What if the real “digital shelf” lives inside your social feed? We sat down with Jessica Thorpe, CEO of PartnrUp, to unpack how creators, user-generated video, and smart automation now drive verifiable lift at retailers like Amazon and Walmart, and why that changes how brands plan, fund, and measure growth.

We walk through the big shift from top-of-funnel hype to bottom-line impact: creator videos show up where shoppers research, answer the questions brand assets miss, and carry affiliate links that shorten the path to purchase. Jessica breaks down a practical operating system for partnership marketing, streamlining creator discovery, contracting, and syndication, so teams can reuse content across social, retail media, and product pages. The result is a ROM model that stacks value: reach from social distribution, outcome from tracked clicks and sales, and merchandising gains from higher PDP conversion.

We also draw a firm line on AI. Automation should handle scale job; shortlisting creators, outreach, briefs, and campaign support, while humans deliver the authentic storytelling that builds trust. You’ll hear data-backed insights on mobile vs desktop buying, how to correlate social traffic with glance views and sales, and why mixing UGC with brand content on product pages delivers the strongest results. Looking ahead, we explore creative variability, personalization across hooks and formats, and how one-to-one creator-audience tools will route shoppers to their preferred retailers without losing attribution.

If your team manages influencers in PR, performance in media, and the digital shelf in ecommerce, this conversation lays out how to connect the dots and prove impact where it counts. Subscribe, share with a teammate who owns the PDP, and leave a review with the metric you care about most, we’ll tackle it in a future show.

Bold predictions say online will swallow retail whole, but the numbers and human behavior tell a more compelling story. We dig into fresh data and lived shopper habits to show why digital is winning the journey while stores still win the moment that matters. From current Census figures placing pure e‑commerce near 16% of sales to projections that cap it around 29% by 2029, we ground the conversation in facts rather than hype.

We explore the quiet revolution of digital influence: product discovery on social, research on phones, and ratings that build trust before a shopper ever walks in. By 2027, nearly two‑thirds of U.S. retail sales will be digitally influenced, and that changes everything for how retailers design the path to purchase. We break down what that looks like on the floor, accurate local inventory, fast and reliable BOPIS, curbside options, and associates equipped with tools that bring a shopper’s online journey into the aisle.

Generational insights add texture. Gen Z embraces the social, tactile rush of in‑store discovery. Millennials lean digital but drive BOPIS growth and in‑store pickups that spark attachment sales. Gen X and Boomers rely on physical locations for groceries, home goods, and big‑ticket items where feel and trust matter most. The through line is clear: the strongest retailers blend mobile apps, personalized recommendations, and flexible fulfillment with engaging, reliable store experiences.

Our takeaway is simple and actionable: stop framing retail as e‑commerce versus stores. Build for digital plus stores. Align content and shelf, sync pricing and availability, and measure blended KPIs like digitally influenced sales and pickup conversion. 

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The ground has shifted under Amazon sellers, and the data proves it. We dive into Marketplace Pulse’s Amazon Marketplace Trends Report for 2026 and surface a clear picture: GMV is soaring while the number of active sellers falls, million‑dollar operators are multiplying, and the platform now rewards systems over stunts. The result is a marketplace that acts like a sorting machine, pushing disciplined, data‑driven brands to the top and filtering out casual players who treat Amazon like a quick flip.

We walk through why the United States remains the smartest launch pad for new brands, especially for niche products that need depth of demand to gain traction. From the speed of first sales to review velocity, the U.S. gives early momentum that compounds across catalog hygiene, rank stability, and cash flow. Then we tackle cross‑border expansion and the surprising reality that most sellers stay confined to a single marketplace, leaving blue ocean opportunities for operators who localize content, honor country‑specific regulations, and build logistics that actually work across borders.

You’ll also hear a grounded take on the rise of Chinese sellers, how manufacturing‑to‑marketplace integration creates cost advantages, and why U.S. sellers still lead on revenue per seller. We connect these insights to a practical playbook: inventory accuracy as the backbone of advertising, analytics that translate signals into action, and patience as a strategic asset that compounds trust, reviews, and repeat purchase. The message is simple and urgent, Amazon is no longer about listing products; it’s about building a scalable retail ecosystem that performs under pressure.

If this conversation helps reframe your strategy, subscribe and share it with a teammate. Leave a quick review to tell us what capability you’re investing in next, and send this to someone who still thinks the next hot product is the plan.

Shrink isn’t just a shoplifting problem, it’s a systems problem. We sit down with Brand Elverston, former Walmart asset protection leader and now principal at Elverston Consulting, to unpack why losses start at the purchase order and ripple through the supply chain long before an item ever hits the shelf. The conversation gets practical fast: what “total retail loss” really means, why administrative errors and inventory chaos can be as expensive as theft, and how leaders can target the biggest drivers without destroying the customer experience.

We dig into item-level RFID as the backbone of truth. When you can reconcile orders, receipts, and on-hand counts at the SKU level, you stop guessing and start fixing. Brand shares how leading retailers are pairing RFID with computer vision to move beyond post-event video. Real-time analytics at self-checkout, abnormal shelf sweeps, and frictionless associate interventions are shifting loss prevention from reactive to proactive. The result: fewer lockups, faster service, and fewer reasons for customers to abandon baskets for next-day delivery elsewhere.

Omnichannel adds new doors for product to move, curbside pickups, ship-from-store, third-party shoppers, and each door adds risk. We outline the playbook for controlling these flows: identity verification for pickup, serialized tracking on high-risk items, exception alerts that prioritize engagement over confrontation, and upstream data-sharing with CPGs and carriers to reconcile discrepancies before they become write-offs. We also tackle the hard topic of store closures, making the case for re-engineering high-risk locations with scalable tech and smarter processes so communities keep access to essential retail.

If you care about retail operations, asset protection, or customer experience, this is a clear-eyed roadmap to cut shrink and grow sales at the same time.

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Retail is racing ahead, but the smartest move right now isn’t a new platform or a shiny pilot. It’s building the people who can turn technology into results. Scott Benedict unpacks why AI, connected supply chains, and blended physical-digital experiences only pay off when leaders know how to align teams, serve customers, and execute with judgment. We spotlight the NRF Foundation as a force multiplier, connecting more than 80,000 people each year to education, scholarships, and career-launching experiences that translate classroom learning into real impact.

Scott draws on his years at Texas A&M’s Center for Retailing Studies to show how students evolve from curious learners into professionals shaping strategy at major retailers and brands. We walk through programs like customer service and sales training, supply chain and logistics education, University Challenge, the Emerging Leaders Summit, and the Next Generation Scholarship, all designed to deliver day-one readiness and long-term growth. These aren’t résumé lines; they’re live-fire opportunities to meet mentors, present to executives, and practice the art and science of retail decision-making.

Amid the noise about automation and data, we center the human side: retail’s greatest innovation has always been people helping people. That’s the thread tying together better merchandising, faster operations, and memorable service. If you lead a retail team or partner with brands, you’ll leave with a clear takeaway: invest in talent as deliberately as you invest in technology, because the future belongs to companies that do both. 

Enjoy the conversation, share it with a colleague who cares about developing leaders, and subscribe to get more insights on building a resilient, people-powered retail future.

Holiday stress meets smart retail strategy. We dive into the rise of holiday meal bundles and show how a simple promise, feed the whole table for one low price, has become a powerful engine for value, convenience, and loyalty. Using Aldi’s $40 Thanksgiving feast as a starting point, we unpack why leading with a complete meal changes the shopper’s job from planning to choosing, and how that shift grows basket size while easing anxiety for time-pressed families.

From social-first launches to app-based add-ons and curbside pickup, we map the omnichannel playbook that turns a seasonal promotion into a brand-defining moment. You’ll hear how retailers like Walmart, Amazon Fresh, and Kroger use clear, compelling headlines to anchor campaigns, and why prepared and semi-prepared foods are winning share as consumers trade time for certainty. We also explain how savvy assortment strategy, leaning on trusted private brands and selective national-brand features, protects margin without diluting quality, while targeted recommendations drive profitable cross-category lift.

Finally, we lay out four moves any retailer can act on now: lead with a meal, not just a menu; go all-in on social and omnichannel execution; bundle smart with margin-minded assortments; and measure success beyond sales to include new households, digital traffic, and halo impact into the new year. If you’re aiming to own the occasion and deliver peace of mind along with the pumpkin pie, this conversation gives you the framework to make your holiday offer resonate and perform. Subscribe, share with a colleague who leads merchandising or digital, and leave a quick review to tell us which tactic you’ll test first.

If your retail transformation feels like a tool parade with little traction, this conversation will change your roadmap. We sit down with Barbara Wittmann, founder and CEO of the Digital Wisdom Collective, to unpack why technology isn’t the bottleneck—culture, clarity, and middle management are. Barbara has rescued “dead patient” projects across retail for 25 years, and she explains how empowering the right people, not buying the next platform, creates compounding impact.

We dig into the anatomy of human infrastructure: the trusted, often quiet, mid-level leaders who connect silos, translate strategy into action, and spot risks early. Barbara shares how to find them, how to give them a safe sandbox to practice new behaviors, and how small cross-functional cohorts can turn timid experts into confident catalysts. You’ll hear practical tactics like building shared mental models, setting clear guardrails, and starting every meeting with the same purpose and end-state visuals to keep distributed teams aligned across time zones.

Instead of drowning in dashboards, we explore how static high-level maps of systems and data restore orientation, why problem definition beats solution chasing, and how most retailers can unlock more value by optimizing existing stacks. Barbara’s “Mindset Before Machines” mantra reframes executive decisions: invest in people, language, and navigation before adding another tool. She paints a picture of the digitally wise organization where human architecture, technical architecture, and decision artifacts converge to strengthen the whole.

If you’re ready to reduce initiative overload, surface hidden change makers, and turn AI, data, and platforms into real results, press play. Subscribe, share this episode with a colleague who shapes transformation, and leave a review telling us which tactic you’ll adopt first.

The hardest truth in retail right now: shoppers don’t live in your org chart. They search on phones, compare in aisles, split baskets across channels, and expect you to keep up without friction. We unpack why a store‑first mindset misses where demand is born and how a digital‑infused model unlocks growth you can actually sustain.

I walk through the numbers that matter—digital influence on total sales, the share of omnichannel growth driven by e‑commerce, and why leaders like Walmart are seeing outsized gains online. From there, we map the real blockers: siloed merchandising and marketing, conflicting promo calendars, inventory that doesn’t match local intent, and KPIs that reward channel wins instead of customer wins. You’ll hear a practical blueprint for change: shared goals across physical and digital, a single planning rhythm for assortments, promos, and media, and cross‑functional squads where merchants, retail media strategists, and supply chain leaders work side by side on one customer view.

We also get specific about the data layer and operating cadence. Think unified product catalogs, privacy‑safe identity, blended attribution that spans online and store, and AI that senses demand, rebalances inventory, and adapts content in real time. Culture matters as much as tech, so we dig into incentives that eliminate channel conflict and teach teams to optimize for availability, price integrity, speed, and satisfaction. Move now and you gain agility and lower friction; wait and nimbler, digitally native competitors will lap you.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with your team, and leave a quick review so more retail leaders find it. Tell me: what’s the first silo you would unify this quarter?

Walk past the warm glow of a grocery bakery and you’re not just smelling bread—you’re sensing the store’s promise of freshness. We dig into why that promise is so hard to keep with manual counts, perishable windows, and production guesswork that swing between empty shelves and costly waste. Then we pull the thread on a simple shift with outsized impact: swapping standard price stickers for RFID‑enabled labels to get real‑time, item‑level visibility without adding friction to the floor.

We share how handheld scans turn hours of counting into minutes, freeing associates to serve people instead of paper. With clearer data, teams align bake schedules to actual demand, reduce shrink by up to 35%, and protect margins. We also unpack the high‑stakes moment of recalls, where RFID helps pinpoint and pull only affected items up to 95% faster, avoiding blanket removals and preserving customer trust. The ROI story is compelling—often under six months—making bakery the ideal pilot before expanding into deli, meat, and produce.

Along the way, we spotlight industry momentum, including major grocers moving first in bakery to build the case for digitizing fresh. The takeaway is bigger than tech: it’s about delivering freshness, reducing waste, and earning loyalty where it matters most—at the shelf. If you’re weighing where to start with store digitization, this is the proof point you can bring to your next ops meeting. Subscribe, share with your team, and drop a review to tell us where you’d pilot RFID next.

Stop treating e‑commerce like an add‑on. We unpack how to rebuild your organization around the way people actually shop—across search, social, marketplace, curbside, and aisle—so strategy, incentives, and execution line up behind one number and one customer. With Lauren Livak Gilbert, Executive Director of the Digital Shelf Institute, we dive into fresh research across sales, marketing, supply chain, IT, HR, and finance to reveal why the “where does e‑commerce sit?” debate holds companies back and what to do instead.

We get practical about breaking silos with shared P&Ls, common goals, and pod‑based workflows that put the right people in the room at the right time. Lauren shares examples of agile and dynamic shared ownership models that let large teams move like startups, plus an AI‑enabled structure where human owners are amplified by agents for content creation, data synthesis, briefing, and consumer feedback. We also tackle the messy human side: incentives, change fatigue, and the reality that what gets measured gets managed. Education becomes the force multiplier—rotating digital talent into low‑acumen functions, coaching store leaders on online drivers, and building true generalists who can pull the right lever across the full journey.

AI hype meets real value as we walk through use cases that free teams from keyboard work to do higher‑order thinking—demand planning scenarios, data hygiene, and rapid content iteration—while raising a crucial question: if AI eats entry‑level tasks, how do we develop tomorrow’s directors and GMs? Expect clear takeaways on talent strategies, operating rhythms, and annual (even quarterly) org reviews that optimize without whiplash. If you’re ready to align your structure with today’s shopper and accelerate growth, this conversation is your blueprint.

Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show, share with your team, and leave a review to help more leaders reinvent for omnichannel success.

Retail is quietly undergoing a structural reset, and the numbers finally make the picture snap into focus. We break down Walmart’s latest results alongside Target, Costco, Kroger, Ahold, and leading players across Europe and Asia to reveal the model that’s defining 2026 and likely the rest of the decade. The signal is clear: omnichannel has become the operating system of modern retail, and the winners are wiring every part of the business to serve one customer across every channel.

We dig into why retail media is now the new margin engine, showing how ad platforms like Walmart Connect and connected TV can fund low prices, automation, and better digital experiences without sacrificing merchandise margin. From there, we explore automation as true operating leverage: automated DCs, robotics, and microfulfillment that permanently lower cost to serve while improving delivery precision and speed. It’s the playbook that turns fast fulfillment from a loss leader into a scalable advantage.

Data-led merchandising and inventory get the spotlight next. Growing sales faster than inventory at enterprise scale signals AI-enabled forecasting, real-time visibility, and smarter markdown optimization that set leaders apart. Then we examine membership as the fresh loyalty battleground. Paid programs like Walmart+ are shifting behavior across income brackets, creating a durable flywheel that points, coupons, and generic rewards struggle to match.

Tie these threads together and you get a new retail operating system: unified commerce, retail media profit, automation, marketplace breadth without inventory risk, AI-driven forecasting, membership-driven loyalty, and price leadership powered by productivity gains. If you’re a retailer, supplier, or brand leader choosing where to invest, this framework becomes a practical roadmap for resilient growth and durable share. Subscribe, share with your team, and tell us: which capability are you building first, and what’s blocking your path?

The ground under retail and CPG is shifting from automation to true agency—and the difference is night and day. We unpack how AI agents don’t just summarize dashboards or send alerts; they connect scattered systems, make sense of messy signals, and take action inside real workflows where time, margin, and customer trust are on the line.

We walk through the find–understand–act model that’s redefining daily work. On the retail side, store teams use agents to align labor with live demand, smooth inventory flow, and keep shelves ready without guesswork. Merchants fuse POS data with social sentiment to shape smarter assortments and negotiate with proof. Marketers move from idea to launch in hours, not weeks, as budgets shift to what’s working in the moment. Supply chain teams predict stockouts and trigger fixes before shoppers feel the pain. On the CPG side, sales and category managers run tighter collaborations with retailers, product developers check compliance and simulate performance pre-launch, and manufacturing listens to sensor vibrations to prevent breakdowns that stall output.

The message is urgent and practical: adopting agentic AI is no longer optional if you want speed, precision, and resilience. We share concrete examples, decision guardrails, and where to start—targeting high-friction workflows with measurable outcomes while building the data foundations that make agents reliable. If you’re serious about turning insight into action and winning the next quarter, not just the next decade, this is your roadmap to sharper execution and a stronger customer experience. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review—what workflow would you automate first?

The biggest threat to retail growth isn’t a new competitor or a shiny app. It’s the hidden friction inside stores that quietly drains baskets, shortens dwell time, and erodes loyalty without ever showing up on a dashboard. We sit down with retail strategist DeAnn Campbell to unpack “store blindness", the subtle wayfinding glitches, aisle flow breaks, and poor cues that cost millions, and map a practical path to turn physical locations into omnichannel profit engines.

DeAnn shares punchy case studies that reveal how small changes create big wins, like simplifying sweater folds for a 36% lift at Marks and Spencer and adding simple seating to help grandparents and pregnant shoppers stay longer and return less. From there, we dig into the hard truth: inventory accuracy is the foundation for everything modern, from AI-powered recommendations to agentic search and retail media. With real-time stock data, the store becomes the hub and e-commerce the force multiplier, especially when BOPIS zones connect directly to loyalty for higher margin add-ons.

We explore how AI supercharges both customer journeys and associate performance. Think live translation, cultural guidance, and product coaching that turns employees into trusted advisors on the floor. We also get tactical about underused design surfaces, shoppable windows tied to live inventory, geofenced app nudges, in-queue education, and meaningful, dynamic thank-yous at the exit, that deepen engagement and data capture. Finally, we outline the cultural shift leaders need: fresh-eyes audits, a one–three–five-year AI roadmap, modular stores that move like websites, fluid checkout everywhere, and a new metric, total contribution value, that reflects how stores influence revenue beyond the POS.

If you care about unifying channels, lifting margins, and building a store that actually earns its place at the center of your ecosystem, this conversation will give you concrete steps to start today and a vision to aim for tomorrow. Enjoy the episode, share it with your team, and subscribe for more deep dives on the digital-physical retail edge.

Grocery retail media just graduated from side hustle to strategy, and the shift is reshaping how value gets created across the entire store. We dive into why ad spend is racing from roughly $52B to $98B, how Amazon and Walmart set the pace, and why grocers like Albertsons and Kroger are rapidly building networks that don’t just sell ads—they power smarter merchandising, tighter loyalty programs, and better store operations.

I walk through the mindset change that moved retail media beyond banner clicks to business outcomes: incrementality, sales velocity, and measurement that brands can actually trust. We talk about what CPG partners now expect—clarity on methodology, consistent reporting, and proof that dollars move product, not just dashboards. Then we head to the aisles, where digital displays, smart carts, and connected signage transform the physical store into an addressable media environment. When offers sync with inventory, loyalty data, and real-time context, the path from inspiration to purchase gets shorter and more measurable.

Of course, it’s not all smooth. Headcount and tech costs can climb fast, standards are still uneven, and scaling across networks is messy. The winners will align media with merchandising and ops, invest in trustworthy analytics, and deliver transparency that earns repeat spend. If you want a clear lens on what’s hype and what’s working—plus a practical view of how grocery can close the loop between ad and basket—this conversation lays out the playbook. If you enjoyed it, follow the show, share it with a colleague who cares about retail transformation, and leave a quick review to tell us what you want unpacked next.

The warehouse treasure hunt didn’t disappear—it went digital. We unpack how Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s are extending the classic club model with omnichannel tools that make membership more valuable, suppliers more effective, and shopping far more flexible than a weekend stock-up run. From the rise of organics and stronger private labels to curbside, scan-and-go, and price parity, we show where convenience meets trust and why it’s winning.

We dig into the numbers and the moves shaping this shift: organics climbing from a niche to a meaningful share of the mix, Sam’s Club pushing 40+% member adoption on Scan & Go and leaning into price parity, BJ’s testing curbside and same-day to widen access, and Costco threading the needle with Instacart while growing .com sales faster than physical clubs. On the media side, personalization gets real as Costco partners with GrowthLoop to help brands reach millions of households using privacy-safe, first-party club data tied to fulfillment paths—pickup, local delivery, or ship-to-home—so relevant products surface when intent is highest.

If you’re a supplier, the playbook is evolving: design packs that work on pallets and in parcels, invest in retail media that targets member signals, and keep item pages, inventory, and replenishment tight to capture demand spikes without stockouts. If you’re a member, the value promise is clearer than ever—searchable discovery, reliable pricing, and flexible fulfillment that keeps the thrill of the hunt intact while saving time. Subscribe for more retail strategy breakdowns, share this with a fellow operator or brand partner, and leave a review with the biggest surprise you heard today.

Want a smarter way to sort real retail change from the noise? We sit down with Ricardo Belmar, host of The Retail Razor, global retail influencer, and advisor, to unpack how leaders can pair timeless fundamentals with timely tech to drive measurable results. From the rise of retail media to AI on the sales floor and the coming wave of agentic commerce, we map what’s hype, what’s working, and what to do next.

We start with the origin of The Retail Razor and its mission: cut through clutter and focus on outcomes. Ricardo explains how the pandemic accelerated collaboration, why retailers unintentionally became tech providers, and how high-margin retail media exploded by competing with legacy channels more than with Amazon. He shares where brands still struggle, comparable metrics, standardized buying, and in-store integration, and how connected TV and first-party data can unlock scale.

Then we dive into AI with a human touch. Associates need instant, credible answers, not laggy apps. Voice-driven AI that surfaces product knowledge through tools teams already use can boost confidence and conversion, while automation trims low-value tasks. We move beyond efficiency to possibility: solution selling at scale, curated baskets, and guided discovery that lift average order value. Ricardo stresses the playbook for faster, better rollouts, cross-functional buy-in, realistic pilots outside “friendly” test stores, and iterative deployment at 80 percent readiness.

Looking ahead, agentic commerce is poised to become a new channel with low adoption friction and high convenience, not a replacement for stores or websites. Expect experiential retail to regain momentum as storytelling and community pull shoppers back in. The throughline remains constant: product, price, place, promotion, people, and process, supported by tech that proves its worth in customer experience and operating metrics.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a teammate, and leave a quick review. Your feedback helps us keep the conversations sharp and useful.

The numbers tell a different story than our habits. We unpack new analysis from Bird Dog and Keen—built on real spend and performance data from 400+ brands and roughly $16B in annual investment—to show how small to medium brands can get more out of retail media without spending more. The headline: retail media has matured into a core channel, but the best gains now come from smarter allocation, not bigger budgets.

We walk through why three-quarters of retail media dollars still flow to search, how Amazon absorbs two-thirds of network spend, and where the ROI edge is actually hiding. From under-leveraged networks like Sam’s Club, Meijer, and Albertsons to proven performers such as Walmart, Kroger, and Instacart, we break down where SMBs are finding incremental returns. Category nuances matter: in food and beverage, retailer networks still deliver strong ROAS even as some brands test DTC; in durable goods, Amazon dominates spend, yet alternative retailer platforms often outpace it on efficiency.

Then we get tactical. You’ll hear a clear plan to reallocate 10–20% of Amazon search into higher-ROI retailer platforms, diversify beyond search with on-site display, off-site placements, and retailer-linked streaming TV, and use measured ROI and incrementality as your compass. We talk test design, audience overlap, creative fit, and how to align finance and marketing on what “working” actually means. If every dollar has to count, this is the map to move your next dollar where it works hardest.

If this breakdown helped you rethink your mix, follow the show, share it with a teammate who owns retail media, and leave a quick review telling us where you’ll shift budget next.

Algorithms can rank, bid, and predict, but can they choose with taste? We open the door to a candid look at the merchant’s role in a retail world obsessed with technology, marketplaces, and media networks. From assortment strategy and pricing judgment to supplier relationships and inventory flow, we unpack the timeless skills that still separate a curated experience from a crowded feed—and how to protect them.

I share why the craft hasn’t changed as much as the environment around it, and how today’s tools—POS analytics, review mining, social sentiment, and inventory dashboards—should serve as force multipliers rather than replacements. We explore the art of weighting signals, spotting real trends versus noisy spikes, and using data to inform human intuition instead of steamrolling it. We also dig into the upside and downside of marketplaces and retail media: expanded access and new revenue on one hand, and the risk of turning merchants into listing managers and publishers on the other.

If differentiation, customer connection, and profitability matter, the merchant’s voice must anchor the strategy. You’ll hear practical ways to keep a clear point of view at scale, build supplier partnerships that create exclusivity and relevance, and align metrics with meaning so short-term gains don’t dilute long-term trust. Subscribe, share with a teammate who lives in dashboards, and leave a review—what’s your take: curate or compute?

The fastest way to clarity in retail isn’t a louder megaphone, it’s a smarter network. Scott sits down with Paul Lewis, managing director of RETHINK Retail, to unpack how a global community of 500+ vetted experts, executives, and solution leaders is changing how the industry learns, collaborates, and executes. What began as a gap spotted at a conference, coverage without connection, has grown into a living system where operators bring real challenges into monthly mixers, stress-test ideas under Chatham House rules, and leave with practical next steps shaped by multiple perspectives.

Paul explains why RETHINK moved beyond a traditional media model toward a two-way platform: the pace of change outstrips any single newsroom, and the most valuable insights come from cross-disciplinary friction, AI meets HR, supply chain meets privacy, store design meets data science. We dive into RETHINK Advisory’s multi-expert approach, where small panels debate tradeoffs under NDA, and retailers get the benefit of agreement when it’s warranted and constructive disagreement when it reveals hidden risks. From short, targeted guidance to full project work and interim/fractional leadership, the model flexes to the actual shape of modern work.

We also go inside the Top Retail Experts program, how candidates are selected for true thought leadership, seasoned judgment, and real reach, and why geographic and functional diversity matter for better decisions. Then we zoom out to the near future: generative AI reshaping SaaS and roles, supply chains growing more complex and regulated, and capital markets pointing toward the next 24 months of innovation. With new partnerships across trade orgs and more local meetups, RETHINK is building a connected map of the industry so leaders can “turn on their high beams” and take the next curve with confidence.

If you lead a retail function, build technology, or drive growth and want sharper peers around your toughest questions, join us, subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a review with the topic you want us to tackle next.

The false narrative of "physical versus digital" retail continues to frustrate industry experts who recognize that success lies in integration, not separation. Today's retail landscape shows a normalization where e-commerce growth follows predictable patterns after pandemic acceleration, while physical retail remains essential to customer experience. This isn't a story of one channel winning over another—it's about how they work together.

A staggering statistic emerges from this evolving landscape: U.S. consumers returned approximately $740 billion in merchandise in 2023, with projections approaching $900 billion by year's end. These returns represent more than customer service challenges; they've become profitability and sustainability crises demanding innovative solutions across the industry. Particularly in categories like apparel, returns create financial strain and environmental damage that smart retailers must address.

The direct-to-consumer model that once promised to revolutionize retail by eliminating the middleman has lost its shine. Pioneering brands like Casper and Allbirds discovered that scale, profitability, and sustained brand awareness are difficult to achieve through pure DTC approaches. Many have pivoted to hybrid models incorporating wholesale partnerships alongside direct channels. This evolution reveals a fundamental truth: channel strategy should support brand identity, not define it. What truly differentiates winning retailers isn't where they sell but what they stand for—the quality, experience, and values they consistently deliver across all consumer touchpoints.

What do you think about this retail evolution? Share your thoughts on how your favorite brands are navigating this new landscape, and subscribe to hear more insights on where commerce is headed in the months and years ahead.

Walmart has just made a game-changing announcement that signals a fundamental shift in retail strategy. Rather than simply investing in the latest technology, they're making an unprecedented commitment to their people by bringing AI training through a custom OpenAI certification to every US associate—completely free of charge.

This bold initiative will be delivered through Walmart Academy, already the world's largest private in-house training program with over 3.5 million participants. Starting immediately, associates can access existing AI training through the Live Better U platform, with formal certification rolling out in 2026. The move builds upon Walmart's remarkable $1 billion commitment to skills development, positioning the retail giant as genuinely "people-led but tech-enabled."

What makes this approach so revolutionary is that Walmart isn't merely deploying new tools—they're equipping their entire workforce to use them effectively. As Scott Benedict notes, "Strategy is nothing without the capability to execute." While many retailers chase technology for technology's sake, Walmart recognizes that without parallel investment in people, even the most advanced systems can backfire. By transforming associates from potential bystanders into active partners in technological evolution, Walmart sends a powerful message that their people matter. This approach doesn't just build loyalty and engagement—it fosters innovation from those closest to customers. For anyone watching retail's digital transformation, Walmart's human-centered approach offers a fascinating blueprint that may well redefine what competitive advantage looks like in modern retail.

Ready to hear more insights on how retailers are navigating the balance between technology and human capital? Subscribe to Scott's Thoughts for weekly analysis on the trends reshaping retail from someone who's been in the trenches. What do you think about Walmart's approach? Let us know in the comments!

Ready for a glimpse into the future of retail? Walmart just might be showing us the way with their bold new venture into live commerce. Their weekly show "Collector's Night" isn't just another shopping channel—it's a fascinating reinvention of how we connect with products and communities in the digital age.

Partnering with TalkShopLive and WeTheHobby, Walmart has created something that transforms the traditional collecting experience. Imagine the energy of a collectors' convention—live box breaks, surprise giveaways, exclusive product drops—all happening in real-time from your couch. The technology allows for seamless in-video purchasing without redirects or interruptions, creating a frictionless path from excitement to ownership. This isn't just convenience; it's a fundamental shift in how digital commerce can work.

What struck me most was Walmart's recognition that collectors represent "a critical and exciting area of investment and growth." This isn't a side project—it's a strategic move into a booming market where Pokémon cards are seeing triple-digit growth and sports collectibles continue to surge in popularity. By blending entertainment, community, and commerce into a weekly Thursday night event, Walmart isn't just selling products; they're creating reasons for customers to return regularly and engage deeply. While competitors like Mattel and TikTok are also exploring the collectibles space, Walmart's approach stands out for its comprehensive integration of social experience and shopping.

Whether you're a dedicated collector or simply curious about where retail is headed, I recommend checking out Collector's Night on Walmart Live. It represents a fascinating evolution in how major retailers are thinking about community-building and experiential commerce. What do you think—would you tune in to a live shopping event like this? Let me know in the comments and don't forget to subscribe for more insights on retail innovation and consumer trends.

What happens when you apply university values to the retail world? Drawing from my experience teaching at Texas A&M University's Center for Retailing Studies, I've discovered that the six core Aggie values—respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity, and selfless service—create a powerful framework for retail success that goes far beyond theoretical concepts.

The Aggie community doesn't just post these values on a wall; they weave them into everyday actions and decisions. Similarly, the most successful retailers embed these principles into their operations, creating experiences that resonate deeply with customers and team members alike. Respect manifests as creating inclusive environments where everyone feels heard. Excellence drives retailers to consistently exceed expectations through exceptional experiences and products. Leadership means investing in frontline associates and fostering innovation rather than accepting the status quo.

Loyalty extends beyond customer retention programs to create genuine faithfulness between brands and consumers. Integrity—captured perfectly in the Aggie code "An Aggie does not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do"—builds the transparency and accountability that today's informed consumers demand. Finally, selfless service transforms transactions into meaningful connections by anticipating needs and creating delightful surprises without expectation of reward.

As retailers navigate an increasingly complex marketplace, these timeless values provide a compass for decision-making that creates authentic connections with customers. By measuring success through objective metrics like net promoter scores and sales growth while remaining committed to ethical practices and genuine service, retailers can build lasting relationships that transcend transactions. Listen to discover how you might apply these principles to transform your approach to customer experience and team development.

Remember when RFID was always just around the corner? That future has quietly arrived, transforming retail in ways both subtle and profound. 

Radio frequency identification technology has completed its journey from expensive supply chain experiment to essential retail infrastructure. What changed? Tag costs have plummeted while accuracy has soared. But the real catalyst has been the relentless rise of omnichannel retail, where promises of "buy online, pickup in-store" and "available at your local shop" require something traditional inventory methods simply can't provide: near-perfect visibility.

Apparel retailers pioneered this transformation. With their complex assortments of sizes, colors and styles, traditional counting methods left them with inventory accuracy hovering around 65%. RFID pushes that beyond 95%, dramatically reducing out-of-stocks while enabling better planogram compliance and fewer markdowns. Companies like Zara and Nike have shown how this technology transforms inventory from necessary burden to competitive advantage.

Grocery represents the next exciting frontier. Beyond simple counting, RFID creates what might be called a "digital product passport" – tracking expiration dates across thousands of perishable items, enabling precise recalls when needed, and supporting sustainability initiatives. When combined with AI analytics, it helps forecast demand, reduce waste, and optimize replenishment in ways previously unimaginable.

The most exciting developments may lie beyond inventory. RFID underpins everything from retail media networks to fully automated checkout experiences. After decades as the perpetual "technology of tomorrow," RFID has finally become the technology of today – not just improving operations but fundamentally redefining how we shop. 

Ready to explore how RFID could transform your retail experience? Let's continue the conversation in the comments or reach out directly to learn more about implementation strategies.

The retail landscape is telling us a fascinating story about American consumers and the economy right now. Discount retailers are absolutely crushing it as value-hungry shoppers flock to bargains. Five Below posted a jaw-dropping 50% jump in earnings per share alongside 24% revenue growth, while Burlington, Ollie's, and Dollar General all delivered impressive financial results that outpaced broader market expectations.

Meanwhile, the beauty segment reveals what might be called "affluent value" driving success. Ulta Beauty managed 9% sales growth to $2.8 billion with same-store sales up 7%, reversing previous negative trends despite fierce competition from Amazon, Sephora, and social commerce platforms. Their strategy of bridging luxury and everyday value while maintaining a cohesive omnichannel presence clearly resonates with today's beauty consumer.

The big box and mass retail picture is more complex. Walmart posted strong revenue but saw net income plummet 43% as tariffs, inflation, and import costs squeezed profits. Best Buy exceeded expectations with modest same-store sales growth but offered no upward guidance. Gap surprised with better-than-expected earnings despite underwhelming comparable sales. The common thread? Consumers remain cost-conscious but actively spending, strategically placing their dollars where they perceive the best value. Retailers with successful omnichannel strategies are gaining advantage, but profitability faces intense pressure even as revenues grow. Looking ahead, Wall Street is focused less on top-line numbers and more on earnings potential in light of ongoing tariff and trade policy pressures. The second half of the year promises to be especially revealing about the direction of American retail.

Whether you're a retail professional, investor, or simply curious about where the economy is headed, these earnings insights provide valuable signals about consumer behavior and the retail strategies that are winning in today's challenging landscape. Subscribe to Scott's Thoughts for more expert analysis on the trends shaping business and commerce.