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© Paula Macaggi
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OFFBounds is a podcast where commerce executives share their perspectives, successes, and lessons learned in their careers to inspire other global leaders in their journey and decision-making.
Every week, the host Paula Macaggi meets industry leaders to discuss business strategies, careers, and leadership in one-on-one conversations challenging the limits of borders and boundaries.
Paula unveils the person behind the leader and brings to her audience of commerce executives experiences to relate, motivate, and reflect on decisions that are shaping commerce.
OFFBounds is the first podcast recorded in person with audio and video featuring executives in commerce from around the world.
116 Episodes
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UNTUCKit built its brand around a simple idea: shirts designed to be worn untucked. But behind that simple product is a complex technology operation supporting 80+ stores, multiple e-commerce sites, and a growing global business. In this conversation, Paula Macaggi sits down with Jason Lerman, VP of IT & Systems at UNTUCKit, to unpack what really happens behind the scenes of retail technology. They discuss the evolution from “best-in-breed” platforms to what many retailers now recognize as a “Frankenstein tech stack,” the hidden complexity of system integrations, and why the best technology in retail is often the kind customers never notice.Jason also shares his perspective on vendor relationships, implementation mistakes, legacy technology debt, and how retail leaders should think about building a modern tech stack today. The conversation explores the role of centralized data, the challenges of managing dozens of technology partners, and how emerging technologies like AI and agentic systems could reshape the future of retail operations.Learn more about UNTUCKit: https://www.untuckit.com Follow Jason Lerman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-lerman/
What happens when you build a retail store in public?When Sammy Nussdorf launched Meadow Lane, he chose a very different strategy from the traditional retail playbook. Instead of opening quietly and announcing the store once the doors were ready, he documented the entire process online. From signing the lease to designing the space and curating the merchandise, the journey unfolded publicly.By the time Meadow Lane opened in Tribeca, thousands of people had already followed the story and felt connected to the brand. The result was something unusual for a new retail concept: lines forming at 5am on opening day, without spending money on traditional marketing.This conversation explores what happens when transparency, storytelling, and community become part of the retail strategy. Sammy shares how building in public helped create anticipation before the store even opened and what this approach might mean for the future of physical retail.
Boll & Branch has built its competitive advantage on something many brands overlook: hospitality. In this conversation, Anna Esrov, VP of Customer Experience & Loyalty, shares how the luxury organic bedding brand turns listening into action, from real-time customer feedback that shapes product development to in-home “Room Service” styling that brings five-star hotel energy directly to customers. We explore how surprise and delight becomes part of the culture, how in-house service teams drive retention, and how AI is used to create efficiency without losing the human touch. This is a masterclass in building loyalty through experience, not just product.
In this episode of OFFBounds, Paula Macaggi sits down with Emily Ketchen, SVP and CMO of Lenovo’s Intelligent Devices Group and International Markets, to explore what it really takes to modernize marketing inside one of the world’s largest technology companies. From building global centers of excellence and putting insights and first-party data at the core of transformation, to leading what she calls a once-in-30-years opportunity to create the AI PC category, Emily shares how Lenovo is shaping the future of compute, brand, and storytelling across 180 markets. The conversation also dives into measuring real marketing impact, turning global partnerships like Formula One and FIFA into business value, and why curiosity, conviction, and simplicity are essential for leaders navigating constant disruption.
Paula Macaggi sits down in New York with Renée Federico, Head of Marketing at Primark US, to explore how one of Europe’s most iconic retail brands is accelerating its growth across America. From launching Primark’s first US brand campaign to building awareness in a store-led model, Renée shares how physical retail drives loyalty, how pop-ups and brand activations fuel customer acquisition, and why listening is the foundation of great marketing. The conversation also looks ahead to one of the most anticipated retail openings, Primark’s flagship store in Manhattan in 2026, and what it takes to scale a global value fashion brand in one of the world’s most competitive markets.
Paula Macaggi sits down with Ankur Goyal, SVP of Growth at Coterie, to explore how a premium, subscription-first brand can win in one of the most competitive and emotional consumer categories: baby care. They unpack how trust is built when product, brand, and customer experience work together, why messaging matters more than channels, and how Coterie balances performance marketing with long-term brand building. From controlling customer acquisition costs and prioritizing quality over quantity, to using service and personalization to drive retention, this conversation reveals what modern DTC growth really looks like and what comes next for the brand following its recent acquisition.
Ryan Holm, Divisional VP of Retail Innovation and Operations at Helzberg Diamonds, joins me in our New York studio to explore how a 111-year-old jewelry retailer bridges heritage with cutting-edge technology. We dive into the unique world of jewelry retail, where sales associates don't just close transactions—they start lifelong relationships with customers. Ryan shares the Christie Griffin story that changed his career trajectory, how AI-powered scheduling saved managers 66% of their time, the art of finding your store "innovators" for successful tech rollouts, and why treating solution providers as actual partners earned him Retail Partner Person of the Year. From managing change across 161 stores to knowing when technology helps versus when human connection is irreplaceable, this conversation is packed with honest insights for anyone leading retail innovation or bridging headquarters with frontline teams.
Marianna Satanas, President of HANRO USA, joins me for a great interview while we wear pajamas in our New York studio. We dive into the world of luxury intimate apparel, exploring the deeply personal nature of the business and how she's driving growth in the US market. Marianna shares her remarkable streaming ads success story (12x ROI in weeks), lessons from multiple replatforming projects, the key differences between European and US luxury consumers, and why perfection doesn't exist post-launch. From managing change to knowing when to use AI versus the human touch, this conversation is full with honest insights for anyone building or scaling brands.
Westwing’s transformation is a rare example of how a digital brand can reinvent itself and return to profitable growth. Recorded in Munich, this conversation with CEO Andreas Hoerning explores how the company shifted away from the flash sales model, rebuilt its technology foundation, premiumized its design-led assortment, expanded into physical retail, and made the difficult decision to walk away from unprofitable revenue. The discussion also dives into leadership during crisis, balancing data with intuition, and Westwing’s ambition to become Europe’s leading design super brand.
In the first episode of OFFBounds Season 3, Paula Macaggi is joined by retail trend expert Jack Stratten to unpack one of the fastest-growing shifts in retail today: the rise of brand memberships. From Costco and RH to emerging fashion and beauty brands, they explore why retailers are moving beyond traditional loyalty programs and building paid, emotional, and experience-led memberships instead. The conversation covers the psychology behind belonging, the role of community and hospitality, and why memberships are becoming a powerful engine for growth, data, and long-term customer loyalty in 2026 and beyond.
OFFBounds’ 100th episode celebrates a major milestone by turning the spotlight on host Paula Macaggi, with Oliver Banks stepping in as guest host. The conversation looks back on how the show began, how it has grown, and what it took to get there, from Paula’s global journey and early nerves behind the mic to building a truly international retail podcast driven by curiosity and consistency. Paula shares honest lessons about confidence, the hard work behind producing a weekly show, and the realities of traveling the world to record in person. The episode is both reflective and celebratory, while also looking ahead with excitement at how OFFBounds will continue to challenge perspectives and explore the future of retail and innovation.
In this episode of OFFBounds, Paula Macaggi sits down with Mary Beth Sheridan, just a few weeks into her role as President of Jonathan Adler, to talk about how she’s thinking about the future of the brand so early on, from craftsmanship and customer connection to growth, digital-first retail, and the role of AI as a creative tool. It’s a thoughtful conversation about leading with instinct, scaling a deeply personal brand, and evolving an iconic name without losing what makes it special.
Paula Macaggi is joined by Ometria's Hannah Stacey, Director of Strategy and Product Marketing, and Rita Martins, Retail Intelligence Team Lead, to break down what really happened during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Drawing on performance data from hundreds of retail brands, they explore why Black Friday has become a full season, which categories and customer behaviors drove growth, how marketing volume and engagement shifted, and why retention remains the biggest post Black Friday challenge. The conversation focuses on what these results mean for long term growth, brand value, and how retail leaders should think about preparing for the next peak period.Discover the trends that defined Black Friday 2025 in Ometria’s report, featuring verticalized breakdowns and expert analysis: ometria.com/page/black-friday-2025-report-offbounds
Sherry Smith, President of Retail Media at Criteo, joins OFFBounds to unpack the rapid evolution of retail media and what brands, agencies and retailers must prepare for next. From the industry’s early days in 2008 to today’s surge of more than 200 retail media networks, Sherry explains where growth is coming from, why self-serve activation is critical, how AI and agents will reshape customer journeys, and what talent and skills will win in the next phase. This is a sharp, future-focused conversation for anyone navigating retail, ecommerce, and marketing transformation.You can read more on what we discussed here - https://hub.criteo.com/ujoFf
In this episode, Julius Carrell, Director at Enactor, breaks down why the future of retail depends on building a flexible blueprint rather than relying on rigid, legacy systems. We explore how retailers can simplify complexity, adapt faster and design technology foundations that actually match the way their business and customers evolve. From the true cost of rigid stacks to the cultural shift required for future proofing, Julius shares practical insights on creating a blueprint mindset that empowers teams, unlocks new journeys and sets retailers up for long term growth.Julius and Enactor will be with me at NRF 2026 and you can book time with the team here.
In this episode, Paula sits down with Jill Dvorak, SVP of Content at the National Retail Federation, for a wide ranging conversation about the state of retail in 2025, the turbulence created by tariffs and policy uncertainty, and why consumers are still driving a one trillion dollar holiday season. Jill breaks down what NRF really does beyond the Big Show, the global view from APAC and Europe, the surge of AI shaping this year’s event, and the growing importance of reverse logistics and new regulations like California’s textile law. She also shares her unconventional career path and the lessons she learned along the way. This is a grounded, honest, and global look at the forces reshaping retail right now.Learn more about Enactor and see how their platform puts you in control. Click here!
In this episode, I sit down with our first Norwegian guest: Martin Lien, Chief Commercial Officer at Norrøna, to explore how one of Norway’s most iconic outdoor brands has built a global community rooted in nature, performance and experience. We talk about Norrøna’s unique approach to product development with extreme athletes, their growing ecosystem of festivals, expeditions and hospitality, the strategy behind Norrøna House in Oslo, and how the brand is preparing for its 100th anniversary. Martin also shares lessons from his own career journey and what it takes to build a brand that stays relevant for almost a century.Check the brand's website here.
Four years in tech feels like sixty, so I sat down with Matt Maher, Founder of M7 Innovations, to catch up on what’s really happening in the world of AI and retail innovation. From agentic browsing and spatial computing to wearables like the Meta Ray-Bans, Snap Spectacles, and Apple Vision Pro, we explored the tools shaping how consumers discover and shop. Matt breaks down the difference between AI hype and real impact, why Reddit and Wikipedia are becoming key data sources for search, and how brands can win in an AI-first world by investing in authority over ads. You can also watch the full conversation on YouTube to see the gadgets we tested in action.
![[RIA4] Rebuilding the marketing tech stack for what's next with Ometria's CEO Ivan Mazour and CSO Djalal Lougouev](https://img.transistorcdn.com/pRpi-G4pxhEzgCR2sxtzgs1Ka7L1pIAlXCmxEySy5EA/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9mNGQ2/YzE5ODM2ZTA1M2Rm/NzVjYTRlN2NjZmQ3/MmI1Zi5wbmc.jpg "[RIA4] Rebuilding the marketing tech stack for what's next with Ometria's CEO Ivan Mazour and CSO Djalal Lougouev")
In this episode of Retail Intelligence in Action, host Ron Thurston sits down with Ometria co-founders Djalal Lougouev and Ivan Mazur to explore how AI is redefining the future of retail marketing. Together, they discuss the realities of implementing AI within legacy systems, the transition from channel-based to customer-based marketing, and why data architecture is becoming just as critical as creative strategy. Through honest insights and practical examples, they reveal what it truly takes for modern CMOs to lead in an era where intelligence and innovation shape every customer interaction.👉🏼Trusted by leading retailers like Foot Locker, Sephora, and Steve Madden, Ometria helps retailers create experiences their customers love. Find out more at ometria.com🎧 Loved this episode? Discover more from the world of Retail Intelligence in Action here: http://ometria.com/retail-intelligence-in-action-podcast
In this episode, Paula Macaggi sits down with Richard Kestenbaum, Partner at Triangle Capital, and Forbes contributor, to break down what’s really shaping the 2025 holiday season. From tariffs and inflation to shifting consumer confidence and cautious spending, Richard shares his perspective on why “flat is the new up,” how retailers can navigate uncertainty, and what signals in M&A reveal about the health of the retail industry heading into 2026.Check Richard's full article hereSee here KPMG's tariffs report
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