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What Just Happened

What Just Happened

By Christine Russo

Join Christine Russo, host of exclusive CEO interviews and Roundtables, with leaders, founders and executives in the startup and technology space working with commerce, retailers and brands. Russo is a globally recognized thought leader in retail, innovation and covers topics spanning from metaverse, web 3.0 to ecommerce,
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The Rise and Rise of Retail Media with Albertsons and Criteo

What Just HappenedMar 24, 2024

00:00
21:51
The Rise and Rise of Retail Media with Albertsons and Criteo

The Rise and Rise of Retail Media with Albertsons and Criteo

In a lively exchange, Christine Russo, host of What Just Happened, Kristi Argyilan SVP Retail Media Albertsons, and Brian Gleason CRO Criteo discuss the evolution and potential of retail media networks. Kristi, with a background in media strategy and experience at Target and Albertsons, highlights the transformative impact of recognizing the value of retailer-owned assets, particularly first-party data. She emphasizes the shift towards proving outcomes rather than just impressions. Brian, drawing from his diverse career spanning publishing, technology, and agencies, underscores key moments that illuminated the growing significance of retail media, such as the revelation of Amazon's ad revenue and Walmart's projected profits from retail media surpassing those from physical goods.The discussion delves into the challenges and opportunities of integrating digital experiences seamlessly into physical stores, emphasizing the importance of enhancing customer experience while balancing monetization efforts. Both Kristi and Brian stress the necessity of maintaining trust and alignment with customer expectations in navigating the expansion of retail media networks. They also touch upon the role of platforms like Criteo in facilitating this evolution, offering scalable solutions for both established retailers and emerging networks, thus contributing to the ongoing rise of retail media.

Mar 24, 202421:51
Liza Amlani and Roz Griner Discuss Retail Fundamentals, Brand Challenges and more

Liza Amlani and Roz Griner Discuss Retail Fundamentals, Brand Challenges and more

In a dynamic discussion on the evolving landscape of retail, Liza Amlani and Roz Griner shed light on the pressing challenges and opportunities facing the retail brands. Liza emphasizes the importance of organizational effectiveness and increasing profitability through better go-to-market strategies, assortment planning, and reducing overdevelopment, while Roz pivots towards leveraging social media and content creation for branding and consulting. Both agree that the retail sector is navigating uncharted waters, with traditional retail fundamentals lagging the rapid evolution of consumer preferences. A key issue identified is the industry's reactive nature, relying on band-aid solutions rather than proactively addressing the core needs and desires of their customers. The conversation also touches on the shift back to physical stores amidst the collapse of direct-to-consumer brands, highlighting Nike's reversal from a DTC-only approach as a notable example. The dialogue underscores the importance of engaging directly with customers, utilizing social listening, and integrating feedback throughout the product creation and go-to-market processes. Furthermore, it calls for retail teams to reconnect with fundamental practices, like engaging with customers on the shop floor, to better understand and adapt to the rapidly changing retail environment, emphasizing the need for a more responsive, customer-focused approach in contrast to the traditional, inventory-heavy strategies of the past.

The conversation goes on to highlight brand strategic missteps in marketing and product development, such as heavy discounts and a lack of alignment with the preferences and shopping habits of Gen Z. The critique notes that Gen Z's aversion to shopping in physical stores, particularly malls, exacerbates the brand's challenges in engaging with this demographic. The conversation critically examines the identity and market positioning challenges faced by Gap and Banana Republic, two prominent retail brands. For Gap, the core issue highlighted is its ambiguous brand identity and unclear customer demographic, a problem exacerbated by inconsistent strategies and a failure to reclaim dominance in categories such as denim and basic colorful apparel, which were once synonymous with the brand. The discussion suggests that Gap's attempt to cater to a broad audience without a defined focus or updated assortments has led to a dilution of its brand identity. This challenge is compounded by seemingly misaligned collaborations and an unfocused expansion into various categories, such as intimate apparel, without first solidifying its core product offerings. The conversation underscores the need for Gap to revisit and clarify its brand identity, potentially by leveraging its historical strengths in offering generational and colorful clothing options, to regain relevance and market share.


Mar 16, 202424:55
Christian Muche on Possible Miami 2024

Christian Muche on Possible Miami 2024

Possible Miami 2024

https://possibleevent.com/

In a dynamic exchange, Christian Muche, co-founder and CEO of Beyond Ordinary Events and one of the architects behind the event Possible, introduces his venture to host Christine Russo, host and creator of What Just Happened. Launched in Miami, this event was designed to address the contemporary challenges and agendas facing the marketing industry, a multi-billion dollar realm poised for innovation and growth. Muche emphasizes the importance of creating an event that merges technology, marketing, and culture into an immersive experience, diverging from traditional conferences by engaging thousands of industry leaders, celebrities, and talents in a business-to-business environment. This initiative aims to redefine networking and professional development in the marketing sector by fostering a platform for significant industry advancement.

Russo outlines the event’s three critical pillars: consumer marketing and communication, business and society, and technology and innovation. According to Muche, these pillars were crafted after extensive deliberation to encapsulate the essence of current consumer behaviors, societal impacts, and technological advancements, thereby offering a comprehensive overview of the industry's landscape. The inclusion of e-commerce, augmented and virtual reality, retail within gaming, and AI showcases an ambitious attempt to cover the vast scope of modern marketing tactics and strategies.

The event stands out as a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and forward-thinking in the face of marketing's fast-paced evolution. By prioritizing content that looks ahead rather than dwelling on past case studies, Muche and his team aim to inspire and equip participants with the knowledge and tools needed for future success. The event's focus on consumer perspectives, coupled with its inclusive approach to both established brands and startups, fosters a rich environment for creativity and innovation. Muche's passion for the potential of the marketing industry is palpable, as he emphasizes the importance of curating a diverse and impactful agenda that challenges the status quo and encourages a collective push towards a more dynamic and inclusive future. Through The Event Possible, Muche aspires to cultivate a community where the power of possibility is not just a concept, but a driving force for tangible change and growth.

Further, the conversation touches on the critical role of startups and the broader spectrum of marketing, with AI being a part, but not the sole focus. This inclusive approach facilitates networking, learning, and the initiation of substantial business opportunities among participants. Emphasis is placed on the e-commerce and retail media components, acknowledging their significance within the marketing ecosystem and the diverse perspectives and innovations brought in by various partners. The event's structure is designed to cater to the evolving expectations of today's attendees, offering a multifaceted experience that spans beyond traditional conferences or networking sessions. This approach not only sets a new standard for future events but also reflects the dynamic nature of the industry, where flexibility and comprehensive engagement are key to staying ahead.

Mar 08, 202418:30
Jumpmind CEO Joe Corbin on Retail Point of Service and Improving the Associate Experience

Jumpmind CEO Joe Corbin on Retail Point of Service and Improving the Associate Experience

In this insightful discussion with Joe Corbin, CEO and founder of Jumpmind, Christine Russo explores the evolution of retail technology and its impact on both customer experience (CX) and associate experience (AX). Corbin's extensive background in retail, including his time at Abercrombie & Fitch during its international expansion, informs Jumpmind's approach to addressing the complexities of modern retail operations. Reflecting on the challenges faced during the heyday of brick-and-mortar retail, Corbin emphasizes the importance of understanding the distinct needs of large enterprise merchants with multinational deployments.


The conversation delves into the transformation of point-of-sale (POS) systems into point-of-service solutions, highlighting the shift towards enhancing associate-customer interactions. Corbin introduces the concept of AX (Associate Experience), emphasizing the pivotal role of associates in bridging the gap between digital and physical retail experiences. By empowering associates with intuitive and seamless technology solutions, such as tablets or handheld devices, retailers can streamline operations, improve customer engagement, and drive sales.


Additionally, Corbin discusses the significance of data synchronization in the context of cloud migration and AI adoption. Through Jump Mind's Symmetric DS platform, retailers can efficiently move and synchronize data across various environments, enabling agility and scalability in today's data-driven landscape. Furthermore, Corbin shares insights into innovative initiatives, such as CX Connect, which enhances the checkout experience by integrating personalized recommendations and loyalty programs. Overall, the conversation underscores the critical role of human-centric design in shaping the future of retail technology and driving meaningful outcomes for both retailers and customers alike.

Feb 25, 202425:17
CEO of Retail by Mona, Brandon Singer, talks about NYC Retail and Restaurant Real Estate Scene

CEO of Retail by Mona, Brandon Singer, talks about NYC Retail and Restaurant Real Estate Scene

In this conversation between Christine Russo and Brandon Singer, CEO and founder of Retail by Mona, Singer discusses the inception of his company during the pandemic and its unique positioning in the real estate market, particularly in New York City. He highlights the resurgence of retail activity in the city, particularly among luxury brands, and delves into the trend of luxury brands purchasing their real estate rather than leasing, as a long-term investment strategy. The discussion also touches on the evolution of neighborhoods like Meatpacking District, driven by factors such as tourism, office presence (notably Google's), and the appeal to both locals and visitors. Singer further discusses Retail by Mona's innovative approaches, such as utilizing text messaging for communication and leveraging social media presence for property marketing. He emphasizes the company's collaborative internal structure, contrasting it with the traditional competitive model in the industry. Russo acknowledges the significance of Retail by Mona's approach, praising its ability to adapt to modern business practices and foster a more inclusive and effective work environment. Singer concludes by highlighting the practical success of these strategies and expressing gratitude for the insightful conversation. www.retailbymona.com

Feb 13, 202416:01
Pano Anthos, Founder and Managing Director on Venture Capital

Pano Anthos, Founder and Managing Director on Venture Capital

In this episode of "What Just Happened," Christine Russo interviews Pano Anthos, the Founder and Managing Director of XRC Ventures. Pano emphasizes the consumer-centric approach of their venture, highlighting their focus on startups at the intersection of consumer behavior and technological advancements. With a team of 12, they support around 140 startups across three funds, prioritizing innovations that directly impact consumers rather than enterprise-focused solutions.


Pano discusses the current state of venture capital, noting the apprehension among VCs due to concerns about inflated valuations and market volatility. He emphasizes the importance of unique solutions addressing significant problems in today's market, as investors are becoming increasingly risk-averse. Despite the challenges, Pano remains active in early-stage investing, particularly in the retail sector, where he sees significant opportunities for technology-driven solutions.


The conversation delves into various topics such as the evolution of AI, retail technology trends, and the importance of data-driven decision-making. Pano shares insights into the future of personalization, retail operations, and sustainability in commerce. He discusses the potential of AI-powered virtual assistants and the need for businesses to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and technological advancements. Additionally, Pano highlights innovative approaches to sustainability, including reusable packaging solutions and on-demand manufacturing, as part of their investment strategy in sustainable commerce.

Feb 10, 202423:35
Cara Smyth from Accenture on ESG, Repsonsible Retail and more

Cara Smyth from Accenture on ESG, Repsonsible Retail and more

Christine Russo hosts Cara Smyth, Global Senior Managing Director ESG, Responsible Retail at Accenture, on "What Just Happened."

The conversation delves into the evolving landscape of sustainability terminology, such as ESG, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability itself. Cara highlights the risk of drifting away from profitability and stresses the importance of chasing waste out of the system to enhance efficiency and profitability. They also discuss the challenges and opportunities for businesses, especially in the retail sector, to align with changing regulatory landscapes and effectively engage with suppliers to drive positive change.

 

Cara addresses the challenges faced by small and large brands in navigating the sustainability journey. Larger companies, having already committed to science-based targets and ESG goals, are on the path to remediation and change. Smaller companies are encouraged to learn from the lessons of larger ones and leverage their agility to implement sustainable practices. The discussion underscores the necessity of collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and responsible retail practices for a more sustainable future in the retail industry.

Christine raises concerns about the risks faced by smaller companies, particularly suppliers, in the evolving landscape of sustainability regulations. There is a perceived challenge for smaller suppliers to keep up with compliance requirements and sustainability standards, potentially putting them at a disadvantage compared to larger, more professionalized companies. The risk is accentuated by the possibility of bigger companies consolidating around suppliers that can efficiently manage data exchange and meet sustainability needs.

 

The conversation then shifts to the complexities of regulatory compliance, especially in the "messy middle" where the specifics of evidence and requirements for sustainability practices are not yet clear. The speaker emphasizes the need for a transparent and evidence-based approach to demonstrate compliance, particularly in areas such as labor conditions and environmental impact. The evolving regulatory landscape is noted, with government bodies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, showing interest in sustainability reporting.

 

The emphasis is on the need for a multidisciplinary approach to drive responsible business practices across different sectors.

 

In the latter part of the conversation, the speaker reflects on the global landscape of sustainability, suggesting that Europe, driven by regulatory pressures, is ahead of the United States. The importance of a global baseline for sustainability practices is stressed, with the hope that European initiatives will catalyze change worldwide. The discussion concludes with insights into the Fashion Conveners report, which aims to address the fragmentation and lack of alignment within the non-profit sustainability community, ultimately working toward more effective collaboration and support for industry leaders.

Nov 26, 202337:13
NY State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton speaks about her Bill regarding Organized Retail Crime

NY State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton speaks about her Bill regarding Organized Retail Crime

In this podcast episode, Christine Russo welcomes New York State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, who has been voted the 2023 Staten Island Power 100. Senator Scarcella-Spanton's bill is aimed at making assaults on retail workers a Class D felony. This is for all retail workers; however, at the heart of it, is the small business.

The Senator shares the inspiration behind the bill, recounting an incident during her campaign where a deli worker was assaulted during a robbery. She collaborated with a group called C.A.P.S. (Collective Action to Protect Our Stores) to address the increasing concern of assaults on retail workers across New York State.

The proposed legislation seeks to make assaulting a retail worker a Class D felony, aligning them with other frontline workers' protections. The Senator emphasizes the importance of safeguarding those who were deemed frontline workers during the pandemic, drawing parallels to protections already in place for bus drivers and other essential workers.

Additionally, the podcast touches on a broader legislative approach to address organized retail crime, including bills targeting repeat shoplifting offenses and the sale of stolen goods online. The Senator emphasizes the need for nuanced solutions and an educational campaign to deter potential offenders.

Listeners are encouraged to visit Senator Scarcella-Spanton's Senate website and social media for more information and support for the proposed legislation.

https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/jessica-scarcella-spanton

Bill: https://tinyurl.com/fb3dphcx

@nysenator_jss

Nov 21, 202315:33
NY State Assemblyman John McDonald sits down to discuss Retail Organized Crime

NY State Assemblyman John McDonald sits down to discuss Retail Organized Crime

In this interview with Assemblyman John McDonald on "What Just Happened," the focus is on his bill addressing organized retail crime in New York. The bill proposes the creation of a retail organized crime task force, acknowledging the widespread issue of organized retail theft, amounting to $100 billion nationally and $4.4 billion in New York alone. The task force, with a bipartisan composition, aims to bring together various stakeholders, including representatives from the governor's office, Retail Council, Retail and Wholesale Union, and law enforcement, to collaboratively address the problem.
Assemblyman McDonald emphasizes the impact of organized retail theft on businesses, taxpayers, and employees, underscoring the need for a comprehensive approach. The bill seeks to bridge the gap between different levels of government and stakeholders, fostering communication and cooperation to find effective solutions. McDonald also addresses concerns about the urgency of action and the potential effectiveness of proposed measures, highlighting the importance of evidence-based decision-making.
The fate of the bill hinges on Governor Hochul's decision to sign it by the week, with McDonald advocating for a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to address organized retail crime in the state.

Nov 20, 202310:37
Fad, Trend or Strategey with David Marcotte and James Tenser

Fad, Trend or Strategey with David Marcotte and James Tenser

In this episode of "Fad, Trend and Strategy on What Just Happened," Christine Russo hosts David Marcotte from Kantar Consulting and James Tenser from VSN Media to discuss various trends and strategies in the retail and supply chain industry.

The conversation begins with a focus on the challenges in the supply chain, particularly the impact of weakened demand. David Marcotte highlights the ongoing chaos in the supply chain, attributing it to unexpected disruptions like the Panama Canal issues. He emphasizes the return of challenges similar to those faced two years ago, with disruptions in rail, seaports, and altered supply chain timelines.

The discussion then shifts to the failure of the trend towards digitalization of the supply chain, with various solutions, including blockchain, not living up to expectations. The persistence of paper-based documentation and a lack of trust in digital solutions are identified as obstacles.

Russo steers the conversation to delve into the issues of sustainability regulations in the apparel industry, pointing out the contrast between genuine efforts and challenges in implementing effective controls across the supply chain. The conversation touches upon the lack of uniform regulations and the need for companies to stand up and enforce ethical practices.

The episode concludes with a discussion on the concept of near shoring as a strategy to address supply chain challenges. Tenser sees it as a moderate trend that gained traction in response to lessons learned from the early days of COVID-19 disruptions. The hosts express varying views on the effectiveness of near shoring, emphasizing the need for a more resilient and adaptable supply web.

The conversation also briefly explores the concept of "Just Walk Out" technology, considering it a fad in certain contexts, while self-checkouts are viewed as a growing trend with potential iterations to come. The hosts touch upon concerns related to organized retail crime, changes in retail store structures, and the potential shift towards a membership-based system.

In the end, Christine Russo thanks the guests for their insights, highlighting the engaging and informative nature of the discussion, and expressing her desire to continue such conversations in the future.


Nov 17, 202314:01
Deep Dive with Coach's Giovanni Zaccariello

Deep Dive with Coach's Giovanni Zaccariello

In this conversation between Christine Russo and Giovanni Zaccariello, Giovanni discusses the Coach's approach to physical experiences and emphasizes the importance of localization, adapting formats for different regions, and using modularity to design for longevity. Giovanni provides examples, such as the Tabby pop-ups and the Coach Play stores, where experimentation and testing of new ideas occur.

Giovanni elaborates on the Coach Play stores' purpose as testing grounds for new concepts, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and localized experiences and highlights the success of Coach Play stores in terms of increased traffic and extended customer stay.

The discussion also touches on Coach's celebrity endorsements and a "constellation approach,". Christine draws parallels to the beauty industry's strategy. Giovanni explains the uniqueness of Coach Play stores, their flexible design, and the emphasis on creating a central community hub.

Giovanni addresses sustainability within the brand, detailing initiatives like Tomorrow's Vintage, Coach Reloved, and Coachtopia. He shares the brand's circular ecosystem in Coachtopia, where stores are made from scrap materials, creating a unique and sustainable retail experience.

Lastly, the conversation explores Coach's approach to apparel and its regional variations. Giovanni explains how the brand balances its core identity as a handbag company while expanding into other categories like apparel and footwear based on regional preferences. He also highlights the importance of omni-channel strategies, especially during the pandemic, and the success of live streaming in China.


In summary, the conversation provides insights into Giovanni's role, Coach's innovative approaches to physical experiences, sustainability efforts, and the brand's strategic expansion into different product categories and regions.

Nov 14, 202321:06
What Just Happened: Fad, Trend or Strategy with Andy Lautado and Chris Silver

What Just Happened: Fad, Trend or Strategy with Andy Lautado and Chris Silver

In this discussion, Christine Russo hosts Andy Lautato, COO of The Vitamin Shop, and Chris Silver, a Customer Technology Executive, to explore various topics within the retail industry. Both Andy and Chris bring valuable insights from their extensive experience, emphasizing the significance of understanding the retail environment and the challenges faced by employees in stores. They underscore the idea that success in the retail sector hinges on empathizing with the team, listening to their experiences, and recognizing the integral role of the people within the organization.


One central theme that emerges is the importance of agility and adaptability. Both guests acknowledge the rapidly changing landscape of the retail industry and advocate for being responsive to customer needs and market trends. They highlight the need for flexible strategies that can evolve with the business. Andy and Chris argue for the incorporation of innovation throughout the company, as opposed to isolating it within a separate department. They suggest that fostering a culture where innovation is part of everyone's role, alongside embracing risk-taking and learning from failure, can lead to successful, continuous innovation.


Moreover, the discussion highlights the power of leveraging the wealth of knowledge and experience within the organization. Chris shares examples of how some of the most innovative ideas at Urban Outfitters originated from employees working on the front lines. These individuals, with their deep understanding of the business's daily operations, were best positioned to identify areas for improvement and innovation. By involving employees from various departments and actively listening to their insights, companies can harness the creative potential of their workforce and drive meaningful change.


In conclusion, the conversation underscores the vital role of employees and team collaboration in shaping a company's strategies and success within the ever-evolving retail landscape. It highlights the need for a dynamic and adaptive approach to meet customer demands and adapt to changing industry trends while maintaining a strong focus on the people who drive the business forward.

Nov 08, 202326:17
How do Walmart and Meta help small business?

How do Walmart and Meta help small business?

In this conversation between Christine Russo and Barbara Thau, Editorial Director at Co. by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Barbara discusses her publication's unique approach to journalism and their focus on small businesses. Co. by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is an independent publication, separate from the Chamber itself, and it emphasizes providing insights and support to small businesses. Barbara highlights their recent achievement of hosting the first America's top small business gala, with thousands of applicants, regional finalists, and one winner. She also mentions a panel discussion with Meta and Walmart on how large businesses are supporting small businesses in scaling, reflecting a broader industry trend of big businesses seeking growth through partnerships with small businesses.

Barbara elaborates on how platforms like Walmart and Meta are providing opportunities for small businesses to grow by leveraging their resources and ecosystems. These platforms offer marketing, marketplaces, and other tools for small businesses to expand. She also notes the changing dynamics in the retail industry, with a focus on local and small businesses becoming increasingly popular, especially in light of the pandemic. Finally, Barbara discusses her role in bridging the gap between big and small businesses, sharing insights from executives of large companies to help small businesses learn and compete effectively in the market.

In summary, Barbara Thau and Co. by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are dedicated to supporting small businesses and promoting their growth by facilitating connections with major corporations and sharing valuable insights on the evolving business landscape, particularly in the retail industry.


Nov 05, 202311:45
What Just Happened: Simeon Siegel, BMO Capital Markets

What Just Happened: Simeon Siegel, BMO Capital Markets


In this conversation between Christine Russo and Simeon Siegel, they discuss various aspects of the retail industry, particularly its presence in the stock market. Siegel emphasizes the importance of agreement between retailers and consumers regarding service and value.Siegel also delves into the concept of gross margin as a measure of a brand's health and value, contrasting it with revenue. He discusses the challenges of publicly traded retail companies, which are heavily influenced by consumer spending, and highlights the need for a balance between short-term and long-term financial strategies.Furthermore, the conversation touches on distribution strategies, with Siegel advocating for the importance of wholesale and the need to carefully consider various channels for reaching customers. Overall, the discussion centers around the dynamics of the retail industry and its complex relationship with the stock market.

Oct 14, 202320:35
What Just Happened: International Association of Department Stores

What Just Happened: International Association of Department Stores

On What Just Happened Managing Director of International Association of Department Stores - IADS (International Association of Department Stores) Selvane Mohandas du Ménil and I discuss the history and transformation of department stores.


He highlights how IADS started as a research-focused organization in the 20th century but adapted to modern challenges by transitioning from being a club to a more practical and relevant tool for its members. Salvane emphasizes the importance of collaboration among department stores globally, addressing common challenges, and staying ahead of industry trends. He also touches on the role of technology and the challenges and opportunities department stores face in the ever-changing retail landscape, emphasizing the need for a clear purpose and a strong digital presence. Selvane also discussed the concept of an omnichannel strategy, where physical flagship stores remain at the core of an ecosystem while leveraging digital tools and channels for enhanced customer engagement.


Overall, Selvane's insights revolve around the transformation and adaptation of department stores in response to modern retail challenges, focusing on the importance of clear purpose, collaboration, and a strong digital presence.

Oct 14, 202318:07
What Just Happened: Fad, Trend or Strategy in Retail

What Just Happened: Fad, Trend or Strategy in Retail

Christine Russo hosts a podcast, "What Just Happened," discussing the distinctions between fads, trends, and strategies in retail, with guests Brandon Real and Michael Zakkor. A fad is seen as observational, something seemingly worth following due to its popularity. Trends are analytical, requiring consideration on their integration and potential impact on operations. Strategies are integrations that have tangible results and drive innovation in retailing practices. A significant focus is placed on how these concepts influence retail innovations, with discussions on the operationalization of these innovations and their actual impact on retail businesses, emphasizing the importance of tangible results. The conversation evolves around recognizing innovations worth integrating and identifying those merely riding the wave of popularity, without significant value.

The discussion digs deeper into the evolution of retail practices, examining various aspects such as live shopping, unionization, loyalty programs, and the increasing importance of immersive commerce and shoppable content, given that 83% of all internet content consumed is video. The conversation underscores the significance of companies' operational adaptability and the effectiveness of their back-end infrastructures to meet real-time demands. It addresses the implications of unfulfilled promises post-pandemic and delves into the pressing issue of income disparity, with the stark contrast between CEO pays and frontline workers becoming more pronounced. The dialogue wraps up focusing on the value and execution of loyalty programs, stressing the importance of brands maintaining promises and the necessity of execution in maintaining consumer relationships. The interaction between the host and guests offers nuanced insights into the dynamic world of retail, hinting at the necessity for adaptability, consumer loyalty, and innovation in sustaining relevancy in the market.

Thank you to guests:

Brandon Rael: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonrael/

Michael Zakkour: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-zakkour-150b865/

Oct 01, 202319:42
Catalogues are Back (or maybe never left?) Arnie Cohen, CEO of J. Peterman and former CEO of J. Crew weighs in

Catalogues are Back (or maybe never left?) Arnie Cohen, CEO of J. Peterman and former CEO of J. Crew weighs in

Arnie Cohen, CEO of J. Peterman, was welcomed to discuss the transformation of the company's operations and the resurgence of catalog marketing. Cohen spoke about his time at J. Crew and how the experiences and mentorship he received there helped shape his career and influence his leadership and mentoring roles today. He highlighted the significance of catalogs in the current retail environment, citing their essential role in the brand and product messaging. He believes in the 360-ecosystem, where brands need to dynamically impart their messages and offerings to customers as they like and prefer. The discussion also shed light on the constant evolution in the consumer-retail relationship, emphasizing the resurgence of catalogs as an essential medium for brands to impart their brand messages and product offerings. Even in an age dominated by digital media, catalogs have maintained their significance, offering a tactile experience to consumers and serving as reliable, tangible reminders of a brand's offerings.

The conversation transitioned to more operational aspects, with Cohen elucidating on the changes and improvements made in J. Peterman's warehouse operations and the incorporation of Cart.com into their tech stack. He detailed the challenges encountered during this transition, including labor and system upgrades, and the practical solutions provided by Cart.com's technological infusion, which drastically improved efficiency, reducing labor requirements and increasing order processing speed. Cohen emphasized the hybrid model proposed by Cart.com, which allowed J. Peterman to maintain their warehouse while implementing Cart.com's systems and processes. This resulted in increased efficiency and reduced costs, allowing J. Peterman to focus more on enhancing their service levels and customer relationships. Arne ended the conversation by reflecting on the industry's challenges, the continuous need for adaptation and innovation, and his optimistic outlook on leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.


Sep 28, 202325:37
What Just Happened with Benoit Koenig of Veesion

What Just Happened with Benoit Koenig of Veesion

In this conversation on "What Just Happened," Christine Russo welcomes Benoit Koenig from Veesion, a company using AI to combat retail theft. Benoit discusses the urgent need to address the rising issue of retail shrinkage due to factors like inflation and increasing theft. He highlights the limitations of traditional security measures like security agents, cameras, and RFID tags, emphasizing that these methods haven't effectively curbed shrinkage. He distinguishes between shrinkage and organized retail crime, noting that Vision's AI technology focuses on gesture analysis using deep learning, specifically targeting shoplifting behaviors. Benoit explains that the technology can detect suspicious gestures associated with shoplifting and alerts store personnel in real time, enhancing the response to potential theft incidents. He also mentions their upcoming shift towards generative AI to further improve detection and generate training data more efficiently.

The conversation delves into the practical implications of Vision's technology for retailers. Benoit explains that the AI system provides insights about sensitive areas, days, and times prone to shoplifting, helping retailers tailor their security measures and operational strategies. He shares examples of how their technology has already helped retailers reduce shrinkage by identifying internal theft as well as client theft. The discussion touches on the competitive landscape in AI for retail and the potential of generative AI to revolutionize data-driven decision-making by providing detailed insights into customer interactions with products in physical stores. Overall, the conversation highlights Vision's innovative approach to tackling retail theft and the transformative potential of AI in the retail industry.

Aug 27, 202318:05
What Just Happened with Andy Ruben of Trove on Resale and Returns

What Just Happened with Andy Ruben of Trove on Resale and Returns

In this conversation, Christine Russo interviews Andy Rubin, the executive chairman and founder of Trove, discussing the growth of the resale market and its impact on brands. Trove is a pioneering player in the resale space, helping brands create and manage their resale programs. Andy Rubin highlights that the resale market is gaining momentum, with more brands recognizing the value of retaining control over their secondary market and sustainability efforts.

Andy emphasizes the importance of brands being involved in the resale of their products, especially those known for high-quality craftsmanship. Brands like Patagonia and Lululemon have successfully integrated resale into their strategies, reaping benefits in terms of customer loyalty, brand equity, and sustainability. Andy also discusses Trove's role in providing technology and tools for brands to manage their resale programs effectively. They talk about the challenges of grading and authenticating items, and how Trove's technology supports this process.

Andy acknowledges the increasing competition in the resale space, highlighting the positive impact it has on the industry's growth and innovation. He mentions Trove's position as a forerunner in the industry, having gained a significant head start and considerable scale. Andy also addresses the shift in consumer behavior towards valuing pre-owned items, driven by the demand for sustainable and unique products. He talks about the evolution of branding through storytelling and customer experience in the resale market, providing brands with more opportunities to shape their narratives.

Overall, the conversation explores the rapid growth and potential of the resale market, as well as Trove's role in supporting brands' efforts to navigate this evolving landscape and maintain control over their brand equity.

Aug 13, 202320:36
What Just Happened with Paul Foulkes-Arellano on Fashion Sustainability

What Just Happened with Paul Foulkes-Arellano on Fashion Sustainability

Paul Foulkes Arellano, Circularity Educator at Circuthon® Consulting - Non-Exec Director - Fundraiser for Bioeconomy Pioneers, is welcomed in this discussion. The conversation begins by acknowledging Paul's strong presence on LinkedIn and his unique approach to sustainability within the retail and fashion industry. Unlike many sustainability influencers who focus on specific aspects like packaging or manufacturing, Paul takes a holistic view, addressing various sustainability facets. He shares how his perspective was shaped by Dr. Chris Sherwin's teachings, emphasizing that every decision impacts nature, drawing parallels to fashion's impact on the environment. Paul critiques the fashion industry's weak defenses for unsustainable practices and calls for a scientific, data-driven approach to sustainability, involving experts and scientific officers within companies.

Paul highlights the need for comprehensive change in the industry, urging businesses to integrate sustainability into their entire organization, from supply chain decisions to work policies. He cites financial institutions like EY and NatWest as examples of training their employees in sustainability, a practice absent in fashion. He stresses the importance of training and retraining people within the industry, signaling hope for change through new expertise. Paul's view on the future sees a transition toward more sustainable practices in the coming years, with businesses adopting transparent metrics and embracing circularity.

The conversation then shifts to Paul's role as the founder of Circuit On, a consulting firm guiding billion-dollar companies in achieving circularity. He addresses opposition from industry associations like the British Retail Consortium to measures like extended producer responsibility. Paul also shares insights about emerging initiatives in fashion, like software to track garment lifecycles. The discussion ends on the importance of reshaping fashion education to incorporate sustainability from the start, both in universities and businesses. The interview concludes with gratitude for sharing these insights and fostering awareness on sustainable practices.

Aug 12, 202315:31
What Just Happened with Scot Case from NRF

What Just Happened with Scot Case from NRF

In this interview, Christine Russo speaks with Scott Case, the Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability at the National Retail Federation (NRF). They discuss the progress and challenges of sustainability in the retail industry. Scott acknowledges that while there has been significant progress, it is not happening fast enough. He highlights a generational shift in executive leadership, with new leaders recognizing the interconnectedness of sustainability issues and embracing organizational change to address them.

The conversation delves into the complexity of sustainability challenges in retail, such as packaging, resource usage, oversupply, and materiality, among others. Scott emphasizes the need for collaboration and systemic thinking within retail organizations to integrate sustainability into their core operations. Instead of having separate sustainability departments, Scott advocates for embedding sustainability thinking in all aspects of the business, turning employees into sustainability contributors. He emphasizes that continual improvement and incorporating sustainability considerations are crucial for the future of retail.

Jul 22, 202313:50
What Just Happened with Brian Hennessy, CEO of Talkoot

What Just Happened with Brian Hennessy, CEO of Talkoot

Brian Hennessy, CEO of Talkoot, a process management system for retail and brand teams, discusses how AI has impacted Talkoot and the copywriting industry in general. He notes that while AI can be effective at repackaging existing language, it struggles to explain why consumers should buy trend-leading products and still requires human writers. Talkoot uses a specialized model based on high converting product copy and offers professional editing tools that allow customers to use AI while staying on brand. Additionally, the company offers a brand check tool that ensures content aligns with a brand's language.

The article discusses the importance of regulatory and legal language in e-commerce and the need for brand language checkers to ensure that the language used is compliant with regulations and does not violate any platform policies. The article emphasizes the importance of building trust with customers through honest and transparent communication, and the need for brands to focus on delivering products that meet the needs of their customers rather than relying on loyalty programs or shortcuts. Hennessy notes that while some brands may not be ready to embrace this approach, it is becoming increasingly important for building lasting relationships with customers. He also discusses the importance of product storytelling and imagery in reducing customer confusion when shopping online. With the removal of many other frictions in e-commerce, companies are realizing the need to communicate correctly to build trust with their clients and create a long-term relationship that prevents returns. Brands are using AI to generate multiple versions of product descriptions to find the most effective wording, but the quality of the output tends to decline after three generations.

Learn how the platform was developed to provide deep product stories using language that creates authority and trust. The tool is getting traction in the food and beverage industry, where changing content seasonally can increase sales, but using humans is too costly and time-consuming. AI can be used to change content quickly and rank higher in Amazon and Google search engines, ultimately driving traffic and sales. Companies can also use machine learning to adapt web content based on who is coming to their website.

 

www.talkoot.com

Apr 25, 202317:20
What Just Happened with Anthony Waelter, Deloitte

What Just Happened with Anthony Waelter, Deloitte

Deloitte believes that consumers and consumer companies are moving towards a more utopian future, despite the dystopian impacts that exist today. Consumers are demanding reliable, safe, convenient, sustainable, socially just, and personalized goods and services, and companies are responding by leveraging technology to build more powerful and relevant consumer connections while making commitments to a broader set of stakeholders. Together, they are "buying into better," which means fusing profit with purpose and addressing all of the things that are important, including impacts on the environment and society.

Deloitte's approach to understanding the future of the consumer industry involved engaging individuals and having over a thousand conversations to identify the market shifts that will have consequences on businesses in the next five to ten years. Instead of taking a crystal ball approach, they focused on the next five to ten years and identified three primary business dimensions impacted by six forces with nine implications. Deloitte recognizes that human centricity is critically important, and that a lot of what's important to humans goes beyond the products and services provided. The impact that companies make on the environment and society is also important to consumers, who are looking to place their dollars where they can have an impact on change.

The framework for thinking about the future across three business dimensions: markets, models, and mechanics has been developed. The six forces impacting markets, models, and mechanics are shifting and broadening consumer bases, diversifying life journeys, exponential technology and AI, everything-as-a-service climate change, and geopolitical turmoil. Models and mechanics serve the market by delivering the unique customer experience or the unique product. The three Msms have emerged as an easy way to engage client executives and identify opportunities. The implications of the three business dimensions, buried throughout the three dimensions, affect organizations. Mass-to-micro is an example of how the three Msms are related.

 

The report emphasizes the importance of organizations outsourcing parts of their business to increase efficiency and meet demand. It also highlights the need for long-term strategic plans as current business models may not work in the future. The six forces in the marketplace are rapidly changing and converging, creating new risks and opportunities for organizations. Digital goods and services are growing exponentially, and organizations must be mindful of these changes to take advantage of growth opportunities. The report suggests that organizations need to focus on the markets, models, and mechanics of their business to respond effectively to the changes in the marketplace.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJt2wp2C09Y&t=1s

 

Apr 20, 202325:38
What Just Happened with Lenny Marano, President Americas at Lectra

What Just Happened with Lenny Marano, President Americas at Lectra

Lectra develops state-of-the-art solutions that combine software, equipment, services and data. Premium solutions and technologies for fashion, automotive & furniture markets worldwide.  Industry 4.0 - The 4th Revolution in Production. We also touch on near-shoring and on-shoring.  Lectra helps customers plan better so they're not producing. Product that won't sell and they have to destroy it or write it down.    Companies now are focused on not just a sustainable process, but producing a sustainable product to last. analyzing sales and understanding what the assortment is and making sure the right assortment is there and the pricing is in line with the competition.    Lectra helps clients and their sustainability ecosystem because clients are reducing material waste, reducing labor, and educing electrical footprint of production. Also, this allows for data to be passed with that value stream in an efficient way so there's less waste.

Feb 04, 202325:09
The Fabricant - DIGITAL only Fashion House since 2018. First in market and creating the industry.

The Fabricant - DIGITAL only Fashion House since 2018. First in market and creating the industry.

Listen to Micky Larosse - Head of Content the Fabricant who oversees and creates the Fabricant brand narrative and storytelling and the philosophy. -The Fabricant spirit and attitude has always been to be a disruptor, but a disruptor with intention. - Their mission is always been at the forefront when they were founded in 2018, nothing like has existed and everything they stood for and still stand for was swimming against the tide of the traditional fashion industry. Just declaring that garments didn't need to be physical to exist four years ago when this conversation wasn't being had by anyone was quite a radical position to take.¬¬¬ And we've always stood by what we believed in which is a big, rich perspective of what they believe in. This idea of building an industry that's more sustainable, more democratic more equitable for everybody that participates. And really elevating creators in this space to give them power and make it a creator led industry. And hear about Wholeland - A new multi chapter digital fashion storytelling project, which builds on this huge story, which is based around the idea of embracing your shadows to become whole. So really digging deep into who we are via digital fashion and exploring who we can be via the virtual space. According to Larosse: Wholeland is about "using the digital world in ways that probably we wouldn't use in the physical world. Maybe things that we'd be shy of talking about or exploring or expressing in the physical world where creating this environment through Wholeland, where you can really kind of dig deep into who you are, maybe look around in the, the darker corners of your personality and really bring those into the lights. It's a world building project."

Dec 28, 202220:31
DHL SVP Nabil Malouli Talks Logistics, Reverse Logistics and Returns

DHL SVP Nabil Malouli Talks Logistics, Reverse Logistics and Returns

Corporate Entrepreneur with passion for Innovation, Ecommerce, Supply chains & Emerging technologies!

Nabil leads the Global Ecommerce strategy & product development at DHL Supply Chain and also as VP DHL’s Customer Solutions & Innovation where he had the chance to lead the development of innovative logistics projects to support fortune 500 companies working and developing multiple growth initiative related to new technologies & trends such as: E-commerce, digitalization, big data, drones, autonomous vehicles, automation & robotics.

Nabil is specialized in the field of E-commerce & Logistics. Prior to his current position, he served as Director Latin America & Asia Pacific overseeing teams across the regions and around the world, developing customer commercial strategies to grow their business in the region.

Dec 12, 202235:08
Try Before You Buy - Could this unlock a ton of value for Ecomm?

Try Before You Buy - Could this unlock a ton of value for Ecomm?

Listen to CEO Donny Ouyang talk about Blackcart - the Try Before You Buy Saas solution. Try Before You Buy is an effective tool in the toolbox of ecomm enablement technologies to drive AOV and drive down CAC. It also serves as a sustainability solution to reduce returns. Learn more here.

Dec 12, 202209:51
B2B Marketing is Changing and Guest Paul Cash Founder of B2B Agency Rooster Punk is Leading the Charge.

B2B Marketing is Changing and Guest Paul Cash Founder of B2B Agency Rooster Punk is Leading the Charge.

The struggle of B2B marketing to get respect, talent, awards is real but could it be old news? 

With the first ever Cannes Lions Creative B2B Lions, supported by the B2B Institute, a LinkedIn Think Tank and strategic thought partner to Cannes Lions - B2B work is getting it's share of the spotlight and a seat at the table. 

The mission? To change the tide of B2B marketing and nudge it closer to B2C marketing - not to duplicate it - but to be more creative, have more of a long-tail, to build a brand garnering loyalty and lean less toward strictly lead-gen and conversation. Ultimately, the goal is to move hearts and minds - to tap into emotion.

My conversation with Paul Cash about his book (Humanizing B2B - read it!)  and his work at his agency Rooster Punk highlights his mission to evolve B2B marketing. Paul is evangelistic in his message and delivery. I dare you to not be inspired.

My article for Forbes entitled: Is it Time For A Breakout for B2B Marketing documents the "Call To the Creatives" to try the B2B side at Cannes Lions. 

Oct 05, 202212:49
Seeking Information about Web 3.0/Metaverse/NFTs? - Listen to Diego Borgo - an industry leader working with brands and tech companies
Sep 26, 202235:01
Perch Interactive CEO Trevor Sumner talks Retail media networks: a phenomenal way to make money and In Store Interactivity

Perch Interactive CEO Trevor Sumner talks Retail media networks: a phenomenal way to make money and In Store Interactivity

Brick and mortar CAN provide brands data too. How? Trevor Sumner and I discuss Interactive In-store content, data and decisions. 

And in a time when cookies is expected to go away - this could be a silver bullet it drive sales.

According to Sumner:

Ironically the only place NOT to get the digital content, you need to make a product decision. is in store where 85% of purchase decisions are made you realize so much on the messaging outside of the store, you're still limited with what message you have at the shelf. And yet that's where the decisions made.

And so we're opening up portals to interactivity, to education, to brand connect. Where it matters most at the most targeted audience at the furthest down to the funnel at the point of final product consideration. And I think that when we get to the point where we can look at the value of that media, you're gonna find that it's 10 times more valuable than Facebook or Google or any of those, because it's a targeted shopper they're in front of your product.

They're 20 feet from the point of sale. And now you have a full arsenal to tell that message at a pace that's not pushed on the shopper in a way that's uncomfortable, but is a way that actually enhances the shopper experience.


Listen to hear answers to my questions:

- Is this just a reinvention of RFID?

- Are Retail Media Networks viable for IN-Store

- Can't we just use our phones or QR codes in-store?

The answers will be very enlightening.

I covered Retail Media Networks in my article here. It's great to discuss with Sumner who has his finger on the pulse.

https://rethink.industries/article/cannes-lions-the-convergence-of-community-creativity-and-commerce/

www.perchinteractive.com

Sep 10, 202217:17
Winning Retailers, Brands and Manufacturers avoid costly product mistakes by using a company like First Insight.

Winning Retailers, Brands and Manufacturers avoid costly product mistakes by using a company like First Insight.

Ever wonder how brands and retailers (together with their manufacturing partners) make hit after hit. Wondering how brands achieve longevity in this ever-so-fickle time? Well, it's about making great product and making money from this great product.

How do you do this amidst needing creativity and innovation? Well, you ASK. Yup - work with a company that provides consumer feedback.

First Insight works with 25% of the total retail industry providing the Voice of the Customer.

Highlights from the show are:


Retail is simple, right? ha! There are so many pitfalls. First Insight provides retailers and brand the information for them to determine what to buy or manufacture. What is likely the best selling what is the right retail price and who it should be targeted at. See, retail made easy!


Learn more at www.firstinsight.com

watch a video of the interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnX1f_XnEWk





Aug 30, 202223:13
Content Amplification Engine Findmine CEO speaks frankly about Personalization, Marketing and how to amp up sales across the entire assortment.

Content Amplification Engine Findmine CEO speaks frankly about Personalization, Marketing and how to amp up sales across the entire assortment.

Wondering why your personalization software isn't driving sales and your CAC remains so high. It's because Personalization Software, alone, will not cut it.

Learn about Findmine with CEO Michelle Bacharach and what will help with your personalization software.

 Findmine starts with: What does the brand believe? What is that differentiation? 

What fine mine does is serve as a a Content Amplification Engine - amplifying the amount of editorial and inspirational content and scale out their editorial vision.

Findmine acts as the connective tissue between merchandising and marketing to delivery real-time content to drive sales for the ENTIRE assortment - not just top sellers but the ENTIRE assortment.

Aug 18, 202217:20
Joe McDonnell Global Head of Insight and Lifestyles at WGSN sits down to rehash our experiences at Cannes Lions and share notes.

Joe McDonnell Global Head of Insight and Lifestyles at WGSN sits down to rehash our experiences at Cannes Lions and share notes.

WGSN is one of the World's Leading Insights Organizations. I sat in on Joe McDonnell's presentation at Cannes Lions: The Rise of Virtual Influencers.  He and I reconnected upon our return to rehash the stand-out moments, content of the event and his brilliant presentation. i couldn't get enough!


Download their WHITE PAPER Titled: Future Consumer 2024

After years of rapid industry, technological and social acceleration, 2024 ushers in an era of realignment. WGSN presents the new key consumer sentiments and profiles, and what must be done to win minds and market share.

Future Consumer 2024 is part of a series of unparalleled business strategy reports that empower you with the knowledge to anticipate and deliver the engagement strategies and products for tomorrow’s consumer.







Jul 21, 202225:24
Considering Headless Commerce Well, It's Not For Every Business

Considering Headless Commerce Well, It's Not For Every Business

Headless commerce gets lots of attention as a "must-do" but is that the whole story? Watch me dig into the discussion with Dedrick Boyd, CEO of www.techsparq.com. Boyd and his team are the go-to problems-solvers often brought in when there is trouble. According to Boyd, "We are brought in when they want to upgrade their platform or when they are on the old version of Demandware and they wanna move to the new Salesforce or storefront reference architecture for Salesforce. Or they have an older version of Magento and, , they didn't realize they actually needed a lot of dev talent to run on Magento. We have historically always been able to tackle complex integrations.  Oftentimes when there are projects that are kind of in trouble or if they just require, a little bit more handholding  that's where we, we work really well."

We also get into Immersive Commerce - what is I-Commerce, it's search and discovery just much, much better.

Tune In. Learn With Me.


Jul 17, 202219:45
Size and Fit Technology is a Critical Piece of the Retail Sustainability Puzzle

Size and Fit Technology is a Critical Piece of the Retail Sustainability Puzzle

3DLOOK is taking Fit Technology into the present and future. We've had  fit technology in this industry, but we're talking about something new here, so let's learn from the what's happening and why it matters and why it's something brands and retailers should check out 

Vadim Rogovskiy, CEO and Co-founder tells us that the technology "Can measure human body super, precisely, super quickly with just two images and believe and believe it or not. it's even more accurate than what you can expect from professional tailors."





Jul 11, 202214:29
Next Generation Vending Machines using Top Tier Technology

Next Generation Vending Machines using Top Tier Technology

Livello is a technology company solving retailers labor problems, expanding revenue opportunities and has a vision is to  bring fresh food to anyone anywhere.

https://www.livello.com/technologies?lang=en


Jun 26, 202212:41
Online to Offline Retail with OtailO CEO

Online to Offline Retail with OtailO CEO

Learn with me as I sit down with Otailo CEO Ronit Mayer. OtailO calls itself: A smart and circular solution for online product returns management and resale, leveraging your existing retail ecosystem.

The OtailO Solution

OtailO enables a click-to-brick returns management solution with smart and optimal returns routing for retail brands.
Your shoppers can buy anywhere and return anywhere. OtailO technology transforms your brand’s existing brick-and-mortar network into return and resell centers. These stores process, inspect and resell returns locally.
Our mission is that everyone wins with OtailO

Jun 26, 202211:42
The Technology Behind Material Sustainability and Compliance.

The Technology Behind Material Sustainability and Compliance.

www.texbase.com is helping brands, retailers and, and and supply chain partners manage the data from materials, through testing into color. And of course, the compliance.  Brands can automate their workflow in a way that allows them, to do a better job at at innovating bringing new materials and products to the marketplace.   Texbase's ability to help clients manage their data goes across and any type of raw material, whether it's textiles or not, and any type of a finished product making sure that they have the tools that they need to manage the data and the certificates, the documents in order to support their claims make sure they're doing their due diligence and that at the end of the day everybody is is happy with respect to the compliance requirements that they're looking to.  And more and more it's being driven by the retail customer. we're sending data to to retail e-commerce sites - even to help Texbase customers educate their, their clients, educate their retail customers on the products that they're buying, what those products are made up of, where they come from and all the underlying data that, that supports again, the, the attributes of those products that they want to communicate to to the.

Jun 12, 202217:42
Retail Technology is tackling the ugly business of Retail. In this episode, CEO of Treet.co Jake Disraeli and Save Your Wardrobe CEO, Hasna Kourda get into it.

Retail Technology is tackling the ugly business of Retail. In this episode, CEO of Treet.co Jake Disraeli and Save Your Wardrobe CEO, Hasna Kourda get into it.

Treet is resale marketplace SAAS and Save Your Wardrobe uses digitization to optimize your existing wardrobe. Both keep apparel and other items OUT OF LANDFILLS.


Jun 05, 202230:38
Do you speak with your thumbs? Didn’t think so. Then why do SAAS companies of “conversational’ commerce call texting conversational? Well, We Think That’s Weird.

Do you speak with your thumbs? Didn’t think so. Then why do SAAS companies of “conversational’ commerce call texting conversational? Well, We Think That’s Weird.

If your sales require education your customer that means you are in a high-value business. Selling tech products, jewelry, cars, travel? Then you know customers require a ton of information before committing. Yet, they can’t find or get specific information using search and discovery. Enter Vocinity for the win. Vocinity will help you provide that critical information to lead to a close. How?

Voice-command driven search with 100% accuracy and accretive knowledge during search to drive more and more accuracy providing oral, written and graphic results simultaneously for a more immersive experience.

Use an Ambasador to fully immerse your clients. How? Vocinity is how. Improve Search and Discovery with a Vocinity Brand Ambassador to fully immerse the client in oral, written and graphic search. Your customers can use voice and text to receive photos, links, descriptions, and more for a multi-media result. Why make it difficult, frustrating and time consuming.

Search hasn’t changed, Til Now.

Type into a little box and then it’s click and type and click and type , hunt and peck. So boring and so people bounce. Wouldn’t you?

Why do business subject their current and future customers to this? We will never know.

Enter Vocinity. The Fully Immersive Search and Discover Tech. Here’s How.

Voice-command driven search with 100% accuracy and accretive knowledge during search to drive more and more accuracy providing oral, written and graphic results simultaneously for a more immersive experience.



May 28, 202213:36
Curious about the Metaverse for Retailers and Brands? I Got You - I conducted a virtual roundtable including leaders in digital twins, VC, and more.

Curious about the Metaverse for Retailers and Brands? I Got You - I conducted a virtual roundtable including leaders in digital twins, VC, and more.

If you are curious like me, You’ll thank me later that I took this journey into the Metaverse Inner Circle (MIC) for you. While it wasn’t quite like Dante’s 7th ring of the Inferno, it was not a trip to the park either. What is the MIC, tell you in a minute.

Let’s back up. Who am I. I am Christine Russo, Industry Analyst in Retail Tech encompassing the digital and physical retail, the consumer industry, brands, real estate , urban development, logistics and more. If goods and services move, sell, are made, sold or housed – I talk about it.  Well, not just talk about it. I specialize in the explanation of complicated topics and make them understandable to executives, C-suites, Boardrooms, Academics, Developers, Marketers and more. How do I do this? I host roundtables, invite-only Executive interviews, moderate panels for the NRF, shoptalk and more, provide commentary in the retail media and serve on Advisory Boards.

I once had a tech founder say to me their solution is not digestable to a bumper sticker phrase – ok, fair. But it also doesn not have to be a droning diatribe of long-winded jargon-filled explanations only for people to lose the interest and zone out. That’s where I come in and ps I am good at it.

So I decided to venture into Metaverse Inner Circle. How hard could that be? Well, it was brutal but I survived and learned and Im here to share. I definitely took one for the team because I was not afraid to ask rudimentary questions. The same exact questions Executives would want to know. There was a bit of of disdain and it felt like, the in-the-know inner circle scoffed at my questions. This did not stop me. Let’s get into it.

So What Happened?

Justin Hochberg, CEO & Founder, Virtual Brand Group David Lucatch, CEO President and Chair, Liquid Avatar Technologies Sam Englebardt, General Partner, Galaxy Interactive Marc Loeb Global Sales, ByondXR  

Roundtable discussion on Metaverse, Brands, Commerce, and The Creator Economy.


May 28, 202231:05
Looking for the industry's best try-on AI - It's Russo I Got You - I sit down with Chief Growth Officer and President Wayne Liu of Perfect Corp

Looking for the industry's best try-on AI - It's Russo I Got You - I sit down with Chief Growth Officer and President Wayne Liu of Perfect Corp

What is Perfect Corp? The technology behind most leading beauty brands digital makeup try-on technology. They also cover skin diagnostics and other try-ons like jewelry and more. This is what you get when an engineer via NVDIA runs a retail tech SAAS company!  Wondering what Wayne Liu has to say about Perfect Corp. - The industry-leading technology provider for True to Real try-on tech used by brands (like Nars, Ulta) and tech (like Google, Snap) - yeah, me too! I Got You.  www.perfectcorp.com

May 28, 202224:53
CEO of Lily.ai Purva Gupta

CEO of Lily.ai Purva Gupta

The is the first company that injects customer centric minute attribute back into the entire e-commerce value chain. And so you can keep the customer truly at the center.   If you are in ecommerce it's your Go-To technology to amplify your current: - search - discovery - personalization - demand forecasting - allocation  Purva Gupta www.Liliy.ai.


What Just Happened covers breakthrough technology solutions for all forms of commerce from airlines to bowling alleys and especially including direct to consumer ecommerce, brick and mortar and more.

May 28, 202219:54
Retail Returns are Ruining the Planet. Learn about this tech solution to address returns.

Retail Returns are Ruining the Planet. Learn about this tech solution to address returns.

In this episode, listen to Christine Russo discuss Greenlist - the waitlist for returns - with Founder, Jess Owens. What is Greenlist? 

Greenlist returns SKIP the trip back to the
store / warehouse / landfill
& are shipped DIRECTLY to a waiting customer.

Retailers increase revenue

Shoppers get new-with-tags (“NWT”) items at a discount

We all reduce the negative environmental impact of returns

May 13, 202208:59