The Modern Retail Podcast

Arin Schultz, Naturepedic chief growth officer, explains LayerSwap, quick fixes for mattresses, and smarter logistics. Samantha Gold, founder of Motet, talks slim margins, a customer poll that changed her returns policy, and tech to simplify exchanges. They explore hidden costs of free returns, large-item disposal, and ways to make returns effortless for shoppers.

This week, co-hosts Gabriela Barkho and Melissa Daniels are joined by senior reporter Julia Waldow to dive into takeaways from the National Retail Federation's 2026 conference; it's the retail industry's biggest conference, and typically sets the tone for the year. The mood at NRF was cautiously optimistic, with brands and retailers showing off their best use cases of agentic commerce and AI tools to help with checkout and discovery. Waldow explains how the week also saw announcements from the likes of Google, and Microsoft about the tools they're deploying for retailers to try. But at the same time, executives said there is still some friction, with many attendees themselves saying they don't trust AI to do their shopping for them. Barkho discuss how beyond technology, brands talked about how to court today's shoppers by focusing on value, and the ways they're looking to stay relevant. Other key themes discussed on the show include: How AI in retail has shifted from hypothetical use cases to case studies of practical applications  The far-fetched robotics and technologies seen on the Expo Floor  Brands becoming less vocal about tariffs and immigration-related challenges as they focus on growth in a complex landscape

Kicking off the new year, the Modern Retail Podcast is delving into all things wellness. This week, senior reporter Gabi Barkho is joined by Rachel Hirsch, founder and managing partner of Wellness Growth Ventures, which has backed brands like BelliWelli and Cure Hydration. Together, they predict what’s on trend and what’s on its way out, when it comes to health and wellness. The categories discussed include food and beverage, beauty, and fitness.  The emerging themes in 2026 include: The definition of wellness resolution is constantly evolving, especially as consumers try more trends and focus on personalized routines.  Simplified routines and hero products have taken the throne from multi-step routines. Strength training, GLP-1s and high-protein intake continue to dominate diet and fitness trends.

The future of retail is heating up! AI is set to revolutionize shopping, focusing on price comparison and improved customer service. Meanwhile, the creator economy is booming, with brands investing heavily in influencer partnerships, shifting ad budgets from traditional channels. Expect to see new social commerce strategies, especially on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Plus, M&A activity will ramp up, with brands like Olipop and AG1 potentially eyeing acquisitions. The landscape of retail promises exciting changes ahead!

In this discussion, reporter Mitchell Parton shares insights on the retail landscape of 2025, covering the impact of tariffs that disrupted supply chains. He highlights the surge of private label brands and the unexpected popularity of viral products like Labubus, fueled by TikTok Shop's growth. Mitchell also explores how big-box retailers like Target and Walmart navigated challenges, along with the increasing influence of AI in retail operations. His expertise sheds light on a year filled with surprises and shifts in consumer behavior.

Allison Smith, a Modern Retail reporter specializing in retail trends and marketplace dynamics, joins Julia Waldow, who focuses on retail and commerce topics. They dive into the booming secondhand market, discussing how economic shifts and tech advancements fuel shopper interest. The appeal of used items for cost savings is highlighted, along with AI's role in enhancing platforms like ThredUp. The thrill of in-person estate sales is also explored, as younger shoppers seek unique finds, revealing the exciting dynamics of the resale landscape.

In this conversation with Kelly Landrieu, Principal Planner of Local & Emerging Brands at Whole Foods, the insights flow about her role in the innovative Local & Emerging Accelerator Program (LEAP). She reveals the secrets behind getting startups onto Whole Foods shelves, sharing dos and don’ts for navigating the application process. Kelly emphasizes the importance of financial planning for growth, discusses common pitfalls, and highlights emerging trends like functional snacks. Plus, she forecasts 2026's focus on fiber-rich products, making it an insightful dive into the future of food retail.

Danny Parisi, a Senior Fashion Reporter at Glossy, and Lexy Lebsack, their West Coast Correspondent, dive into the shifting landscape of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. They discuss the rise of AI in gifting strategies and the comeback of print catalogs. Brands are increasingly opting for experiential marketing with pop-ups and exclusive access over traditional discounts. The duo also explores creative approaches like gift-with-purchase bundles and the allure of advent calendars, highlighting innovative ways to capture shoppers' attention this holiday season.

In this discussion, Charlotte Trecartin, the Gen Z founder and CEO of CharCharms, shares her insights on building brands from a public-facing perspective. She delves into the importance of balancing virality with long-term stability for sustainable growth. Charlotte discusses designing for Gen Alpha's craving for personalization, and the strategies behind launching her products in major retailers like Target. Plus, she explains her journey of using TikTok for audience engagement and the significance of legal protections in brand development.

This week on the Modern Retail Podcast, co-hosts Gabriela Barkho and Julia Waldow kicked things off by discussing Amazon’s plan for a new Whole Foods store concept. The new layout, currently being tested in select locations, will allow shoppers to purchase more mainstream brands like Pepsi and Chips Ahoy while they do their Whole Foods shopping. The team also broke down the growing popularity of Advent calendars and why every brand from Dior to Kraft Mac & Cheese is releasing them. And in this week's featured segment, Modern Retail’s Melissa Daniels sat down with Reba Hatcher, the chief revenue officer at subscription brand Butcher Box, where the two spoke about the company’s growing loyalty program. Their discussion covers: The company’s decision to segment its subscriber base to personalize offerings to different customers.  Building a two-tiered loyalty program that rewards customers for the amount of dollars they spend and how often they order.  How features like add-on products are helping grow cart sizes