The Retail Focus Podcast

Retail Focus 9/6/21 – The Importance of Rural Grocery; Mall Retailers Bounce Back in a Big Way

Our interview guest is Erica Blair, Program Manager with the Rural Grocery Initiative. She joins us to discuss how rural grocers are vital to the markets they serve, current challenges they face, and interesting solutions and best practices these grocers are using to remain successful. In news, Journeys’ owner Genesco and American Eagle both release solid second quarter numbers, and Duluth Trading reveals a plan forward under new leadership.

The Retail Focus Podcast is proud to partner with Quantum Metric to present this week’s show. Visit them at quantummetric.com/podoffer, promo code RETAILFOCUS, to see if your business qualifies to receive their “12 Days of Insights” offer. Restrictions apply.

Retail Focus 8/30/21 – Cuisinart’s Strategy Surrounding the Holidays; Family Dollar Finds Combo Store Success

Our interview guest is Mary Rodgers, Cuisinart’s director of marketing communications. She joins us to discuss, among other things, Cuisinart’s strategy surrounding their unique holiday sales cadence, back-to-school, and their approach to new product lines. In news we look at “dollar store” earnings, but moreover, how Family Dollar is finally seeing success through the long-awaited synergies with Dollar Tree (and how Dollar General may take a dip into health & wellness). Finally, we look ahead to Mattress Firm, as their CEO notes the path out of bankruptcy for the retailer.

The Retail Focus Podcast is proud to partner with Quantum Metric to present this week’s show. Visit them at quantummetric.com/podoffer, promo code RETAILFOCUS, to see if your business qualifies to receive their “12 Days of Insights” offer. Restrictions apply.

Retail Focus 8/22/21 – Studying the Whole Consumer; Walmart’s Slow & Steady Sales Increases

Our interview guest is Stefan Read, SVP of Engagements and Strategy Practice Lead at Jackman, who joins us to discuss their ongoing Human Insights Study and why it is important for retailers to have a complete view of their customers—including their motivations and reasons for action (or inaction). In news, we discuss how Walmart’s steady sales growth differs from other retailers (and how people are returning to their brick-and-mortar offerings) and how customers “trading up” may influence home improvement retailers going forward after Lowe’s and Home Depot both noted high-dollar sales ticking upward recently.

The Retail Focus Podcast is proud to partner with Quantum Metric to present this week’s show. Visit them at quantummetric.com/podoffer, promo code RETAILFOCUS, to see if your business qualifies to receive their “12 Days of Insights” offer. Restrictions apply.

Retail Focus 8/15/21 – Grocery Outlet Announces E-Commerce Exploration; Closing a Retail Store

In news, we look at Grocery Outlet’s big announcement regarding future exploration of e-commerce partnerships to potentially open a digital sales channel for the first time. Additionally, Giant Eagle introduces a payment format that is a first for grocers, and the USPS announces more seasonal rate hikes for the holidays. In our interview segment, we look back at a 2017 interview with the producers of a documentary following the last ten days of a retail store’s life and the emotional toll it takes on those who work there.

The Retail Focus Podcast is proud to partner with Quantum Metric to present this week’s show. Visit them at quantummetric.com/podoffer, promo code RETAILFOCUS, to see if your business qualifies to receive their “12 Days of Insights” offer. Restrictions apply.

Retail Focus 8/8/21 – Advances in Retail Security & Loss Prevention; Sprouts Shifts Back Into Location Growth

Our interview guest is Eric Talley of STANLEY Security, who joins us to discuss the current state of retail security and loss prevention, how 2020 was a “perfect storm” resulting in record retail theft, and things retailers are doing to ensure associate safety. In news, we discuss CVS’ latest front-store sales numbers, Sprouts seeking to grow their footprint again, Whole Foods piloting a delivery charge, and Ingles impressing on the sales front. And, we look ahead to rising costs of shipping containers and how it may affect holiday sales.

The Retail Focus Podcast is proud to partner with Quantum Metric to present this week’s show. Visit them at quantummetric.com/podoffer, promo code RETAILFOCUS, to see if your business qualifies to receive their “12 Days of Insights” offer. Restrictions apply.

Retail Focus 8/1/21 – Drawing Shoppers to Downtown Retailers; Albertsons Gains Share of Wallet

Our interview guest is Ned Hayes, CEO of SnowShoe. He joins the show to discuss SnowShoe’s Go Downtown app, currently being piloted in Olympia, WA, and how the app might be the key to enticing shoppers to head back to local retailers in downtown districts. In news, we discuss Albertsons’ earnings call this week as they build on 2020 and seek further brick-and-mortar expansion; additionally, we look at retail hiring numbers as states attempt to navigate ending additional unemployment benefits.

Retail Focus 7/24/21 – Deloitte’s Back-To-School Shopping Projections; TSC's Loyalty Program Provides Boost

Our interview guest is Rod Sides, vice chairman of Deloitte LLP and their U.S. retail, wholesale, and distribution leader. He rejoins the podcast to discuss their yearly back-to-school and back-to-college surveys and how consumers are choosing where to spend and what to spend on. In news, in a follow-up from last week’s show, we touch on Tractor Supply Co.’s latest earnings, a proposed deal involving the Piggly Wiggly banner, and we look ahead to Ulta’s partnership with Target slated to launch in the coming days.

The Deloitte Back-to-School Survey may be accessed here: https://bit.ly/3eRYRba

The Deloitte Back-to-College Survey may be accessed here: https://bit.ly/3hZTIzJ

Retail Focus 7/18/21 – The Line Between Content Creation and Commerce; Mall Retailer Sees Sales Bump

Our interview guest is Erika Strum Silberstein, the President of Wine Enthusiast Commerce. She joins the show to discuss the line between content creation and commerce at Wine Enthusiast, as well as the dynamic behind selling premium goods in an ecommerce setting and their exploration into potential brick-and-mortar avenues. In news, we look at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory numbers, as their sales increase on a two-year stack, and look ahead to Tractor Supply’s earnings call.

Retail Focus 6/25/21 – Badcock Home Furniture’s Past, Present, & Future; Kroger Customers Trading Up

Our interview guest is Mitchell Stiles, Badcock Home Furniture’s VP of retail operations; he joins us to discuss the retailer’s history, their unique dealer model, how they navigated the pandemic, and what the future holds for Badcock. In news, we look at Kroger’s most recent earnings call, and leadership comments that when it comes to private label brands, their customer base is trading up. Additionally, we look ahead to 2021 fireworks retail sales and how they may differ from 2020.

Retail Focus 6/14/21 – Availability of Wholesale Space; RH Continues Search for Greater Margins

Our interview guest is Justin Smith, a senior vice president with Lee & Associates and the author of the recently released book “Industrial Intelligence: The Executive’s Guide for Making Informed Commercial Real Estate Decisions.” He discusses the current landscape of industrial real estate as it pertains to retail and the process retailers follow as they develop and onboard distribution and fulfillment centers to their pipeline. In news, we look at RH’s continued search for expanded margins in luxury and Home Depot making a move to further vertically integrate their supply chain.

Retail Focus 6/7/21 – Five Below Continues Rapid Growth Plans; Some Independent Grocers Keep 2020 Gains

We begin the show by discussing Five Below, a company who saw record first quarter sales, as they navigate triple-digit unit growth in 2021. From there, we turn our attention to SpartanNash’s first quarter earnings, and sales numbers that indicate strength from the independent grocers they supply. Finally, Layton looks ahead to continued developments surrounding a potential deal between Staples and Office Depot.

Retail Focus 5/31/21 – E-Commerce in Spirits Retail; Hibbett Sports Blows Away Sales Expectations

Our interview guest is Roi Kliper, CEO and co-founder of CityHive. Roi discusses how spirits retailers are increasingly turning to e-commerce where possible to gain a competitive edge, and how third-party services like Drizly may have hidden costs for retailers. In news, Hibbett Sports takes center stage as their brick-and-mortar stores saw triple-digit (!) comp increases, and we look ahead to how rising fright costs may impact the industry.

Retail Focus 5/16/21 – How Loyalty Programs Shape C-Store Real Estate; Simon Provides JCP Update

Our interview guest is Mike Welsh, the Chief Creative Officer at Mobiquity. He rejoins the show to discuss developments in app-based loyalty programs over the last year, as well as how these loyalty programs are forcing convenience stores to rethink their brick and mortar layout. In news, Layton joins the show to discuss Simon’s update on progress at JC Penney and a new program at CBRE designed to review the best use for U.S. malls.

Retail Focus 5/9/21 – Use of Robotics Technology In-Store; Office Depot Mulls Split

Our interview guest is Josh Baylin, the Senior Director of Strategy at Brain Corp. He joins the show to discuss the technology behind autonomous mobile robots used in retail stores—including those used for floor cleaning and shelf scanning. Additionally, he notes advancements in the technology over the last two years and looks at the process behind ensuring that robots fit into the retail environment. In news, we discuss Office Depot’s proposed split reported this week and underlying reasons for the change and the USDA’s release of food spending numbers.

Retail Focus 5/2/21 – Specialty Retail & Multi-Component E-Commerce; Sherwin-Williams’ DIY Growth

Our interview guest is Tim Baynes, CEO and co-founder of Compatio. He joins us to discuss how retailers who specialize in multi-component products (like bike shops and outdoors retailers) can effectively leverage e-commerce to boost their reach while retaining the associate expertise element key to the in-store experience. In news, we look at Sherwin-Williams, whose first-quarter growth was fueled largely by a continued uptick of sales to DIY customers in their retail stores. And, we look ahead to a growing store-in-store program between Tractor Supply Co. and a popular workwear brand.

Retail Focus 4/25/21 – The Landscape of Retail Lighting; Digital Coupons and Organic Produce Increase Share

Our interview guest is Daniel Gold, founder of Future Energy Solutions, a leading provider of lighting-as-a-service for businesses nationwide. He joins us to discuss the current state of retail lighting, where it makes sense for retailers to seek energy efficiency, and why new models (such as lighting-as-a-service) may prove more cost-effective for retailers as it pertains to energy-efficient fixtures. In news, we cover data surrounding the increased use of digital coupons and a significant year-over-year increase in organic produce sales; we look ahead to Amazon’s announced palm-based payment technology for Whole Foods as well.

Retail Focus 4/18/21 – How Retail Customers are Paying in 2021; Kimco Seeks Expansion; Bed Bath & Beyond

Our interview guest is Jim Johnson, head of Worldpay Merchant Solutions at FIS, who joins us to discuss data in their Global Payments Report and the Generation Pay Report about how retail customers are paying for goods in 2021 and the associated impacts on retailers. In news, we discuss an announced deal between Kimco and Weingarten Realty Investors that could impact the grocery-anchored center space, and Bed Bath & Beyond earnings as they look to a robust Q1.

 

If you wish to download the FIS reports, please visit here: https://www.fisglobal.com/generationpay ; https://worldpay.globalpaymentsreport.com/en/

Retail Focus 4/11/21 – Consumer Anxiety Begins to Lift in U.S.; Meijer Releases Sales Trends

Our interview guest is Anthony Waelter, vice chairman at Deloitte LLP and Deloitte’s U.S. consumer industry leader, who joins us to discuss their most recent Global State of the Consumer Tracker data. Specifically, we talk with him about consumer anxiety levels (and risk tolerance) as well as why consumers might buy more—or less—online post-pandemic. In news, we get a rare update from Meijer regarding sales trends in the past year, and we note sad news by way of BJ’s Wholesale Club.

Retail Focus 4/5/21 – PGA TOUR Superstore CEO Dick Sullivan; JOANN Sees Another Sales Leap

Our interview guest is Dick Sullivan, President and CEO of PGA TOUR Superstore. He joins to discuss the last year for the company, what the accelerating popularity of golf may mean for the future, his experience as CMO at Home Depot during a time of unprecedented company growth, and how his experience in retail helped him in his leadership role with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. In news, we discuss another solid quarter of sales for JOANN (despite plummeting inventories) and why Walgreens may not see quite the financial benefit from COVID-19 vaccination traffic as speculated.

Retail Focus 3/28/21 – Alternative Wellness Product Education; H-E-B’s Northward Push; Casey’s Big Acquisition

We discuss two stories of regional importance, first with Casey’s, as they reach a deal to purchase 49 Circle K locations from Couche-Tard. From there, we discuss news of H-E-B announcing their first Dallas-area flagship stores and look ahead to Walgreens’ earnings next week. In our interview segment, we revisit a chat with Colby McKenzie, principal at Enlighten Wellness, who speaks to the process behind educating both retailers and consumers about alternative wellness and CBD products in retail stores.