Forrester Research - Retail Strategy in the Age of Marketplaces and AI

In this episode of The Story of a Brand, host Rose Hamilton, CEO of Compass Rose Ventures, sits down with Sucharita Kodali, Vice President and Principal Analyst at Forrester Research, for a thoughtful and strategic conversation about the forces reshaping modern retail.

The discussion draws on Rose's experience as an operator inside brands like The Vitamin Shoppe and Nutrafol, where Forrester's research often informed critical boardroom decisions. Throughout the episode, Rose and Sucharita unpack how retail strategy has evolved—from marketplaces and DTC to retail media and AI—and why leaders today must think beyond growth tactics to understand leverage, channel strategy, and long-term enterprise value.

Key moments from the episode include:

* Why brands should approach marketplaces strategically and consider the sequencing of channels when building long-term value

* The importance of "e-control"—protecting pricing, distribution integrity, and brand presentation across marketplaces

* How retail media networks are becoming structural components of retailer economics

* What leaders should understand about AI and generative AI in retail today—and where the hype exceeds reality

* Why the most effective research blends data with narrative to create conviction and drive decision-making

This episode offers an inside look at how data-driven insight shapes the biggest strategic decisions in retail and commerce.

Join us in listening to the episode to hear Rose Hamilton and Sucharita Kodali explore the patterns, shifts, and lessons that continue to influence how brands build durable growth in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

For more on Sucharita Kodali and Forrester Research visit: https://www.forrester.com/bold/

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