Navigating New Retail Realities

Consistently named a top retail influencer, Carol Spieckerman is a recognized authority on retail and brand strategy. As president of Spieckerman Retail, she helps retailers, brand marketers, agencies and tech companies navigate retail from now to next. Spieckerman regularly contributes to major retail and business media outlets across a broad spectrum of retail topics and trends. On this new retail podcast, Spieckerman Speaks Retail, Spieckerman will be speaking on her Retail Trajectories – themes and calls to action that transcend categories, channels, business models and touch points.

 

We all know that this has been year like no other, yet unprecedented disruption has sparked new thinking and awakened ingenuity. Carol’s guest is uniquely qualified to bring much-needed perspective on lessons learned and best practices going forward. Courtney Hawkins’ passion for retail started early and she has since been responsible for over $1.5 billion in P&L as she served in executive roles with iconic brands like Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic and now, as VP of retail for fashion innovator The RealReal. In this far-ranging interview, Courtney and Carol roll through pivotal developments encompassing bricks and clicks and Courtney shares advice for retailers and brands seeking to secure their place in the new retail era.

In this interview, you’ll learn:

  • How to drive discretionary categories as consumers obsess on essentials
  • Why digitally native brands often have the upper hand
  • How to court consumers without compromising brand integrity
  • Possibilities and pitfalls of loyalty programs and content marketing

Contact information: Courtney Hawkins LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyabhawkins/

Listen to Previous Episodes Right Here!

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

teacher
Building the Next Generation of Educators Through Apprenticeship Pathways and Workforce-Aligned Training
March 23, 2026

Teacher shortages aren’t exactly a new headline—but lately, they’ve started to feel a lot more urgent. In some places, schools have gone years without enough fully trained teachers in the classroom, exposing real flaws in how we prepare and retain educators. Add in the rising cost of becoming a teacher and training models that haven’t…

Read More
Joint Commission 360
Understanding Joint Commission 360 Standards: What They Mean for SPD Teams (Part 1)
March 17, 2026

For a long time, compliance in healthcare was tied to the survey cycle. Now, that model is shifting. With the introduction of Joint Commission 360, organizations are being asked to demonstrate continuous performance—not just preparedness. As patient safety comes under increasing scrutiny, The Joint Commission is moving toward an approach built on real-time data, traceability,…

Read More
university
The Employer University Alignment Journey with Kristen Fox, CEO of Business-Higher Education Forum
March 16, 2026

Across the U.S., the conversation about the value of a college degree is increasingly tied to one central question: Does higher education actually prepare students for the workforce? As artificial intelligence reshapes how work gets done and employers rethink the skills they need, universities are under growing pressure to ensure graduates leave not just…

Read More
private equity
How AI Is Transforming Private Equity Deal Evaluation and Portfolio Strategy
March 13, 2026

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how organizations evaluate risk, analyze markets, and drive operational efficiency. In financial services alone, global AI spending is projected to surpass $97 billion by 2027, reflecting how deeply data-driven technologies are reshaping decision-making. For private equity firms—where hundreds of potential investments may be screened each year—the ability to analyze information…

Read More