Rethink Retail

Can a fashion brand grow without paid marketing? Lager 157 proves it’s possible. In this Global Retail Leaders episode, Top Retail Expert Alexis chats with Hannah, Chairperson of Lager 157, about how the Swedish brand is scaling across the Nordics and beyond with slow fashion, zero waste, and an authentic approach to retail.

Can sustainability drive profitability and long-term growth? Norrøna proves that it can. In this Global Retail Leaders episode, Top Retail Expert Sharon Yourell Lawlor speaks with Bård Klamme, Retail Director at Norrøna, about how the premium outdoor brand has built a 100-year legacy through circular fashion, transparency, and a commitment to full-price retail.

In this episode of Rethink Retail, host Shannon Flanagan sits down with Jean-Didier Allongue, Senior Director of Global Store Design at Harry’s, to explore how the brand has scaled across 56,000+ retail locations while staying true to its identity. From disrupting the men’s grooming industry to creating seamless in-store experiences at Target, Walmart, Tesco, and Boots, Jean-Didier shares how Harry’s navigates the challenges of retail expansion, localization, and brand consistency. They dive into: ✅ How Harry’s global retail strategy has evolved ✅ The biggest challenges in localizing store design across different markets ✅ Why brand culture and customer insights shape the future of retail ⏳ Episode Timestamps: ⏩ 00:00 – Introduction to Rethink Retail ⏩ 00:30 – Meet Jean-Didier from Harry's ⏩ 01:27 – Harry's Global Retail Design Strategy ⏩ 02:56 – Trends in Men's Grooming & Retail Innovation ⏩ 03:59 – The Challenge of Localizing Store Designs Globally ⏩ 04:47 – Scaling Harry's Retail Presence Across 56,000+

The future of retail is unfolding before our eyes, and AI is at the heart of it all. In this episode of the AIR Leaders Podcast, a production of RETHINK Retail, our host Matthew Adam Smith sits down with Barry McGough, a Top AI Leader & Global Retail Leader, to discuss the game-changing technologies reshaping commerce.

Retailers operating at scale—especially in high-traffic environments like airports—face a unique challenge: how do you balance speed, convenience, and operational resilience while delivering a seamless customer experience? In this episode of the RETHINK Retail Podcast, Michael Klein (Top Retail Expert) speaks with Khurram Noor, VP of Customer Facing Systems at Avolta, and Bernd Kraus, VP of Retail Software Solutions at Diebold Nixdorf, to discuss what it really takes to future-proof retail operations.

In the latest Rethink Retail Podcast, we sit down with Andrea Morgan, Chief Innovation Officer at Blue Yonder, to explore how AI and end-to-end visibility are revolutionizing supply chains.

New RETHINK Retail Podcast: How AI is Shaping Retail Host Matthew Adam Smith sits down with Matt Redwood (Diebold Nixdorf) & Nicolas Kroeger (Manor AG) to discuss the impact of AI on retail. From optimizing store operations to elevating customer experiences, this episode covers the game-changing role of AI in retail.

Retail automation is evolving—are you keeping up? In this episode of the RETHINK Retail Podcast, Ben Bond, VP of Strategy & Business Development at Simbe, joins us to discuss how AI and robotics are transforming inventory management, enhancing pricing accuracy, and driving efficiency for retailers. Recorded live at NRF 2025, this conversation dives into the future of automation and the role of technology in building agile, resilient retail operations.

NRF 2025 brought bold predictions, cutting-edge innovations, and game-changing discussions—but what really matters for retailers in the year ahead? In this episode of Retail Therapy, Retail Cloud Alliance host Andrew Smith sits down with Brandon Rael of Kyndryl, Carol Spieckerman of Spieckerman Retail, and Guy Courtin of Tecsys to unpack the biggest themes from Retail’s Big Show, including: The rise of AI-driven personalization and the role of store associates Why retailers are taking a more cautious, pragmatic approach to new tech How supply chain innovation is being overlooked—and why that’s a mistake The real impact of digital transformation on retail operations and strategy Whether you attended NRF or want to stay ahead of the conversation, this episode is your deep dive into the trends and challenges shaping retail in 2025.

Join Jack Stratten, RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert and Director at Insider Trends, for an engaging discussion on the future of grocery retail. Featuring Oskar Jakobsson (ICA Gruppen) and Carsten Brase (Diebold Nixdorf), this episode dives into how retailers are embracing technology and choice to meet customer demands.

At NRF 2025, Lauren Kennedy (Upshop) and Derek Hannum (ReposiTrak) discuss how food traceability under FSMA 204 is reshaping the retail landscape.

In this special episode of Retail Therapy, host Andrew Smith is joined by retail experts Carol Spieckerman, Liza Amlani, and Trevor Sumner to reflect on the key trends and innovations that shaped the retail industry in 2024. They explore how AI-driven personalization, omnichannel strategies, and interconnected retail networks have redefined the landscape. Tune in for expert reflections on this year’s biggest lessons and gain insights on what these changes mean for 2025 and beyond!

As 2024 comes to a close, we proudly present our highly anticipated “2025 Predictions Podcast.” Join us as we delve into expert predictions and key insights shaping the future of retail. This special episode features exclusive interviews with RETHINK Retail’s Top Retail Experts and Global Retail Leaders communities, offering a glimpse into what lies ahead for 2025 and beyond!

The holiday season is almost here, and department stores have always been the shining star of holiday shopping. But have they been dethroned by the rise of eCommerce?

Tune into the latest episode of the RETHINK Retail Podcast to hear Marta Frattini, Industry Strategy and Marketing Lead, Retail at Adobe discuss how retailers can redefine and demonstrate ROI by harnessing AI-driven tools. This conversation is crucial for any CMO looking for a credible seat at the decision-making table, showing their value, and receiving credit for their work.

Join Top Retail Expert Peter Cohan as he dives into the transformative power of AI in retail with Anirudh Sanga, Retail and Consumer Lead at Palantir Technologies. This episode reveals how advanced AI solutions are addressing some of retail's most complex challenges, including inventory management and workforce optimization, and turning them into opportunities for growth.

In this episode, Top Retail Expert and Founder of RETHINK Retail Julia Hare sits down with Tarek Müller, Co-CEO of ABOUT YOU and Co-Founder of SCAYLE, to explore the key strategies behind creating one of the most innovative retail brands in Europe. Tarek shares exclusive insights into how ABOUT YOU has redefined e-commerce with a customer-first approach and how retailers can stay agile in an ever-changing digital landscape. Listen Now if you're looking for inspiration on driving growth and staying ahead in retail!

More than a trend, sustainability efforts have signaled a new age in retail where customers are increasingly aware of and concerned about the environmental impacts of commerce. Sustainability initiatives form a growing, core part of how any business thinks about its brand, operations, and relationships with customers going forward. Join us for a discussion with Shopify and Google Cloud highlighting how technology can help rive these necessary changes, building a future where commerce and sustainability fit hand-in-glove. Join to learn: - How retailers can better understand the balance between sustainability and profitability in 2024 and beyond. - How today’s latest AI-powered tools help to optimize supply chains, where the most impactful environmental changes can be made. - How Shopify’s $5 million in annual support to climate-conscious entrepreneurs is helping drive climate solutions and industry transparency.

New AiR Podcast Episode: Ahmed Naiem from LilyAI joins host Matthew Smith in an engaging discussion recorded live at Shoptalk Fall! Discover how AI is revolutionizing retail with real-world insights and innovative strategies!

Join host David Polinchock as he sits down with Ben Mand, CEO of Guayakí Yerba Mate, for an engaging conversation on the intersection of business, sustainability, and community. Ben shares his inspiring journey from rural Wisconsin to leading purpose-driven brands, starting with his early career at General Mills and moving through roles at Plum and Harmless Harvest. They explore pivotal moments that shaped his passion for health and environmental stewardship, as well as the unique challenges he faces balancing profitability with an unwavering commitment to ethics and sustainability. Key Insights: - Shifting from Corporate to Entrepreneurial Brands: Ben shares his experience moving from a large corporation to more agile, purpose-focused brands, and the valuable lessons learned through each transition. - Balancing Profit and Purpose: Explore Ben’s strategies for maintaining profitability while prioritizing ethical practices and sustainability—a cornerstone of his approach to leadership. - The Power of Authenti