retail trends Archives - WSL Strategic Retail

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

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

How to Build a Brand with Purpose, one Retailer at a Time with April Showers | EP101

In this episode: In this episode, Wendy Liebmann sits down with April Showers, the founder of Afro Unicorn®, a brand born from purpose, community, and the need for representation. They discuss how April’s personal passion and smart retail partnerships brought her vision to life. Episode highlights: How Afro Unicorn grew from T-shirts to Walmart shelves ... Read more

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

Influencing-Retail-kroger-kenvue-inmarket

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

The Future of Brands, Retail, Innovation, and Work with Joanna Jensen | EP87

In this episode: Wendy Liebmann talks to Joanna Jensen, founder of Child’s Farm, the British multi-award winning, baby and child personal care brand that took leadership of the category from behemoth Johnson’s Baby. They discuss: How to take on the biggest brand and win. Why passion so often leads to disruptive brand and retail innovation. ... Read more

Retail Tension. AI, Retail Media, Pricing. What’s Next? with Justin Honaman, AWS | EP79

podcast with justin honaman and wendy liebmann

In this episode: Wendy Liebmann, WSL’s CEO and Chief Shopper and Justin Honaman, Head of Worldwide Retail & CPG, GTM & Segment Leader for Food & Beverages for Amazon Web Services, continue discussions about emerging technology and the implications for the future of retail. They discuss: The tension points at retail: prices, efficiency and where ... Read more

Retail’s Urgent Search for Volume. How? Now! with Sri Rajagopalan | EP78

In this episode: Wendy Liebmann talks to Sri Rajagopalan, co-founder and co-host of The CPG Guys and founder of Think Blue, about the fast-changing dynamics of retail, what’s plaguing board rooms, and what retail leaders needs to address right now. They discuss: Retail’s number one problem post-Covid: driving volume How digital influences virtually every purchase ... Read more