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Retail Remix

Retail TouchPoints

The rules of retail are constantly changing. Today, we're in an exciting new era where brands can differentiate through experience and use technology to connect with customers in new and exciting ways. Retail Remix is a new podcast series brought to you by Retail TouchPoints, the industry's leading source for news, insights and research for all things customer experience. Every week, we sit down with someone who is helping put a new spin on the retail experience. Hear from the top practitioners, analysts and innovators in retail, and see what new engagement opportunities await.

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#293
Monday · 23 min
From Startup to NYSE: Once Upon a Farm’s Mission-Driven Growth
This episode is brought to you by Lightspeed. Parents are paying closer attention than ever to what goes into their children’s food, but making healthier options accessible at scale remains one of the industry’s biggest challenges. In this episode of Retail Remix, Kate Robertson sits down with Katie Marston, Chief Marketing Officer of Once Upon a Farm, to discuss the company’s recent IPO, its mission to transform children’s nutrition and how it’s balancing purpose with growth. Katie shares how the brand is making fresh, organic kids’ food more accessible through retail innovation, why refrigerated merchandising has become a competitive advantage and what she’s learned about storytelling, leadership and purpose from co-founder and actor Jennifer Garner. Key Takeaways How Once Upon a Farm is using its recent IPO to scale its mission of making nutritious children’s food more accessible Why the brand’s refrigerated merchandising strategy is helping transform the baby food aisle and drive new customer acquisition How Once Upon a Farm is navigating inflation through broader retail distribution, value-focused packaging and programs like WIC Why creating systemic change in children’s nutrition requires long-term investment in accessibility, clean ingredients and trusted partnerships What Jennifer Garner’s leadership has taught Katie about authentic storytelling, mission-driven marketing and building a values-first brand Related Links Explore Once Upon a Farm’s fresh, organic snacks and meals for kids Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix ---- Ready to make smarter inventory, merchandising and buying decisions? Discover how Lightspeed helps retailers streamline operations, manage inventory and stay ahead of changing customer demand at lightspeedhq.com/pos/retail
#292
August 17 · 21 min
From Fiber Maxxing to GLP-1: The Vitamin Shoppe CEO Sharon Leite on Wellness Retail’s Biggest Trends
This episode is brought to you by Lightspeed. From fiber maxxing and liver health to GLP-1 support and protein-packed everything, wellness trends are evolving faster than ever. For retailers, the challenge isn’t just keeping up, it’s helping customers separate hype from lasting habits. In this episode of Retail Remix, Kate Robertson sits down with Sharon Leite, CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe, to discuss the findings from the company’s 2026 Health & Wellness Trend Report. Sharon shares how The Vitamin Shoppe is identifying emerging trends through social media, supporting customers with trusted education and curated product assortments and using AI to empower associates with science-backed insights. The conversation also explores how wellness priorities differ across generations and why credibility has become one of retail’s most valuable assets. Key Takeaways How trends like fiber maxxing, liver health and GLP-1 support are reshaping the health and wellness category Why trust, product quality and science-backed education have become critical differentiators in wellness retail How The Vitamin Shoppe is using AI to equip store associates with better research and customer guidance Why Gen Z and Boomers approach wellness differently — from health FOMO to healthy aging How curated assortments, knowledgeable associates and nearly 50 years of credibility set The Vitamin Shoppe apart in an increasingly crowded market Related Links Learn more about Lightspeed’s commerce platform for retailers Explore The Vitamin Shoppe’s wellness products, health resources and trend insights Check out The Vitamin Shoppe Health & Wellness Trend Report 2026 Read: Torrid, Circana and PwC Executives Discuss How GLP-1s Are Impacting Retail Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix ---- Ready to make smarter inventory, merchandising and buying decisions? Discover how Lightspeed helps retailers streamline operations, manage inventory and stay ahead of changing customer demand at lightspeedhq.com/pos/retail
#291
August 10 · 23 min
Why the Best Subscription Brands Make It Easy to Leave
Subscription acquisition may be slowing, but that doesn’t mean consumers are falling out of love with subscriptions. Instead, they’re becoming far more selective about which services earn a permanent place in their monthly budgets. In this episode of Retail Remix, Kate Robertson sits down with Rachel Sheriff, Chief Customer Officer at Recurly, to unpack the findings from the company’s 2026 State of Subscriptions report. Rachel explains why retention has become the industry’s biggest challenge, how flexible features like subscription pauses are helping brands reduce churn and why fashion rental services like Nuuly are thriving by delivering affordability, convenience and personalization. The conversation also explores what traditional retailers can learn from subscription-first businesses as they look to deepen customer loyalty and create more predictable revenue streams. Key Takeaways Why subscription businesses are shifting their focus from acquisition to retention as consumers become more intentional about recurring purchases How flexible features like subscription pauses help brands reduce churn while keeping customers engaged over the long term Why fashion rental platforms like Nuuly are succeeding through affordability, flexibility and sustainable wardrobe options How traditional retailers are experimenting with subscription models that combine physical products, digital services and exclusive member experiences Why delivering ongoing value, transparency and a strong customer experience has become the key to earning lasting subscriber loyalty Related Links Explore Recurly’s subscription management platform and the latest subscription commerce insights Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix
#290
August 3 · 22 min
How AI Could Level the Playing Field for Independent Grocers
This episode is brought to you by KWI. As AI reshapes the grocery industry, independent retailers face a critical question: will the technology help them compete, or widen the gap between them and national chains? In this episode of Retail Remix, Kate Robertson sits down with Tal Zlotnitsky, Founder and CEO of Breez AI, to discuss why he believes AI represents both the biggest threat and the greatest opportunity for regional and independent grocers. Tal explains why owning the AI that interacts with shoppers will become increasingly important, how Breez AI is helping grocers create more personalized shopping experiences and why the future of grocery shopping will revolve less around shopping lists and more around planning meals, occasions and everyday life. This episode is brought to you by KWI. KWI is the best-kept secret in retail. Find out what the secret is at kwi.com/RTP. Key Takeaways Why independent grocers need to “own” the AI relationship with shoppers to preserve customer loyalty and valuable first-party data How Breez AI is shifting grocery shopping from product-based searches to AI-powered meal and occasion planning Why personalized AI experiences — not generic loyalty programs — will define the next generation of grocery customer engagement How AI can help shoppers save time, reduce food waste and stay within budget without sacrificing control over their shopping decisions Why Tal believes AI should strengthen independent grocers — not replace the community relationships that make them unique Related Links Learn more about Breez AI and its AI platform for independent grocers Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix ---- KWI is the best-kept secret in retail. Find out what the secret is at kwi.com/RTP.
#289
July 27 · 22 min
Inside Instacart’s Billion-Dollar Growth Flywheel with CCO Ryan Hamburger
This episode is brought to you by KWI. Instacart recently crossed $1 billion in quarterly revenue, and alongside its impressive marketplace growth, it’s also evolving into a powerful technology partner for retailers while continuing to redefine the digital grocery experience. In this episode of Retail Remix, Kate Robertson speaks with Ryan Hamburger, Chief Commercial Officer at Instacart, about the company’s expanding role across marketplace services, enterprise technology, retail media and AI. Ryan explains why trust has become the foundation of digital grocery, how Instacart is helping retailers modernize their digital infrastructure and why the future of grocery depends on connecting online and in-store experiences—not choosing between them. Key Takeaways How Instacart’s marketplace, enterprise technology, retail media and AI businesses work together to fuel long-term growth Why trust—from accurate substitutions to reliable fulfillment—is the biggest driver of customer loyalty in digital grocery How AI is improving both the customer experience through shopping assistants and store operations through computer vision and shelf monitoring Why retailers should focus on building connected omnichannel experiences instead of treating digital and physical stores as separate businesses Why Instacart believes enterprise technology represents one of grocery retail’s biggest opportunities over the next several years Related Links Learn more about Instacart’s platform and enterprise technology solutions for retailers Don’t miss RTP’s latest reports on Instacart: CEO Chris Rogers Shares AI and Ad Strategy as Instacart Revenues Reach $1 Billion in Q1; Instacart Acquires Arpalus Shelf-Scanning Technology Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix KWI is the best-kept secret in retail. Find out what the secret is at kwi.com/RTP. ---- KWI is the best-kept secret in retail. Find out what the secret is at kwi.com/RTP.
June 25 · 24 min
Deep Dive: How to Maximize Summer Sales with Lightspeed
This episode is brought to you by Lightspeed. Summer can be one of the trickiest seasons for retailers. Inventory needs to move before fall arrives, demand can shift with changing weather patterns and teams are already looking ahead to the next major buying cycle. In this special bonus episode of Retail Remix, Kate Robertson sits down with Marie Baldauf-Lenschen, Director of Supplier Network Partnerships at Lightspeed, to discuss how retailers can make smarter inventory, merchandising and purchasing decisions during the critical mid-summer period. From identifying the metrics that matter most to leveraging AI, storytelling and wholesale data more effectively, Marie shares practical strategies retailers can use to improve sell-through, protect margins and prepare for the busy seasons ahead. Key Takeaways Why retailers should focus on a handful of key metrics (including inventory levels, sales trends and supplier lead times) to make faster, smarter decisions How AI can help reduce manual work and surface actionable insights without replacing human decision-making Why merchandising, storytelling and knowledgeable store associates can improve sell-through without relying on markdowns How tighter connections between wholesale purchasing, inventory management and POS systems can help retailers react faster to demand shifts Why bundling, urgency-based messaging and personalized service often outperform aggressive discounting when inventory starts to slow Related Links Learn more about Lightspeed’s commerce platform for retailers Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix ---- Ready to make smarter inventory, merchandising and buying decisions? Discover how Lightspeed helps retailers streamline operations, manage inventory and stay ahead of changing customer demand at lightspeedhq.com/pos/retail
#288
June 22 · 20 min
From Loyalty Data to Retail Media: Molly Hjelm’s Playbook for RedVest
Retail media has quickly become one of retail’s most important growth engines, but Ace Hardware is taking a different approach. One that’s built around local ownership, community relevance and real-world customer needs. In this episode of Retail Remix, Kate Robertson speaks with Molly Hjelm, CVP of RedVest Media, Ace Hardware’s retail media network, about launching a full-funnel RMN in just six months and what makes the co-op retailer uniquely positioned in the space. Molly shares how Ace is leveraging its network of 5,200 independently owned stores, 70 million loyalty members and deep first-party data to create measurable advertising solutions. She also explains how weather-triggered media, retailer-focused advertising tools and localized customer insights are helping brands connect with shoppers at exactly the right moment. Key Takeaways How Ace Hardware launched RedVest Media in just six months by focusing on measurable, full-funnel advertising solutions Why Ace’s co-op structure creates unique opportunities (and challenges) for retail media innovation How weather-triggered advertising helps brands align messaging with real-time customer needs, from snowstorms to hurricane season What makes Retailer Reach, Ace’s retailer-focused advertising platform, different from traditional retail media offerings Why first-party data, in-store relationships and local relevance remain critical as retail media evolves alongside AI and changing consumer behavior Related Links Learn how RedVest Media helps brands reach Ace Hardware customers through localized, data-driven retail media. Learn more about Ace Hardware and its community-focused retail model Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix
#287
June 15 · 19 min
Winning on Reddit: How Walmart, Home Depot and MAC Tap into the High-Value Community
As AI-generated content floods the internet, shoppers are increasingly looking for something harder to fake: real human opinions. In this episode of Retail Remix, Kate Robertson speaks with Anna Haffner, Senior Director of Large Customer Sales at Reddit, about how the platform is becoming a powerful force in retail discovery and commerce. Anna explains why shoppers are turning to Reddit for trusted recommendations; how brands and retailers such as Walmart, Home Depot, Dove and MAC Cosmetics are showing up authentically in community conversations; and why Reddit’s advertising products are evolving to complement the user experience. Key Takeaways Why Reddit has become a trusted discovery channel for shoppers researching products and brands How retailers can participate in Reddit communities without relying on overly polished or disruptive advertising What campaigns from brands like Walmart, MAC, Home Depot and Dove reveal about Reddit’s retail marketing potential How Reddit’s Shopify integration and dynamic product ads are reducing friction for retail advertisers Why human conversation may become even more valuable as AI reshapes product discovery and search Related Links Explore Reddit’s advertising tools for retail brands Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix
#286
June 8 · 22 min
Beyond the Dress: Inside David’s Bridal’s Transformative Platform Strategy
David’s Bridal may be best known for wedding dresses, but the brand’s next chapter is about something much bigger: becoming a digital platform for the entire wedding journey. In this episode of Retail Remix, Kate Robertson speaks with Elina Vilk, President and Chief Business Officer of David’s Bridal, about how the 75-year-old brand is transforming from a dress retailer into an AI-powered wedding ecosystem. Elina shares how David’s Bridal is expanding from “aisle to algorithm,” using tools like the AI-powered Pearl Planner to help brides manage the hundreds of decisions behind every wedding and stay within budget, while also growing wholesale, marketplace and commerce partnerships to serve more of the bridal ecosystem. Key Takeaways Why David’s Bridal is expanding beyond dresses to support the full wedding planning journey How expectations toward the modern wedding experience have shifted with added pressures such as social media How the Pearl Planner uses insights from in-store “dream makers” to guide brides through planning tasks Why David’s Bridal now views boutiques, marketplaces and other retailers as partners rather than competitors How wholesale, AI commerce and smaller-format store concepts are shaping the brand’s 2026 growth strategy Related Links Explore David’s Bridal’s wedding dresses, planning tools and Pearl platform Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix
#285
June 1 · 17 min
How Frances Valentine Built a Viral Fashion Brand Around Women 50+
For years, fashion brands chased younger consumers online, but Frances Valentine has found its edge by doing the opposite. Building a vibrant, social-first brand experience around women 50 and up. In this episode of Retail Remix (and the first hosted by new Retail TouchPoints Editor-in-Chief Kate Robertson), Kate sits down with Katherine Brodie, CMO of Frances Valentine, to discuss how the brand is scaling through video-first storytelling, creator-style content and a deeply engaged community built around color, joy and personal connection. Katherine shares how Elyce Arons — who co-founded the brand with her best friend, the late Kate Spade — has become both the face and personality of the brand across social media, why Frances Valentine treats content creation like its own production studio and how the company is balancing digital growth with expanding retail and wholesale partnerships. Key Takeaways Why Frances Valentine has found major success by focusing on the underserved and highly affluent 50+ female consumer How Elyce Arons’ authentic social presence has become a powerful customer acquisition and engagement engine Why the brand treats social content and video production as a separate, always-on marketing track How Frances Valentine balances owned digital channels with retail stores and wholesale partnerships to deepen loyalty Why Katherine believes today’s marketers need to understand the full business picture — not just impressions and traffic Related Links Explore Frances Valentine’s colorful fashion and lifestyle collections Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix
#284
May 18 · 19 min
The New Rules of DTC: How AquaSonic Became a Multi-Channel Powerhouse
DTC success used to hinge on cutting out the middleman. Today, the real growth opportunity is knowing how to show up everywhere customers shop. In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein speaks with Arsalan Rahbarpoor, Founder and CEO of AquaSonic, about how he built an Amazon-native oral care brand that now sells across Walmart, Target, Walgreens, Best Buy and TikTok Shop. Arsalan shares how AquaSonic disrupted a legacy-dominated category with premium design, accessible pricing and a sharper read on consumer demand — and why consistency, packaging and operational planning became critical as the brand expanded into national retail. Key Takeaways How AquaSonic identified white space in oral care by combining premium design with accessible pricing; Why launching on Amazon was foundational to AquaSonic’s future multi-channel success; What changed when the digital-native brand expanded into brick-and-mortar; How TikTok Shop creates a different kind of discovery-driven opportunity than Amazon or brick-and-mortar retail; What the success of AquaSonic says about consumers’ increased interest in wellness and their new expectations for the category; and Why AquaSonic is expanding beyond oral care into broader health, wellness and everyday essentials. Related Links Explore AquaSonic’s oral care products and wellness essentials Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix
#283
May 11 · 29 min
AI-Powered Pricing: The Future of Retail — or a Friction Point?
In an era of tariff swings, rising costs and AI-powered deal hunting, pricing has become one of the most complex (and consequential) levers in retail. In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein speaks with Revionics’ Matt Pavich about how retailers are using AI-driven pricing to stay competitive without eroding consumer trust. Matt breaks down the difference between dynamic pricing and surveillance pricing, explains why the best retailers use AI to listen more closely to customer behavior rather than exploit it, and shares what guardrails are essential if brands want to move faster on price while still keeping shoppers on their side. Key Takeaways Why ongoing disruption, from COVID to inflation to tariffs, has made AI pricing tools a competitive necessity for retailers; Why the healthiest pricing strategies combine proactive planning with the ability to react quickly when the market shifts; The critical distinction between dynamic pricing and surveillance pricing, and why consumers view them very differently; How retailers can use aggregated customer behavior, not personal data, to set smarter prices and promotions; and Why pricing agility, strong guardrails and a healthy dose of curiosity will define the most successful retail organizations in the years ahead. Related Links Learn more about Revionics and AI-powered retail pricing solutions Related reading: Exclusive Q&A: Why Retailers Should Leverage the Power of Dynamic Pricing Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix
#282
May 4 · 37 min
Calling BS in the Sauce Aisle: How One CPG Brand is Taking on Big Food
If you’ve ever stood in the grocery aisle staring at a wall of “clean,” “natural” or “better-for-you” labels and wondered what any of it actually means, you’re not alone. In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein speaks with Anna Vocino — actor, comic, cookbook author and founder of Eat Happy Kitchen — about what it really takes to build a clean-label CPG brand in a market dominated by food giants. Anna shares how her celiac diagnosis set her on a hunt for better-for-you foods that has evolved into a thriving food business and why breaking into grocery requires far more than a great-tasting product (although that matters). From label confusion and ingredient trickery to slotting pressure, promo costs and the realities of wholesale expansion, this conversation offers a candid look at what it takes to build a mission-driven food brand from the ground up. Key Takeaways How Anna turned her personal health journey into cookbooks, a podcast and the growing CPG brand Eat Happy Kitchen; Why building a clean-label food brand means constantly pushing back against misleading ingredient claims and grocery aisle “trickery”; How to navigate the challenge of not just getting on shelves but staying there by driving trial and managing margin pressure; Why Anna’s direct-to-consumer community remains essential for the brand even as it expands to more than 1,300 retail doors; and What Anna’s background in acting and comedy has taught her about pitching, negotiating and surviving the “Walmart wince.” PLUS…Stick around to the end to hear the voice Anna would give one of her best-selling products. Related Links Explore Eat Happy Kitchen’s sauces, spices and snacks Related reading- Small Business, Big Ideas: Eat Happy Kitchen’s Recipe for Breaking into a Crowded Market Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints\ Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix
#281
April 27 · 26 min
Selling Memory at Scale: Pandora’s Digital Transformation Story
Most people know Pandora for its iconic charms, but far fewer realize the company is the largest jewelry brand in the world by volume — producing more than 100 million pieces a year. In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein speaks with David Walmsley, Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Pandora, about how the brand is modernizing its business without losing sight of what it really sells: memory, connection and emotion. David shares how Pandora’s Program Phoenix transformation has helped turn around the business, why the company is investing heavily in digital and omnichannel infrastructure, and where AI is starting to unlock value across service, selling, forecasting and product design. Key Takeaways Why the company focused first on building stronger digital channels and stabilizing store tech before chasing bigger transformation bets; How Pandora is using AI in customer service today, and what the agentic future holds for the company; Why jewelry creates a more emotionally complex AI selling challenge than more functional categories; Where AI may have the biggest long-term impact at Pandora: design, service and operational automation; Why omnichannel success depends on brands — not customers — being the “glue” across digital and physical touchpoints; and How to avoid the tech pitfall of “platformitis.” Related Links Explore Pandora’s jewelry collections and gifting experience Related reading: How Data and Tech Power Jewelry Brand Pandora’s Mission to ‘Give a Voice to People’s Loves’ Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix
#280
April 20 · 29 min
How Whatnot Made Live Shopping Click in America
After years of hype around live shopping in the U.S., Whatnot looks like it might be one of the first companies to truly make the model stick at scale. In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein speaks with Whatnot’s VP of Categories and Expansion Armand Wilson about why the platform’s community-first approach is resonating with Western consumers. Armand explains how Whatnot evolved from a collectibles marketplace built around trust into a live shopping platform spanning hundreds of categories — everything from trading cards to tomahawk steaks — and how live commerce creates a more human, transparent and personalized shopping experience than traditional ecommerce. Key Takeaways Why Whatnot’s model differs from live shopping in China and is built more around community and expertise than mass product pushing; How the platform grew to more than $8 billion in GMV in 2025, doubling year over year; Why trust, transparency and seller expertise are central to the Whatnot’s experience; How the platform’s algorithm blends social engagement signals and purchase intent to surface the right streams to the right buyers; Why categories like beauty and food are opening up new opportunities; What makes a successful Whatnot seller (hint: it has more to do with business fundamentals than a sparkling personality, although that certainly helps); and Why Armand believes 2026 could be the year live shopping goes mainstream in the U.S. Related Links Explore live shopping on Whatnot and discover sellers across categories Related reading: Gary V on the Shifting Landscape of Attention and the Death of Don Draper Marketing Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix
#279
April 13 · 32 min
Beyond the Doom Scroll: Why Brands Are Turning to Snapchat for Growth
If you still think Snapchat is just for teenagers, you may be missing one of the most underappreciated growth channels in digital advertising. In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein speaks with Sidharth Malhotra, Global VP of SMB at Snap, about why Snapchat is becoming an increasingly important platform for small- and mid-sized brands looking to acquire new customers. Sid explains how Snap’s nearly 1 billion-strong user community has matured into a high-spending audience, why the platform’s engagement patterns differ from that of other social channels and how advertisers are using everything from dynamic product ads to AR to drive measurable results. Key Takeaways How brands are using Snapchat to reach incremental audiences they may not be finding on TikTok or Pinterest; The benefit of the kind of active, “two-thumb” engagement that Snap encourages, as opposed to the passive scrolling on other platforms; Why Snap’s AR capabilities function like a “pocket fitting room” for brands of all sizes; What the “Hot Wheels problem” reveals about the limits of last-click attribution; How AI is helping level the playing field for SMBs, enabling them to “out-execute the Goliaths”; Why he believes chat-based commerce will be the next major frontier in performance marketing; and Important tips for nailing chat-based advertising. Related Links Learn more about Snap’s advertising solutions for brands and retailers Related reading: L’Oreal Taps Snapchat for AR Hair Color Try-on in Walmart Stores Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix
#278
March 30 · 23 min
Merchandising a Marketplace: The Magician Behind Etsy’s Curatorial Magic
With more than 120 million listings and millions of active sellers, Etsy operates one of the most unique marketplaces in retail. But surfacing the right products for the right buyers requires more than algorithms alone. In this episode of Retail Remix, host Nicole Silberstein speaks with Mary Andrews, Head of Global Merchandising at Etsy, about how the company balances human insight and instinct with AI-driven discovery to curate a shopping experience that feels both personalized and culturally relevant. Mary shares how her team identifies emerging trends, translates cultural moments into shopping occasions and uses AI to scale those insights across Etsy’s massive inventory. Key Takeaways How Etsy uses a combination of AI and human curation to translate cultural trends and buyer signals into an ever-changing slate of collections and experiences; Why AI will actually make human merchandisers even more valuable; Insight from Etsy’s early experiments using AI answer engines like ChatGPT and Gemini to expand product discovery; Lessons learned from working alongside Depop’s team of merchandisers, who have their finger on the pulse of Gen Z; How AI personalization is helping to amplify niche interests rather than homogenize the internet; and Why the future merchandiser will spend less time programming products and more time shaping taste and culture. Related Links Explore Etsy and discover one-of-a-kind products from independent sellers Related reading: Etsy, Shopify Among Early Partners for Microsoft’s Copilot Checkout Related reading: Etsy Debuts Ad Campaign in Bid to ‘Keep Commerce Human’ Related reading: Ebay to Acquire Depop Resale Fashion Marketplace from Etsy Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix
#277
March 23 · 26 min
Scaling With Soul: Beyond Yoga’s Playbook for Authentic Growth
In the crowded activewear market, Beyond Yoga has built its brand around something deeper than product: comfort, body inclusivity and the belief that wellness should feel good — not unattainable. In this episode of Retail Remix, Nicole Silberstein speaks with Katie Babineau, CMO of Beyond Yoga, about how the brand has scaled its presence while staying rooted in the values that built its loyal community. From its cult-favorite Spacedye fabric to its long-standing commitment to body inclusivity, Beyond Yoga has focused on building trust with customers rather than chasing short-term trends, even as it evolves following its acquisition by Levi Strauss & Co. Key Takeaways How Beyond Yoga differentiates itself in the fast-growing premium activewear category; Why the brand’s “progress over perfection” philosophy resonates with today’s wellness-focused consumers; How the Seek Beyond brand platform guides both marketing strategy and internal culture; What the Levi’s acquisition has enabled in terms of infrastructure, scale and speed to market; Why real-life community experiences and brick-and-mortar expansion are central to the brand’s growth strategy; and How social-first storytelling and user-generated content are helping Beyond Yoga build deep, authentic connections with customers. Related Links Explore Beyond Yoga’s activewear collections and brand story Related reading: Beyond Yoga Expands to East Coast with Connecticut Store Debut Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix
#276
March 16 · 38 min
The Iron Man Suit of Fashion: Stitch Fix’s Human + AI Formula
AI may be everywhere right now, but for Stitch Fix, it’s been foundational for 15 years. In this episode of Retail Remix, Nicole Silberstein sits down with Tony Bacos, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Stitch Fix, to explore how the brand blends data science and human instinct to power personalized styling at scale — and how that balance is helping fuel a business turnaround. Tony shares how Stitch Fix’s recommendation engine has evolved from early algorithms to today’s generative AI tools, including the new Stitch Fix Vision experience that lets clients see themselves in curated outfits. He also explains how AI is enhancing (not replacing) human stylists, from drafting personalized styling notes to enabling real-time stylist chat. Key Takeaways How Stitch Fix blends AI-driven recommendations with input from its thousands of human stylists; How generative AI is improving stylist productivity without sacrificing authenticity; Why bringing stylists “out from behind the curtain” has strengthened customer loyalty; The strategic moves behind Stitch Fix’s recent business turnaround; Why personalization may matter even more as AI reshapes online discovery; and Tony’s take on the ultimate retail question: algorithm or instinct? Related Links Explore Stitch Fix’s personalized styling experience Related reading: Why Stitch Fix is Focusing on its Human Stylists When Everyone Else is Talking About AI Related reading: Stitch Fix Returns to Growth as Turnaround Strategy Bears Fruit Get more retail industry insights from Retail TouchPoints Subscribe and catch up on all episodes of Retail Remix
#275
March 9 · 23 min
Agentic Commerce & the Marketplace Boom with Mirakl’s Scott Eckert
In less than five years, launching a third-party marketplace has gone from a questionable move to a strategic imperative for many major retailers. Recorded live at NRF 2026, this episode of Retail Remix digs into that shift with Scott Eckert, CEO of the Americas at marketplace operator Mirakl. Scott explains why retailers are embracing curated marketplaces as an offensive growth strategy — no longer just as a defensive reaction to Amazon — and how brands like Ulta Beauty, Best Buy and Lowe’s are expanding assortment without diluting brand identity. The conversation also dives into how AI answer engines are reshaping product discovery, and why clean, machine-readable catalog data may soon matter more than traditional SEO. Plus, Scott shares Mirakl’s growing role in retail media and the company’s vision of becoming an orchestration layer across emerging AI-driven commerce channels. Key Takeaways How the proving power of Amazon and, perhaps more importantly, Walmart has completely shifted retailers’ attitude toward online marketplaces; Why retail media and marketplace strategies increasingly go hand in hand; The important role marketplaces will play in the world of AI commerce, when done right; Why product data must be optimized differently for different AI platforms like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic; and The essential quality of a truly disruptive product or service. Related Links Learn how Mirakl powers enterprise marketplaces and retail media Related reading: Mirakl CEO: Marketplaces are ‘Arming the Rebellion’ of Traditional Retail Against Big Tech Related reading:Best Buy’s New Third-Party Marketplace is Now Live Explore more NRF26 coverage and retail insights from Retail TouchPoints Subscribe so you don’t miss more episodes of Retail Remix from the show floor of NRF26

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