Retail Refined

These days, ‘home’ means more than just four walls. It’s where people reset, gather, and express who they are—raising the bar for what they expect from the brands that help shape those spaces. Consumers are no longer just buying décor—they’re investing in meaning, memory, and moments that last. Research continues to show that people are spending more time at home than they did pre-pandemic, elevating expectations around how spaces should feel, function, and inspire. The stakes are high: brands that understand the emotional ecosystem of home can build loyalty that outlasts any single trend.

So, what...

Luxury retail is in the midst of a reinvention. Circular fashion has moved from trend to transformation, reshaping how consumers perceive value, ownership, and access. According to the 2025 BCG × Vestiaire Collective Resale Report, the secondhand fashion and luxury market now totals $210 to $220 billion globally and is projected to reach $320 to $360 billion by 2030—growing nearly three times faster than the primary market. Among Gen Z consumers, as much as 45% of handbags are already purchased secondhand, underscoring a generational shift toward sustainability and individuality.

As resale evolves from online auctions to a global force redefining modern luxury, how are pio...

Great clothes may be where it starts, but today’s shoppers are looking for something more — a sense of connection, belonging, and shared purpose. Research shows that 90% of consumers value authenticity when deciding which brands to support: a clear reminder that while quality and design remain vital, meaning has become the new measure of loyalty. Today, brands across the industry are striving to evolve beyond products to create richer experiences that foster genuine connection and community.

So, how does a modern brand evolve from surf-inspired apparel to a holistic lifestyle experience—one that includes cafes, content, and potent...

As the lines blur between fashion, identity, and digital life, brands are racing to understand how today’s youth are reshaping culture and commerce. Pacsun’s new Youth Report 2025, produced in partnership with GlobalData, offers one of the most detailed portraits yet of Gen Z and Gen Alpha—two generations united by self-expression but divided by how they experience and influence the world. With 75% of Gen Alpha buying apparel for social media content and comfort leading the way in how youth define their style, the stakes for retailers are clear: understanding why young consumers shop is as important as what t...

Building consumer brands today requires more than clever marketing; it demands brand trust. Consumers want proof that products work, delivered at prices that feel accessible. That shift has raised the bar for founders, especially as 86% of consumers say authenticity influences which brands they support—with Gen Z placing even greater emphasis on it. Credibility and purpose are not optional for entrepreneurs; they form the foundation of growth.

How can entrepreneurs disrupt established markets by blending affordability, innovation, and credibility while navigating the distinct dynamics of Amazon and TikTok?

On this episode of Retail Refined, host Me...

Retail is evolving at a lightning pace, with consumer expectations higher and more informed than ever before. Deloitte research shows that 80% of consumers prefer brands that offer personalized experiences, with those customers spending up to 50% more. For heritage retailers, this shift presents both opportunity and challenge: how do you honor local legacy while competing in a world where customer expectations are increasingly shaped by global brands and digital-first experiences?

How can a heritage brand balance timeless tradition with modern growth strategies that resonate with both local communities and a new generation of shoppers?

In this...

Retail is evolving at a lightning pace, with consumer expectations higher and more informed than ever before. Deloitte research shows that 80% of consumers prefer brands that offer personalized experiences, with those customers spending up to 50% more. For heritage retailers, this shift presents both opportunity and challenge: how do you honor local legacy while competing in a world where customer expectations are increasingly shaped by global brands and digital-first experiences?

How can a heritage brand balance timeless tradition with modern growth strategies that resonate with both local communities and a new generation of shoppers?

In this...

As traditional digital advertising struggles to retain consumer trust, brands are exploring new, more authentic ways to connect with shoppers. Platforms like commerce media networks, which weave together commerce, content, and data, are emerging as powerful tools in this shift. Research from MG2 Advisory reveals that only about 37% of consumers feel brands genuinely act on their stated values, underscoring the urgent need for more meaningful brand experiences.

So, how can brands take control of how their message shows up while delivering real value to consumers?

In this episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez sits...

Luxury retail is no longer confined to storefronts and seasonal campaigns. Brands are bringing hospitality to retail, building deeper emotional connections, and extending their presence beyond the product. Coach, among other heritage labels, is experimenting with cafés, branded bars, and immersive spaces that offer more than a transaction—they offer belonging. According to MG2 Advisory, 1 in 5 consumers say immersive, sensorial store experiences are a top reason they return to luxury stores, and nearly 1 in 4 cite creative offerings and high-touch services as key motivators for repeat visits. These findings reinforce the growing demand for experiences that feel distinct, emotionally eng...

As in-store experiences become key to brand loyalty, LEGO is doubling down on its core brand essence of play, using it as both a design philosophy and a strategic lever. The company is transforming its physical spaces into destinations that spark imagination, encourage interaction, and strengthen emotional connections with shoppers of all ages. With nearly 70% of parents surveyed citing creativity as an essential skill for their children’s development, LEGO’s cross-generational appeal has never been more culturally relevant.

So, how does LEGO continue to blend physical retail with digital relevance, global scalability with local authenticity, and imag...

As Gen Z cements its role as the cultural vanguard and Gen Alpha begins to assert its voice, brands face mounting pressure to not only keep pace but to actively shape youth identity. With social commerce booming and physical retail undergoing reinvention, staying relevant means delivering experiences as dynamic as the customers themselves. One stat alone says it all: after Kendrick Lamar sparked a flare jeans frenzy, American Eagle saw a 125% spike in Google searches and 25% more store traffic in just days.

So how does a legacy retailer like American Eagle Outfitters keep its edge with a...

As electric vehicle adoption surges—projected to make up over half of all new car sales in the U.S. by 2030—the expectations around where and how we charge are rapidly evolving. Charging stations are no longer just utility hubs; they are becoming lifestyle touchpoints. Today’s EV drivers seek more than speed and convenience—they want frictionless technology, elevated amenities, and design that speaks to their personal values. A new report from MG2 Advisory asks: What if EV charging stations embraced “unreasonable hospitality” and became places people actually look forward to visiting?

How can EV charging stations evo...

This Women’s History Month, Retail Refined’s host joined The DealMakeHers for a series of transformative moments — from opening and closing the Nasdaq to sharing an intimate tea with trailblazer Gloria Steinem.

Across several days of meaningful conversations and landmark events, we celebrated women’s leadership, innovation, and resilience. Here’s a recap:

Opening Nasdaq For International Women’s Day

Women’s groups gathered alongside the Editor-in-Chief of Glamour and the Nasdaq team to ring the Opening Bell, marking the start of Women’s History Month on a global stage. The moment was more than ce...

Anthropologie has long been a destination for customers seeking unique fashion, home decor, and lifestyle products. But what makes the brand stand out isn’t just its product offerings—it’s the magic woven into every store visit, online interaction, and shopping experience. With retail evolving at an unprecedented pace, brands must find ways to merge data-driven decision-making with creative storytelling to stay relevant. Anthropologie’s marketing approach, known as “AnthroMagic,” is an example of this balance, ensuring that customers feel a sense of joy and discovery every time they engage with the brand.

So, what exactly is AnthroMag...

In the ever-evolving world of retail, success hinges on understanding the modern consumer's priorities: personalized shopping, timeless quality, and seamless experiences. Madewell, a denim-first brand, has leaned into these trends by redefining its in-store shopping and product strategies. With the rise of digital integration and customer-driven design, the stakes have never been higher for retail leaders to deliver exceptional experiences that resonate across demographics. PwC's research shows that 73% of consumers prioritize customer experience over price when choosing brands—Madewell is listening.

How does Madewell leverage customer insights and leadership vision to stay ahead in a competitive market?

A striking 86% of consumers now prioritize authenticity when choosing which brands to support, emphasizing the value of transparency, authentic connections, and relevance in today's market. True Religion, remains true to its roots in culture, sports, and music, through authentic partnerships and a modern approach to style. Leading this transformation, Chief Marketing Officer Kristen D'Arcy leverages collaborations with sports figures and cultural influencers to engage a new generation of consumers, maintaining the brand’s cultural legacy while keeping it fresh.

How can a heritage brand maintain relevance in a market dominated by digital-savvy, culture-conscious consumers? What does it ta...

The retail landscape is rapidly evolving, and Urban Outfitters is stepping up to meet the challenges of reaching both Gen Z and the emerging Gen Alpha. Gen Z, a generation coming of age amid social and technological shifts, is the first to begin their adult lives in a post-pandemic world. They crave individuality but also a strong sense of community. Urban Outfitters is on a mission to bridge these needs, while also preparing to serve Gen Alpha, a younger cohort that is already exhibiting similar yet more tech-savvy behaviors.

How can a retail brand stay relevant to...

As beauty consumers become increasingly vocal about diversity and inclusivity, brands are being pushed to evolve beyond the traditional definitions of beauty. According to a recent report by Beauty Packaging, 63% of American consumers feel inspired by brands that showcase diversity in their advertising, and 73% agree that the beauty industry still plays on insecurities. With the stakes this high, beauty brands that fail to reflect real-world diversity are at risk of losing relevance.

How are brands like Milani Cosmetics navigating this demand for authenticity and inclusion? What strategies are they implementing to stay ahead in a rapidly changing...

The retail landscape is rapidly evolving, and brands are redefining their approach to in-store experiences to remain competitive. Victoria's Secret & Co. is at the forefront of this change, focusing on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment through its 'Store of the Future' initiative. This episode explores how Victoria's Secret is leading with curiosity and a commitment to storytelling in the design and execution of its new store formats. As the stakes in retail continue to rise, how can brands maintain relevance and deepen customer connections in an ever-changing market?

What does it take to craft a store...

Robert D'Loren, of Xcel Brands and ORME, discussing the transformative impact of live streaming and social commerce on the retail industry.

As the global conversation around sustainable food systems intensifies, regenerative agriculture has emerged as a transformative approach to farming that prioritizes ecosystem health, soil vitality, and nutritional quality. This episode of Retail Refined explores why regenerative agriculture is capturing the attention of consumers, policymakers, and investors alike. With nearly 90 regenerative farms funded and over $30 million in financing secured, Steward, led by Dan Miller, is at the forefront of this agricultural revolution.

What role can regenerative agriculture play in reshaping our food systems and meeting the rising consumer demand for sustainable and nutritious products?

In the...

In today’s dynamic retail landscape, where personalization and self-expression lead consumer trends, Studs is redefining the ear piercing industry by transforming ear piercings into a tailored journey. The company blends aesthetics with comfort, introducing innovative store designs and a diverse earring assortment that underscores its mission—redefining the piercing industry. Amidst a surge in demand for personalized retail experiences, why are companies like Studs pivotal in evolving our shopping behaviors?

On this episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez delves into this topic with Anna Harman, Co-Founder and CEO of Studs. The duo explore the inception of S...

As the concept of "Motion is Magic" takes center stage in Kizik’s national brand expansion, the footwear industry witnesses a seamless blend of digital and physical retail innovations. This strategic approach, is set against a backdrop of increasing consumer demand for experiential marketing, engages customers uniquely and memorably and establishes a deeper connection with the brand. With Kizik’s introduction of new product lines and an experiential pop-up in NYC, the brand capitalizes on a growing trend reshaping the retail sector. This movement is timely as the global footwear market aims to reach of $472.59 billion by 2028.

How...

When businesses invest in building strategies around a sustainability impact report, it’s a win-win for the environment, the company, and the community the business serves.

The architecture and design industries face renewed pressure to innovate sustainably in an era marked by rapid environmental shifts and an escalating climate crisis. As businesses and individuals become more eco-conscious, firms like MG2 showcase their commitment through detailed sustainability reports. MG2’s inaugural sustainability impact report emerges as a pivotal development, aiming to significantly reduce carbon, energy, and water usage across its projects, aligning with the ambitious AIA 2030 Commitment.

Ho...

When businesses invest in building strategies around a sustainability impact report, it’s a win-win for the environment, the company, and the community the business serves.

The architecture and design industries face renewed pressure to innovate sustainably in an era marked by rapid environmental shifts and an escalating climate crisis. As businesses and individuals become more eco-conscious, firms like MG2 showcase their commitment through detailed sustainability reports. MG2’s latest sustainability impact report emerges as a pivotal development, aiming to significantly reduce carbon, energy, and water usage across its projects, aligning with the ambitious AIA 2030 Commitment.

Ho...

As consumers increasingly seek out sustainable and value-driven shopping options, American Freight stands out with its distinctive approach to the retail market. By capitalizing on the trend towards open-box purchases and the demand for high-quality products at lower prices, this retailer is leading the charge in a retail evolution. American Freight's model of selling recertified returns at steep discounts and using technology to make the online shopping experience more like visiting a store is reshaping consumer expectations.

But what does this mean for the future of retail and consumer expectations?

In this episode of "Retail...

The customers of today are no longer satisfied with mere products; they crave brands that provide immersive, distinctive, and tailored brand experiences. Athletic Propulsion Labs (APL) epitomizes this shift, setting a new standard in the luxury performance market with its innovative athletic footwear. APL's newly opened flagship boutique in Soho, with its artisan plaster walls and Italian-imported travertine flooring, serves as an exemplary showcase of the brand experience with APL.

How does APL set new standards in the competitive world of athletic footwear? And how does it continue to innovate and grow in the ever-changing retail space? I...

Amid rapid technological advancements and evolving consumer expectations, particularly from the digitally native Gen Z demographic, retailers face the urgent challenge of modernizing the checkout experience. This transformation goes beyond mere transactions; it's about cultivating enduring customer loyalty and deepening engagement in an increasingly competitive landscape.

This episode of "Retail Refined," hosted by Melissa Gonzalez, features an enlightening discussion with Maju Kuruvilla, the CEO of Bolt, at ShopTalk 2024. The conversation revolves around Bolt's innovative strategies to not just streamline the checkout process but to leverage it as a foundation for building lasting customer relationships.

The...

In an era where fashion and technology intersect more seamlessly than ever, particularly within the context of retail in the digital age, the discussion around innovation in the luxury footwear market is gaining momentum. This conversation comes at a crucial time when consumers are increasingly looking for products that not only offer aesthetic appeal but also incorporate cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices. The stakes are high as brands strive to differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace. A recent study indicates that the global luxury footwear market is expected to grow significantly, highlighting the increasing consumer demand for products that...

As technology continues to reshape the retail landscape, digital innovation, especially through artificial intelligence (AI), takes center stage. Its transformative power over store operations and customer experiences positions AI at the forefront of industry evolution, driving businesses to explore how these tools can refine efficiency, enhance  personalization, and redefine the shopping experience.

How can AI revolutionize the retail sector, especially in enhancing customer interaction and operational efficiency?

This conversation unfolds on the "Retail Refined" podcast where host, Melissa Gonzalez engages with Christopher Thomas-Moore, Chief Digital Officer at Domino's at ShopTalk 2024. Moore brings a wealth of e...

With Artificial Intelligence advancing at a breakneck pace, the retail space is heating up. Advances in tech could not come at a better time: As consumers demand more tailored experiences, brands are turning to technology to meet these expectations. Mastercard, a global leader in loyalty solutions, is at the forefront of this transformation, offering its customers personalization and loyalty in retail.

What role does personalization play in building customer loyalty? How can brands leverage technology to create more meaningful connections with their customers? These are the questions addressed in this episode of Retail Refined, hosted by Melissa G...

Artificial Intelligence has the potential to transform the retail industry, and this transformation is already underway: From e-shopping assistant chatbots to virtual fitting tech, AI is revolutionizing retail. The future of shopping was a hot topic at the NRF convention, the industry's big show, earlier this year — and that's likely to continue at the upcoming Shoptalk. 

What does the integration of AI mean for the future of shopping? How can it revolutionize the way we shop and interact with brands? In this episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez engages industry expert Joe Dittmar, NRF Board Member and...

In the ever-evolving landscape of retail, the buzz around artificial intelligence (AI) is louder than ever. With the National Retail Federation (NRF) recently highlighting AI as a focal topic and its anticipated discussions at ShopTalk, it's clear that AI is not just a trend but a transformative force reshaping the retail industry. This episode of Retail Refined delves into how AI is enhancing the shopping experience, both online and offline, and what this means for the future of retail.

How is AI revolutionizing the retail industry and what opportunities does it present for businesses and consumers alike?<...

AI is quickly becoming a leading player in building a unified retail experience. However, that success hinges on retailers’ ability to use the technology to generate brand trust and authenticity. Without those elements, it’s just AI.

On the latest episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez chats with Krystina Gustafson, Senior Vice President of Content at Shoptalk, about the evolving landscape of retail and e-commerce. They discuss how AI, brand trust, and unified retail experiences reshape consumer interactions and what this means for the future.

Gustafson, a former CNBC retail reporter, brings her frontline insi...

In the latest episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez peers inside the evolving world of wellness and retail in 2024. Joined by Jennifer Walsh, founder of Walk with Walsh, this episode offers a unique perspective on how wellness trends are reshaping the retail landscape.

This episode of Retail Refined features an insightful discussion between Melissa Gonzalez and Jennifer Walsh. Walsh, a pioneer in the beauty retail industry and a proponent of integrating nature and neuroscience, shares her journey from launching the groundbreaking beauty brand Beauty Bar to her current wellness and retail innovation endeavors. The conversation explores...

The transformation from a traditional brick-and-mortar store to an integrated commerce hub is crucial in the fast-evolving retail landscape. GNC's omni-channel evolution epitomizes this shift, blending in-person and digital experiences to meet the contemporary consumer's demands. But what does this mean for the future of retail?

“Retail Refined,” hosted by Melissa Gonzalez, welcomes Nate Frazier, the COO and Executive Vice President of GNC, to explore this question. They discuss how GNC’s approach to becoming a commerce hub has revolutionized the health and wellness sector, particularly in the VMS (Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements) space.

Gonzalez and Frazie...

With powerful tools like machine learning and AI, could retail logistics headaches be a thing of the past?

With the rise of e-commerce, especially during the pandemic, the logistics and delivery sector has seen a significant uptick in activity. As consumers increasingly rely on online shopping, the need for efficient and sustainable delivery solutions has never been more paramount.

Retail Refined’s Melissa Gonzalez sat down with Mike Robinson, Head of Retail Solutions and Founding Member of T8N (The 8th Notch). They delved into Robinson’s unexpected journey into retail, his experiences with giants like...

In the latest episode of Retail Refined, conducted at the Retail Influencer CEO Forum 2023, host Melissa Gonzalez explores the transformative power of consumer insights with guest Elizabeth Oates, VP of Consumer Insights at Ulta Beauty. They discuss how data-driven insights can enhance performance, foster customer loyalty, and shape the beauty industry's future. Oates emphasizes the importance of understanding consumers holistically, from Gen Z to the upcoming Gen Alpha, and how Ulta is leveraging insights to create authentic and engaging experiences for all.

During the recent 2023 Retail Influencer CEO Forum, Retail Refined’s Melissa Gonzalez sat down with Neil Blumenthal, co-CEO and co-Founder of Warby Parker, to discuss the brand's journey and its innovative approach to leadership in the eyewear industry. Blumenthal highlighted Warby Parker’s commitment to providing affordable eyewear while also making a positive impact with their “Buy a Pair, Give a Pair” initiative. He also touched on the brand's technological advancements, such as virtual try-ons and vision tests, and the importance of transparency in building trust with consumers, especially Gen Z.

The retail landscape is not just shifting—it's making monumental changes at an astonishing rate, thanks to advances in technology like artificial intelligence, better known as AI. Companies like Meta are at the forefront of this change, driving innovation through AI, mobile optimization, and an ever-evolving array of social platforms. For retail brands, adapting to this new landscape means embracing AI's optimization potential in real-time, particularly in performance marketing. This leaves the critical question: How do businesses combine human ingenuity with AI to meet the demands of increasingly savvy consumers? 

Elaborating more on the intricate balance between tec...

The future of retail is not just a question of digital versus physical; it's about creating a seamless, multi-dimensional experience that speaks to consumer emotions as much as it does to their needs.

Melissa Gonzalez, Host of Retail Refined, and Principal, MG2 and Founder of The Lionesque Group, underscores the enduring power of brick-and-mortar stores in establishing brand awareness, affinity, and purchase intent. Her insights point to a future where digital, physical, and emerging technologies like augmented reality coalesce into a unified customer journey. Retailers must embrace this complexity, incorporating real-world feedback to shape corporate strategies that...

Personalization and DIY are now a mainstay in today’s world, but striking disruption comes in the form of Dormify, the ultimate solution to bland and uninspiring dorm rooms. What started as a mother-daughter quest to find chic dorm room décor turned into a business dedicated to helping college students and first-apartment dwellers design a space that is unique and reflective of their personal style. 

A hallmark of Dormify's success lies in the way they've created an engaged community of college students, growing organically from a content site into an e-commerce platform offering tools, advice, and home...

The intersection of AI and retailers comes into focus In the latest episode of Retail Refined. Host Melissa Gonzalez sits down with Purva Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO of Lily AI. Their conversation centers on how Lily AI bridges the gap between ‘merchant speak’ and ‘consumer speak’ regarding AI and retailers. Gupta explains how Lily AI uses advanced image recognition and AI capabilities to extract product attributes from catalogs, translating them into consumer-friendly language. This process not only optimizes on-site search and demand forecasting but also leads to significant revenue increases. The discussion also touches on the importance of authenticity and cont...

Every retailer strategizes in prioritizing customers needs differently, but it remains a focal point. As digital retail often overshadows brick-and-mortar stores, Saatva, the luxury mattress, bedding, and furniture brand, proves that the tangible retail experience still holds significant value. The key lies in harmonizing online and physical retail platforms, optimizing customer experience, and tailoring strategies to address specific market dynamics.

Saatva’s innovative approach extends beyond its diverse product offerings to include customer service reps at each store who are simultaneously available online, enhancing customers’ touchpoints and enabling better product understanding. Their approach to prioritizing customers needs meet...

Brick-and-mortar stores and e-commerce platforms are rapidly blending, adopting a digital-first strategy is crucial for retail giants. Straddling the evolving terrains of customer preferences and technological advancements, companies are faced with a monumental task of transforming their operations end-to-end, effectively marrying their wholesale brands with a direct-to-consumer operational model.

Amid this challenge and opportunity, businesses are uncovering new ways to rewire their supply chains, reshape their merchandise planning, and redesign their store experiences. Offering some more understanding into this topic, Dan Cherian, VP of Transformation at VF Corporation, talked about this retail revolution for an episode of “Re...

In the latest episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez converses with Dawn Clark, Co-Founder of Osean Studios, a design strategist, and retail design expert. The spotlight of the conversation is the impact of wellness in retail experiences, delving into Clark's professional journey that spans eminent brands like Carrot, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nike, Amazon, and more. During their conversation, they discuss the importance of human-centric design and the need to prioritize the experience of both customers and employees in the physical space of a store. With a particular focus on the evolution of consumer behaviors, the narrative underscores the...

Global retail brands have a reputation for going big. But how do the best brands find a way to make a powerful consumer impact globally while maintaining that local feel so crucial to long-stranding relevancy?

As technology advances and consumer behavior shifts, brands face the challenge of creating unique, immersive experiences that resonate with consumers locally while maintaining their global identity. The success of this balance can significantly impact a brand’s market share and overall growth. One brand that has been making strides in this area is the global retail phenomenon, Coach. Its retail strategy has be...

Sensory design is an emerging marker of today’s retail experience. The digital age continues to transform the retail industry, and the advent of Sensory Enabling Technologies (SETs) is revolutionizing how consumers interact with brands online, creating immersive, multisensory customer experiences that were once only possible in physical stores. According to a study by McKinsey, 74% of U.S. retailers could increase their revenue by focusing on their e-commerce content. With global e-commerce sales trending towards $7.5 trillion by 2026, brands must raise the stakes to translate the sensory richness of in-store experiences to the digital realm.

But how can br...

RICE 2023 (the Retail Innovation Conference & Expo) brought out all the latest trends and innovations for retailers to experience. Halfway through 2023, the retail industry is clearly emerging from a pandemic. The sector faced everything the pandemic could throw at it, supply chain issues, inflation, economic uncertainty, and geopolitical factors. However, consumers are still buying, and that customer shopping journey is more relevant than ever.

Retailers are adjusting to a new normal where a seamless experience and hybrid shopping are shaping the future of retail. According to Forbes, the five biggest retail trends that will impact the industry in 2023...

Consumer behavior continues to change in the wake of the pandemic. One trend found by 6 River Systems is that consumers demand “omnichannel” retail experiences that are consistent across channels. It can be very difficult for retailers to bridge the gap between brick-and-motor and online delivery of their products.

How can retailers create seamless experiences when the logistics are so difficult?

This is where AI tools can step into the picture. Host Melissa Gonzalez interviews Nishith Rastogi, CEO and found of Locus, on today’s episode of Retail Refined to find delivery solutions for retailers. Locus provid...

Consumer behavior continues to change in the wake of the pandemic. One trend found by 6 River Systems is that consumers demand “omnichannel” retail experiences that are consistent across channels. It can be very difficult for retailers to bridge the gap between brick-and-motor and online delivery of their products.

How can retailers create seamless experiences when the logistics are so difficult?

This is where AI tools can step into the picture. Host Melissa Gonzalez interviews Nishith Rastogi, CEO and found of Locus, on today’s episode of Retail Refined to find delivery solutions for retailers. Locus provid...

Shoptalk Europe 2023 brought the technologies and channels driving the future of retail into a clear perspective. This year’s annual event from May 9-11 in Barcelona allowed Retail Refined’s Melissa Gonzalez to sit down with key stakeholders making a difference in the market. COS (Collection of Style) is a European fashion brand doing innovative things in the space. Gonzalez spent some time with Christoffer Sellin, Managing Director, Europe for COS. Sellin shared insights into COS’s strategy, including their use of technology to bridge the digital and physical store experience and their vision for an enhanced, seamless customer journey. At the...

As AI advances with technologies such as GPT-4, companies are beginning to come to terms with the fact that “soft skill” education is crucial in creating a future industry for the retail world. GPT-4 functions as a natural language processing tool driven by tech that can use its language model for hard skills such as answering questions and assisting with tasks such as composing emails, essays, and code.

How, exactly, is the rapid development of AI and the hard skills it is equipped with influencing the retail industry’s workforce?

On this episode of Retail Refine...

In the swiftly evolving retail industry, the conversation around digital transformation and retail technologies is more urgent than ever. Amid this tech-driven revolution, IKEA is pioneering a remarkable journey. The stakes are high, as IKEA aims to shift from being primarily a physical retailer to incorporating a substantial omni-channel presence. As of 2016 only 2% of IKEA's business was omni-enabled, now in 2023 it has leaped to 23%.

The central question being answered here: How is IKEA digitally transforming its business model and store formats to adapt to evolving consumer needs?

On this episode of Retail Refined with Melissa...

The retail industry is a dynamic landscape that demands constant adaptation to shifting consumer habits, market fluctuations, and technological advancements. With retail spending projected to reach a staggering $31.3 trillion by 2025, it is crucial for brand management companies to stay ahead of the curve. One such company making waves in the industry is Authentic Brands Group (ABG), renowned for its diverse portfolio of high-consumer awareness brands.

What is Authentic Brands Group doing differently from other brand management companies?

On this episode of Retail Refined with Melissa Gonzalez, host Melissa Gonzalez joins us from Barcelona with guest...

As the landscape of luxury retail is rapidly evolving, a fresh perspective and innovations in luxury retail comes to the forefront from Lauren Barrie, the Group Head of Luxury Retail at Frasers Group. In a world still recovering from the effects of the pandemic, this topic is more timely than ever as we explore how luxury retailers are innovating and adapting. One noteworthy statistic: one in three customers that shop with Flannels, a division of Frasers Group, are experiencing luxury for the first time.

What does the future of luxury retail look like, what are the current...

In this episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez, sits down with Richard Lems, the Director of Format and Design at Rituals Cosmetics, to discuss the concept of balancing inspiration and ease in retail. They delve into the unique experience offered by the House of Rituals in Amsterdam, exploring its vision and the ways it connects with customers on a deeper level.

With the innovation being seen at the House of Rituals; how can other retailers strike a balance between providing inspiration and ease, ensuring a seamless and effortless shopping experience for customers?

Lems shares...

Toys “R” Us is an unforgettable part of many Americans’ childhoods, bringing back nostalgic memories of aisles upon aisles stacked high with all the toys a little mind could imagine. That’s why it was saddening for many who grew up with the chain to hear they filed for bankruptcy in September of 2018.

But is Toy’s “R” Us making a comeback? It’s quite possible, with the toy store opening back up in nine states within Macy’s as of last year. And one branding company, WHP Global, is to thank for that.

What is WHP Global doin...

As retail evolves, so do many of the business models and strategies that are crucial to its success. Direct-to-consumer, or D2C, is the model that ensures that retailers sell and distribute their products directly to consumers. This allows them to avoid any other parties in the process. As a result, many brands are also shifting how they do business.

What are the brands doing to evolve D2C in retail?

Discussed on “Retail Refined,” host Melissa Gonzalez interviewed Sonal Gandhi, the Chief Content Officer at The Lead, on how D2C is helping change and...

Social commerce may be a newish idea for U.S. retail brands, but it is a trendy marketing tool in China. How popular? Sales in China from social commerce platform purchases reached $363 billion in 2021. Compare that with the U.S., where social commerce sales were $36.6 billion in the same year. The trend is growing, however, and by 2025 those sales look to reach $79.6 billion, more than double the amount from 2021.

What’s driving the sales growth to that near $80 billion figure, and what technology will fuel it beyond the next two years? The future of social commerce and co...

As the retail industry continues to evolve, retailers are constantly searching for ways to create more engaging and personalized content that will resonate with their target audiences. In this episode of Retail Refined, Benjamin Benichou, CEO of Drop, joins Melissa Gonzalez to discuss the ways that AI is revolutionizing content creation and social commerce.

Benjamin shares his insights into the key trends shaping the industry, from the rise of mobile commerce to the increasing importance of personalization. He also provides practical advice for retailers looking to leverage AI to create more effective content, including the importance of...

In this episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez, Principal at MG2/ Founder of The Lionesque Group sits down with Tracy Benaman, Deep North VP of Retail Sales, at NRF's Big Show to discuss how AI video analytics is revolutionizing the retail industry. Tracy shares how retailers are using AI video analytics to gain valuable insights into customer behavior, improve in-store experiences, and drive sales. Whether you're a retailer looking to stay ahead of the curve or simply curious about the future of retail, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to learn more about how AI video analytics...

Forever 21 CEO, Winnie Park, and Assistant Merchant for Todd Snyder, Clay Lute, discuss retail brands, Generation Z, and how brands and companies maintain their authenticity, whilst being inclusive.

Maya’s Ideas 22-year-old Founder and CEO Maya Penn talks about sustainable entrepreneurship and its appeal to Gen Z.

Coach’s VP of Global Digital Experience, Renee Klein, talks about the strategies for making retail inroads through Web3 and the Metaverse.

Halston’s new Creative Director, Ken Downing, discusses the Gen Z trends driving the fashion industry today.

Volumental’s CEO & Co-Founder, Alper Aydemir, breaks down the foot scanner technology that’s changing the shoe-buying industry.

Steve Kramer, CEO at WorkJam, is a twenty-year veteran in e-commerce. His specialty is finding the gaps in how organizations manage their frontlines. He founded WorkJam in 2014 as a digital frontline workplace to solve retail industry issues. “Our platform essentially helps retailers and companies and other industries, such as healthcare, manufacturing, and distribution, to orchestrate their frontline workforces,” Kramer said.

The frontline digital workforce is a new category that reshapes how organizations bi-directionally communicate with their workers. It encompasses all the core elements of managing a frontline under one platform accessible through an employee’s mobile device. No mat...

Successful retail requires flexibility. Recently, omnichannel was groundbreaking, but Retail Dive now reports it as a consumer baseline expectation. Let’s say a consumer is shopping on their mobile device. They transfer to their laptop to complete the transaction only to find an empty cart. These disconnections create enough friction for shoppers to jump and abandon ship. Platform unification is more important than ever. Enter: Fabric.

Fabric is a headless service. It ensures retailers' connection between multiplatform is seamless and reduces friction. “I’ve spent the last two decades plus in commerce,” said Fabric CEO Faisal Masud. Masud wo...

The popularity of BNPL (buy now, pay later) has grown tremendously over the past decade. The attraction of breaking purchasing payments up over weeks without interest or late fees is undeniable. In fact, “BNPL spending in the US is up 230% since 2020, per a September report by Accenture... [and] it’s estimated to total ~$226 billion this year, according to a Juniper Research report.”

And while there are many players in the BNPL world, there are not any that have disrupted the industry quite like Splitit. Retail Refined podcast host Melissa Gonzalex sat down with Splitit CEO Nandan Sheth to dis...

Retail in 2022 and surviving as a brick-and-mortar store means keeping up with the consumers and consistently improving the customer’s experience. Keeping up with the consumers means being able to know what is convenient for them and what drives a consumer to make a purchase. In this episode of Retail Redefined, hosted by Melissa Gonzalez with special guest, Nick Delyani, Director of Retail at Xovis NA, takes a seat in the studio to provide valuable insights that span over a decade’s worth of experience in marketing, sales, and creatives.

Xovis specializes in personalized solutions for retailers to t...

With over 12K retail locations closing in 2020, leaving 159M square feet of retail space unoccupied, many might be thinking that the future of brick and mortar retail locations is permanently on the decline. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, retailers opened more stores than they closed in 2021, “with a nearly 40 percent increase in year-over-year store opening announcements” (AZ Big Media). Retail Refined host Melissa Gonzalez, spoke with

Brent Paulsen, Managing Director and Head of Retail at UNTUCKit about the company’s brick and mortar store strategy, the future of retail, and how data analytics can be...

It’s the age-old question advertisers ask themselves: How do I ensure the brand is placed at the right place and right time to successfully engage our target audience throughout the customer journey? Discussing this loaded topic with Retail Refined Host, Melissa Gonzalez, is Karl Haller, partner of the consumer center of competency at IBM.

One major player is initiating an omnichannel business strategy that places the touch points necessary to reach a target audience in their preferred time and place.

A key word for this approach is strategy, and that’s what consumers are seei...

The Head of Global Expansion at HugePOD discusses custom apparel with Retail Refined host Melissa Gonzalez. HugePOD is a global leader in print-on-demand apparel design and manufacturing. Formally launched in 2021, HugePOD includes a worldwide network of diverse manufacturers and has developed a flexible fashion supply chain for world-class retailers, including Steve Madden, Forever New, Landmark, and SHEIN. HugePOD has more than 200 employees across its offices on three continents.

Its primary offering is perfect for influencers and Etsy shops. The team can help people build a brand related to their side hustles and flex more influence with their c...

HugePOD is a global leader in print-on-demand apparel design and manufacturing. Formally launched in 2021, HugePOD includes a worldwide network of diverse manufacturers and has developed a flexible fashion supply chain for world-class retailers, including Steve Madden, Forever New, Landmark, and SHEIN. HugePOD has more than 200 employees across its offices on three continents.

Its primary offering is perfect for influencers and Etsy shops. The team can help people build a brand related to their side hustles and flex more influence with their customers. With 40 in-house designers, companies can customize their apparel and get design help, streamlining the process...

The convenience of online shopping means those crowded malls are no longer. No more waiting in a long line to purchase an item, no more pushing through crowds. But also, no longer being able to see the item in a room, on display. No more walking into a store and seeing the products incorporated as designed. But what if that could change? Retail Refined host Melissa Gonzalez sits down with Head of Global Sales of ByondXR, Mark Loeb to discuss the impact technology can have in the retail industry.

Designed to provide consumers a deeper online connection...

The convenience of online shopping means those crowded malls are no longer. No more waiting in a long line to purchase an item, no more pushing through crowds. But also, no longer being able to see the item in a room, on display. No more walking into a store and seeing the products incorporated as designed. But what if that could change? Retail Refined host Melissa Gonzalez sits down with Head of Global Sales of ByondXR, Mark Loeb to discuss the impact technology can have in the retail industry.

Designed to provide consumers a deeper online connection...

The days of retail clothiers needing to stock multiple garment sizes could be drawing to a close. NOBAL Technologies developed a product poised to revolutionize the customer retail experience with its interactive iMirror solution. Daniel Maher, VP of Technology at NOBAL, joined Retail Refined's Melissa Gonzalez at NRF to talk about the positive impact iMirror is already having on retail customers.

There are many advantages to this virtual approach to trying on clothes. Customers can mix-and-match products without searching for the store to find an item to then try on. Need a specific size that isn’t av...

The days of retail clothiers needing to stock multiple garment sizes could be drawing to a close. NOBAL Technologies developed a product poised to revolutionize the customer retail experience with its interactive iMirror solution. Daniel Maher, VP of Technology at NOBAL, joined Retail Refined's Melissa Gonzalez at NRF to talk about the positive impact iMirror is already having on retail customers.

There are many advantages to this virtual approach to trying on clothes. Customers can mix-and-match products without searching for the store to find an item to then try on. Need a specific size that isn’t av...

While at the world’s largest retail conference and expo, Retail Refined Host Melissa Gonzalez spoke with Chris Georgen, Founder and Chief Architect of Topl, a company that sits at the intersection of sustainability, deep-technology, and innovation.

Topl, whose mission is to build trust between consumers and products, is set largely within an industry which has historically lacked that. Georgen remarked on Topl’s unique position within the market, particularly in increasing transparency within the fashion industry using Topl blockchain.

Using the tools created by and within Topl, the ESG impact of a company can vast...

Hosted live from the world’s largest retail conference and expo, Retail Refined Host Melissa Gonzalez spoke with Chris Georgen, Founder and Chief Architect of Topl, a company that sits at the intersection of sustainability, deep-technology, and innovation.

Topl, whose mission is to build trust between consumers and products, is set largely within an industry which has historically lacked that. Georgen remarked on Topl’s unique position within the market, particularly in increasing transparency within the fashion industry using Topl blockchain.

Using the tools created by and within Topl, the ESG impact of a company can...

Ian Leslie, Senior Director of Retail Advocacy at Bolt, joined Retail Refined for a live chat at NRF 2020. Bolt is a San Francisco-based one-click checkout solution powering checkout across e-commerce merchants across the internet.

“We’re trying to bring one-click checkout to all merchants whether they’re big or small,” Leslie said. “Give them a best-in-class experience, and also allow them to be able to identify their customers and allow their customers to checkout as seamlessly as possible.”

Once Bolt gets installed on a merchant’s website, they have immediate access to the millions of shoppers on th...

Ian Leslie, Director of Retail Advocacy at Bolt, joined Retail Refined for a live chat at NRF 2020. Bolt is a San Francisco-based one-click checkout solution powering checkout across e-commerce merchants across the internet.

“We’re trying to bring one-click checkout to all merchants whether they’re big or small,” Leslie said. “Give them a best-in-class experience, and also allow them to be able to identify their customers and allow their customers to checkout as seamlessly as possible.”

Once Bolt gets installed on a merchant’s website, they have immediate access to the millions of shoppers on the Bolt Ne...