Sorry, It's Discontinued: The Human Side of Retail
Welcome to Sorry, It's Discontinued — a podcast about the human side of retail.
Hosted by Hilary Nichols, a former luxury beauty manager with more than 25 years of experience in retail, beauty, and fragrance, this show explores the journeys, experiences, and stories that shape the people who work in retail.
Through conversations with beauty advisors, fragrance specialists, makeup artists, freelancers, entrepreneurs, and retail professionals, we highlight the paths that led them to their passions and the lessons they've learned along the way.
In solo episodes, Hilary shares honest reflections on the reality of retail — the good, the bad, the funny, the frustrating, and the unforgettable — while celebrating the brands, products, and history that made the industry special.
💄 Have a seat, hit follow, and join me as we explore the heart, humor, and humanity of retail.
🎙️ New episodes every Thursday.
Episodes
60 episodes
Beauty, Faith & Real Estate with Alaysha Durall
This week, I’m sharing a conversation I recently had with my friend, Alaysha Durall, about beauty, faith, family, and following your dreams.Growing up in Lafayette, Louisiana, Alaysha fell in love with beauty while w...
Retail and the Beauty of Reinventing Yourself with Savannah Mayfield
In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary sits down with Savannah Mayfield to talk about her journey from growing up in Abilene, Texas to working in luxury beauty at Saks Fifth Avenue Houston during the launch of the Tom Ford fragr...
Standing Room Only: Retail Life
In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary explores the physical and emotional reality of standing all day in retail and service industry jobs. From sore feet, back pain, and retail exhaustion to the strange “ret...
Luxury Retail, Metrics & Emotional Burnout
In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary explores the hidden pressure behind modern luxury retail and what customers may not always see behind the counter.From sales goals, loyalty metrics, staffing shortages, and emotional bu...
From Retail to The Beauty Way: Jyoti Lohman
This week on Sorry, It’s Discontinued, I recently sat down with Jyoti Lohman, founder of The Beauty Way — a luxury body care brand rooted in intention, self-care, mindfulness, and reconnecting with ...
SID: Retail Check-In
New episode out today 💄In this monthly bonus episode, we’re talking about staying open to new opportunities in retail—especially when you’re ready for change and need to refocus on yourself.We also get real about micromanaging (especial...
The Gift That Changed Retail
What started as a simple thank-you became one of the most powerful sales strategies in beauty.In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary explores the history of the Gift-With-Purchase—popularized...
Is the Beauty Industry Different Now? Mergers, Acquisitions & Change
Beauty is evolving—and mergers and acquisitions are a big part of why. In this episode, we’re going behind the scenes of what really happens when brands are bought, merged, or absorbed into larger portfolios. From growth and global ...
Retail Uniforms: From Control to Comfort?
If you’ve worked in retail, you know… the uniform isn’t just something you wear—it’s something you feel.In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary takes you behind the co...
Retail Loyalty vs Reality
What happens when loyalty… isn’t enough?In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary explores the reality of retail in 2026—where years of dedication, consistency, and care can be overlooked in a m...
Fragrance Then vs Now: What Changed?
In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary explores the evolution of fragrance—from the rich, layered scents of the early 1900s to today’s fast-moving, trend-driven launches.From Guerlain and Cot...
From Sneaking Makeup to Beauty Leader: Suqura’s Story
In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, I sit down with my friend Suqura to talk about her journey through the beauty industry — and how it all started long before the counter.From watching her mom g...
My Krigler Boutique Experience
There are moments that remind us why shopping in person still matters—and this is one of them.In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary shares her experience at the Krigler boutique inside the Four Seasons Hotel in Hou...
Beauty, Artistry & Martin Vain
In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued, Hilary sits down with Texas-based makeup artist Martin Vain to talk about how he first got into the beauty industry and the career path that followed.From earl...
What Defines Luxury for You?
Luxury used to feel like an experience — the storytelling, the ritual, the moment behind the counter.But today, luxury is more accessible than ever, and the experience has changed.In this episode of Sorry, It’s Discontinued
Retail Therapy Check-In — With Phaedra & Tiffany
Welcome to our first Retail Therapy Check-In — With Phaedra & Tiffany.In this episode, I’m joined by two incredible women for an honest conversation about the realities of freelancing in retail — navigating workplace culture, ...
Leading with Authenticity — Tiffany’s Retail Journey
What does authentic leadership in retail really look like?In this episode, I sit down with Tiffany to talk about her retail journey — from veterinary technician to beauty roles at Sephora, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue. We discuss how...
Retail Leadership Cringe: "What do you do for us?"
Two leaders walked into the store on the same day. One introduced herself, learned names, and thanked associates. The other walked straight past them.It made me wonder — is kindness expected from women in lead...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...