In this episode of Retail War Games, we explore the cutting edge of industrial evolution with Arnaud Daurat, Founder and President of Exxovantage. While much of the retail world is focused on digital software, Arnaud is focused on the physical backbone of the industry: the humans in the warehouse. Exxovantage is bridging the gap between science fiction and operational reality by deploying wearable exoskeletons and robotic assistance designed to augment the human body.

Arnaud discusses how these "bionic" solutions are solving the logistics industry's most pressing challenges, from skyrocketing injury costs to chronic labor shortages. We dive into the ROI of ergonomics, the psychology of "human-centric" robotics, and why the future of fulfillment isn't about replacing workers with machines, but empowering them to do more with less physical strain.

In this high-stakes session from the Retail Collective Summit, industry titans from Lovesac, Purple, TruFru, Perk Energy, Lume, T-ROC, and TPH Global Solutions pull back the curtain on one of the most challenging and rewarding retail environments in the world: Costco.

The panel explores the strategic shift from a Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) focus to a true Omni-channel presence. The discussion moves beyond simple placement, diving into the "Costco Language," the "Treasure Hunt" psychology of their shoppers, and the brutal operational discipline required to survive a 12-week roadshow or a full-time pallet rotation.

Key Executive Insights:

• The "Costco Language": Why you need experts who speak the internal dialect of Costco to navigate their unique promotion and rotation systems.

• The Treasure Hunt Experience: How to design packaging and products that create a "get it before it's gone" urgency.

• Operational Discipline: The reality of managing massive inventory volumes, pallet configurations, and the "last three feet" of the sales floor.

• The Roadshow Secret: How Lovesac and Purple utilize roadshows not just for sales, but as a massive customer acquisition tool that drives traffic back to their own stores and websites.

• Relationship Management: The importance of internal advocacy and understanding that a Costco buyer's promotion can change your entire brand trajectory overnight.

Panel Participants:

• David Schmidt (CEO | President, TPH Global Solutions)

• Brian Kava (President, T-ROC)

• Shawn Nelson (CEO, Lovesac)

• Rena Dolman (Founder/Owner, Perk Energy)

• Jared Olsen (VP Sales, Purple)

• Dan Griffiths (CEO, Lume)

• Taz Murray (Co-Founder, TruFru)

Whether you are looking to scale into wholesale or optimize your current retail footprint, this panel provides the definitive playbook for winning in Big Box retail.

In this episode of Retail War Games, we take a deep dive into retail strategy and brand building with Shana Rocheleau, EVP of Strategy and Business Development at Bedgear. Drawing from her background as a merchant for giants like Home Depot and Bed Bath & Beyond, Shana offers a masterclass in shifting a traditional commodity category into a high-performance ecosystem.

This conversation explores the "Merchant Mindset"—the ability to oversee massive business categories and manage the delicate balance between brand vision and retail execution. Shana explains how to build a competitive moat through aggressive intellectual property protection, scientific legitimacy, and a "consultative" approach to retail partnerships that optimizes the entire customer journey.

In this session from the Retail Collective Summit, industry leaders from Nostra, Spreetail, SmartScout, Redo, and Bispoke dive into the rapidly shifting landscape of retail technology. As the cost of building tech drops and innovation accelerates, the panel explores how brands are moving away from "growth at all costs" toward a "profit-first" mentality driven by data accuracy and AI-powered insights.

The conversation tackles the "trash in, trash out" reality of AI, explaining why specific, product-level models are essential for avoiding hallucinations and gaining true visibility into profitability and inventory. From managing a $1 billion e-commerce operation to handling returns for over 3,000 brands, these experts reveal the internal metrics—such as Incremental POAS (Profit After Ad Spend) and LTV—that actually define success in 2026.

Is physical retail dead, or is it the most powerful growth tool for modern brands? In this episode of Retail War Games, Jeremy sits down with Rebekah Kondrat, Founder and Managing Partner of Rekon Retail, to explore the renaissance of the storefront. Rebekah, who has led physical expansion for giants like Warby Parker and Joybird, discusses why digital-native brands are increasingly moving into the physical world to secure long-term customer loyalty.

The conversation takes a deep dive into the "Anthropology of Shopping"—the study of how human behavior and psychology dictate the success of a retail space. Rebekah explains that successful retail is not about the transaction, but about creating environments where customers feel comfortable, welcomed, and connected to the brand's story.

In this session from the Retail Collective Summit (Panel 9), industry leaders from Baker Tilly, Mett Naturals, Life Cider, Nutriient, and Just Ingredients discuss the evolution of the health and wellness industry.

Moving beyond simple shelf presence, these brands are developing holistic ecosystems rooted in radical transparency, rigorous testing, and founder-led storytelling.The conversation explores how these companies maintain a "brand promise" of high-quality, real-food ingredients while navigating global economic pressures like rising whey protein costs and new tariff rounds.

From the science behind Paraxanthine to the rise of clear proteins and the impact of GLP-1 drugs on consumer fiber and protein needs, the panelists reveal the strategies necessary to stay ahead of the rapidly shifting wellness curve.

How does a brand evolve from sewing wallets in a basement to raising millions on Kickstarter? In this episode of Retail War Games, Jeremy sits down with Jacob Durham, co-founder of Nomatic, to deconstruct the journey of one of the most successful travel gear brands in the world. Jacob shares the strategy behind positioning Nomatic in the top 1% of crowdfunded projects by prioritizing high-function gear that removes friction for people on the move.

The conversation explores the critical shift from a startup to a global operation, managing retail partnerships and a complex expansion into apparel. Jacob offers raw insights into why the digital advertising tactics of 2014 no longer apply and how "Innovation over Transaction"—including their massive partnership with Peter McKinnon—became the brand's rocket ship. Whether you are validating a product or scaling a company, this is a masterclass in design, operational resilience, and the entrepreneurial spirit.

In this session from the Retail Collective Summit, founders and CEOs from Rags, &Collar, Beard Club, Caddis Sports, 47G and Spreetail dissect the shifting balance between D2C and marketplaces like Amazon and TikTok Shop.

The conversation reveals the raw reality of channel profitability, comparing high D2C gross margins against the lower acquisition costs and fulfillment efficiencies found on Amazon.The panel explores tactical "Trojan Horse" plays—using marketplaces for demand capture and customer acquisition, then driving that traffic back to branded sites for premium experiences and long-term loyalty. From navigating the "nerves" of TikTok Shop to the importance of "lean and mean" operations, these leaders share why being where the consumer already exists is the ultimate competitive advantage.

Finally, the group discusses the future of retail operations, including the strategic use of 3PL partners and the role of AI in streamlining creative testing and SEO. Whether you're building a brand moat or optimizing for higher LTV, this episode provides a masterclass in staying nimble in a volatile market.

In this episode of Retail War Games, Jeremy sits down with a staple of Utah broadcasting, Nicea DeGering. With a career spanning over 30 years at ABC4, Nicea shares her journey from being a 29-year-old crime reporter to becoming a pioneer of "infotainment" as the face of Good Things Utah.

She offers a rare look into the survival skills required to stay relevant in a transitory business, having successfully navigated her role through seven different station owners.The conversation explores the profound shift in local media—from the strict lines of 90s traditional news to the personality-driven, community-focused landscape of today. Nicea breaks down why local storytelling remains essential even in the age of social media, describing the early days of her show as a "community gathering place" that functioned like Facebook before Facebook existed.Beyond the industry shifts, Nicea speaks candidly about the personal toll of being in the public eye. She discusses her evolution from trying to please every social media critic to finally embracing her own authenticity, concluding that "the only person I'm good at being is me".

Whether you are a brand looking to tell your story or a leader navigating a changing industry, this episode is a masterclass in staying power, authenticity, and the art of human connection.

In this strategic session from the Retail Collective Summit, leaders from iconic brands including LoveSac, R.C. Willey, Harmon's Grocery, Christy Sports, and Minky Couture convene to break down the operational challenges of navigating a market defined by uncertainty. The conversation dives deep into how decisiveness and aggression in decision-making allowed companies like LoveSac to anticipate tariff crises and pandemic shifts, transforming obstacles into opportunities to onshore production to American soil through automation.

Throughout the episode, the panelists explore the tension between adopting new technologies like Artificial Intelligence for inventory forecasting and the absolute necessity of preserving the human experience and personalized service that defines traditional retailers. From the evolution of a brand that began selling blankets out of the back of a car to the management of industry giants with 94-year histories, this panel provides a roadmap for maintaining a clear "North Star" in the face of economic volatility and changing consumer behaviors.