The Retail Focus Podcast

Retail Focus 3/21/21 – The Current State of Retail Real Estate; Petco’s “Customer Acquisition Machine”

Our interview guest is Bruce Milton, Associate at Lee & Associates--LA North/Ventura, who joins us to discuss the current state of retail real estate, how companies are prospecting for new locations in 2021, and why cities should be proactive in zoning adjustments for retail landlords struggling with vacancies. In news, we talk Petco’s first earnings call since their January IPO and their ease with which they’re acquiring new customers (as well as some things to have on radar for 2021 as it pertains to product mix). And, we look ahead to REI’s annual member meeting in May.

Retail Focus 3/10/21 – Why Blockbuster Was “Built to Fail”; Dick’s Sporting Goods Reveals 2021 Outlook

Our interview guest is Alan Payne, author of the newly released book Built to Fail, which chronicles Blockbuster’s ascent and descent within the span of just two decades. He was a part of the leadership group at Border Entertainment—a Blockbuster franchisee who just shuttered their last store in 2018. In news, we discuss Dick’s Sporting Goods releasing their 2021 outlook and themes that may prove important to them over the next 10 months. Additionally, we look ahead to retailers navigating the gradual removal of mask mandates in the U.S.

Retail Focus 3/7/21 – The Next Step for Malls and Gallerias; Big Lots Eyes 2021 Expansion

Our interview guest is Howard Meitiner, Managing Director at Carl Marks Advisors and former President and CEO of Sephora USA; he joins us to discuss the immediate future for shopping malls and mall-based retailers and the differences in leading growth-centric retailers versus those recovering from previous struggles. In our news segment, we discuss Big Lots’ plans for 2021 (including development of new stores) and we look ahead to what could be a robust year for sporting goods retail.

Retail Focus 2/28/21 – Implementing Sustainability Practices at Ahold Delhaize; NRF’s 2021 Projections

Our interview guest is Brittni Furrow, VP of Sustainable Retailing & Healthy Living at Ahold Delhaize USA, who joins us to discuss ADUSA’s sustainability goals and why implementation of practices to support sustainability is important for grocery retailers. In news, we look at the NRF’s recent projections for 2021, TJX sales data, and a new partnership between Verizon and Deloitte designed to assist retailers with in-store processes.

Retail Focus 2/21/21 – Innovation at Washington Prime Group; Walmart Sees Grocery Sales Bump

Our interview guest is Jennifer Moretti, Senior VP and Chief Activation Officer at Washington Prime Group, who joins us to discuss innovation and upscaling for the REIT’s various initiatives (including Tangible). In news, we look at Walmart’s earnings call, as grocery comps see a sequential uptick for Walmart U.S. and Sam’s Club has their best quarter in terms of driving membership in six years. Finally, we look ahead to JoAnn’s proposed IPO.

Retail Focus 2/14/21 – The Pandemic’s Impact on Apparel Retail; Kimco’s Yearly Report

Our interview guest is Alexa Driansky, the head of market and consumer insights for the retail practice at AlixPartners, who discusses how the pandemic has affected apparel retail from inventory to design. In news, we look at Kimco’s yearly report for 2020, which was released this week—the report suggests that rent may continue to increase at grocery-anchored centers in 2021 and provides other interesting insights. And, we look ahead to Aldi purportedly expanding their curbside services.

Retail Focus 2/7/21 – Changes in Hiring for Hourly Retail Positions; Dollar Tree Makes Two Announcements

Our interview guest is Quincy Valencia, VP of Product Innovation for Hourly by AMS, who joins to discuss the state of retail hourly hiring. Topics include automation in the hiring process, increasing efficiency by routing candidates to ideal positions, and ensuring strong two-way communication throughout the journey. In news, we discuss two big announcements for Dollar Tree—one for each of their banners—and Uber’s acquisition agreement with Drizly.

Retail Focus 1/31/21 – The Current State of Natural & Organic Products, Tractor Supply Earnings

Our interview guest is Diana Fryc, Partner and Chief Sales & Marketing Officer with Retail Voodoo and host of the Gooder podcast; she joins us to discuss brand and product development over the last several years in naturals and organics, how brands can diversify their customer base, and trends to look for in the near future. In news, Tractor Supply Company releases much-anticipated earnings that suggest people may be increasingly interested in products to make them for self-sufficient. We also discuss Hobby Lobby ending their 40% off coupon program.

Retail Focus 1/24/21 – 2021 Retail Industry Outlook; Addressing Technology in Retail in 2021

We’re joined by two interview guests this week—first is Rod Sides, the vice chairman and leader of U.S. retail for Deloitte, who speaks to details surrounding their 2021 Retail Industry Outlook and insights from leading retail executives on the year ahead. Then, Shash Anand, VP of Product Strategy at SOTI, joins us to address what a positive technology experience looks like for the 2021 consumer and areas retailers need to be cognizant of as they scale up in-store tech. In our news segment, we discuss a yearly convenience store report and how ownership is shifting in that retail space.

Retail Focus 1/17/21 – Spirits Retail in 2021; Target & Nordstrom Provide Holiday Sales Numbers

Our interview guest is Mike Provance, the CEO of 3X3; Mike joins the show to discuss the state of beer, wine, and spirits retail in 2021, trends in the space, and how independent store operators managed to keep pace in 2020 with chain competition. In our news segment, we look at Target’s stellar holiday season sales and Nordstrom’s sales moving increasingly to digital. Finally, we discuss Petco’s IPO.

Retail Focus 1/10/21 – Communicating Post-Sale with Customers; L Brands Holiday Sales

Our interview guest is Tobias Buxhoidt, co-founder and CEO of parcelLab; he discusses the importance of post-sale communication in e-commerce and why retailers should take ownership of the process rather than relying on third-party logistics firms. In news, we look at L Brands’ holiday sales updates and news that Lowe’s is expanding their outlet store concept. Additionally, we glance at news of Ahold Delhaize’s acquisition of FreshDirect.

Retail Focus 12/27/20 – Inspecting Goods En Route From China to Retailers; Early Holiday Sales Numbers

Our interview guest is Sajag Agarwal, the Founder of Movley. He discusses the current state of inspections in China of goods bound for U.S. retailers, present shortcomings of the process on the macro level, and areas in which the process could or should be improved to reduce retailers’ risk. In our news segment, we discuss early holiday spend numbers from Mastercard SpendingPulse data and we close by looking ahead to small and mid-sized market retail sales in early 2021.

Retail Focus 12/20/20 – Retail Onboarding & Training Research; Grocery Survey Finds Customers Pleased

Our interview guest is Dr. Santiago Gallino, Assistant Professor of Operations, Information, and Decisions from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He discusses some of his research and work with retailers regarding onboarding and training associates, and how retailers can look at data differently to determine appropriate staffing levels. Our news segment is led by a Retail Feedback Group study that suggests U.S. customers are overwhelmingly happy with their retail grocery experience, and we look ahead towards Rite Aid and Kroger’s list of potential breakthrough foods in 2021.

Retail Focus 12/16/20 – Rethinking Retail Communication; November U.S. Retail Data

Our interview guest is Melissa Wong, CEO of Retail Zipline. Melissa joins the show to talk about ways in which communication within retail organizations has changed, challenges in communication posed in 2020, and why it is important for the corporate branch of a retail company to have a consistent two-way dialogue with individual stores. Our news segment looks at U.S. retail sales data for November, and we look ahead to JD Sports’ acquisition of Shoe Palace.

Retail Focus 12/13/20 – The State of Confectionary Retail; Sporting Goods Continue Hot Streak

Our interview guest is Keith Cohn, founder and CEO of Candy Club, who offers specialty confections direct to consumers and wholesale to retailers in the U.S. He speaks about the state of confectionary retail, trends to watch for, and employing impulse buys outside of the front end. In our news segment, we discuss Academy Sports + Outdoors, who revealed stellar sales numbers as the sporting goods retail sector continues to surge. And, we look ahead to warehouse club membership sales and Chewy’s continued autoship growth.

Retail Focus 12/9/20 – Customers Shopping on Values; Mobile Wallet Adoption; 2020’s Returns Landscape

We’re joined by two interview guests in this episode. First is Karl Haller, Consumer Center of Competency Leader at IBM, who joins us to discuss how retail shoppers are continuing to increasingly make purchase decisions based on their values. Then, Vidya Peters, Chief Marketing Officer at Marqeta, addresses their latest data regarding mobile wallet adoption by consumers. In our news segment, we look at CBRE’s latest reverse logistics report to gain insight on what the returns landscape may look like after the 2020 holiday season.

Retail Focus 12/6/20 – Price & Private Label Predictions for 2021; Kroger Notes Digital Sales Profitability

Our interview guest is Cheryl Sullivan, President of DemandTec; Cheryl looks ahead to 2021 regarding retail pricing and private label market share. Speaking of private label, Kroger set a company record in Q3 in the number of private label products released and were also incrementally profitable on the digital side of their business—we discuss them and Goldman Sachs numbers regarding consumer saving during the pandemic.

Retail Focus 11/29/20 – Flyer Readership Trends; Projecting Thanksgiving Weekend Retail Data

Our interview guest is Adam Halim, the Senior Vice President of Business Development at Flipp. Adam discusses the current state of flyer readership in North America as it pertains to retail, and where the advertising medium is headed over the next several years. In the news segment, we glance at Deloitte’s annual pre-Thanksgiving pulse survey as a means to determine how traffic may be falling this Thanksgiving weekend. Finally, we look ahead to a leadership change and slight merchandise shift at Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Retail Focus 11/22/20 – Oracle’s Global Holiday Shopping Survey; Categories of Strength at Walmart

Our interview guest is Mike Webster, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Oracle Retail, who joins the show to discuss findings in their annual global holiday shopping survey. Additionally, we look to Walmart’s earnings call to determine categories of strength in general merchandise as they broke down third quarter sales at Walmart and Sam’s Club. Finally, we look ahead to Amazon potentially refocusing work at Prime Air.

Retail Focus 11/15/20 – Navigating Delivery Delays & Restrictions, Dillard's Strategy Pays Off (For Now)

Our interview guest is Rick Watson, Founder & CEO of RMW Commerce Consulting; he joins us to discuss how retailers are attempting to navigate the muddy logistics waters of Q4 by dealing with surging costs, delays, and volume restrictions. In our news segment, we discuss how Dillard’s is reaping the rewards of a long-standing company policy and emerging profitable during the pandemic and how budget grocers could possibly (paradoxically) see waning sales as the pandemic progresses. We’re also joined by a surprise guest to discuss retail visits in Ohio and Pennsylvania.