Total Retail Talks

In episode 430 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Trina Spear, CEO and co-founder of FIGS, a direct-to-consumer, modern healthcare apparel and lifestyle brand. Listen in as Spear provides an overview of the FIGS brand (0:40), her inspiration for launching the company (1:40) and why now is the right time to open its…

In episode 429 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Jeremiah McElwee, chief merchandising officer of Thrive Market, a leading online marketplace specializing in a highly curated assortment of organic and non-GMO products. During the wide-ranging episode, McElwee provides an overview of Thrive Market and his role within the organization (0:55), including how merchandising…

In episode 428 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Mike Clem, CEO of Sweetwater, the world's leading music technology and instrument retailer. Listen in as Clem discusses his 20-year career at Sweetwater (1:00), why the company has a strong track record of long-time employee retention (1:45), and how he is working to maintain…

In episode 427 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Claire O'Donnell, director of selling partner empowerment, communities and trust at Amazon.com. Listen in as O'Donnell discusses two key themes discusses at Amazon Accelerate, the annual conference dedicated entirely to Amazon’s selling partners (1:20), and the impact that the in-person community has on its sellers (2:43).…

In episode 426 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Emily Essner, chief marketing officer of Saks, the premier digital platform for luxury fashion in North America. During the wide-ranging conversation, Essner discusses the fashion retailer's quarterly Saks Luxury Pulse survey (0:55) and key findings from its most recent survey data released in September (2:33), including…

In episode 425 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Eric Bjorling, director of brand marketing and public relations at Trek Bicycle, a global leader in the design and manufacturing of bicycles and related products. Listen in as Bjorling discusses the genesis of Trek Bicycle's new bike trade-in and refurbishment program, Red Barn Refresh (0:52)…

In episode 424 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Darren Abbott, chief creative officer and senior vice president of global product development and innovation at Hallmark, a heritage American, family-owned greeting cards company operating a diversified portfolio of businesses. Listen in as Abbott discusses the launch of Hallmark + Venmo Cards (0:50), why the two…

In episode 423 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Mandy Rassi, senior vice president, chief marketing officer at Michaels, the largest arts and crafts retailer in North America. Listen in as Rassi discusses the core components of Michaels' omnichannel transformation (1:15), including the role that customer feedback plays in its work to improve…

In episode 422 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Alyssa Vescio, senior vice president of merchandising at Whole Foods Market, the world’s leading natural and organic foods retailer, a subsidiary of Amazon.com. Vescio discusses her role at Whole Foods as well as what she enjoys most about the job (1:28), including how her team's…

In episode 421 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Chris Wantlin, chief retail officer at Ashley, the No. 1 furniture and mattress retailer in North America. Among other topics, Wantlin discusses the company's recent rebrand, how Ashley is bringing consumer awareness to its brand refresh, and the internal collaboration needed to execute the…