Retail Remix

As we kick off 2026, Retail Remix is spotlighting some of the most illuminating moments from last season that bear repeating. In this special episode, host Nicole Silberstein revisits standout insights from 2025 that continue to resonate as the industry navigates AI, shifting consumer expectations and the evolving role of physical retail.

Highlights Include:

• Why retailers must do (beyond optimizing their product data) to stay visible in AI-powered search platforms;
• How “napkin math,” that is, thinking in orders of magnitude, can help leaders better size opportunities and manage expectations;
• What truly drives brand value and affinity today, and why investing in brand equity during times of disruption pays off;
• How PacSun has so successfully created a culture of community and how other brands can do the same;
• What today’s consumers are really looking for from store experiences; and
• Why resale hit a tipping point in 2025 and what that means for brands’ circular efforts in 2026.

Full Episodes & Related Links

• Episode 252: What $24B in Prime Day Spending Tells Us About H2
• Episode 268: AI Reality Check: Klaviyo CEO on What’s Hype, What Matters & What Comes Next
• Episode 255: The Experience Equation: What Retailers Need To Get Right
• Episode 259: Pacsun’s Formula for Relevance: Youth Culture + Co-Creation
• Episode 254: Inside ThredUp’s Surge: What’s Fueling Resale’s Surge
• Episode 246: Lessons from the World’s Top Brands
• Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints
• Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix

As a final send-off to the year, host Nicole Silberstein shares some off-the-cuff thoughts on something we forgot to talk enough about this year — the irreplaceable pleasure of shopping in stores, and why AI won’t change that.

Happy Holidays from your friends at Retail Remix — see you in 2026!

Key Takeaways

• Maybe what we all need a little more of right now is in-person shopping

Related Links

• Episode 258 - Redesigning with Reverence: Inside the New MoMA Design Store Experience
• Episode 253 - How Primark Is Rewriting the Rules of Value Fashion in the U.S. 
• Related reading: How Printemps’ New NYC Store Supports ‘Democratic Luxury’ with Subtle Technology
• Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix

AI is reshaping the retail landscape faster than any technology in recent memory, but with the hype comes confusion — and a lot of big questions about what AI can actually do for retailers today.

In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein sits down with Andrew Bialecki, Co-founder and CEO of Klaviyo, to separate reality from speculation and explore how AI is changing marketing, customer service and the entire shopping experience.

Andrew shares the origin story behind Klaviyo’s “digital brain for businesses,” explains why retailers will increasingly become hybrid product-and-service companies, and breaks down the AI behaviors already shaping consumer expectations. He also takes a look into his crystal ball to offer a forward-looking perspective on how voice, avatars and in-store AI agents could define the next era of commerce.

Key Takeaways

• How retailers will evolve into hybrid product-and-service brands as AI makes information and personalization easily accessible to all;
• Why multimodal AI — including chat, voice and in-store agents — could propel the next wave of omnichannel experiences;
• The role humans will continue to play in the AI future through creative direction, brand judgment and defining customer experience goals;
• What consumers actually want from AI: speed, summarization, better recommendations, and easier product discovery; 
• Why the ability to do “napkin math” is critical for businesspeople of all stripes; and
• The hardest thing about going from being a private to a public company.

Related Links

• Explore Klaviyo’s AI-powered marketing and customer relationship tools
• Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints
• Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix

Independent retailers have always been nimble, but the past few years have demanded even more adaptability. In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein is joined by Jen Burke, Chief Revenue Officer at wholesale marketplace Faire, who helps us dig into how independent retailers are thriving amid so much socioeconomic and technological change.

Jen shares how this powerful segment of retailers — which account for more than half of all U.S. retail sales — are shifting buying strategies, navigating economic pressure, responding to fast-moving trend cycles, and using Faire’s tools to better manage cash flow, discover products and respond to customer demand. She also reveals what Faire is building next, from improved platform capabilities to new fulfillment solutions.

Key Takeaways

• How independent retailers are adjusting order volume, frequency and sourcing strategies in response to tariffs and other headwinds;
• What wholesale buying patterns on Faire foretell about the trends and categories that will be hot in 2026;
• The growing importance of reflecting the cultural zeitgeist on shelves and how to do it;
• Why curation will remain retailers’ superpower despite the potential of new technologies like AI; and
• A peek at Faire’s next big move — fulfillment services.

Related Links

• Explore how Faire supports independent retailers of all sizes
• Related Reading: Faire Surpasses 100K Members as Indie Retailers Seek Out Value, Variety
• Related Reading: Inside the Luxury Advent Calendar Boom with DTC Brand Cheese Brothers
• Get more retail industry insights at Retail TouchPoints
• Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix

Private label brands aren’t just supporting acts anymore — many are becoming stars in their own right, and Anthropologie’s Maeve label is proving the point.

In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein sits down with Anu Narayanan, President of Women’s and Home at Anthropologie Group, to go inside the decision to elevate Maeve from an in-house favorite to a standalone brand with its own stores, website and social presence.

Anu shares how the decision was rooted in clear customer demand — millions of searches, TikTok engagement and a fiercely loyal fan base — as well as a bold vision for how Maeve can evolve while still staying connected to Anthropologie’s DNA. From boutique-style store design to influencer-led storytelling to curated multi-brand assortments, Maeve is charting its own path into the future.

Key Takeaways

• The strategic choice to open first stores in markets like Raleigh, N.C. and Atlanta rather than major coastal cities;
• How Anthropologie is differentiating Maeve’s boutique store aesthetic from its core stores;
• Inside Maeve’s marketing engine from TikTok and the company’s first Substack to a growing community of influencer “Mavens”; 
• Why Maeve standalone stores are multi-brand and which brands are being brought in;
• The role of catalogs (yes, catalogs) in modern brand storytelling and customer engagement;
• PLUS Anu’s top merchandising tip for any kind of store.

Related Links

• Explore Maeve’s latest collections and campaign storytelling
• Related reading: Anthropologie Promotes Maeve to Standalone Brand, Plans Stores and Exclusive Catalog 
• Stay ahead with more retail insights and analysis from Retail TouchPoints
• Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix

Google has always played a central role in the shopping journey, but it isn’t a retailer or even a marketplace. In fact, more than 1 billion shopping searches happen on the platform every day, yet Google has never been the endpoint. Now, with the rise of AI, multimodal search and agentic experiences, Google is ready to once again transform how consumers discover and shop for products online.

In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein sits down with Lilian Rincon, VP of Shopping Experiences at Google, to unpack the company’s latest innovations — from conversational discovery to virtual Try-on-You to new agentic features that can check stock, call local stores and even buy on your behalf.

Lilian shares how Google is approaching AI-powered shopping with a “slow, steady, and user-first” philosophy, why trust and data freshness are non-negotiables, and how Google’s massive Shopping Graph gives it a unique advantage in the evolving AI commerce landscape.

Key Takeaways:

• Why Google still sees itself as an ecosystem, not a retailer — and what that says about its ambitions in the realm of shopping;
• A look inside Try-on-You, Google’s new personalized virtual try-on that uses a single selfie to visualize clothing on your actual body;
• Why conversational shopping has officially arrived — and how it is changing the way people search;
• How Google’s agentic features — including local store calling and automated buying — are tackling real-world shopper pain points; and
• The critical role of Google’s Shopping Graph in powering trustworthy AI results.

Related Links:

• Explore Google’s latest AI-powered shopping features
• Related reading: As ChatGPT Focuses on Checkout, Google Hones its Shopping Experience
• Read more about the future of retail and commerce innovation on Retail TouchPoints
• Subscribe and catch up on more episodes of Retail Remix

DoorDash has come a long way from delivering takeout. Today, it’s a platform for everything local — powering delivery, fulfillment and retail innovation across dozens of categories.

In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein sits down with Fuad Hannon, DoorDash’s VP of New Verticals, to unpack how the company is executing its vision to level the local commerce playing field. From the launch of DashMart Fulfillment Services to partnerships with brands like Kroger and Party City, DoorDash is helping retailers of all stripes and sizes compete on speed, convenience and customer experience.

Key Takeaways:

• How DoorDash’s mission to empower local economies has evolved beyond restaurants;
• How the company’s investments in autonomous delivery are setting the stage for the next generation of 24/7 commerce;
• What the recent acquisitions of SevenRooms and Symbiosis reveal about DoorDash’s growing reach in technology and services; 
• The growth of DoorDash’s $1 billion+ advertising business and how the company balances merchant ROI with consumer experience; 
• PLUS The most unusual product Faud has seen DoorDash deliver.

Related Links

• Explore how DoorDash is expanding into retail, fulfillment, and autonomous delivery
• Related reading: DoorDash Launches Fulfillment Services; Party City, CVS Among First to Trial
• Related reading: DoorDash Launches Driverless Delivery with Waymo in Phoenix Metro Area
• Get more insights on retail innovation at Retail TouchPoints
• Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix

As AI transforms how people discover and shop, one question looms large: how will payments evolve to keep up?

In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein sits down with Rob Cameron, a self-described “payments nerd” and Global Head of Acceptance Solutions at Visa, to explore how the rise of agentic AI — where intelligent AI agents handle everything from product discovery to checkout — is shaping the future of commerce, and with it payments.

Rob shares how Visa is preparing for this shift with its Trusted Agent Protocol, a framework designed to make AI-driven transactions secure, seamless and scalable. From managing fraud and data privacy to redefining consumer trust, this conversation dives deep into the payment infrastructure that will be required to enable this next era of ecommerce.

 Key Takeaways:

• How the emergence of agentic commerce will change how payments are processed and protected;
• Why consumer confidence will determine the pace of AI-driven transactions;
• What retailers should do now to prepare their websites and systems for shopping that takes place wholly on AI platforms; and
• How Visa’s agentic toolkit is empowering brands to experiment with natural language-driven payment experiences.

Related Links

• Explore how Visa is innovating across AI and digital commerce
• Related reading: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal Dive into Agentic Era with Tools that Help Consumers ‘Use AI to Buy’
• Get more insights on retail innovation and emerging tech on Retail TouchPoints
• Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix

Retail media — or should we say commerce media — has exploded into one of the fastest-growing opportunities in marketing. But with so many players, platforms and acronyms, where is it all headed?

In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein sits down with Jeff Cohen, former Principal Evangelist at Amazon Ads and now Chief Business Development Officer at Skai, to unpack how the space has evolved and what’s coming next.

Jeff shares how he went from building one of Amazon’s first third-party ad technologies to helping brands navigate a new era of connected, data-driven commerce. He breaks down the shift from retail media to commerce media, the impact of AI-powered shopping on marketing and how brands can move beyond walled gardens to reach today’s omnichannel shoppers.

Key Takeaways:

• How retail media has evolved into commerce media — and why the distinction matters;
• The role of agentic AI in optimizing campaigns and connecting fragmented data;
• What brands can learn from Amazon’s retail media dominance and Skai’s cross-channel approach;
• Why unified, actionable data matters more than endless metrics;
• Lessons on innovation, adaptation and taking smart risks from Jeff’s eclectic career.

Related Links

• Learn how Skai is connecting brands and retailers through data-driven media
• Related reading: New Research Reveals Agency Execs’ True Opinions on Retail Media
• Explore more insights on the future of commerce media on Retail TouchPoints
• Catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix

For four decades, Ellis Verdi, Founder and President of DeVito/Verdi, has helped shape some of the most talked-about — and often controversial — campaigns in retail advertising. From launching Daffy’s with bold, conceptual creative to working with Macy’s, Kohl’s, Men’s Wearhouse and Meijer, Verdi has built a career on one philosophy: tell the truth, even if it ruffles feathers.

Retail Remix host Nicole Silberstein sits down with Ellis to discuss what’s changed (and what hasn’t) about connecting with consumers, the ongoing tension between brand and performance marketing, and why controversy isn’t always a bad thing — if it comes from an honest idea.

Ellis shares the stories behind some of his favorite campaigns, including the infamous “straightjacket” Duffy’s ad that sparked protests, and how ads for Macy’s I.N.C. brand and Meijer’s private label spinach redefined how retailers communicate value. He also weighs in on recent campaigns — like Levi’s x Beyoncé and of course, Sydney Sweeney x American Eagle — that signal a welcome return to upper-funnel brand storytelling.

Key Takeaways:

• Why conceptual advertising still matters in today’s performance-driven landscape;
• How controversy can serve a campaign — when it’s rooted in truth; and
• The importance of balancing top-of-funnel branding with down-funnel ROI.

Related Links

• Explore DeVito/Verdi Advertising’s creative work and legacy
• Watch the Macy’s I.N.C. ad featuring Heidi Klum
• Watch the Meijer spinach ad
• Related reading: The Top 10 Best-Performing Retail Ads from the First Half of 2025
• Catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix
• Get more insights from retail industry leaders on Retail TouchPoints