Retail Redeveloped

How has a personalized, on demand laundry service transformed the way Charlotteans wash their clothes?  Today we're joined by Alex Smereczniak, Founder & CEO of 2ULaundry. 2ULaundry is the new way to do laundry and dry cleaning. With their convenient pick-up and drop-off service, they're on a mission to provide people with an effortless and convenient solution to laundry and dry cleaning. Listen along as we take a deep dive into the why behind 2ULaundry and their operations, how to scale and franchise in new markets, and why a laundry company has decided to vertically integrate and own their supply chain. 

How can street-level art elevate an institutional retail center?  Today we're joined by Libby Lassiter, President for Bayer Properties, and Mindy Rohr, Marketing Manager for Bayer Properties. Bayer Properties defies the simple definition of being developers and property managers. They currently own and/or operate retail, urban and office properties totaling approximately 10 million square feet, including The Metropolitan in Charlotte, NC. 

Listen along as we take a deep dive into the challenges of managing thriving retail centers, discuss how to take away "newness" through a marketing strategy to appear more accessible to the general public, and how public art can transform a retail center. 

What restaurants are taking chances and changing the narrative of food landscapes in cities across America? 

Today we're joined by Bryan Southwick, Design Manager, with a focus on food and beverage, with Gensler Charlotte. Bryan joined Gensler in 2017 to support the growth and development of retail work in Charlotte’s Lifestyle Studio.  He has provided his expertise on projects ranging from food halls to restaurants, breweries, specialty retail, creative office space, adaptive reuse and office podium repositioning Listen along as we take a look at restaurants from a design standpoint, discuss the shift in competition to local, chef-driven restaurants, and how closings, due to Covid-19, will bring forth contemporary concepts that will help breathe new life into cities. 

How can steps-of-service help facilitate an elevated dining experience for customers? 

Today we're joined by Patrick Whalen, Chief Executive Officer at 5th Street Group. Charlotte-based 5th Street Group is the powerhouse behind 5Church, Sophia's Lounge, and Tempest Restaurant. The 5th Street Group is led by owner/operator trio Patrick Whalen, Alejandro Torio and Top Chef alum Jamie Lynch. Listen along as we discuss the dynamic relationships between business partners and how to have everyone grow in the same direction, The lasting effects of Covid-19 on the restaurant industry, and the how behind growing and expanding a concept successfully. 

What does a fashion trade show look like in the era of COVID-19 and how well do trade shows translate to a digital footprint?   Today we're joined by the man behind the virtual trade show, FashionGo Week, Paul Lee. Paul is the CEO of NHN Global Inc., where he provides executive leadership to several wholly-owned B2B technology businesses including FashionGo, a wholesale online marketplace for the fashion apparel, accessories, footwear and beauty industries. This year, FashionGo week is providing a digital experience for retailers without the need to travel to a physical trade show.   Listen along as we discuss how retailers are shifting from buying for next seasons trends to buying to stock the shelves now, the behind-the-scenes of launching a completely virtual trade show, and how FashionGo will continue to evolve their platform to appeal to brands and vendors alike in a post COVID era. 

How can an app analyze customer transaction data to deliver a more personalized brick-and-mortar shopping experience?  Today we're joined by Wayne Lin, Co-Founder of GetUpside. GetUpside is a D.C.-based, mobile-app tech startup that uses machine learning to provide personalized cash-back offers for everyday purchases, helping their 25 million daily customers save money and get more value for their dollar. Listen along as we discuss personalizing the brick-and-mortar experience, what scaling their app looks like across markets, and how GetUpside is using data to change consumer behavior. 

How will the brick-and-mortar customer experience be affected as retailers reopen post COVID-19 shutdowns?  On today's episode of Retail Redeveloped we're joined by Bobby Marhamat. Bobby is a business builder, scaling expert, and CEO of Raydiant. Raydiant uses digital signage to enhance the customer experiences in brick-and-mortar retailers. Today we're discussing Raydiant's latest Reopening of Retail Insight Report, where they surveyed over 400 brick-and-mortar operators on what retail will look like in a post-pandemic world.  Listen along as we discuss the importance of brick-and-mortar locations during the pandemic (including using stores for curbside pickup), the growing trend of retailers moving to smaller footprints, and why the customer experience is pivotal in the reopening of retail. 

As stay-at-home orders and social distancing measures begin to lift, it’s unclear how consumer and purchasing behaviors during the pandemic have and will alter the retail industry in the long-term.  On today's episode of Retail Redeveloped we're joined by Karl Haller, Global leader and Consumer Center of Competency Partner for IBM Services. Karl leads IBM’s Consumer Industry Center of Competency, where he works with retailers and consumer goods companies worldwide to digitally reinvent their businesses and operationalize the use of advanced capabilities across their enterprise. IBM recently conducted their Institute for Business Value Survey over 18,000 US consumers. Their findings indicated that even as businesses and stores begin to re-open across the nation, more than half of Americans believe we'll experience sustained to major economic downturn over the next year or more.  Listen along as we take a deep dive into the recent IBM consumer report, what innovations have come out of the government shut-downs to help make consumers feel safer shopping in-store, and how artificial intelligence is transforming the in-store retail experience. 

How has the concept of old-school food courts transformed into a multifaceted high-end culinary and artistic experience? Today we're joined by Didier Souillat, CEO for Time Out Market. Time Out Market is a global dining and cultural experience with 8 curated food halls across 6 countries. Didier joined Time Out Market as CEO in February 2016 to lead their global expansion and successfully opened 5 locations in 2019.  How does Time Out Market operate as a Landlord and a Tenant at the same time, what does a merchandise mix look like for a 75,000 SF food hall at each of their global locations, and what will the comeback of food halls look like in the time of Coronavirus. 

What safety factors are important to consumers in the time of Coronavirus? Today we're taking a global view on consumer safety and health with Nick Mercurio, executive Vice President and service line head of US channel perforce for IPSOS. IPSOS is one of the top 3 global market research firms, with researchers across 90 different countries. They recently launched their consumer health and safety index during COVID-19. Listen along as we discuss the latest global view on consumer safety, how IPSOS helps companies understand the gap between the experience they intended to deliver and the one that was actually delivered, and what's in store for the future of retailers.