On this episode of the RetailWire Podcast, Lavina Suthenthiran speaks with Jörg Bauer, a seasoned retail and real estate executive known for driving strategic change and leading digital and sustainable transformation at scale. Former CREO and CEO of Kaufland CR and GLOBUS CR, Jörg offers a deep dive into what ESG means for modern retail across Europe.

As part of our special speaker spotlight series in partnership with the Leaders of Trade Summit, Jörg shares insights on the evolving ESG landscape: including how it poses both risks and opportunities for retailers, the regional differences across Europe, and the critical role of energy management in sustainability efforts. He also explores how the rise of electric vehicles is reshaping retail operations, whether shoppers really care about sustainability, and the challenges and opportunities posed by new EU sustainability reporting rules.

If you’re a retailer, industry professional, or simply interested in how sustainability is shaping the future of commerce, this episode is packed with expert insights and actionable takeaways. Don’t miss Jörg’s thoughts ahead of the ESG in Action panel at Leaders of Trade.
Subscribe now and stay tuned for this insightful conversation, brought to you in partnership with Leaders of Trade.

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Host:

• Chase Binnie – Entrepreneur, media executive, and host of the RetailWire Podcast.

Guest:

• Scot Wingo – Founder of ReFiBuy, ChannelAdvisor, serial entrepreneur, and e-commerce thought leader.

Topics Covered:

• Why Agentic Commerce is moving faster than anyone expected
• How GenAI search is siphoning organic traffic away from Google
• The shift from search engines → answer engines → shopping engines
• ChatGPT’s leaked checkout feature and its marketplace implications
• What retailers will lose (retail media dollars, loyalty capture, upsells)
• The operational headaches of inventory, pricing, and fulfillment in AI-driven marketplaces
• Which categories will be first movers (fashion, beauty, electronics) vs laggards (B2B, auto parts)
• Why owning an audience matters more than owning information
• The rise of AI browsers like Perplexity’s Comet and soon ChatGPT’s own browser
• What to expect from ChatGPT-5 and the coming “shock and awe” wave
• Practical strategies: treating AI commerce as just another acquisition channel

Key Quotes:

• “E-commerce hasn’t had true innovation since one-click checkout. Agentic shopping could be that shake-up.”
• “Search engines are becoming answer engines, and now they’re becoming shopping engines.”
• “Retailers need to stop fighting it—this is another channel, like Amazon or Facebook were.”

Resources & Mentions:

• Bernstein report on e-commerce growth
• Barron’s and Wall Street Journal coverage of traffic declines
• Perplexity’s Comet browser

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What's next in ecommerce? We interviewed the CEO of Bluehost, Sachin Puri, about his new role leading a top web hosting platform. Listen to his conversation with RetailWire CEO, Chase Binnie, as they discuss the creator economy, website hosting, and AI's impact on ecommerce. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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advertising.

Get $500 off your membership by using the code retailwire500 at entreprenista.com

In this episode, we sit down with Stephanie Cartin, co-founder of Entreprenista, to explore how community is becoming the most powerful engine for growth in modern business. Stephanie shares her journey from launching a social media agency to building one of the most trusted platforms for women entrepreneurs.

If you’re building a brand, launching a product, or trying to scale without burning out — this is your blueprint for creating momentum through connection.

🔑 Topics Covered:

Why solo entrepreneurship is a myth

• How Entreprenista grew from a podcast to a full-blown membership community
• Real stories of women founders who scaled through community support
• Why storytelling and founder visibility are essential to brand loyalty
• The underestimated value of DMs, referrals, and human touchpoints
• How retail and product brands can build lasting customer relationships

🎯 Perfect for:
Female founders, DTC brand leaders, community marketers, and anyone rethinking how to scale a business without a massive ad budget.

👥 Learn more about the @entreprenistas at their website: https://www.entreprenista.com
Use code retailwire500 to get $500 off your lifetime membership!

📍 Timestamps:
[00:03] Building the community we needed
[02:13] From agency life to Entreprenista
[06:04] Collaboration across service & product brands
[07:57] Execution over ideas
[11:56] Founder-led storytelling wins
[13:49] Marketing help inside the community
[17:31] Growth without ad spend starts in the DMs
[19:14] Engaging directly with your audience
[22:54] Why community matters for retail brands

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on brand growth, retail trends, and modern entrepreneurship.

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Get ready to revolutionize your retail strategy with insights from Karen Halpern, Director of Retail and Hospitality Product Marketing at Priority Software. Discover how the integration of advanced technologies like AI and mobile are reshaping both online and in-store shopping experiences. Karen shares her personal anecdotes to illustrate the persistent challenges retailers face in connecting these channels and how even midsize retailers can harness these innovations to stay competitive.
   
Unpack the complexities of creating a seamless omnichannel operation in today’s fast-paced retail environment. Karen discusses the hurdles of disjointed systems, manual processes, and the significant investments required for IT modernization. Learn why some retailers hesitate to transition to cloud-based solutions and how Priority Software's all-in-one platform can ease these concerns, offering a roadmap to transform retail operations for the better.
   
Real-world success stories from brands like Ace Hardware, Columbia Wear, and Cowtown demonstrate the tangible benefits of adopting Priority’s solutions. From enhanced order management and inventory control to integrated loyalty programs, these examples underscore the measurable outcomes such as reduced IT costs and increased operational efficiency. The episode wraps up with strategic advice on recognizing the need for system upgrades and the advantages of partnering with Priority Software to meet today’s retail challenges head-on.

https://www.priority-software.com/lp/retailwire-podcast-2024/?utm_source=retailwire&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=NRETA5

RetailWire is the retail industry's premier source for news, analysis, and discussion. With a focus on the latest trends, technology, and consumer behavior, RetailWire provides a platform for industry experts and thought leaders to share their insights and perspectives. Whether you're a retailer, supplier, or service provider, RetailWire is your go-to destination for staying informed and ahead of the curve.

Be sure to leave us a comment and let us know what you think. You might even hear your comment read on the next episode!

To learn more, or to join our Daily Discussions, visit RetailWire.com.

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Join Matt Roche, CEO of EXTOLE, as he shares the frustrations with digital marketing that inspired the creation of a platform freeing brands from reliance on Google and Amazon. Learn how EXTOLE integrates with Shopify and Salesforce, turning loyal customers into powerful brand advocates through seamless referral and ambassador programs. In conversation with Melissa Minkow, Matt explores the power of authentic customer referrals, ethical tracking via QR codes, and the role of rewards in customer retention. Packed with insights, this episode reveals how to drive growth and loyalty through customer-led marketing strategies.

RetailWire is the retail industry's premier source for news, analysis, and discussion. With a focus on the latest trends, technology, and consumer behavior, RetailWire provides a platform for industry experts and thought leaders to share their insights and perspectives. Whether you're a retailer, supplier, or service provider, RetailWire is your go-to destination for staying informed and ahead of the curve.

Be sure to leave us a comment and let us know what you think. You might even hear your comment read on the next episode!

To learn more, or to join our Daily Discussions, visit RetailWire.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Unlock the mysteries of email marketing with Brian Cardona of AtData and RetailWire BrainTrust host Mark Price, as we dissect the role of email addresses in the digital marketing landscape. Our discussion peels back the layers of how these digital identifiers are reshaping customer engagement strategies, especially with the shift in traditional metric visibility due to Apple's Mail Privacy Protection. If you've ever wondered about the resilience of your email list in the face of changing privacy laws and the decline of third-party cookies, this conversation will illuminate the path toward a privacy-compliant marketing future.

Prepare to navigate the intricacies of inbox placement and sender reputation with intelligence from the forefront of email validation services. The introduction of engagement scores, pioneered by Safe2Send, is transforming how retailers refine their communication channels. This episode is a guiding light for marketers aiming to maintain relevance and authenticity in their customer outreach, as we discuss the art of balancing the evolving digital ecosystem with innovative targeting and communication strategies.

Brian Cardona offers his expert insights on the impact of GDPR and CPRA, and how first-party data reigns supreme in the age of transparency. So if you're ready to elevate your understanding of customers and lead the way in privacy-conscious marketing, make sure to tune in and join our community of retail enthusiasts.

RetailWire is the retail industry's premier source for news, analysis, and discussion. With a focus on the latest trends, technology, and consumer behavior, RetailWire provides a platform for industry experts and thought leaders to share their insights and perspectives. Whether you're a retailer, supplier, or service provider, RetailWire is your go-to destination for staying informed and ahead of the curve.

Be sure to leave us a comment and let us know what you think. You might even hear your comment read on the next episode!

To learn more, or to join our Daily Discussions, visit RetailWire.com.

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Today's episode features an enlightening conversation between our host RetailWire BrainTrust Panelist Brian Cluster, industry marketing director at Stibo Systems, and Folkwin Haye, Key Account Sales Director for Hanshow America - a trailblazer in innovative in-store tech solutions.

In this discussion, Folkwin and Brian delve into the transformative world of electronic shelf labels (ESLs) and their game-changing impact on the retail industry, particularly in the DIY retail sector.

Listen as Folkwin reveals how ESLs are revolutionizing retail operations, from vastly simplifying pricing strategies to creating superior customer experiences. Learn how these digital tools play an integral role in the retail industry's journey towards comprehensive digital transformation.

In this episode, Folkwin shares insights on Hanshow’s innovative solutions, such as ESLs equipped with LED lights and geolocation capabilities. These features are transforming retail experiences and operations by enabling efficient product location and real-time access to accurate product information.

Folkwin also gives a sneak peek into Hanshow America's participation in the upcoming National Hardware Show in Las Vegas. Attendees can expect an opportunity to experience firsthand the durability and unique features of their ESLs, tailored to meet the specific needs of DIY retail.

Whether you're a retailer seeking to gain a competitive edge through advanced technology or you're simply intrigued by the intersection of retail and tech, this episode promises fresh insights and forward-thinking discussions.

Don't forget to hit the subscribe button for more insights from retail industry leaders. Join our daily newsletter at RetailWire for the freshest news and a community of retail enthusiasts.

RetailWire is the retail industry's premier source for news, analysis, and discussion. With a focus on the latest trends, technology, and consumer behavior, RetailWire provides a platform for industry experts and thought leaders to share their insights and perspectives. Whether you're a retailer, supplier, or service provider, RetailWire is your go-to destination for staying informed and ahead of the curve.

Be sure to leave us a comment and let us know what you think. You might even hear your comment read on the next episode!

To learn more, or to join our Daily Discussions, visit RetailWire.com.

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Discover how small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) navigated the rocky economic landscape of 2023, as we sit down with  Khurjekar , Chief Revenue Officer, Business Markets and SaaS for Verizon Business. She offers a wealth of knowledge on overcoming challenges like inflation and capital access, while also providing insight on leveraging technology for operational efficiency. Aparna sheds light on the strategic tech investments that are enabling SMBs to not only endure current economic pressures but also to improve customer experiences and make smarter business choices.

Alongside Aparna, we explore the critical 'four Cs' that act as the backbone for businesses striving in a digital-first economy. The discussion also raises awareness about the importance of SMBs protecting themselves against the rising tide of cybersecurity threats, adding a layer of urgency for companies to adopt robust digital defenses.

As we cast our gaze forward, we examine the exciting prospects that cutting-edge technologies like augmented and virtual reality, telematics, and the Internet of Things hold for transforming industries. We share how Verizon's Connect telematics system is already making a significant impact on vehicle fleet management, and we discuss the promising economic outlook for 2024, reflecting a spirit of optimism among SMBs. Our conversation is a testament to the resilience and innovation of small businesses, a celebration of their contribution to the economy, and a commitment to keeping you informed on the latest in retail innovation.

RetailWire is the retail industry's premier source for news, analysis, and discussion. With a focus on the latest trends, technology, and consumer behavior, RetailWire provides a platform for industry experts and thought leaders to share their insights and perspectives. Whether you're a retailer, supplier, or service provider, RetailWire is your go-to destination for staying informed and ahead of the curve.

Be sure to leave us a comment and let us know what you think. You might even hear your comment read on the next episode!

To learn more, or to join our Daily Discussions, visit RetailWire.com.

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Unlock the secrets of AI's sweeping revolution in the retail world with Ricardo Belmar from Microsoft and Jamie Tenser of VSN Strategies. As we wrap up NRF 2024's electrifying discussions, we share ground-breaking insights about how AI is no longer just futuristic buzz but a practical powerhouse reshaping retail. Imagine store associates liberated from mundane tasks, thanks to AI's magic, and the game-changing evolution of machine learning to sophisticated generative models, all dissected in this episode.

Jamie Tenser & Ricardo Belmar, delve into whether smaller networks can stand strong against the titans of trade. We analyze the seismic shift from traditional advertising to the dynamic world of retail media and its redefining influence on the industry's future. Get ready for a strategic exploration of how retailers balance their merchandising finesse with the burgeoning demand for promotional prowess in the age of retail media networks.

RetailWire is the retail industry's premier source for news, analysis, and discussion. With a focus on the latest trends, technology, and consumer behavior, RetailWire provides a platform for industry experts and thought leaders to share their insights and perspectives. Whether you're a retailer, supplier, or service provider, RetailWire is your go-to destination for staying informed and ahead of the curve.

Be sure to leave us a comment and let us know what you think. You might even hear your comment read on the next episode!

To learn more, or to join our Daily Discussions, visit RetailWire.com.

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