics, can support operational efficiency and contribute to improved customer experiences. The conversation brings together perspectives from Loblaws and Diebold Nixdorf, sharing practical observations on how retailers approach technology integration, scale innovation across store networks, and align digital investments with business priorities. Podcast participants include: - Roman Gerlicher, SVP, Retail Technology, Loblaw Companies Limited - Arvin Jawa, VP, Global Marketing & Strategy, Diebold Nixdorf

AI is transforming how retailers manage payments, prevent fraud, and deliver seamless checkout experiences. In this episode of the Rethink Retail podcast, host Matthew Adam Smith speaks with Kai Lindstrom, VP of Retail Payment Services at SOK, and Jagrati Singh, Regional Sales Director at HCLTech. Key Takeaways: - AI-powered checkout: faster, seamless, and secure transactions - Fraud prevention: smarter detection and reduced operational risk - Modern POS systems: upgrading legacy infrastructure for agility - Hyper-personalization: tailored offers and experiences at scale - Systems integration: aligning platforms, partners, and data for frictionless payments 🎧 A must-listen for retail, payments, and technology leaders navigating AI-driven commerce.

🌟 Can you feel the anticipation? Together we rise! The countdown to NRF big show 2026 has begun! This year promises new activations and global insights that will reshape the retail landscape. What’s one thing you hope to learn at the show? Share with us.

In this episode of RETHINK Retail, Top Retail Experts unpack how much customer expectations have accelerated and expert tips for retailers trying to compete across stores, apps, loyalty programs, and connected channels. Join Emily Pfeiffer, Principal Analyst of Commerce Tech at Forrester and Roopi Crowley, Managing Director of Strategic Retail at T-Mobile for Business, as they explore: - The future of loyalty programs - Dynamic pricing and personalized offers - Collecting and leveraging customer feedback - Using connectivity and data to drive smarter merchandising Learn how to turn customer expectations into opportunities. 🎧 Listen now and rethink your retail strategy.

As the retail industry heads into 2026, innovation is no longer theoretical — it’s operational. In this special episode of the Rethink Retail Predictions Podcast, we spoke directly with retail leaders who are actively building the future of commerce. From omnichannel growth and AI-driven personalization to pricing pressure, trust, and the rise of machine-assisted shopping, these experts share unfiltered insights into what’s actually changing inside retail organizations. 🎙 Featured voices include: - Diana David, Director of Futures at ServiceNow - Stefan Gunnarsson, Founder & CEO at PropTexx - Sara Ahmed Holman, Chief Commercial Officer at Bobbie - Justin Rinaldi, Director of Marketing and eCommerce at Safety Speed Manufacturing - Diptendu Ray, Head of Product Management at Giant Tiger - Swetha Subramanian, Vice President, Data Science and AI Products at Loblaw Companies Limited - Hanna Moisander, Chairperson at Lager 157 - Tammy Mo, Chief Executive Officer of Mozzimo Jewelry - Bubs Shah, Director of UX Design at Macy's Together, these perspectives paint a clear picture: 2026 will reward retailers who move faster, build trust, and operationalize AI at scale.

In this episode of Rethink Retail, host Martin Bailie is joined by Jerome Hamrit, Senior Vice President for Data and Retail Media at VusionGroup, and Thaddeus Segura, Senior Vice President for Product at VusionGroup, to explore the evolution of the connected store. What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why store digital transformation is fundamentally different from e-commerce transformation - How real-time data from ESLs, computer vision, IoT sensors, and transactional systems creates a “live store” - Why platform thinking and system integration matter more than adding new devices - How Walmart and Carrefour approached connected store infrastructure at scale - The shift from “interesting technology” to essential retail capability - What “precision commerce” means and why it represents the future of retail execution - How connected stores unlock value for retailers, store teams, and brands through better execution, productivity, and monetization 🎧 Listen now to understand how connected stores are redefining retail performance.