We're all about accountability on the Remarkable Retail podcast, so as we bring this season to a close once again it's time to grade Steve on 2024 predictions. In part 1 we dig into six of his baker's dozen of retail prognostications, which include:

1. The bifurcation of just about everything accelerates.

2. For many brands, flat is the new up.

3. AI: This time its personal.

4. The D continues to come out of DTC—except for top vendor brands

5. There is a culling of the once and future unicorn herd

6. Honey, I shrunk the store (again).

But we start with the retail news that caught our attention this week including lots of deals in the news: the end to the Kroger/Albertson's merger, the likely beginning of Saks and Neiman's, a possible go private transaction on the part of Walgreens, and yet another activist takes on Macy's. Then we assess Tik Tok's future in the US, before wrapping up with earnings news from Costco, Lululemon, and RH.

Steve's Prediction from Forbes (Part 1)

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About Us

Steve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling author of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.

Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast.  He has been recognized by the NRF as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025 and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.