In this episode of "Fad, Trend and Strategy on What Just Happened," Christine Russo hosts David Marcotte from Kantar Consulting and James Tenser from VSN Media to discuss various trends and strategies in the retail and supply chain industry.

The conversation begins with a focus on the challenges in the supply chain, particularly the impact of weakened demand. David Marcotte highlights the ongoing chaos in the supply chain, attributing it to unexpected disruptions like the Panama Canal issues. He emphasizes the return of challenges similar to those faced two years ago, with disruptions in rail, seaports, and altered supply chain timelines.

The discussion then shifts to the failure of the trend towards digitalization of the supply chain, with various solutions, including blockchain, not living up to expectations. The persistence of paper-based documentation and a lack of trust in digital solutions are identified as obstacles.

Russo steers the conversation to delve into the issues of sustainability regulations in the apparel industry, pointing out the contrast between genuine efforts and challenges in implementing effective controls across the supply chain. The conversation touches upon the lack of uniform regulations and the need for companies to stand up and enforce ethical practices.

The episode concludes with a discussion on the concept of near shoring as a strategy to address supply chain challenges. Tenser sees it as a moderate trend that gained traction in response to lessons learned from the early days of COVID-19 disruptions. The hosts express varying views on the effectiveness of near shoring, emphasizing the need for a more resilient and adaptable supply web.

The conversation also briefly explores the concept of "Just Walk Out" technology, considering it a fad in certain contexts, while self-checkouts are viewed as a growing trend with potential iterations to come. The hosts touch upon concerns related to organized retail crime, changes in retail store structures, and the potential shift towards a membership-based system.

In the end, Christine Russo thanks the guests for their insights, highlighting the engaging and informative nature of the discussion, and expressing her desire to continue such conversations in the future.