Stories That Sell with Ken Nisch, Chairman of JGA

 

For more than four decades, JGA has been leveraging the talents of storytellers and craft-persons to create branded environments in Retail. How can retailers design not just their marketing campaigns, but their physical spaces, to tell the story of their product?

To better understand how this convergence comes together, we sat down with JGA Chairman Ken Nisch to talk about how this industry has ebbed and flowed over time, becoming more experience-focused for the customer.

For Nisch, an important aspect in keeping spaces authentic is not forcing technology, like augmented reality experiences or digital signage, into the space just because it’s new and flashy.

“I call it digital litter because its become so easy and so inexpensive, particularly on the hardware side,” Nisch said. “Content is really the most important, central factor and the hardest, most expensive to produce, but because the hardware has gotten so cheap, I think a lot of people in leadership positions are afraid to miss the boat because they feel like they’ll be criticized if their environment isn’t full of screens.”

Ken also opened up about how a snowstorm led to him joining this industry, what emerging trends he finds most fascinating, and one of his most recent projects: the James Allen showroom in Georgetown, DC.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Retail Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

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

Twitter – @RetailMKSL
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

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

Image

Latest

DX
Pursuing the World’s Rarest DX: Vadym Ivliev, UT6UD, and the Story That Led Him to Bouvet
January 16, 2026

For some operators, Bouvet Island represents the ultimate technical challenge. For Vadym Ivliev (UT6UD), it is something more personal—and more mysterious. From his home in Kyiv—far removed from the ice, storms, and isolation of Bouvet—Vadym has long been drawn to the island not only for its legendary radio silence, but for the stories it inspires….

Read More
GameStop
Inside GameStop’s Meteoric Stock Surge: A Former Executive Reflects on Power, Pivots, and the Price of Winning
January 15, 2026

The meme-stock era may feel like old news, but its aftershocks are still reshaping how leaders think about transformation, risk, and reward. In the wake of unprecedented short squeezes, shuttered storefronts, and sudden wealth creation, executives across retail and tech are still asking what actually happened—and why. Few episodes crystallize those questions better than…

Read More
podcast
The DisruptED Journey with Tim Maitland at MarketScale (Episode Three)
January 15, 2026

Storytelling is changing fast, shaped by new platforms, shifting audiences, and a growing demand for authenticity. What started as traditional podcasting has evolved into community-driven ecosystems built on real voices and lived experience. In this landscape, storytelling isn’t just content—it’s a way to build connection, spark engagement, and drive meaningful change. When done well,…

Read More
education
The DisruptED Journey with Tim Maitland at MarketScale (Episode Two)
January 15, 2026

Education is at a crossroads. As AI, online learning, and workforce demands rapidly reshape how people gain skills, long-standing gaps in access and outcomes remain a major concern in Michigan. Recent reporting on the 2025 State of Education and Talent shows Michigan has fallen to its lowest ever ranking in per capita income, underscoring…

Read More