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Ricardo Belmar

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The Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowInside Naturepedic: A Conversation with Arin Schultz on Innovation & SustainabilityS5:E5 Leading with Values: How Naturepedic Builds a Better Brand, with Arin SchultzWhat does it take to lead growth at the forefront of a movement for safer, healthier sleep? In this episode of The Retail Razor Show, we sit down with Arin Schultz, Chief Growth Officer at Naturepedic, a pioneering brand in certified organic mattresses and bedding. With over eleven years in the organic sleep industry, Arin shares how he’s helped Naturepedic expand its market share, launch innovative products, and build a trusted brand committed to health, sustainability, and safety. We talk...2025-07-251h 01The Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowBreaking Barriers: Retail Women in TechS5:E4 Empowering Women in Retail Tech: A New Era of LeadershipIn Season Five, Episode Four of The Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden engage in a captivating conversation with Shannon Flanagan, a seasoned retail leader and founder of Retail Women in Tech (RWIT). Shannon shares her journey from folding jeans at 18 to leading billion-dollar business transformations and emphasizes the importance of embracing change and innovation in retail. The episode underscores the critical role of diversity and inclusion in driving the industry forward, touching on the challenges and opportunities for women i...2025-07-031h 10The Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowUnlocking Human Pride: Thriving in the Age of AIS5:E3 From Retail Pride to Human Pride: Navigating Leadership and Connection with Ron ThurstonIn this episode, Ron Thurston returns to discuss his new book 'Human Pride' and its themes of optimizing human potential in a world increasing its reliance on technology and AI. The conversation takes us through Ron’s extensive experience leading major retail brands, his journey from publishing his first book 'Retail Pride' to 'Human Pride', and the crucial balance between human connection and technological efficiency. We explore various aspects of leadership, including the importance of empathy, curiosity, and the sign...2025-05-141h 11The Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowThe New Playbook for Digital MarketingS5:E2 Influencers, Gen Z, & Beyond Social Commerce: Lessons from AliExpress with Chris CarlWelcome to the second episode of Season 5 of the Retail Razor Show! Join hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden as they dive into the fresh tactics and cutting-edge strategies that are driving the future of retail and e-commerce with Gen Z. In this episode, they are joined by Chris Carl, the US Head of Marketing for AliExpress (Alibaba Group), to discuss ‘the new playbook for digital marketing’ fresh from his insightful session on marketing to Gen Z at eTail West!2025-04-2443 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowTransforming Retail Media into a Growth EngineS5:E1 Unleashing Retail Media's Potential: A Conversation with Drew CashmoreWelcome to Season 5 of the Retail Razor Show! In our premiere episode, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden dive deep into retail media with special guest Drew Cashmore, Chief Strategy Officer at Vantage and a pioneer in the retail media space, with a background scaling Walmart Connect to a $2 billion business. Drew shares his insights on the evolution of retail media, the driving forces behind its rapid growth, and the challenges retailers face in scaling their media networks. Drew also discusses the importance of...2025-04-1053 minDigital Signage TodayDigital Signage TodayExamining the evolution of digital signageIn this episode of the Digital Signage Today podcast, Judy Mottl talks with Ricardo Belmar, director partner marketing for retail and consumer goods at Microsoft.In this role, Belmar helps Microsoft Cloud for Retail partners grow their business by delivering cloud-based AI solutions and services to retailers and consumer goods brands, solving their business challenges in supply chain, store operations, and elevating the shopper journey. He is also the podcast producer and host of The Retail Razor Podcast Network series of podcasts helping retailers cut through the clutter in retail trends and retail technology.Belmar...2025-03-2422 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowSeason 5 Trailer - Retail Revolution: AI, Media, and Human ConnectionS5 Trailer - Retail's Next Chapter: AI and Media Meet HumanityJoin hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden in Season Five of The Retail Razor Show as they explore the intersection of AI, media, and human connection in retail. This season will examine the power of AI-powered personalization, retail media evolution, and the role of in-store associates in enhancing customer experiences. Key discussions will include how AI makes retailers more resilient, the impact of media on commerce, and the next wave of retail tech innovation. Tune in to understand how technology transforms shopping, selling...2025-03-1203 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowCutting Through the Clutter: Retail Razor's Season Four FinaleS4:E10 On the Razor's Edge: The Season Four Final CutIn the season four grand finale of the Retail Razor Show, guest host J.P. Kamel, managing director of RFID Sherpas, takes over to interview our regular hosts, Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden. This episode first reviews the top 10 retail predictions the team had for 2024, evaluating which ones hit the mark and which ones were a total miss! Then the discussion spans a range of topics from throughout Season 4 including the rise of retail media, the evolution from omni-channel to unified commerce, and th...2025-01-311h 29The Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowReimagining Department Stores: Nostalgia Meets InnovationS4:E9 Department Stores 2.0: Building Experiences for TomorrowIn this episode, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden bring back the original Retail Avengers team for a highly anticipated reunion. What discussion could bring the team back together again? The current struggles and future opportunity for department stores! Welcome back Jeff Roster, Shish Shridhar, and Brandon Rael to explore why these once-iconic shopping destinations have lost their appeal and what innovations can bring them back into relevance. Key themes include the use of AI, retail media, and enhancing the human connection in shopping. The team cove...2024-12-311h 08The Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowUnlocking Retail: AI, Ethics, and the Future of CommerceS4:E8 Navigating Responsible AI in Retail: Trust in a Digital WorldIn this episode of the Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden dive deep into the ethical implications of AI and commerce technology in the retail industry. They reflect on past discussions about AI innovations and the necessity of critical groundwork before deploying new technologies. They cover the balance between leveraging synthetic media for marketing and maintaining brand trust, highlighting examples like Levi's virtual AI models. The conversation touches on the potential of generative AI, virtual influencers, and the risk...2024-12-1843 minThe Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness!The Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness!From Frontline to C-Suite: Effective Communication Strategies with Ron ThurstonS1:E9 Bridging the Gap: Communication from Floor to Corporate with. Ron ThurstonIn this episode, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden speak with Ron Thurston, co-founder of Ossy and author of 'Retail Pride'. Thurston shares his wisdom on essential skills for retail executives and discusses empathetic communication between corporate and store teams. He emphasizes the three pillars of success: empathy, curiosity, and focus. By understanding and addressing the concerns of frontline workers, retail leaders can build trust and foster a collaborative environment. Thurston also highlights the impact of the hiring process on employee satisfaction...2024-12-0620 minThe Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness!The Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness!The Negativity Detox - Retail Leadership with April SabralS1:E8 Cutting Out Negativity - Insights from April SabralIn this episode, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden welcome April Sabral, founder of retailu.ca and author of 'The Positive Effect' and 'Incurable Positivity.' April shares her insights on the importance of maintaining a positive outlook in retail leadership. She discusses how to deal with negative news and conversations, emphasizing the importance of not getting enrolled in negativity and instead fostering productive and positive discussions. April provides practical advice for retail leaders on how to inspire their teams and achieve success even in...2024-12-0409 minThe Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness!The Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness!Retail Leadership: Crafting a Positive and Productive Culture with April SabralS1:E7 Cultivating Excellence: Positive Culture in Retail Leadership with April SabralHosts Ricardo & Casey speak with April Sabral, founder of retailu.ca & author of 'The Positive Effect' & 'Incurable Positivity.' With three decades of experience leading retail brands, April shares valuable insights on the significance of fostering a positive workplace culture & its impact on productivity & employee retention. She discusses the essential skills leaders need to inspire their teams & stresses the importance of leadership in developing a thriving organizational environment. Learn practical tips on creating a positive culture that motivates employees & improves business outcomes!2024-12-0207 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowConverting Customer Insights to Action Through Smart Fitting RoomsS4:E7 How Smart Fitting Rooms’ Data Insights Transform Store Operations & Shopper ConversionHosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden dive into the transformative potential of smart fitting rooms in the fashion and apparel industry. Joined by Matthew Cyr, founder and CEO of Crave Retail, the discussion explores how digital fitting rooms enhance customer experience, boost conversion rates, and provide invaluable analytics that can revolutionize store operations and merchandising strategies. The episode emphasizes the importance of integrating technology with personalized service to create a seamless and satisfying shopping experience. Discover how retailers can leverage smart fitt...2024-11-2755 minThe Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness!The Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness!Cultivating Career Growth in Retail with Ron ThurstonS1:E6 Career Advancement Strategies in Retail: Insights from Ron ThurstonRicardo & Casey welcome Ron Thurston, co-founder of Ossy & author of 'Retail Pride,' to discuss fostering a career development culture within retail. Ron shares his experiences & insights on mentorship & career development - key to retaining retail employees. He discusses recent statistics on turnover & the significance of addressing scheduling, benefits, & staff shortages. By engaging field teams & creating a culture of feedback & recognition, Ron emphasizes the critical steps leaders can take to improve retention & drive success.Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.com2024-11-2213 minThe Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness!The Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness!Unlocking Retail Leadership: Fostering Intrapreneurship with Jeffrey P. McNultyS1:E5 Empowering Retail Leaders Through Intrapreneurship - Insights from Jeffrey P. McNultyIn this fifth episode of the Retail Razor show 'Blade to Greatness,' hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden speak with Jeffrey P. McNulty, founder and CEO of New Retail Ethos.. Jeffrey shares insights from his 30 years of hands-on industry experience, discussing the essential skills every retail executive needs and emphasizing the significance of fostering an environment ofintrapreneurship. He introduces his GAP strategy (Growth, Autonomy, Purpose) as a blueprint for enhancing intrapreneurial culture within organizations. Key points include the importance of succession...2024-11-2017 minThe Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness!The Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness!Revolutionizing Retail Hiring: Insights from Ron ThurstonS1:E4 How to Hire the Right Person in Retail with Ron ThurstonJoin hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden on the fourth episode of the Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness. This episode features a discussion with retail industry expert Ron Thurston, co-founder of Ossy and author of 'Retail Pride.' Ron shares his insights on transforming retail hiring processes to better connect highly qualified and engaged candidates with retail brands. He discusses the need for a human-centric approach in hiring frontline retail workers, emphasizing the importance of emotional empathy, curiosity, and culture fit. Tune...2024-11-1810 minThe Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness!The Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness!April Sabral Reveals the Secret to Retail Leadership: A Positive MindsetS1:E3 The Power of a Positive Mindset in Retail Leadership with April SabralIn this episode of Retail Razor's 'Blade to Greatness,' hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden speak with April Sabral, founder of retailu.ca and author of 'The Positive Effect' and 'Incurable Positivity.' April shares her insights on the importance of maintaining a positive mindset in the retail industry. Highlighting her extensive experience with top brands and her transition to leadership coaching, she discusses how positivity can transform customer and employee experiences and drive business success. April emphasizes actionable strategies...2024-11-1507 minThe Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness!The Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness!Empowering Retail Leadership: The Importance of Employee Autonomy with Jeffrey P. McNultyS1:E2 The Power of Employee Autonomy in Retail with Jeffrey P McNultyIn this episode of 'Blade to Greatness,' hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden sit down with Jeffrey P. McNulty, founder and CEO of New Retail Ethos. Drawing from his 30 years of experience in the retail industry and as a retail research analyst, McNulty shares the critical importance of providing employee autonomy. Key insights include the benefits of employee autonomy in fostering innovative ideas and impacting organizational success, illustrated through examples from top companies like Google and Lockheed Martin. McNulty also offers...2024-11-1310 minThe Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness!The Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness!Mastering Intrinsic Motivation in Retail: Insights from Jeffrey P. McNultyS1:E1 The Ultimate Guide to Intrinsic Motivation in Retail Leadership with Jeffrey P. McNultyWelcome to our new Retail Razor podcast series - Blade to Greatness! Each episode we hear from a retail industry leader who shares their sharp insights and cuts of wisdom on how to excel and grow as a retail leader by mastering essential “must have” skills and qualities. In this episode, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden explore the critical skill of tapping into employee intrinsic motivation with Jeffrey P. McNulty, founder of New Retail Ethos and a seasoned retail exec...2024-11-1109 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowGenerative AI in Retail: Challenges and Opportunities for Retail CEOs with Peter CohanS4:E6 Unlocking Generative AI for the Retail C-Suite with Peter CohanIn this episode of The Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden explore the transformative potential of generative AI in retail, featuring insights from Peter Cohan, an associate professor, strategy consultant, startup investor, book author, columnist and AI expert. The discussion covers AI's evolution compared to the dot-com era, the influence of large tech companies, and the substantial growth opportunities AI presents for retailers. Key topics include the contrast between the relay vs. rugby approaches to AI transformation, the crucial r...2024-10-2259 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowUnlocking Retail Media 3.0: Measurement and InnovationS4:E5 Unlocking Retail Media: Measurement, Innovation, and Customer EngagementIn this episode of The Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden explore the evolving landscape of retail media with expert insights from Andrew Lipsman, analyst and founder of Media, Ads + Commerce, and James Bauer, CEO and founder of Venvee. They discuss the progression of retail media 1.0 with online ads to retail media 2.0 - in-store media, highlighting key metrics like closed-loop attribution and incrementality. The conversation moves into innovative technologies such as spatial AI, the importance of first-party data, and privacy concerns. They...2024-09-1145 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowBeyond Omnichannel: Michael Zakkour on Immersive CommerceS4:E4 Retail Transformers: Michael ZakkourIn this episode of The Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden are joined by special guest Michael Zakkour, founder of 5 New Digital and author of two Amazon #1 bestselling books, to discuss the transformative power of unified and immersive commerce in the retail industry. Michael, a thought leader and practitioner in digital commerce with 25 years of experience as a CEO, CMO, and Founder, shares his extensive expertise on retail strategies, AI, the evolution of e-commerce, and the impact of video as a foundational tool for immersive comm...2024-08-1459 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowFuture of Retail Recruitment: An Interview with OSSY Founder Ron ThurstonS4:E3 Revolutionizing Retail Hiring: A Conversation with Ron ThurstonIn this episode of the Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden welcome back Ron Thurston, founder of OSSY, and author of 'Retail Pride’, to discuss the company's innovative approach to transforming the retail hiring process. Focusing on the integration of AI and the human touch, Ron shares insights into how OSSY is addressing common retail recruitment challenges, such as speed to hire, candidate experience, and the importance of clear career paths. The discussion highlights the broader implications for the retail industry and t...2024-06-2848 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowThe Future of Commerce is Unified Commerce, with Giri Agarwal of IncisivS4:E2 The Evolution from Omnichannel to Unified Commerce with Giri AgarwalIn this episode of the Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden discuss the shift from omnichannel to unified commerce in the retail industry. Special guest Giri Agarwal, Chief Strategy Officer at Incisiv, joins to share insights on how unified commerce is transforming customer experiences and driving revenue growth. They explore the concept of unified commerce, the integration of AI, and the challenges retailers face in adopting this approach. Key highlights include the importance of customer identification, empowering frontline staff, and...2024-05-2845 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowTop 10 Predictions for Retail in 2024 with Ben Miller, ShopTalkS4:E1 – Top 10 Predictions for Retail in 2024 with Ben Miller, ShopTalkIn this episode of the Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden kick off season 4 by discussing their top 10 predictions for the retail industry in 2024. Amid personal anecdotes and a tribute to Ricardo's late father, the episode dives deep into the future of retail alongside guest Ben Miller, VP of Original Content and Strategy at Shoptalk & Groceryshop. Key predictions include the Temu-fication of retail, the evolution of Retail Media Networks (RMNs) and their impact on digitizing physical stores, the integration with stream...2024-03-1952 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowSeason 4 Trailer - Unlocking Retail with AI, Humans, and MediaIn Season Four of the Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden explore the theme of Unlocking Retail with the Integration of AI, Humans, and Media. This involves discussing how artificial intelligence, human interaction, and innovative retail media are transforming the industry. Topics will include optimizing inventory, pricing, merchandising for online and offline channels with AI, enhancing customer service, connecting brands with consumers through engaging content, creating strong communities and increasing loyalty. The show will also discuss human centered design and the crafting of memorable retail experiences. Moreover, two of its mini-series from last season, Blade to G...2024-02-1205 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS3E19 – The Razor’s Edge – Season 3 Recap and Predictions Check-InIn the season three finale of the Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden provide a detailed recap of their journey throughout the season, discussing their top ten predictions for 2023 and evaluating their accuracy – did they nail it or miss the mark? The hosts touch upon diverse topics including private label domination, the evolution of retail media networks, investment in returns management, and the growth of store automation, among others. They also highlight a few memorable moments and important insights from their guests throughout the season. The episode concludes with a lively discussion on their expectations for re...2024-02-0538 minThe RetailWire PodcastThe RetailWire PodcastRetailWire Live at NRF 2024Unlock the secrets of AI's sweeping revolution in the retail world with Ricardo Belmar from Microsoft and Jamie Tenser of VSN Strategies. As we wrap up NRF 2024's electrifying discussions, we share ground-breaking insights about how AI is no longer just futuristic buzz but a practical powerhouse reshaping retail. Imagine store associates liberated from mundane tasks, thanks to AI's magic, and the game-changing evolution of machine learning to sophisticated generative models, all dissected in this episode.Jamie Tenser & Ricardo Belmar, delve into whether smaller networks can stand strong against the titans of trade. We analyze the seismic...2024-01-1930 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS3E18 – Focusing on Customer Experience with Retail Transformer – Nadina Guglielmetti, Chief Customer Officer, The Vitamin ShoppeAs we approach the end of Season 3 of the Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden engage in a rich dialogue with The Vitamin Shoppe’s Chief Customer Officer, Nadina Guglielmetti. They explore how customer behavior insights guide business decisions, the interplay between acquiring new customers and nurturing existing ones, and the evolution of customer experience amidst changing health trends. Nadina also details the role of The Vitamin Shoppe’s in-store health enthusiasts in enhancing customer engagement and trust, and their careful approach towards leveraging AI and 'headless commerce' platforms to enhance efficiency and personalization. In this final Re...2023-12-3150 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS3E17 – #NRFforBeginners with Andrew Laudato, Taylor’s VersionIn this episode of Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden talk about preparing for NRF 2024, celebrate being a finalist in the Vendors in Partnership gala for The Retail Voice Award, and bring the latest episode of Blade to Greatness, all in under an hour!They host a special “Taylor’s Version” replay of a prior interview with Andy Laudato, COO of The Vitamin Shoppe, sharing his comprehensive guide for maximizing your attendance at the NRF Big Show. Andy returns to the show for a new discussion of his anticipation for the combined...2023-12-1354 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS3E16 – I Am A RetailROI Champion, Taylor’s VersionIn this episode of the Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden discuss their partnership with Retail ROI. The episode is dedicated to how the retail industry can make a difference in the lives of children in need around the world. Highlights of the episode include discussions with Greg Buzek, president of IHL Group and Vicki Cantrell, CEO of Vendors in Partnership, detailing the history of RetailROI, a unique charity supported by the retail industry. Together they discuss different initiatives that have been undertaken by Retail ROI, including providing technology resources to children in Liberia during the Ebola...2023-12-051h 11The Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS3E15 – The Intersection of Data & AI with Retail Transformer – Mir Ali of Kraft HeinzJoin hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden in Episode 15 of the Retail Razor Show, as they dive deep into the world of data and AI within the retail sector. This episode features our latest Retail Transformer, Mir Ali, head of digital engineering at The Kraft Heinz Company. They discuss Kraft Heinz's journey developing a robust data foundation, the influence of AI tools, and strategies for integrating these within the business. Also highlighted is the importance of interconnecting insights from various channels of data. Together they critically discuss examples of practical issues faced by Kraft Heinz in their digital transformation jou...2023-11-3049 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS3E14 - Unwrapping 2023 Holiday Season Trends with Roshan Jhunja & Andrew LipsmanWondering how retail businesses are strategizing to enhance the role of physical stores for a more festive shopping journey this holiday season? What sales impact will Gen Z and millennials have this season? To find out, we asked two of our favorite commerce experts to share their insights and help us unwrap this holiday season’s mysteries! Roshan Jhunja, head of retail at Square, and Andrew Lipsman, principal analyst for retail & ecommerce at Insider Intelligence join hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden for an enlightening analysis of the 2023 holiday shopping season!We explore the unpredi...2023-11-2249 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS3E13 Unpacking The Magic of RFID with JP KamelHosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden explore the diverse applications and benefits of RFID technology in the retail landscape, unlocking the potential for innovation from supply chain to in-store operations. Special guest John Pierre Kamel, managing director of RFID Sherpas, demonstrates how RFID excels in offering inventory visibility and accuracy to drive significant performance increases in retail business operations and sales.We also bring you the latest episode in our "Blade to Greatness" mini-series. In this segment, we invite a retail industry leader to offer one skill or trait that all retail executives need to...2023-11-1753 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS3E12 Harnessing the Power of Spatial Computing with Neil Redding | #GroceryshopLiveOur final recording, live and in-person, raw and uncut, from Groceryshop 2023 has our hosts, Ricardo Belmar and guest host Jeff Roster learning how to harness the power of spatial computing with returning guest, Neil Redding, Founder and CEO of Redding Futures! Part of our special cross-over event with This Week in Innovation podcast, Jeff and Ricardo sat down with Neil to understand how Auki Labs new product release is redefining retail operations via the benefits of spatial computing and augmented reality, resulting in increased productivity and efficiency for store teams. The trio discuss what the future looks like for spatial c...2023-11-0354 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS3E11 State of Retail Media with Andrew Lipsman | #GroceryshopLiveOur latest recording, live and in-person, raw and uncut, from Groceryshop 2023 shines a light on one of the top trends from the show – Retail Media Networks! Part of our special cross-over event with guest host, Jeff Roster, host of This Week in Innovation podcast, Jeff and regular host Ricardo Belmar invited leading retail media analyst, Andrew Lipsman, principal analyst for retail & e-commerce at Insider Intelligence, to the mic. Together they analyze everything from Instacart’s IPO, which landed on Day 1 of Groceryshop, to defining what it takes to create a successful retail media network, to identifying how RMNs will expand bey...2023-10-2450 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS3E10 Startup Trends with Shish Shridhar | #GroceryshopLiveWe continue our series of recordings live and in-person at Groceryshop 2023 this episode with a fascinating exploration of trends in the world of startups with Microsoft for Startups global retail lead, Shish Shridhar. Part of our special cross-over event with guest host, Jeff Roster, host of This Week in Innovation podcast, Jeff and regular host Ricardo Belmar sat down with Shish to discuss 3 trends at Groceryshop in the context of the startup community – Generative AI, meal planning, and automation. Plus, the trio take a look at what we should expect in the broader retail tech community over the next 6 months goi...2023-10-1355 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS3E9 Groceryshop Recap with Krystina Gustafson & Ben Miller | #GroceryshopLiveDid you miss Groceryshop 2023? Or were you so busy there that you missed out on the best sessions and are left wondering what were the big, raw themes from the show? No worries – we teamed up once again with special guest host, Jeff Roster, host of This Week in Innovation podcast, to bring you the best live, in-person interviews from the Groceryshop podcast room! So, to bring you the final word on what really happened at this year’s conference, including all the hot topics and themes, we went straight to the source – the Groceryshop content team!...2023-10-0138 minThe RetailWire PodcastThe RetailWire PodcastGrocery Shop 2023: A Deep Dive into AI, and the Implications of Instacart's IPO with James Tenser and Ricardo BelmarAre you ready to wrap your mind around the future of retail? Join BrainTrust members, James Tenser and Ricardo Belmar, as they explore the compelling conversations emerging from Grocery Shop 2023. Uncover the transformative power of artificial intelligence as it shapes this landscape.  This isn't your typical event recap; we're delving into the nitty-gritty of practical use cases, inflation, pricing challenges, and the rise of private labels. Buckle up for insights that could redefine your understanding of the retail sector!Ever wondered how robots can optimize white-collar jobs? Join us on this mind-boggling journey into the AI...2023-09-2232 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS3E8 Unlocking Retail – Part OneThis episode has our hosts, Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden, reflect on this season’s three themes and past episodes, focusing on the technology that will unlock business potential for retailers and enhance the shopping experience for consumers. Ricardo and Casey share their vision for a personalized virtual shopping experience, where we can preview products and interact with sales associates before visiting the store. Underpinning the many experiences they highlight – customer data platforms! Ricardo and Casey discuss how CDPs are critical to the future of retail and how this critical technology will help retailers and b...2023-09-2233 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS3E7 What is the Future of Video Commerce?Our spotlight shines again on immersive commerce this episode! We are answering a critically important question for retailers - what is the future of video commerce? To answer this question and truly dive deep into the treasure trove of conversion that is video commerce we've invited Vincent Yang, co-founder and CEO of Firework to the show! Vincent guides us through understanding the true nature and capabilities of video commerce. It's a fascinating discussion where you'll come away with an incredible list of insights and best practices you can apply to your retail business! We start with livestreaming, move to shop...2023-08-3056 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS3E6 Retail Transformers - Cynthia Hollen - mavi.ioWe return to our anywhere commerce theme for this season and shine a light on the future of in-car commerce! We’re answering a very important question - Will shopping on the go become the most important commerce channel for product discovery? We'll dig into what's new and what’s next for in-car product recommendation, BOPIS, and its impact on local search by meeting our latest Retail Transformer – Cynthia Hollen, CEO & co-founder of mavi.io! If you thought your mobile phone was all the mobile commerce you needed, you’ll think again after listening to this episode. Join us as we unco...2023-08-1858 minThe RetailWire PodcastThe RetailWire PodcastUnlocking Retail Mysteries: AI, Store Locations, and Building Relationships with Ricardo BelmarAre you ready to unlock the mysteries of the retail world? We certainly are! This episode is a fascinating exploration of the industry, featuring a candid conversation with retail tech advisor Ricardo Belmar. Ricardo's insights from his own journey into the retail industry, which he amusingly stumbled upon, are genuinely enlightening. Let's buckle up and appreciate the significance of good wi-fi in stores through Ricardo's experiences, and understand why executives need to step from their ivory towers into the retail environment.As we navigate the bustling streets of the retail landscape, we find ourselves in the heart...2023-08-1157 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS3E5 Retail Transformers – Ron Thurston - OssyToday as part of our Back to Basics of Retailing theme this season, we are once again focusing on people – the frontline workers in retail stores, and the process of hiring and retaining the best candidates. In this episode we answer two incredibly important questions– How do we change how we hire, connect, and match retail brands to retail workers, respectfully, transparently, and humanly? And can technology help? To answer these questions and more, we meet our latest Retail Transformer & fan favorite - Ron Thurston, author of Retail Pride, the Guide to Celebrating Your Accidental Career, Host of the Retail i...2023-07-261h 03The Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS3E4 The Future of Delivery with ShiptIn this episode we answer an incredibly important question in retail – what is the future of local delivery services? Delivery has become a core convenience service for most consumers in recent years. How will retailers continue to offer these services in a cost-effective manner for both them and their customers? The market for these 3rd party providers has also changed. Can business models adapt or will we continue to see consolidation and market exits from providers such as quick commerce delivery services? We’ve invited Raj Kapoor, COO of Shipt to help us answer these questions, and more, about the futu...2023-07-1249 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS3E3 Retail Transformers - Jeffrey P. McNulty - New Retail EthosWhat makes a great retail leader, especially during constrained times like retailers are experiencing this year? How do you develop executive retail leadership? How do these leaders shape the success of their entire organization? What qualities do they need to create that success? We’re speaking with Jeffrey P. McNulty, Founder and CEO of New Retail Ethos Consultancy, author of The Ultimate Retail Manual, and creator of The Ultimate Retail Course: Become a Retail RockStar to answer these questions and more! You’ll learn why Jeffrey, our latest Retail Transformer, is more than meets the eye! O...2023-07-0552 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS3E2 Retail Transformers - Neil Redding - Auki LabsHow will retailers embrace immersive commerce? Will it be via AR or VR or both? To answer this question, we meet our latest Retail Transformer – Neil Redding, head of product at Auki Labs. Plus, we welcome special guest host back to the show, Jeff Roster, host of This Week in Innovation podcast. Together we explore why AR and spatial computing may be the answer retailers are looking for to give digital assets a physical presence in the shopper journey. We also examine the impact of Apple’s new Vision Pro mixed reality headset and how this both legitimizes and forever c...2023-06-161h 12The Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS3E1 What Can Be Done With Generative AI?What’s the buzz on everyone’s mind in retail right now? Yes, it’s Generative AI! Taking the industry by storm, but exactly what can you do with generative AI that’s so transformative for retailers and brands? We break it down in what’s likely the most grounded discussion you could hear today on this topic with two special guests: our Retail Avenger, Shish Shridhar, Global Retail Lead at Microsoft for Startups, and Michelle Bacharach, CEO of FindMine. We cover the use cases for today and tomorrow, plus we go deep on the caveats and risks you should know be...2023-06-091h 07The Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor Show - Season 3 TrailerReady or not, it’s Season 3 of the Retail Razor Show! Hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden are back to cut through the clutter to guide you through the most important trends in retail and retail technology. This season we’re bringing you more expert guests to explore 3 themes: Automation and AI, Immersive and Anywhere Commerce, and both of those against a backdrop of ‘back to basics’ retailing. Join us on the journey from store operations, to supply chain, to customer experience and back again – whether you’re a retailer, or a retail tech supplier, you’ll find something just for you t...2023-05-1706 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS2E13 The Razor's Edge - Season 2 FinaleWe’ve been on quite a wild ride this season with topics ranging from the metaverse, to retail media networks, to the future of ecommerce and DTC, plus our Retail Transformers, and including special interviews and recaps of three major industry events – Grocery Shop, NRF, and Shop Talk! But now we’ve reached The Razor’s Edge, our Season 2 finale, with special guest host Paul do Forno, Managing Director of the Commerce Practice at Deloitte Digital, turning the tables on our dynamic duo to walk through the season calling out all the highlights!In this episod...2023-05-0556 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS2E12d #ShoptalkLive – SPECIAL – TRI Friends Fireside ChatHave you heard plenty of Shoptalk event and trend recaps by now? Did any of those dig into why those trends matter and what they really mean for the retail industry? Sometimes you just need to put four Top Retail Influencers into one recording session and let them talk about what those trends make them feel about the industry to get to the heart of the matter. And maybe ‘heart’ is what it’s truly all about – because retail is a people business.It’s Part 4 of our #ShoptalkLive podcast cross-over series with This Week in Innovatio...2023-04-2850 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS2E12c #ShoptalkLive – SPECIAL – Digital Twins with Site BionicsHow can retailers perform A/B testing of merchandise layouts in their stores without cost and without burdening store teams? By using Digital Twins, that’s how! So how does a retailer build a digital twin of their stores? Meet startup Site Bionics and founder and CEO, Adam Blair. It’s Part 3 of our #ShoptalkLive podcast cross-over series with This Week in Innovation and special guest host Jeff Roster, recorded live and in-person at Shoptalk!In this episode, Jeff and regular host Ricardo Belmar sit down with Site Bionics CEO, Adam Blair, to learn how they ar...2023-04-2125 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS2E12b #ShoptalkLive – SPECIAL - In-Store Analytics with ShopperAIHow well do you know your in-store shopper versus your online shopper? If you’re like most retailers, you probably believe you know more about those online shoppers. But what if you had a full set of analytics on your in-store shoppers? What if you knew how shoppers react to a product they pick up off the shelf? Why they put it back instead of purchasing it? Meet ShopperAI, a startup that’s trying to change that perception by leveraging the existing video footage you have from loss prevention cameras to understand shopper intent and sentiment....2023-04-1841 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS2E12a #ShoptalkLive – SPECIAL - Krystina Gustafson & Ben MillerDid you miss Shoptalk 2023 this year? Or were you there and feel like you didn’t catch enough of the content and top trends? We’ve got you covered with another podcast cross-over event with This Week in Innovation and special guest host Jeff Roster! Kicking off this multi-part series, Jeff and regular host Ricardo Belmar sit down with Shoptalk’s content team of Krystina Gustafson and Ben Miller live and in-person on the final day of the event. Together they review the top 4 trends and what they mean for retailers, brands, and the retail tech community. The team goes deep to br...2023-04-0755 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS2E11 – Retail Transformers – Ashley Crowder - VNTANAHow will retailers find a path to the metaverse? How can retailers leverage AR and VR along that path? It all starts with having a 3D product infrastructure, but what if all of your systems are designed for 2D and not 3D? How do you adapt your design process, your PLM, and your DAM to 3D when there are so many options? Meet Ashley Crowder, CEO and co-founder of VNTANA, the 3D infrastructure platform that is making 3D accessible to retailers and brands across design, development, sales, and marketing!You’ll find out how Ashl...2023-03-1033 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS2E10e #NRFLive SPECIAL - NRF Recap with Greg JonesDid you miss #NRF2023 in January this year? No worries, we’ve got you covered this episode with our special NRF Recap! It’s all part of our special podcast cross-over series, #NRFLive, with the This Week In Innovation podcast. In Part 5, the final episode in the series, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Jeff Roster speak with the North America Lead for Retail & Consumer Goods at Avanade, Greg Jones. Join Greg, Jeff & Ricardo as they discuss the biggest trends and themes they saw at the show, from exhibitors, to startups, to what retailers told them were their main takeaways from the show. R...2023-03-0340 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS2E10d #NRFLive SPECIAL - Micro-fulfillment with 1MRoboticsHow do you leverage micro-fulfillment capabilities as a retailer? What are the costs and capital investment necessary? Micro-fulfillment is a hot trend to bring retail products closer to the customer to meet rapid delivery schedules. But is there a better way, at a lower cost, without capital investment, that can deliver the customer experience you want? Enter 1MRobotics, a nano-fulfillment as a service provider that turns the concept into a cookie-cutter approach the size of a shipping container!This episode continues our special podcast cross-over series, #NRFLive, with the This Week In Innovation podcast. In...2023-02-2727 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS2E10c #NRFLive SPECIAL - web3 & blockchain with zblocksWhen you hear, “web3” and “blockchain”, if you’re like most retailers you might panic or realize that you just don’t know how to leverage these technologies in your retail business. Do you gain operational efficiencies? Reduce costs? Improve supply chain visibility? Deliver a better customer experience? Increase brand loyalty? Or is it all the above if done with the right technology partner?This episode continues our special podcast cross-over series, #NRFLive, with the This Week In Innovation podcast. In Part 3, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Jeff Roster speak with the co-founder and Chief Revenue Offi...2023-02-2426 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS2E10b #NRFLive SPECIAL - Last Mile Delivery Experiences with FarEyeWhen you hear, “last mile logistics” in retail, what do you think of? This episode continues our special podcast cross-over series, #NRFLive, with the This Week In Innovation podcast. In Part 2 of the series, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Jeff Roster speak with the CEO and CMO of last mile logistics provider FarEye to learn how they are helping retailers provide the most flexible, efficient, and sustainable delivery experience to their customers while keeping costs down! You’ll also hear some interesting consumer trends on delivery expectations that may surprise you!Jeff and Ricardo recorded this s...2023-02-2334 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS2E10a #NRFLive SPECIAL - #TRI Friends Fireside Chat on #NRF2023In honor of the NRF Big Show we’re kicking off a special podcast cross-over series, #NRFLive, with Jeff Roster’s show This Week In Innovation. This episode is a very special, intimately authentic conversation between four top retail influencers, recorded live, and in-person during the NRF show.Jeff and host, Ricardo Belmar, join retail legends, Vicki Cantrell, CEO of Vendors in Partnership, LLC, and Ron Thurston, author of Retail Pride and host of the Retail in America podcast and tour. Together our four retail friends chat about the VIP Awards ceremony, RetailROI’s Super...2023-02-031h 01The Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS2E9 - Top 10 Predictions for 2023It’s a new year, and after wrapping up another NRF Big Show, we felt it was time to share our Top 10 Predictions for retail and retail tech in 2023! What will retailers focus on this year? How will consumer shopping and buying habits change? From the evolution of retail media networks and loyalty programs, to web3, the metaverse, and ChatGPT, what technologies make the cut and deserve your attention? Hosts Ricardo and Casey cut through the clutter and give you their top 10 trends for 2023 in this episode. See if their predictions match yours and let us know on LinkedIn!...2023-01-2541 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS2E8 - #NRFforBeginners with Andrew LaudatoHappy New Year from the Retail Razor Show! A new year means it’s time for the annual National Retail Federation Big show held in New York City. But what if it’s your first time? It can be quite overwhelming for retailers and retailtech beginners. Fortunately, we’re here to help by bringing you a seasoned NRF veteran with his best tips and tricks to get the most out of your NRF experience!Fan favorite friend of the show, Andrew Laudato, COO of The Vitamin Shoppe joins our hosts to talk all things NRF Bi...2023-01-0642 minThis Week in InnovationThis Week in Innovation#RunUpToNRF23: Ricardo Belmar on Vendor Marketing Strategies at ConferencesRicardo Belmar joins me to discuss marketing strategies startups can use at conferences like #NRF23.  Ricardo is also a cohost of Retail Razor, https://redcircle.com/shows/retailrazorshow.  I highly recommend that pod. Give it a listen and let us know what you think? Podcast Guest Ricardo Belmar Director Partner Marketing Advisor for Retail & Consumer Goods Microsoft Twitter - https://bit.ly/twRBelmar LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/LIRBelmar RetailWire - https://bit.ly/RWRBelmar   Retail Tech Advisor & Podcaster 2022-12-3138 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS2E7 - Retail Transformers - Bryan DoveWhat is the future of ecommerce? How will dropship, marketplaces, & fulfillment evolve to serve an ever-demanding consumer? These are complex issues so we invited our latest Retail Transformer to help us cut through the clutter – meet Bryan Dove, CEO of CommerceHub. Bryan talks us through how DTC brands and retailers alike can tackle these challenges while delivering the conveniences consumers demand – from communicating delivery schedules to fulfilling orders most efficiently, and so much more! Get your notepad ready to take notes because you’re going to learn why Bryan Dove is more than meets the eye...2022-12-2153 minRetail Transformation Show with Oliver BanksRetail Transformation Show with Oliver Banks214: The Evolution Of Retail Ad And Media NetworksAdvertising and media networks show high growth potential and large margins. And some retailers are quickly expanding into this business opportunity to supplement their classic retail offerings. But is this a feasible strategy for the future? And is it right for all retailers or brands? To explore more, Oliver Banks joins retail thought leader, Ricardo Belmar, to discuss the opportunities and threats of this new business model.Listen to this episode to hear Oliver and Ricardo discuss:What we mean by media networks.The evolution of paid product placement from store to ecommerce, and back.Which...2022-11-2834 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS2E6 – Holiday Special – GiftingWhat will the holiday 2023 shopping season look like for retailers? How are consumers adjusting their shopping, buying, and gifting habits this holiday season given the current economic environment? It’s our Holiday Special episode and we’ve brought in two incredible experts to dive into what’s really happening this season and explore what we expect the season will bring retailers. Meet Roshan Jhunja, Head of Retail for Square, who recently released their holiday Festive Forecast report based on surveying merchants and consumers, and Bridget Johns-Pavlopoulos, co-Founder of To&From, a premium multi-brand marketplace for gifts o...2022-11-2349 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS2E5 - Retail Transformers - Polly WongDirect-to-consumer. DTC. What emotional response do those words conjure for you? The formula for DTC used to be simple – spend marketing dollars to acquire new customers. Today, customer acquisition costs can be 10X higher than they used to be, so what should be the new strategy in these challenging, post-pandemic economic times? Polly Wong, president of Bellardi Wong, and our latest Retail Transformer, has the answers. Polly’s agency works with the best, most successful DTC brands and she is sharing the best practices every DTC founder, brand manager, and category manager need to know to be successful in this...2022-11-0946 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS2E4 - Retail Transformers - Alan SmithsonInterested in the metaverse and need to know how to get started? Meet Alan Smithson, founder of MetaVrse, multiple TED Talk speaker, and builder of “The Mall” in the metaverse, but not just any mall! If there were a hundred-page encyclopedia of the metaverse, Alan would fill every page but you’d still need more room to cover his vast knowledge of all things metaverse. It’s season 2, episode 4, and we’re continuing our Retail Transformers series – you’ll see why Alan Smithson is truly more than meets the eye!Alan tells you what you need to ge...2022-10-3051 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS2E3c SPECIAL Groceryshop 2022 Part 3 – Andrew Lipsman of eMarketer & Krystina Gustafson of ShopTalkMissed Groceryshop 2022? Not to worry, we’ve got you covered! Welcome to another SPECIAL EDITION season 2, episode 3, Part 3, Groceryshop recap!We’re bringing you 6 great interviews recorded live and in-person at Groceryshop in Las Vegas, NV, bundled up in 3 episodes with 2 interviews each. For part 3, we saved two very special guests for your listening pleasure. Andrew Lipsman, principal analyst for retail and ecommerce at Insider Intelligence gives us a rundown of the top trends across Groceryshop, with a focus on retail media, convenience stores, and a unique perspective on personalization and omnichannel. Then you’ll hear...2022-10-1531 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS2E3b SPECIAL Groceryshop 2022 Part 2 - Lisa Kinney of Albertsons & Dave Steck of Schnuck MarketsMissed Groceryshop 2022? Not to worry, we’ve got you covered! Welcome to another SPECIAL EDITION season 2, episode 3, Part 2, Groceryshop recap!We’re bringing you 6 great interviews recorded live and in-person at Groceryshop in Las Vegas, NV, bundled up in 3 episodes with 2 interviews each. For part 2, we hear very unique perspectives from two amazing, experienced grocery retailers. First, we speak with Lisa Kinney, VP of Customer Market Intelligence for Albertsons, who talks about the value of data in grocery, and asks the “why” question in a way that no one really expresses on stage at a show li...2022-10-1127 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS2E3a SPECIAL Groceryshop 2022 Part 1 – Katie Hotze of Grocery Shopii & Stewart Samuel of IGDMissed Groceryshop 2022? Not to worry, we’ve got you covered! Welcome to our SPECIAL EDITION season 2, episode 3, Part 1, Groceryshop recap!We’re bringing you 6 great interviews recorded live and in-person at Groceryshop in Las Vegas, NV, bundled up in 3 episodes with 2 interviews each. First up, we talk with Katie Hotze, CEO and Founder of Grocery Shopii, a grocery tech startup you’ll be hearing more about if you haven’t already. Katie is helping busy families experience grocery shopping in a fun and healthy new way with endless recipes and maximum convenience. All while saving t...2022-10-0535 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS2E2 The Retail Avengers & The Power of Retail Media NetworksIt’s Season 2, Episode 2 of The Retail Razor Show and we’re tackling one of the biggest trends you need to understand in retail today – Retail Media Networks!Our Retail Avengers team has been eagerly anticipating this topic and recently held the discussion in our Clubhouse room, to uncover the truth about retail media networks and why retailers should (or should not) care about them. Is it about top line revenue? Margin? First-party customer data? Or all of the above? To help cut through the clutter we invited the industry’s leading analyst and expert o...2022-09-301h 07Retail Technology Spotlight SeriesRetail Technology Spotlight SeriesGroceryshop Spotlight | Grocery Tech Trends With Microsoft’s Lisa Griego & Ricardo BelmarMicrosoft’s Lisa Griego and Ricardo Belmar join Chris and Anne to kickoff Omni Talk Retail’s special Groceryshop Spotlight Podcast Series and to highlight the key trends they see shaping grocery over the next year.2022-09-1821 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS2E1 The Retail Avengers vs The MetaverseWelcome back to The Retail Razor Show – It’s Season 2, Episode 1!Back for season two of the show, we saved a BIG topic to open up with – The Metaverse!Yes, our Retail Avengers team has been jumping out of their seats to bring you this discussion, recently held in our Clubhouse room, to answer the biggest, burning questions retailers and brands have about the Metaverse. What exactly IS the Metaverse? What is it not? Why should you be interested and what can you do with the metaverse? How can you us...2022-09-091h 05The Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor Show - Season 2 TrailerSeason 2 of The Retail Razor Show is almost here!Hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden are back to bring you another amazing show season!Retail isn't getting any easier, is it? From omnichannel experiences and supply chain headaches to labor shortages, we're all catching feels for the metaverse and building web three strategies. Discover the right retail tech to power your customer experiences, store ops, and the real work across the supply chain. What's a retailer to do in a post-pandemic world?That's where...2022-08-2903 minRETHINK RETAILRETHINK RETAILTransforming the Retail Industry with Gautham Vadakkepatt, Ricardo Belmar and Jeff RosterThis episode of the RETHINK Retail Podcast is guest hosted by RETHINK Retail Top Retail Influencer and "This Week In Innovation" Host Jeff Roster. Over the last few months, George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation has conducted several panel discussions with industry thought leaders on a myriad of key trends impacting the retail landscape, such as sustainability, the metaverse, frictionless retail and more. To explore these topics further, Jeff is joined by guests Gautham Vadakkepatt and Ricardo Belmar. Ricardo is recognized retail industry thought leader and the Director Partner Marketing at Microsoft. Gautham is an Associate Professor of Marketing...2022-08-2441 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS1E13 Razor's Edge: The Season 1 FinaleS1E13 – Razor’s Edge: The Season 1 Finale!Welcome to Season 1, Episode 13 of The Retail Razor Show – the season one finale!It’s been an amazing opening season for the show, but now we have reached the Razor’s Edge – the end of our first season! Ready to finish with a bang? We’ve got a special guest host – yes, that’s right, guest host – Liza Amlani, principal and founder of Retail Strategy Group and The Merchant Life newsletter!Liza turns the tables on our regular hosts, R...2022-07-1838 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS1E12 The Retail Avengers & The Future of Social CommerceS1E12 – The Retail Avengers & The Future of Social CommerceWelcome to Season 1, Episode 12 of The Retail Razor Show!Social Commerce is one of the hottest (and noisiest!) topics in retail today! What exactly is it? How does livestreaming fit in? And what should retailers do to take advantage of this trend? As a retailer, how will you find the right platform to work with, and convert sales transactions? So many questions!The Retail Avengers team is back with two special guests to cut th...2022-07-111h 08The Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS1E11 – The Retail Avengers & The Legions of LoyaltyS1E11 – The Retail Avengers & The Legions of LoyaltyWelcome to Season 1, Episode 11 of The Retail Razor Show!As a retailer transforming your business post-pandemic, where do you stand on customer loyalty and loyalty programs?The Retail Avengers team is back for a topic so big, and so challenging, we brought in TWO special guests to tackle the future of loyalty in retail: Erin Raese, co-founder of Loyalty 360, a cutting-edge association for research, best practices, and networking opportunities for loyalty practitioners, and now the gl...2022-06-301h 07The Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS1E10 – The Retail Avengers & Building a Culture of InnovationS1E10 – The Retail Avengers & Building a Culture of Innovation Welcome to Season 1, Episode 10 of The Retail Razor Show! In this episode, we turn the dial up to eleven on our ongoing innovation discussion! We previously focused on digital transformation & innovation both from a “what” and “who” perspective, but how do you create an environment and culture that fosters innovation without breaking the business? To answer that, we bring you a special guest, Andrew Laudato, Chief Operating Officer of The Vitamin Shoppe, fellow Advisory Council member of George Mason...2022-06-0657 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS1E9 – Retail Transformers – April SabralS1E9 – Retail Transformers – April Sabral Welcome to Season 1, Episode 9 of The Retail Razor Show! With this episode we introduce a new series– Retail Transformers! Who are the people in retail changing how we look at the business, how we're operating, redefining and reimaging what retail is? These individuals are transformers in every sense – they truly are more than meets the eye! In this episode we meet April Sabral, CEO of RetailU, online training for the next generation of retail leaders, and author of the book, The Positive Ef...2022-05-2441 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS1E8 – The Retail Avengers vs The Trials of Digital Transformation & Innovation, Part 2S1E8 – The Retail Avengers vs The Trials of Digital Transformation & Innovation, Part 2Welcome to Season 1, Episode 8 of The Retail Razor Show!For episode 8 we’re letting the Retail Avengers fly solo for Part 2 of our Digital Transformation & Innovation series and dig into understanding three key transformative technologies for retail – computer vision, Internet of Things, and 5G. Why are these so important for retailers, and how can retailers best use these technologies? Shish Shridhar and Trevor Sumner join our hosts for this lively discussion on Clubhouse!A...2022-05-091h 02Retail RemixRetail RemixClosing the Gaps in Social Commerce ExperiencesExperts predict that social commerce will explode into a multi-billion-dollar opportunity for brands and retailers. But which areas of the social commerce landscape hold the most promise? And most of all, where are the gaps?  During this week’s Retail Remix, we sit down with Ricardo Belmar, Director Partner Marketing for Retail & CPG at Microsoft, who has been closely studying social commerce and all of its parts. Through candid conversation and personal experiences, he shares his thoughts on:  Key developments in social commerce and critical areas of improvement;  Why live shopping is the most under-tapped opportunity in ret...2022-05-0244 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS1E7 - ShopTalk 2022 Recap – Retail’s Great ReunionS1E7 – SPECIAL: ShopTalk 2022 Recap – Retail’s Great ReunionWelcome to Season 1, Episode 7, a special episode of The Retail Razor Show!For episode 7 we’ve changed things up a bit and Ricardo and Casey bring you a recap of the ShopTalk 2022 event in Las Vegas, which has come to be known as Retail’s Great Reunion! Sure, you’ve probably heard plenty of recap shows on this year’s ShopTalk, but this show doesn’t just tell you “what” happened, we also explain “why” it matters and what that means for retail’s futur...2022-04-0846 minThe Retail Razor ShowThe Retail Razor ShowS1E6 – The Retail Avengers vs The Trials of Digital Transformation & Innovation, Part 1S1E6 – The Retail Avengers vs The Trials of Digital Transformation & Innovation, Part 1Welcome to Season 1, Episode 6, the sixth episode of The Retail Razor Show!I’m your host, Ricardo Belmar, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Influencer for 2022 & 2021, RIS News Top Movers and Shakers in Retail for 2021, advisory council member at George Mason University’s Center for Retail Transformation, and lead partner marketing advisor for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.And I’m your co-host, Casey Golden, CEO of Luxlock and slayer of retail frankenstacks...2022-03-0356 min