Retail Unwrapped - from The Robin Report

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Guest: Marie Driscoll, a retail analyst, consultant and TRR contributor

The luxury market finds itself at a critical inflection point with industry titan LVMH serving as a perfect case study of resilience buffeted by volatility. As aspirational consumers pull back spending and economic uncertainty prevails, LVMH is making strategic pivots to redefine luxury's trajectory. The recent luxury boom is resetting to sobering realities: price increases, impending tariffs, and the weaking dollar. Join Shelley and Marie Driscoll...

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Guest:  Mita Malhotra, President of Chewy Health

Pets are big business; 66% of U.S. households are pet parents. Chewy has been a pioneer in online pet care and is now transforming in-person veterinary care by seamlessly integrating ecommerce convenience with personalized clinical experiences. In fact, Chewy was named a 2024 Crave Retail Radical by The Robin Report. Their digital-first healthcare model has earned high customer reviews by delivering instant access, technological convenience, and exceptional service. Join Shelley a...

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Guests:

Michelle Bellanca, CEO and co-founder of Claros Technologies 

Arick Wierson, Emmy Award-winning producer and TRR contributor

The retail industry faces a transformative reckoning beyond tariffs and supply chain disruptions: PFAS chemicals. These "forever chemicals" are ubiquitous in everything from textiles and cosmetics to food packaging and electronics. What’s more, PFAS compounds have infiltrated 99 percent of all humans’ bloodstreams. Regulatory frameworks are tightening worldwide, with Europe leading aggressive restrictions while the U.S...

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Guests: 

Ann Cantrell, small business owner and FIT associate professor

Liz Alessi, retail supply chain expert

We’re celebrating Earth Day Week early! The fashion industry has an environmental crisis on its hands. It uses an astronomical number of resources (a single T-shirt requires 700 gallons of water to manufacture) contributing 10 percent of global carbon emissions. Fast fashion brands are accelerating production cycles while regulatory rollbacks are threatening progress: understanding sustainable alternatives has nev...

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Special Guest: Dominick Miserandino, CEO of Retail Tech Media Nexus

Consumer attention is the ultimate currency in today’s disruptive marketplace. Retailers are becoming publishers as a strategy to forge deeper connections with customers through authentic storytelling. Savvy retailers are leveraging first-party data with insights to create experiences that resonate on a personal level, upending the traditional advertising model. Join Shelley and Dominick Miserandino, a retail media mastermind to learn how the retail media network revolution is...

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Guest: Stephanie Cegielski, VP of Research at ICSC 

The retail marketplace is in the throes of transformation. Despite the popular narrative of a retail apocalypse, commercial spaces are undergoing a renaissance. If developers and retailers are inventive and bold, store closures offer an opportunity for innovative reinvention. Today, vacancy rates hovering around just 4 percent; there's intense competition for those empty spaces. Scarcity, coupled with high construction costs, has created a competitive marketplace where the retailers that are reimagining t...

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Guest: Sandy Stein, founder of Retail Speak, and TRR contributor

What makes a retail brand resilient? It starts with visionary leadership that sees the business holistically balancing merchandising expertise and creativity with financial discipline. Urban Outfitter CEO and founder Richard Hayne has a merchant-first mentality and leads the organization with strategic pivots to align with changing consumer preferences while maintaining brand integrity. 

Join Shelley and strategic visionary Sandy Stein as they discuss how Urban O...

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Guest: 

Mark A. Cohen Former Director of Retail Studies at the Columbia Business School, and Former CEO Sears Canada.

Hudson’s Bay, once Canada's proud retail institution, has descended into Chapter 11 restructuring. And the blunt truth is it’s not because of recent trade tensions as the company proclaimed, but rather from years of financial neglect, unpredictable customer experiences, and questionable strategic moves. The department store's inconsistent merchandise assortments across different locations undermined The Bay’s identit...

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Guest: Lindsey Scheftic, CMO, Owner and Founder, The CMO Sidekick  

Fractional CMOs with blue-chip experience are sources of enterprise-level talent accessible even to mid-market companies. Couple that resource with AI tools that are moving at the speed of light, these strategic co-pilots are separating marketing winners from losers. With the explosion of video channel fragmentation creating a measurement nightmare and threatening attribution accuracy, and retail media networks evolving from a "necessary evil" into precision targeting powerhouses – bot...

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Special Guest: Warren Shoulberg, Retail Journalist and TRR Writer

Consumer spending is increasingly reflecting personal values. In a disruptive, unpredictable marketplace, the rise of grassroots activism presents unprecedented strategic challenges for retail executives. These orchestrated economic blackouts can transform individual purchasing decisions into collective action, triggering a compromised retail brand reputation with financial implications.  While any immediate sales impact is difficult to quantify, brands are still vulnerable. Join Shelley and Warren Shoulberg, retail expert and TRR contributor, as t...

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Special Guest: Phil Lempert, consumer behavior analyst

The bird flu outbreak has transcended egg producers in the farming industry to become a critical economic disruptor and potential public health threat. With consumers spending 53 percent more on eggs in January 2025 compared to the previous year, this potential pandemic illustrates the fragility of our food systems despite technological advances. Join Shelley and Phil Lempert, expert analyst on consumer behavior, marketing trends and the changing retail landscape, as they...

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Special Guest: Jonathan Gold, Vice President of Supply Chain and Customs Policy, National Retail Federation

In a year of unprecedented economic uncertainty, the possible implementation of widespread tariffs has far-reaching implications for retail markets and consumer behavior. Beyond the immediate impact on pricing, these trade policies could fundamentally alter supply chain strategies, product availability, and market competition. Join Shelley and Jonathan Gold from NRF as they discuss all-things tariffs and how challenging it is for retailers...

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Special Guests: 

Mickey Alam Khan, CEO of Luxury Roundtable

Pam Danziger, TRR contributor and founder Unity Marketing

The shift in luxury retail's competitive landscape through the Saks-Neiman Marcus merger could have a domino effect on the operational synergies of both companies, unlocking fundamental questions about the sustainability of the luxury department store model. At stake is the state of personalized luxury retail when longstanding customer relationships and local market expertise are at o...

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Special Guests: 

Evan Gold, EVP of Global Partnerships & Alliances at Planalytics

Matt Flentge, Director of Category Marketing at Ace Hardware Inc. 

Let’s move beyond Punxsutawney Phil's shadow and his Spring 2025 prediction into the sophisticated world of weather-driven retail strategy. The ritual is a convergence of folklore and cutting-edge analytics that has implications for the $7 trillion U.S. retail market. Join Shelley, Evan Gold, EVP of Global Partnerships & Alliances at Planalytics and Matt...

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The Robin Report Experts 

· Mark A. Cohen, Former Director of Retail Studies at Columbia Business School and Former CEO Sears Canada.

· Phil Lempert, SupermarketGuru® expert analyst on consumer behavior, marketing trends, new products and the changing retail landscape.

· Jasmine Glasheen, a go-to retail and SaaS content strategist, also well-known for insights on generational purchasing behavior

The convergence of geopolitical tensions, technological revolution, and changing consumer behaviors are creating strat...

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Guests:
Dominick Miserandino, CEO Retailwire
Beverley Kobe, Chief Executive Officer at Goodwill Industries Ontario Great Lakes
Sulabh Jain, Chief Analytics Officer Impact Analytics

The future of retail is undergoing a transformation and artificial intelligence is emerging as a powerful partner for humans in the process. Join Shelley with three industry leaders: Dominick Miserandino, CEO of Retailwire; Sulabh Jain Chief Analytics Officer of Impact Analytics; and Beverley Kobe Chief Executive Officer at Goodwill Industries...

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Guests:
Suni Shamapande, PwC's Consumer Markets Lead
Kimberly Lee Minor, CEO, WOC Retail Alliance
Liza Amlani, Founder and Principal of Retail Strategy Group
Nikki Baird, VP of Aptos Strategy and Products

NRF’s 2025 show was a panoramic view of the retail industry and a preview of its near-term future. Retail Unwrapped took the podcast on the road to gain insights from forward thinking experts about key industry takeaways from the NRF 2025. They we...

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Guest: Bayard Winthrop, CEO and founder of American Giant 

Bayard Winthrop, CEO of American Giant, is dedicated to American made and has a transformative partnership with Walmart that could redefine the power of American manufacturing. Winthrop launched his collaboration with Walmart with a $12.98 American-made T-shirt in 2023, expanding to sweatshirts in 2025. The partnership is a compelling story about how premium brands can maintain integrity through mass-market collaboration. Walmart's unprecedented $350 billion, 10-year commitment to American-made products scales up onshoring, supports A...

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As we enter 2025, what’s the imperative for retail going forward? We’ve identified three key shifts that are shaping the future of retail. Join Shelley in a review of Retail Unwrapped podcast highlights that preview retail things to come. 

In hot topics of the moment, tariffs are top of mind for CEOs and CFOs and retail leadership is anticipating uncertain changes with the new administration. The industry faces a pivotal moment as tariff policies create a complex econo...

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Guest: Sharon Price John, CEO Build-A-Bear Workshop

Build-A-Bear Workshop is the evolution of a metamorphosis of a beloved brand. What began as a mall-centric experiential retailer transformed into a global powerhouse by understanding the shifting dynamics of consumer behavior, digital commerce, and destination retail. Join Shelley and Sharon as they reveal how questioning traditional retail assumptions led to breakthrough insights about tourist locations, hospitality partnerships, and multi-generational appeal. This strategic pivot wasn't about changing direction but...

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Guests: Bridget Johns, co-founder and CEO at To&From, John Andrews co-founder and CEO of Cimulate.

The future of retail is being fundamentally transformed by artificial intelligence, moving far beyond basic search functionality to create intuitive, personalized shopping experiences. Learn how AI is evolving from simple keyword matching to sophisticated understanding of consumer context and intent. The key to success lies in striking the perfect balance between AI automation and human expertise. Join Shelley, Bridget and John as...

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In a bold reimagining of mass-market fashion, Walmart is spearheading a transformation that challenges traditional retail paradigms. A 2024 Crave Retail Radical, Denise Incandela, EVP of Walmart Fashion U.S. declares, "Disruption enables breakthrough ideas and redefines standards." This strategic evolution isn't about changing perception – it's revolutionizing how America can access and experience fashion. Join Shelley and Denise in our Retail Radical podcast as they explore how Walmart has transformed its role as a fashion destination. Denise underscores Walmart’s commitment to d...

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John Venhuizen’s leadership and radical innovation over the past decade have fueled Ace Hardware’s growth. His strategy is a masterclass in scaling up while maintaining brand integrity and strong community ties. His success in attracting experienced retailers to its cooperative model demonstrates the enduring value of combining local expertise with global resources. 

For more strategic insights and compelling content, visit TheRobinReport.com, where you can read, watch, and listen to content from Robin Lewis and other retai...

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Guest: Ken Pilot of Ken Pilot Ventures, a retail advisory and technology investment firm. 

The convergence of traditional retail expertise with technological innovation is at a critical juncture for industry leaders. The retail-tech landscape is rapidly advancing beyond basic digitization into practical applications that directly impact the bottom line. Join Shelley and Ken as they dive into the next-gen technologies that are changing the retail landscape. They discuss how conversational commerce is revolutionizing the way customers d...

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Special Guest: Tim Fehr, COO of Happy Returns

The complexities of modern returns management include processing hundreds of thousands of SKUs and demand both technological precision and human insight. As retail continues to evolve, the ability to efficiently manage returns while preventing fraud has become a critical factor in maintaining profitability and customer loyalty. As a pioneering force in returns management, Happy Returns has revolutionized the industry through its innovative approach to combining human verification with...

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Special Guest: Rebekah L. Matheny, NCIDQ, IIDA, Associate Professor | Interior Design | Department of Design, The Ohio State University; Founder & Director | REBEL Sustainable Futures Lab

The retail industry stands at a pivotal crossroads where sustainability, inclusivity, and profitability are converging to create a new model for growth. As consumer preferences evolve and environmental consciousness continues to rise, traditional retail operations are being challenged by a more circular, purpose-driven approach that promises both economic and environmental advantages. Circularity...

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Special Guest: Arick Wierson, Emmy award-winning television producer, political analyst and Robin Report Contributor

There is much speculation about how the recent election will impact the economy, shape the future of America and direct its influence throughout the world. Join Shelley and Arick in a wide-ranging conversation about the potential after-effects of the national election on the American consumer, retail and the business world. They also discuss how retailers can learn lessons from the campaigns about...

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Special Guest: Jay Hakami, CEO and Founder, Skypad, CEO, SkyIT Group 

What’s a retailer’s worst nightmare? Not having the right retail insights and analytics to manage inventory. In an era where retail success hinges on speed to insight, the industry faces a critical intelligence gap stemming from outdated data sharing practices between retailers and brands. Operational efficiency can be crippled by inventory misalignment, yet so many businesses still struggle with the lack of ac...

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Special Guest 

Tom McGee, President and CEO of ICSC, the International Council of Shopping Centers 

Physical stores still function as strategic assets in today’s era of retail store transformation. New research from ICSC shows 92 percent of consumers plan in-store purchases this holiday season, reflecting the resilience and attraction of physical retail. Join Shelley and Tom as they explore what’s up for Holiday 2024 and how the in-store experience can create a powerful connection with s...

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Guests:
Kim Kitchings - Senior Vice President, Consumer Marketing, Cotton Incorporated
Anna Copilevitz – Lead Program Manager, Zappos for Good

In a global consumer marketplace where sustainability is no longer optional, two unexpected partners are redefining sustainable fashion initiatives. Join Shelley, Kim, and Anna as they unveil how Cotton Incorporated and Zappos are turning sustainability rhetoric into tangible action, challenging the status quo and setting new benchmarks for industry collaboration. Discover how these industry giants ar...

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Guests:
Jonathan Gold, Vice President, Supply Chain and Customs Policy, National Retail Federation.
Sonja Chapman, Associate Professor International Trade and Marketing at Fashion Institute of Technology.

What’s the aborted port strike impact on the retail industry? Although the strike may be over, the real battle could be beginning. Beyond the longshoremen’s passalong salary hikes, a sticking point with the union is protection against automation. They are threatened by technology that can help buil...

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Guests: 
Warren Shoulberg, TRR contributor, award-winning journalist, consultant for the retailing and home furnishings industries.
Brian Delp, President of Sales and Licensing, Himatsingka America.

The pandemic reshaped the home industry, with a shift towards home upgrades over new purchases. Join Shelley, Warren, and Brian as they discuss shifting consumer and market trends, supply chain disruptions and their impact on the current state of the home furnishings and retail sectors. Driven by high interest rates and a t...

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Guest: Rebekah L. Matheny, NCIDQ, IIDA
Associate Professor | Interior Design | Department of Design and Founder & Director | REBEL Sustainable Futures Lab

Savvy retailers and brands already have a strategy to respond to the ongoing climate crisis. Join Shelley and Rebekah Matheny, an expert in sustainable design at The Ohio State University, as they discuss the implications of consumers’ impact on the planet. They cover sustainable solutions by making incremental changes despite the popularity of fast fashion an...

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Guest: Kimberly Minor, CEO of Women of Color Retail Alliance

The growing significance of the multicultural population, which will become the majority in the U.S. by 2050, will drive brands to integrate DEI authentically into their practices. Millennials, Gen Z and Alphas expect companies to reflect their values and are increasingly directing their spending toward those that do so. Join Shelley and Kimberly Minor, CEO of WOC Retail Alliance, as they discuss how to rethink DEI by understanding...

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The C-suite is undergoing a transformation with modern leadership becoming digitally savvy and keyed into the importance of customer behavior and mindsets. Join special guest Brenda Malloy, CEO of Herbert Mines Associates, and Shelley as they sit down to discuss leadership in the retail industry, focusing on stakeholders’ evolving expectations of CEOs and the critical attributes CEOs need for success in today's dynamic market. There is pressure to increase diversity and representation in the C-suite, particularly for women and BIPOC le...

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Special Guests: Jennifer Peterson Community Engagement Chief at Edwards Companies and Brian Bernstein, Principal of REALM Collaborative 

Mixed-use spaces have been reshaping urban development, and retail plays an essential role in the vibrancy of these public spaces. Jennifer Peterson and Brian Bernstein join Shelley to talk about trends in commercial real estate and urban development, and how collaborative partnerships can transform the success of these projects.  Learn about the vital role community engagement plays in these projects, the be...

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 Ace Hardware is on a roll.

It just debuted its new store concept Elevate Ace, designed on input from its suppliers, store owners, and shareholders. Reflecting shifts in consumer shopping behavior, the new store focuses on enhanced customer service with branded in-store experiences. 

Join special guest John Venhuizen, CEO of Ace Hardware, and Shelley as they discuss how the company has transformed from a family-owned business to a global cooperative. Celebrating 100 years with a co...

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Are you ready to revolutionize your approach to employee engagement and customer loyalty? A new wave is growing of the critical importance of focusing on employee experience (EX) as the foundation for creating exceptional customer experiences (CX). Join special guest Matt Mueller, a retail renegade devoted to creating retail experiences that electrify, and Shelley as they shake up everything you thought you knew about today’s retail workforce. Learn how to flip the script on how stores innovate and operate.

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Guest: Mark A. Cohen, former Director of Retail Studies at Columbia Business School and former CEO of Sears Canada. 

What’s the back story on the Saks-Neiman Marcus merger? Will it survive? Could it be retail’s next colossal failure?

Mergers and acquisitions in the retail industry have a high failure rate, which begs the obvious question if this deal is a viable strategy for the two luxury brands. Join Mark and Shelley as they debate the l...

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The results of the national election will impact retail in a multitude of ways: immigration policies, economic stability, labor markets, new regulations, and trade and economic policies. 

Join TRR reporter Arick Wierson and Shelley as they explore consumerism, the struggles of the middle class, and the unique perspectives of Gen Z that frame the bigger picture about the state of our nation, now and post-election. 

Their conversation also touches on the different needs and challenges faced by...