The Invisible Architecture of Retail
Behind the spectacle of department store windows lies a structure few ever see - yet one that governs how retail truly works.
This episode explores the legacy of Mildred Custin, the woman who helped transform department stores from intuition-driven enterprises into structured, scalable organisations. Working behind the scenes at Macy’s, Custin professionalised buying, introduced centralised merchandising systems, and helped define the organisational logic that still underpins modern retail.
Her work did not shape how stores looked, but how they functioned.
From planning cycles and forecasting to coordination across departments, the systems she helped establish made growth possible without chaos.
Today, supermarkets, fast-fashion chains, and e-commerce platforms still operate within the framework Custin helped build.
This is the story of the invisible architecture of retail, and of a legacy that continues to shape every transaction we make.
