In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Justin Honaman, Head of Worldwide Retail & CPG, GTM & Segment Leader for Food & Beverages for Amazon Web Services. They preview 2025, and what winning companies are doing – and need to do – to capitalize on the latest technology…and other things.They discuss:The continuing tension around pricing.How AI is quickly becoming ingrained into the everyday business culture; from supply chain to CRM, ecommerce and marketing transformationThe ...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Norm de Greve, Global CMO of General Motors, and former CMO of CVS Health, about transforming industries, retailers and companies, and the role marketing plays.They discuss:How to keep the shopper with you as you manage dramatic changeThe importance of protecting the shopping experience during transformationHow not to become a victim of short-term profitability while investing in changeHow to keep your eye on the product and the experience it deliversT...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Jacqueline Windsor, partner in Strategy and Deals for the Consumer Market and UK Head of Retail, PwC, London about the differences and similarities between the UK and US consumer and retail markets, and where to find growth in the coming years.They discuss:Unlocking the power of consumer tribes vs. demographic segments.The role of the store (a clue: it’s no longer a transactional channel alone).How to build a successful omni strategy; how many stores y...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to WSL’s president, Candace Corlett about the emerging Gen A population, and other opportunistic shopper segments that can drive much needed retail growth in the near future. They discuss: The size of the Gen A cohort. What makes them unique.Whether Gen A is ready for prime-time shopping or merely influencers. At least for now.Why the 50+ population is the bigger opportunity today – and ripe to drive retail growth. Immed...
In this episode Wendy Liebmann talks to Michael Wysong, CEO of Care Pharmacies about the challenges and opportunities to deliver health care at retail in the future.They discuss:How to deliver more personalized, local health care the way people need and want it in times of great complexity Learning from diverse operators, with unique propositionsUsing technology, including AI, to enhance the relationship with patients How to create intimacy in retail relationships in order to delive...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Debbie Kelly, WSL’s director of insights, about the latest How America Shops® research that reveals how often unrecognized populations shifts can drive traffic and volume growth.They discuss:How marketers need to look beyond traditional demographic stereotypes for growth in the future.Why single-person and multi-generational households provide some of the biggest traffic and volume opportunities now -- and will in the future.How weekly shopping trips a...
Wendy Liebmann, WSL’s CEO and Chief Shopper and Justin Honaman, Head of Worldwide Retail & CPG, GTM & Segment Leader for Food & Beverages for Amazon Web Services, continue discussions about emerging technology and the implications for the future of retail.They discuss:The tension points at retail: prices, efficiency and where to invest.AI: is it hype or not? New and different ways to use AI to become more efficientPersonalization and composable commerce, and what that looks like f...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Sri Rajagopalan, co-founder and co-host of The GPG Guys and founder of Think Blue, about the fast-changing dynamics of retail, what’s plaguing board rooms, and what retail leaders needs to address right now.They discuss:Retail’s number one problem post-Covid: driving volumeHow digital influences virtually every purchase Why the role of the in-store end cap is significantly diminished nowThe urgent need for marketers to get away from their da...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Reema Jweied-Guegel, Director, AARP Enterprise Strategy Group about the growing population of caregivers, who they are, the challenges they face, and how retailers and brands can support them.They discuss:WSL’s latest How America Shops® research which indicates that 6/10 Americans take care of someone’s health other than their own, That a growing number of caregivers are Gen Z and younger Millennials.What the caregivers’ lives of perpetual jugglin...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Claudia Lloreda, founder and general manager of Blush-Bar, the Latin American beauty specialty retailer about creating a unique beauty experience for Gen Z shoppers. They discuss:How to create a unique beauty retail experience for Gen Z, by challenging the established orderWhy sustaining a clear shopper-led vision – and passion – is so critical to successThe importance of creating an experience that reflects the values and needs of younger shoppers (e....
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Lindsey Braun, Vice President of Research & Operations at HABRI (the Human Animal Bond Research Institute) about the power of pets to positively impact the health and wellbeing of people – and retail.They discuss:The science behind the pet–human connection and the power pets have to change lives. (It’s real.)How having a pet can improve overall health and wellbeing, including mental health, autism, and medical outcomesWith the ageing of Ameri...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann, WSL’s CEO and Chief Shopper talks to Helena Foulkes, current board member of Costco & Harry’s, former president of CVS Pharmacy and CEO and Board Member of the Hudson’s Bay Company, amongst other roles. They discuss:Her reflections on the pandemic: What she has learned about retail, leadership and the future. How and why the power dynamic shifted from manufacturer to retailer to technology -- and now to consumers.The lasting effects of the pand...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann, WSL’s CEO and Chief Shopper talks to Mara Sipzener, General Manager of Loyalty at CVS Pharmacy about what’s driving all the recent activity and upgrades to retail loyalty programs. They discuss:What shoppers expect to be loyal todayWhy CVS, Walmart, Target Bath & Body Works, and others have upgraded their programs recentlyHow loyalty programs need to focus on not only delivering affordability (discounts) but also convenience and personalizationHow th...
Wendy Liebmann, WSL’s CEO and Chief Shopper and Justin Honaman, Head of Worldwide Retail & CPG, GTM & Segment Leader for Food & Beverages for Amazon Web Services, continue discussions about emerging technology and the implications for the future of retail.They discuss: How quickly companies are integrating generative AI into operating systemsEfficiency plays that are delivering better access to information and images fasterThe intense focus on stores and how new technologies ...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Craig Dubitsky, founder of Happy™ products, about his recent launch of Happy™ Coffee, his partnership with Robert Downey Jr., and how philanthropy is embedded in reinventing the category at retail. They discuss:What it takes to be a serial entrepreneur (a clue: it’s being obsessed with people)How to disrupt massive, CPG categories, including home care, lip care, oral care and now coffeeBuilding a unique business model based on bringing happiness t...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to WSL Retail Strategy Consultant, Elia Auchane, and Retail Innovation Manager, Allie Chilicki, about curating a Retail Safari® at the inaugural Cosmoprof Miami event. And the power of connecting in store and on the convention floor.They discuss:A behind-the-scenes view to customizing the perfect Retail Safari® Best-in-class retailers in the Latin-inspired Miami marketThe power of people to build emotional engagement at retail, at Nike and at A...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Alex Gourlay, Executive Chair of Holland & Barrett, the UK’s leading wellness retailer, and formerly Executive Vice President and Co-Chief Operating Officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance, and President of Walgreens about the future of health care retailing. They discuss:The generational opportunities in health care (from food to pharmacy)How younger people are much more proactive in taking care of their health, and how longevity means opportunit...
In this Cloud Chat episode, Wendy Liebmann, WSL’s CEO and Chief Shopper and Justin Honaman, Head of Worldwide Retail & CPG, GTM & Segment Leader for Food & Beverages for Amazon Web Services, continue Cloud Chat, a short, sharp take on emerging technology and the implications for the future of retail.They discuss:The year ahead: the yin and yang of the economy, technology and how companies – and shoppers -- are responding, and willHow slow some companies have been to respond to per...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Maly Bernstein, CEO, Bluemercury, the luxury specialty beauty retailer, about her vision for the future of beauty retail and how her strategy is coming to life neighborhood by neighborhood.They discuss:What makes Bluemercury shoppers unique The focus on personalized skincare – both products and services The importance of new categories and private brands The new store format, with its “modern residential” focus, in-store service bars, ma...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to WSL’s president Candace Corlett about the latest How America Shops® research that reveals how Americans are feeling (not happy), and what that means for 2024 and beyond (challenging). They discuss:How shoppers see the challenges for their standard of living in 2024, and what they plan to do about it. The lack of innovation that leaves shoppers wanting – with little inspiration to pay more.Where shoppers will actually spend more in 2024 – cat...