Rethink Retail

In this Global Retail Leaders episode, Fritz Finlay chats with Andrei Rebrov, CEO of Scentbird, about how the fragrance subscription service is making it easier to try new scents while building an omnichannel brand. ⏱ Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction to RETHINK Retail [01:25] Meet Andre at Sandberg, CEO of Scentbird [04:15] The beginnings of Scentbird and its fragrance subscription model [08:30] How Scentbird makes fragrance discovery easier online [12:50] The power of personalized recommendations [17:00] Subscription model: The convenience of monthly fragrance deliveries [22:30] Expanding into omnichannel: How Scentbird is navigating brick-and-mortar retail

A RETHINK Retail episode in collaboration with Cognizant Retailers face increasing pressure from labor shortages, supply chain complexity, and evolving customer expectations. So what’s the key to staying competitive? Smarter operations. In this episode, we team up with Cognizant to explore how operational transformation drives bottom-line success. Experts Scott TumSuden and Karthik Chandrasekar (Cognizant) and retail consultant Ian Scott reveal how the Stores 360 platform—developed with ServiceNow and Thirdera—is helping brands optimize workflows, boost employee performance, and elevate the customer experience.

How Gerber Children’s Wear is Future-Proofing Retail with AI & Authenticity In this episode of the RETHINK Retail podcast, host Richard Kestenbaum, Partner at Triangle Capital and Forbes contributor, sits down with Alicia Littleton, Director of E-commerce at Gerber Children’s Wear, to explore how technology, AI, and personalization are transforming the retail experience—especially for today’s digital-native parents. ⏱ Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction: Meet Richard and Alicia [03:30] Social algorithms, data, and understanding today’s parent [08:45] Retail channel strategy: Target, Walmart, Amazon & DTC [14:10] Resale, sustainability & loyalty in babywear [19:20] The future of retail tech: AI & conversational commerce [21:05] AI’s role in personalization and consumer expectations [24:00] What is conversational commerce and why it matters

Only 5% of specialty retailers are leading in unified commerce. In this special podcast episode, Manhattan Associates, in partnership with Google Cloud and research firm Incisiv, breaks down the just-launched 2025 Unified Commerce Benchmark for Specialty Retail.

Retailers face mounting challenges—from rising labor costs to evolving customer expectations. In this episode of Retail Tech Tips, we explore how AI, cloud computing, and data integration are transforming in-store experiences. Featuring industry leaders: - Roy Horgan, Group SEVP Strategy, Marketing & Communications at VusionGroup -Zach Whigham, Associate Director, Retail and Consumer Products at Kyndryl -Trevor Sumner Top Retail Expert Key takeaways from this episode: -AI and computer vision are redefining in-store engagement -Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs) are driving efficiency at scale -Retailers are moving from theory to action—focusing on ROI-driven solutions VusionGroup is a leader in electronic shelf labels (ESLs) and retail digitalization, helping retailers optimize pricing, promotions, and in-store experiences. Kyndryl is a global IT infrastructure powerhouse, working with retailers to modernize their technology ecosystems for scalability and efficiency. Listen now and stay ahead of the curve

Can AI revolutionize retail? C&A Brazil and Sam’s Club share their strategies. In this Global Retail Leaders episode, Top Retail Expert Alberto Serrentino chats with Paulo Correa, CEO of C&A Brazil, and Todd Gardner, Chief Product Officer at Sam’s Club, about how AI is transforming business efficiency, customer experience, and decision-making in retail.

How do you scale a retail brand without losing the personal touch? On this episode of RETHINK Retail, we chat with Karrie Helm, Director of Stores at Evereve, about how the brand scaled from a boutique experience to over 100 stores nationwide while keeping its values-driven, customer-first approach intact.

How can retailers embrace sustainability and drive social impact at scale? In this episode of RETHINK Retail, host Lisa Amlani sits down with Bev Kobe, President & CEO of Goodwill Industries, to discuss how Goodwill is redefining retail through the circular economy, resale innovation, and social enterprise. Goodwill is more than just a thrift store-it’s a leader in sustainability and job creation, diverting billions of pounds from landfills while employing those who need it most. ⏱ Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction to RETHINK Retail [01:20] Meet Bev Kobe, CEO of Goodwill Industries [03:45] The scale of Goodwill: 154 networks and 6 billion pounds of goods collected [07:10] How Goodwill is innovating in circular retail [12:30] Sustainability goals: resale, recycling, and reducing waste [17:50] Beyond retail: Goodwill’s impact on communities and job creation [22:15] Take-back programs & retailer partnerships [27:30] Final thoughts: How brands can start their circular journey

Can a fashion brand grow without paid marketing? Lager 157 proves it’s possible. In this Global Retail Leaders episode, Top Retail Expert Alexis chats with Hannah, Chairperson of Lager 157, about how the Swedish brand is scaling across the Nordics and beyond with slow fashion, zero waste, and an authentic approach to retail.

Can sustainability drive profitability and long-term growth? Norrøna proves that it can. In this Global Retail Leaders episode, Top Retail Expert Sharon Yourell Lawlor speaks with Bård Klamme, Retail Director at Norrøna, about how the premium outdoor brand has built a 100-year legacy through circular fashion, transparency, and a commitment to full-price retail.

In this episode of Rethink Retail, host Shannon Flanagan sits down with Jean-Didier Allongue, Senior Director of Global Store Design at Harry’s, to explore how the brand has scaled across 56,000+ retail locations while staying true to its identity. From disrupting the men’s grooming industry to creating seamless in-store experiences at Target, Walmart, Tesco, and Boots, Jean-Didier shares how Harry’s navigates the challenges of retail expansion, localization, and brand consistency. They dive into: ✅ How Harry’s global retail strategy has evolved ✅ The biggest challenges in localizing store design across different markets ✅ Why brand culture and customer insights shape the future of retail ⏳ Episode Timestamps: ⏩ 00:00 – Introduction to Rethink Retail ⏩ 00:30 – Meet Jean-Didier from Harry's ⏩ 01:27 – Harry's Global Retail Design Strategy ⏩ 02:56 – Trends in Men's Grooming & Retail Innovation ⏩ 03:59 – The Challenge of Localizing Store Designs Globally ⏩ 04:47 – Scaling Harry's Retail Presence Across 56,000+

The future of retail is unfolding before our eyes, and AI is at the heart of it all. In this episode of the AIR Leaders Podcast, a production of RETHINK Retail, our host Matthew Adam Smith sits down with Barry McGough, a Top AI Leader & Global Retail Leader, to discuss the game-changing technologies reshaping commerce.

Retailers operating at scale—especially in high-traffic environments like airports—face a unique challenge: how do you balance speed, convenience, and operational resilience while delivering a seamless customer experience? In this episode of the RETHINK Retail Podcast, Michael Klein (Top Retail Expert) speaks with Khurram Noor, VP of Customer Facing Systems at Avolta, and Bernd Kraus, VP of Retail Software Solutions at Diebold Nixdorf, to discuss what it really takes to future-proof retail operations.

In the latest Rethink Retail Podcast, we sit down with Andrea Morgan, Chief Innovation Officer at Blue Yonder, to explore how AI and end-to-end visibility are revolutionizing supply chains.

New RETHINK Retail Podcast: How AI is Shaping Retail Host Matthew Adam Smith sits down with Matt Redwood (Diebold Nixdorf) & Nicolas Kroeger (Manor AG) to discuss the impact of AI on retail. From optimizing store operations to elevating customer experiences, this episode covers the game-changing role of AI in retail.

Retail automation is evolving—are you keeping up? In this episode of the RETHINK Retail Podcast, Ben Bond, VP of Strategy & Business Development at Simbe, joins us to discuss how AI and robotics are transforming inventory management, enhancing pricing accuracy, and driving efficiency for retailers. Recorded live at NRF 2025, this conversation dives into the future of automation and the role of technology in building agile, resilient retail operations.

NRF 2025 brought bold predictions, cutting-edge innovations, and game-changing discussions—but what really matters for retailers in the year ahead? In this episode of Retail Therapy, Retail Cloud Alliance host Andrew Smith sits down with Brandon Rael of Kyndryl, Carol Spieckerman of Spieckerman Retail, and Guy Courtin of Tecsys to unpack the biggest themes from Retail’s Big Show, including: The rise of AI-driven personalization and the role of store associates Why retailers are taking a more cautious, pragmatic approach to new tech How supply chain innovation is being overlooked—and why that’s a mistake The real impact of digital transformation on retail operations and strategy Whether you attended NRF or want to stay ahead of the conversation, this episode is your deep dive into the trends and challenges shaping retail in 2025.

Join Jack Stratten, RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert and Director at Insider Trends, for an engaging discussion on the future of grocery retail. Featuring Oskar Jakobsson (ICA Gruppen) and Carsten Brase (Diebold Nixdorf), this episode dives into how retailers are embracing technology and choice to meet customer demands.

At NRF 2025, Lauren Kennedy (Upshop) and Derek Hannum (ReposiTrak) discuss how food traceability under FSMA 204 is reshaping the retail landscape.