Retail Remix

Amazon aggregators took the ecommerce world by storm during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. But now, as these companies navigate economic volatility and shifts in the investor market, they’re focusing on building viable business models with long-term potential.
For this Retail Remix episode, we revisit a session from the 2022 Retail Innovation Conference & Expo, which features executives from three of the top Amazon aggregators: Acquco, Elevate Brands and Perch. In conversation with Nicole Silberstein, Ecommerce Editor for Retail TouchPoints, they discuss:

• Their unique approaches to identifying and growing Amazon brands using data; 
• How they’re navigating market volatility and the stabilization of COVID-19 online shopping behaviors; and
• Tips and recommendations for building an “acquisition ready” marketplace business.

Gen Alpha is gaining more spending power and, in turn, more influence on the retail industry. That is why retailers like Kids Foot Locker are focused on creating unique opportunities for these consumers to interact with each other and with the brand. 
 
On Retail Remix, we revisit a recent conversation with Jill Feldman, VP and General Manager of Kids Foot Locker. She shared:    

• How Gen Alpha behaviors differ from Gen Z;   
• Why millennial parents are driving these behaviors and expectations;  
• How Kids Foot Locker is leveraging its associates to cultivate authentic relationships with customers; and  
• Ways social media, the metaverse and stores create unique opportunities for the retailer to engage its community.  
   

RELATED LINKS 

• Learn more about Kids Foot Locker 
• Dig into the metaverse opportunity  

Changing consumer behaviors and the impact of shopping holidays like Prime Day are encouraging marketing teams to rethink the traditional holiday calendar.  
 
In fact, Julie Van Ullen of Rakuten Rewards believes that brands need to look at holidays, promotions and rewards initiatives through an integrated and holistic calendar. During this episode of Retail Remix, she shares her perspectives on how marketing teams need to evolve. Listen to learn:  

• How inflation and economic volatility are shifting consumer behaviors;  
• Why shopping holidays like Prime Day are elongating the holiday season and affecting the influence of traditional holidays;  
• Who should collaborate to align on a comprehensive marketing strategy that spans offers, rewards and loyalty initiatives; and  
• How to use data to power decision-making.  
   

RELATED LINKS 

• Learn more about Rakuten  
• See RTP’s coverage on Prime Day 
• Get the new marketing rulebook

Inflation. Shifts in consumer spending. New digital behaviors. There are several trends that could shake up the gifting space, but as we head into the holiday season, brands and retailers need to think about how they can turn these challenges into new opportunities. 
 
Are you ready to differentiate and drive revenue through personalized gifting experiences? During this episode of Retail Remix, GiftNow’s John Grech and host Alicia Esposito discuss:  

• The behavioral shifts impacting the gifting space;  
• Whether economic volatility and the threat of a recession will impact gifting during the holiday season; and  
• How brands can harness the psychology of gifting, and the power of digital technology, to create a more enjoyable online experience.  
   

RELATED LINKS 

• Learn more about GiftNow 
• Download Retail Gifting Solutions 101  
• Download Corporate Gifting 101: What It Is and How It Works 
• Get a copy of Unpacking Holiday Gifting: Shoppers’ Plans andRetail Opportunities from Coresight Research 

In the past, consumers who wanted to get their ears pierced had two options: tattoo shops and the mall. According to Louisa Schneider, the mall-based piercing experience in particular felt uncomfortable and impersonal.  
 
She knew there was a better way and that’s why she started Rowan. Now, the ear-piercing brand is growing steadily, thanks to its super-fun studio experience, a successful partnership with Target, and a loyal base of licensed nurses who act as the brand champions and piercing squad. 

It’s never been easier for a brand to gain a foothold online, but even the most innovative brand can only go so far until it needs to invest in its ecommerce experience. Unfortunately for smaller brands, their limited budgets can make it seem like those experiences will always lag behind the bigger brands. One solution? No-code automation. 

On this week’s episode, host Alicia Esposito chats with Mason Co-founder Kausambi Manjita about how she’s helping brands find the tools required for ecommerce success today. Tune in to discover: 

• How no-code automation inspires ecommerce innovation; 
• What’s driving engagement and revenue potential in ecommerce today; and 
• How the “age of access” is changing the requirements for ecommerce success. 
   

RELATED LINKS 

• Learn more about Mason 

Before she founded Parachute, CEO Ariel Kaye had a deep background in consumer behavior research. She used her rich history in understanding and learning to connect with people to create the basis for her business.  
 
Although Parachute started in bedding, the company has expanded strategically into adjacent categories, including bath goods, décor, furniture and even loungewear. During this episode of Retail Remix, Ariel joins us to share her unique perspectives on the brand’s growth, including:   

• How evolving consumer behaviors and lifestyle shifts impacted Parachute’s expansion strategies; 
• Ways to use strong values and a positive brand purpose to drive employee retention and community building;  
• The next stages in Parachute’s growth, from new executive hires to opening new stores, offering more robust omnichannel services and doubling down on sustainability. 

 
This week’s episode is brought to you by TaxJar
From marketplaces to social selling, the opportunities for e-commerce retailers to grow their business have never been better. But selling on more platforms and in more regions means increasingly complex sales tax requirements. TaxJar automates the entire sales tax compliance lifecycle for retailers, including real-time calculations, multichannel reporting, nexus calculations and automated filing. They simplify your sales tax so you can focus on the important stuff, like developing great products and attracting customers. Visit www.taxjar.com to learn more. 
 
 

RELATED LINKS 

• Learn more about Parachute 
• See Parachute’s latest entry into Pop-In@Nordstrom

We’ve all heard that the customer has more control over the shopping experience, but that hasn’t stopped most retailers from sticking with their same-old business strategies. Joel Bines believes now is the time for retailers to act — and he has a playbook for success. 
 

During this episode of Retail Remix, Joel digs into his book, “The Metail Economy: 6 Strategies for Transforming Your Business to Thrive in the Me-Centric Consumer Revolution.” He shares: 

• How the me-centric consumer revolution began and the technologies that have accelerated it;  
• Why this revolution sparked the rise of authenticity in marketing, sustainability and other hot retail trends; and 
• Tips to help retailers use deep customer understanding to identify and prioritize investments.  
    

This week’s episode is brought to you by TaxJar
From marketplaces to social selling, the opportunities for e-commerce retailers to grow their business have never been better. But selling on more platforms and in more regions means increasingly complex sales tax requirements. TaxJar automates the entire sales tax compliance lifecycle for retailers, including real-time calculations, multichannel reporting, nexus calculations and automated filing. They simplify your sales tax so you can focus on the important stuff, like developing great products and attracting customers. Visit www.taxjar.com to learn more. 
 

RELATED LINKS 

• Learn more about Joel’s book 
• Learn more about AlixPartners 

In his time at Timberland, Bevan Bloemendaal drove global retail experiences and creative services. He helped bring the brand’s sustainability mission to stores and helped establish new processes for teams across the organization to collaborate to bring physical and digital together.  
 
Now, as Chief Brand and Creative Officer at NELSON Worldwide, Bevan is helping shape brand experiences for brands across industries. During this week’s Retail Remix, he digs into the trends shaping the future of retail specifically, including how:  

• Consumers’ demand for sustainable business practices will impact future store design projects and concepts;  
• Retailers can use digital elements thoughtfully to bring their brand promise to life; and 
• Sensory elements are bringing physical storytelling to the next level.  
   

This week’s episode is brought to you by TaxJar
From marketplaces to social selling, the opportunities for e-commerce retailers to grow their business have never been better. But selling on more platforms and in more regions means increasingly complex sales tax requirements. TaxJar automates the entire sales tax compliance lifecycle for retailers, including real-time calculations, multichannel reporting, nexus calculations and automated filing. They simplify your sales tax so you can focus on the important stuff, like developing great products and attracting customers. Visit www.taxjar.com to learn more. 
 

RELATED LINKS 

• Learn more about NELSON Worldwide 
• Download RTP's latest story design and experience research report 
• Access more exclusive content about new store concepts

As the ecommerce universe expands, brands and retailers have more opportunities to reach and sell to consumers. Although digital channels can help companies realize a lot of value, they also can create a lot of complexity, especially because all of these different channels have different data requirements and content best practices.  
 
Greg Ives and Bradley Hearn of ChannelAdvisor have seen this complexity first-hand and have guided B2C companies as they strive to bridge their owned ecommerce sites, marketplaces, social platforms and more. During this week’s Retail Remix, they discuss:  

• The data and content required to create a seamless and consistent experience;  
• How brands and retailers can navigate an expanded ecosystem and develop a strategy that aligns with the evolved customer journey; and
• Why the rise of “shoppable media” is changing the playbook for effective ecommerce strategy. 

 
This week’s episode is brought to you by TaxJar
From marketplaces to social selling, the opportunities for e-commerce retailers to grow their business have never been better. But selling on more platforms and in more regions means increasingly complex sales tax requirements. TaxJar automates the entire sales tax compliance lifecycle for retailers, including real-time calculations, multichannel reporting, nexus calculations and automated filing. They simplify your sales tax so you can focus on the important stuff, like developing great products and attracting customers. Visit www.taxjar.com to learn more. 

RELATED LINKS 

• Learn more about ChannelAdvisor 
• Dig into the latest ecommerce coverage 
• See how you can master global digital expansion