Rethink Retail

The shelf era is over—and the rules of CPG growth are changing fast.

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.

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:

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 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.

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

How are leading retailers and brands using AI to transform shopping? Nordstrom’s Brad Tucker, Mars’ Shashank Kadetotad, and HCLTech’s Debraj Bhattacharya join Rethink Retail to explore: - Smarter personalization and recommendations - Greater operational efficiency - Faster product innovation - AI’s role in sustainability and customer loyalty From generative to agentic AI, discover how companies are turning data into insight and creating the future of retail.

Global Healing calls itself the “Rolls Royce of supplements”, and for good reason. With 28 years in the industry, the brand leads with transparency, quality, and an unapologetically bold voice. In this episode, David Polinchock sits down with Kendall McMullen to explore: - Why manufacturing transparency and supply chain control set Global Healing apart - How storytelling, authenticity, and “brand humanification” drive trust with Gen Z and beyond - The bold stance on cutting through “AI fluff” to deliver real substance - Leadership insights from a Gen Z marketing manager building empowered, cross-channel teams - Why being “unapologetically bold” beats playing it safe in today’s noisy wellness market

In this episode, host Matt Muller, Principal Consultant at Rethink Retail and author of The Mindful Innovator, welcomes Rocquan Lucas, VP of Content at GroceryShop, to talk about the flagship event shaping the future of grocery and CPG. Key Insights: - How GroceryShop has grown since its 2018 debut into a global stage for grocery and CPG innovation - The rise of agentic AI and its real-world applications - Balancing efficiency with customer engagement in stores - Why planning with purpose (and breaking silos) is key for innovation

What happens when you mix the science of data with the art of human connection? That’s the theme behind Shoptalk Fall 2025, Retail Alchemy. In this episode of the RETHINK Retail podcast, HG O’Connell joins host Sharon Gai to share how ShopTalk Fall is creating an intimate, experimental space for retail leaders. Highlights include: - Why Shoptalk Fall is designed as a “lab” for testing new formats and ideas - This year’s theme of Retail Alchemy and how it plays out across sessions and the show floor - The rise of AI fatigue, and the demand for real case studies with measurable results - The return of Shopwalks, taking execs on curated tours Join the conversation with our global retail community at www.globalretailleaders.com

Hosted by Nino Horttrich, and with the collaboration of Matt Redwood of Diebold Nixdorf, we explore how Tillster is solving some of the biggest challenges in QSR. From tackling operational challenges to improving speed, personalization, and consistency, this conversation explores how strategic partnerships can transform the customer journey and future-proof restaurant operations.

We’re halfway through 2025, and retail is riding a wild mix of breakthroughs, challenges, and shifting shopper habits. In this special mid-year episode, host Andrew Smith (ThinkUncommon) is joined by top retail experts Neil Saunders (GlobalData Retail), Jerry Sheldon (IHL Services), and Sucharita Kodali (Forrester Research) to unpack: The biggest retail stories and consumer shifts so far Which tech is delivering real impact (and which is still just hype) Smart strategies to protect margins and run leaner ops Advice for the months ahead

In this new episode of Retailer Tech Tips, we explore how geospatial data is redefining store planning, logistics, and customer experience in real time.

In this episode of Rethink Retail, host Marie Driscoll sits down with Amrita Bhasin, CEO at Sotira, a leading voice in reverse logistics, to explore how AI, overstock management, and sustainability are transforming the future of retail. Reverse logistics is now an $800 billion global industry, yet remains one of the most under-discussed pillars of modern commerce. With e-commerce return rates as high as 50%, and growing concerns over landfill waste, brands are urgently seeking smarter solutions for excess inventory.

Redefining Trust in Online Jewelry Retail by

Nick Harbaugh talks with Shira Libhaber of Marcella, one of America’s fastest-growing fashion brands. Shira dives into how the company combines timeless design, global expansion, and next-gen tech to create a scalable yet purpose-driven model.