In this episode of the RETHINK Retail Podcast, host Gabriella Bock sits down with Kadian Langlais, CMO of Renfro Brands.

A beacon of empowering leadership, Kadian plays an instrumental role at Renfro Brands. Since 2018, she has pioneered the transformation of this historic sock and hosiery brand into an agile e-commerce powerhouse. Her undeniable talent gained her a promotion to CMO in 2021, where she has been redefining brand strategies through unrivaled creativity and innovative tactics.

At her core, Kadian believes in the power of empathetic leadership and has a vibrant ability to weave this into her management style. This episode also provides valuable lessons and inspiration for women leaders who want to confidently speak up and own their ideas, as Kadian shares her journey of finding her voice and being successful in her career.

Nominate the next Global Retail Leader: https://rethink.industries/global-retail-leaders/#nominate

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Hosted and produced by Gabriella Bock

Research by Maggie Schwenn

In this episode of the RETHINK Retail Podcast, our Editor-in-Chief Julia Hare sits down with Luke Rauch, Chief Merchandising Officer at Walgreens.


A leader who carries an interesting blend of blue-collar work ethic and white-collar acumen, Luke brings his charisma and leadership skills to every facet of his work. You might be surprised to know that his first work experience was at a steel mill which taught him the importance of hard work and resilience. Luke enjoys sports, a passion that underpins his approach to leadership and teamwork, always striving to release the potential of every player.

During their conversation, Luke dives into the technological advances that are making personalized experiences increasingly important for customers. By harnessing the power of data gathered from loyalty programs, businesses can gain valuable insight into customer shopping habits. Luke shares how Walgreens leverages this strategy with the 'My Walgreens' customer loyalty program, personalizing offerings to meet individual customer needs.

If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know by subscribing to our channel and giving us a 5 star rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

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Hosted by Julia Hare

Produced by Gabriella Bock

Research by Maggie Schwenn

Recorded live from the show floor of The Lead Innovation Summit 2023, host Gabriella Bock sits down with Dani Tan, an accomplished woman in retail who turned opportunities into monumental victories.

Her journey covers over ten years in retail: a career she began as a sample coordinator and has now progressed to the role of Head of Digital Merchandising & Product Marketing at Authentic Brands.

Dani's expertise across prestigious brands such as Juicy Couture, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Aéropostale is a testament of her finesse in the domain.

However, Dani's achievements are not confined to her successful career alone. She is also an enthusiastic mentor whose passion for empowering fellow women in leadership is both laudable and inspiring.

Tune in to hear Dani's advice for overcoming the confidence gap, how brands can harness customer data to personalize experiences and improve products, and why, yes you heard it right, #BlingIsBack.

Connect with Dani: https://www.danitan.com/

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Hosted & Produced by: Gabriella Bock

Research by: Maggie Schwenn

This episode of the RETHINK Retail Podcast was recorded live at the Lead Innovation Summit 2023.

In this episode, guest host Simeon Siegel sits down with Doug Zarkin, a marketing expert who has captivated the world of eyewear for over a decade through his previous role as CMO of Pearle Vision.

During his tenure at Pearle, Doug played a pivotal part in transforming the brand by shifting its focus from transactional discounts to building exceptional eye care experiences. His prior ventures took him from the youth and entertainment division of Gray Advertising, to a stint at Avon, and later spearheading the launch of the Victoria's Secret Pink brand nationally.

During their conversation, Zarkin emphasizes the importance of building long-lasting relationships with consumers and positioning brands for long-term success. Zarkin encourages marketers to embrace their own path in marketing and let go of the fear of doing things differently. Instead of focusing on the right way, he advises marketers to focus on what truly matters and tap into the magic of their brands. By leading through listening and uncovering valuable insights, marketers can develop strong, love-based relationships between brands and consumers.

Zarkin also discusses his upcoming book, which explores strategies to strengthen the brand value equation and move brands out of the friend zone.

If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know by subscribing to our channel and giving us a 5 star rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

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Host: Top Retail Influencer Simeon Siegel

Produced by Gabriella Bock

Research by: Maggie Schwenn

Welcome to Retail Therapy, a RETHINK Retail exclusive Podcast series where we examine retailers that have a unique history, are making innovative changes to their business model, or are overcoming challenges in order to stay relevant in this highly competitive landscape.

Join host Ian Scott and RETHINK Retail’s Top Retail Influencers Andrea K. Leigh and Michael Zakkour as they discuss Walmart, a retailer that’s dominated the brick and mortar space for decades and are currently the largest retailer in the US, brining in an annual revenue $572.754B last year.

In this episode of the RETHINK Retail Podcast, guest host Liza Amlani sits down with Barry McGeough, President of Ponto Footwear, live on the show floor at The Lead Innovation Summit 2023.

Barry is a seasoned expert in the field of retail innovation with a remarkable emphasis on digital transformation. Barry's journey into this thriving industry may have been accidental, but his achievements are nothing short of extraordinary.

Starting as a product person in footwear, he ventured into diverse territories, revolutionizing backpacks, goggles, and other innovative wearable devices.

What sets Barry apart is his holistic approach to innovation, which has yielded incredible results. As a visionary, he spearheaded the creation of an Innovation Division within an $11 billion company, ushering in a new dimension to their business.

Barry has mastered the art of straddling the worlds of tech and retail, skillfully leveraging cutting-edge technologies to enhance consumer experiences like never before.

Listen now to follow Barry's inspiring journey from most unexpected beginnings to the top of the retail innovation game.

If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know by subscribing to our channel and giving us a 5 star rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

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Host: Top Retail Influencer Liza Amlani

Produced by Gabriella Bock

Research by: Maggie Schwenn

In this episode of the RETHINK Retail Podcast, guest host Christine Russo sits down with Lee Anne Grant, Chief Growth Officer of Babylist, live on the show floor at The Lead Innovation Summit 2023.

Together, Russo and Grant dive into Babylist's focus on being an audience company and how it has led to improved customer engagement and increased brand loyalty.

Grant shares valuable insights on how Babylist connects with their audience, both digitally and through their upcoming physical showroom. She emphasizes the importance of creating engaging experiences for users and tracking digital engagement data to inform their product selection strategies.

Grant also discusses Babylist's expansion into the media business, their focus on health and wellness, and the opportunities presented by the changing retail landscape.

If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know by subscribing to our channel and giving us a 5 star rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

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Host: Top Retail Influencer Christine Russo

Produced by Gabriella Bock

Research by: Maggie Schwenn

Join host Julia Hare in this captivating episode of the RETHINK Retail podcast as she takes a dive deep into the inspiring journey of Chris Gerbig, President of Pink Lily, a renowned fashion brand.

In this interview, Chris shares his remarkable story, starting from the humble beginnings of Pink Lily to its meteoric rise as a leading name in the fashion world. He takes us through the challenges he faced, the lessons he learned, and the pivotal moments that shaped his leadership style.

Discover the secrets behind Pink Lily's success, including the company's customer-centric approach and their ability to adapt to changing market trends.

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Hosted by: Julia Hare

In this episode, join RETHINK Retail's Fritz Finlay, as he delves into the captivating journey of Sean Folkson, the visionary behind Night Food, a snack brand that's revolutionizing the way we indulge in midnight cravings.

As a self-proclaimed nighttime snacker himself, Sean experienced firsthand the struggle of finding wholesome snack options that wouldn't disrupt his sleep. Recognizing this unmet need, he set out to create a range of healthier, sleep-friendly snacks that would not only satisfy taste buds but also promote a good night's rest.

Tune in as Sean shares his insights into the challenges faced in establishing a snack brand that challenges the status quo and aims to educate consumers. Discover how Night Food strives to empower individuals with knowledge and offer them a range of better snack options that won't leave them tossing and turning all night.

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Hosted by: Fritz Finlay

In this episode of the RETHINK Retail Podcast, host Paula Macaggi and special guest Zarina Kanji from Alibaba explore how virtual reality has revolutionized luxury retail. Zarina shares her journey into the metaverse, where she discovered immersive shopping experiences and the potential of virtual influencers. Listeners will gain insights into the groundbreaking shift brought by the metaverse, explore Taobao Life's virtual reality, and learn about personalized shopping experiences. The episode also touches on the success of Tmall Luxury Pavilion in China and the future possibilities of the metaverse in Western markets. Get ready to be astonished by the transformative power of virtual reality in shopping.

Are you ready to be crowned hottest retail tech of the year? Sign up to participate in RETHINK Retail's Nxt Gen Technology Program at rethink.industries/nxt-gen-retail-tech or shoot us an email at [email protected].

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Hosted by: Paula Macaggi