RETHINK RETAIL

Latest Episodes:

Humanizing Retail Digital Transformation in 2026 Feb 27, 2026

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As artificial intelligence and immersive technologies dominate the headlines, the core of the industry remains unchanged: the human connection. In this episode of Rethink Retail, Monica San José (Retail Escool) and Richard Honiball (NEXCOM) explore why a successful retail digital transformation must be rooted in a company’s mission and values rather than technology for technology's sake. From the shop floor to the executive suite, our guests share 25+ years of expertise on navigating the "AI wave" while staying authentic to the consumer. Key Takeaways: - Mission Over Machines: Why leading with values and service is the only way to differentiate in a crowded market. - The Gen Z & Alpha Factor: Understanding why younger generations crave community and authenticity over traditional status-driven marketing. - Strategic Innovation: A cautionary look at immersive commerce (AR/VR) and gaming platforms like Roblox, why your core strategy must be solid before you "jump in." - Cultural Evolution: Why true retail digital transformation requires overcoming the human fear of replacement and fostering a culture of innovation from the ground up.

Where Retail AI Delivers ROI Today Feb 26, 2026

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AI is now a core requirement, not a side project. In this episode of the AiR Podcast, Top AI Leader Kimberly Morgan sits with Sameer Sharma and CK Wang from MediaTek, to discuss how edge AI and AIoT platforms are delivering measurable ROI across retail operations The conversation explores why intelligence is moving closer to the device, how edge AI supports real-time decision-making, improves cost efficiency, strengthens data privacy, and enables scalable AI deployment across stores. Key themes include shrink reduction, checkout optimization, infrastructure strategy, and the practical realities of adopting AI at scale. If you are defining your retail AI roadmap, this episode offers a grounded, execution-focused perspective.

Real-Time Inventory Management in Grocery Feb 23, 2026

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Real-time inventory management is reshaping how grocery retailers manage availability, labor, and store execution. On the latest RETHINK Retail Podcast, DeAnn Campbell speaks with Aidan Mittra, Co-Founder of OrderGrid, about how real-time, location- and expiry-aware inventory gives retailers true operational visibility that drives better product availability, reduced waste, and stronger margin protection across stores and distribution networks. Key Takeaways - Inventory quality matters: Accurate counts are not enough. Items must be findable, sellable, within date, and in the right location to support profitable operations. - Automated replenishment: Demand-aware ordering reduces manual work for store teams and enables faster, more consistent ordering. - Perishables management: Granular tracking and demand forecasting help minimize waste and maximize sales. - Inventory as an early indicator: Real-time data can surface operational and margin risks before they appear in sales reports. This episode explores how real-time inventory can form the foundation for more predictable, disciplined grocery operations and help position inventory as a measurable business advantage.

Turning Retail Into Unforgettable Experiences Feb 20, 2026

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Physical retail isn’t just surviving, it’s thrilling, immersive, and unforgettable! In this episode, Sandi Danick, SVP at Triple Five Group, shares how immersive attractions, authentic experiences, and tech-driven insights are transforming shopping into something people can’t wait to return to. Key Takeaways: - Why experience drives loyalty and foot traffic - Engaging Gen Z authentically - Blending entertainment, retail, and culture - Using tech to enhance, not replace, the human touch Want to see how commerce and entertainment collide to create loyalty and foot traffic?

AI Checkout, Shrink Reduction, and the Future of Front-End Optimization Feb 18, 2026

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Frictionless checkout has become one of the most discussed topics in retail technology. But for enterprise retailers, the real question is not whether checkout can be frictionless. It is whether it can perform consistently under pressure. Checkout is where throughput, labor efficiency, compliance, and shrink converge. It is the operational control point of the store. In a conversation hosted by Emily Crowe, Editor-in-Chief at Progressive Grocer, Matt Redwood, VP Retail Technology Solutions at Diebold Nixdorf, joined Zara Ngouen, VP Information Technology at Lidl US, to examine what modern AI-enabled checkout requires at scale. The discussion explores how retailers are applying AI-powered age verification to reduce associate interventions while strengthening regulatory compliance. It addresses how real-time behavioral analytics can proactively identify risk patterns and support shrink reduction strategies. And it examines how retailers are redesigning front-end environments to balance automation with human oversight, preserving both efficiency and customer trust. A key theme throughout the conversation is that frictionless checkout is not about removing people or layering in disconnected technology. It is about intelligent retail infrastructure. AI, software, hardware, and services must work together to optimize front-end performance across diverse store formats. As labor volatility continues and cost pressure intensifies, front-end optimization has become a strategic priority. Retailers are rethinking checkout architecture not only to improve customer experience, but to strengthen operational resilience, reduce shrink exposure, and scale modernization efforts across large store estates. For retail executives evaluating AI checkout solutions, loss prevention technology, and automation strategies, this episode offers practical insight into how leading organizations are approaching front-end transformation today.

Gen Z Marketing Strategy with Sourabh Sharma Feb 17, 2026

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What does it really take to win over Gen Z and Gen Alpha in 2026? Aliyah Flowers, B2B Community Manager at RETHINK Retail, connects with Sourabh Sharma, Head of Marketing at Histoires de Parfums, to unpack what younger generations actually value. They discuss: - Why community and values now matter more than visibility - How Gen Z and Gen Alpha think differently about sustainability and spending - Where AI genuinely adds value in personalization and where it’s just noise From cultural relevance to conscious consumerism, this conversation challenges brands to think deeper, not louder. Join the conversation with our global retail community at www.globalretailleaders.com

Marie Schwartz on AI, Community and Retail Feb 14, 2026

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At NRF 2026, April Sabral, Founder of April Sabral Leadership & Ask April AI, spoke with Marie Schwartz, CEO of RETHINK Retail, about leadership, community, and the real future of AI in retail. They explore: - Why true community starts with deep listening, not followers - What retailers must prioritize in 2026 beyond chasing every new AI trend - How leading with vulnerability can be a competitive advantage - From venture-backed founder to community-driven CEO, Marie shares why 2026 must be the year of execution and application in retail. Join the conversation with our global retail community at www.globalretailleaders.com

Hammitt Retail Strategy in Modern Luxury Feb 12, 2026

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From garage startup to global cult following. During NRF 2026, one thing really stood out in this conversation between Marie Schwartz and Jennifer Sprague, CMO at Hammit. Hammit has built something rare. Customers do not just buy a bag. They collect them. They trade them. They know the story behind the rivets. That kind of loyalty is intentional.. They discuss: - How Hammit protects its brand identity while expanding physical retail - Why resale and community are strengthening long-term loyalty - The operational discipline behind rapid DTC and store growth - Luxury today is built on identity, connection, and strategic retail expansion. Join the conversation with our global retail community at www.globalretailleaders.com

Moving past pilots: What enterprise AI actually takes Feb 10, 2026

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Enterprise AI doesn’t fail because the models aren’t ready. It stalls when operating models, data foundations, and decision paths can’t keep up. Recorded at NRF, this AiR Podcast features Yael Kochman in conversation with Rakesh Srinivasan (The Estée Lauder Companies) and Chris Daniels (Toptal) on what it takes to move from scattered experimentation to repeatable, enterprise deployment - across brands, regions, teams, and partner ecosystems. Key takeaways - Why saturation, skepticism, and a fragmented customer journey are forcing beauty brands to rethink how innovation gets delivered - What must change inside the enterprise to scale AI: product-oriented teams, clear intake and sequencing, and strategy-led roadmaps - The real governance challenge: maintaining brand voice and trust as data flows through platforms, vendors, and generative layers - How modular, “build once, scale many” platforms enable faster deployment across brands - When partnering accelerates outcomes - and why building everything internally can slow progress - A concrete example: Jo Malone London’s Scent Finder and what it shows about treating AI as a product, not a pilot Learn more about The Estée Lauder Companies and Toptal

Retail Therapy Podcast: NRF 2026 Debrief Feb 09, 2026

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There is a reason NRF is called Retail’s Big Show. Each year, it generates an unmistakable buzz across the retail industry. What matters most, however, is how that buzz translates into real insight and action. NRF 2026 delivered bold predictions, big ideas, and no shortage of conversation around AI. The real question is what retailers actually took seriously this year. In this episode of Retail Therapy, host Andrew Smith of ThinkUncommon is joined by Liza Amlani of Retail Strategy Group and Casey Golden of CI&T to break down the signals that mattered most from both the show floor and the stage. Rather than rehashing headlines, the conversation focuses on the realities retailers are facing today, including: • Why NRF 2026 felt fresher and more grounded than recent years • The shift from AI education to AI implementation and accountability • Where pressure is building around data readiness, change management, and ROI • Practical examples of what is working, what remains difficult, and what may be overhyped • Why transparency, experimentation, and learning from failure stood out this year Whether you missed NRF or attended in person, this episode offers a clear, honest debrief designed to help retail leaders cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters. Listen to the full episode of Retail Therapy

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