Retail in America

Welcome to episode 9 of the RETAIL IN AMERICA podcast! I would like to introduce you to a phenomenal leader I met in Nashville, Priscilla Willis.Priscilla is the General Manager of Burberry in The Mall at Green Hills in Nashville, Tennessee. Her incredible retail career has taken her all over the country, from NYC to Miami and back to Tennessee, with brands including Banana Republic, Cole Hahn, Gibson Guitars, Tory Burch, and more.Priscilla says that although retail has been an accidental career and being a leader is most fulfilling, the engagement with clients has always kept her going year after year! Her personal development has been purposeful and driven based on her curiosity about different roles and the enjoyment of various aspects of leadership.Our conversation focused on networking and relationship building as a critical part of a successful retail career; you won't want to miss it.But first, a huge thank you to the three title sponsors fueling the RETAIL IN AMERICA tour and this podcast. Spotify Advertising Spotify is the #1 podcast platform in the US and has grown to over 420M monthly unique registered users around the globe, over half of which are supported on the ad platform. Spotify advertising will help you reach and target your audience across devices, locations, and formats. YOOBIC Over 300 companies in 80 countries trust YOOBIC to drive their retail performance at scale, get real-time visibility into multi-location business execution, digitized task management, and more. KWI is the industry's only true turnkey omnichannel platform for specialty retailers.With over 35 years of experience, let KWI help you execute flawlessly with the features that matter most, including endless aisle, clienteling, mobile checkout, inventory management, e-commerce, and more. Go to RETAIL PRIDE and follow me on IG @retailpride to see all the details about the RETAIL IN AMERICA tour, the cities we will visit, media links, and more. Contact me directly here to nominate a retail hero for this podcast, host a retail networking or book signing event in your city, or say hello.  Keep your retail pride strong, and I will see you on the road!Audio engineer Dean Albak Cover image shot by Duke Winn

Forrester Research is calling this moment ‘peak ambiguity.’ Rising bankruptcies. Falling consumer sentiment. Geopolitical uncertainty. And when strategy is unclear at the top — it’s the frontline that absorbs it first. Every time.In this episode, Ron Thurston breaks down three human truths about what retail’s peak ambiguity is really costing your people — and how the right investment right now creates a competitive advantage that’s very hard to close.Three Human Truths This EpisodeHUMAN TRUTH #1 — Uncertainty Is a Leadership Problem That Becomes a Frontline Crisis.When communication stops at the top, the floor fills the gap with rumors and disengagement. Consumer sentiment is falling. Customers are more demanding and less forgiving. Your frontline needs the most clarity at the exact moment they have the least.HUMAN TRUTH #2 — The Manager Crisis Is Retail’s Hidden Emergency.The store manager is your AI adoption lead, your retention strategy, and your customer experience all in one. 47% of frontline workers feel there are two separate cultures in their company. The manager is caught between them every single day — and most retailers are dramatically underinvesting in developing them.HUMAN TRUTH #3 — Ambiguity Is a Competitive Advantage If You Invest in the Right Layer.McKinsey documents a 3-point comp sales lift at the best frontline retail employers. When every competitor is pulling back on people investment, the company that leans in creates a gap that’s very hard to close. Uncertainty isn’t just a threat. It’s a window.Takeaways:Uncertainty has emerged as a pivotal concern in retail, overshadowing topics such as AI and automation.The prevalent atmosphere of ambiguity necessitates clear and honest communication from leadership to frontline employees.Store managers are critical stabilizing forces within organizations, deserving of investment and development amidst uncertainty.Consumer trust is fragile; therefore, investing in frontline personnel establishes a durable competitive advantage in retail.When leadership fails to communicate effectively, the frontline becomes disengaged, exacerbating the crisis of uncertainty.The current period of peak ambiguity can serve as an opportunity for organizations that choose to invest in their people.Data & SourcesForrester Research — Three Themes for Retail in 2026 (March 2026)https://www.forrester.comUKG — Global Study: Flexibility and Financial Wellness Are Top 2026 Priorities for Frontline Workers (January 2026)https://www.ukg.com/company/newsroom/global-study-reveals-flexibility-and-financial-wellness-are-top-2026-priorities-frontline-workersMcKinsey — How Retailers Can Build and Retain a Strong Frontline Workforce (2024)https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/retail/our-insights/how-retailers-can-build-and-retain-a-strong-frontline-workforce-in-2024U.S. Consumer Sentiment Index — University of Michigan (2026)https://data.sca.isr.umich.eduGet the Book📘 HUMAN PRIDE: Optimizing Your Human Potential in a Digital Job Market→ https://www.ronthurston.com

65% of consumers trust AI to compare prices. Only 14% trust it to place an order on their behalf. We’re in the most aggressive AI deployment cycle in retail history — and most customers don’t trust it where it matters most.In this episode, Ron Thurston breaks down three human truths about the trust gap between AI technology and the frontline workers and customers caught in between.Three Human Truths This EpisodeHUMAN TRUTH #1 — Customers Trust AI for Transactions. Not for Relationships.65% trust AI for price comparison. 14% trust it to place an order. The line between utility and relationship is where your frontline earns its keep — and where AI has to earn its place. The frontline worker is the trust infrastructure that makes AI worth deploying.HUMAN TRUTH #2 — The Real Disruptor Isn’t AI. It’s the Trust Deficit Behind It.Forrester calls it ‘humanity vs tech.’ 53% of Americans believe AI will worsen their ability to think creatively. 50% say it will worsen their ability to form meaningful relationships. That’s the environment your frontline is navigating every shift.HUMAN TRUTH #3 — The Companies Winning With AI Are Building Trust First.Walmart trained 1.6 million employees before deploying AI — and 6,000+ associates are now building their own tools. Technology pulled by teams, not pushed by leadership. Three questions every retailer should ask before any AI deployment.Takeaways:The rapid deployment of AI in retail necessitates an examination of customer trust levels.While many consumers trust AI for transactional tasks, they prefer human interaction for nuanced decisions.A significant majority of consumers express skepticism regarding AI's impact on creativity and relationships.Companies must prioritize building trust with their frontline teams before implementing AI systems.Data & SourcesYouGov — Which Retail Tasks Do Americans Trust AI With (December 2025)https://yougov.co.ukForrester Research — Three Themes for Retail in 2026 (March 2026)https://www.forrester.comPew Research Center — How Americans View AI and Its Impact on People and Society (June 2025)https://www.pewresearch.orgFortune — Walmart Is Offering AI Training to 1.6 Million Workers (February 2026)https://fortune.com/2026/02/19/walmart-trillion-dollar-retail-gaint-artificial-intelligence-training-google-partnership-invest-in-workers-not-replace-tech-changing-jobs/Get the Book📘 HUMAN PRIDE: Optimizing Your Human Potential in a Digital Job Market→ https://www.ronthurston.com

Retail turnover is running at 81% annually. Everyone in the boardroom knows it. Nobody is treating it like the emergency it actually is.In this solo episode, Ron Thurston breaks down three human truths about what’s really driving frontline employee turnover in retail — and why solving it has nothing to do with pay.Three Human Truths This EpisodeHUMAN TRUTH #1 — Everyone Knows. Nobody’s Treating It Like an Emergency.Retail turnover has been above 60% for decades. Some subsectors are now hitting 81%. Yet boardrooms keep calling it a “known variable” instead of a burning platform.HUMAN TRUTH #2 — This Isn’t a Pay Problem. It’s a Neglect Problem.8 out of 10 reasons frontline workers leave are emotional, not operational. 42% of turnover is viewed by employees themselves as preventable.HUMAN TRUTH #3 — The Real Cost Never Shows Up on a Spreadsheet.A mid-sized retailer at 60% turnover spends roughly $600,000 annually in hard costs alone. At the best frontline retail employers, comparable store sales run 3 full percentage points higher than low performers.TakeawaysThe retail industry currently experiences an alarming annual turnover rate of 81%, indicating a significant challenge that requires urgent attention from leadership.New hires in retail typically require approximately two months to achieve full productivity, meaning that stores are often staffed by individuals still learning their roles.Research reveals that eight out of ten frontline workers leave their retail jobs for emotional reasons, emphasizing the importance of valuing employees and investing in their growth.The disconnect between executive perceptions and frontline realities leads to a neglect problem rather than a pay issue, necessitating a shift in organizational focus and accountability.Preventable turnover is a critical issue, with 42% of employees viewing their departure as avoidable, highlighting the need for proactive management practices.Investing in employee satisfaction and stability can lead to significant improvements in sales performance, demonstrating that human capital is the primary competitive advantage in retail.Data & SourcesFountain — Frontline Work 2025: 5 Trends Shaping the Futurehttps://www.fountain.com/posts/frontline-workforce-trends-2025Harvard Business Review — Why Your Frontline Employee Turnover Is High (April 2025)https://hbr.org/podcast/2025/04/why-your-frontline-employee-turnover-is-highTruRating — Employee Turnover in Retail (2025)https://trurating.com/blog/employee-turnover-in-retail/U.S. Employee Turnover Statistics 2024–2025https://high5test.com/employee-turnover-statistics/McKinsey — How Retailers Can Build and Retain a Strong Frontline Workforce (2024)https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/retail/our-insights/how-retailers-can-build-and-retain-a-strong-frontline-workforce-in-2024theEMPLOYEEapp — Frontline Workforce Trends and Predictions 2025https://theemployeeapp.com/blog/frontline-workforce-trends-and-predictions/Get the Book📘 HUMAN PRIDE: Optimizing Your Human Potential in a Digital Job Market→ https://www.ronthurston.com

American companies spent more than a trillion dollars on technology last year. More than 60% saw no meaningful impact on their bottom line. The reason isn’t the technology. It’s who we keep forgetting to invest in first.In this episode, Ron Thurston breaks down three human truths about AI, retail, and the frontline workers caught in between.Three Human Truths This EpisodeHUMAN TRUTH #1 — The Investment GapCompanies spend $9,100 per employee on software. $1,200 on training. McKinsey’s conclusion: build human capability before you deploy technology.HUMAN TRUTH #2 — Walmart Gets It Right1.6 million Walmart employees receive free AI training through Google. 6,000+ associates are already building their own AI tools. Real transformation happens when technology is pulled by teams — not pushed by leadership.HUMAN TRUTH #3 — The Burnout Signal Nobody’s Talking AboutUKG’s global study of 8,200 workers found 76% of frontline employees reported burnout in 2025. Nearly half feel there are two separate cultures inside their company. No AI investment closes that gap without addressing the human foundation first.Takeaways:The investment in technology significantly overshadows the investment in employee training and development.A profound disconnect exists between frontline workers and decision-makers within organizations, exacerbated by AI deployment.Walmart exemplifies a progressive approach by providing free AI training to all employees, fostering inclusion.Companies must prioritize investing in their workforce to achieve sustainable growth and improved engagement.A staggering 76% of frontline workers reported experiencing burnout, indicating a critical need for cultural change.To effectively implement AI, organizations must first ensure their workforce is adequately prepared and trained.Data & SourcesMcKinsey & Company — A US Productivity Unlock: Investing in Frontline Workers’ AI Skills (January 2026)https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/operations/our-insights/a-us-productivity-unlock-investing-in-frontline-workers-ai-skillsFortune — Walmart Is Offering AI Training to 1.6 Million Workers (February 2026)https://fortune.com/2026/02/19/walmart-trillion-dollar-retail-gaint-artificial-intelligence-training-google-partnership-invest-in-workers-not-replace-tech-changing-jobs/UKG — Global Study: Flexibility and Financial Wellness Are Top 2026 Priorities for Frontline Workers (January 2026)https://www.ukg.com/company/newsroom/global-study-reveals-flexibility-and-financial-wellness-are-top-2026-priorities-frontline-workers

What happens when AI isn’t built for people—but with them?In this episode of Retail Intelligence in Action, sponsored by Microsoft, Ron Thurston sits down with Dave Glick, Senior Vice President of Enterprise Business Services at Walmart, for a rare inside look at one of the most ambitious, people-led AI transformations happening anywhere in retail.Dave shares how Walmart is building AI capabilities at true enterprise scale—creating tools and platforms that empower campus associates today and ultimately support more than 1.5 million associates across the business. But this conversation isn’t about automation for efficiency’s sake. It’s about agency, ownership, and removing the friction that keeps people from doing their best work.You’ll hear how Walmart is deploying:Super agents that act as a single front door to work—routing tasks, knowledge, and workflows intelligentlyNano agents—small, purpose-built tools often created by associates themselves to solve real, everyday problemsAI-powered capabilities like real-time translation, intelligent prioritization, and workflow automationOne of the most powerful insights in this episode is how adoption actually happens. Instead of pushing new technology onto teams, Walmart created tools people pulled into their work—driving organic adoption, rapid iteration, and genuine enthusiasm. From late-night “vibe coding” sessions fueled by Diet Coke to hackathons where non-engineers build agents in minutes, Dave illustrates how culture—not code—determines success.The conversation also explores how Walmart balances speed with responsibility. Rather than slowing innovation through fear, the company leaned into clear guardrails, trusted governance, and a shared belief that the biggest risk is moving too slowly. This mindset allows teams to learn fast, improve fast, and scale what works.While Dave’s focus is enterprise operations, the impact reaches customers in a meaningful way. By reducing friction, eliminating root causes, and lowering operational costs, Walmart strengthens its Everyday Low Price promise—proving that associate empowerment and customer value are deeply connected.At its core, this episode is a case study in what’s possible when technology and HUMAN PRIDE move together—and why the future of retail will belong to leaders who build AI that elevates people, not replaces them.Key Takeaways: Walmart is scaling AI in a way that restores agency and ownership to associatesOver 6,000 associates have been trained to build and deploy AI-driven solutionsSuper agents and nano agents are transforming how work gets done—without overwhelming usersReal transformation happens when technology is pulled by teams, not pushed by leadershipHuman-centered AI can drive efficiency, engagement, and long-term customer value simultaneously

Voices from the Frontline: AI in Action: Episode 2, Part 2In this episode of Voices from the Frontline: AI in Action, host Ron Thurston takes listeners inside the Microsoft Experience Center in New York City, where frontline work, customer experience, and AI-powered tools come together in real time.Recorded on the retail floor at the Microsoft Experience Center, this conversation goes behind the counter to show how frontline teams are using technology not to replace human connection — but to strengthen it.You’ll hear directly from Jasmine, a frontline leader, as she walks through how tools like Microsoft Teams, Dynamics 365, and Copilot work together to remove friction from daily work. From live inventory requests and mobile POS to appointment scheduling and service support, this episode shows how AI helps associates stay present with customers — without breaking the conversation or leaving the floor.Key moments include:How real-time “live requests” keep associates connected while serving customersHow Copilot summarizes appointment history so customers never have to repeat their storyHow AI-generated notes save time and reduce administrative burdenHow intelligent agents support onboarding, training, and process consistencyWhy speed, clarity, and confidence matter most on the frontlineThis episode also explores the employee experience — showing how AI tools support new hires, enable multimodal learning, and help frontline teams stay organized during high-volume, high-pressure moments.The takeaway is clear:AI isn’t replacing frontline teams — it’s elevating them.When technology works quietly in the background, people can focus on what matters most: serving customers, solving problems, and creating meaningful human connection.This is what Retail Intelligence in Action really looks like — not in theory, but on the floor, in the moment, with real people.🎙️ Featuring frontline insights from Microsoft📍 Recorded at the Microsoft Experience Center, NYC

Retail Intelligence in Action — Microsoft | Episode 2, part 1A Limited Series with Ron ThurstonIn this episode of Retail Intelligence in Action, host Ron Thurston takes listeners inside the Microsoft Experience Center in New York City to explore what frontline work looks like when AI is applied with intention, empathy, and clarity.This conversation brings AI out of theory and onto the sales floor — where technology and humanity meet in real time.Ron is joined by frontline leaders and associates from Microsoft to show how tools like Microsoft Teams, Copilot, and Viva are transforming communication, simplifying operations, and reducing burnout for teams across retail, healthcare, and hospitality.Rather than focusing on “future promises,” this episode highlights what’s already happening today: AI helping frontline teams save time, reduce friction, and gain confidence — without complexity or disruption.You’ll hear powerful, human examples of how Copilot supports people of all skill levels, how one source of truth can serve multigenerational and multilingual teams, and why starting small is often the smartest path to adoption.This episode reinforces a simple but powerful idea:Technology alone doesn’t transform work — people do.And when the right tools are placed in the hands of the frontline, everything changes.Key themes include:How AI supports frontline teams without replacing themWhy clarity and simplicity matter more than perfectionHow Copilot gives time back to managers and associatesThe role of community, trust, and pride in frontline workWhy AI adoption must be human-centered to succeedThe future of frontline work isn’t coming.It’s already here — and it’s human-powered.🎙️ Featuring frontline insights from Microsoft📍 Recorded at the Microsoft Experience Center, NYC

Part 3 of Voices from the Frontline: AI in Action, a limited series sponsored by Microsoft, dives into two of the biggest, most stubborn challenges in frontline work: scheduling and onboarding — the things that have frustrated leaders and associates for decades.We open with a reminder that teams don’t need dozens of versions of content or training. You can create one source of truth, and AI helps every associate consume it in the way that works best for them — by voice, text, audio, images, and in the language they prefer. It’s a huge win for multigenerational and multilingual teams, and the example of using Copilot to help a nurse streamline her documentation makes the shift feel incredibly real and human.From there, we jump into one of the most painful realities of frontline work: scheduling. Whether you’re running a 5-person team or a store with hundreds of associates, scheduling has always been a massive burden — mentally, emotionally, and operationally. Irina breaks down how new intelligence layers in Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365 can simplify everything: pulling in demand signals, skills, availability, benefits eligibility, and more to create a schedule that actually works for both managers and employees.It’s not about replacing systems — it’s about placing intelligence on top of them, giving managers clarity and giving employees control.The conversation also highlights how AI can make onboarding dramatically faster. Instead of ten-hour workshops or dense PDFs, new associates can ask an agent questions in the moment, learn as they go, and get exactly the information they need — which improves productivity, experience, and retention.What Part 3 makes undeniably clear is this:When you solve scheduling and modernize onboarding, you unlock an entirely new frontline experience.AI brings flexibility, predictability, fairness, and speed — so both managers and associates can spend less time wrestling with complexity and more time serving customers.This isn’t just an efficiency upgrade. It’s a transformation of how frontline teams work, learn, and thrive.Key Takeaways: AI personalizes learning for every worker, regardless of generation or language.Intelligent scheduling reduces friction, bias, and manual effort for managers and associates.AI layers in Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365 unlock flexibility and predictability without rebuilding systems.Smarter scheduling improves staffing, productivity, and financial outcomes.AI-enabled onboarding speeds up training and supports seasonal or high-turnover teams.Agents create fairness by delivering consistent, logic-based scheduling decisions.Multimodal tools support diverse learning styles through voice, images, and audio.AI gives time back to teams, freeing them to focus on customers and meaningful work.The frontline experience becomes more human as AI removes complexity and elevates connection.

The expectation for instant answers has completely reshaped frontline work. Today’s customers are used to getting information in seconds on their phones or watches — and they now expect frontline teams to operate with that same speed and confidence.In part 2 of my limited series sponsored by Microsoft, Abbie Sweeney and Irina Parsina break down how tools like Microsoft Copilot and specialized AI agents are making that possible. These technologies give frontline employees the power to check inventory, translate on the spot, compare products, or solve customer problems without disappearing into a back office or wrestling with outdated systems.What really stands out is how AI is making work more accessible, intuitive, and personalized for every generation of workers. With multimodal learning — voice, images, audio, and text — teams can get support in the way they learn best. It’s not one-size-fits-all anymore.And ultimately, that’s what this episode shows so clearly: AI isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about redefining the frontline experience, giving employees more clarity and confidence, and allowing them to spend more time doing what matters most — connecting with customers.Key Takeaways: Customer expectations for instant information have permanently changed frontline service.Copilot gives employees fast access to what they need — without delays or back-office bottlenecks.AI agents provide role-specific guidance so employees get consistent, accurate answers every time.Multimodal tools support every kind of learner — visual, audio, hands-on — improving training and productivity.AI is redefining frontline work: faster answers, higher confidence, and more time for meaningful customer connection.Personalized, adaptive AI support leads to stronger employee retention and better customer experiences.

AI isn’t just enhancing the shopping journey anymore — it’s officially part of it. New research from the IBM Institute for Business Value shows a staggering 62% jump in consumer use of AI shopping tools in just two years, and the momentum isn’t slowing down.In this episode, a limited series sponsored by IBM, I sit down with Jane Cheung to explore what happens when AI shifts from “helpful assistant” to active participant in how people discover products, compare options, and make decisions. This isn’t the future — it’s already reshaping retail today.We discuss how consumers are blending physical and digital experiences with AI at the center, why economic pressure is accelerating this behavior, and what brands must do right now to stay visible and trusted. From product data accuracy to real-time transparency, AI is raising the stakes for every retailer.If you’re preparing your business for an AI-driven marketplace, this episode lays out exactly where to focus and what it takes to earn a place in the new shopping journey.Takeaways:Consumer use of AI shopping tools has surged 62% in two years.1 in 3 consumers now want AI-powered features built directly into their shopping experience.Economic pressure is pushing shoppers toward smarter comparisons and value-driven decisions powered by AI.“Converged commerce” is here — consumers are blending digital, physical, and AI-driven touchpoints seamlessly.AI is moving from assisting shoppers to participating in their decisions.Retailers must strengthen their data systems to meet rising expectations and stay competitive.Links referenced:Download the full report here: https://obvs.ly/Ron1Companies mentioned:IBM

Part 1 of Voices from the Frontline: AI in Action, a limited series sponsored by Microsoft, sets the foundation for everything that follows. In this episode, we cut through the noise and clear up some of the biggest misconceptions about AI on the frontline.With Abbie Sweeney and Irina Parsina from the Microsoft Copilot Acceleration team, we dive into what leaders everywhere need to hear: you don’t need a perfect system or a massive transformation plan to get started with AI. You can begin right where you are, take small steps, and build over time.We also explore why Microsoft’s responsible AI principles — trust, safety, and transparency — matter so much when you’re supporting the people who make your business work every day.Through practical examples, Abbie and Irina show how tools like Microsoft Copilot can take everyday tasks off the plates of managers and associates, giving them more time and energy to do what they do best: connect with customers, care for patients, and elevate the human experience.This episode is all about confidence and clarity. It reminds leaders that AI isn’t something to fear or avoid — it’s an accessible, manageable evolution that can make frontline work smarter, simpler, and more human.AI can be integrated into existing workflows, making it accessible no matter where an organization is on its tech journey.AI readiness is a moving target — perfection is not required to begin.The smartest approach is to start small, learn, and iterate, rather than aiming for a massive overhaul.Microsoft’s AI strategy is grounded in trust, safety, and transparency, helping organizations adopt AI responsibly.Copilot acts as the UI for AI, giving frontline teams one simple entry point for powerful intelligence.AI frees up valuable time for human connection, allowing employees to focus on customers, patients, and guests.

Welcome to Retail in America, Season 2, episode 1, with a special conversation sponsored by IBM. Brand loyalty isn’t what it used to be — and today’s consumers are proving just how quickly it can disappear. In this conversation, I sit down with IBM’s Jane Cheung to unpack the latest findings from the IBM Global Consumer Research study and explore why trust has become the true competitive advantage.Consumers are still willing to choose the brands they believe in, even when prices rise — but the margin for error is shrinking fast. With AI playing a growing role in how people research, validate, and discover products, the expectations for transparency and consistency have never been higher.We dig into what this shift means for retail leaders: how loyalty must evolve, what today’s “value equation” really looks like, and why advocacy is emerging as one of the most powerful signals in an AI-driven marketplace. This episode is a roadmap for any brand that wants to stay relevant — not just to people, but to the AI systems helping them shop.Takeaways:Loyalty is more fragile than ever — trust is now the differentiator.Data transparency matters: 83% of consumers have concerns about privacy and usage.25% of shoppers will still pay more for brands they truly trust.Advocacy is rising fast, with 47% of consumers recommending a new brand recently.AI is reshaping loyalty programs and how value is delivered.Strong data governance is essential for accurate, timely, and personalized engagement.Links referenced:Register to receive the full report here: https://obvs.ly/Ron1Companies mentioned:IBM

Welcome to RETAIL IN AMERICA!This podcast is part of The RETAIL IN AMERICA tour, my year-long journey to discover incredible retail heroes all across the country, celebrating our retail culture, community, and careers. Go to retailpride.com or IG @retail pride to see it all, including past podcast episodes, playlists, and future cities on tour.Today I am LIVE from the Airstream in Palm Springs, California, with Joe Lopardi, the Director of Retail for the iconic brand TRINA TURKJoe prides himself on building and retaining dynamic teams at all levels, being a company culture proponent, leveraging an elevated event strategy to benefit local charities and non-profits, and delivering positive results. He is a people-centric leader who values his relationships with internal and external clients.He has pioneered client development programs, led teams through the construction of mission, vision, and value statements, and is leading his present team to deliver the strongest net sales results in company history this year.When he is not making market visits with his teams and clients, he is working on restoring a 1930s bungalow he recently purchased with his fiancée in Los Angeles, CA.Contact me directly here to nominate a retail hero for this podcast, host a retail networking or book signing event in your city, or say hello.Keep your retail pride strong, and I will see you on the road!The RETAIL IN AMERICA podcast team includes:Producer Roi PeretsAudio Engineer Dean AlbakCover Image shot by Duke WinnA huge thank you to the three title sponsors fueling the RETAIL IN AMERICA tour and this podcast. Spotify Advertising Spotify is the #1 podcast platform in the US and has grown to over 420M monthly unique registered users around the globe, over half of which are supported on the ad platform. Spotify advertising will help you reach and target your audience across devices, locations, and formats. YOOBIC  is a Frontline Employee Experience Platform. It’s an all-in-one mobile app that provides Retail leaders and their frontline teams with inclusive communications, mobile learning, and digitized task management - all in the flow of work.KWI is the industry's only true turnkey omni-channel platform for specialty retailers. With over 35 years of experience, let KWI help you execute flawlessly with the features that matter most, including endless aisle, clienteling, mobile checkout, inventory management, e-commerce, and more. 

Welcome to RETAIL IN AMERICA!This podcast is part of The RETAIL IN AMERICA tour, my year-long journey to discover incredible retail heroes all across the country, celebrating our retail culture, community, and careers. Go to retailpride.com or IG @retail pride to see it all, including past podcast episodes, playlists, and future cities on tour.Today I am LIVE from the Airstream in Malibu, California, with Bree Jacoby, the founder and CEO of BREE.Bree Jacoby is an LA-based entrepreneur, stylist, founder, and all-around powerhouse - and if you work in any capacity in sales or retail, you will want to experience this conversation!Bree and I go way back and have done several things together that we'll talk about, and as she says, "fashion and entrepreneurship are in my blood."As a Los Angeles native who grew up in a family of entrepreneurs, she is passionate about trailblazing the style space by making luxury more attainable and empowering people to be their best.Her company's mission is to transcend what to wear by revolutionizing how people get dressed and sparking a more personal, confident relationship with style for everyone.By streamlining what you already own, curating purposeful purchases, and digitizing polished looks, you reduce stress, wasted time, and guesswork to make dressing well a whole lot more fun and BREEzy for you!Please enjoy the episode, and a big thank you to the three title sponsors fueling the RETAIL IN AMERICA tour and this podcast.Spotify Advertising is the #1 podcast platform in the US and has grown to over 420M monthly unique registered users around the globe, over half of which are supported on the ad platform. Spotify advertising will help you reach and target your audience across devices, locations, and formats.YOOBIC is a Frontline Employee Experience Platform. It's an all-in-one mobile app that provides Retail leaders and their frontline teams with inclusive communications, mobile learning, and digitized task management - all in the flow of work.KWI is the industry's only true turnkey omnichannel platform for specialty retailers.With over 35 years of experience, let KWI help you execute flawlessly with the features that matter most, including endless aisle, clienteling, mobile checkout, inventory management, e-commerce, and more.Contact me directly here to nominate a retail hero for this podcast, host a retail networking or book signing event in your city, or say hello.Keep your retail pride strong, and I will see you on the road!The RETAIL IN AMERICA podcast team includes:Producer Roi PeretsAudio Engineer Dean AlbakCover Image shot by Duke Winn

Welcome to RETAIL IN AMERICA!This podcast is part of The RETAIL IN AMERICA tour, my year-long journey to discover incredible retail heroes all across the country, celebrating our retail culture, community, and careers. Go to retailpride.com or IG @retail pride to see it all, including past podcast episodes, playlists, and future cities on tour.Kit Campoy is a retail leader turned freelance writer and one of the most prominent voices for frontline retail teams on LinkedIn.After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Merchandising, she wanted nothing to do with retail management and had aspirations of being a stylist on photo shoots. Then, a funny thing happened; she realized that she was good at leadership and liked it.A move to San Diego landed her at Old Navy. A two-story behemoth where she was hired to plan shipments/merchandise, then a transition to PacSun, where she learned retail leadership 101. She quickly moved to a Store Manager position and worked for the company for five years.A jump to Lucky Brand, then Anthropologie, and finally, Tilly's Store Manager, Carlsbad, at the Forum for nine years. Running that building with hundreds of people over the years and close partnerships with vendors and leaders at the home office was the honor & privilege of her career. She ultimately left retail in February 2022 and is now a solo entrepreneur who does freelance writing and ghostwriting and writes two weekly newsletters. You can find her on LinkedIn daily, advocating for retail leaders and frontline employees. You can connect with Kit on LinkedIn, DeSo, and Twitter. Give hustle-culture a break, and join her weekly newsletter Traveling Money and Kit writes personal essays on Medium. Thank you to the three title sponsors fueling the RETAIL IN AMERICA tour and this podcast. Spotify Advertising is the #1 podcast platform in the US and has grown to over 420M monthly unique registered users around the globe, over half of which are supported on the ad platform. Spotify advertising will help you reach and target your audience across devices, locations, and formats. YOOBIC  is a Frontline Employee Experience Platform. It's an all-in-one mobile app that provides Retail leaders and their frontline teams with inclusive communications, mobile learning, and digitized task management - all in the flow of work.KWI is the industry's only true turnkey omnichannel platform for specialty retailers.With over 35 years of experience, let KWI help you execute flawlessly with the features that matter most, including endless aisle, clienteling, mobile checkout, inventory management, e-commerce, and more. Contact me directly here to nominate a retail hero for this podcast, host a retail networking or book signing event in your city, or say hello.  Keep your retail pride strong, and I will see you on the road!The RETAIL IN AMERICA podcast team includes:Producer Roi PeretsAudio Engineer Dean AlbakCover Image shot by Duke Winn

Welcome to RETAIL IN AMERICA!This podcast is part of The RETAIL IN AMERICA tour, my year-long journey to discover incredible retail heroes all across the country, celebrating our retail culture, community, and careers. Go to retailpride.com or IG @retail pride to see it all, including past podcast episodes, playlists, and future cities on tour.This conversation was recorded live in our Airstream in San Diego, CA, with Tony Drockton, Founder and self-proclaimed Chief Cheerleader of Hammitt, a genuine American luxury brand based in Los Angeles.A lifelong entrepreneur, beginning with an MBA from Bowling Green in his home state of Ohio, Tony established his pattern of success early, through his start-ups in the construction and finance industries, before moving into this crazy fashion business.Tony took the reins at Hammitt in 2008, overseeing its transformation from a best-kept hometown secret to a digital and retail phenomenon.Tony is a philanthropist, speaker, mentor, and lifelong entrepreneur, but mostly, he loves experiencing the zest and wonder of life and brings all of that to this conversation. Enjoy! A huge thank you to the three title sponsors fueling the RETAIL IN AMERICA tour and this podcast. Spotify Advertising Spotify is the #1 podcast platform in the US and has grown to over 420M monthly unique registered users around the globe, over half of which are supported on the ad platform. Spotify advertising will help you reach and target your audience across devices, locations, and formats. YOOBIC  is a Frontline Employee Experience Platform. It’s an all-in-one mobile app that provides Retail leaders and their frontline teams with inclusive communications, mobile learning, and digitized task management - all in the flow of work.KWI is the industry's only true turnkey omni-channel platform for specialty retailers. With over 35 years of experience, let KWI help you execute flawlessly with the features that matter most, including endless aisle, clienteling, mobile checkout, inventory management, e-commerce, and more. Contact me directly here to nominate a retail hero for this podcast, host a retail networking or book signing event in your city, or say hello.  Keep your retail pride strong, and I will see you on the road!The RETAIL IN AMERICA podcast team includes:Producer Roi PeretsAudio Engineer Dean AlbakCover Image shot by Duke Winn

Welcome to RETAIL IN AMERICA!This podcast is part of The RETAIL IN AMERICA tour, my year-long journey to discover incredible retail heroes all across the country, celebrating our retail culture, community, and careers. Go to retailpride.com or IG @retail pride to see it all, including past podcast episodes, playlists, and future cities on tour.This is a very entertaining episode because we are not recording in the Airstream; we are live in the design studio for WiesMade in Napa Valley, CA because I wanted to see the roots of the operation - and it's literally a historic barn behind Nic's home! Nic Wiessler didn't start his career as the founder of the premium denim and knitwear brand WiesMade. Because before he was even considering launching his brand, he was a very successful retail leader for over 20 years with some of the country's most exciting and innovative companies. It started at GAP, where he ran the stock room at his local store. When Nic graduated college, he took on other leadership roles in retail with Lucky Brand and later as the District Manager in Northern California for Restoration Hardware (RH). In 2009 he took on a DM role with Cole Haan and ultimately became the Head of Retail, overseeing 90 stores as they de-coupled from Nike. Nic joined me at Bonobos in 2014 as part of a team that built it from a scrappy small group of 10 stores into a large 42-store fleet. Most recently, he was in the Director of Retail role at Guideboat, where he spent time in the design room working with their lux outdoor apparel line. After two years of work, he will launch his brand WiesMade this month, which exclusively sources every piece from "dirt to denim" in the USA, and Nic is now working directly with two mills to develop his own fabrics for his brand.Nic is a Northern California native, went to school at Sonoma State University, and enjoys everything the beauty of the Northern California coast has to offer, including free diving, spearfishing, and surfing. Enjoy the episode, and please support Nic as he launches his new brand by subscribing at https://wiesmade.comA huge thank you to the three title sponsors fueling the RETAIL IN AMERICA tour and this podcast: Spotify Advertising Spotify is the #1 podcast platform in the US and has grown to over 420M monthly unique registered users around the globe, over half of which are supported on the ad platform. Spotify advertising will help you reach and target your audience across devices, locations, and formats. YOOBIC Over 300 companies in 80 countries trust YOOBIC to drive their retail performance at scale, get real-time visibility into multi-location business execution, digitized task management, and more. KWI is the industry's only true turnkey omni-channel platform for specialty retailers. With over 35 years of experience, let KWI help you execute flawlessly with the features that matter most, including endless aisle, clienteling, mobile checkout, inventory management, e-commerce, and more. The RETAIL IN AMERICA podcast team includes:Producer Roi PeretsAudio Engineer Dean AlbakCover Image shot by Duke Winn

Welcome to RETAIL IN AMERICA!This podcast is part of The RETAIL IN AMERICA tour, my year-long journey to discover incredible retail heroes all across the country, celebrating our retail culture, community, and careers. Go to retailpride.com or IG @retail pride to see it all, including past podcast episodes, playlists, and future cities on tour.This is an extraordinary episode filled with incredible takeaways from my great friend, Ted Harrington.Ted has many titles, including the #1 best-selling author of HACKABLE, the Tech Done Different podcast host, and the Executive Partner at Independent Security Evaluators (ISE), the company of ethical hackers famous for hacking cars, medical devices, web applications, and password managers. Ted and his company have helped hundreds of companies fix tens of thousands of security vulnerabilities, including Google, Amazon, and Netflix.Ted has been featured in over 100 media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and Forbes. His team also founded and organizes IoT Village, an event whose hacking contest is a three-time DEF CON Black Badge winner.And just last month, he delivered his first TedTalk!But most importantly, he’s a man with great wisdom that he generously shared with me as we sat together a recent morning while the Airstream was parked in Malibu.Don’t miss this conversation, as you may discover you’re a hacker too!A huge thank you to the three title sponsors fueling the RETAIL IN AMERICA tour and this podcast:Spotify Advertising Spotify is the #1 podcast platform in the US and has grown to over 420M monthly unique registered users around the globe, over half of which are supported on the ad platform. Spotify advertising will help you reach and target your audience across devices, locations, and formats. YOOBIC Over 300 companies in 80 countries trust YOOBIC to drive their retail performance at scale, get real-time visibility into multi-location business execution, digitized task management, and more. KWI is the industry's only true turnkey omni-channel platform for specialty retailers. With over 35 years of experience, let KWI help you execute flawlessly with the features that matter most, including endless aisle, clienteling, mobile checkout, inventory management, e-commerce, and more. The RETAIL IN AMERICA podcast team includes:Producer Roi PeretsAudio Engineer Dean AlbakCover Image shot by Duke Winn

Welcome to RETAIL IN AMERICA!This podcast is part of The RETAIL IN AMERICA tour, my year-long journey to discover incredible retail heroes all across the country, celebrating our retail culture, community, and careers. Go to retailpride.com or IG @retail pride to see it all, including past podcast episodes, playlists, and future cities on tour.Today I am LIVE from the Airstream in Malibu, California, with Misti Blasko, the President of North America for All Saints and John Varvatos, and John Gregory, the Global Retail category Development Officer for Spotify.Misti Blasko and I were introduced early last year through Kristen Conklin, who was guest number 1 on this podcast. She is a big fan of RETAIL PRIDE and wanted us to meet, and here we are!John Gregory and I also met in early 2021; he interviewed me for the internal teams at Spotify Advertising about how to speak to retail executives in the selling process. He was an early advocate of my mission for the Retail in America Tour, and Spotify Advertising is now a title sponsor of my tour.Please enjoy the conversation, it’s a great one, and contact me directly here to nominate a retail hero for this podcast, host a retail networking or book signing event in your city, or say hello!The RETAIL IN AMERICA podcast team includes:Producer Roi PeretsAudio Engineer Dean AlbakCover Image shot by Duke WinnA huge thank you to the three title sponsors fueling the RETAIL IN AMERICA tour and this podcast. Spotify Advertising Spotify is the #1 podcast platform in the US and has grown to over 420M monthly unique registered users around the globe, over half of which are supported on the ad platform. Spotify advertising will help you reach and target your audience across devices, locations, and formats. YOOBIC Over 300 companies in 80 countries trust YOOBIC to drive their retail performance at scale, get real-time visibility into multi-location business execution, digitized task management, and more. KWI is the industry's only true turnkey omni-channel platform for specialty retailers. With over 35 years of experience, let KWI help you execute flawlessly with the features that matter most, including endless aisle, clienteling, mobile checkout, inventory management, e-commerce, and more. Enjoy the show!