Shows
The Voice of RetailBonus Episode: Black Friday & Cyber Monday Exclusive Flash ResultsWelcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.In this extraordinary Black Friday and Cyber Monday bonus episode, Sean McCormick, Head of Growth Strategy, Spendscape, Moneris joins us with breaking news and real spending numbers telling us the tale of the tape for 2022 Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Sean leverages powerful analytical tools to provide a snapshot of year-over-year and week-over-week consumer spending numbers. Let's listen in now!https://www.linkedin.com/in/dsmccormick/https://www...
2022-12-0516 min
The Voice of RetailSpecial Feature: Competition Bureau Canada: Antitrust and the Abuse of DominanceWelcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Meet Daniel Jenson, Major Case Director at Competition Bureau Canada, with the third of four episodes created to help us understand the laws governing and protecting retailers. If you want to learn more about the Competition Bureau and how it operates, tune into the series' first episode back in October. In this episode, Daniel unpacks antitrust and abuse of dominance for us, providing us with a specific case study to illustrate both the c...
2022-12-0234 min
The Voice of RetailEric Morris, Managing Director of Google Canada Retail on Changing Consumer Habits and Finishing StrongWelcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Eric Morris, Managing Director of Google Canada Retail, is back on the podcast sharing the latest research looking at some of the changing consumer habits we can expect from shoppers this holiday season and practical tips for retailers to finish strong through to 2023 and beyond!Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast plat...
2022-11-2534 min
The Voice of RetailMEC CEO Eric Claus on Putting The Heritage Back Into A Modern Retail BrandWelcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.In this episode, Mountain Equipment Company CEO Eric Claus is back on the podcast, recorded live in person from the MEC Vancouver boardroom. We catch up and talk about the incredible journey of turning the business around during the COVID era, the innovative partnership with Hudson's Bay, and putting the heritage back into this modern retail brand. Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you hav...
2022-11-0431 min
The Voice of RetailSpecial Feature: Competition Bureau Canada and Price-Fixing, Collusion and Cartel Behaviour InvestigationsWelcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Meet Mark Aylward, Senior Competition Law Officer at Competition Bureau Canada, with the second of a series of four episodes created to help us understand the laws governing and protecting retailers. If you want to learn more about the Competition Bureau and how it operates, tune into the first episode of the series to learn all about it. In this episode, Mark takes us through the law and perspectives around price-fixing, c...
2022-10-2622 min
The Voice of RetailSpecial Feature: Competition Bureau Canada and Deceptive Marketing PracticesWelcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Meet Nicola Pfeifer, Senior Competition Law Officer, Cartels and Deceptive Marketing Practices from Competition Bureau Canada, with the first of a series of four episodes between now and the end of the year created for retailers to help them understand the laws governing and protecting retailers. In this episode, Nicola gives us an overview of Competition Bureau Canada that will provide the foundation for the series and then dives into her particular area o...
2022-10-1739 min
The Voice of RetailWes Hall, the "King of Bay Street" and CBC Dragon, on his new book "No Bootstraps When You're Barefoot"Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.In an exclusive interview, the one and only Wes Hall join the podcast to talk about his new book "No Bootstraps When You're Barefoot: My rise from a Jamaican plantation shack to the boardrooms of Bay Street." Wes shares his story and advice for retailers on how they can genuinely help black entrepreneurs and adds hints for anyone who winds up in front of him on CBC's Dragon's DenThanks for...
2022-10-0731 min
The Voice of RetailÉric Champagne, CIO for Boutique La vie en Rose, and Olivier Roy, co-founder and CEO of Leav talk mobile self-checkoutWelcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.In this episode, meet Éric Champagne, CIO for Boutique La vie en Rose, and Olivier Roy, co-founder and CEO of Leav join the podcast together to share insights around the tradecraft of retail technology innovation and implementing frictionless in-store self-checkout solutions.Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will...
2022-09-3032 min
The Voice of RetailLauren Fernandes, Global Director, Thought Leadership for Nielsen IQ, and their 2022 Brand Balancing Act ReportWelcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.In this episode, meet Lauren Fernandes, Global Director, Thought Leadership for Nielsen IQ, joins the podcast to share the powerful insights for retailers and brand owners from their 2022 Brand Balancing Act, the global implications, and lessons for retailers in Canada.Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will lan...
2022-09-2333 min
The Voice of RetailFuture Consumers in the Quasi-Post-Pandemic Retail World: Kristina Rogers, EY Global Consumer LeaderWelcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Kristina Rogers, Global Consumer Industries Leader, Retail for EY, is back on the podcast with an update from their Future Consumer Index looking at the quasi-post-COVID, inflation battered but more resilient and agile customer retailers face for the back half of 2022 and beyond.Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new...
2022-09-0235 min
The Voice of RetailRaj Grover, CEO, High Tide on Cannabis Retail Consolidation, Growth and AccelerationWelcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Raj Grover, CEO at High Tide, is not only Canada's biggest non-franchised cannabis retailer but also one of the world's savviest consumer focussed operators in the entire industry. Raj returns to the podcast, and we catch up on two-plus years of consolidation, growth and acceleration in Canada and beyond.Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on...
2022-08-2632 min
The Voice of RetailLisa Perlmutter SVP, Marketing & E-Commerce at Brilliant Earth and Lauren Thomas, Retail Reporter, CNBC Talk About Sustainability and Sustainable Competitive AdvantageWelcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Recorded live in person at the 2022 CommerceNext Ecommerce Growth Show, I sat down with some of the top trailblazers and change-makers that joined the CommerceNext community in New York City to discuss the future of digital commerce and share the latest strategies for E-commerce acceleration.On this episode, an excerpt from my Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, Lisa Perlmutter, Senior Vice President, Marketing & E-Commerce at Brilliant Earth and Lauren Thomas, Retail Reporter...
2022-08-1926 min
The Voice of RetailMeet Marianne Lewis, co-author of the breakthrough new book Both/And Thinking: Embracing Creative Tensions to Solve Your Toughest ProblemsWelcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Meet Marianne Lewis, co-author of the breakthrough new book from the Harvard Business Review Press, Both/And Thinking: Embracing Creative Tensions to Solve Your Toughest ProblemsThanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the...
2022-08-1231 min
The Voice of RetailCraig Brommers, CMO American Eagle Takes On The Metaverse: Best of Conversations with CommerceNext #podcastWelcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.In this special edition episode, I am thrilled to be sharing one of the many fantastic interviews Recorded live in person at the 2022 CommerceNext E-commerce Growth Show back in June. I sat down with some of the top trailblazers and change-makers that joined our community in New York City to discuss the future of digital commerce and share the latest strategies for E-commerce acceleration.So now, let's meet Craig Br...
2022-07-2220 min
The Voice of RetailUpper District CEO & Founder Karly Gramlich Takes Us Through Sustainable, Scaleable Luxury Retail BrandsWelcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.On this special Canada Day episode, meet Edmonton-based entrepreneur and sustainable brand maven Karly Gramlich. Karly talks about her leap of faith to pursue a passion and develop sustainable luxury fashion and accessories for the modern professional with her brand and online retail store Upper District. Karly also shares with us how her personal journey has built the resilience and fortitude to take Upper District to the next level on the global stage...
2022-07-0128 min
The Voice of RetailGlobal retail, brand and organizational visionary Oliver Brunschwiler Introduces us to Zurich based FreitagWelcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.From a professional snowboarder to a CEO that eliminated his role by distributing his responsibilities into a leadership collective, get ready for a fascinating interview from Zurich with Oliver Brunschwiler, and meet retailer FreitagFreitag is a super innovative and agile retailer that takes truck tarps and fashions them into unique handbags and accessories. Oliver takes us through his origin story, which is also the origin story of Freitag. How they...
2022-06-1027 min
The Voice of RetailMeet Peter Vigilante, Ento Country Manager Sharing Exclusive Research & Solutions for HR Retail LeadersWelcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Founded in Australia in 2009, Ento is a powerful workforce management solution that allows shift-based workforces to manage rostering, time & attendance, leave, and onboarding from one centralized platform.In this episode, I meet Peter Vigilante, Ento's Canadian Country Manager, and in a wide-ranging interview, talk about how this young company has come to this market to help retailers solve issues around their hourly workforce, mainly on the front lines.Peter...
2022-06-0325 min
The Voice of RetailMeet Paul Wood, CEO Giant Tiger and Retail Council of Canada's Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the YearWelcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.The RCC Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year recognizes a retail leader who has led their company to outstanding business success and innovation and consistently demonstrated community commitment and support. The recipient is seen as a role model because of their exceptional leadership within the corporation, Canada's retail industry, and the community through personal and corporate philanthropic activities. In this episode, I'm thrilled to welcome back to the podcast Pa...
2022-05-2734 min
The Voice of RetailUnprecedented: Part 2 with Michael Medline, CEO, SobeysWelcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Unprecedented is a remarkable collection of exclusive, first-person stories on leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic from 29 chief executives at iconic Canadian companies.In this second and final part of a two-part series, I speak with the one and only Michael Medline, CEO of Sobeys, one of the retail leaders contributing to this necessary book for our times and the times ahead.I take Michael back to the very early...
2022-05-2032 min
The Voice of RetailTaking Chicken to the Next Level: Richard Scofield, President, St. Hubert Chicken: Best of The Food Professor PodcastWelcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.In this special episode, I am thrilled to be sharing an excerpt from my The Food Professor podcast with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. Our very special guest for this episode is Richard Scofield, Président et Chef de la direction at Groupe St-Hubert. We start by asking Richard to assess the health of the brand today versus his ambition for the business -is he at where he wants to be as a tea...
2022-05-1329 min
The Voice of RetailTop Global Retail Strategist and Educator Carl Boutet Live In Montreal on the State of Retail Innovation and the Great AccelerationWelcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Live at the SIAL Food Innovation show in Montreal in The Food Professor podcast studio, and I welcome back retail educator and global retail strategist Carl Boutet. Together we catch up in person with pants on in a wide-ranging conversation around retail education, the great acceleration two years on, the future of globalization, the role of innovation, and discover whether Carl is a metaverse skeptic or optimist.We also have a s...
2022-04-2238 min
The Voice of RetailWinning Online with Veteran Retailer & Head of eCommerce for Vega, Andrew CherwenkaWelcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.For my last in-person episode recorded live in my Las Vegas pop-up podcast studio at Shoptalk #2022 pop-up recording studio, I'm thrilled to welcome back to the podcast long time friend and colleague, veteran retail technologist, Andrew Cherwenka As a skilled poker player, Andrew is right at home, walking the aisles at Shoptalk, and right at home in Vegas. But in his role as head of eCommerce for Vega, a Va...
2022-04-1133 min
The Voice of RetailNRF Big Show 2022 Bonus: Jordan Ekers, Co-Founder, Chief Operating Officer, Nudge.Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Welcome to a special NRF Big Show 2022 bonus episode of podcast, one of a series of exclusive interviews produced to support the show, the vendors and industry thought leaders heading into the new year. This episode: Jordan Ekers, Co-Founder, Chief Operating Officer, Nudge.These bonus episodes all follow a similar format: first, we learn about my guest and the company they work for, and what they are talking abou...
2022-01-2015 min
The Voice of RetailWhat's New & Next For Luxury Retail, with Karen Katz, Steve Sadove and Oliver Chen: best of Remarkable Retail #podcastWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.On this special episode I am thrilled to be sharing an excerpt from one of the most popular Remarkable Retail podcast of our third season, where my podcast partner & best selling author Steve Denis and I host a blockbuster panel featuring three of the most experienced and insightful veterans of the luxury world: Karen Katz (former President & CEO of the Neiman Marcus Group, Steve Sadove (former Chairman and CEO of Sa...
2021-12-2426 min
The Voice of RetailPOS eCommerce Innovation with Clik2Pay’s Founder & CEO Mike BradleyWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada Clik2Pay is transforming the payment experience for consumers and the online transaction capabilities for online retail. Riding the rails of the Great Acceleration of eCommerce, this company has created an intuitive, quick and secure POS system that’s both consumer- and retailer-friendly.By leaning into Interac e-Transfer technology, the system steps away from the cumbersome and expensive card-centric payment processes that currently dominate online sales....
2021-12-0330 min
The Voice of RetailSocial Media Masterclass with Groupe Dynamite's Michael Regina & SnapWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.It was already happening before the pandemic. And Snap, COVID accelerated its adoption almost overnight. Mastering social media is more than another tool of the marketing toolkit in retail. It's table-stakes. On this episode of The Voice of Retail, I'm joined by Sr. Paid Media Specialist at Groupe Dynamite Michael Regina and Snap's Retail Vertical Lead Matt Bolivar, who take us through both the evolution of social media in...
2021-11-1926 min
The Voice of RetailSay Less, Get More: A Refreshing Take on Modern NegotiationWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Fotini Iconomopoulos is the person you call if you need to get what you want.After a decade in the retail space, Fotini refined her negotiation skills in the consumer packaged goods industry before becoming a management consultant. Today, she teaches MBA Negotiations at the Schulich School of Business, speaks to audiences all over the world and, most recently, wrote a book titled “Say Less, Get More: Unconventional Nego...
2021-11-1525 min
The Voice of RetailMeet the AI that’s Clearing the Path for Retailers in the Great AccelerationWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada. Now more than ever before, digital marketers and retailers have a wealth of first-party data on consumers. Or at least they should - different podcast. However, providing an authentic and unique eCommerce experience for audiences continues to prove difficult. On this episode of The Voice of Retail, I’m joined by Frank Faricy, the CEO + Founder of XGen AI. We talk about the chronic pains o...
2021-11-0832 min
The Voice of RetailDelivering the Future: Canada PostWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.The Great Acceleration of eCommerce brought on by the pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented influx in deliveries. For Canada Post, every day of the last eighteen months has felt like Christmas.In this episode of The Voice of Retail, I am thrilled to chat with Canada Post’s Director of eCommerce, Steve Eggers. After debriefing on how the pandemic has brought on challenges and opportunities for the Crow...
2021-11-0532 min
The Voice of RetailA brand and retailing masterclass from the Land Down Under: meet BunningsWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.You need to get to know Michael Schneider. It’s not that easy, as he lives and works a world away running one of the largest retailers in Australia and New Zealand, Home Improvement retail powerhouse Bunnings. But I’m doing my part - Michael was my very special guest recently at Retail Council of Canada’s STORE2021 thought leadership conference, so I thought it only appropriate to bring our conversat...
2021-10-2531 min
The Voice of RetailPeavey Mart’s VP of Marketing on COVID, Community + StorytellingWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Jest Sidloski grew up within the Peavey Mart brand from the storefront to the executive level. Now, as the Vice President of Marketing, Customer Experience & eCommerce, he tells the company’s compelling origin story and offers insider insights on how this western Canadian legacy is charging into the future. On this episode of The Voice of Retail, Jest and I talk about the role that Peavey Mart...
2021-10-2232 min
The Voice of RetailRetail and Community at the Forefront of Human Connection with Cadillac FairviewWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Since 1974 Cadillac Fairview has been creating landmark retail and commercial real estate around the world.In the face of the pandemic and changing social times, how is this influential commercial real estate company weaving the retail landscape into its impact-driven strategy? On this episode of The Voice of Retail, my guest is retail veteran Inge van den Berg, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Ris...
2021-10-1828 min
The Voice of RetailUnwrapping Insights on the 2021 Holiday Season and Canadian ShoppersWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada. Our second pandemic holiday shopping season is fast approaching. Because supply chains and consumer behaviour have changed fundamentally in the last twenty months, predicting the outcome of major retail events like Holiday is becoming increasingly difficult for retailer marketers. Join me in discussion with Jason Furlano the SVP of Commercial at MiQ, a programmatic media partner for marketers and agencies. Together, Jason and I unpa...
2021-10-0828 min
The Voice of RetailObsessed: Building a Brand People Love From Day OneWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Emily Hayward is Obsessed. The co-founder and chief brand officer of Red Antler was my very special guest recently at Retail Council of Canada’s STORE2021 thought leadership conference, so I thought it only appropriate to bring our conversation onto the podcast.We talk about how her agency is now the “go-to” agency for retailers looking to create brands that people want to talk about, and what it takes to b...
2021-10-0429 min
The Voice of RetailConsumption-Based Forecasting and Planning with SAS's Charles W. ChaseWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Charles Chase has spent his entire career working with high end analytics to help understand and predict consumer behaviour.In his new book, Consumer-Based Forecasting and Planning, Predicting Changing Demand Patterns in the New Digital Economy, Charlie takes this experience and combines it with world leading analytics powerhouse SAS to delivery an incisive and novel approach to forecasting demand for retailers. In a book and this int...
2021-10-0138 min
The Voice of RetailThe Power of Customer-Based Valuation with special guest Daniel McCarthy from Remarkable Retail #podcast Season ThreeWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.On this special episode I am thrilled to be sharing an excerpt from the most popular Remarkable Retail podcast of our third season, where my podcast partner & best selling author Steve Denis and I interview Daniel McCarthy, professor of marketing at Emory's Goizueta Business School, co-founder of Theta Equity Partners and pioneering thought leader on customer-based corporate valuation. It's a fast-paced MasterClass on how the cost of acquisition, retention rates an...
2021-09-2730 min
The Voice of RetailUnderstanding COVID-era labour law with Joseph Cohen-LyonsWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada. The COVID era has brought with it not only questions around consumer behavioural changes and retail strategy deep dives but also raised many, many new questions around labour practices and labour law. Can I mandate COVID testing in the workplace, what must I accommodate, can I field a mandatory employee survey and the big one, can I require vaccines in my business. Joseph Cohen-Lyons is a l...
2021-09-2435 min
The Voice of RetailSpecial The Food Professor #podcast edition: Serge Boulanger, SVP Procurement & Corporate Brands at Metro Inc.Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada. On this special episode I am thrilled to be sharing an excerpt from the recent season opener of my podcast with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, The Food Professor. On one of our most popular episodes this year, Sylvain and I interview very special guest, Serge Boulanger, Senior Vice President Procurement & Corporate Brands at Metro Inc., Serge talks about his rich background in marketing, sourcing and groce...
2021-09-2032 min
The Voice of RetailChina eCommerce expert Frank Lavin on his new book "The Smart Business Guide to China eCommerce"Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Frank Lavin has devoted much of his professional life to working in and understanding the Asian market, from top level roles in U.S. government including Undersecretary of Commerce, Ambassador to Singapore and other White House appointments, to much time in the private sector a top roles such as Chairman of Public Affairs, Asia Pacific for Edelman. All of which means now as the Chairman and...
2021-09-1725 min
The Food ProfessorPost-Pandemic Grocery featuring an exclusive interview with Serge Boulanger, SVP MetroWelcome to the The Food Professor podcast episode 32, back from our brief summer hiatus! I’m Michael LeBlanc, and I’m Sylvain Charlebois!We’re back and we have a very special guest, Serge Boulanger, Senior Vice President Procurement & Corporate Brands at Metro Inc., BTW, be sure and check out our bonus episode with my interview with Vice President and Director, Metro’s Corporate Brands, Marie-France Gibson and Paula DeaneSerge talks about his rich background in marketing, sourcing and grocery, the brand and banner strategies for Metro, eCommerce expansion, dealing with pandemic and what /how Metro’s...
2021-09-1658 min
The Voice of RetailFika Herbal Goods veteran retail COO Christopher Kane preps for geometric growthWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.The retail cannabis industry in Canada is growing, well, as they would say, like a weed. This kind of fast paced growth with new companies in an new sector calls out for experienced retail operators to help navigate and bring to the industry experience and operational expertise to survive and thrive in what is an increasingly crowded competitive market.Christopher Kane is a savvy retail operator that brings wit...
2021-09-1027 min
The Voice of RetailPaws on the Ground: A Conversation with PetValu’s CMO + CDO Tanbir GroverWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Tanbir Grover is an accomplished and popular retail leader recently drawn back to the retail industry that he has called home for so many years.Now after nearly a year as the Chief Marketing and Digital Officer at Canadian pet supply retailer, PetValu, Tanbir has a host of insights to share on PetValu’s omnichannel brand positioning within the greater scope of retail marketing and eCommerce.Tanb...
2021-09-0626 min
The Voice of RetailLessons in consumer trust, relationship-building and resultsWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.From a kitchen lab start-up in a blender to a fully-fledged direct-to-consumer internationally respected beauty brand, Isomers Skin Care is a great example of a resilient and responsive independent brand and DTC retailer.Since 1988, Isomers has been developing and producing skincare solutions that are grounded in science. In an industry that can be notorious for empty promises, founder and CEO Manuela Marcheggiani wanted to offer reliability and authenticity to...
2021-09-0332 min
Global eCommerce Leaders PodcastGlobal E-Commerce Leaders Forum New York IRL Speaker Feature: Josh Rockoff, former Chief Digital Officer at Diane von Furstenberg and Juliana Pereira, VP Marketing, Flow CommerceGlobal E-Commerce Leaders Forum co-founder Kent Allen joins Josh Rockoff, former Chief Digital Officer at Diane von Furstenberg and Juliana Pereira, VP of Marketing, Flow Commerce to discuss how Diane von Furstenberg expanded its global e-commerce footprint to shoppers in other markets.Our guests each talk about how the Diane von Furstenberg team leaned into cross-border, offering insight into the strategic approach the brand took to grow their international business as well as share some advice in Michael’s patented “two starts and one stop” format. They will also provide a brief overview of what they will be talk...
2021-09-0216 min
The Voice of RetailH&M Country Manager Frédéric Tavoukdjian on scaling new heights of Resale RetailWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.The resale economy is taking retail by storm. And, come September, this global fashion retailer will be jumping head-on into the surge - starting with the Canadian market.On this episode of The Voice of Retail, I talk with the Country Manager of H&M Canada, Frédéric Tavoukdjian, about H&M’s newest project “Rewear.” We discuss what the Rewear platform is all about, how it will work...
2021-08-3018 min
The Voice of RetailThe Disruptive DNA of Neo FinancialWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Neo Financial has accomplished a lot since its conception in 2019. This becomes especially apparent when compared to the hundreds-year-old financial institutions Neo is challenging in Canada.In the distinct and gridlocked Canadian banking system, Jeff Adamson Co-founder & Head of Partnershipsand his Neo co-founders are making room for innovation and customer-first service - giving traditional financial institutions a run for their money.In this ep...
2021-08-2728 min
The Voice of RetailInclusive Growth: Daria Burke, CMO JustFab from Conversations with CommerceNextWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada. On this special episode I am thrilled to be sharing a full episode from my all new Conversations with CommerceNext podcast featuring Daria Burke, Chief Marketing Officer at JustFab I launched the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast with my U.S. based partners to meet the top practitioners and thought leaders in the DTC & eCommerce marketing space, and explore both their tradecraft and share the lear...
2021-08-2041 min
The Voice of RetailRetail marketing & eCommerce in dog years; Ren’s Pets moving fast and staying loyalWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada. Larissa Wasyliw has a rich background in national and regional retail brand marketing. Now, as the Vice President of eCommerce & Marketing at specialty pet store Ren’s Pets, all of her skills are being tested. In a short amount of time with Ren’s, she’s seen the company through many stages of transition and growth right through the middle of the COVID era. In this epi...
2021-08-1640 min
The Voice of RetailThe Resale Retail Market is on the RiseWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.It’s true, the resale trend is here to stay - but it doesn’t look like the resale retail spaces we might be thinking of. Departing from dusty consignment-style stores, the resale space has a new look and feel. The founder of Mine & Yours, Courtney Watkins, talks about riding the rising wave of luxury fashion resale.In this episode, Courtney and I talk about her unique...
2021-07-2326 min
The Voice of RetailHow COVID-19 has transformed the lives of consumers and the tradecraft of global consultingWelcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.In this episode I’m in Chicago welcoming back Kristina Rogers, Global Consumer Industries Leader, Retail for EY and we catch up talking about the tradecraft of global consulting in the COVID era and beyond, lesson learned and observed advising clients around the world, and we get a glimpse into the post-COVID retail customer from both a global and Canadian perspective thanks to EY’s Future Consumer Index.T...
2021-04-3032 min
The Voice of RetailAlexandre Guimond, Co-CEO of Altitude Sports and Steffen Schenk, President / COO at mīhī cannabis talk about their relentless focus on customer experience as the winning formula for modern retailWelcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada and with the support of omNovos, Canada’s digital customer engagement company. omNovos makes Personalization EASY by helping you connect with your customers, connect with your data, and connect with your systems. Learn HOW at www.realcustomerengagement.com.On this episode I travel to Montreal to meet Alexandre Guimond, Co-CEO of Altitude Sports a now pure-play eCommerce retailer focussed on curating high-quality, durable goods for outdoor adventures and urban pursuits. We tal...
2020-09-251h 07
The Voice of RetailTracy Hermans Director of eCommerce from L-Space by Monica Wise and Casey Gee Sr. International Manscaped give us a preview of their upcoming Oktoberfest Executive Leaders PanelWelcome to a special bonus episode of The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.In this episode we meet Tracy Hermans, Director of Ecommerce, L-Space by Monica Wise and Casey Gee, Sr. International Business Manager, MANSCAPEDBoth from the Oktoberfest Executive Leaders Keynote Panel: How Bold Guesses and “Happy Accidents” Help Digital and Wholesale Teams Work as One Team”. (Register here:http://bit.ly/gelfokto)In this sneak-peak panel preview episode you’ll learn about Tracy and Casey’s b...
2020-09-2320 min
The Voice of RetailJean Louis Bellemare, President of Farm Boy and David Ian Gray, retail strategist talk about the state of modern retail, and the strategic and tactical decisions retailers need to make now to survive the COVID-19 eraWelcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada and with the support of omNovos, Canada’s digital customer engagement company. omNovos makes Personalization EASY by helping you connect with your customers, connect with your data, and connect with your systems. Learn HOW at www.realcustomerengagement.com.On this episode I’m in Ottawa to meet Jean Louis Bellemare, President and General Manager of Farm Boy Company and 2020 Golden Pencil recipient. We talk about the rich history of Farm Boy, the...
2020-09-181h 05
The Voice of RetailClaire Santamaria, Vice President Yorkdale Shopping Centre and Bill Bass, CMO Full Beauty Brands each share insights and lessons learned from decades of experience in retail and eCommerceWelcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada and with the support of omNovos, Canada’s digital customer engagement company. omNovos makes Personalization EASY by helping you connect with your customers, connect with your data, and connect with your systems. Learn HOW at www.realcustomerengagement.com.On this episode I catch up with Claire Santamaria, Vice President, Yorkdale Shopping Centre and talk about how Canada's most productive shopping mall is dealing with the COVID-19 crisis and looking ahead to th...
2020-09-1158 min
The Voice of RetailRaj Grover, CEO High Tide and Drummond Munro Chief Brand Officer at Superette talk retail operations in the COVID era, the benefits of scale and each share exciting newsWelcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.On this episode we’re off to Calgary to catch up with Raj Grover, Founder & CEO of High Tide right after the announcement of the merger with Meta creating the largest cannabis retailer in Canada at 63 store. We talk about what it takes to run a cannabis retail network in the COVID era and still hit your gross margin and operating cost targets, the benefits of size and scale and what...
2020-09-0447 minThe Voice of RetailDavid Bolotsky, Founder & CEO UncommonGoods shares his philosophy and retail strategies from 20+ years in eCommerce plus Bruce Winder, retail strategist and authorWelcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.On this episode we meet a long time friend and colleague David Bolotsky, Founder & CEO, UncommonGoods. For twenty plus years David has been a leader this innovative, category defining eCommerce website through the dot com boom, bust, echo and now shares his origin story with us, and the fundamental underlying philosophy and business strategies that have created long term sustainable growth.Next retailer, consultant, media retail pundit and now...
2020-08-0753 min
The Voice of RetailKen Keelor, CEO of Calgary Co-op and Ian Madell, President Level5 Strategy share their perspectives on brand, retail strategy and the changing consumer in the COVID-19 eraWelcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.On this episode we meet Ken Keelor, CEO of one of the biggest cooperative grocers in North America, Calgary Co-op. We start by tracing back and discovering the origins of where Ken gets his obvious enthusiasm for retail and the consumer, and the genesis of his strategic thinking around the Calgary Co-op brand and diversified business. We then talk about the huge changes to the business both pre-covid with their chan...
2020-07-3159 min
The Voice of RetailJoe Megibow, CEO of Purple and Ken Cassar of CassarCo Strategy each give us a sneak peak into their keynote presentations on digital retail strategy and U.S. online consumer behaviour during the COVID crisisWelcome to the The Voice of Retail special CommerceNext Bonus episode part 2, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of CanadaOn this episode I talk with Joe Megibow, CEO of innovative mattress brand and manufacturer Purple. With decades of senior level dot com experience with the likes of Expedia and American Eagle behind him, Joe is helping Purple break through the huge sleep category.Next veteran retail and consumer analyst Ken Cassar, Principal of CassarCo Strategy and Analytic Consultants. Ken takes us throu...
2020-07-2331 min
The Voice of RetailEleanor Lynch, President Kiaro & James Jesty, President Friendly Stranger explore the always dynamic and evolving retail cannabis market from the West Coast to OntarioWelcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of CanadaOn this episode we head west to Vancouver and then back again to Toronto to meet two great retail cannabis operators innovating, growing their brand and retail footprint.Building and leading a team that are Cannabis enthusiast first, retailers second and 100% dedicated to their community and customer satisfaction Eleanor Lynch, President Of Operations at Kiaro is back on the podcast as we catch up on their latest retail st...
2020-07-1755 minThe Voice of RetailGet ready for CommerceNext featuring Rob Schmults, Laura Joukovski and founders Scott Silverman & Veronika SonsevWelcome to the The Voice of Retail special CommerceNext Bonus episode, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of CanadaOn this episode I talk to CommerceNext founders Scott Silverman and Veronika Sonsev talk about the Genesis of the CommerceNext thought leadership event and community, its overarching objectives and about the Virtual Summit July 28/29.Next Rob Schmults, Executive Board, Midocean Partners and Laura Joukovski, President, Global Fashion Brands, Techstyle Fashion Group both return to the podcast and give me "two starts" and one "stop" pie...
2020-07-1540 min
The Voice of RetailStockX Co-Founder Josh Luber & Ashley Merrill, CEO/Founder of Lunya share their retail origin stories behind the intersection of passion and profit, positioning their innovative online sites for the COVID era and beyondWelcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of CanadaOn this episode we’re in the motor city, Detroit, to talk with innovative online retailer and sneaker marketplace StockX co-founder Josh Luber. We talk about the intersection of passion and profit, how StockX innovative formula drives authenticity and credibility into the collectible re-sell market, and how a perfect price transparency model based on the stock market is driving record sales even in the face of the covid crisis. Last, we expl...
2020-07-1052 min
The Voice of RetailTal Zvi Nathanel, CEO of Showfields and Dan Pink, NYT best selling author share their insights on retail experience, working and adapting in the COVID-19 eraWelcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of CanadaOn this episode Tal Zvi Nathanel, CEO of Showfields in New York City returns to the podcast to catch us up on how the thinking that created “the most interesting store in the world” and certainly the retail concept that had attendees and pundits at January’s NRF Big Show buzzing has adapted to the COVID-19 crisis. We talk about the key foundational principles that helped them navigate the early weeks of...
2020-07-0355 min
The Voice of RetailSimon Rodrigue, Chief Digital Officer for Staples on modern eCommerce, and Andrew Resnick on key retail operational strategies at storefront creating an amazing digital experienceWelcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of CanadaOn this episode we help celebrate a great milestone and anniversary with Simon Rodrigue, Chief Digital Officer of Staples Canada. We look a the brand and mission transformation of Staples just over a year ago, and Simon talks about the team and technology stack assembled to re-platform and re-imagine the online and digital presence of one of Canada’s top eCommerce sites.Next Andrew Resnick, veteran retail operator joins...
2020-06-2658 min
The Voice of RetailMichael Schneider, Managing Director of Bunnings, Australia/New Zealand's leading big box home improvement retailer, plus Amar Singh, Principal Analyst at Kantar ConsultingWelcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.On this episode we’re going global - all the way to Melbourne Australia for an exclusive interview with Michael Schneider, Managing Director of Bunnings, one of the leading big box home improvement retailers in the world. If you don’t know Bunnings, they are a $13billion retailer with 377 trading locations employing over 44,000 team members. We talk about the one-two punch of the Australia wild fires and COVID-19, and how the bus...
2020-06-0558 min
The Voice of RetailDiana Dimitian, VP, Managing Director South Europe at Levi Strauss & Co, Amanda Nichols Sr Manager, Industry Marketing from Kronos and Alexandra Zatarain, Co-Founder at Eight SleepWelcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada, and this episode features an interview with our sponsor Kronos who believes that great businesses are powered by great people.On this episode we are going to learn about two great retail businesses, Levi Strauss and Eight Sleep. First up on this episode live from Paris Diana Dimitian, Vice President and Managing Director South Europe at Levi Strauss & Co. talks about the strength of the brand and operating DTC and sto...
2020-05-291h 00The Voice of RetailMichael Graydon, CEO FCPC on the early successes and long term challenges of the COVID-19 era, and Jane Gaynor, founder of Gain Your Edge Coaching on managing during challenging timesWelcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.First up on this episode an exclusive interview with Michael Graydon, CEO at Food & Consumer Products of Canada (FCPC) the national industry association in Canada representing the food, beverage and consumer products industry. We talk about how brands reacted to the shockwave of demand for food and household products, how retailers and their vendor partners came together to keep Canadians fed and take care of their new and essential needs, and...
2020-05-1545 min
The Voice of RetailNadia Vattovaz, EVP Fire & Flower talks about taking on COVID-19 with her retail 2.0 company, Forrester VP Sucharita Kodali on how retailers can survive and thrive, and elite soccer player turned DTC retailer Rachael Rapinoe on launching her CBD brand, MendiWelcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.First up on this episode retail veteran Nadia Vattovaz, CFO & EVP Operations at Fire & Flower talks about operating across Canada during COVID-19 powered by their purpose built, retail 2.0 company, allowing them to roll out curb side and home delivery in lightening speed with fantastic results with awesome consumer experience thanks to the power of their peopleNext up Forrester Research Vice President & top retail analyst Sucharita Kodali is back...
2020-05-0858 min
The Voice of RetailRoger Martin, top global strategist, Professor Emeritus and author on how retailers can survive COVID-19 and his new book "When More Is Not Better"Welcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada and sponsored by omNovos – Canada’s Retail Customer Engagement Solutions provider, combining data, software, and services to help retailers create and deliver real-time personalized content in your customers’ moments of truth.In this special feature episode a full length interview with one of the sharpest minds in corporate strategy in the world - Roger Martin is my special guest. One of the original founders of Monitor Company, transformative Dean of now the gl...
2020-05-0154 minThe Voice of RetailGeorge Soleas, President & CEO of the LCBO shares their journey to modernization and navigating the COVID-19 crisis, and Canadian Master Sommelier Jennifer Huether on top wine trendsWelcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.In this special episode an exclusive interview with the President and CEO of one of the largest wine and alcohol retailers in the world right in my back yard, George Soleas of Ontario’s LCBO. In a two part interview, the first part one recored in mid March in LCBO’s Toronto boardroom pre-COVID-19, the second part recorded online during the peak of the crisis, George shares the ins and outs of...
2020-04-2455 minThe Voice of RetailLive from New York Lockie Andrews, CIO and CDO for retailer UNTUCKit on moving fast and operating during the COVID-19 crisis, and Steve Buors, CEO of Reshift Media on COVID consumer social media trends and opportunitiesWelcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Live from New York at the epicentre of technology and the COVID crisis, Lockie Andrews, CIO and Chief Digital Officer for retailer UNTUCKit is my special guest. We talk about the history of this fast growing apparel retailer, starting online then with a single store in Soho with now 85 locations in the U.S, Canada and the U.K. Lockie describes operating during the COVID crisis and how as a ventu...
2020-04-1749 minThe Voice of RetailFood professor Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Food Futurologist Dr. Morgaine Gaye and a peak into the future of retail cannabis beverages with Terry Donnelly from the Hill St. Beverage CompanyWelcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.In this episode, recorded live in early March backstage the Restaurants Canada trade show in Toronto, Dr. Sylvain Charlebois Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University returns to the podcast as my special guest. We talk pre-COVID-19 macro trends around dining out, meal kits, his Zamboni theory of retail cannabis and this big picture perspective on plant based proteins, the environment and its impact on food decision and what driv...
2020-03-2047 minThe Voice of RetailExclusive interviews with Mimi Lam, Co-Founder & CEO of cannabis retailer Superette and Bruce Linton, Founder & Former CEO of cannabis giant Canopy Growth CorporationWelcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.In this episode I visit with Mimi Lam, CEO and co-founder of cannabis retailer Superette in her soon-to-be opened Toronto store. We explore their award winning brand and retail concept, lessons learned from a fast-paced first year with their store in Ottawa, and what lies ahead for this innovative retailer.Next, the one and only Bruce Linton, Founder and former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Canopy Growth Cor...
2020-03-1348 minThe Voice of RetailLisa Hutcheson, Managing Partner of J.C. Williams on four retail mega trends for 2020, and RCC SVP Public Affairs Karl Littler on the new NAFTA timeline and De Minimis win for retailersWelcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.In this episode Lisa Hutcheson, Managing Partner of J.C. Williams Group joins us to talk about her rich, decades long background in retail and the retail mega trends brought together in the annual Ebeltoft Groups’s Global Retail Trends and Innovations report, for the past decade or so one of my favourite reads of the year. We talk about the 2020 report, the four key trends that pull together the retai...
2020-03-0653 minThe Voice of RetailGillian Stein CEO of Henry's, Canada's largest independent photographic/digital retailer and certified professional coach Natalie Dumond talks courageous cultures and brave leadershipWelcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.In this episode I welcome Gillian Stein, CEO of Henry’s, a family-owned and -operated business, that first opened its doors in 1909 and is now Canada's largest independent photographic and digital retailer. Gillian takes us through the evolution of the retail brand, the ying and yang of being a mid-sized retailer, and the importance of staying true to your values.Next, Natalie Dumond, certified professional coach and certified Dare t...
2020-02-2849 min
The Voice of Retail"The most interesting store in world", Showfield's CEO Tal Zvi Nathanel plus Forrester VP Sucharita Kodali on the future of retail Live from the NRF podcasting studio at the Big Show in New YorkWelcome to another in a series of special NRF Big Show episodes of The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.First up in this episode recorded live from New York City at the NRF Big Show in the NRF podcasting studio I’m joined by Tal Zvi Nathanel, the CEO of “the most interesting store in the world” Showfields. We delve into his origin story beginning in Israel, moving to New York, opening what was for sure the most talked about reta...
2020-01-3151 minThe Voice of RetailLive from the NRF Big Show in New York, Giant Tiger President & COO Paul Wood plus retail strategist and author Steve Dennis talks remarkable retailWelcome to the first of a series of special NRF Big Show episodes of The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.First up in this episode recorded live from New York City at the NRF Big Show in the NRF podcasting studio Giant Tiger President and COO Paul Wood joins me and we learn all about this fast growing Canadian retailer based in my hometown of Ottawa, how their business structure keeps them wired directly into the market, how retail CE...
2020-01-2445 minThe Voice of RetailRecorded in front of a live audience Retail Insider's Craig Patterson talks Canadian Shopping Centre Report and Engagement Agents Sean Snyder talks effective mall marketingWelcome to The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada and sponsored by Engagement Agents, Engagement Agents makes it easy for retailers to engage their shopping centers’ marketing channels, in order to promptly drive a Return on Engagement!First up in this episode recorded in front of a live audience from the main stage at RCC's Brick & Mortar forum, Retail Insider and author of the Canadian Shopping Centre 2019 report Craig Patterson and I talk about the genesis of his passion for...
2020-01-1754 minThe Voice of RetailCanadian eCommerce leader Tanbir Grover talks culture and insights plus veteran retail store operations and people leader April Sabral on how retailers can win in 2020Welcome to The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of CanadaFirst up in this episode Tanbir Grover joins me for the first of a two part interview, reflecting on his twelve years at the forefront of digital retail and eCommerce in Canada, working for retail brands including Sears Canada, Hudson’s Bay and Lowe’s Canada. We talk corporate culture, the history of Canadian eCommerce and the state of online retail today and how we got here from there and where we’re go...
2020-01-0347 minThe Voice of RetailRetail strategist David Ian Gray talks Black Friday performance, Canadian farmer-advocate Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel, and Michel Sirios President of BlueStar Canada unpacks the retail technology ecosystemWelcome to The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.First up in this episode I catch up with David Ian Gray, founder and strategist behind retail consultancy DIG 360; we touch base on his ongoing and recent research into consumer behaviour in partnership with Leger into Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Boxing Day - consumer shopping results.Next Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel, a farmer-advocate spokesperson joins me again on the podcast after our session together in Ottawa at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Mar...
2019-12-201h 01The Voice of RetailCatie Riordan from Enterprise Ireland and a Irish Retail Tech Summit with Chris Parsons from Home Hardware, Scott Adel from Mckesson, Michelle Read-Kulig from Pizza Pizza and digital pioneer Shelly NandkeolyarWelcome to a special Irish Retail Tech episode of The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Recorded live in Dublin and then Waterford Ireland, first up is an interview with Catie Riordan, Vice President of Consumer Retail & Retail Technology for Enterprise Ireland. We talk about her work in the U.S. , the connection to retail and their long-standing QVC partnership, the wonders of St. Patrick’s Day, and finally the Showcase Ireland buying show that connects retailers from around the worl...
2019-12-181h 06The Voice of RetailLisa Bigioni owner of Choom Cannabis Niagara, Claire Santamaria VP of retail phenomena Yorkdale and Angela Kapp from CBD marketplace TruPotencyWelcome to The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.First up recorded live in the Environics Analytics podcasting studio at RCC’s Retail Cannabis forum in Toronto I meet Lisa Bigioni, an Ontario retail cannabis lottery winner and co-owner of Choom Cannabis in Niagara. We talk about the experience around winning the lottery, the process of picking a partner and opening up a cannabis retail store under incredibly tight deadlines.Next recorded live at the Retail Council of Canada...
2019-12-1344 minThe Voice of RetailSerial retail innovator and now CEO of iStore Joel Teitelbaum plus Charles de Brabant, Executive Director, Bensadoun School of Retail Management at McGill UniversityWelcome to the Voice of Retail for the week of November 18, 2019 I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.In this weeks episode I’m on the trade show floor of RCC’s DTLQC conference in Montreal talking with local key retailers and retail industry players based in Quebec.First of all serial retail innovator and now CEO of iStore Joel Teitelbaum is my guest. Joel shares the details behind his rich retail background and reflects on his experience starting at Dylex and La Sen...
2019-11-2250 minThe Voice of RetailWe're in the grocery aisle with Arlene Dickinson and Jana Sobey in the District Venture Kitchens, Professor Sylvain Charlebois, Lika Niasse of African Soul Food and RCC's Jason McLinton talks food regulationWelcome to the Voice of Retail for the week of November 11, 2019 I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.In this weeks action packed episode the focus is on grocery section - from putting your money where your mouth is in terms of funding and supporting innovative, to standing up a specialty grocery store, to understanding the big picture trends and the ways and means of food regulation in our Nation’s capital.First of all recoded live at the launch of District Vent...
2019-11-1553 minThe Voice of RetailRetail Flyer Forum special edition featuring veteran retail marketer Patrick Dickinson in conversation on the main stage and Jerry Kennelly CEO of Tweak recorded live from DublinWelcome to a very special Retail Flyer Forum edition of the Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.Recorded live on the main stage at the Carlu in Toronto during RCC’s annual Retail Flyer forum, my one to one interview with the one and only Patrick Dickinson, retail consultant and veteran retail marketer most recently with Hudson’s Bay. We talk about how and why the retail flyer, in both paper and digital, is such a resilient media and significant element...
2019-11-1240 minThe Voice of RetailManaging the Black Friday eCommerce Peak with SCI President & CEO Chris Galindo and live panel discussion with retailers Franco Schiavone from Designer Brands and Stephanie Barrington at Well.caWelcome to a special Black Friday-Cyber Monday planning for peak eCommerce edition of the Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.First up in this special edition we set the stage with an exclusive interview with a supply chain veteran on the front lines of delivering on the promise of Black Friday - SCI’s President & CEO Chris Galindo. Chris provides us with incredible insights into the logistics of eCommerce from a warehouse and distribution perspective, trends from the front lines and advi...
2019-11-0550 minThe Voice of RetailThird generation butcher, bespoke grocer and entrepreneur Stephen Alexander, president of Cumbrae's grocery in Toronto, plus Philippe Cantin talks retail sustainability from MontrealWelcome to the Voice of Retail for the week of October 7, 2019 I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada and brought to you by Atomic Reach. Atomic Reach offers Atomic AI, the world's leading Smart Content Platform. By optimizing product descriptions and marketing content to match shopper's reading and emotional preferences, we deliver sales conversion improvement and personalization at scale.In this week’s episode just in time for Thanksgiving - an exclusive interview with 3rd generation butcher, bespoke grocer and entrepreneur Stephen Alexander president of C...
2019-10-1143 minThe Voice of RetailExclusive interview with CBC Dragon and veteran entrepreneur Vince Guzzo from Montreal, and RCC B.C. Director of Government Relations Greg Wilson in VancouverWelcome to the Voice of Retail for the week of September 30, 2019 I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.In this week’s episode an exclusive interview with Vince Guzzo, Montreal-based CBC Dragon, entrepreneur and philanthropist. In a fun and wide ranging interview we talk about the retail and consumer environment in Quebec, his experiences during the taping of his second season of Dragons Den, how the deals he’s seeing this year are different, how he determines whether he is "In" or "Out" (and with who...
2019-10-0449 minThe Voice of RetailAuthor Jeremy Miller on his latest book "Brand New Name" & from GELF NYC via L.A Nisha Oza head of brand partnerships for Chinese LaundryWelcome to the Voice of Retail for the week of September 23rd, 2019 I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada. This episode is dedicated to John C. Williams a retail legend, advocate, friend and mentor to many who left us September 21, 2019.In this week’s episode an exclusive interview with keynote speaker and author Jeremy Miller on his new book “Brand New Name” - “A proven step-by-step process to create an unforgettable brand name “ We talk about the inspiration for the book, the challenges it helps solve an...
2019-09-2759 minThe Voice of RetailMJBizCon International Cannabis conference edition featuring Cannabis NB GM Lara Wood, Inner Spirit Holdings/Spirit Leaf Cannabis President & CEO Darren Bondar, and Kay Tamillow, Director of research for Brightfield Group on the CBD market & consumer insightWelcome to the Voice of Retail special MJBizCon International Cannabis conference edition, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.
Held in Toronto in September 2019, the MJBizCon International brought together 2,500 Global Cannabis Executives To Learn, Grow & Connect. I took the opportunity to set up shop in their podcasting studio and interview three of the most interesting and influential participants starting off with Lara Wood, General Manager of Cannabis NB (my dad’s home province, New Brunswick). This is Lara’s third time on The Voice of Ret...
2019-09-1042 min
The Voice of RetailDigital rock star, global keynote speaker and agency pioneer Mitch Joel helps us Decode the Future, and Vice President Marketing/eCommerce for The Kersheh Group Johnny Russo talks culture, personalization and retail techWelcome to the Voice of Retail for the week of September 2, 2019 I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.
He's been called the “rock star of digital media”, by Strategy Magazine and “the real deal” by Seth Godin…veteran podcaster, best selling author of two groundbreaking books and global keynote speaker Mitch Joel is my very special guest. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with Mitch for almost two decades, but we catch up after almost five years surrounded by images of the 50th anniv...
2019-09-0656 minThe Voice of RetailPurolator President & CEO John Ferguson's ONE BILLION DOLLAR plan and Clearly CEO Arnaud Bussieres from Vancouver talks about this innovative retailer's vision for the futureWelcome to the Voice of Retail for the week of August 26, 2019 I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.
He's leading the Canadian package delivery and eCommerce shipping industry with a ONE BILLION DOLLAR investment...hear all about capacity being created in Canada’s shipping infrastructure, the enhanced capabilities that deliver competitive advantage to their customers all from Purolator Inc. President & CEO John Ferguson in my exclusive interview!
Next I connect with Arnaud Bussieres, the CEO of retailer Clearly. Started in Vancouver in 2000 as a...
2019-08-3052 minThe Voice of RetailHead of Retail for Google Canada Eric Morris helps me search for retail innovation, and RCC Atlantic Director Jim Cormier from Halifax on what retailers need to knowWelcome to the Voice of Retail for the week of August 12, 2019 I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.
My guest was Google employee No. 2 in Canada, one of the first 500 in the entire company - Eric Morris, Head of Retail for Google joins me for an exclusive live and interactive interview where we search for answers to the state of retail, how consumers are interacting online, and what’s next for retailers from the Google Tickle-Trunk.
Next we head to the East Coas...
2019-08-1653 minThe Voice of RetailForrester Vice President & Principal Analyst Rick Parrish on the new 2019 Canadian CX Index report, and CX guru Tara O'DohertyWelcome to the Voice of Retail for the week of August 5, 2019 I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.
The feature spotlight for this episode is CX, Customer Experience. We kick it off with an exclusive interview with Rick Parrish, Vice President and Principal Analyst from Forrester who joins me to discuss his latest Canadian CX Index report. This report, covering 161 brands across 14 industries including retail with Forrester talk to over 62,000 Canadian consumers.
Next I’m joined by Customer Experience guru Tara O’Dohert...
2019-08-0957 minThe Voice of RetailSpecial Guest Co-Host Dave Rodgerson + round-table interview from the Purolator Podcasting Studio with Q Division's Manolo Almagro, Ben Gauthier and Stratacache's Michael ArnettWelcome to the Voice of Retail for the week of July 29, 2019 I’m your host Michael LeBlanc,
[and I’m Dave Rodgerson, guest host for this episode]
and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada. So it’s the hazy, crazy days of summer and what better time to invite friends and colleagues from the retail industry to join me on The Voice of Retail and share perspectives about the retail news of the week!
[Well thanks Mike for the invite, looking forward to delving into Retail This W...
2019-08-0258 minThe Voice of RetailFeature interviews with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois talking Canada's new food guide and RCC's SVP Public Affairs Karl Littler on the new NAFTA, Sustainability and other key national issues for retailersWelcome to the Voice of Retail for the week of May 27th 2019 I’m your host Michael LeBlanc and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada and sponsored by Purolator, Canada's Shipping Company for courier and freight, learn more at www.purolator.com
In this episode part two of my interview with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University as we discuss Canada’s new food guide, the rise of plant-based meat alternatives for “flexitarians” and the state of grocery eCommerce.
Next, part two of my interv...
2019-05-3146 minThe Voice of RetailSpecial interview with retailer Sinéad Clarke at her Irish Design House, Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and I talk cannabis edibles, and RCC's Karl Littler talks tradecraft and NAFTAWelcome to the Voice of Retail for the week of May 20th 2019 I’m your host Michael LeBlanc and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada and sponsored by Purolator, Canada's Shipping Company for courier and freight, learn more at www.purolator.com
In this episode a feature interview with retailer Sinéad Clarke at her wonderful store the Irish Design House in Toronto. We talk about the journey that brought her to Canada and the passion she brings to her business.
Next, an interview with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois Seni...
2019-05-2452 minThe Voice of RetailFeature interviews with Kendall Barber Co-Founder & Co-CEO of PoppyBarley.com, Rob Shields Co-Founder & CCO of Paymi, and RCC's Stephanie Lear & Sean Tarry talk STORE2019 and Canadian RetailerWelcome to the Voice of Retail for the week of May 6th 2019 I’m your host Michael LeBlanc and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada and sponsored by Stream Commerce, North America’s fastest growing Shopify Plus agency, learn more at www.streamcommerce.com
In this episode an interview with RCC Independent Retail Ambassador of the Year Kendall Barber and her Edmonton based footwear business Poppy Barley. We explore the origins of the business, the move to physical retail, and how this award winning retailer sets and follows a North Star...
2019-05-1056 minThe Voice of RetailExclusive interview with Canadian retailer Knix CMO Danielle Brown, Stocard Managing Director Jesse Michael and RCC's Kalie Belanger on Canadian Independent Bookstore DayWelcome to the Voice of Retail for the week of April 7 2019 I’m your host Michael LeBlanc and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada and sponsored by Stream Commerce, North America’s fastest growing Shopify plus agency, learn more at www.StreamCommerce.com
In this episode an exclusive interview with Danielle Brown, freshly minted CMO for award winning Canadian DTC retailer www.Knix.ca
Next, we meet up Jesse Michael from Stocard and talk about their innovative solution for managing loyalty programs from the palm of consumers hands that...
2019-04-1250 minThe Voice of RetailSpecial Retail Council of Canada Retail Cannabis Forum Edition: Rethinking Traditional In-store Experience panel discussionWelcome to the Voice of Retail special Retail Cannabis Forum Store edition, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc and this special edition podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.
Recorded live in Toronto March 26 at RCC’s first ever Retail Cannabis forum I moderated the Rethinking Traditional In-store Experience panel.
According to Environics Analytics CannabisInsights, powered by Vividata, 29% of Canadians 19 and older have consumed cannabis, 41% of Canadians under the age 35 have consumed cannabis.
Canada currently has 206 bricks and mortar retail cannabis locations, in all Provinces and Territories except for...
2019-03-2637 minThe Voice of RetailAndrew Siegwart talks Chinese tourism, award winning eCommerce retailer Kristy Wieber reveals her pivot of Rent Frock RepeatWelcome to the Voice of Retail for the week of March 18, 2019 I’m your host Michael LeBlanc and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada and sponsored by Stream Commerce, North America’s fastest growing Shopify Plus agency, learn more at www.streamcommerce.com
In this episode part two of my interview with Blue Mountain Village Association President Andrew Siegwart chatting about Chinese tourism and the best ways for retailers to maximize the visitor opportunity, plus an exclusive interview with Rent Frock Repeat Co-Founder & President Kristy Wieber with breaking news on her...
2019-03-2242 min