Retail Remix

From leveraging social media to exploring marketplaces and strategic advertising, there are countless avenues to capture mindshare and carve a unique space for your brand online. You can find a shining example of this immense potential in the canned water company Liquid Death.

In this episode of Retail Remix, we listen back to an exclusive conversation from the 2023 Retail Innovation Conference & Expo between Claire Tassin from Morning Consult and Natalie Cotter, a key player in Liquid Death’s digital presence and growth strategy. This insightful discussion not only highlights what makes Liquid Death exceptional but also provides valuable cues and clues for other brands to apply at their businesses. Tune in to learn:

• How Liquid Death found its target audience through customer support and discovered that moms love the product for their kids' hydration;
• The brand’s approach to testing and scaling new channels, especially among mid- to lower-funnel opportunities;
• Why the brand has succeeded with unconventional marketing tactics, such as partnering with influencers and creating a Spotify album from negative customer feedback; and
• The importance of “winning the internet for a day” and how Liquid Death has done that through social media takeovers and unexpected partnerships. 

RELATED LINKS

• Connect with Natalie here.
• Connect with Claire here.
• Learn more about Liquid Death.
• Get key highlights from the conversation on Retail TouchPoints.
• Check out more content from the Retail Innovation Conference & Expo.
• Read more about ecommerce trends on Retail TouchPoints.

At Monica + Andy, thoughtfulness is at the core of everything the brand does. The team, led by founder and CEO Monica Royer, believes that every decision should be made by first considering the possible impact on customers, employees and the environment. 

This episode of Retail Remix highlights how this mindset applies to all aspects of Monica + Andy, from product design to customer service, marketing and company culture. Alicia Esposito chats with Monica + Andy Founder Monica Royer about:

• The inspiration behind Monica + Andy, including how her personal challenges sparked the idea for a thoughtful brand for new parents;
• How she drew on her experience with her brother's company, Bonobos, to learn from their successes and challenges in direct-to-consumer retail;
• Monica + Andy’s growth playbook, which combines DTC, wholesale, community and services; and
• How the brand is designing digital physical spaces to be inclusive and welcoming to parents and young children.

RELATED LINKS

• Check out the Monica + Andy here.
• See how Monica + Andy build community.

Read more about customer loyalty trends on Retail TouchPoints.

The luxury consumer is changing. She’s younger, more tech-savvy and embracing a hybrid of trends, from “quiet luxury” to bold colors and patterns. Kurt Geiger is adapting to these new realities while staying true to its UK roots – and is expanding globally along the way. 

During this week’s Retail Remix, Alicia Esposito chats with CEO Neil Clifford, a visionary leader who has championed the brand’s evolution and found new ways to drive brand relevance and loyalty. Listen to learn how Kurt Geiger is:

• Embracing new marketing and brand strategies (like collabs) to drive brand relevance and engagement; 
• Developing a global expansion strategy that includes ecommerce and physical stores; 
• Partnering with private equity to embrace the art and science of business growth; and 
• Investing in emerging talent by creating its own school. 

RELATED LINKS

• Check out the Kurt Geiger site here.
• Learn more about the Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation.
• Read more about luxury trends on Retail TouchPoints.

Gen Z’s spending power is growing. That’s why brands are focused on truly understanding their behaviors and preferences across all channels. To shed light on how Gen Z prefers to shop in stores, MG2 conducted a comprehensive study that included both qualitative and quantitative feedback. The results paint a detailed picture of this influential cohort, helping brands break free of their pre-existing notions and biases. 

During this Retail Remix episode, Alicia Esposito chats with Melissa Gonzalez, Principal at MG2, to dig into some of the key findings and takeaways that design executives can apply. Listen to learn:

• The four core consumer personas of Gen Z and the brands that resonate with them; 
• How Gen Z prefers to use technology and embrace community in physical retail spaces; 
• Why wellness should be a key consideration as you develop your in-store experiences; and 
• How you can incorporate your brand values into stores to better resonate and connect with your consumers. 

RELATED LINKS

• Learn more about MG2 here.
• Download your copy of the research.
• Visit Design:Retail to uncover other store design trends and best practices.

Starting as a pop-up sensation, the Museum of Ice Cream quickly captured the hearts and minds of visitors. It also left an indelible mark on the retail landscape and has become a model for experiential retail. But what made it such a splash? Was it the innovative model, the creative marketing approach or something else entirely?

During this Retail Remix episode, Alicia Esposito chats with Manish Vora, Co-founder of the Museum of Ice Cream. The pair discuss how this extraordinary concept evolved from a temporary installation to a permanent fixture, captivating audiences and fostering community worldwide. Tune in to learn:

• Why The Museum of Ice Cream serves as a model for retailers looking to create immersive and experiential environments;

• How psychology and cognitive science have influenced the design and experience of the museum; and

• How the Museum of Ice Cream measures success and informs the expansion process, while also considering local tastes, customs and cultural nuances.

RELATED LINKS

• Learn more about the Museum of Ice Cream here!
• Read more about experiential trends on Retail TouchPoints.

The celebrity-backed brand isn’t dying…it’s evolving. In fact, Leonard Brody, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Caravan, believes that these brands carry substantial weight and increasingly resonate with consumers thanks to the power of social media. 

Leonard would know. Caravan plays a secret role in building these brands behind the scenes, elevating the role of celebs like Carrie Underwood and “Queer Eye’s” Antoni Porowski and Jonathan Van Ness. During this Retail Remix episode, Alicia Esposito chats with Leonard about: 

• Why pet and health/wellness are big categories driving growth for celebrity-backed brands;

• The power of customer data and product strategy in developing a relevant celebrity partnership; and 

• How Caravan builds consumer brands in partnership with celebrities/athletes by focusing on products that have a science or technical advantage.

RELATED LINKS

• Learn more about Caravan here!
• Read more about VC trends on Retail TouchPoints.

At the Retail Innovation Conference & Expo (RICE), attendees learned that you can elevate your brand's presence, engage your audience and stand out in an increasingly competitive digital climate by tapping authentic content, partnerships with the right influencers, and healthy doses of experimentation. 

During this Retail Remix episode, we go back to a panel of marketing leaders who shared their unique approaches to social media marketing and advertising. They discussed how they take a full-funnel approach on platforms like Meta, Google, TikTok and Pinterest, and the importance of authentic user-generated content and influencer marketing. Tune in to learn:

• Why more organic and “raw” content is more effective than traditional, glossy advertising;
• Why TikTok is a dynamic platform for experimentation; and
• How to be agile in testing new content and advertising approaches on different platforms. 

RELATED LINKS

• Learn more about Pacsun, HEALTH-ADE, and Sundays here!
• Learn more about RICE 2024.
• Read more about social commerce trends on Retail TouchPoints.

To its community of loyal customers, Hanna Andersson is so much more than just a children's clothing company. It’s a trusted brand that puts safety, quality and ethical production at the forefront to empower parents around the world. With a steadfast dedication to protecting childhood innocence, Hanna Andersson also aims to create spaces where parents can find simplicity online without compromising style or substance.

In this episode of Retail Remix, Alicia Esposito chats with Callie Canfield, Chief Brand Officer at Hanna Andersson. The pair exchange stories about the new perks (and challenges) of modern parenting and how the brand has been able to tap into these realities to activate community engagement and loyalty. Tune in to learn:

• What Callie loves most about Hanna Andersson, including the brand, its values, people and culture;
• How the brand balances authenticity and simplicity with the technical aspects of its product;  
• How the brand creates common ground and mutual excitement between parents and kids through marketing and CX; and
• The brand’s approach to loyalty and how Hanna Andersson is leaning into more experiential and community-driven efforts

RELATED LINKS

• Learn more about Callie here!
• Learn more about Hanna Andersson.
• Read more about customer loyalty trends on Retail TouchPoints.

In an era where sustainability and environmental consciousness are at the forefront of consumer demands, the fashion industry is facing increasing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint. Fortunately, technology is stepping in as a powerful ally in this quest for change. From digital samples to recommerce platforms, innovative solutions are emerging to revolutionize the way fashion operates. 

In this episode of Retail Remix, our host Alicia Esposito chats with Emily Gittins, Co-founder and CEO at the customized resale tech company Archive. The pair explore the role of technology in reducing fashion's environmental impact and highlight some exciting advancements in the recommerce industry. Listen to learn about:

• The current state of sustainability in the fashion industry;
• The different models of recommerce companies can leverage;
• How to build an engaging customer experience through such programs; and
• Best practices for measuring the impact of recommerce efforts with new KPIs.

RELATED LINKS

• Learn more about Emily here!
• Learn more about Archive.
• Get the details on Second Hand September. 
• Read more about sustainability trends on Retail TouchPoints.

From its humble beginnings as a small jewelry startup to a household name, Kendra Scott has not only thrived in the direct-to-consumer (DTC) space but has also made significant strides in the world of wholesale and branded brick-and-mortar experiences.

In this episode of Retail Remix, our host Alicia Esposito chats with Colleen Wilson, SVP of Retail and Wholesale for the jewelry brand. They explore Kendra Scott's growth journey, and how the brand ensures the customer experience is immersive, consistent and aligned with the founder’s core values. Listen to learn:

• What the Kendra Scott brand stands for, and how those values are reflected in all channels, tactics and even products; 

• How the team taps data and insights to identify new growth opportunities; 

• The unique role that stores play in creating highly immersive and community-centric experiences; 

• How Kendra Scott empowers store associates to identify “micro-moments” that can drive store events and experiences; and 

• Why partnerships are an integral area of growth and innovation for the brand. 

RELATED LINKS

• Learn more about Kendra Scott.
• Follow the brand on LinkedIn and Instagram. 
• Learn more about Kendra Scott’s in-store experiences.
• Read more about wholesale trends on Retail TouchPoints.