Retail Relates

Where does true retail innovation happen today? According to Liz Allison, CEO of luxury salon and spa brand Tricoci, it's happening at the intersection of experience and commerce.

Liz's remarkable journey from JCPenney retail trainee to scaling a billion-dollar Sephora business to transforming Neiman Marcus offers a masterclass in retail evolution. Throughout our conversation, she shares candid insights about piv...

In this captivating episode, we sit down with Roger Lee, the visionary CEO of TAL Manufacturing. With decades of experience in the garment industry, Roger provides a unique insight into how TAL Manufacturing integrates sustainability into its core practices. He shares the company’s impressive journey towards carbon neutrality by 2050 and its pioneering efforts in made-to-measure clothing, which not only reduces waste but enhances c...

What if the future of retail isn't just about selling products but about building deep, meaningful connections? Join us as we welcome Dominick Miserandino, CEO of RetailWire, who opens up about his unique journey through digital media and modern retail. His career, shaped by pivotal experiences from Wall Street to the mentorship roles he embraced during the pandemic, is a testament to the power of treating people as individual...

Discover how Sheryl Adkins-Green, a seasoned business executive, turned her diverse career experiences into a leadership and brand strategy masterclass. From her early retail days to her transformative roles at Kraft Foods, Citigroup, and eventually, at Mary Kay, Sheryl shares pivotal career moments and the unique challenges she faced. This episode promises valuable insights into maintaining healthy professional relationships, less...

Discover how a childhood surrounded by intellectual conversations and the influence of a trailblazing mother in finance shaped the charismatic Deborah Weinswig, founder and CEO of Coresight Research. Her aspirations, from being a doctor to discovering accounting and then eventually analytics, coupled with a love for technology, paint a vivid picture of unexpected career pivots. Deborah's story unfolds with personal anecdotes a...

Join us for an inspiring journey with Theo Killion, a remarkable leader who transformed his life from a coal mining town in West Virginia to the pinnacle of retail success as a public company CEO. Theo’s story is a testament to resilience and adaptability, shaped by the profound influence of his grandparents and his early challenges at a prestigious New York private school. You'll uncover his rise through the ranks at Macy&apo...

Jamie Crummie, the dynamic co-founder of Too Good To Go, joins us to share his transformative journey from a legal career to pioneering a global movement against food waste. Brace yourself for an enlightening conversation that promises to reveal how Jamie's personal values and upbringing—rooted deeply in justice and sustainability—led him to create the world's largest marketplace for surplus food. Discover how his venture...

Stacy Igel, the visionary behind the brand Boy Meets Girl, takes us on an exhilarating journey through her impressive career in fashion. Discover how Stacey's entrepreneurial spirit was kindled at a young age, from helping her mother at trade shows to achieving top seller status at the Gap while still in school. With resilience and a mission-driven approach, she discusses how the events of 9/11 influenced her decision to champ...

Prepare to be inspired by Sherif Mityas, the innovative mind who transformed TGI Fridays with AI before it was even a buzzword. Discover how Sherif's journey from aerospace engineering to becoming the CEO of Brix Holdings, which includes beloved brands like Friendly's and Clean Juice, has shaped his unique leadership approach. From his early days at Sears and his pivotal roles at Movie Gallery and Hollywood Video, Sherif ...

Curious about what it takes to stay ahead in the fast-paced world of retail and technology? Andrew Laudato, COO of Vitamin Shoppe, joins us to uncover the secrets behind his transformative career journey, from pivotal college decisions to navigating dynamic roles at major retailers like Bath & Body Works and Pier 1 Imports. Tune in to hear how Andrew's passion for people-oriented work and his strategic moves across industr...

Discover the compelling journey of Deirdre Fitzgerald, President of International for Knitwell Group, as she takes you through her inspiring career in retail. From her initial days at Bloomingdale's through her transformative experiences at New Balance, Deirdre's path is marked by pivotal moments that shaped her into the leader she is today. Tune in to hear how a passion for retail blossomed from her background in English...

Ever wondered how a global retail strategist balances the fine line between human touch and cutting-edge technology? Join us as we sit down with Liza, the dynamic co-founder of Retail Strategy Group, to uncover secrets from her illustrious career spanning iconic brands like Harrods, Ralph Lauren, and Nike. From her early dreams in fashion design to her pivotal roles in buying and marketing, Liza's journey is a masterclass in p...

What happens when you mix high-energy marketing genius with raw authenticity? You get Doug Zarkin. Today, we're bringing you an inspiring conversation with Doug Zarkin, the marketing mastermind behind heavy-hitting brands like Pearl Vision and Victoria's Secret. Doug opens up about navigating the peaks and valleys of his career journey, from high school rejections to pivotal career decisions. He takes us behind the scenes...

What if retail could be more than just a job? Join us on Retail Relates as we chat with Ron Thurston, co-founder of Ossy and best-selling author of Retail Pride, to uncover the secrets of turning a retail career into a passion-driven journey. Ron's inspiring stories, from pioneering showrooming at Bonobos to redefining field leadership at Apple, provide invaluable insights for anyone eager to learn from a true industry innovat...

Can European retailers teach their American counterparts a thing or two about customer service? Join us as we uncover insights from Ghalia Boustani, PhD, a leading retail expert based in Paris, who has a wealth of knowledge about the future of retail. From her early fascination with the industry to becoming a respected author and consultant, Ghalia's journey is nothing short of inspiring. In this episode, she shares her pivota...

What happens when you mix Wall Street savvy with creative retail innovation? In this episode, Melissa Gonzalez, principal at MG2, takes us through her extraordinary career journey. From navigating the aftermath of 9-11 to pioneering the integration of physical and digital retail spaces, Melissa’s story is a testament to resilience and visionary thinking. We'll uncover how she transitioned from finance to spearheading transform...

Curious about what it takes to thrive in the retail industry? Get ready to hear from Matt Salmonson, Head of Inventory and Forecasting at Quince, as he shares his journey from a college job at a local department store to holding senior positions at iconic brands like Gap & Restoration Hardware. Matt’s fascination with data and technology has driven his career, leading him to become a champion for analytics and customer-centric ...

What pivotal decisions shape a successful career in marketing? Join us for an enlightening conversation with the esteemed Margaret Molloy, a global CMO and marketing expert, as she shares her fascinating career journey. Margaret discusses the bold choices that led her to success, including her move to the United States to earn an MBA and her recent decision to leave a long-term position in search of new opportunities. She emphasize...

To kick off our first season, in this episode, we introduce ourselves and discuss our experiences, successes and failures, lessons learned, and motivations. This is not highly edited or polished; it is real and hopefully relatable. We hope you enjoy this episode and stay with us through the journey.  We have some incredible guests lined up that we hope you enjoy meeting and learning from.

What is 'Retail Relates?&apos...