The Retail Razor Show

BONUS - The Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness Season 2 TrailerRetail Executive Leadership & Coaching Insights for the AI EraWelcome to a special cross-release of the Season 2 trailer for The Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness — the podcast where retail leaders sharpen their edge. Hosted by Ricardo Belmar & Casey Golden, this series explores the essential skills & qualities every retail executive needs to lead boldly, stay sharp, & stay human in the AI era.In Season 1, we uncovered the fundamentals of great leadership:how intrinsic motivation and autonomy unlock innovationwhy positivity is fuel, not fluffrethinking hiring, career development, & investing in peopleSeason 2 takes it further with new retail executives & coaching experts—to share actionable insights on:Building resilient & adaptable leadership culturesLeading through disruption & transformation in the AI eraPractical coaching strategies for executives & C-suite leadersIf you’re a retail leader, this season will help you sharpen your leadership blade & lead with clarity. Subscribe to The Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness show in your favorite podcast player!New episodes drop starting tomorrow!👉 Stay Sharp. Lead Boldly. Stay Human.Subscribe to the Retail Razor Podcast Network: https://retailrazor.com/Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://go.retailrazor.com/utubeAbout your hosts::Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 & a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2025. Thinkers 360 has named him a Top 10 Retail & AGI, a Top 50 Management, Transformation, & Careers, and a Top 100 Digital Transformation & Agentic AI Thought Leader. Plus a Top Digital Voice for 2024 and 2025. He was most recently the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods in the Americas at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2023 - 2025, and a Retail Cloud Allianceadvisory council member. Currently, Casey is the North America Leader for Retail & Consumer Goods at CI&T.Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Swag, Tag and Brag from the album Beat Hype, written by Hestron Mimms, published by Imuno.

S5E10 From Task Overload to Customer Focus: AI Solutions for Retail AssociatesRetailers are asking store associates to do more with less—shorter staffing, longer task lists, and higher customer expectations. In this episode of The Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden explore how AI is reshaping frontline retail teams from overwhelmed to empowered.Joining the conversation are:•  Jeff Strasser, General Manager of AI Business Solutions for Retail & Consumer Goods at Microsoft•  Nolan Wheeler, CEO & Founder of SYNQ TechnologiesTogether, they dive into:•  The biggest challenges facing frontline store associates today: task overload, reduced staffing, and customer service trade-offs•  How AI can automate and simplify corporate task lists, freeing up time for customer engagement•  Why voice-first, hands-free AI is a breakthrough for associates, with SYNQ’s solution connecting two-way radios to Azure OpenAI for instant answers in the aisle•  The importance of integration and governance when deploying AI at scale in retail operations•  Real-world examples of AI reducing friction, improving training, and accelerating onboarding•  How to measure success with the right KPIs: time-to-answer, customer satisfaction, and associate productivity•  What’s next for AI in retail over the next 24 months—and how retailers can prepare their teams todayThis isn’t about replacing people—it’s about augmenting store teams with AI-powered tools that make their jobs easier, improve morale, and elevate the customer experience.If you’re a retail leader, innovator, or operator, this episode is packed with insights on how to start small, scale fast, and empower your frontline workforce with AI.Subscribe to the Retail Razor Podcast Network: https://retailrazor.com/Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTubeAbout our GuestsNolan Wheeler – CEO & Founder, SYNQ TechnologiesNolan Wheeler founded SYNQ in 2015 after a successful multi-decade career in retail. With experience in asset protection, store operations, and store transformation, Nolan founded SYNQ with a vision for transforming how retailers think about operations and merchandizing. Nolan lives in Victoria, BC with his young family, spending as much of his time on the water as possible.Retail Clinic on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@RetailClinicSYNQ Technologies - www.synqtech.comJeff Strasser – GM, AI Business Solutions for Retail & Consumer Goods, Microsoft.Jeff oversees Microsoft’s AI Business Solutions portfolio for the US Retail & Consumer Goods enterprise customer segment. Jeffrey’s organization supports clients’ business priorities to grow revenue, optimize costs and deliver customer and employee satisfaction through AI led solutions. Recently, Jeffrey has been leading discussions on the application of generative AI to improve the efficiency of work and operations, accelerate decision-making, and support client leadership with strategies to build an AI first culture and deliver on business impacting solutions.Microsoft Cloud for Retail - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/industry/retail/microsoft-cloud-for-retailChapters:00:00 Previews 00:54 Show Intro 04:27 Welcome Jeff Strasser & Nolan Wheeler 07:29 Challenges Faced by Frontline Store Teams 14:14 AI Solutions for Retail Operations 19:59 Voice AI and Real-World Applications 25:34 Data-Driven Retail Insights 30:55 The Power of Voice Agents in Retail 32:05 Integrating IoT and Voice for Seamless Operations 34:22 Building Effective AI Agents 38:21 Starting with AI: Metrics and ROI 41:18 Overcoming Barriers to AI Adoption 47:24 Future Capabilities and Getting Started 54:01 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 & a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2025. Thinkers 360 has named him a Top 10 Retail, & AGI Thought Leader, a Top 50 Management, Transformation, & Careers Thought Leader, a Top 100 Digital Transformation & Agentic AI Thought Leader, plus a Top Digital Voice for 2024 and 2025. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University’s Center for Retail Transformation, and the Retail Cloud Alliance. He was most recently the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods in the Americas at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2023 - 2025, and a Retail Cloud Allianceadvisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech! Currently, Casey is the North America Leader for Retail & Consumer Goods at CI&T.Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Heston Mimms, published by Imuno.

S5E9 Retail's Best Kept Secret: Discover How RetailROI Transforms Children's FuturesIn this special replay episode of The Retail Razor Show, we shine a spotlight on the incredible work of the Retail Orphan Initiative (RetailROI)—a nonprofit transforming lives of orphans and foster children through the power of the retail industry. With a fresh introduction for 2025, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden revisit a heartfelt conversation with Greg Buzek, President of RetailROI, Vicki Cantrell, board member and retail legend, and Jeff Roster, former Gartner & IHL analyst and top retail expert, as they share the origin story, mission, and global impact of this powerful retail charity.Learn how RetailROI’s Super Saturday event at NRF has become the most meaningful gathering of the year, where retailers, tech vendors, and solution providers come together to help fund clean water, education, and life skills training for thousands of children worldwide. Hear inspiring stories of transformation, including previous keynote speaker Darryl McDaniels of Run DMC, and discover how just showing up at Super Saturday can help change lives.Whether you're a retailer planning for NRF, a technology supplier and potential sponsor, or simply passionate about retail’s role in social responsibility, this episode will move you to action. Join us in celebrating RetailROI’s rich history and accomplishments and learn how you too can become a RetailROI Champion.👉 Learn more and register for Super Saturday at NRF 2026 at http://retailroi.org/super-saturday🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Goodpods to help us amplify this message of hope and impact!Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTubeAbout our GuestsGreg Buzek, President, IHL Group & President, RetailROI https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbuzek/Vicki Cantrell, CEO, Vendors in Partnership https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickicantrell/Jeff Roster, Former Gartner & IHL analyst, top retail experthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-roster-8828b8257/Retail Orphan Initiative (RetailROI), https://www.retailroi.orgThe Purpose of the Retail Orphan Initiative (RetailROI) is to raise awareness and provide real solutions for the more than 400 million vulnerable children worldwide.RetailROI has 3 primary goals:Bring Awareness to the enormous needs of orphans worldwideEncourage companies (Retailers, Vendors, Manufacturers) to create programs internally for their companies to help with the needRaise Funds through to help “feet on the street” charities who are making a real difference00:00 Previews 01:16 Show Intro 06:43 I am a RetailROI Champion 17:53 RetailROI Discussion 20:03 How RetailROI Began 23:08 How RetailROI Works 26:57 Accomplishments 36:44 The Trips 44:06 Getting involved 51:35 Finding Charities 55:47 A little goes a long way to make a difference 01:02:53 Fundraising 01:06:08 More Great Work 01:13:32 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 & a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2025. Thinkers 360 has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, & Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, plus a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University’s Center for Retail Transformation, and was most recently the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2023 - 2025, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Heston Mimms, published by Imuno.

S5:E8 Prime Day Unveiled: Trends, Sales, and What Lies Ahead for RetailAmazon Prime Day 2025 may be over, but its ripple effects are just beginning. In this episode, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden sit down with Meghan Barden, Director of Global Retail Media at Rithum, to unpack the surprising data and shopper behaviors that emerged — and what they mean for retail and ecommerce leaders heading into the holiday shopping season.You’ll discover:•  📊 Prime Day outcomes that matter — from sales spikes to category standouts, and how they compare to past years•  🛍 Why the timing right after July 4th may have shifted discretionary spending patterns•  💡 Meghan’s expert take on how retailers can turn Prime Day insights into Q4 wins•  🔮 The strategic moves brands should make now to capture Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and beyondWhether you’re a retail strategist, ecommerce operator, or simply fascinated by the biggest shopping events of the year, this conversation delivers actionable insights to help you outpace the competition.Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTubeAbout our GuestMeghan Barden - https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-barden/Rithum - https://www.rithum.comMeghan Barden is an accomplished retail media strategist with over 20 years of experience in marketing and client services in both retailer, brand and agency environments. Currently serving as the Director of Global Retail Media at Rithum, she leads the company's efforts in helping brands and retailers leverage first-party data to create personalized and impactful retail media campaigns. Her expertise spans various facets of retail media, including strategy development, media planning, and campaign optimization.For more Amazon Prime Day analysis by Rithum, access the full report → https://explore.rithum.com/prime-day-guide-cont/prime-day-lessons-for-peak-shopping-season00:00 Previews 01:01 Show Intro 10:09 Welcome Meghan Barden 10:17 Overview of Prime Day and Rithum's Role 12:20 Prime Day Anomalies and Trends 16:15 Generational Shopping Behaviors 19:20 Impact of Gen Z on Retail Strategies 24:54 AI and Authenticity in Retail 31:51 Preparing for Future Retail Events 37:59 Final Thoughts 39:11 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 & a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2025. Thinkers 360 has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, & Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, plus a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University’s Center for Retail Transformation, and is the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2023 - 2025, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Heston Mimms, published by Imuno.

S5:E7 Unplugged and Unscripted: Retail Club's AI-First Event Revolution w/ Krystina GustafsonWhat happens when you blend cutting-edge innovation, authentic community, and the brightest minds in retail? You get RetailClub—the AI-first retail event redefining how industry leaders connect, collaborate, and shape the future.In this episode of The Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden sit down with Krystina Gustafson, co-founder and Chief Content Officer at Retail Club and one of the visionary forces behind RetailClub. Krystina shares the inspiration behind this exclusive retail conference, how it fosters meaningful connections among AI changemakers, and why RetailClub is more than just another event—it’s a movement.💡 What You’ll Learn:Why RetailClub is unlike any other retail event you’ve attendedHow the power of retail community is driving innovation and collaborationThe role of AI in retail and how it’s shaping the conversations at RetailClubBehind-the-scenes insights from Krystina on curating impactful content and experiencesWhether you’re a retail executive, tech innovator, or curious observer of industry trends, this episode delivers a front-row seat to the future of AI in retail!Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTubeAbout our GuestKrystina Gustafson, co-founder & Chief Content Officer, RetailClub - https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystina-gustafson-908a5a14/Register for RetailClub’s AI Deep Dive Retreat - https://www.retailclub.com Krystina is a co-founder and the chief content officer at RetailClub, a new retreats business from the founders of Shoptalk. RetailClub is building retail’s first AI-native community, bringing together 500 AI champions and changemakers for their inaugural AI Deepdive Retreat, taking place Sept 14-17, 2025 in Huntington Beach, CA.Prior to RetailClub, she was the senior vice president of content at Shoptalk and Groceryshop, the leading conferences in the retail, grocery and consumer packaged goods industries. She led the team that shaped the retail and ecommerce industry narratives across its four annual events – Shoptalk, Shoptalk Europe, Shoptalk Fall and Groceryshop – including agenda development and speaker selection.Krystina joined Shoptalk in 2017, after spending four years as a retail reporter and content editor at CNBC.com. Prior to CNBC, Krystina was a web editor at Women's Wear Daily, the trade publication for the fashion industry.She has interviewed prominent business figures from retail and beyond, including the CEOs of Target, Sam’s Club, The Honest Company and Warby Parker, Dreamworks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg, and “Shark Tank” shark Kevin O’Leary.00:00 Previews01:04 Show Intro08:44 Welcome Krystina and the Importance of AI!09:56 Introducing Retail Club and AI Deep Dive Retreat12:03 Event Structure and Unique Approach14:07 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Adoption17:56 The Future of AI in Retail & Event Experiences22:46 Data Readiness and Tech Maturity27:04 Agentic AI's Impact on Retail Operations36:36 Event Details and Future Thoughts41:26 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 & a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2025. Thinkers 360 has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, & Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, plus a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University’s Center for Retail Transformation, and is the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2023 - 2025, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Heston Mimms, published by Imuno.

S5:E6 SHEIN’s Marketplace Evolution - A Conversation with George Chang, GM & Head of SHEIN Marketplace🎙️What does modern marketplace success look like in the U.S? SHEIN is rewriting the rules — and George Chang, GM of SHEIN Marketplace and key member of the senior leadership team at SHEIN, is leading the charge with his energetic & visionary leadership style.In this episode of The Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden dive deep with George to uncover how SHEIN is building a curated, invitation-only marketplace designed for Gen Z and Millennial consumers. From fashion and beauty to lifestyle and social commerce, SHEIN’s ecosystem is built for discovery, agility, and growth.💡 Key topics in this episode:• How SHEIN uses data insights to drive personalization and loyalty• Why seller partnerships and social commerce are central to SHEIN’s strategy• The evolution of customer acquisition post-2020• George Chang’s journey from Rakuten, Mirakl, and Newegg to SHEIN• What makes SHEIN’s marketplace model different from Amazon, Temu, and others• The future of retail and digital marketplaces📈 Whether you’re a seller, strategist, or retail innovator, this episode delivers actionable insights into the next frontier of ecommerce!Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTubeAbout our GuestGeorge Chang, GM & Head of SHEIN Marketplace. https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-chang-usc/SHEIN Marketplace: https://seller-us.shein.com/homepageProspective Sellers: https://seller-us.shein.com/get-started-shein-marketplaceTo learn more about SHEIN: https://www.sheingroup.com/George is an Ecommerce and Marketplace veteran with Senior leadership roles at Rakuten, Newegg, Sears, Mirakl, VTEX, Spreetail, and Cymax Group. He is currently part of the leadership team at SHEIN U.S. and is leading the 3rd Party Marketplace business at SHEIN. He has a unique 360 degree perspective on Ecommerce Marketplaces having operated, licensed, consulted and sold on multiple marketplaces.Chapters00:00 Preview 01:10 Show Intro 05:40 Welcome George Chang, GM SHEIN Marketplace 06:59 What Sets Shein Apart 08:55 Shein's Marketplace Strategy 11:50 Customer and Seller Experience 16:58 Expanding Beyond Fashion 20:16 Evolving with the Customer 22:06 Diverse Seller Community 24:03 Understanding Gen Z and Millennials in E-commerce 26:49 The Rise of Social Commerce and Live Shopping 30:08 Driving Customer Loyalty through Engagement 33:06 Sustainability Initiatives and Mindful Purchasing 35:15 Future of Marketplaces and Hyper-Personalization 38:08 Final Thoughts 39:36 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 & a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2025. Thinkers 360 has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, & Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, plus a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University’s Center for Retail Transformation, and is the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2023 - 2025, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Heston Mimms, published by Imuno.

S5:E5 Leading with Values: How Naturepedic Builds a Better Brand, with Arin SchultzWhat does it take to lead growth at the forefront of a movement for safer, healthier sleep? In this episode of The Retail Razor Show, we sit down with Arin Schultz, Chief Growth Officer at Naturepedic, a pioneering brand in certified organic mattresses and bedding. With over eleven years in the organic sleep industry, Arin shares how he’s helped Naturepedic expand its market share, launch innovative products, and build a trusted brand committed to health, sustainability, and safety. We talk about the evolution of the organic mattress category, how purpose-driven growth strategies translate to retail success, and the balancing act of leading multiple departments—sales, marketing, retail, R&D, and more. Whether you're in retail, health-conscious consumer products, or looking to build a values-based, mission-led brand, this episode delivers sharp insights from one of the industry’s most committed and capable leaders!Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTubeAbout our GuestArin Schultz is Chief Growth Officer at Naturepedic, the leading organic mattress brand. As the lead on all Naturepedic marketing efforts, Arin develops and implements strategies that support the company’s business growth, customer retention, product innovation, consumer education initiatives and sustainability goals. Working for the certified organic, non-toxic mattress pioneer opened Arin’s eyes to the dangers of harmful chemicals and their pervasive presence in households across the globe. This knowledge has added a deeper purpose to his relentless push to help transform the brand’s vision into reality. A father of four and an empathetic listener, Arin’s success at Naturepedic is centered on his authentic understanding of the Naturepedic customer and his genuine desire to help families make the safest, healthiest sleep choices.00:00 Preview 01:45 Show Intro 07:21 Arin Schultz, Chief Growth Officer, Naturepedic - The Mission 08:43 The Founding Story of Naturepedic 12:09 Challenges and Growth in the Mattress Industry 17:13 Retail Expansion and Customer Engagement 19:30 Product Innovation and Sustainability 23:10 Industry Environmental Impact and Continuous Product Improvement 35:20 Customer Experience and Meeting Their Needs 38:21 Replacing Your Mattress & Customer Service Excellence 43:20 Sourcing and Tariffs Impact 49:53 Embracing AI in Marketing and Operations 56:28 Advice for Growing a Values-Based Brand 59:23 Final Thoughts 01:00:38 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 & a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2025. Thinkers 360 has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, & Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, plus a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University’s Center for Retail Transformation, and is the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2023 - 2025, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Heston Mimms, published by Imuno.

S5:E4 Empowering Women in Retail Tech: A New Era of LeadershipIn Season Five, Episode Four of The Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden engage in a captivating conversation with Shannon Flanagan, a seasoned retail leader and founder of Retail Women in Tech (RWIT). Shannon shares her journey from folding jeans at 18 to leading billion-dollar business transformations and emphasizes the importance of embracing change and innovation in retail. The episode underscores the critical role of diversity and inclusion in driving the industry forward, touching on the challenges and opportunities for women in tech and retail. Shannon discusses her vision for RWIT, a community aimed at fostering connections, mentorship, and leadership among women and allies in the retail tech space. With insights on change management, the impact of AI in retail, and the power of allyship, this episode offers valuable perspectives for retail professionals and tech enthusiasts alike.Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTubeAbout our GuestShannon Flanagan, founder of Retail Women in Tech, https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-e-flanagan/ - Retail Women in Tech, https://retailwomenintech.orgShannon Flanagan caught the retail bug at 18 and never looked back. A retail strategist, AI enthusiast, and career change practitioner, she brings a 360-degree perspective on retail transformation—from product creation to customer experience—shaped by her work with hyper-growth startups to Fortune 500 retailers, consulting firms and tech companies. As a strategic partner and top industry voice, she collaborates with RETHINK Retail, RetailWire and the RetailAICouncil to drive conversations that shape the future of the industry.As the founder of Retail Women in Tech, Shannon has built a global community dedicated to creating life-changing connections for women and allies who share a passion for retail and technology. As social as retail is, there are surprisingly very few communities representing every facet of the industry. Shannon is on a mission to change that—stay tuned for more to come!00:00 Preview 00:51 Show Intro 05:26 Welcome Shannon Flanagan 06:14 Shannon's Retail Journey Begins 08:47 Insights on Change Management 10:21 The Importance of Diverse Perspectives 15:03 Challenges in Hiring for Innovation 24:00 The Birth of Retail Women in Tech (RWIT) 34:42 Addressing the Leadership Gap 38:39 The Challenge of Asking for Help 40:36 The Harsh Reality for Female Founders 45:08 The Importance of Allies 49:01 Building a Supportive Community 59:32 The Future of Retail Women in Tech 01:06:22 Final Thoughts and Call to Action 01:08:53 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 & a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2025. Thinkers 360 has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, & Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, plus a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University’s Center for Retail Transformation, and is the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2023 - 2025, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Heston Mimms, published by Imuno.

S5:E3 From Retail Pride to Human Pride: Navigating Leadership and Connection with Ron ThurstonIn this episode, Ron Thurston returns to discuss his new book 'Human Pride' and its themes of optimizing human potential in a world increasing its reliance on technology and AI. The conversation takes us through Ron’s extensive experience leading major retail brands, his journey from publishing his first book 'Retail Pride' to 'Human Pride', and the crucial balance between human connection and technological efficiency. We explore various aspects of leadership, including the importance of empathy, curiosity, and the significant role of human connection in the workplace. Ron emphasizes the need for self-reflection, understanding core values, and maintaining strong interpersonal relationships despite technological advancements. Rejecting 'hustle culture' in favor of fostering meaningful connections and optimizing individual strengths, Ron highlights the need for human-centric approaches to recruitment, leadership, and career development via examples and insights from his own career. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with practical insights and inspirational stories that underscore the power of pride and human potential in the workplace!About this episode's partner newsletter: The SKUpeRunning a retail business means making nonstop decisions—inventory, staffing, marketing, tech. The SKUpe is the weekly newsletter designed to help you make smarter calls, faster. Curated by industry experts, The SKUpe delivers clear, trustworthy insights on what’s working for small and mid-sized retailers today. Join 20,000 retail decision makers who rely on it to stay sharp and ahead of the game.Subscribe to The SKUpe at www.theskupe.co About Ron Thurston:Author, “Human Pride: Optimizing Your Potential In A Digital Job Market”Ron Thurston is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and bold voice in the movement to reimagine leadership in a world transformed by technology. His new book, HUMAN PRIDE: Optimizing Your Human Potential in a Digital Job Market (May 2025), delivers a powerful roadmap for standing out, staying relevant, and thriving in the future of work. With over 30 years of executive experience leading teams at iconic brands like Apple, Gap, West Elm, Tory Burch, Bonobos, and Saint Laurent, Ron knows how to build winning cultures that drive performance. His first book, *RETAIL PRIDE (*2020) became a career-defining guide for thousands of industry professionals, helping them reclaim confidence and purpose in their work.As the creator and host of the Retail in America tour and podcast, Ron spent over a year traveling across 30 states in an Airstream to spotlight the real stories and remarkable people shaping retail’s future. Today, he serves on multiple retail tech supplier advisory boards, helping brands integrate AI and digital tools without losing sight of what matters most: people. A sought-after keynote speaker, Ron brings energy, insight, and inspiration to global conferences, C-suite offsites, and corporate events. His message resonates across industries: your greatest competitive advantage is human.Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube00:00 The SKUpe Newsletter00:34 Show Intro06:51 Welcome Back, Ron Thurston!07:43 Discussing Ron's New Book: Human Pride08:46 The Importance of Human Connection in Retail10:24 Optimizing Human Potential in a Tech-Driven World15:37 Defining and Standing by Non-Negotiables in Job Search22:54 The Role of Empathy and Curiosity in Leadership26:48 Challenges in Modern Hiring Practices35:11 The Future of Work: Balancing Technology and Human Connection38:15 Career Longevity and Brand Affinity in Retail41:56 Navigating the Fast-Paced Industry43:36 Adapting to Office Culture44:39 Broadening Job Search Perspectives47:40 Leadership with Empathy and Emotional Intelligence, But Without Titles51:21 The Future of Work and Technology59:11 Balancing Technology and Human Connection01:05:26 Final Thoughts and Takeaways01:09:58 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 and a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2024. Thinkers 360has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, and a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University’s Center for Retail Transformation, and is the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is the CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2023 and 2024, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Heston Mimms, published by Imuno.

S5:E2 Influencers, Gen Z, & Beyond Social Commerce: Lessons from AliExpress with Chris CarlWelcome to the second episode of Season 5 of the Retail Razor Show! Join hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden as they dive into the fresh tactics and cutting-edge strategies that are driving the future of retail and e-commerce with Gen Z. In this episode, they are joined by Chris Carl, the US Head of Marketing for AliExpress (Alibaba Group), to discuss ‘the new playbook for digital marketing’ fresh from his insightful session on marketing to Gen Z at eTail West!Discover how AliExpress is capturing Gen Z's attention, building a robust social media presence, leveraging influencers like David Beckham, and exploring the future of cross-border shopping with a full-funnel marketing strategy. Chris shares the impressive growth metrics (500% increase in social media following, for example) and innovative campaigns that have set AliExpress apart - think social commerce, live shopping, Gen AI, and TikTok Shops. Plus, new enticing innovations in logistics to help onboard more US-based sellers to the AliExpress marketplace. Whether you're a product junkie, retail leader, or commerce technologist, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss!About Chris Carl:Chris Carl is a strategy, operations, and marketing executive with a proven track record in retail, beauty, spirits, lifestyle, hospitality, and luxury goods. As the first US Head of Marketing for AliExpress, Chris focuses on making online shopping more engaging and affordable. Since May 2023, Chris has increased order volume by 60%, increased brand share of voice by 75%, expanded headcount by 400%, boosted social media following by 500%, and doubled brand awareness.Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube00:00 Show Intro03:04 Introducing Christopher Carl from AliExpress & His Background05:43 Conversation with Chris Carl, Head of US Marketing for AliExpress08:52 Cracking the Code with Gen Z16:00 AliExpress's Social Media and Influencer Strategy21:22 Leveraging Social Media for Brand Growth23:30 Navigating the Shifting Digital Marketing Landscape25:46 The Future of Social Commerce and Live Shopping28:17 The Importance of Brand Personality and Humor31:50 AliExpress: A Unique Business Model35:09 Expanding AliExpress's US Presence38:45 The Future of Cross-Border E-Commerce42:20 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 and a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2024. Thinkers 360has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, and a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University’s Center for Retail Transformation, and is the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is the CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert for 2023 and 2024, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Heston Mimms, published by Imuno.