Retail Remix

Alibaba may be known for its massive scale — but at the heart of its U.S. strategy is something much more focused: empowering small businesses.In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein sits down with Justin Liu, U.S. Country Manager at Alibaba.com, to explore how the global B2B marketplace is helping American entrepreneurs source more efficiently, build more resilient supply chains and take advantage of cross-border opportunities.With experience at Amazon, Meituan and streetwear marketplace Poizon, Justin brings a global lens to today’s most pressing retail topics — from digital discovery to de-risking the sourcing process. Together, they discuss:How global supply chain disruption has changed brands’ sourcing timelines and strategies;How Alibaba is evolving to better serve U.S. small businesses;The company’s strategy for simplifying product discovery and vendor relationships; andThe role of trust, transparency and tech in the future of B2B ecommerce.RELATED LINKSExplore Alibaba.com’s offerings for U.S. small businessesTry out Alibaba’s new AI-powered sourcing platform Accio.com Read more about the Alibaba-Wix partnership on Retail TouchPointsLearn about Alibaba’s efforts to support SMBs, including Olympic athletesListen to more episodes of Retail Remix

True Religion is back — and it’s not just about nostalgia. In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein sits down with Tina Blake, Creative Director at True Religion to explore the brand’s impressive comeback with Gen Z.Tina shares her approach to evolving True Religion’s design language, building a bolder women’s assortment and leveraging partnerships — from celebrities like Megan Thee Stallion to Latinx brands like Bella Doña — to create moments that resonate with young consumers.They also discuss:How True Religion blends street-level style insights with its heritage brand image;How trend data and cultural cues guide True Religion’s product and creative strategies;The brand’s rapid growth in women’s and its plans to expand the category even further; andWhy authenticity is key to celebrity and cultural collaborations.RELATED LINKSExplore True Religion’s latest drops and digital experienceRead more about brand reinvention on Retail TouchPointsListen to more episodes of Retail Remix

Heidi Lim, VP of Ecommerce at Patrick Ta Beauty, boasts a rich background in digital growth with brands like Estée Lauder. She dives into transforming beauty experiences into conversion drivers through education and community storytelling. The conversation highlights the importance of a diversified sales strategy, using data to minimize returns, and fostering genuine partnerships with creators. Plus, she shares insights into the latest beauty trend 'blondzing' and strategies that led to phenomenal growth during Black Friday. Tune in for expert advice on scaling online!

Kimberly Shenk, Co-founder and CEO of Novi Connect, shares her insights on brand transparency and consumer trust, shaped by her experience as a data scientist in the U.S. Air Force. She discusses how traditional trust no longer suffices, as consumers demand verified health and sustainability claims. Navigating skepticism around greenwashing, she emphasizes the need for unbiased verification to build confidence. Shenk also highlights the importance of appealing to Gen Z’s values and how AI innovation is transforming retail merchandising to foster trust.

Surviving 100 years in retail is rare — thriving for 110 is something else entirely.In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein speaks with Tianne Doyle, President of off-price retail chain Bealls, which is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year. With over 30 years at the company, Tianne shares what has given Bealls such enduring appeal, how it continues to evolve in a rapidly changing market and why its people-first culture might be its most powerful asset. Together, they explore:How a commitment to financial discipline and customer connection has fueled Bealls’ longevity;The company’s pioneering new ambassador program, which puts loyalty members from across the country in the spotlight;The role of culture, leadership and loyalty in building a purpose-driven retail organization; andBealls’ growth plans for the next decade — including new formats, store expansion and digital strategy.RELATED LINKSDiscover how Bealls brings value and brand-name style togetherSee pictures of Bealls’ localized store design in Roswell, N.M.Dig deeper into Bealls’ history and secrets to success in this recent RTP feature storyExplore the latest retail success stories from Retail TouchPointsCheck out past episodes of Retail Remix

What does it take to become a household name — and why does it matter?In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein is joined by James May and Barry Thomas from global data and analytics firm Kantar to unpack the findings from the 20th annual BrandZ Report, which ranks the top 100 most valuable global brands. They dive into the forces shaping brand value today, why retail brands are on the rise and what lessons others can learn from this year’s leaders. Together, they explore:Why brand is a company’s most valuable asset and the common traits of the world’s most valuable brands;Whether the era of U.S. economic exceptionalism is nearing an end;Why disruption is such a powerful brand-builder, as evidenced by brands like Amazon and ChatGPT; andHow retailers can follow the playbook of brands like Walmart and Costco to build stronger, more meaningful connections with consumers.RELATED LINKSExplore key takeaways from Kantar’s 2025 BrandZ Report Check out the full 2025 BrandZ ReportLearn more about KantarExplore the latest marketing insights from Retail TouchPointsCheck out past episodes of Retail Remix

In this insightful discussion, Rathna Sharad, CEO and Founder of FlavorCloud, shares her extensive experience in global trade and logistics. She sheds light on the complexities brands face when scaling internationally, particularly amidst changing tariffs and compliance issues. Rathna emphasizes the growing opportunities for U.S. exports, especially in wellness, and highlights the importance of data-driven decisions for market expansion. Listeners will also learn about the recent de minimis rule changes and the necessity for resilient supply chains to navigate today's trade landscape.

As the retail marketing playbook continues to evolve, staying relevant takes more than just keeping up — it means rethinking how and where you engage your audience.In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein sits down with Sarah Crockett, Global Chief Marketing Officer at DSW, to talk shop. With experience leading marketing at brands like Vans, REI and Backcountry, Sarah brings a wide-angle lens to what’s working — and what’s changing — in the world of retail marketing. Together, they unpack:How DSW is navigating the latest shifts in consumer expectations and retail strategy;The challenges of marketing during unpredictable economic periods;How to keep pace with rapid technological evolutions across search and social; andHer secret weapon for staying on top of social trends. RELATED LINKSGet a closer look at DSW’s brand in action.Explore the latest marketing insights from Retail TouchPointsCheck out past episodes of Retail Remix

The retail industry has already packed a decade’s worth of disruption into just the first few months of 2025. From bankruptcies and tariffs to shifting consumer behaviors and market volatility, staying ahead of the curve is more challenging — and more critical — than ever.So in this episode of Retail Remix, your new host Nicole Silberstein sits down with Melissa Minkow, Retail Strategist at CI&T, to help retailers make sense of it all. Together, they unpack:The biggest headlines and shake-ups shaping the retail landscape in 2025 so far;How brands are adapting to continued economic uncertainty and evolving consumer habits;Which emerging opportunities retailers should be prioritizing right now; andThe importance of taking a strategic pause to reassess the path forward.RELATED LINKSLearn more about CI&TExplore the latest retail insights from Retail TouchPointsCheck out past episodes of Retail Remix

More than 50% of brands plan to increase budget spend on creators in 2025. While brand execs across categories agree that creators help boost awareness and product consideration, their tactical goals and priorities vary. During this episode of Retail Remix, Rodney Mason of LTK and Frank Dudley of Northwestern University dig into their latest research report focused on how brands are tapping creators to:Develop long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships that meet specific goals and objectives;Build their content arsenals for omnichannel engagement;Level up their retail media strategies; andExperimenting with new and emerging channels like Connected TV (CTV) advertising. RELATED LINKSLearn more about LTKDownload a copy of the Annual Creator Marketing StudyWatch the CMO’s Creator Guide webinar on-demandSign up for the Influencer Marketing Strategy Course.