The Modern Retail Podcast

Lawrence Berger, co-founder of private equity firm Ames Watson, joins to discuss their bold plan for reviving Claire's after its Chapter 11 filing. He reveals the parallels with their successful turnaround of Lids, including the need for updated merchandising and store refreshes. Berger emphasizes Ames Watson's long-term strategy, focusing on brand revival over quick flips. He also outlines the importance of enhancing the customer experience and adapting to changing market demands, while planning to expand product lines that resonate with modern shoppers.

On this week's episode, co-hosts Gabriela Barkho and Melissa Daniels get into the news of Quince dodging claims from Ugg's parent Deckers Brand that it unlawfully copied two of its best-selling styles. Next, they discuss the announcement from cosmetics company E.l.f that it will be offering live shopping on streaming service Twitch, and what that says about the potential resurgence of streaming in social commerce. Then during the featured segment (12:50), Daniels is joined by Kim Chappell, the chief brand officer at infant formula company Bobbie, to go behind-the-scenes of its latest campaign with Cardi B (Bobbie named her as its "chief confidence officer") and how the company infuses brand across all parts of their business. Chappell discusses: Why having a strong brand has helped grow Bobbie and gain customer trust  The combination of gut instinct, humor and parenting realities that goes into crafting big campaigns  How to know when and whether to weigh in on social or political issues

James Lang, Vice President of Marketplace at Ulta Beauty, discusses the launch of Ulta's invite-only third-party marketplace. He explains how Ulta avoided common pitfalls experienced by other retailers, allowing for a swift six-month build. Lang shares insights on managing unowned inventory, which helps expand product assortments without the hassle of holding stock. He emphasizes a curated approach to vetting brands and highlights how the marketplace enables Ulta to quickly adapt to beauty trends, ensuring they stay ahead in the competitive landscape.

In this discussion, industry leaders Alex Tomlin from Bacardi North America and Zach Poelma from Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits dive into the evolving drinking habits of Gen Z. Alex highlights how this demographic emphasizes mindfulness and is urging the alcohol industry towards healthier options, leading to a rise in spritzes and low-ABV drinks. Zach adds insights on premiumization trends, explaining how consumers are trading up in quality without increasing their consumption frequency. Social media's influence on drink trends also gets a spotlight!

Discover how ChatGPT's Instant Checkout is set to transform single-item purchases on platforms like Etsy. Walmart is shaking things up by eliminating synthetic dyes and additives in response to rising consumer demand for cleaner ingredients. The co-founders of Cakes Body share their journey from a TikTok sensation to a $100 million brand, emphasizing their unique company culture that prioritizes employee benefits like child care reimbursement and unlimited PTO. Learn how these strategies are shaping performance and workplace satisfaction in a remote-first environment.

On this week's episode of the Modern Retail Podcast, co-hosts Gabriela Barkho and Melissa Daniels go deep on the much-hyped NikeSkims launch. They discuss the look and vibe of the collections that debuted this week and where it might find a white space in the athleisure market. Then on the featured segment (16:06), Daniels speaks with Modern Retail reporter Mitchell Parton to unpack craft retailer Michaels' new store layouts as it attempts to fill the voids left by Joann and Party City that went bankrupt earlier this year. Parton met with new Michaels' CEO David Boone to discuss how the retailer dedicated a quarter of its floor space to new areas, called The Knit and Sew Shop and The Party Shop. Their conversation gets into the demand and opportunity for this strategy, including how searches for “fabric” on Michaels.com increased by 77% over the past year, and why Michaels' new area called The Party Shop includes lowered prices on party decor items like streamers, napkins and tableware. They also discussed the importance of store associate training and capacity to handle more products, customer inquiries and new responsibilities around balloon filling and fabric cutting.

Kimeko McCoy, a senior marketing reporter at Digiday, dives into the evolving landscape of retail media. She discusses how Affirm is integrating its buy now, pay later service with Apple Pay, enhancing in-store experiences. The revival of paper coupons by Kroger is also a hot topic, appealing to value-oriented shoppers. McCoy explores the rapid growth of retail media networks inspired by Amazon’s success, highlighting the challenges brands face in navigating this crowded space and the potential for new players to emerge.

Kat Cole, CEO of AG1, leads a thriving direct-to-consumer supplement brand that raked in $600 million last year. She discusses AG1's ambitious growth strategies, including the upcoming NextGen reformulation and new sleep product AGZ. Cole emphasizes the rigorous R&D involved in their product development, like triple-blind testing, while navigating the complexities of scaling for wholesale partnerships, particularly with Costco. Listeners will find insights on balancing innovation with quality in the supplement industry.

Jessica Rolph and Rod Morris, co-founders of Lovevery, share insights on their Montessori-inspired toy brand. They discuss successfully launching products at Walmart and the importance of balancing quality with affordability for mass audiences. The duo emphasizes using consumer feedback and insights to develop innovative toys while navigating day-to-day operations. They also touch on the broader trends like Kraft Heinz's split and Starbucks' shift to protein-rich options, showcasing how adapting to consumer behavior is crucial in the retail landscape.

Sonia Lapinsky, an expert at Alix Partners with 20 years in retail consulting, shares insights on this summer's consumer spending. She discusses the rising trend of luxury shopping vacations in Europe and the impact of potential furniture tariffs on U.S. brands. Lapinsky explains how inflation has led shoppers to be more deliberate in their purchases, balancing brand loyalty with price sensitivity. She advises brands on adapting strategies in a market full of uncertainty and high costs, emphasizing the importance of understanding fickle consumer behavior.