EP 250: AI Alert: The Retail Workforce Is About to Change

The retail industry stands at a crossroads where artificial intelligence threatens to eliminate millions of jobs while simultaneously creating new opportunities—but only for those retailers smart enough to adapt. Rather than competing with AI, forward-thinking executives are discovering how to amplify human skills like negotiation, empathy, and conflict resolution in collaboration with technology. Join Shelley and Kevin Finnegan from Global Recruiters of Lowcountry as they expose a new reality: 59 percent of retail workforces will require retraining by 2030, and ironically, AI may be the solution for upskilling employees. They also tackle how companies implementing return to office (RTO) policies without understanding underlying cultural shifts are discovering that younger workers simply won't tolerate mandates—they'll just leave and find new jobs instead with a 14 percent spike in employee turnover.  While physical stores remain the ultimate competitive advantage, most retailers are treating their retail associates as expense lines rather than revenue-generating assets capable of creating memorable customer experiences. The future belongs to retailers who can humanize their brand experience with an upskilled workforce while leveraging technology strategically. 

Special Guest: Kevin Finnegan, from Global Recruiters of Lowcountry

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