retail innovation Archives - WSL Strategic Retail

The Sheconomy: How Female Wealth is Rewriting Retail’s Future with Sarah Wolfe | Ep 115

In this episode: In this episode of Future Shop, Wendy Liebmann sits down with Sarah Wolfe, Executive Director and Senior Economist at Morgan Stanley, to unpack the economic reality of the "Sheconomy". Moving past generic DEI narratives, Sarah grounds the debate in hard data—revealing how demographic shifts, delayed motherhood, home equity gains, and the massive ... Read more

Inside the Creation of the Apple Store, Target Design, JC Penney Failures & The Future of Retail with Ron Johnson | Ep 113

In this episode: In this episode of Future Shop, host Wendy Liebmann sits down with retail visionary Ron Johnson—former Senior VP of Retail at Apple and former VP of Merchandising at Target. Ron opens up about his storied career, including the creation of Target’s groundbreaking "Design for All" collaborations with icons like Michael Graves, and ... Read more

The AI Shopping Revolution: Is Retail Media in Jeopardy? And What About Shoppers with Kiri Masters | EP112

In this episode: In this episode of Future Shop, Wendy Liebmann sits down with Kiri Masters, founder of the Retail Media Breakfast Club, to dissect the rapid evolution of the shopper journey in the age of generative AI. Using real-world buying experiences—from hair tools to refrigerators—they reveal how tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity are bypassing traditional retail ... Read more

Why Sexual Wellness is the Next Big CPG Growth Category with Rachel Marler | EP111

In this episode: In this episode of Future Shop, host Wendy Liebmann sits down with Rachel Marler, the North American Chief Commercial Officer for Lifestyles (the makers of SKYN condoms). Together, they explore the rapid evolution of the sexual and intimate wellness category from a restricted retail afterthought to a crucial pillar of holistic physical and ... 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

Beyond the Screen: Why Humanity is Retail’s Secret Weapon in 2026 | EP107

In this episode: As we transition into 2026, the retail landscape is being reshaped by two powerful, seemingly opposite forces: the rapid ascent of autonomous AI and a growing hunger for authentic human connection. In this special year-in-review, Wendy Liebmann reflects on a transformative period of “perpetual chaos,” where shoppers are seizing control of their ... Read more

The Future of Beauty: K-Beauty, Viral Fragrances, and the TikTok Effect | EP106

In this episode: Wendy Liebmann and Elia Auchane recap their recent trip to Cosmoprof North America in Miami. Together, they explore the shifting landscape of the beauty industry, questioning if the sector is “tapped out” while identifying the viral trends, from K-Beauty to Middle Eastern fragrances, that are currently dominating the global market. Through the ... Read more

TikTok Shop, Agentic AI, and the Future of Retail Trust with Kelsie Johnston | EP105

In this episode: Join host Wendy Liebmann as she sits down with Kelsie Johnston, a retail strategist with a career spanning Macy’s, Walmart, Coty, and most recently, TikTok. In this episode of Future Shop, Kelsie breaks down the seismic shift from traditional omnichannel retail to the exploding world of social commerce and the dawn of ... 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