Shows
Brian Crombie Radio HourBrian Crombie Radio Hour - Epi 1379 - Canada's Relationship with the US with George MinakakisBrian interviews George Minakakis. George is the Founder and CEO of Inception Retail Group Inc., an advisory firm serving consumer-facing businesses across industries, from traditional retail to healthcare. George Minakakis helps senior executives craft next-generation strategies, foster innovation, and develop their organizations into Human - AI First Companies. In addition to leading the firm, George Minakakis is the author of four books, keynote speaker and a prolific commenter on and writer about current events. George Minakakis talks about Canada’s relationship with the US, how trade and our tariff situation is upending the economy more than companies and people are pr...
2025-05-2051 min
The Business of RetailRe-Innovating RetailWhile the Pandemic Triage is well in the rearview of retail executives, we have been hearing of the need for sharing and discussion around more deep challenges facing the sector. New in 2023, TBOR is tackling the next round of complexities. Here is our first - Re-Innovating Retail.As the retail industry transitions through a high-speed technological revolution filled with overwhelming mounds of data, Ai, robotics, and digital transformations. The power to lead, leverage, and innovate will belong only to a few. Many didn’t expect the disruptive innovation of the last decade to take place, then c...
2023-07-1025 min
Helping Organisations Thrive with Julian Roberts#87 George Minakakis | How to create impact in your organisation through authentic leadershipToday I am interviewing George Minakakis who is the Founder and CEO of Inception Retail Group Inc.
We discussed authentic leadership in the context of the organisation and how leading in this will have the greatest impact on your business. George shared his Reliability Quotient which is defined as 1. Authenticity - believable leadership, 2. Integrity - incorruptible leadership, 3. Credibility - proven leadership and 4. Accountability - no excuses leadership. Our conversation started to shift away from the individual and explore how organisations need to be authentic, they need to ensure they are transparent to their values and b...
2022-03-2133 minThe Business of RetailRetail Careers in Flux in 2022Arguably the top buzzword of 2021 is “The Great Resignation”. Catchy as it sounds, it's an incomplete story. Many are leaving, but others are staying and new will come - for the right opportunities. A recent Fast Company piece suggests it is actually “The Great Reprioritization”. It focused on the worker perspective, but reprioritizing and redesigning the way retail works should be a high priority for CEOs. We turn to the changes in play around head office retail employment, professional careers, and how we organize talent in this exceptionally human industry.
2021-12-0728 minThe Business of Retail"Shop Local" - What Does It Really Mean?This time of year in particular brings urgent calls to "Shop Local". Individually and collectively, the TBOR Crew has been a vocal supporter of independent retail and foodservice from the earliest days of the pandemic. Yet, as we dove into Ep. 30, we soon realized these two words can mean different things to different people. Is it about buying 'locally made' product? Or are we to focus on buying product from a nearby owner-operator (that might be sourced overseas)? And more...We recap the reasons to support indie while noting the challenges discouraging a shift. We confirm...
2021-11-2324 minThe Business of RetailHard Truths in a Retail Staffing CrisisSome fire showed in this 24 min episode. All agree that the retail front of house staffing model for stores is broken. There are quick patches for Holiday 2021, but the underlying issues are not going away. The question is whether the industry can disrupt itself to find the answer. The ongoing campaign against a higher minimum wage suggests it won't. We speculate on a slow demise of stores, to the detriment of consumers and brands, if staff are not invested beyond 'minimum'.
2021-11-1624 minThe Business of RetailWorking Through The Supply Chain Disruption - In-storeAnother shorter segment (22.35 min).The Supply Chain issue has many facets. This episode focuses on what can be done at the store level in face of stock unpredictability and shortfalls. Independents might be hard hit with supply, yet have a real edge here to pivot and reset product experiences. The challenges are exponential for chains. The crew dissects the issues and offers tips to mitigate the impacts.
2021-11-1022 min
The Third Growth Option with Benno Duenkelsbuehler and GuestsOn Staying Relevant to your CustomerAre you looking for a Third Growth Option ℠ ? From ice-cream shopkeeper to executive at Pepsico, expat-CEO for LensCrafter in China, and author of several books, George Minakakis’ journey has been enriched by his curiosity and drive. He shares the reasons behind his mantra to “stay relevant, dismiss nothing, expect the unexpected and plan for the improbable”, and why he loves retail – hint: he loves ambiguity. He talks about technology as the path, and how educating himself on IoT and AI has shaped his upcoming book The New Bricks & Mortar – Future Proofing Retail. You can always reach out to George di...
2021-10-2828 minThe Business of RetailThe Path to 2022As we head into the last quarter of 2021, the crew looks to the retail CEO's path to 2022. Each of us brought our top one or two priorities to the discussion. What must be tackled now, while continuing to solidify foundations for 2023 and beyond. This was a fast moving discussion. Listen as we scan the landscape to establish in real time our curated topics for deep dives in the next while.
2021-10-2720 minThe Business of RetailWake Up And Small The Supply Chain (Trailer, 2:29 Min)Are #retailers' #supplychains ready for the next Black Swan moment(s)? Listen here for our preview of Episode 26.
2021-09-0802 minThe Business of RetailWake Up And Smell The Supply ChainWe know Amazon has been buying planes while chip shortages are creating shortages in car rental fleets. Gary notes that 2020/21 backlogs might take a year to catch up given current global capacities. If corona-virus protocols wax and wane through 2023 or beyond, supply chain vulnerability will continue to be the biggest wild card for retailers and shoppers alike. This is the subject of Episode 26, fortuitously timed with the announced shocker that Canadian Tire purchased a stake in an inland 'port'. As with so many things, this is at heart a people issue despite the obvious need for systems and...
2021-09-0851 minThe Business of RetailExploring The Challenge Of 50% Retail Sales Online by 2025We have heard much about ado about how we have “gained 5 years in 5 weeks”, evolving rapidly through the pandemic. There are pundits claiming soon 50% of retail will flow online. At #thebusinessofretail we love an intriguing hypothesis to test. We take this one head on.
2021-08-1026 minThe Business of RetailExploring The Challenge Of 50% Retail Sales Online by 2025 (Trailer, 1.27 Min)Gary had come across a push-piece calling for #ecommerce to comprise half of all retail transactions by 2025."No way!" we thought. Yet, we dissected it to contemplate implications and conditions for this to occur. Here is a sample from Ep 25, which will launch in full in one week..
2021-08-0301 minThe Business of RetailGrocer Power Plays Send Ripples (w/ Sylvain Charlebois)Imagine drive-through meals at every Loblaw's supermarket, with President's Choice on the menu board?. Or retailers taking over the better meal prep kit plays. Will grocers unleash their vision of the future? Or will they just test the waters? Will A.I. be cleaning up in aisle four? If so, will it be about customers, or on cutting costs (and people)? @TheFoodProfessor is is back. This time, helping us understand one of our most important subjects: the challenges retailers and food brands face in providing Canadians with access to affordable, healthy food - when so often they are...
2021-07-271h 02The Business of RetailGrocer Power Plays (Trailer, 3:33 min)Canada's Food Professor is back! Dr. Sylvain Charlebois covered Foodservices a few months ago and returns to reveal the big shifts happening in our large grocers that are sending ripples through our Food Retail sector.Here is a sneak peak and a 'tip of the cap' to Sobey's CEO, Michael Medline.
2021-07-2003 minThe Business of RetailSales & Service - The Lost Art of RetailThere ha s been much trumpeting of "customer experience" over the past decade. However, the experiential foundations of the past 100 years are still these: sales and service. Have we forgotten what exceptional sales and service entails? Have productivity efforts gone too far? This is different than having shiny interactive displays in store... this shows up when we shoppers have our specific problems solved, when we gratefully buy something more expensive because an associate helps us better understand the value it brings. We don't feel 'sold'. Why is it eroding? What are the underlying causes that a...
2021-07-131h 11The Business of RetailSales & Service - The Lost Art of Retail (Trailer, 4:08 min)Our resident CEO George Minakakis, MBA pushed the crew to revisit a bedrock fundamental of retailing that has been eroding for years: the art of exceptional sales and service.Listen here to a 4 min sneak peak... and subscribe in order to catch the full episode when it drops July 13.
2021-07-0604 minThe Business of RetailScaling Innovative Food Brands (w/ Arlene Dickinson)In Episode 22 we are joined by Arlene Dickinson - Canadian business leader, investor, author and television personality. General partner of District Ventures Capital and CEO of Venture Communications, she recently launched the Venturepark ecosystem of supports to assist Canadian #food and #wellness #cpg brands.This one will be of broad business interest. Arlene’s holistic and long-run view to creating a richer, more resilient local food supply driven by value-add in the last mile of delivery was on clear display during the discussion. We covered a range of topics critical to the successful scaling of innovative food br...
2021-06-2954 minThe Business of RetailScaling Innovative Food Brands (Trailer, 1.28 min)As we continue this June to explore the opportunities and challenges for new brands to scale, we are delighted to discuss the issues in a food context with one of Canada's most respected business people, resident Dragon on CBC and all-around supporter of ventures: Arlene Dickinson.She joined on the heels of launching Venturepark - what might be the most complete tip-to-tail ecosystem of support for new brands in the #cpg space.The full episode will be live Tues. June 29.
2021-06-2301 minThe Business of RetailImplementing Purpose (Trailer, 2:08 min)This is a sneak peak at Episode 21. If you like it, please download the full discussion.
2021-06-1502 minThe Business of RetailImplementing "Purpose", With Purpose (w/ David Labistour)“Purpose” in business is a daily topic in our newsfeeds. We expect much as shoppers, but are our values and commitments to do right by society and the environment in the way of our desire for what's new in fashion, technology - and the economic means to acquire them? While consumers continue to buy cheap and made-to-fail products, CEOs are under increasing pressure to convince these same shoppers, as well as employees, investors and other partners, that their enterprise is actively addressing important social and environmental concerns. But how do they back that up and av...
2021-06-1550 minThe Business of RetailThe Challenges of Scaling Young Lifestyle Brands (w/ Christine Day)We have been seeing a surge in new fashion and lifestyle brands even as the bigger players in this subsector seem to struggle. Yet making it through to profitable scale remains elusive for many. The TBOR team are joined by Canadian retail executive Christine Day to explore why this is occurring and to discuss the challenges and common pitfalls founders face - and the reasons to be optimistic about their futures.Christine recently teamed with Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and his wife, Ciara, to form a new purpose-based house of brands, the House of LR&C. She fo...
2021-06-0156 minThe Business of RetailHow Will Hard-hit Foodservice Come Back? (w/ Sylvain Charlebois)This time we are unpacking the tumult that has swept through the foodservice sector in Canada. Our dine-in restaurants and bars have borne the brunt of the pandemic, while some formats have thrived. Lots of losses here have been gains for grocery. But what next?The TBOR team is joined by guest Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. Sylvain a Canadian researcher and professor in food distribution and food policy at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Also known as The Food Profession, he has a finger on the pulse of the business of food like no other. ...
2021-05-1855 minThe Business of RetailThe Great Digital Divide - Are Spending Levels Sustainable?There is an escalating war of engagement by brands in an overcrowded and noisy consumer marketplace. We can’t compete without digital and we can’t afford to get it wrong. But beyond the hype, are current levels of spend sustainable? Why are so many overemphasizing acquisition over retention?
2021-05-0448 minThe Business of RetailWaking Up From The Big SleepGeorge and Gary wanted to get real about what might happen to the retail sector whenever we get to a point of full return, no restrictions - and what might be a very serious concern that dampens the mood of at least some the sector. On a lighter note, David wondered why the heck we are calling a potential spending surge "revenge spending" ?!?! "Waking Up From The Big Sleep" is the theme of Ep 17
2021-04-2038 minThe Business of RetailRetail Real Estate Transformation - Part 2: The Future (w/ Claude Sirois)The TBOR team invited guest Claude Sirois, the forward-thinking former President of Retail at Canadian Shopping Centre giant Ivanhoe Cambridge, to a two-part discussion. Part 2 takes a look at what the future of “physical” for retailers, developers, and landlords might look like, including tremendous opportunities to collaborate on innovation in real estate.
2021-04-0647 minThe Business of RetailRetail Real Estate Transformation - Part 1: Trends through COVID (w/ Claude Sirois)The TBOR team invited guest Claude Sirois, the forward-thinking former President of Retail at Canadian Shopping Centre giant Ivanhoe Cambridge, to a two-part discussion. Part 1 reviews the deep, persistent shifts in the real estate landscape the past few years and the jarring impacts on landlords and tenants triggered by Covid responses. Part 2 in two weeks will take a look at what the future of “physical” for retailers, developers, and landlords might look like.
2021-03-2348 min
The Business of RetailRetail's Data Literacy Challenge (w/ Bryan Pearson)Perhaps this should be titled The High Cost of Data Illiteracy in Retail. In fairness, retail is very literate about a narrow range of data: skus and sales. But how many retail leaders have a vision and roadmap behind statements such as "we are a data driven business" or have applied critical thinking to scope out a range of data needs, over time, rather than rely on what a particular platform might provide or push it to a mid-level department? How do decision-makers across the business learn to use insights wisely?We are joined by the...
2021-03-0949 minThe Business of RetailCulture Change is at the Heart of Retail's Next Steps (w/ Lale Kesebi)Lale Kesebi joins the discussion from Hong Kong. Lale is an ex c-suite executive of global distribution giant Li & Fung and has built upon her sterling track record of transformations in her counsel to CEOs in her Human At Work advisory. We delve into the need for substantive change in retail cultures to enable successful transitions for legacy retailers.
2021-02-231h 01
The Business of RetailWhy Independent Retail MattersAs we gather stories of the plight of iconic independent stores and restaurants closing for good under pandemic guidelines, we discuss the bigger ripple effects beginning with streetfronts and local communities. Can the damage still be mitigated in 2021?
2021-02-0846 minThe Business of RetailWhere are the 2021 Predictions?It’s the start of 2021 and where are all the futurists? Is it because of COVID chaos? Or is something else changing in how we look to the Future?
2021-02-0437 minThe Business of RetailAre Old Frameworks Hampering Retail Transformation?What legacy frameworks are holding back retail progress? And what mental models are helpful to disrupted retailers to help them move forward to compelling retailing propositions and be successful in future?
2021-02-0150 minThe Business of RetailReflections On 2020The The Business of Retail team reflects back on the year 2020 and discusses key takeaways.
2021-01-2636 minThe Business of RetailWhere is Canadian Retail Heading? (w/ Marina Strauss)The Business of Retail team invite guest speaker Marina Strauss to discuss where Canadian retail heading.With a deep knowledge of corporate retail and the players in Canada, Marina Strauss is an award winning writer, recently retired from the Globe and Mail and is now the director of the Canadian Journalism Foundation.
2021-01-191h 00
The Business of RetailDepartment Stores at a Tipping Point?Department Stores have been part of the North American retailing landscape for several generations, however, over the last decade they seemed to have struggled to re-orientate themselves to remain relevant with a compelling proposition in the "Age of Amazon".Is it time for their leadership teams to make some bold moves to succeed? If so, what radical changes should they consider to “jump start” their propositions for the 2020’s and to set trends?
2021-01-0843 minThe Business of RetailThe Retail World of Work (w/ Jackie Ross)In this episode the Team is joined by retail people person, Jackie Ross, to speak on the topic - The World of Work.The world of work in retail has been transitioning pre-pandemic, but during COVID this is becoming perhaps the biggest challenge facing retail execs. For executives and their teams, what will careers, leadership and technical skills look like beyond 2020? Will retailers be compelled to make radical changes to organizational structure, to culture, talent they are looking for as they respond to fast evolving consumer needs? (Jackie is the Founder and CEO of JRo...
2021-01-0559 minThe Business of RetailIntroduction to The Business of RetailAn ongoing C-suite discussion amongst senior experts, focusing on the transformation a pandemic is accelerating throughout the retail ecosystem. The Business of Retail is: George Minakakis, Craig Patterson, David Ian Gray, Gary Newbury, and Christine Cowan. From time to time, notable guests will join in on our exploration of underlying issues and root causes behind the headlines.
2021-01-0100 min
The YourLIVINGBrand.live showHow To Compete In Retail Today And In The Future With George MinakakisCompetition is part of business, both large and small. If you don't prepare enough to overcome the multitude of competitors out there, then the industry will be tough on you. Host, Ben Baker, brings someone who is providing so much help to the retail world, helping retailers compete today and prepare for what the competition is going to look like in the near future. He sits down with George Minakakis, a global retail executive and the CEO of Inception Retail Group. In this episode, George shares with us some great ways businesses can stay in the game even as th...
2020-08-1936 min
The YourLIVINGBrand.live showHow To Compete In Retail Today And In The Future With George MinakakisCompetition is part of business, both large and small. If you don't prepare enough to overcome the multitude of competitors out there, then the industry will be tough on you. Host, Ben Baker, brings someone who is providing so much help to the retail world, helping retailers compete today and prepare for what the competition is going to look like in the near future. He sits down with George Minakakis, a global retail executive and the CEO of Inception Retail Group. In this episode, George shares with us some great ways businesses can stay in the game even as the...
2020-08-1836 min
RETHINK RETAILRetail Rundown - May 4, 2020 - with Ilan Tito and George MinakakisNo time for news? We've got you covered. Welcome to the Retail Rundown, your go-to weekly podcast where RETHINK Retail teams up with industry experts to deliver the top trending news stories in retail.
May 4, 2020: Curbside pickup surges 208%, online fashion sales rebound, Google makes Shopping listings free for merchants.
Hosted by Julia Raymond
Researched, written and produced by Gabriella Bock
Edited by Trenton Waller
2020-05-0437 min
The Retail Insider Podcast NetworkMinakakis: COVID Impacts on Canadian RetailAn off-schedule podcast discussion with George Minakakis, the Chief Executive Officer at Inception Retail Group Inc. Mr. Minakakis discusses the lead up to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) shutdowns, the current view of Canadian retail and overseas retail perspective on COVID-19 behaviors. Retail Insider Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.Interview Details:George Minakakis, Chief Executive Officer at Inception Retail Group Inc.Retailers in Canada Must Address Changing Consumer Habits Amid Coronavirus Isolation: Expert (by George Minakakis) Subscribe...
2020-05-0134 minThe Retail Insider Podcast NetworkMinakakis: COVID Impacts on Canadian RetailAn off-schedule podcast discussion with George Minakakis, the Chief Executive Officer at Inception Retail Group Inc. Mr. Minakakis discusses the lead up to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) shutdowns, the current view of Canadian retail and overseas retail perspective on COVID-19 behaviors. Retail Insider Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.Interview Details:George Minakakis, Chief Executive Officer at Inception Retail Group Inc.Retailers in Canada Must Address Changing Consumer Habits Amid Coronavirus Isolation: Expert (by George Minakakis) Subscribe...
2020-05-0134 min
The Retail Insider Podcast NetworkNewbury, Gray, Minakakis: COVID Impact on Canadian RetailAn off-schedule podcast panel discussion with retail industry experts Gary Newbury, David Ian Gray and George Minakakis. Mr. Newbury, Mr. Gray and Mr. Minakakis discuss the impact of COVID-19 on Canadian retailers, and what the future might hold. Retail Insider Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.Interview Details:Gary Newbury Transforms Retail Supply Chain, Logistics & Last Mile Outcomes During Disruption...RapidlyDavid Ian Gray, founder and strategist at DIG360 Consulting Ltd.George Minakakis, Chief Executive Officer at Inception Retail Grou...
2020-04-2135 minThe Retail Insider Podcast NetworkNewbury, Gray, Minakakis: COVID Impact on Canadian RetailAn off-schedule podcast panel discussion with retail industry experts Gary Newbury, David Ian Gray and George Minakakis. Mr. Newbury, Mr. Gray and Mr. Minakakis discuss the impact of COVID-19 on Canadian retailers, and what the future might hold. Retail Insider Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.Interview Details:Gary Newbury Transforms Retail Supply Chain, Logistics & Last Mile Outcomes During Disruption...RapidlyDavid Ian Gray, founder and strategist at DIG360 Consulting Ltd.George Minakakis, Chief Executive Officer at Inception Retail Grou...
2020-04-2135 min