Total Retail Talks

In episode 484 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Leslie Marino, president, professional products division at L'Oreal, the world leader in cosmetics with a portfolio of 37 brands and a mission to offer the best of beauty to everyone, everywhere. Listen in as Marino provides an overview of her journey to becoming the…

In episode 484 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Kevin Keith, chief marketing officer of Edible Brands, a family of consumer brands focused on celebrating life's most meaningful moments, including its flagship brand Edible, formerly Edible Arrangements. Listen in as Keith provides an overview of the business and its family of brands (1:25),…

In episode 483 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Chandhu Nair, senior vice president of data, artificial intelligence and innovation at Lowe's. Listen in as Nair provides an overview of the home improvement retailer's new Mylow AI assistant (1:35), how it fits into its business model (3:20), and how shoppers as well as…

Matt McCabe, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer at Academy Sports + Outdoors, shares insights on the company's ambitious store expansion strategy. He reveals the exciting addition of the Jordan Brand to 145 locations and its e-commerce platform, catering to customer demands for style and performance. McCabe discusses the significance of tailored marketing for the Hispanic demographic and the need to adapt product offerings, especially amidst economic challenges. Emphasizing customer engagement, he highlights strategies to balance value and diversity in product selection.

In episode 481 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Matthew Kelly, founder and owner of Detailing World, the largest selection of professional-grade car detailing products operating over a dozen stores and wholesale nationwide. Listen in as Kelly provides an overview of Detailing World (1:30), why he entered the market with a physical storefront…

In episode 480 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Jessica Thompson, global brand president of Halara, women's activewear-inspired everyday apparel. Listen in as Thompson provides an overview of the athleisure brand (1:40), its direct-to-consumer e-commerce distribution channels (2:25), and shares her career journey that lead to her current role (3:10). She discusses the…

In episode 479 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Frank Mulcahy, head of sales at Chewy Ads, the retail media network for leading pet retailer Chewy. Listen in as Mulcahy discusses the recent Chewy Ads refresh (1:30), its new key features and functionalities (3:25), and the retail media network's benefits for pet brand…

In episode 478 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Megan Porteous, chief revenue officer of Carve Designs, a women's sustainable swimwear and clothing lifestyle brand. Listen in as Porteous discusses the genesis and mission of Carve Designs (1:45), its various sales channels (2:55), and her career background as well as newfound responsibilities at…

Ankur Daga, the Co-founder and CEO of Angara, shares his journey in the jewelry industry and the founding of his innovative brand specializing in lab-grown diamonds. He discusses how Angara's vertically integrated model allows for rapid customization, tapping into consumer demand for personalized jewelry. The conversation highlights the shift towards online shopping, the challenges faced by physical retailers, and growth strategies for international expansion by 2025. With a focus on technology like AI, Daga emphasizes the evolving landscape of jewelry in the digital age.

Bob D'Loren, CEO of Xcel Brands and co-founder of the innovative social commerce app ORME, dives into the transformative world of social commerce. He discusses the blending of shopping with entertainment, especially through TikTok-style content. The conversation highlights the challenges for traditional media adapting to this new landscape and the vital role of authentic influencer marketing. D'Loren also explores the uncertain future of platforms like TikTok, while noting the growing popularity of niche communities and the evolving relationship between influencers and their audiences.