Claim OwnershipFuture Shop Podcast with WSL
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© 2025 Future Shop Podcast with WSL
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Our podcast focuses on how shoppers are transforming retail and what you need to do about it. Retail strategist and shopping futurist Wendy Liebmann shares her passionate, unvarnished shopper-centric view of where retail is headed. She interviews experts in retail, marketing, insights, design, education, and more. She and the WSL team regularly share excerpts from WSL’s latest proprietary shopper research about what’s coming next. The Future Shop Podcast is a no-holds-barred view of what shoppers want, what you need to deliver, who’s getting it right, and who’s getting it wrong. And why. In this fast and furious view, you will begin to understand how to anticipate the future that’s emerging right under your nose. WSL Strategic Retail is a leader in shopper insights and retail strategy. It helps clients around the world anticipate change in order to grow in the near and longer-term. It is recognized for its ground-breaking How America Shops® and How the World Shops research. Visit us at: www.wslstrategicretail.com
89 Episodes
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In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Diana Melencio, partner at XRC Ventures, an investor in the early-stage intersection of consumer behavior and technology, and its investment approach in the health, beauty, and technology sectors. They discuss: How XRC finds opportunities (one way: scraping the web)The touchpoints of the consumer journey that have become so critical in understanding opportunitiesThe challenges of growth when physical retail is shrinking, where stores will b...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Justin Honaman, Head, Worldwide Retail & Consumer Goods Business Development at Amazon (AWS) about innovation and what expertise -- technology and people driven -- is required to build a modern company. They discuss: Real life use cases for how AI – and generative AI – is transforming work for retailers and brands, whether it’s product design or writing corporate manuals.How to innovate in the future. Where to go to be inspired. They di...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Joanna Jensen, founder of Child’s Farm, the British multi-award winning, baby and child personal care brand that took leadership of the category from behemoth Johnson’s Baby. They discuss: How to take on the biggest brand and win.Why passion so often leads to disruptive brand and retail innovation.That the spending power of women will drive growth – now and in the future.Why the physical store still matters: it’s the power of social interaction.The imp...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Catherine Magee, co-founder of Playground, the sexual health and wellness brand, about the opportunities and challenges facing this newly emerging area of women’s health. They discuss: How sexual health and wellness is the last frontier of overall health and wellness.That 60 million women in the US suffer from some sexual health or pleasure issue often driven by a life stage change such as pregnancy, peri-menopause or menopause. How social media i...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Justin Honaman, Head of Worldwide Retail & Consumer Goods Business Development 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 state and future ...
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 deliver...
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...
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. Imm...
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 deli...
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...
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 lik...
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 ...
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 juggl...
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 ...
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 Ame...
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 p...
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...
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 technologi...
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...
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...
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 opportun...
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 ...
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, ...
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 – c...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann, WSL’s CEO and Chief Shopper and Justin Honaman, Head of Worldwide Consumer Goods at AWS, continue Cloud Chat, a short, sharp, sometimes provocative take on emerging technology and the implications for the future of retail. They discuss: The holiday season – binge or bust – and implications for 2024What’s up – and down – with Generative AIE-commerce and creating a more flexible platformSoon-to-be-revealed AI use cases from brands and retailersAll ...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Muriel Gonzalez, President, The Vitamin Shoppe about how the pandemic brought her out of retirement to lead the transformation of street corner vitamin shop into a model of 21st century wellness. They discuss: The keys to transforming a store for fitness jocks into one for anyone on a wellness journeyHow to manage fast-emerging categories and products in the health and wellness space, from hydration to sports fitness, from menopause to immunityWorking ...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Alissa Hsu Lynch, formerly of Google and Johnson & Johnson, about the consumerization of technology in health care, and the implications for consumer packaged goods companies and retail. They discuss: Google’s utilization of 10x thinking to create radical solutions How technology will provide better outcomes and more affordable access to health care The success of consumerizing technology in health care is staying focused on real consumer...
In this 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, introduce Future Shop’s Cloud Chat – a short, sharp, sometimes provocative take on emerging technology and the implications for the future of retail. They discuss: Generative AI…of courseThe need to explore proofs of concepts and piloting…fastNew focus on data for legacy brands…good news a...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Justin Lafoe, most recently Executive Vice President of Marketing and Merchandising for Trader Joe’s and, prior to that, SVP of Merchandising & Retail, Disney Parks, Experience & Products, where he worked for 25 years. They discuss: How delivering a relevant shopper experience has changed as a result of technology and COVID.How deep understanding of changing shopper expectations is essential to building relevant experiences.How the role of the ...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to six industry leaders about key trends that will impact retail in 2024-2025. Listen to: Susan Lang, CEO, XIL HealthMichael Clinton, CEO & Founder, ROARForwardParbinder Dhariwal, VP & General Manager, CMX, CVS HealthDawn Clark, Co-founder & Principal Architect, Osean StudiosJustin Honaman, Head Worlwide Retail & CPG, GTM, Food/Beverage, Amazon Web ServicesLisa Paley, President, North America, HaleonThey discuss: The health and welln...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to WSL’s president Candace Corlett about the latest How America Shops® research that addresses the foundational changes in shopper sentiment and behavior as a result of five years of turmoil. (That’s right, it’s not only about the pandemic.) They discuss: The paradox of shoppers’ “just in case” approach to spending versus treating themselvesThe paradox of shopping in many, many more places – channels, stores, digital – versus wanting to make their shoppin...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Noah Rosenblatt, president, SpaceNK North America, about the company’s unique retail model, and how to straddle Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, and Walmart all at the same time. They discuss: Why the changing beauty landscape exemplifies where retail at large is headed How to successfully straddle luxury and mass distribution at the same timeHow the pandemic opened the door to a partnership model that brings prestige to a broader audienceThe key ...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Parbinder Dhariwal, VP & General Manager of CMX, at CVS Health, about the evolution of Retail Media Networks and the opportunity they offer to create more personalized shopping experiences. They discuss Whether this is the moment of one-to-one shopper personalization.The challenge of digitizing a traditionally analog retail business How Retail Media Networks must be consumer-led and add value through the increasingly fragmented shopper j...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Michael Clinton, author of ROAR into the Second Half of Your Life - Before It’s Too Late, and CEO and Founder of ROARforward, a joint venture with Hearst Ventures. They discuss: The new 50+ cohort and the social movement driving change in the developed world, as people live longer. One-third of the population is already 50-plus with substantial – and growing spending power. They're not brand loyal. They're blowing up all of the stereoty...
In this episode Wendy Liebmann talks to Susan Lang, founder of XIL Health, a women-owned healthcare analytics and technology company that advises major corporations on health care strategy and invests in healthcare startups. In her prior life, she was a senior executive at Express Scripts, and has spent her entire life working in healthcare. They discuss: Healthcare at retail in the next 3 - 5 - 10 years through the lens of patients/consumers/shoppers. With advice for CPG compani...
In this issue: Wendy Liebmann talks to Debbie Kelly, the new Director of Insights at WSL, about WSL’s latest How America Shops® study, entitled Leading Shoppers From Troubles to Joy. They discuss: After three years of the pandemic, how shoppers are making different decisions about what brings them joy, and what’s still only about the lowest price.What makes for joyful shopping in these inflationary times.New shopper segmentation based on how shoppers consider what’s a “head” category v...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Dawn Clark, Executive Creative Director, SVP, Global Design Studio for Starbucks, noted retail architect, who runs Osean Studios, and was most recently director of design and construction for Amazon, where she led the design of the new Amazon Style concept store, and prior to that Nordstrom. They discuss: How to create a “human” store, and how that has changed since CovidWhy many retail environments are designed to showcase products rather than create ...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks with Lisa Paley, president of Haleon, NA, formerly GSK Consumer Health, about how to build a modern consumer healthcare company. They discuss: Critical requirements of a modern organization, including purpose, a founder mentality, and agility. The three C’s of success: delivering for the consumer, the retail customer, and colleagues.How to integrate established brands into a new purpose-driven organizationNot to sweat the little stuff, recognizing t...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks with Candace Corlett, WSL’s president, about the current state of planned disruption that shoppers have created for themselves, and the resultant impact on brands and retailers. They discuss: How shoppers have created new and dynamic ways to shopThat there is no longer an orderly path to purchaseThe implications for supply chain of people now buying in 40% more places than they did in 2014, including the metaverseThat companies can no longer assume they o...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks with Dan O’Connor, founder of the Future Commerce Initiative and Executive in Residence at the Harvard Business School, about the future of commerce and retail. They discuss: How retail is fast moving into a 50:50 (in-person vs. not-in-person) world.The dramatic complexity of the retail landscape with some 70 different store types around the world and 15 digital models.The implications for CPG companies and large retailers. How space in stores will ...
In this episode Wendy Liebmann talks to Chris Perry and Oskar Kaszubski of Firstmovr, a Center of Excellence for CPG eCommerce Education & Change Management about how to build and educate companies to constantly adapt to the new digital retail landscape. They discuss: The ever-expanding digital eco-system, and the need for constant learning across all areas of organizationsThe multi-dimensional capabilities now required by CPG employees rather than what was a linear approachHow companies ...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Justin Honaman, head of Worldwide Retail & Consumer Goods, Go-to-Market at Amazon Web Services, and worldwide segment leader for Food & Beverage. They discuss: Immersive retail, the power of personalization, frictionless retail and where the Metaverse is already having an impactThe role of the physical store, and the impact AI can have on curating more meaningful shopper experiences. Retail media and how, if done correctly, it can deliver ...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks with Joi Pratt, Senior Consultant for Shopper Activation, at WSL Strategic Retail, about how the WSL team brought the future of retail to life in real time through a customized Retail Safari®. They discuss: The 5 Health & Wellness trends that were the focus of a two-day event conducted in collaboration with the Kroger Company in Cincinnati. The diversity of retail that inspired 30 CPG attendees – from robotics at the Ocado Shed that enable ...
In this episode Wendy Liebmann talks with Mindy McKnight, CEO of M-Star Media Inc., content developer and founder of Hairitage by Mindy, about how to build a successful CPG brand today. They discuss: The essence of building a successful multi-million dollar brand without losing its founder soul, and its solution driven reason-for-beingThe keys to creating a modern business collaboration: a partner with the right intellectual capital, a retailer [Walmart] eager to experiment, a digital experti...
In this episode Wendy Liebmann talks with Jenny B. Fine, executive editor of WWD and Beauty Inc., about the transformation of the beauty industry and how it has and will change over the coming decade. They discuss: Younger, Generation Z consumers and how their beauty priorities are based on not only looking good but also doing goodHow wellness is being fully integrated into beauty, with more to comeHow social media platforms like TikTok and Flip are changing the rules of engagement, esp...
In this episode Wendy Liebmann talks with Matthew Liebmann, Chief Innovation & Data Officer at Vista Group about the role of physical experiences in addressing the increasingly disturbing societal issues of loneliness. They discuss: Loneliness and the decline of socialization prior to the pandemic, and its continuing impact across populationsThe opportunities that retail and movie theaters have to create in-person occasions to socialize – and differentiate themselves from competition at t...
In this episode Wendy Liebmann talks with Phil Wahba, senior writer at Fortune magazine, about what it takes to lead successful retail companies in complex times, as operational issues clash with increasingly demanding shopper and workforce expectations. They discuss: The qualities the next generation of retail leaders must have to succeedHow empathy is a critical CEO requirement in post-Covid times when companies are demanding a lot more of employeesThe need to adapt the structu...
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks with Dr. Somi Javaid, OBGYN and chief medical officer at HerMD, about a new healthcare model that is empowering women to take control of their sexual health and wellness needs, and the opportunities she envisions for retailers and brands. They discuss: How traditional medical practices and retail have ignored women’s wellness issues, leaving health and wellness deserts A new healthcare model that focuses on a multidisciplinary approach to treating wo...
In this episode WSL’s Wendy Liebmann, CEO, and Candace Corlett, President, discuss WSL’s latest research, the health and wellness shopper revolution it reveals and the implications for retailers and brands. They discuss: How health and wellness has changed over the last 8 years, and the new conditions, such as mental health, that are impacting Americans’ health issues.How trust of established professionals has eroded as America continues to move through the COVID pandemic.That tec...
In this episode Wendy Liebmann talks with Damian Kernahan, founder & CEO of Proto Partners, an Australian-based customer experience consultancy, to understand how technology, the Covid pandemic and increasingly complex shopping behaviors are driving the urgency to build shopper-centric organizations. They discuss: The challenges to building a shopper-centric organization in today’s increasingly complicated omni-channel world Why it is critical to put the shopper at the center o...
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