Sorry, It's Discontinued: Retail Therapy
Sorry, It’s Discontinued: Retail Therapy explores the history, nostalgia, and human side of retail. Together, we revisit what retail used to be, talk honestly about what it’s like to work the floor today — from Houston and beyond — and imagine how the industry can grow and change for the people inside it.
Through solo episodes and candid chats with our retail family, we share the stories and passion that keep this world alive.
For anyone who’s ever worked behind the counter or loved a store like home.
Have a seat. New episodes every Thursday.
Episodes
42 episodes
Houston Galleria: Dangerous… Yes. For Your Credit Card.
The Houston Galleria wasn’t just where we shopped — it’s where many of us got our first jobs, first paychecks, and first taste of retail life.From its Italian-inspired design and iconic ice rink to the beauty counters and depar...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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20:28
Devoted to Retail… But Retail Isn’t Devoted to You
Saks Global’s bankruptcy restructuring isn’t just a business headline — it’s something retail associates are living through every day.Fewer hours. Smaller teams. More pressure. And still showing up with a smile.In...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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19:15
Retail, Real Estate, and Bankruptcy
Saks Global’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy didn’t happen overnight.For years, department stores have been pulled in every direction — rising costs, e-commerce pressure, real estate strategy, and shifting customer expectations — all wh...
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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30:35
Retail Doesn’t Start on the Floor
In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary explores the vital role of Shipping & Receiving and Operations teams in retail. From unloading trucks and inventory management to stocking shelves, shipping ...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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14:25
Fit, Safety & First Impressions
Retail can look effortless when you walk into a store you love — but the truth is, it’s powered by real people working behind the scenes.In this episode, Hilary spotlights three vital Back of the House departments in luxury ret...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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20:11
An SID Update
In this quick SID update, Hilary thanks listeners for supporting her Monday Mini episodes and shares a new, sustainable release plan: one episode every Thursday, plus bonus episodes occasionally when inspiration hits.A reflecti...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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5:54
National Makeup Artist Events, Team Pressure & Changing Beauty Culture
National Makeup Artist events were once high-budget, multi-day retail productions built to spotlight artistry and drive beauty sales. Behind the counter, these events required massive operational planning, client booking strategy, product ed...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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24:34
How Retail Pros Show Up When They're Exhausted
Retail and beauty pros are in the final NYE rush — last-minute makeup appointments, rejuvenating facials, and the pressure of showing up when you're exhausted. This episode honors the emotional resilience of makeup artists, beauty advisors, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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12:58
Memories Retail Gave Me
Retail, beauty, and fragrance quietly shape the most meaningful moments in our lives — especially during the holidays. In this personal Christmas Day episode, Hilary shares how shopping in stores, discovering beauty favorites, and the scents...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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11:07
Trust, Respect, and the Human Side of Leadership
What makes a great leader in retail?In this Mini episode, Hilary shares what truly defines strong leadership behind the counter — from trust and respect to emotional labor and leading with humanity. Drawing from her experience ...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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18:34
Stock Shortages in Retail
Stock shortages have always existed in retail — but today, the pressure they create is heavier than ever. In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary explores what really happens when stores don’t have the inve...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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15:59
Crunch Time & Taking Care of Yourself
This Monday Mini is a quick check-in for the Retail Fam. Crunch time is here, hours are longer, and the demands are heavier. This episode is a reminder to pause, check in with yourself, and remember that you can’t show up for everyo...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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10:05
The Unspoken Rules of Fragrance Shopping
Step behind the fragrance counter for an honest look at the unspoken rules of fragrance shopping — the bottle sniffers, the silent walk-ups, the loud interrupters, and the customers who expect the world for a tiny purchase.Frag...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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27:06
Shopping In-Store Matters More Than Ever
Why are stores feeling emptier? Why are associates juggling five jobs at once? And why does online seem to get all the perks?In today’s Monday Mini, Hilary explains the real reasons behind the retail shift — a...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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14:59
How Neiman Marcus Changed Fashion
In this episode, Hilary takes you back to 1907, when Neiman Marcus opened its doors under unexpected circumstances — with only one founder present on opening day. From its fragile beginnings to the 1913 fire, the ambitious rebuild, and the r...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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32:50
Holiday Schedules Part 2: Black Friday, The 2000s & Retail Today
This week, we’re diving into the real history behind Black Friday, how the 2000s pushed retail into full holiday overdrive, what it was really like inside major stores during December, and how COVID briefly chang...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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26:21
Holiday Schedules: How It All Began
The holidays feel magical for shoppers… but for retail workers, December often feels like a marathon you never trained for. In Part 1 of this two-episode series, we’re taking a step back — way back — to uncove...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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19:58
Retail Triggers & The Toll We Don’t Talk About — with Phaedra
it’s time to say the quiet parts out loud.In this episode, Hilary welcomes back her longtime friend and fellow retail veteran, Phaedra, for a raw, real, and surprisingly relatable conversation about the triggers, stress...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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42:45
Million-Dollar Goals: What Commission Really Feels Like in Luxury Retail
In this episode, we explore what it’s really like working on commission in luxury retail, including new sales programs like Saks Global’s Seller Success Track. We discuss pressure, client relationships, burnout, and how sales goals ...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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18:35
The Retail Mean Girl Effect: Why Culture Matters More Than Sales Goals
In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary gets real about the “Mean Girl” energy that can take over retail counters, back rooms, and even leadership meetings — and how fear-based goals, gossip, and competitio...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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27:43
The Fragrance Floor: Chaos, Charm, and Competition Behind the Counter
You can smell it before you walk through the door — the scent of luxury, competition, and pure chaos. In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary dives into the fascinating world of fragrance: where brands batt...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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28:15
The Power of the Manager
Managers are the heartbeat of retail — the ones who set the tone, inspire their teams, and carry more pressure than most people ever realize. In this episode, Hilary explores the emotional and practical realities of leadership behind the cou...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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41:04
The Vanishing Support System: Why Customer Service Isn’t the Same Anymore
In this follow-up to my first customer service episode, I’m taking a deeper look at how service has evolved — from the golden age of department stores and handwritten thank-you notes to today’s fast-paced, digital-first world.W...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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26:13
Customer Service Then & Now: From Indulgence to Entitlement in a Digital Age
In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary takes you behind the counter to explore the evolution of customer service in retail—from the early days of luxury department stores with tea rooms, lounges, and unconditional r...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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33:02
Guided by Women, Grounded in Instinct: Phaedra’s Journey
In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary sits down with Phaedra to talk about her journey from growing up in Houston to building a career rooted in fashion and leadership. With her start at Nordstrom, Phaedr...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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57:31