Retail Podcasts

Bringing Hospitality to Retail as an Authentic Community Anchor: 15 Minutes with Coach’s Giovanni Zaccariello

bringing hospitality to retail

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,…

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Latest

2024 Retail Refined
True Religion Sets the Bar for Legacy Brands Seeking Cultural Relevance and Authentic Connections

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…

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2024 Retail Refined
Urban Outfitters is Shaping the Future of Retail with Gen Z and Gen Alpha in Mind

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…

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2024 Retail Refined
Milani Cosmetics Redefines Beauty Standards with a Commitment to Inclusivity, Innovation, and Cross-Generational Appeal

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…

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DisruptED
AI Retail Experience Revolutionizes Shopping with Personalized Recommendations, Multilingual Support, and Anti-Counterfeiting Technology

AI is revolutionizing nearly every aspect of our lives, and retail is no exception. Traditional commerce, once dominated by in-store interactions, has shifted toward e-commerce, yet the online experience often lacks the nuanced guidance of a knowledgeable salesperson. With advancements in Generative AI (Gen AI), this gap is closing, transforming the retail experience through…

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2024 Retail Refined
The Rise of Regenerative Agriculture and Strategies for Generating Capital with Steward CEO Dan Miller

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…

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Articles
Culture and Craftsmanship with Sabah Founder Mickey Ashmore

In an age where mass production dominates, the art of craftsmanship and its profound impact on culture and community is increasingly rare. This rarity has brought craftsmanship into the spotlight, as consumers and creators alike seek authenticity in a digital world. At the heart of this movement is Sabah, a brand that has successfully…

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Latest

human-centered
How Human-Centered Design Led to a Startup Accelerator for Education: A Conversation with Transcend Network’s Co-founder Michael Narea
June 20, 2025

The convergence of human-centered design and education innovation is reshaping how edtech ventures emerge and scale. As AI enables hyper-efficiency and bootstrapped entrepreneurship becomes more viable, the real differentiator is empathy—founders who listen deeply to users before building solutions. A McKinsey study of 300 public companies found that design-led organizations significantly outperformed their peers, with…

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care navigation
AI-Powered Care Navigation Reduces Healthcare Spend and Improves Patient Access
June 20, 2025

The U.S. healthcare system is strained by rising costs, uneven quality, and fragmented care navigation. Employers are bearing the brunt, spending more without always securing better care for their teams. According to the RAND Corporation, one effective strategy is to “change their network and benefit designs to encourage patients to use lower‑priced, higher‑value providers…

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edge computing
Building the Wireless Future: Low-Power IoT, Edge Computing, and the End of the Gs
June 19, 2025

As the global race to 6G heats up, telecom providers, governments, and tech companies are investing billions to advance the next generation of hyperconnected infrastructure. European operators urge regulators to release more spectrum to stay competitive, while U.S. programs like the USDA’s ReConnect have funneled over $1 billion into rural fiber backhaul. Meanwhile, companies like…

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healthcare operations
Healthcare Operations Improve with AI That Unites Data, Automation, and Ethics
June 18, 2025

Generative AI has captured the public imagination, but its most transformative use cases may lie far from flashy consumer tools. In healthcare operations, where complexity, inefficiency, and fragmentation remain persistent challenges, AI is now driving measurable improvements. Research suggests AI-enabled healthcare systems could cut administrative costs by up to $360 billion in the U.S. alone….

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Other Retail Podcasts
Sustainable Trucking Solutions for Small Businesses: Increasing Profitability and Efficiency with Adam Wingfield
May 17, 2024

The trucking industry is at a pivotal moment, facing significant changes and challenges from regulatory shifts to technological innovations. As one of the backbones of the global economy, the importance of efficient and sustainable trucking solutions cannot be overstated. With the industry grappling with issues like driver shortages, regulatory compliance, and the implementation of…

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Transforming Ear Piercings into a Tailored Journey: How Studs is Redefining the Industry with ‘Earscaping’
May 14, 2024

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…

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Minimising Waste, Maximising Reusability of Returned Items: Streamlining the Returns Process with Two Boxes
May 10, 2024

As ecommerce continues to dominate retail, the efficiency of handling returns becomes crucial for customer satisfaction and operational sustainability. The return rates for online purchases are significantly higher than those for brick-and-mortar stores, underscoring a major challenge for online retailers. In this environment, investing in technology to streamline the returns process is essential for…

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A New York Pop-Up Experience Where “Motion is Magic”: Kizik’s Innovative Approach to Footwear and Retail Expansion Takes the Stage
May 1, 2024

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…

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A Look Into MG2’s Sustainability Impact Report
April 22, 2024

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…

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Unique In-Store Experiences Are Driving a Brick-And-Mortar Retail Resurgence
April 15, 2024

What’s behind the recent brick-and-mortar store resurgence? Could it be that big box stores recognize the one-of-a-kind shopping experiences that can occur in person? Finding unique ways to capitalize on those in-store experiences may lead to a brighter future for retail. Big box stores are reasserting the importance of their physical presence, continuing to…

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American Freight’s Open-Box Approach Sets a New Standard in Retail Where Quality and Affordability Go Hand-in-Hand
April 9, 2024

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. American Freight’s model of selling recertified returns at steep…

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Loyalty in Retail: Mastercard is Shaping the Future of Retail by Creating Meaningful Connections with Customers
April 1, 2024

The retail space is heating up with innovation. Consumers are increasingly seeking personalized experiences and brands are harnessing the powers of new technologies and data to fulfill these demands like never before. In today’s episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez has partnered with Mastercard, a global leader in the solutions at the forefront…

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Stepping into the Future at Shoptalk 2024: Creating a Flagship Brand Experience with APL
March 28, 2024

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…

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