Shows
RETHINK RETAILAI-First Retail: The Strategy for Long-Term SuccessAI is no longer a “nice to have” — it’s a business imperative. In this episode of the RETHINK Retail Podcast, we’re joined by PwC’s Alison Furman and Remzi Ural to explore how AI is transforming customer experience, operations, and revenue growth in retail. From strategy shifts to scaling adoption, learn what retailers need to succeed in 2025 and beyond.
🎙️ Hosted by Carol Spieckerman, President, Spieckerman Retail
👥 Guests: Alison Furman, US Consumer Markets Industry Leader, PwC + Remzi Ural, Principal, PwC
🔍 Key Topics:
- AI as a core business strategy
- Scaling through structure: stand-up, expand, integrate
- Moving from imitation to augmentati...2025-04-1630 min
RETHINK RETAILRetail Therapy: NRF 2025 EditionNRF 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 transfor...2025-01-3143 min
Spieckerman Speaks RetailNRF 2025: Decoding Signals Beyond the AI Echo ChamberSure, everyone was buzzing about AI at NRF 2025 – but what if that's not actually the biggest story from retail's marquee event? In this episode, Carol Spieckerman dives into the fascinating undercurrents that were easy to miss as the AI buzz grew louder. Get ready for some surprising revelations about what's really keeping retail executives up at night. Through both main-stage presentations and those always-revealing hallway conversations, Carol uncovered something unexpected: retail's biggest names are quietly revolutionizing their approaches in ways that no one saw coming. We're talking about major retailers completely flipping the script on strategies that see...2025-01-2819 min
RETHINK RETAILRetail Therapy: A Reflection of 2024In 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!2024-12-1835 min
Spieckerman Speaks RetailThe Full Funnel Effect: In-Store Media Gets a Glow-upRetail media networks are still on fire, but most retailers are just scratching the surface when it comes to tapping in-store opportunities. In this episode, Cole Johnson, founder and CEO of The Looma Project, reveals why the next five years will be a land grab for in-store retail media. As inflation and tight margins put on the squeeze, savvy retailers are modernizing their store environments while tapping into lucrative new revenue streams.Cole breaks down the "three CXs" that have kept some retailers on the sidelines: customer experience concerns, CapEx requirements, and operational complexity. The good news...2024-11-1223 min
Spieckerman Speaks RetailConsumer Primacy and the Work Shop Shift: A Conversation with Joe BradyIn this episode of Spieckerman Speaks Retail, Carol Spieckerman sits down with Joe Brady, commercial real estate guru and author of "Work. Shop. The Consumer-Driven Transformation of Commercial Real Estate." Joe unpacks how the concepts of "work" and "shop" have shape-shifted from nouns to verbs, driven by technology and changing consumer behaviors. From the rise of omnichannel retail to the tectonic shifts in work culture post-pandemic, Joe offers a fresh perspective on how these and other transformations are reshaping our physical spaces, leadership styles, and business processes.Joe and Carol dive into the realities of c...2024-10-2236 min
RETHINK RETAILRetail Therapy: Innovation in Grocery RetailIn this episode of Retail Therapy, host Andrew Smith of ThinkUncommon welcomes retail experts Brandon Rael (Kyndryl) and Carol Spieckerman to discuss the ever-evolving landscape of grocery retail. From AI-driven innovations to the rise of private labels and sustainability initiatives, we dive into the trends driving change in the grocery industry.
Join us as we explore how VusionGroup, Icertis, and Logicbroker are transforming grocery shopping through cutting-edge technology and unified commerce strategies.2024-09-2744 min
Spieckerman Speaks RetailSeamless, Shoppable, and Swift: Eitan Koter’s New Rules of Video CommerceIn this episode of Spieckerman Speaks Retail, Carol Spieckerman explores the convergence of commerce and media with Eitan Koter, Co-CEO of Vimmi. Eitan shares Vimmi’s journey from a media and entertainment technology provider to a leading video commerce platform.The conversation delves into Vimmi's sales acceleration platform, which seamlessly integrates shoppable video across multiple channels, from diverse social media platforms to brick-and-mortar stores.Carol and Eitan discuss why multi-platform video is a must-have in modern retail marketing and how the "TikTok-ification" of content has transformed best practices. Eitan will have you rethinking your approach to...2024-08-0642 min
Mastering eCommerce Marketing86. Future of Retail: Carol Spieckerman's Expert Takehttps://youtu.be/QrX7AdhN6FsHello listeners and thank you for tuning in to eCom Pulse! Our host Eitan Koter sat with Carol Spieckerman, President of Spieckerman Retail, an advisor to a diverse range of retail stakeholders in the B2B space.Carol is renowned for her expertise in accelerating thought leadership and business development through her unique five-point methodology, impactful workshops, and insightful masterclasses.In this episode, Carol shares her career journey from her early days traveling across Texas and Oklahoma, working with specialty stores, to becoming a sought-after advisor for...2024-07-1137 minSpieckerman Speaks RetailFull Path Analysis: Decoding Shopper Behavior Beyond FootfallIn this episode of Spieckerman Speaks Retail, host Carol Spieckerman sits down with Joe Shasteen, global manager of advanced analytics at RetailNext, to discuss the latest trends in retail analytics and in-store technology. RetailNext is a pioneer in bringing e-commerce-level analytics to brick-and-mortar stores, helping retailers optimize their physical spaces and enhance the customer experience.Joe introduces RetailNext's concept of "full path analysis," which provides detailed insights into customer behavior throughout the store. Using strategically placed sensors, retailers can track customer movements, dwell times, and engagement with displays, fixtures, and other store elements. The data collected from...2024-07-0131 minSpieckerman Speaks RetailAre you Ready for Unready? It’s Launch and Learn Time!The old days of retailers quietly testing new tech offstage are a relic of the past. Welcome to the launch and learn era, where retailers are ditching the warm-up act and releasing tech straight into consumer environments before the kinks are worked out. It's a gutsy game of moving fast and iterating even faster based on real-time shopper feedback. This high-risk, high-reward strategy aims to keep retailers innovating at a rapid pace, but it isn’t without potential pitfalls.Carol dives into this new frontier, unpacking how major retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon are unleashing sh...2024-05-2213 min
RETHINK RETAILJeff Yurcisin, CEO of Grove CollaborativeIn this RETHINK Retail Podcast episode, host Carol Spieckerman, RETHINK Retail's recognized Top Retail Expert, sits down with Jeff Yurcisin, CEO of Grove Collaborative, to delve into the company's innovative approach to blending sustainability with profitability.
Discover Grove Collaborative's commitment to creating high-performance, planet-first products and learn why prioritizing sustainability and customer trust is essential for future growth. This conversation offers invaluable insights for anyone looking to implement sustainable retail strategies effectively.
Jeff Yurcisin shares, "We are relentlessly creating and curating high-performance planet-first products for the people who are paying attention."
Tune in for a compelling discussion on the future...2024-03-2739 min
Spieckerman Speaks RetailOwning Your Data Assets and the Art of Noodling Around: New Technologies Mean New PrioritiesNavigating the flood of new technology rushing into retail isn’t for the faint of heart. As promising as the possibilities are, deciding where to go first and how far will be a constant conundrum for retailers and brands.Carol’s guest, Chris Corbin, is VP and BI and Analytics Practice Leader for Sophelle, a boutique consulting firm that navigates the complexities of technology selection, implementation, and optimization for retailers and brands. Prior to his role at Sophelle, Chris led technology and data transformations for diverse retail companies including J. Jill, Alex and Ani, and Christmas Tree Shop...2024-03-2626 min
Spieckerman Speaks RetailUnlocking the Power of Payments Media Networks in Retail: A Conversation with SnippMedia’s Tom BurgessThe retail media juggernaut is showing no signs of slowing down as retailers seize the opportunity to monetize first-party consumer data. Payments media networks (PMNs) are emerging as the next frontier, extending the reach of CPG advertising while revolutionizing the loyalty landscape.From empowering CPG brands to connect with millions of banking customers to providing loyalty benefits for shoppers and top-of-wallet status for banks, PMNs are reshaping the retail advertising ecosystem in profound ways. As president of SnippMedia, Tom Burgess is leveraging his years of digital advertising and loyalty experience to ignite exciting new opportunities in the...2024-03-1928 min
Spieckerman Speaks RetailCalling Mrs. Maisel! Retail Clienteling is Cutting Edge (Again)Clienteling has evolved from a cumbersome, manual hustle reserved for high-end brands into an accessible, scalable retail tactic. To take full advantage, retailers need to let go of old ways of thinking about store productivity and the crucial new roles store associates play. Carol’s guest, Casey Drake, is the VP of Sales for Endear, a retail CRM and clienteling platform that hits the sweet spot where high tech drives high touch experiences. Casey is a self-described “sales and customer service nerd” who brings a fresh and timely perspective on the future of customer engagement. This epi...2024-02-2729 min
Spieckerman Speaks RetailBrian Librach Plots the Route. The Retail Leader’s RoadmapRetailers and brands are swinging attention back to brick-and-mortar and investing in employee training, development, and perks to stay competitive. Despite these efforts, many organizations still don’t have the bandwidth to fully optimize worker productivity and performance. Others have attempted to cost-cut their way to profitability, leaving retail workers on the lurch. Brian Librach is a passionate advocate for empowering future retail leaders to seize control of their careers and reach their full potential. His upcoming book, “The Retail Leader’s Roadmap,” slated for release next month, is brimming with tips and tools designed to help the next...2024-02-2027 minSpieckerman Speaks Retail"People Before Things." Putting the Human Back in Human ResourcesRetailers are diversifying into new channels, business models, and touchpoints and in-store experience is taking center stage once again. In this environment, human resources emerges as a new frontier. Previously siloed and unsung, HR professionals are now poised to be at the forefront of retail transformation, defining the new ways of working that will drive retail forward.Roz Johnson’s role as SVP and chief people officer for Build-A-Bear Workshop represents the culmination of a career spent listening and encouraging people to be their best for recognized retailers including American Eagle and Gap. Her years of store-level ex...2023-11-2825 min
Spieckerman Speaks RetailAuthentic Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Amplifying the Differences that Make a DifferenceRetailers and brands know that attracting a diverse workforce and consumer base is critical to their future. Yet, casting a wider net without phoning it in has never been more challenging. As chief consulting officer and executive producer for The Equity Project, Monica Williams is a powerful voice and a true thought leader in the equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) space. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded assessment, strategic planning, and implementation projects that drive equitable outcomes and quantifiable results. She is passionate about creating a culture of equity and inclusion within workplaces and communities through leadership, a...2023-11-0729 min
Spieckerman Speaks RetailSuiting up for Success: Sharp Strategies for Slaying D2C with Diana GanzSales in discretionary categories are soft, the hype surrounding direct-to-consumer brands is dulling, and achieving E-commerce profitability remains elusive. Against this backdrop, SuitShop emerges as a triple threat. SuitShop is a thriving direct-to-consumer, E-commerce company specializing in discretionary goods that people aren’t used to buying. Co-founder Diana Ganz is a fervent advocate for delivering exceptional customer experiences and personally ensuring results that defy industry standards. In this episode, Diana shares insights into how she and her partner have broken through barriers and cracked codes on some of the toughest challenges facing digital-forward brands today.Epi...2023-10-2437 minSpieckerman Speaks RetailComparing Walmart and Target No Longer Makes Sense (But I’m Doing It Anyway)The one-two punch of Q2 earnings reports from Walmart and Target is always a harbinger of retail’s health as Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the make-or-break holiday season loom. Yet the daylight between these power players keeps getting brighter. Direct comparisons between Walmart and Target do a disservice to both as their priorities, capabilities, and business models diverge. Carol Spieckerman teases out uncommon takeaways from this second-quarter double feature, highlighting the growing differences that now set Walmart and Target apart.Episode highlights:· How Walmart’s diversification slays retail setbacks.· Why product sales will take a...2023-08-2916 minSpieckerman Speaks RetailDigital Defrags Are Saving Retailers’ AssetsThe digitization of stores, the rise of retail media, and retail theft prevention all share a common trait: rapid evolution from disjointed, scrappy efforts into unified opportunities that boost retailers' bottom lines. Now, a surge of innovative solutions is emerging, promising to consolidate complex opportunities and standardize approaches to challenging problems. A new era of retail defragmentation is underway.Carol Spieckerman connects three trending topics that highlight the escalating advantages unification will bring to retail. Episode highlights:· Why third-party solution providers are heading for a heyday.· How embracing complexity is maximiz...2023-07-2512 min
A SEAT at THE TABLE: Conversations with Today's Top Industry LeadersHow Retail is Finding New Hidden Opportunities to Drive RevenueRetailers are facing an uncertain market that has left even the most confident a bit unsure as to what might be coming next.Supply chains are back to normal, but now it’s the consumer that has changed. Somehow, the behavior we expected to see is being replaced by a new attitude. This has left many brands and retailers scrambling to figure out whether this is a short term aberration - or a longer term market shift.To answer this question I reached out to Carol Spieckerman, a top retail influencer and thought lead...2023-07-2337 minSpieckerman Speaks RetailTurning up the Volume: Criteo and Brandcrush on Amplifying Retail Media’s Next ActBig money. Massive margins. Exponential reach. It’s no wonder retail media has emerged as retailers’ top platform monetization play. Opportunities will hit new heights as in-store digitization accelerates and new touchpoints are energized. Brandcrush CEO, Teresa Aprile returns to the show joined by Criteo’s general manager of global enterprise, Sherry Smith, to share exciting updates on retail media’s next revolution as the companies join forces. Join Carol and this dynamic duo as they explore the powerful possibilities that will be unleashed as new in-store, out-of-store, and online assets are activated.Highlights from the interview:· ...2023-06-1331 min
The RetailWire PodcastMay 2023 Recap: Organized Crime, Generative AI & Customer Service, Tipping Tick-Offs, and Not-So-Gucci TikToksWelcome to The RetailWire Podcast, where we dive into the fascinating world of the retail industry! In this episode, our host Brian Crum introduces our esteemed guests and members of the BRAINTRUST by RetailWire: DeAnn Campbell, Phil Chang, and Carol Spieckerman. After some friendly banter about their weekend plans, they give us a sneak peek into the exciting topics we'll be exploring in upcoming episodes.The discussion begins with an exploration of organized crime in the retail world. The panel debates whether a new approach is needed to combat this issue, with differing perspectives on punishing perpetrators...2023-06-0853 minSpieckerman Speaks RetailWhen Will the Category-Killing Carnage End?A new breed of retail chain emerged in the 80s that spelled a last hurrah for brick & mortar before the digital floodgates opened in the 90s. Bigger than a specialty store yet smaller than a supercenter, category killers offered every size, style, and color imaginable, all in one place, and at nice prices. Suburban expansion, supply chain leaps, and global communications advances added momentum. Then came Amazon and its wake of digital competitors, slaying niches without mercy. A recent wave of retail bankruptcies attests to how lack of diversification has become a deadly trap. Category killing was a great...2023-06-0510 minThe RetailWire PodcastEp 1: Meeting Retail's Demands: Tech Trends, Customer Experience, and More with Carol SpieckermanDon't miss out on the pulse of the retail world – subscribe to our newsletter now and stay ahead of the curve https://retailwire.com/subscribe/In our very first episode, our host Brian Crum is joined by guest Carol Spieckerman, a member of the BRAINTRUST by RetailWire, as they discuss the latest topics related to customer experience and perception.Retailers are facing challenges in meeting the demands of customers who want both automation and one-on-one interaction. We discuss how certain technologies can be perceived as ageist or discriminatory towards certain generations, but providing op...2023-05-0332 minSpieckerman Speaks RetailApril Retail Heat Map and Clickbait Clap-Back Walmart’s Windy City wind-down and portfolio purges, Bed Bath & Beyond going bust, retail returns resets, “free” shipping surges…It’s been a newsy couple of weeks in retail to say the least! In this lightning-round episode, Carol claps back at the clickbait and sets the record straight on retail’s buzziest stories. You’ll learn:· How retailers’ latest returns schemes might (finally) make the math work.· Why shipping perks are a gateway drug for diversified retailers.· How crime is crashing retailers’ big city dreams· Why category killing has gone from brilliant to brutal.2023-04-2513 min
RETHINK RETAILJohn Merris, CEO of Solo BrandsIn this episode of the RETHINK Retail Podcast, guest host and Top Retail Influencer Carol Spieckerman sits down with John Merris, CEO of Solo Brands.
As the CEO of Solo Brands, John leads a leading DTC company with a rapidly growing portfolio of lifestyle brands. These brands include Solo Stove, Oru Kayak, Chubbies, and ISLE. By creating the next generation of DTC brands, Solo Brands is focused on helping customers create good moments and lasting memories.
Listen in now as Carol and John discuss creating more personalized shopping experiences, establishing direct relationships with customers, plus Solo Brands' future business plans.
...2023-03-3127 minSpieckerman Speaks RetailIt’s Time for Malls to Engage in the E-commerce EconomyMalls are by no means dead, but they have been largely excluded from the e-commerce economy. Mall tenants have traditionally owned direct consumer connections that translate into digital relationships. All of that is set to change as mall owners awaken to the potential to take ownership of the physical and digital experiences that consumers crave. As CEO of Placewise, Peter Tonstad is on a mission to unlock the power of malls to monetize beyond the square foot and forge long-lasting digital relationships with shoppers. In this episode, Carol and Peter discuss what it takes for malls to b...2023-03-2131 minSpieckerman Speaks Retail2023 Will be the Year of the StoreAfter years of investing in digital and E-commerce capabilities, retailers and brands are swinging attention back to their bricks. A wave of innovation and diversification is set to crest in 2023 and stores will be hubs for much of the action. In this episode, Carol Spieckerman outlines the new motivations and models that will propel the year of the store forward. In this episode you’ll learn:· Why store growth isn’t the main story (yet still in the mix)· How the wholesale heyday will drive direct-to-consumer· Why Amazon hasn’t redefined conveni...2023-01-2214 min
RETHINK RETAILTom Nolan | CEO Of Kendra ScottIn this episode, guest host Carol Spieckerman sits down with Tom Nolan, CEO of Kendra Scott, the billion-dollar fashion and lifestyle brand launched by namesake designer and former CEO Kendra Scott, who continues to lead the brand’s design, customer experience and philanthropic efforts.
Prior to joining Kendra Scott, Tom held senior roles at Ralph Lauren, Conde Nast and as the Founder and CEO of Prospect Brands.
During his conversation with Carol, Tom shares his continued vision for the brand and how Kendra Scott is preparing for the future, as well as how the company navigated around past supply chain an...2022-12-1228 minSpieckerman Speaks RetailRetail Holiday Heat Map: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Gift Shifts, Shrinkage Surprises, Small Biz BenefitsTis the season when retail watchers around the globe read the tea leaves to divine how the 2022 retail home stretch will play out. In this lightning round episode, Carol connects the dots across a dizzying array of holiday hot topics, inspired by her latest media and content contributions. In this episode you’ll learn:· Why promotional “events” are misleading· New headwinds undermining holiday predictions· Why small businesses are sitting pretty· Why must-have gifts aren’t worth the chaos Articles and appearances mentioned in this episode:CGTN interview...2022-12-0610 min
ReThink Productivity PodcastRetail TrajectoriesSend us a textCarol Spieckerman President of Spieckerman Retail joins Simon to discuss her Retail TrajectoriesThey cover:Buy, build or bridge?Diversify or dieMad for adsFrenemyListen to Carol's Podcast here...Spieckerman Speaks Retail Podcast #theproductivityexpertsRegister for the 2025 Productivity ForumFind us in the Top 50 Productivity PodcastsConnect to Simon on LinkedInFollow ReThink on LinkedIn 2022-11-2028 min
Spieckerman Speaks RetailRetail Globetrotting RundownCarol catches up with Nick Harbaugh, otherwise known as the Retail Nomad, as he wraps up his 2022 global retail tour. Combining his love of travel with an endless curiosity about retail, Nick will have visited five continents, 18 countries, and 35 retail malls by the end of the year. He shares first-hand accounts of challenges and opportunities that are emerging around the globe, where he goes for inspiration, and a snapshot of his 2023 itinerary.Highlights from the interview:· Which markets are emerging as innovation (and automation) hot spots· How the pandemic accelerated in-store digitization· ...2022-11-1519 min
Spieckerman Speaks RetailCrushing the Retail Media Opportunity (It’s Just Getting Started)Retailers have gone positively mad for ads, and it’s no wonder. Despite the wildly different takes on its potential, everyone agrees retail media is a multi-billion-dollar opportunity and a powerful hedge against inflation and other margin-killers. No two retailers are taking the same approach, yet they are united by a mission to monetize consumer data and turn brands into paying customers. As CEO of Brandcrush, Teresa Aprile is on a mission to close the ad tech gap in retail. She’s passionate about streamlining media buying and selling processes so retailers can unlock the full potential of in-store, onli...2022-10-1825 min
Spieckerman Speaks RetailWhen More is More: Harnessing Retail’s Data DelugeInventory planning and pricing strategy have become moving targets for retailers, particularly as inflation lingers on a global scale. Retailers have access to more data from more sources than ever before yet making sense of it and making good decisions from it has never been more challenging. Carol’s guest Hélène Clary serves as the VP of business development for ClicData, an end-to-end data platform that enables thousands of businesses to track performance and accelerate growth through powerful analytics. In this episode, Carol and Hélène discuss the new standards for data collection and action and Hélène...2022-09-1223 minSpieckerman Speaks RetailMix Shifts, Margins, and Misfires: A Between-the-Lines Take on Target and WalmartWalmart and Target are harbingers of retail’s health, yet raw sales numbers don’t tell the full story. The one-two punch of earnings reports from these two power players underscored the impact that inflation, supply chain snags, and inventory pileups are having on retail. Carol teases out uncommon takeaways from both retailers’ Q2 earnings reports and what it signals for the holiday shopping season and beyond. In this episode you’ll learn:· How retailers’ convenience arsenals are killing margins · Why merch sales won’t always matter · How private brands are feeding inventory ov...2022-08-3016 minSpieckerman Speaks RetailRetail Heat Map: Retailer-as-Service, Frenemy Forays, Multi-Format Mojo (and more)Several of Carol’s hottest retail trajectories are on fire right now. In this episode, she gives the 411 on fierce growth categories, emerging business models, dizzying diversification, and who’s leading the charge. She outlines new opportunities for B2B marketers and positioning strategies that pivot off where retailers and brands are going next. In this episode you’ll learn:· Why white label solutions are a hedge against product-based headwinds` · How new physical formats are the gift that keeps on giving· Why DTC isn’t everything and retail’s wholesale heyday is well u...2022-08-0916 minSpieckerman Speaks RetailNext Chapter or Last Gasp? What Aging Rock Bands and Brands Now Have in CommonMark Tritton’s tenure as CEO of Bed Bath & Beyond has pundits proclaiming that Target’s strategies don’t always translate. Yet the big moves Tritton made didn’t mimic Target so much as follow the industry standard. Either way, the hurricane-force headwinds hitting Bed Bath & Beyond during its turnaround timeline intensified its business model challenges. In this cautionary tale of category killing and brand building, Carol Spieckerman deconstructs key decisions and explores whether hybrid hookups are the answer. She shares updates on her top retail trajectories that signal where retail goes next. In this episode y...2022-07-1215 min
Spieckerman Speaks RetailBranded Environments and the Experiential Retail RevivalBrick-and-mortar retail is experiencing a renaissance as consumers return to stores and retailers deploy new digital capabilities. Retail’s phygital future is unfolding and traditional marketing tactics are transforming along with it. Retailers have an unprecedented opportunity to build meaningful brand connections as consumers seek out in-store experiences. Carol’s guest Tina Chadwick serves as the SVP of creative, strategy, and digital for Miller Zell, a branded environments leader that provides end-to-end services for major retailers. In this episode, Carol and Tina discuss the future of customer engagement and Tina shares case studies that showcase best practices. Highl...2022-06-2825 min
Spieckerman Speaks RetailFirmly Rooted: Retail’s Plant-based Boom is Just Getting StartedNo longer relegated to crunchy natural foods stores, plant-based products have become table stakes for any company taking its grocery business seriously. As plant-based products emerge as a major growth driver for leading brands and retailers, best practices and next-stage opportunities are crystalizing. Carol’s guest Julie Emmett serves as the senior director of marketplace development for the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA). In this role, Julie supports over 350 leading plant-based food companies with merchandising, education, research, data analysis, and marketing. She founded PBFA’s Retail Advisory Council and is a passionate advocate and thought leader for plant-based business oppo...2022-06-1421 minSpieckerman Speaks RetailNot Everyone is Nike. Maybe That’s a Good Thing.What happens when a power brand benches itself out of the wholesale game? Predictions that a flood of brands would follow Nike’s narrow direct-to-consumer game plan turned out to be unfounded. In fact, a series of retail deals, store format revamps, and business model launches have broken out in the wake of Nike’s bow-out. A wholesale heyday is underway, and retailers have channeled their fears of loss into new strategies. In this episode, Carol Spieckerman tracks the aftermath of Nike’s wholesale pull-back and reveals why retail’s “brands are dead” drumbeat may be getting dimmer by the...2022-05-2416 min
Spieckerman Speaks RetailIs Customer Experience Overdue for an Overhaul?Retailers and brands have never had more options for forging direct relationships with customers, yet many solutions create complexity and confusion that can derail overall customer experience. With consumer expectations escalating and brand loyalty declining, retailers and brands must avoid unforced errors at every turn. As chief operating officer of UJET, Vasili Triant oversees go-to-market strategy for the first and only cloud contact center platform designed for the smartphone era. Vasili is determined to make seamless, unified, and intuitive experiences the new normal. In this episode, Carol and Vasili discuss the future of customer experience and what i...2022-04-2628 minSpieckerman Speaks RetailGet Ready for Retail’s Remodel RushIn-store experience took a backseat to basic clicks-to-bricks functionality as online sales skyrocketed and store visits declined in the heat of the pandemic. Now, retailers are determined to give their bricks some dedicated love as store traffic roars back. Waves of remodels, retrofits, and refinements are set to hit retail and a multitude of stakeholders will benefit. In this episode, Carol Spieckerman highlights the motivations behind retailers’ renovations and how the results will transform shopper experience, brand partnerships, and retail support opportunities. In this episode you’ll learn:· Why retailer revamps may change D2C brand...2022-03-2915 minSpieckerman Speaks RetailMad for Ads: Retail’s Latest Disintermediation DisruptionRetailers have the data, now they’re ready to shop it! Announcements are coming right and left as a growing number of retailers establish in-house media networks and ad shops. While individual ad offerings may vary, retailers are united in their determination to turn brand partners into paying clients. Traditional advertising agencies are on edge, brands are weighing their options, and retailers are set to fight it out for a multi-billion-dollar global opportunity. In this episode, Carol Spieckerman explores multi-stakeholder motivations, incentives, and drawbacks as the battle for ad bucks heats up. In this episode you...2022-02-2213 min
Spieckerman Speaks Retail2022 Consumer Insights Deep Dive with GWI’s Katie Gilsenan Consumer attitudes have undergone a major shakeup in the span of a few years and tracking where things go next is a moving target. With consumers’ wants and needs becoming more complex, retailers and brands must have reliable and actionable information at the ready. As trends director for global insights leader GWI, Katie Gilsenan tracks subtle and seismic shifts in consumer behavior across channels, categories, and touchpoints. She’s passionate about acknowledging underserved consumer segments and uncovering topics that motivate shopper decisions. GWI’s software-as-service platform is trusted by a who’s who of brands, media companies, and agencies, including...2022-01-2542 minSpieckerman Speaks RetailKeep or Toss? Retail Pruning Predictions for 2022Throughout 2021, retailers monetized their online platforms and pushed further into solutions and services. Brands delved into direct-to-consumer outreach and took ownership of their brand stories. If 2021 was a year filled with explorations of endless possibilities, 2022 will be defined by setting new priorities. In this episode, Carol Spieckerman reveals her predictions on where retailers and brands will pare down, even as their options pile up. In this episode you’ll learn:· How retailers’ ad shop build-outs will shift brand budgets· Why off-price operators will likely get dinged· How the democratization of high-tech will...2022-01-1114 min
Spieckerman Speaks RetailIs Retail Ready for the Phygital Future?Brands are more determined than ever to reach their digital destiny by directing their brand stories and customer relationships, yet traditional two-dimensional experiences haven’t evolved to meet the challenge. The landscape is set to change with a wave of immersive innovation that will be unleashed in 2022 and beyond. CEO of ByondXR, Noam Levavi, is pushing the limits of digital shopping experiences by creating immersive interactive 3D journeys in shoppable virtual environments. With an eye to the future, leading brands like Coca-Cola, Proctor & Gamble, Lancome, and L’Oreal are drawing on ByondXR’s vision to build dazzling virtual store simula...2021-12-2741 minSpieckerman Speaks Retail3 Ways Retailers Have Boosted Immunity Going Into 2022Retail has exhibited incredible resilience even in the worst of times. Yet, despite the obvious headwinds, retail leaders have been preparing for this moment all year. The rock stars have already brought in reinforcements and placed their big bets. In this episode, Carol reveals three potent power plays that are inoculating retailers against further disruption and how they will change the game for suppliers going into 2022.In this episode you’ll learn:· How the brick-and-mortar bounce-back and retailer brand boom might upstage Amazon· Which categories are primed for take-off in 2022· Why retail service...2021-11-1520 minSpieckerman Speaks RetailWill Retail’s Trouble Trifecta Hamper the Holiday Cheer?No sooner had pandemic lockdowns become a thing of the past than supply chain snags, labor shortages, and price upticks piled on. The fact that all three dynamics are mutually reinforcing only adds to the angst. We’re heading for another unprecedented year-end and fortunately, retailers have a few arrows in their quivers. Carol outlines ways that Kroger, Dollar General, Amazon, Walmart, and other top retailers are mitigating the madness and reveals four trajectories that tie it all together. You’ll learn:· Why scarcity might upstage discounts this holiday shopping season· How smaller retail players...2021-10-3121 min
RETHINK RETAILThe Success of Body Positive Branding | Shapermint CBO Siobhán LonerganWelcome to the Retail Rundown, your go-to weekly podcast where RETHINK Retail teams up with industry experts to discuss the news, trends, and big ideas that are redefining commerce.
In this episode, we spoke with Siobhán Lonergan, chief brand officer at Shapermint, about the role body-positive branding has played in the company's massive growth. We also spoke about how work-from-home culture brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the company's branding strategies as well as its goals for the future.
Prior to joining Shapermint, Siobhán served in the same role at Thinx. She was also EVP of Design Inte...2021-10-1821 min
Spark PlugCarol Spieckerman of Spieckerman RetailCarol Spieckerman is a frequent speaker, thought leader, consultant, and strategist whose organization puts on events, such as Platform Positioning workshops around the world. She conducts workshops, presentations and business development trainings that bring retail smarts and doable tactics to companies and trade groups around the world. As she says, she helps a “crazy diverse” group of brand marketers, agencies, solution providers, and tech companies navigate retail from now to next.2021-08-1324 min
Spark PlugCarol Spieckerman of Spieckerman RetailCarol Spieckerman is a frequent speaker, thought leader, consultant, and strategist whose organization puts on events, such as Platform Positioning workshops around the world. She conducts workshops, presentations and business development trainings that bring retail smarts and doable tactics to companies and trade groups around the world. As she says, she helps a “crazy diverse” group of brand marketers, agencies, solution providers, and tech companies navigate retail from now to next.Thanks for listening to Spark Plug -- find all our episodes at Sparkplug.audioSpark Plug is brought to you by SnowShoe.io, the lead...2021-08-1324 min