future of retail Archives - WSL Strategic Retail

Longevity Nation: Michael Clinton on the Future of Aging and Business | EP109

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In this episode: In this episode of Future Shop, Wendy Liebmann sits down with renaissance man and ROAR Forward founder Michael Clinton to discuss his latest book, Longevity Nation. As life expectancies climb and today’s children face a 50% chance of living to 100, the “second half of life” is being completely rewritten. Michael shares ... Read more

How to Reach the New Frontiers of Beauty & Wellness with Ali Kole | EP108

In this episode: Wendy Liebmann sits down with retail powerhouse Ali Kole to dissect the “accelerated evolution” of the beauty industry. Drawing on her extensive background at McKinsey, Amazon, and Sephora, Kole explores how technology—from back-end logistics to front-end AI—is empowering the modern, information-hungry consumer. They dive into the expansion of beauty demographics, the rise ... Read more

Retail’s Next Act: Human Connection in an AI World with Christi Geary | EP104

In this episode: In this episode, Wendy Liebmann sits down with Christi Geary, EVP at Advantage Marketing Partners, to explore the evolving landscape of retail and the enduring power of the human connection. They dive into the intersection of technology and emotion, discussing why physical retail remains vital despite the digital explosion and how brands ... Read more

Agentic AI vs. Human Connection: The Future of Retail Explained with Andy Murray | EP103

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In this episode: In this episode, Wendy Liebmann sits down with retail veteran Andy Murray to dissect the conflicting forces impacting the modern shopper. From the bifurcated "K-shaped" economy to the rise of "vibe shopping" among Gen Z, Andy shares insights from his time at Walmart, ASDA, and P&G, and his current work with the ... Read more

How America Shops® in Chaos. What’s Worth It Now? with Rich Kaminski | EP100

In this episode: In this milestone episode, Wendy Liebmann celebrates 100 episodes of Future Shop with WSL’s newest Director of Research & Insights, Rich Kaminski. Together, they unpack the latest How America Shops® in Chaos study — revealing how shoppers are navigating a world defined by constant disruption, rising prices, and shifting trust in retailers. ... Read more

The Future of Category Management with Gina Zilleox, Glanbia Performance Nutrition | EP99

In this episode: Wendy Liebmann talks to Gina Zilleox, Senior Director Category Management, Glanbia Performance Nutrition about the need to make dramatic assumptions about the competitive landscape in order to thrive in the future. Episode Highlights: Whether or not category management, as we know it, is dead. How essential it is to broaden the perspective ... Read more

AI, Pricing, Supply Chain, Loyalty and First Thoughts on 2026 with Justin Honaman, AWS | EP98

In this episode: In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to regular guest Justin Honaman, Global Head, Restaurants, Retail & Consumer Goods Business Development at Amazon Web Services, about what’s now – and next – as technology transforms retail and consumer goods businesses. Episode Highlights: Retail sales and the tension between inflation, tariffs and spending Managing ... Read more

Influencing the Future of Retail, with Kenvue, Kroger and InMarket | EP97

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In this episode: Wendy Liebmann talks to Amanda Coussoule, Chief Customer Officer at Kenvue, Marla Fielder, Health & Wellness Leader at Kroger and Sharon Glass, Global VP, OTC & Pharma at InMarket, about how to transform organizations in challenging retail times. Episode Highlights: Knowing when to use “soft” or “hard” influence to move organizations to ... Read more

Transforming Health Care Retail into a Temple of Care with Fiona Sartoretto Verna | EP94

In this episode: Wendy Liebmann talks to Fiona Sartoretto Verna, retail architect and co-leader of the company Sartoretto Verna™, founded by her grandfather to reshape the global pharmacy landscape. Today, the company has designed pharmacies in over 48 countries, including the US. Episode Highlights: How her family company was founded to create a “temple of ... Read more

How To Grow a Specialty Retail Business in Chaotic Times with Anna Harman | EP91

In this episode: Wendy Liebmann talks to Anna Harman, CEO and co-founder of Studs, the specialty ear piercing and earring retailer, with 33+ stores and e-commerce site, founded in 2019 just in time for Covid. They discuss: Going from corporate law to Walmart innovation lab to opening Studs. Creating a unique brand ecosystem through quality ... Read more