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Some stores just stop you.

You walk in, and for a moment—maybe longer—you forget you're in a place built to sell. You're in something more. A feeling. A point of view. A brand that knows who it is.

This episode is a love letter to those stores—and the people who know how to spot them.

Steve sits down with two of his favorite retail minds (and friends), Jack Stratton and Ian Scott, for a fast-moving conversation that feels more like a pub chat than a panel. Together, they unpack what they’ve seen, what leaders keep missing, and why a well-done retail safari might be one of the most underused leadership tools in the industry.

A deeper look at:

• Why the best stores aren't just places to shop—they're spaces that show you what matters now
• How curiosity is still one of the best skills a retail leader can have
• What most companies get wrong when rolling out tech, and how store teams quietly absorb the fallout
• The subtle power of retail culture—and what happens when you stop paying attention to it
• What Lush, IKEA, and Gentle Monster understand that many legacy brands still don’t

You'll hear real stories, playful jabs, and honest truths about what it takes to build—and notice—a store that makes people feel something.

For retail leaders wondering how to stay inspired, how to lead store teams with more empathy, or how to reconnect with the part of retail that still excites them—this episode is a reminder: stores are still cool. You just have to know where to look.

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