Retail Remix

Alibaba may be known for its massive scale — but at the heart of its U.S. strategy is something much more focused: empowering small businesses.

In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein sits down with Justin Liu, U.S. Country Manager at Alibaba.com, to explore how the global B2B marketplace is helping American entrepreneurs source more efficiently, build more resilient supply chains and take advantage of cross-border opportunities.

With experience at Amazon, Meituan and streetwear marketplace Poizon, Justin brings a global lens to today’s most pressing retail topics — from digital discovery to de-risking the sourcing process. Together, they discuss:

• How global supply chain disruption has changed brands’ sourcing timelines and strategies;
• How Alibaba is evolving to better serve U.S. small businesses;
• The company’s strategy for simplifying product discovery and vendor relationships; and
• The role of trust, transparency and tech in the future of B2B ecommerce.

RELATED LINKS

• Explore Alibaba.com’s offerings for U.S. small businesses
• Try out Alibaba’s new AI-powered sourcing platform Accio.com 
• Read more about the Alibaba-Wix partnership on Retail TouchPoints
• Learn about Alibaba’s efforts to support SMBs, including Olympic athletes
• Listen to more episodes of Retail Remix

True Religion is back — and it’s not just about nostalgia. In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein sits down with Tina Blake, Creative Director at True Religion to explore the brand’s impressive comeback with Gen Z.

Tina shares her approach to evolving True Religion’s design language, building a bolder women’s assortment and leveraging partnerships — from celebrities like Megan Thee Stallion to Latinx brands like Bella Doña — to create moments that resonate with young consumers.

They also discuss:

• How True Religion blends street-level style insights with its heritage brand image;
• How trend data and cultural cues guide True Religion’s product and creative strategies;
• The brand’s rapid growth in women’s and its plans to expand the category even further; and
• Why authenticity is key to celebrity and cultural collaborations.

RELATED LINKS

• Explore True Religion’s latest drops and digital experience
• Read more about brand reinvention on Retail TouchPoints
• Listen to more episodes of Retail Remix

For Patrick Ta Beauty, the key to growth isn’t just great marketing — it’s an experience that educates, inspires and converts.

In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein chats with Heidi Lim, VP of Ecommerce at Patrick Ta Beauty. With experience leading digital growth at brands like ThirdLove, Estée Lauder and Fashion Nova, Heidi shares how she’s now helping Patrick Ta Beauty stand out in the crowded, trend-driven beauty market. From breaking through the noise on TikTok to building smarter marketing flows, she reveals what it really takes to scale a prestige beauty brand today.

Together, they discuss:

• How the brand turns product education into a powerful driver of conversion and trust;
• Why a diversified channel mix — DTC, Sephora, TikTok Shop — is key to building both reach and resilience;
• What makes creator partnerships work — and how to keep them aligned with your brand story;
• How the team achieved 8X year-over-year growth during BFCM by doubling down on retention;
• PLUS the beauty trend you’ll be hearing about all summer. 

RELATED LINKS

• Explore Patrick Ta Beauty’s latest products and digital experiences
• Read more about ecommerce innovation at Retail TouchPoints
• Check out past episodes of Retail Remix

In today’s market, trust isn’t just a differentiator — it’s a requirement. But proving your brand lives up to its claims? That’s where things get complicated.

In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein sits down with Kimberly Shenk, Co-founder and CEO of Novi Connect, to explore how consumer trust is evolving. Drawing from her unique background as a U.S. Air Force data scientist, Kimberly shares how Novi is helping brands and retailers like Amazon, Target, Sephora and Ulta back up products’ health, safety and sustainability claims with real data — and why it matters more now than ever. Together, they discuss:

• Why traditional brand trust is no longer enough — and what’s replacing it;
• What consumers today actually care about when it comes to ESG — and how to communicate it;
• The measurable impact of verified product claims on discovery, conversion and loyalty; and
• How AI and large-language models are reshaping online merchandising in the digital age.

RELATED LINKS

• Learn more about Novi Connect’s work with retailers
• Check out the NYU Stern Sustainable Market Share Index
• Read more about shifting trust dynamics in the article from McKinsey: Consumers care about sustainability—and back it up with their wallets
• Explore trends in values-based commerce from Retail TouchPoints
• Check out past episodes of Retail Remix

Surviving 100 years in retail is rare — thriving for 110 is something else entirely.

In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein speaks with Tianne Doyle, President of off-price retail chain Bealls, which is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year. With over 30 years at the company, Tianne shares what has given Bealls such enduring appeal, how it continues to evolve in a rapidly changing market and why its people-first culture might be its most powerful asset. Together, they explore:

• How a commitment to financial discipline and customer connection has fueled Bealls’ longevity;
• The company’s pioneering new ambassador program, which puts loyalty members from across the country in the spotlight;
• The role of culture, leadership and loyalty in building a purpose-driven retail organization; and
• Bealls’ growth plans for the next decade — including new formats, store expansion and digital strategy.

  
  

RELATED LINKS

• Discover how Bealls brings value and brand-name style together
• See pictures of Bealls’ localized store design in Roswell, N.M.
• Dig deeper into Bealls’ history and secrets to success in this recent RTP feature story
• Explore the latest retail success stories from Retail TouchPoints
• Check out past episodes of Retail Remix

What does it take to become a household name — and why does it matter?

In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein is joined by James May and Barry Thomas from global data and analytics firm Kantar to unpack the findings from the 20th annual BrandZ Report, which ranks the top 100 most valuable global brands. 

They dive into the forces shaping brand value today, why retail brands are on the rise and what lessons others can learn from this year’s leaders. Together, they explore:

• Why brand is a company’s most valuable asset and the common traits of the world’s most valuable brands;
• Whether the era of U.S. economic exceptionalism is nearing an end;
• Why disruption is such a powerful brand-builder, as evidenced by brands like Amazon and ChatGPT; and
• How retailers can follow the playbook of brands like Walmart and Costco to build stronger, more meaningful connections with consumers.

RELATED LINKS

• Explore key takeaways from Kantar’s 2025 BrandZ Report 
• Check out the full 2025 BrandZ Report
• Learn more about Kantar
• Explore the latest marketing insights from Retail TouchPoints
• Check out past episodes of Retail Remix

This episode is brought to you by BIgCommerce

With tariffs dominating headlines and reshaping global retail strategy, brands are navigating one of the most complex trade landscapes in recent memory.

In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein is joined by Rathna Sharad, CEO and Founder of cross-border logistics platform FlavorCloud. With a background spanning Microsoft, UPS, and three decades of global trade experience, Rathna offers expert guidance on navigating tariffs, streamlining international operations, and building supply chain resilience. 

Together, they explore:

• The biggest friction points brands face when scaling internationally — and how to solve them;
• Key markets and categories showing rapid growth in global ecommerce;
• Lesser known implications of the de minimis rule change and what it means for U.S. merchants; and
• Why now is the time to double down on international expansion, not pull back.

RELATED LINKS

• Read the FlavorCloud 2025 State of Cross-Border report
• See how FlavorCloud is helping brands go global
• Explore the latest retail supply chain insights from Retail TouchPoints
• Check out past episodes of Retail Remix

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As the retail marketing playbook continues to evolve, staying relevant takes more than just keeping up — it means rethinking how and where you engage your audience.

In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein sits down with Sarah Crockett, Global Chief Marketing Officer at DSW, to talk shop. With experience leading marketing at brands like Vans, REI and Backcountry, Sarah brings a wide-angle lens to what’s working — and what’s changing — in the world of retail marketing. Together, they unpack:

• How DSW is navigating the latest shifts in consumer expectations and retail strategy;
• The challenges of marketing during unpredictable economic periods;
• How to keep pace with rapid technological evolutions across search and social; and
• Her secret weapon for staying on top of social trends. 

RELATED LINKS

• Get a closer look at DSW’s brand in action.
• Explore the latest marketing insights from Retail TouchPoints
• Check out past episodes of Retail Remix

The retail industry has already packed a decade’s worth of disruption into just the first few months of 2025. From bankruptcies and tariffs to shifting consumer behaviors and market volatility, staying ahead of the curve is more challenging — and more critical — than ever.

So in this episode of Retail Remix, your new host Nicole Silberstein sits down with Melissa Minkow, Retail Strategist at CI&T, to help retailers make sense of it all. Together, they unpack:

• The biggest headlines and shake-ups shaping the retail landscape in 2025 so far;
• How brands are adapting to continued economic uncertainty and evolving consumer habits;
• Which emerging opportunities retailers should be prioritizing right now; and
• The importance of taking a strategic pause to reassess the path forward.

RELATED LINKS

• Learn more about CI&T
• Explore the latest retail insights from Retail TouchPoints
• Check out past episodes of Retail Remix

More than 50% of brands plan to increase budget spend on creators in 2025. While brand execs across categories agree that creators help boost awareness and product consideration, their tactical goals and priorities vary. 

During this episode of Retail Remix, Rodney Mason of LTK and Frank Dudley of Northwestern University dig into their latest research report focused on how brands are tapping creators to:

• Develop long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships that meet specific goals and objectives;
• Build their content arsenals for omnichannel engagement;
• Level up their retail media strategies; and
• Experimenting with new and emerging channels like Connected TV (CTV) advertising. 

RELATED LINKS

• Learn more about LTK
• Download a copy of the Annual Creator Marketing Study
• Watch the CMO’s Creator Guide webinar on-demand
• Sign up for the Influencer Marketing Strategy Course.