RETHINK RETAIL

Latest Episodes:

Engineering the Future of AI and Customer Experience Nov 25, 2025

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What happens when technology meets true customer empathy? In this episode of Rethink Retail: Global Retail Leaders, host Alex Baker sits down with Uttam Kumar, Engineering Manager at American Eagle Outfitters, to discuss: - How engineers are becoming storytellers and changemakers in retail - The real role of AI — beyond recommendations, toward anticipation - Why successful digital transformation starts with people, not tech - Moving from waterfall to agile: lessons from 17+ years in retail systems - How hyper-personalization and data discipline define the next retail decade 🎧 Listen to the full conversation Join the conversation with our global retail community at www.globalretailleaders.com

Inside EuroShop 2026: What’s Next for Global Retail Nov 24, 2025

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EuroShop only happens once every three years — and every edition sets the pace for the future of global retail. In the latest RETHINK Retail Podcast, host Alexis sits down with EuroShop Director Elke Moebius and EHI Senior VP Ulrich Spaan for an inside look at what’s new, what’s evolving, and what the world can expect from EuroShop 2026 in Düsseldorf — including its first-ever expansion to Dubai. If you’re shaping the next wave of store design, retail tech, or shopper experience, or planning your trip to one of Europe’s biggest retail events, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. 🎧 Tune in now

From NYC Bakery to National CPG: The Rise of Elisa’s Love Bites Nov 21, 2025

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In this Rethink Retail podcast episode live from Groceryshop, David Weinand (Incisiv) speaks with Elisa Lyew, founder of Elisa’s Love Bites, on transforming her passion for clean, better-for-you desserts into a fast-growing national brand. They explore: - How Elisa pivoted from a decade-long NYC bakery to a scalable CPG model - Why clean ingredients, gluten-free recipes, and refined-sugar-free sweets set the brand apart - The focus on a hero product — the chocolate-chip cookie — as the foundation for national expansion Join the conversation with our global retail community at www.globalretailleaders.com

Retail’s Secret to a Sellout Holiday Season Nov 14, 2025

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Join Timm Henderlight, Lead Strategy Consultant at Perficient, and Rick Olson, Consult Partner at Kyndryl, as they reveal how predictive analytics and AI are transforming holiday retail planning. Discover how retailers are: - Forecasting demand with greater accuracy - Optimizing inventory and assortments - Streamlining operations for peak season Whether you’re a retailer looking to gain a competitive edge or simply curious about how data drives holiday success, this episode offers practical insights to help you plan smarter and sell more. Special thanks to @Kyndryl for making this episode possible Listen Now

Building Community, Innovation, and the Future of Connected Fitness Nov 13, 2025

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What happens when passion, purpose, and technology collide on water? In this Rethink Retail: Global Leaders episode, host Ninaad Acharya sits down with Bruce Smith, Founder & Chairman at Hydrow, the premium connected rowing experience redefining home fitness. They explore: - How daily movement can make the world a kinder place - What it takes to build three companies in one — hardware, software, and content - The challenge of scaling while keeping authentic community at the core - Why “the customer is the company” at Hydrow - How founder mindset and leadership evolve through growth - The next frontier: personalization, AI, and the end of cohorts Join the conversation with our global retail community at www.globalretailleaders.com

Ep. 1: Are Ecommerce Sites Dead in the Age of AI? Nov 12, 2025

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Welcome to Omnichannel Reimagined: A new RETHINK Retail & VTEX Video Podcast Series giving senior retail leaders an insider’s edge on the trends, tech, and tactics shaping the future of B2C and B2B commerce, from seamless digital storefronts to AI-powered experiences. In Episode 1, Top Retail Expert Brendan Witcher sits down with Santiago Naranjo, CRO at VTEX, to explore how AI is reshaping the buyer journey, whether websites are becoming obsolete in an AI-first world, the risks of letting AI platforms control customer relationships and how enterprise brands can remain indispensable, even when shoppers never visit them directly. 🎧 Tune in now to rethink what omnichannel really means in 2025 and beyond

Crafting Luxury, Connection, and Intelligent Growth Nov 07, 2025

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How does a century-old luxury lingerie brand balance craftsmanship, connection, and cutting-edge technology? In this Rethink Retail episode, Cathy McCabe, CEO of Proximity, sits down with Marianna Satanas, President of Hanro USA, to explore how timeless values can drive modern transformation. They discuss: - Turning heritage and craftsmanship into a modern customer experience - How human connection still defines true clienteling in luxury - Why authenticity and personalization matter more than ever - Using AI to empower teams and give customers real choice - How sustainability, quality, and emotional value shape buying behavior today

Self-Disruption in CPG: Harnessing Data, AI & Cloud to Shape the Future Oct 30, 2025

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The shelf era is over—and the rules of CPG growth are changing fast. 🛒💡 Join host Bryan Gildenberg and PwC experts Carla DeSantis & Remzi Ural as they break down how AI, agentic shopping, and moment-based experiences are rewriting retail. Learn how to turn data into actionable insights, leverage cloud ecosystems, and build an agile, AI-enabled enterprise that thrives in disruption. Listen now and rethink how your brand connects with consumers

Silk the Rich: Luxury, Sustainability & AI in Retail Oct 23, 2025

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How does a Japanese brand turn 150-year-old silk into a global haircare phenomenon? Alex Baker sits down with Kodai Takahashi, co-founder & CEO of Silk the Rich, to explore: - Transforming heritage silk into affordable luxury haircare - Scaling from 4 bottles sold to 10,000+ stores worldwide - Blending premium product experience with eco-friendly innovation (silk-based plastics!) - Leveraging AI for customer support and community engagement - Adapting to cultural differences while maintaining brand consistency Join the conversation with our global retail community at www.globalretailleaders.com

The Self-Service Inflection Point: How Grocery Leaders Are Pulling Ahead Oct 20, 2025

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Self-checkout is hitting its inflection point in retail! From frictionless AI-powered produce scanning to better integration with loyalty and payment systems, the future of in-store shopping is all about speed, efficiency, and smart tech. Key takeaway: Success comes from getting the basics right, integrating technology, measuring the right KPIs, and aligning staff, not just chasing the “next shiny thing.” Check out the full insights from our Rethink Retail podcast with Host Trevor Sumner, Nino Hörttrich from Diebold Nixdorf and Amar Mokha from Incisiv.

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