Retail Remix Retail TouchPoints

In its early days, Birdy Grey was very much an “Instagram brand.” That means Grace Lee Chen, Monica Ashauer and their entire team looked to social communities (and especially Instagram) to gather feedback and determine what products they should sell in order to grow their business.
Birdy Grey has relied on this community to grow and position itself as a disruptor in the wedding industry, which has evolved significantly with the advent of TikTok and other social channels. During this episode of Retail Remix, Chen and Ashauer reminisce, looking back on: 
How they successfully went from BFFs to business partners; How Birdy Grey built a loyal community across all channels; and How the brand tapped into the evolution of the wedding industry to identify new ways to stand out.Want to dig deeper into what’s new and what’s next in retail? Subscribe to the Retail ThinkTank hub to get exclusive access to high-value content on the emerging trends poised to shape the future of the industry.
RELATED LINKS
Learn more about Birdy GreyStay up to date with Birdy Grey happeningsConnect with Grace and Monica on LinkedIn
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TikTok and Alibaba are just two of many tech juggernauts testing virtual influencers, and these AI-generated personalities are bringing immersive commerce experiences to a completely new level. What is happening in this space today…and what will the future hold? Most of all, what will the rapid evolution and maturation of this space mean for how we build our own digital identities?
Alicia Esposito explored this topic with Sharon Gai, an ecommerce expert and author of the book Ecommerce Reimagined, during a recent Retail ThinkTank Ideation Session. Listen to get a peek into the conversation, and click the link below to watch the full episode.   
Click here to watch the Retail ThinkTank Ideation Session.

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Hearst is harnessing its expansive portfolio of brands and its highly credible editorial team to take a curated, content-driven approach to commerce. Robert Gash, the company’s CTO of Ecommerce, has played an integral role in this new, exciting era for the company, onboarding key partners to support the new experience.
During this episode of Retail Remix, Robert shares details into Hearst’s mission and vision, as well as how he’s working with SoundCommerce to collect, aggregate and leverage data to optimize the experience. He and SoundCommerce CEO Eric Best discuss: 
Why commerce made sense for the next era of the Hearst business;How the company is designing a strategy valuable for both consumers and advertisers; andHow Robert and his team are building upon its tech stack to develop a differentiated commerce experience.Want to dig deeper into what’s new and what’s next in retail? Subscribe to the Retail ThinkTank hub to get exclusive access to high-value content on the emerging trends poised to shape the future of the industry.
RELATED LINKS
Learn more about Hearst’s commerce transformationLearn more about SoundCommerceFollow Robert Gash on LinkedInFollow Eric Best on LinkedIn
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Taking a big leap that drives you — and your business — outside of your comfort zone can be scary. But Steve Dennis believes those leaps are critical to surviving, if not thriving, in this new era of disruption.
Host Alicia Esposito has author Steve Dennis back on the show to chat about his latest book, Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption, to discuss the personal and professional experiences that motivated him to put the pen to paper. They also chat about: 
What’s driving the new innovator’s dilemma; The “confederacy of meh” that is holding back business leaders, especially in retail; How executives should balance taking big leaps with intentional risk assessment; andA few of the seven leadership mind leaps, including the importance of crushing your ego.Want to dig deeper into what’s new and what’s next in retail? Subscribe to the Retail ThinkTank hub to get exclusive access to high-value content on the emerging trends poised to shape the future of the industry.
RELATED LINKS
Learn more about Steve DennisGet a copy of Leaders LeapFollow Steve on LinkedIn
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Subscribe to the Retail ThinkTank hub to get exclusive access to high-value content on the emerging trends poised to shape the future of retail.

Despite headlines claiming the death of the shopping mall, some developers are reimagining the experience to make it memorable, even unforgettable, for consumers. 
During this episode of Retail Remix, host Alicia Esposito sits down with someone who is helping shape the future of the mall: Justin Stein, EVP of Leasing at Tanger. During this episode, he shares details on:
Tanger’s transformation, including thinking more like a curator and less like a traditional operator; 
His team’s approach to tenant mix, ensuring the right combination of retailers, restaurants, entertainment and more are integrated into experiences; 
How Tanger is thinking of omnichannel experience design to boost traffic and dwell time; and
His advice for helping retailers optimize their presence in shopping malls and centers. RELATED LINKS
Learn more about Tanger Read about Tanger’s transformationGet more insights on the future of the mall
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When Anna Harman wanted to get a new ear piercing, she only had two viable options: an upscale boutique that would charge her hundreds of dollars...or a tattoo parlor. While the latter was just as safe as the former, the experience left her feeling wanting more. 
Most of all, the experience made Anna realize what a big white space there was in the market, which inspired her to start Studs with Lisa Bubbers. During this episode of Retail Remix, Anna shares Studs’s origin story, as well as: 
The essence of the Studs brand and how it adapts and amplifies across digital and physical channels; Why it's critical for the marketing team to balance fun, entertainment-driven initiatives and borderline-scientific content; How she and Lisa developed a scalable business framework and service strategy; and Entrepreneurial lessons that all retail executives can embrace and apply.RELATED LINKS
Learn more about Studs Follow Anna on LinkedIn
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Subscribe to the Retail ThinkTank hub to get exclusive access to high-value content on the emerging trends poised to shape the future of retail.