Retailistic

Deborah Weinswig
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Join Deborah Weinswig of Coresight Research as she hosts discussions on a range of topics at the intersection of retail and technology.

  1. 23/12/2025

    85 Years Young and Still Deal-Making: Retail Legend Gilbert Harrison on Entrepreneurs, E-Commerce, and What’s Next

    Video of this episode is here   Takeaways Gilbert Harrison reflects on his 60th wedding anniversary and 85th birthday. He founded Financo after realizing the potential in investment banking. Retail fascinated Gilbert due to its growth potential and dynamics. Successful CEOs possess unique vision and entrepreneurial spirit. Investment banking requires understanding both numbers and people. E-commerce has drastically changed consumer shopping habits. The discount retail sector has evolved significantly over the years. Mergers and acquisitions often fail due to lack of understanding of motivations. Brand aggregators are reshaping the retail landscape but may lack entrepreneurial spirit. Gilbert emphasizes the importance of mentorship and giving back to the community.   Chapters   00:00 The Genesis of Financo 02:24 Navigating the Retail Landscape 05:01 Investment Banking Insights 07:27 The Evolution of Discount Retail 09:45 The Impact of E-commerce 12:10 The Art of Deal-Making 14:35 Reflections on Leadership and People 16:57 The Future of Retail and Investment Banking 24:15 The Sad Fate of Stewart's Company 26:23 The Changing Landscape of Investment Banking 29:57 Confidentiality in Deal-Making 33:44 The Future of Retail and Consumer Preferences 35:35 The Rise of Brand Aggregators 37:39 The Impact of Brand Aggregators on Competition 39:57 Advice for Young Professionals 42:43 Building Confidence and Resilience 45:39 The Importance of Giving Back

    49 min

  2. 16/12/2025

    AI, Retail Empires, and the Winner-Take-All Game: Inside the Mind of Investor Todd Benson

    Video of this episode is here   Takeaways The 2026 sector outlook provides insights into consumer spending trends. Second order thinking is crucial for understanding market dynamics. Walmart's strategic positioning highlights the importance of being a tech company. Sustainability initiatives can lead to profitability in retail. AI is reshaping consumer behavior and retail strategies. Navigating tariffs requires strategic planning and adaptability. Advanced manufacturing techniques are revolutionizing sustainability efforts. Investment strategies must consider timing and market inflection points. Change management is essential for businesses adopting AI technologies. The future market outlook for 2026 suggests potential volatility but also growth opportunities.   Chapters 00:00 Connecting the Dots: Insights from Experience 03:58 The Evolution of Retail: AI and Market Strategies 07:54 Navigating Consumer Preferences: Lessons from Starbucks and Beyond 10:43 Resilience in Business: Learning from Failures 15:09 Cultural Insights: The Impact of Geography on Business 18:19 Innovations in Sustainability: The Future of Apparel 21:13 Investing in the Future: AI and Market Trends 24:52 Beverage Trends: The Shift in Consumer Habits 26:39 The Ritual of Chocolate and Consumer Behavior 29:52 AI's Impact on Investment and Business Models 32:57 Transforming Workflows with AI 36:34 Lightning Round: Insights and Reflections 41:56 AI's Role in Daily Life and Future Outlook

    50 min

  3. 18/11/2025

    “Change Equals Opportunity”: How Jim Keyes Took 7-Eleven from Bankruptcy to Global Dominance

    Video of this episode is here   Takeaways AI is transforming the retail landscape significantly. Jim Keyes' journey exemplifies the American success story. Early jobs, like working at McDonald's, provide invaluable lessons. Understanding consumer behavior is crucial for retail success. Gasoline retail is a unique challenge due to its commodity nature. Technology can enhance decision-making in retail environments. Fresh and Easy's failure highlights the importance of local market understanding. Change in retail is an opportunity for growth and innovation. Imagination is essential for leaders in today's fast-paced environment. AI has the potential to revolutionize industries and enhance human learning.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:36 Early Career and Lessons from McDonald's 05:33 Transition to Gulf Oil and Early Career Decisions 08:17 Journey to 7-Eleven and Strategic Planning 11:17 Understanding Retail Gasoline Business 13:50 Insights on Retail Strategy and Consumer Behavior 16:32 Technology's Role in Retail 19:13 Lessons from 7-Eleven's Success in Japan 22:02 Challenges Faced with Fresh and Easy 24:49 Conclusion and Future of Retail 25:01 The Fresh and Easy Experience 29:38 Lessons from 7-Eleven's Reinvention 32:42 The Importance of Product Assortment 34:58 Lightning Round Insights 37:37 The Future of Retail and AI 44:43 Harnessing AI for Human Advancement

    49 min

  4. 11/11/2025

    Surviving Retail's Apocalypse: AI, Amazon, and the Secret Sauce That Saved (and Doomed) Modell's

    Video of this episode is here Takeaways Modell's was started by my great grandfather in 1889. Our whole business was centered around the customer. Nike's shift to direct-to-consumer changed the landscape. Private labels became essential for survival. Under Armour struggled to break into footwear. Customer loyalty is built through community engagement. Facing bankruptcy taught us valuable lessons. Health and wellness trends are reshaping retail. Adaptability is crucial in the retail industry. The most precious thing we have is time.   Chapters 00:00 The Legacy of Modell's Sporting Goods 03:10 Adapting to Change in Retail 05:49 Challenges in the Sporting Goods Industry 08:13 The Rise and Fall of Under Armour 10:48 Dix's Dominance in the Market 13:08 Facing Financial Challenges 15:49 Lessons Learned from Bankruptcy 18:24 The Importance of Community and Culture 22:47 Customer-Centric Retailing 25:17 The Importance of In-Store Experience 26:33 Health and Wellness Trends in Retail 28:45 The Role of YPO in Business Growth 32:13 Personal Resilience and Health Awareness 36:03 Lightning Round: Insights from a Retail Leader

    45 min

  5. 04/11/2025

    Navigating Retail's AI Revolution: Foresight, Uncertainty, and Game-Changing Journeys

    Video version of this episode is here   Takeaways Patrick Sobral's journey reflects the importance of connections in professional growth. Transitioning to consulting offers unique challenges and opportunities. Innovation should be a collective effort within organizations. Startups must be patient and strategic when working with larger companies. Foresight methodologies are essential for navigating uncertainty in business. The consumer journey has evolved significantly with the rise of AI. Education is crucial for consumers navigating product choices. Managing information overload is a challenge in the age of AI. Creating memorable experiences is key to successful consulting. Continuous learning and sharing knowledge are vital for professional development.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Patrick Sobral's Journey 04:01 Transitioning to Consulting: A New Perspective 06:29 Overcoming Innovation Silos in Corporates 09:10 Advice for Startups Collaborating with Corporates 11:34 Navigating the Innovation Landscape 14:07 Upskilling in a Rapidly Changing Environment 16:46 The Evolving Consumer Journey in Beauty and Beyond 29:40 Memorable Experiences in Consulting 32:40 The Importance of Community and Conversations 33:56 Mindfulness in Professional Interactions 36:32 Insights Beyond Data 39:17 Embracing Uncertainty and Future Thinking 41:00 Rapid Fire Insights 47:29 Advice for Knowledge Sharing and Learning

    49 min

  6. 28/10/2025

    The Dawn of Agentic AI: Revolutionizing Holiday Shopping in 2025

    Video version of this episode is here   Takeaways Agentic AI is set to revolutionize retail by enabling seamless transactions within chat interfaces. The integration of AI in shopping is becoming more prevalent, with major retailers like Etsy and Shopify leading the way. Consumer trust in AI-driven shopping experiences is crucial for widespread adoption. The future of shopping will likely involve personalized agents that cater to individual preferences and needs. AI can enhance the shopping experience by providing tailored recommendations and price comparisons. Drones and advanced delivery systems are emerging as viable options for last-mile logistics. The distinction between GenAI and agentic AI is significant, with the latter capable of executing actions based on user input. Retailers may need to adapt their strategies as AI changes consumer behavior and expectations. The upcoming holiday season is expected to see a surge in agentic shopping as consumers seek value and convenience. Trust and security will be paramount as consumers share personal information with AI shopping agents.   Chapters 00:00 The Rise of Agentic AI in Commerce 03:39 Consumer Behavior and AI Shopping Dynamics 05:43 Retailer Integration and Market Competition 08:21 Logistics and Delivery Innovations 11:05 Understanding Agentic AI vs. GenAI 13:27 Personal Shopping Agents and Future Trends 16:00 The Role of IoT in Shopping 18:11 Dynamic Pricing and Consumer Trust 20:54 The Future of Shopping and Consumer Experience

    31 min

  7. 14/10/2025

    The Human Side of Cyber: Elias Oxendine on Trust, Technology, and Tractor Supply

    Video version is here   Takeaways Elias Oxendine emphasizes the rapid pace at which Tractor Supply operates. The culture at Tractor Supply encourages learning from failures. Communication is crucial for cybersecurity professionals to convey technical concepts in business terms. Trust is essential for maintaining customer relationships in cybersecurity. Elias's journey from military intelligence to cybersecurity showcases the importance of diverse experiences. The role of CISO has evolved significantly, especially in a franchise model. AI is becoming increasingly important in cybersecurity and retail operations. Employee education on cybersecurity must include safe browsing practices. Partnerships with technology providers are vital for innovation and success. The future of retail will be defined by experiential customer interactions.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Elias Oxendine and Nashville's Tech Scene 04:14 Understanding Tractor Supply: More Than Just Tractors 07:00 Elias's Journey: From Navy to Cybersecurity 09:48 The Influence of Military Discipline on Professional Life 12:31 Transitioning from GE to Yum: Challenges and Growth 15:26 The Evolving Role of CISO in Today's Digital Landscape 18:13 Navigating AI and Cybersecurity in Modern Business 20:48 Educating Employees on AI Usage and Governance 25:36 Engaging Learning Techniques 27:23 Establishing AI Governance 29:54 Edge Computing in Retail 33:11 Enhancing In-Store Experience 35:29 Cybersecurity and Trust 38:41 Evolving Technology Partnerships 45:13 Lightning Round Insights

    50 min

  8. 07/10/2025

    Forget Passwords Forever: The Biometric Bombshell Making Your Logins Hacker-Proof

    Video version of this episode is here   Takeaways Josh Horwitz is a serial entrepreneur with a focus on cybersecurity. Bootstrapping businesses can lead to successful exits without external funding. Product-market fit is crucial for entrepreneurial success. Validating product ideas through low-cost market testing is essential. Credential stuffing is a significant threat in cybersecurity. Innovative solutions can turn attack vectors into defensive strategies. The future of authentication is moving towards passwordless solutions. User experience must be balanced with security measures. Adaptive security is becoming increasingly important in technology. Understanding customer needs is vital for product development.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Background 02:42 Bootstrapping and Product-Market Fit 09:29 Cybersecurity Landscape and Credential Stuffing 14:57 The Future of Passwords and Authentication 22:49 Balancing Business Needs with User Experience

    30 min
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About

Join Deborah Weinswig of Coresight Research as she hosts discussions on a range of topics at the intersection of retail and technology.

Information

  • Creator
    Deborah Weinswig
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    199
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2021 Coresight Research
  • Show Website
    Retailistic