Total Retail Talks

In episode 490 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Yanni Hufnagel, founder and CEO of The Lemon Perfect Company, an organic lemon water brand. Listen in as Yanni discusses his unconventional career path, transitioning from a college basketball coach to a beverage entrepreneur (2:20). He describes the inspiration behind Lemon Perfect (3:10), growth…

In episode 489 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Paul Weingard, president and CEO of Schylling, the iconic toy company marking 50 years in the industry this year. Listen in as Weingard provides an overview of the company's history and current business (1:30), his 18-year career at Schylling (3:25), and how the brand…

In episode 488 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Kebharu Smith, director and associate general counsel of Amazon.com's Counterfeit Crimes Unit (CCU), a global team working to investigate, find and launch legal action and criminal referrals against counterfeiters. Listen in as Smith provides an overview of the CCU's work to prevent counterfeit product…

Gregg Brockway, Co-founder and CEO of Chairish, shares insights from his journey creating a marketplace for vintage furniture and decor. He discusses the surge in consumer demand for sustainable and stylish home items, driven by rising tariffs and supply chain challenges. Brockway highlights the importance of personal connections in business and how they tailor their offerings for a diverse customer base. The conversation dives into the evolving landscape of home furnishings, focusing on the need for improved services for both consumers and interior designers.

In episode 484 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Kamanasish Kundu (KK), senior vice president and head of e-commerce and digital at Kendra Scott, a fashion lifestyle brand of big dreams, colorful confidence, and inspired design, founded on family, fashion and philanthropy. Listen in as Kundu discusses the digital checkout transformation underway at…

In episode 484 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Leslie Marino, U.S. 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…

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…