The Modern Retail Podcast

On this week's Modern Retail Podcast, hosts Gabriela Barkho and Melissa Daniels are joined by reporter Mitchell Parton to discuss the themes and trends that dominated retail in 2025. The year certainly didn't play out the way that many in the retail industry were initially expecting, as tariffs upended many companies' carefully laid plans for the year. Still, there were pockets of hope. Even though there weren't as many IPOs this year as some in the industry hoped there would be, there were still some promising acquisitions, like Church & Dwight buying hand sanitizer brand Touchland, and Harry's parent company Mammoth Brands snapping up diaper brand Coterie. Plus, consumers were still willing to turn out and spend -- even for hot trends and products that seemingly came out of nowhere, like Labubus. The episode gets into: A look back at how the Modern Retail Podcast team did with its 2025 predictions at the start of the year, involving M&A, TikTok Shop and tariffs.  Why private labels dominated this year.  Why 2025 was an eventful year for big-box retail, as companies like Costco, Walmart and Target had to navigate big changes.  How the biggest buzzword of the year, AI, shaped retail in 2025.

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

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!