In episode 69 of Total Retail Talks, recorded at this week's National Retail Federation Big Show in New York City, Total Retail's Executive Editor Joe Keenan interviews Lisa Gavales, president and CEO of Things Remembered. Gavales discusses what innovation means for the personalized gifts retailer, how testing influences Things Remembered's product selection — both in-store…

In episode 68 of Total Retail Talks, Bart Robinson, vice president of product management for Shindigz, a party supplies retailer, discusses how a relaunched and redesigned mobile site has helped the brand improve the shopping experience for its customers, ultimately resulting in more conversions. In addition, Robinson offers his thoughts on what retailers should be…

In episode 67 of Total Retail Talks, Molly Kang, founder of Floravere, the first direct-to-consumer luxury bridal brand, discusses the story behind the company, how she plans to grow the business and compete with traditional bridal stores, and offers her advice for other entrepreneurs looking to break through in the retail industry.

In episode 66 of Total Retail Talks, Aaron Magness, chief marketing officer for Betabrand, an online apparel retailer and crowdfunding platform, discusses how the company is using an alternative payment method (APM) from Affirm to increase its site conversion rate. In addition, Magness offers his advice to other retailers looking to integrate APMs into their…

In episode 65 of Total Retail Talks, Jim Garlow, director of marketing operations at CDW, a leading B-to-B retailer of computers, hardware, software and IT solutions, talks about how the company is managing the customer experience through all the different ways it interacts with and markets to its customers. Garlow discusses CDW's strategy for segmenting…

In episode 64, Total Retail's Executive Editor Joe Keenan interviews Sarah Landsman, senior director, brand strategy and eye care marketing for LensCrafters, a Luxottica Retail brand, about LensCrafters’ marketing campaign, See.Good.Daily, which helped to drive awareness of contact lenses and daily disposables for LensCrafters. Landsman explains how the campaign was constructed to reach its target demographic,…

Episode 63 of Total Retail Talks features a conversation with Helena Barbour, senior director of global sportswear at Patagonia, a designer and retailer of outdoor clothing and gear. Barbour talks about Patagonia's Fair Trade program, offering insights into the retailer's efforts to ensure the factory workers making its products across the globe are earning a fair…

West Elm announced this week that it will be opening a boutique hotel in Portland, Maine, the retailer's sixth such property scheduled to open in the next two-and-a-half years. Other hotels are scheduled for Detroit; Minneapolis; Savannah, Ga.; Oakland, Calif.; and Indianapolis. The hotels will essentially serve as massive showrooms for the furniture and home…

In episode 61 of Total Retail Talks, Bob Kupbens, vice president, B-to-C and seller experience, head of global trust, eBay, discusses how the online marketplace's partnership with Sellbrite will enable a better experience for merchants selling on the platform. In addition, Kupbens talks about the future of online marketplaces and how eBay is positioning itself…

In episode 60 of Total Retail Talks, Christopher Wu, co-founder and CEO of Paper Culture, an online retailer that offers modern design and sustainable products, including stationery, wedding invitations and wall decor, talks about the growth of the business, and in particular how a commitment to environmentally friendly products and attracting millennials to the brand…