In episode 282 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Maggie Dawkins, vice president of merchandising, design, planning, and production at FabKids, the largest membership-based children's apparel and shoes brand. Listen in as Dawkins discusses the history of the brand and her role with the company, how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted FabKids, and…

In episode 281 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Stacey Helbig, vice president of solution strategy, and Brian Coupland, senior vice president of merchandising at Staples. Listen in as Helbig and Coupland discuss the Staples Connect Breakthrough Project, the inspiration behind the initiative, and the criteria being used to evaluate new product ideas during the…

In episode 280 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Bradford Manning and Bryan Manning, co-founders of Two Blind Brothers, ultra-soft designer clothing funding blindness research. Listen in as Bradford and Bryan discuss the brand story and why they founded Two Blind Brothers, their lack of prior retail experience, and the charitable aspect of…

In episode 279 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Phillip Raub, CEO of Model No., the first custom furniture brand that operates at the intersection of technology, design and sustainability. Listen in as Raub discusses his professional background, the ethos of the Model No. brand, and why he was drawn to join the…

In episode 278 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Shane Pittson, vice president of growth and marketing at quip, the modern oral health company. Listen in as Pittson discusses the growth of the startup brand, his professional background and role at quip, and when and why the company expanded into wholesale and brick-and-mortar retail.…

In episode 277 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Trish Patton, vice president of human resources at The Body Shop, a global beauty brand and a certified B Corp™ offering high-quality, naturally inspired skincare, body care, hair care and makeup produced ethically and sustainably. Listen in as Patton discusses The Body Shop's Open Hiring…

In episode 276 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Sean Kell, CEO of Blue Nile, the largest e-commerce retailer of GIA-certified diamonds and fine jewelry. Listen in as Kell discusses his career journey leading up to his joining Blue Nile last year, the company's recently announced store expansion plan, and why now is…

In episode 275 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Lizzy Ellingson, chief digital experience officer at David's Bridal, the largest American bridal store chain. Listen in as Ellingson discusses David's Bridal's use of 3D and augmented reality (AR) technology to let shoppers try on virtual bridal gowns; why it was important to provide customers a seamless,…

In episode 274 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Ron Thurston, vice president of stores at INTERMIX, a collection of specialty boutiques and division of Gap, Inc. Listen in as Thurston discusses his 25-plus year career in retail, what he enjoys most about working the industry, and the inspiration behind his new book,…

In episode 273 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Jonathan Wahl, co-founder and CEO of Abbio, a new direct-to-consumer (D-to-C) kitchenware brand with a mission to inspire home cooks through a combination of accessible, professional-grade cookware; unique recipes; and educational tools. Listen in as Wahl discusses Abbio's mission and business, his professional background and…