How does a Japanese brand turn 150-year-old silk into a global haircare phenomenon?

Alex Baker sits down with Kodai Takahashi, co-founder & CEO of Silk the Rich, to explore:

- Transforming heritage silk into affordable luxury haircare

- Scaling from 4 bottles sold to 10,000+ stores worldwide

- Blending premium product experience with eco-friendly innovation (silk-based plastics!)

- Leveraging AI for customer support and community engagement

- Adapting to cultural differences while maintaining brand consistency

Join the conversation with our global retail community at www.globalretailleaders.com

Self-checkout is hitting its inflection point in retail!

From frictionless AI-powered produce scanning to better integration with loyalty and payment systems, the future of in-store shopping is all about speed, efficiency, and smart tech.

Key takeaway: Success comes from getting the basics right, integrating technology, measuring the right KPIs, and aligning staff, not just chasing the “next shiny thing.”

Check out the full insights from our Rethink Retail podcast with Host Trevor Sumner, Nino Hörttrich from Diebold Nixdorf and Amar Mokha from Incisiv.

In this special episode of Retailer Tech Tips from Groceryshop 2025, Theo Schweitz, CEO of Drive Wheel and Top Retail Expert, sits down with Rakesh Thaploo, Sr. Partner at Kyndryl, to explore the next era of grocery retail transformation.

Together, they discuss how modern grocers are leveraging AI, analytics, and digital store technologies to reduce shrink, boost margins, and deliver richer customer experiences.

From the evolution of in-store engagement to the rise of connected data ecosystems, this episode offers practical insights into how retailers can modernize operations while staying true to their consumers.

👉 Listen now and discover the strategies shaping the future of grocery retail.

C-stores aren’t just convenience stops, they’re labs for bold new ideas.

On the latest RETHINK Retail Podcast, host Jessica Couch talks with:

- Yvette Fossum from Ferrero about their newest c-store launches and how they test big ideas in small spaces

- Isabella Chia from Wells Enterprises on how ice cream innovations in c-stores spark brand-wide strategies

Fun, fast, and full of real-world insights, hear why brands are leaning on convenience stores to innovate

How do grocery leaders balance efficiency and customer experience in the age of automation?

Recorded at Groceryshop, this RETHINK Retail podcast brings together:

🎙️ Zara Ngouen, VP of Information Technology, Lidl US

🎙️ Matt Miles, Director of North America Retail, Diebold Nixdorf

Hosted by Stewart Samuel, Director of Retail Futures, IGD, + RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert

Together, they unpack what it takes to design customer-centric self-service experiences, turn data into action, and build partnerships that power progress.

Listen now to explore the future of grocery, where operational excellence meets shopper delight.

Fiscal Compliance Isn’t a Hurdle. It’s Your Launchpad for Innovation

Compliance is complex, but ignoring it is riskier. In the latest episode of Next‑Gen POS, host Scott Wueschinski talks with Darko Pavic, CEO of Fiscal Solutions, about how fiscalization can reshape modern retail.

You’ll learn:

- Why fiscalization is more than e-invoicing

- How compliant POS systems enable livestream shopping, self-checkout, and omnichannel promotions

- How AI tools like FiscalGPT simplify country-specific compliance

#RetailTech #POSInnovation #FiscalCompliance #Omnichannel #DigitalRetail

How do grocery leaders balance efficiency and customer experience in the age of automation?

Recorded at Groceryshop, this RETHINK Retail podcast brings together:

🎙️ Zara Ngouen, VP of Information Technology, Lidl US

🎙️ Matt Miles, Director of North America Retail, Diebold Nixdorf

Hosted by Stewart Samuel, Director of Retail Futures, IGD, + RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert

Together, they unpack what it takes to design customer-centric self-service experiences, turn data into action, and build partnerships that power progress.

Listen now to explore the future of grocery, where operational excellence meets shopper delight.

🎧 Tune in

How does a 200-year-old porcelain icon stay relevant in the digital age?

Alex Baker interviews, Vista Alegre’s Chief Digital Officer, Carla Graça, shares how the brand is blending rich heritage with bold digital transformation by:

- Building a strong digital presence and expanding globally

- Driving innovation in factories and design while preserving craftsmanship

- Using technology to empower people, not replace them

- Creating seamless omnichannel customer experiences online and in-store

From heritage storytelling to AI-driven tools, Vista Alegre proves that tradition and innovation can thrive together.

Join the conversation with our global retail community at www.globalretailleaders.com

Extreme weather and unexpected disruptions can hit retailers hard, from spoilage and theft to costly downtime.

In this episode of the RETHINK Retail Podcast, host Andrew Smith (Top Retail Expert & Co-Founder, ThinkUncommon) sits down with Jeff Kenniston (Sr. Manager of Solutions Engineering, T-Mobile) to explore how retailers can prepare before disaster strikes.

💡 What you’ll learn:

- Why preparedness is a strategic must-have

- The real risks of outages: spoilage, theft & downtime

- How connectivity & tech like network slicing safeguard operations

- Practical steps to build resilience at scale

🎧 Tune in now and learn how to keep your retail operations disruption-proof!

Skinny Mixes isn’t just about syrups, it’s about creating everyday moments that are simply sweeter.

Melissa Minkow sits down with Tim Snyder, CEO of Skinny Mixes, to explore how the brand grew from a cult favorite into a social-forward powerhouse with over 100 flavors and a community of raving fans.

Highlights include:

- Why listening is Skinny Mixes’ secret sauce for loyalty and engagement

- How fans drive recipe sharing, product discovery, and viral trends like #WaterTok

- The role of DTC, retail partnerships, and the brand’s own app in reaching consumers

- Limited-time flavors like apple crisp and nostalgic soda collections that keep fans coming back

🎧 Listen now to hear how creativity blends with customer connection, and commerce to win in a competitive market.