The Voice of Retail

Agentic Commerce and the Next Era of Retail Personalization: Trinadha Kandi, Managing Director – Customer & Marketing, Deloitte Digital

michael@meleblanc.co (Trinadha Kandi) — Fri, 3 Apr 2026 08:17:45 +0000

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes Trinadha Kandi, Managing Director – Customer & Marketing at Deloitte Digital, for a deep dive into how artificial intelligence is transforming personalization, customer engagement, and retail growth strategies.

Kandi begins by addressing one of the most persistent challenges in retail: the widespread confusion between targeting and true personalization. For years, brands have equated personalization with increasing the volume of messages sent to consumers. However, as Kandi explains, real personalization is about delivering contextually relevant, timely, and meaningful interactions that reflect individual customer preferences—not simply increasing communication frequency.

Drawing on Deloitte’s research, Kandi highlights that customers are significantly more likely to engage with and spend more at brands that deliver authentic personalized experiences. He explains how leading retailers are seeing measurable improvements in conversion rates, customer loyalty, and average order value by investing in omnichannel personalization strategies powered by advanced data and AI capabilities.

A major theme throughout the conversation is the evolution of AI in retail—from experimentation to real-world execution. Reflecting on insights from Shoptalk, Kandi notes that “agentic commerce” has moved beyond conceptual discussions into active deployment. Retailers are now launching AI-powered shopping agents capable of anticipating customer needs and orchestrating seamless experiences across touch points.

However, Kandi emphasizes that AI is not a plug-and-play solution. Success requires strong data foundations, cross-functional collaboration, and a willingness to rethink organizational structures and processes. Retailers must move beyond siloed channel strategies and adopt a holistic, customer-centric approach supported by continuous experimentation and learning.

The discussion also explores how organizations are structuring AI capabilities internally. Kandi points to the rise of centralized AI centres of excellence, enabling governance and scalability while allowing individual business functions to innovate within a coordinated framework.

Looking ahead, Kandi predicts that AI will quickly become table stakes across retail. The real differentiation will come from how brands integrate AI with authentic storytelling and brand identity—training systems not just on customer data, but also on tone, voice, and values to ensure interactions feel human and relevant.

The episode concludes with practical guidance for retailers: invest in discoverability, embrace conversational AI, and leverage data to anticipate customer needs. As AI reshapes how consumers search and shop, retailers must actively participate in shaping those journeys to remain competitive.

For more information:

Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.

Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.

Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.

Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025 and 2026. Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael’s cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.

Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

The Gift of Store Traffic with Mark Ryski, Founder & CEO, HeadCount (ENCORE)

michael@meleblanc.co (Mark Ryski) — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 07:57:16 +0000

In this special ENCORE episode of The Voice of Retail, Michael LeBlanc sits down with Mark Ryski, Founder & CEO of HeadCount and three-time retail author, to explore why store traffic remains one of the most underutilized and misunderstood metrics in modern retail. With over two decades of experience pioneering traffic and conversion analytics, Mark shares insights from his new book, Store Traffic is a Gift, and explains why retailers must treat every store visit as a precious opportunity.

Mark begins by recounting his early career in Edmonton, where a stint managing a single computer store opened his eyes to the importance of measuring traffic. What started as an entrepreneurial challenge became a lifelong mission—helping retailers of all sizes, from independents to global chains, understand the relationship between visits, transactions, and conversions. He reveals how his first book, When Retail Customers Count, broke new ground, and how subsequent works, including Conversion: The Last Great Retail Metric, gave leaders practical playbooks to rethink operations.

The conversation dives into the myths that persist in retail, such as the assumption that transactions equal store visits. Mark explains why this false equivalency blinds retailers to missed opportunities, misguides staffing schedules, and undermines marketing effectiveness. He argues that traffic counting is as essential as point-of-sale systems, electricity, or internet access. With a SaaS-based platform, HeadCount provides “analytics as a service,” helping retailers turn data into actionable insights, whether they operate one store or thousands.

Looking back at the pandemic, Mark reflects on how the sudden collapse of traffic underscored its value and forced retailers to redefine what store visits mean in an age of curbside pickup, BOPIS, and returns partnerships. He stresses that not all traffic is equal—intentionality matters—and that success comes from converting purposeful visits, not just chasing volume.

Michael and Mark also tackle the role of AI in retail. While acknowledging AI’s potential, Mark warns that technology cannot fix flawed operating models. Instead, AI must be grounded in reliable first-party data, with store traffic as the denominator for every in-store initiative.

Finally, Mark shares practical advice for retailers: stop using sales transactions as a proxy for store visits, start aligning staff schedules to actual traffic patterns, and never squander the chance to serve a customer once they cross the threshold. With consumer habits shifting faster than ever, his message is clear—store traffic is a gift, and every visit counts.

RCC STORE 2026 Main-Stage Speaker & Global Design Visionary Jean-Pierre Lacroix: "Think Blink: Creating Deep, Lasting Emotional Brand Connections in the Blink of an Eye (ENCORE)

michael@meleblanc.co (Jean-Pierre Lacroix) — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 07:49:32 +0000

In this special ENCORE episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, President of SLD (Shikatani Lacroix Design) and keynote speaker at the upcoming RCC STORE2026 conference in Toronto, June 2-3, 2026. Jean-Pierre is a global design visionary whose work has shaped retail and brand experiences for more than three decades. Lacroix joins the podcast to share insights from his groundbreaking latest book, Think Blink: Creating Deep, Lasting, Emotional Brand Connections in the Blink of an Eye.

Lacroix opens the conversation by tracing SLD’s remarkable 35-year journey, highlighting how the agency’s success is rooted in one powerful idea: the “blink factor”—the subconscious emotional connections consumers make with brands in just a thousandth of a second. Drawing from projects across North America, China, and the Middle East, he reveals how the firm’s global perspective continues to drive innovation and authenticity in today’s hyper-competitive landscape.

Michael and Jean-Pierre dive into the Think Blink Manifesto and its seven tenets—from “The Heart Wins Every Time” and “Good Design is Strategy” to “Measure What Matters.” Lacroix explains why businesses must evolve from incremental improvement to transformational change, focusing less on functional benefits and more on emotional resonance. They explore how simplicity, belonging, and sentiment measurement fuel loyalty and growth—turning customers into brand ambassadors.

The discussion also touches on global disruption and resilience. Lacroix reflects on how events like the pandemic and current trade tensions have permanently shifted consumer behaviour, accelerating digital adoption and sparking renewed nationalism and community pride. He emphasizes that disruption can be a positive force—nudging brands toward reinvention and greater purpose.

Finally, Lacroix unveils SLD’s new AI-powered Think Blink analysis tool, designed to quantify emotional engagement using real-world data and social insights. He argues that artificial intelligence, when applied thoughtfully, enhances creativity rather than replacing it—helping brands align emotion with measurable business growth.

Martha McKimm of Hopson Grace & Shelley Simpson of Mud Australia on Craft, Curation and the Future of Retail Experience (ENCORE)

michael@meleblanc.co (Martha McKimm, Shelley Simpson) — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 08:34:02 +0000

Recorded live in person at Hopson Grace in Toronto, this inspiring episode of The Voice of Retail features host Michael LeBlanc sitting down with two leaders who are shaping the intersection of craftsmanship, culture, and commerce: Martha McKimm, Co-Founder of Hopson Grace, and Shelley Simpson, Founder of Mud Australia. Together, they unpack the art and business of building brands that thrive through authenticity, storytelling, and a deep commitment to quality.

Martha shares the journey behind Hopson Grace, the Toronto-based home and design retailer she co-founded with Andrea Hopson after successful careers in luxury and PR. Born from a shared love of entertaining and a vision to bring unique, well-crafted products to Canadian homes, Hopson Grace has grown into a destination for design lovers seeking timeless pieces and meaningful experiences. As the brand celebrates its 10th anniversary, Martha reflects on how independent retailers can succeed by leaning into differentiation, community, and storytelling, rather than competing on scale or price.

A key highlight is Hopson Grace’s expansion to DuPont Street, transforming the brand into a design destination and event hub where retail, hospitality, and culture merge. Martha also introduces The Registry—a new sister brand launching soon at TheRegistry.ca—which modernizes the traditional wedding registry with premium products, group gifting, and travel experiences for couples who want personalization and purpose in their choices.

Joining the conversation from Sydney, Shelley Simpson shares the 30-year evolution of Mud Australia, a global ceramics brand renowned for its handmade porcelain, design integrity, and sustainable craftsmanship. She discusses how her creative philosophy—“making nice things for nice people in lovely places”—continues to drive the company’s ethos. From humble beginnings in a backyard studio to 14 stores worldwide, Shelley explains how Mud has built a loyal following through word-of-mouth marketing, enduring design, and a belief that imperfection and human touch add value.

Together, Martha and Shelley explore the importance of collaboration and storytelling in connecting with customers across continents. They unpack the philosophy of “value equals values”, the growing appreciation for local and transparent production, and why today’s consumers buy the story before they buy the product. The episode offers a masterclass for independent retailers and design entrepreneurs alike—rooted in passion, persistence, and purpose.

Violence, Organized Theft and the Future of Retail Security with Rui Rodrigues, Loss Prevention Expert and RCC Advisor

michael@meleblanc.co (Rui Rodrigues) — Fri, 6 Mar 2026 10:56:06 +0000

Retail crime in Canada has reached a critical point. In this episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes back Rui Rodrigues, a veteran loss prevention leader and advisor working with the Retail Council of Canada, to unpack the rapidly escalating challenges facing retailers across the country.

Rodrigues brings more than 30 years of experience in retail security and loss prevention, having worked with major retailers including Staples, Best Buy, Holt Renfrew and Hudson’s Bay before launching his consulting practice. Today he works with retailers across Canada helping them address organized retail crime, risk management, and store safety while also collaborating closely with law enforcement and government partners.

The conversation begins with a big picture look at how retail crime has evolved since the early days of the pandemic. Rodrigues explains that theft is not new, but the scale, organization, and violence associated with retail crime has increased significantly. Opportunistic shoplifting remains common, but retailers are increasingly dealing with organized criminal networks that exploit weak legal consequences and sophisticated resale channels.

One major driver has been the growth of online marketplaces and social media resale channels, which allow stolen goods to be redistributed quickly and anonymously. Criminal enterprises can now move merchandise without the traditional risk of transporting large volumes across borders.

Even more concerning is the growing level of violence and weaponization in retail theft incidents, with security teams reporting machetes, firearms, and bear spray being used to intimidate employees and prevent intervention. Retailers have responded by shifting away from physical apprehension policies in many cases, prioritizing employee safety over recovering merchandise.

But Rodrigues also shares reasons for optimism. Over the past three years, the Retail Council of Canada has built a national retail crime task force, bringing together more than 30 police services along with retailers and prosecutors to coordinate intelligence and enforcement actions. Initiatives such as Project Retail Blitz focus targeted operations on repeat offenders and organized retail crime groups.

The discussion also explores the growing political recognition of the issue. Retail leaders have recently met with federal and provincial governments to push for stronger legislation, including reforms aimed at organized retail theft and repeat offenders. According to Rodrigues, the goal is not only stronger laws but consistent enforcement and a structural approach to retail crime across police and prosecution services.

The episode concludes with a preview of the upcoming Retail Secure Conference, where industry leaders, law enforcement, and policymakers will gather to share best practices and strategies for tackling retail crime and improving community safety.

Matthew Guiste, Global Retail Technology Strategist at Zebra Technologies, on AI, RFID & the Future of Frontline Retail

michael@meleblanc.co (Matthew Guiste) — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 08:10:00 +0000

Recorded live at the NRF Big Show in New York, this episode of The Voice of Retail features Matthew Guiste, Global Retail Technology Strategist at Zebra Technologies, for a strategic discussion on how AI, RFID, and frontline enablement are redefining modern retail.

Zebra Technologies, a $5+ billion global enterprise and pioneer in barcode scanning, now powers retail operations through mobile computing, RFID, computer vision, and AI-driven solutions. Guiste explains how Zebra’s evolution is centered on enabling frontline associates with embedded intelligence — delivering AI capabilities directly into handheld devices and wearable tools used in-store.

A core theme of the conversation is what Guiste calls increasing “technology density” — ensuring more associates have access to connected devices, task engines, communication platforms, and real-time data capture tools. Retailers that invest in frontline enablement see measurable productivity gains and improved employee retention. According to Zebra’s 18th Annual Global Shopper Study, nine out of ten associates feel more positive about employers who provide modern digital tools.

The discussion explores major operational friction points, starting with inventory accuracy — one of retail’s most persistent blind spots. With industry-wide accuracy rates often hovering between 60–70%, omnichannel promises like buy online, pick up in store (BOPIS) become vulnerable. RFID adoption, fueled by lower tag costs and retailer mandates, is emerging as a transformative lever, enabling real-time inventory visibility and smarter checkout experiences.

Self-checkout also comes under scrutiny. While consumer acceptance has grown significantly since 2019, execution gaps remain. Guiste outlines how the next phase will combine RFID and computer vision to reduce scanning errors, shrink loss, and move toward seamless self-checkout experiences.

Returns management is another strategic priority. With return fraud estimated in the tens of billions annually, AI-powered computer vision tools can now assist associates in disposition decisions — determining whether items return to shelf, warehouse, or liquidation — all in real time.

Looking ahead a decade, Guiste predicts fewer paper-based processes, disappearing physical receipts and credit cards, and wearable AI tools guiding associates dynamically through tasks — shifting retail from humans using machines to intelligent systems supporting human expertise.

For retailers navigating AI adoption, omnichannel complexity, and workforce productivity challenges, this episode delivers clear, operationally grounded insight from one of retail technology’s leading strategists.

Tara Conway, Co-Founder of Commerce Rewired, on Retail AI, Workforce Evolution & Breaking Legacy Thinking

michael@meleblanc.co (Tara Conway) — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 08:05:00 +0000

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, Michael LeBlanc sits down with Tara Conway, retail strategist and co-founder of Commerce Rewired, for a wide-ranging discussion on AI in retail, digital transformation, customer experience innovation and leadership in an era of disruption.

Tara’s retail career spans decades — from growing up in a family general store to senior leadership roles at Blacks Photography, Toys “R” Us Canada and The Source. She shares behind-the-scenes insights from launching Toys “R” Us Canada’s first e-commerce site — a testing ground for global digital strategy — and implementing early clienteling technology that connected store associates with online product data, fundamentally reshaping the omnichannel experience for new parents at Babies “R” Us.

The conversation turns to artificial intelligence in retail. Tara identifies inventory optimization, assortment planning and data-driven merchandising as the most impactful AI use cases today. With thousands of SKUs across hundreds of stores, AI enables retailers to interpret complex patterns in seasonality, demand forecasting and aged inventory — decisions that humans alone struggle to process at scale.

On the customer-facing side, Tara discusses the evolution of chatbots into intelligent AI assistants capable of handling low-touch service inquiries such as order tracking and product availability. Rather than replacing employees, she argues that AI should enhance workforce productivity by eliminating repetitive tasks and enabling leaders to focus on higher-value decision-making.

The episode also explores the risks of retail media networks. Tara warns that retail media can quickly become a friction point if revenue generation outweighs customer experience. Success, she argues, depends on intent: using data and messaging to improve the shopper journey, not overwhelm it.

Michael and Tara debate why smaller and mid-sized retailers often outpace large chains in digital agility. Without legacy systems and bureaucratic layers, emerging brands can implement rapid test-and-learn strategies that drive innovation visible to consumers. For larger retailers, shedding outdated processes and shortening decision cycles will be critical to remaining competitive.

The episode closes with Tara introducing Commerce Rewired, a new media platform focused on bold debate, data-driven insights and candid conversations about the future of commerce.

For retailers navigating AI adoption, workforce transformation, omnichannel strategy and digital innovation, this episode delivers both strategic clarity and practical perspective.

Closing the Adaptation Gap: Rachel J. Calhoun, Global Retail Leader at Kyndryl, on AI & Commerce Transformation

michael@meleblanc.co (Rachel J. Calhoun) — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 08:05:00 +0000

Recorded live at the NRF Big Show in the Narvar podcast studio, Michael LeBlanc sits down with Rachel J. Calhoun, Global Leader, Retail, Consumer Goods & Travel at Kyndryl, for a fast-paced and insight-rich conversation on the future of retail technology, AI integration, and enterprise transformation.

Rachel shares Kyndryl’s evolution since spinning off from IBM, moving beyond managed infrastructure into advisory, consulting, AI integration, and mission-critical systems modernization. With over 80,000 employees globally and deep roots in retail, airlines, and banking, Kyndryl is helping retailers close what Rachel calls the “adaptation gap” — the widening divide between consumer expectations and retailers’ ability to integrate emerging technologies into legacy systems.

A central theme of the episode is the shift from project-based IT transformation to an always-on, agile operating model. Rachel explains that retailers can no longer treat digital modernization as a three-year refresh cycle. Instead, AI, data integration, and real-time systems must evolve continuously to drive customer experience, dynamic pricing, retail media growth, inventory optimization, and supply chain resilience.

The conversation dives deep into AI’s real-world impact. While some economists question AI-driven productivity gains, Rachel points to measurable improvements: reduced stockouts, improved inventory visibility, faster commerce re-platforming, and agentic AI use cases moving from pilot to production. She emphasizes that the real unlock isn’t just technology — it’s organizational change management. Retailers must integrate people, process, and platform simultaneously to see ROI.

Michael and Rachel also discuss RFID adoption, visual AI in grocery and loss prevention, 5G infrastructure constraints across store fleets, and the growing board-level urgency around AI investment prioritization. Rachel outlines Kyndryl’s “show versus tell” consulting model, where forward-deployed engineers demonstrate live code modernization and AI activation in real time, shifting commercial models toward shared-value, outcome-based engagements.

The episode concludes with Rachel’s bold outlook on AI in retail. On a scale of 1–10, she ranks her optimism at a 9, citing firsthand evidence of agentic commerce, conversational commerce, and real-time system integration driving tangible business outcomes.

For Canadian retailers navigating market disruption, store fleet transitions, and accelerating digital expectations, this episode offers both strategic clarity and operational guidance.

The Strategy Trap: Why Companies Fail At Execution and How To Get It Right with Retail Veteran and Author Kevin Ertell

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 6 Feb 2026 08:05:00 +0000

Why do smart strategies fail so often? According to Kevin Ertell, the problem isn’t a lack of ideas—it’s execution.

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, Michael LeBlanc sits down live in person at the NRF Big Show in New York in The Remarkable Retail Narvar podcasting studio with Kevin Ertell, founder of Mistere Advisory, veteran retail operator, and former Vice President of Global Retail at Nike. Kevin is also the author of the new book The Strategy Trap: Why Companies Fail at Execution and How to Get It Right, which draws on more than two decades of hands-on leadership experience across iconic retail brands including Tower Records, Borders, Sur La Table, and Nike.

Kevin explains how organizations fall into the “strategy trap”—a tendency to over-invest in ideas, decks, and executive alignment while underestimating the human and organizational work required to execute effectively. He argues that strategy should be treated as the first step of execution, not as a theoretical exercise completed before real work begins.

Using well-known retail case studies, including the failed transformation of JCPenney, Kevin illustrates how untested assumptions, poor internal alignment, and misunderstanding customer behavior can derail even bold strategies. Leaders often assume that communication equals understanding, when in reality teams fill in the gaps with their own interpretations—creating misalignment that only becomes visible once execution is underway.

The conversation introduces Kevin’s practical “Six Cs of Execution” framework. The first phase—co-creation, clarity, and capacity—focuses on setting the stage by involving the right people, defining priorities, and making space for execution. The second phase—communication, coordination, and coaching—highlights the role of active leadership in sustaining momentum and course-correcting as conditions change.

Kevin also shares actionable tools leaders can use immediately, including structured problem-definition sessions, force-ranking priorities, and creating safe environments where teams can challenge assumptions. He emphasizes that focus is a leadership discipline—and that trying to pursue too many initiatives at once almost guarantees failure.

For retail leaders navigating AI disruption, economic volatility, and shifting consumer expectations, this episode offers a clear, operator-led blueprint for escaping the strategy trap and turning strategy into results.

AI, Circular Commerce, and Global Growth: Jim Okamura, Partner at McMillanDoolittle, live from NRF Big Show

michael@meleblanc.co (Jim Okamura) — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 08:53:59 +0000

Recorded live from the Narvar podcasting studio at the NRF Big Show in New York, this 500th episode of The Voice of Retail features Michael LeBlanc in conversation with Jim Okamura, Partner at McMillanDoolittle and Co-Founder of the Global E-Commerce Leaders Forum (GELF). With nearly three decades of NRF attendance, Jim brings rare perspective on how retail has evolved—and why this year’s show feels like a turning point.

The discussion opens with the shifting mood across the industry. After a year defined by uncertainty and stalled investment, Jim notes a renewed sense of confidence and proactive thinking among retailers. Despite geopolitical volatility and tariff risks, brands are beginning to move from defensive postures toward growth strategies grounded in technology, experience, and global expansion.

From there, Michael and Jim explore what’s happening inside physical retail through store tour insights. They revisit standout experiences from Tecovas in New York, Patagonia’s re-commerce flagship in Chicago, and Fjällräven’s repair-driven store model—each illustrating how brands are using service, repair, and resale to create emotional loyalty and long-term customer value. Jim emphasizes that circular retail is no longer a niche or sustainability checkbox; it is becoming a core brand strategy, even in luxury.

The conversation then shifts to AI, the dominant theme at NRF. Jim highlights how retailers are moving beyond pilot projects and into real operational use—especially in content creation, product imagery, associate tools, and internal data analysis. One recurring theme: simplification. AI’s greatest value, Jim argues, is its ability to reduce friction—whether for customers navigating e-commerce, or for store associates juggling dozens of disconnected systems.

Michael and Jim also examine the organizational implications of AI. As automation replaces many entry-level tasks, they raise critical questions about talent development, culture, and “reverse mentoring.” Younger employees—native to prompts and digital tools—may become essential guides in shaping how retailers evolve.

Finally, the conversation returns to global commerce. Through GELF, Jim (and Michael) works with brands navigating cross-border growth, tariffs, marketplace complexity, and brand integrity across regions. He believes 2026 will mark a return to global growth—driven by smarter governance, better data readiness, and peer-driven learning models.

Jim’s closing advice is clear: retailers must invest now in AI governance, data infrastructure, and scalable use cases—or risk being left behind in a rapidly transforming industry.

Retail’s Next Frontier: NYC Tour of Stores Debrief + Agentic Commerce Perspective with Jayme Johnson, Partner and Industry, IBM Consulting Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Jayme Johnson) — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 10:05:33 +0000

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc is joined by Jayme Johnson, Partner and Industry Leader, Consumer and Travel & Transportation Industries, IBM Consulting Canada, for a wide-ranging conversation that blends real-world store insights from New York City with a forward-looking discussion on AI, agentic commerce, and the future of customer experience.

The episode begins with reflections on the Retail Council of Canada’s Manhattan store tour, where Jayme shares observations from some of the most innovative retail concepts in the world. Highlights include the immersive French department store Printemps, which Jayme describes as more “a destination than a store,” combining hospitality, curated boutique brands, and experiential design to encourage lingering and discovery. Jayme and Michael discuss how authenticity and courage in design choices can create powerful emotional connections with customers, regardless of store format.

The conversation then moves through other notable stops, including Lacoste’s Fifth Avenue flagship, praised for reconnecting with its heritage through brand storytelling and disciplined merchandising, and The North Face, where massive digital walls create a cinematic sense of adventure. Jayme notes that while digital experiences are compelling, retailers could go even further by enabling customers to physically test products in simulated environments.

At Carhartt, the focus shifts to people and culture, with Jayme emphasizing how energized store associates drive engagement and reinforce brand identity. Gymshark’s Noho location sparks discussion around digitally native brands translating online communities into physical spaces, including the use of 3D-printed mannequins modeled after real athletes. The tour concludes with Tecovas, where hospitality, sensory design, and niche positioning demonstrate how specialty retail can scale into something “sneaky big.”

In the second segment of the episode, the discussion pivots to IBM’s latest research on agentic commerce. Jayme explains that while AI is already deeply embedded in product discovery and reviews, the next phase will see AI agents actively making purchasing decisions on behalf of consumers. In Canada alone, adoption of AI applications has increased by more than 80 percent in two years, signaling accelerating momentum.

Jayme outlines what this means for retailers: AI agents must be treated like a new customer segment, requiring structured product data, personalization, and governance. Trust, transparency, and explainability become critical as brands compete not just for human attention, but for algorithmic preference. Ultimately, Jayme argues that retailers who intentionally design for both people and AI will be best positioned to win in an increasingly automated shopping landscape.

IBM Research Insights: Own the agentic commerce experience

Holiday Truths, AI Myths, and the Canadian Consumer — Caila Schwartz, Director of Consumer Insights & Strategy, Salesforce

michael@meleblanc.co (Caila Schwartz) — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 09:27:00 +0000

Live from NRF, The Voice of Retail welcomes Caila Schwartz, Director of Consumer Insights and Strategy at Salesforce, for a data-driven conversation on what truly shaped Holiday 2025—and what retailers must prepare for next.

Salesforce sits at the center of global commerce, analyzing transactions from more than 1.5 billion consumers across digital and physical retail. That scale gives Caila a rare, real-time view into how shoppers actually behave, not just how they say they behave. In this episode, she shares clear, actionable insights into Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the evolving dynamics of the holiday shopping season.

One of the biggest surprises was Canada’s performance. Canadian e-commerce sales grew roughly 11 percent year over year, significantly outpacing the U.S. market. However, that growth was driven by value-seeking behaviour rather than higher prices. Canadian shoppers leaned heavily into promotions and buy-now-pay-later tools, while average selling prices declined—signaling ongoing cost sensitivity despite strong demand. Retailers responded by delivering deeper discounts, particularly late in the promotional cycle.

Caila explains how Cyber Monday has evolved from an e-commerce invention into a powerful psychological deadline. Salesforce data shows the final hours of Cyber Monday generate some of the highest shopping activity of the entire season. Even more telling, retailers extended aggressive promotions into the Tuesday after Cyber Monday, reflecting a more flexible, demand-responsive pricing strategy amid macroeconomic uncertainty.

The episode also explores the resurgence of buy-online-pick-up-in-store. In the final days before Christmas, more than a third of online orders were fulfilled through BOPIS, highlighting how tightly integrated digital and physical retail have become.

Finally, the conversation turns to artificial intelligence and agentic commerce. Caila outlines why 2025 was largely about AI-driven efficiency, while 2026 will be defined by AI-led customer experience. Retailers that launched branded shopper agents saw materially stronger growth, reinforcing the importance of “owning the conversation” rather than relying solely on third-party platforms.

Re-Making Retail Magic: John Bayliss, CEO of Mastermind Toys, on Experience, Trust, and Franchising

michael@meleblanc.co (John Bayliss) — Fri, 9 Jan 2026 08:05:00 +0000

In the first episode of The Voice of Retail for 2026, host Michael LeBlanc is joined by John Bayliss, Chief Executive Officer of Mastermind Toys, for an in-depth conversation on specialty retail, the evolving toy category, and why franchising has become a central pillar of the brand’s next phase of growth.

Bayliss brings a rare operator’s perspective shaped by a global career in consulting and senior leadership roles at some of the world’s largest retailers. After years advising businesses, he made the conscious shift to operational leadership, seeking accountability and hands-on impact. That decision now defines his approach at Mastermind Toys, where leadership is deeply connected to store teams, customers, and day-to-day execution.

The conversation explores what differentiates Mastermind Toys in a crowded and price-driven category. Bayliss emphasizes that the brand’s competitive advantage lies in expert-led curation, play-based learning, and trust. Rather than competing on discounts, Mastermind helps parents and gift-givers navigate an increasingly complex toy landscape with confidence—through knowledgeable “play experts,” free gift wrapping, and assortments designed to spark curiosity and development.

A major focus of the episode is Mastermind Toys’ new franchising model, which Bayliss positions as a strategic response to both market conditions and the importance of local connection. With nearly 50 stores across Canada and recent expansion into Quebec, Mastermind is now using franchising to scale more effectively while preserving the brand’s community-driven DNA. Bayliss explains that local owner-operators bring deeper market knowledge, stronger community ties, and a level of personal investment that enhances store performance and customer experience—something difficult to replicate through centralized growth alone.

We also discuss how franchising integrates with omnichannel retail. Stores play a critical role not only as experiential hubs but also as fulfillment centers, supporting services like same-day, gift-wrapped delivery and buy-online-pickup-in-store. This model turns physical locations into engines of both convenience and brand loyalty, benefiting corporate and franchise partners alike.

The episode further examines the broader toy retail landscape, including seasonality, vendor consolidation, and shifting consumer expectations. Bayliss argues that while the industry has faced disruption, demand remains resilient as parents become more intentional about play, seeking quality, creativity, and screen-free experiences year-round.

The discussion concludes with a forward-looking view on retail trends and technology. Bayliss cautions against adopting AI for its own sake, stressing that technology must reinforce a clearly defined value proposition. Ultimately, success for Mastermind Toys means expanding through franchising while remaining the trusted destination families turn to “when it really matters.”

Aamir Lakhani, Global Director of Threat Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence at Fortinet, on Cybercrime, AI Fraud, and Retail Risk in 2026

michael@meleblanc.co (Aamir Lakhani) — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 08:05:00 +0000

In this timely episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc is joined by Aamir Lakhani, Global Director of Threat Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence at Fortinet, for a deep and sobering conversation on the evolving cyber threat landscape facing retailers as they close out 2025 and prepare for 2026.

Lakhani leads adversarial AI research within FortiGuard Labs, Fortinet’s global R&D arm, where his team studies how cybercriminals—ranging from lone actors to state-sponsored groups—exploit technology, human behaviour, and increasingly, artificial intelligence. With Fortinet protecting over half of the world’s firewall traffic, Lakhani brings unparalleled visibility into global cybercrime trends.

A central theme of the discussion is the explosion of credential-based attacks, where hackers no longer “break in” but simply log in using stolen usernames and passwords. Lakhani explains how years of data breaches have enabled automated attacks across thousands of retail, banking, and corporate systems, often at massive scale. Two-factor authentication, passkeys, and password-less systems are no longer optional—they are table stakes.

The conversation then turns to AI-driven fraud, which Lakhani describes as one of the most urgent threats retailers face today. From deepfake voice scams impersonating CEOs to hyper-personalized phishing attacks fueled by social media data, AI has dramatically lowered the cost and increased the sophistication of fraud. On a scale of concern, Lakhani rates AI fraud “off the charts.”

LeBlanc and Lakhani also explore deceptive domains, poisoned AI shopping results, and the risks associated with buy-now-pay-later programs, which fraudsters increasingly exploit through urgency-based scams. Importantly, Lakhani emphasizes that cybersecurity is now a shared responsibility across platforms, retailers, and consumers—especially as many small and mid-sized retailers rely heavily on platforms like Shopify.

Looking ahead to 2026, Lakhani offers clear guidance for retail leaders: invest in education, embrace AI-powered security tools, and do not shy away from automation. Cybersecurity, he argues, is no longer just an IT issue—it is a brand trust issue, a revenue protection issue, and a core leadership responsibility.

Cyberthreats Targeting the 2025 Holiday Season: What CISOs Need to Know and the report Cyber Threat Landscape Overview for the 2025 Holiday Season.

Mat Povse, President of Best Buy Canada, on People-First Leadership and Retail Reinvention

michael@meleblanc.co (Mat Povse) — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 09:11:42 +0000

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Mat Povse, President of Best Buy Canada, live on the stage in Vancouver at Retail Council of Canada's Retail West stage for a wide-ranging and candid conversation on leadership, innovation, omnichannel retail, and the future of consumer technology in Canada.

Povse begins by unpacking what is currently working at Best Buy Canada, pointing to strong financial momentum driven by a clear sense of purpose: understanding why the retailer exists and how it adds value in a crowded technology marketplace. He emphasizes that Best Buy is not simply a retailer, but a people-first organization built on adaptability, humility, and a culture that embraces constant change. That mindset has enabled the company to modernize approximately 85% of its Canadian store fleet, with plans to reach full modernization across all 320 locations—an achievement Povse notes is rare by global retail standards.

The conversation explores the evolving role of physical stores in an attention-scarce world. Povse explains how Best Buy balances frictionless transactions for efficiency-driven shoppers with high-touch, consultative experiences for customers overwhelmed by complex technology decisions. This dual mandate—serving both mass market and specialty retail needs—defines Best Buy’s in-store strategy and underpins its omnichannel ecosystem.

LeBlanc and Povse also examine post-pandemic tailwinds, including technology refresh cycles following the COVID “buy-forward” period. Povse outlines how innovation from major vendors, operating system upgrades, gaming launches, and AI-enabled devices are fueling renewed demand. He positions Best Buy as a critical platform for brands bringing new technology to market, reinforcing its role as both retailer and technology authority.

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on Best Buy Express, the partnership with Bell that rapidly expanded the retailer’s physical footprint by opening 167 stores in just five months. Povse describes the initiative as “fiercely successful,” highlighting how Express locations are driving both in-store traffic and incremental online sales in previously underserved markets.

The episode also dives into Best Buy’s early leadership in retail media and marketplace strategy. Povse frames Best Buy as a platform connecting first- and third-party sellers with consumers across stores, digital channels, and media assets—while stressing the importance of protecting the customer experience. He underscores that retail media must enhance relevance, not create friction.

Finally, Povse reflects on leadership philosophy, advocating for collaborative decision-making, discretionary effort, and values-driven culture. He closes with practical advice for retailers and vendors alike: build the right team, listen more than you speak, understand your business at both micro and macro levels, and lead with honesty and humility.

Black Friday 2025 by the Numbers with Sean McCormick, Moneris Data Services

michael@meleblanc.co (Sean McCormick) — Fri, 5 Dec 2025 08:05:00 +0000

The Voice of Retail welcomes back Sean McCormick, Vice President, Business Development, Moneris Data Services, for a fast-moving, data-rich breakdown of the most closely watched retail moment of the year: Black Friday 2025. As the executive helping steer Moneris’s industry-leading data capabilities, McCormick offers a uniquely authoritative look at what Canadians actually did when the doors opened and the deals dropped.

McCormick begins by explaining how Moneris has evolved into one of Canada’s most trusted retail intelligence platforms. Processing debit and credit payments across all major card brands, from tap to insert, Moneris touches roughly one-third of all transaction volume in the country. This broad reach allows the team to spot real consumer behaviour in real time, without relying on sentiment models or estimates. Even more crucial, McCormick reveals that Moneris applies a same-store methodology to exclude merchant growth and terminal expansion—ensuring Black Friday results reflect genuine consumer activity, not changes in Moneris’s business footprint.

Heading into the season, Moneris surveyed Canadians about their holiday spending intentions. Only a small percentage planned to spend more this year, while a much larger share expected to spend less. Those expectations align with continued inflationary pressure, particularly around essentials like groceries, that increasingly crowd out discretionary spending opportunities.

So—did this sentiment show up in the numbers?

McCormick confirms that Black Friday still packs a punch, driving more than a 20% spike over the previous Friday as Canadians showed up ready to shop. However, total Black Friday spending declined compared to last year, revealing a measurable shift in consumer behaviour. Rather than abandoning the day, shoppers appear to be more careful, deliberate, and value-driven—engaging when it matters, but spending less overall.

The conversation also explores how the timing of Christmas on the calendar influences the competition between Black Friday and the last shopping weekend of December, and why certain retail categories remain far more dependent on the event than others. For independent retailers, national brands, and retail strategists alike, these insights offer tangible implications for everything from promotional timing to inventory planning.

This episode is essential listening for retail leaders seeking clarity in a changing marketplace. McCormick not only brings the numbers—he explains what they mean, why they matter, and how retailers can use them to navigate the weeks and quarters ahead.

Inside A Merchandising Revolution with Liza Amlani, Chief Merchant & Principal at Retail Strategy Group

michael@meleblanc.co (Liza Amlani) — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 09:59:53 +0000

In the latest episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Liza Amlani, Chief Merchant and Principal of Retail Strategy Group, who returns to the podcast to share timely insights from her new book, "The Material Life: Process Innovation for Retailers and Brands" Recognized globally as a retail thought leader, Amlani brings her two decades of merchandising expertise to a provocative argument: the retail industry has been obsessed with what products it sells, while neglecting how those products are made—a blind spot costing brands both time and money.

Amlani illustrates how process innovation begins long before a product hits the shelf. Traditional apparel development starts with a design concept, hunting for materials to match. Her materials-first model flips that dynamic, accelerating time to market, reducing over-development, and eliminating redundant fabric, trim, and colour decisions. She cites examples where retailers were creating thousands of unnecessary material variations—like zippers—without realizing the margin erosion and operational chaos this creates.

Throughout the conversation, Amlani explains how silos between merchants, sourcing, materials, design, and marketing teams create a “butterfly effect” where one late-stage decision can unravel deadlines, sample production, and vendor negotiations. Breaking those silos strengthens governance, reduces waste, and aligns teams around measurable outcomes including her Material Adoption Rate (MAR) framework—an accountability tool that tracks how many material developments actually make it into assortments.

The episode also explores the rising influence of AI in fabric research and digital product creation, the impact of sourcing regulations emerging in North America and Europe, and how leading brands like lululemon are quietly reshaping their operating models through materials-led go-to-market roles. Amlani argues that brands embracing transparency, vendor partnership, and digital material workflows will unlock significant margin upside at a time when inflation, tariffs, supply chain friction, and fast-fashion disruptors are redefining consumer expectations.

Finally, the discussion turns to the road ahead. As retailers prepare for 2026, Amlani urges leaders to rethink the fabric of product creation itself, invest in consumer-centric assortments, and treat materials not as an afterthought but as a strategic asset. For retailers, merchants, product developers, and sourcing teams eager to future-proof their business, this episode is a masterclass in modern merchandising excellence.

Selwyn Crittendon, CEO & CSO, IKEA Canada: Retail Reinvention for a Changing Nation

michael@meleblanc.co (Selwyn Crittendon) — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 08:05:00 +0000

In this engaging and wide-ranging episode of The Voice of Retail, Michael reconnects with Selwyn Crittendon, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer for IKEA Canada, nearly two years after his arrival in the Canadian market. Selwyn reflects on his remarkable journey through IKEA over the past 23 years—from his early days in the Washington, D.C. store to leading Canadian operations—and offers an inside look at how the iconic retailer is transforming itself for the future.

Selwyn begins by recounting his promise upon joining IKEA Canada: visit every unit in the country and meet the 7,000-plus coworkers who bring the brand to life. That coast-to-coast journey delivered deep insight into the business, its people and customers, the affordability crisis shaping Canadian retail, and the macro forces—tariffs, trade tensions, supply chain disruptions—reshaping global commerce. IKEA’s response? A relentless focus on affordability and sustainability as its “new superpower.” Over the past two years, the company has invested over $130 million in price reductions, ensuring home furnishings remain accessible to the many, not the few.

The conversation then turns to IKEA Canada’s evolving footprint: 16 large-format stores, a nationwide omni-channel network, customer distribution centres, planning studios, pickup points and over 1,000 FedEx parcel locations. Selwyn lays out the strategy behind IKEA’s multiformat expansion—why big blue boxes remain essential, and how plan-and-order points allow IKEA to flex into more communities. The brand’s omni-channel transformation—accelerated through the pandemic—continues with major fulfilment investments in Toronto and Vancouver aimed at seamless, channel-agnostic shopping.

Selwyn also breaks down the brand’s thematic focus areas. Last year’s theme, sleep, delivered new product development, education, and marketing storytelling. This year, IKEA shifts to cooking and eating, aligning with customer behaviour for an affordable, sustainable home and meaningful family connection. The company’s food division is booming too—$143 million in sales, 70 million meatballs served—and evolving from “quirky add-on” to strategic growth engine.

The duo explores customer behaviour, the integration of data and AI in retail operations, and the rising importance of trust amid an era of synthetic media. Selwyn reinforces IKEA’s position: responsible data use, personalisation done properly, and maintaining IKEA Family loyalty as a driver of lifetime relationships.

Finally, Selwyn shares his reflections as a new Canadian—embracing the country’s diversity, culture, and warmth—and looks ahead to IKEA Canada’s upcoming 50th anniversary celebrations. Authentic, inspiring, and forward-looking, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about modern retail, leadership, culture, and the future of accessible, sustainable living.

Inside Canada’s First AI-Powered Holiday Season with Eric Morris, Managing Director of Retail at Google Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Eric Morris) — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 10:22:16 +0000

In this highly anticipated annual episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes back Eric Morris, Managing Director of Retail at Google Canada, to unpack Google’s 2025 Holiday Retail Insights Report—a tradition that has become a favourite among Canadian retailers. Eric brings more than two decades of experience helping brands leverage Google Search, YouTube, and AI-driven technologies to drive omnichannel performance, and this year’s conversation reveals the most transformative shift yet: Canada’s first AI-powered holiday shopping season.

Eric begins by exploring the deep behavioural changes driving consumer decision-making. According to the report, 73% of holiday purchases were researched in advance, and nearly half occurred more than a week after initial contemplation—a sign that today’s shoppers are more choiceful, deliberate, and digitally engaged than ever. He explains that Canadians have long punched above their weight in digital savviness, consistently searching, streaming, and banking online more than global counterparts. But this year stands apart as AI tools—both visible and invisible—reshape the search experience.

With AI Overviews, conversational AI mode, and rapidly improving multimodal search, Canadians are now issuing longer, richer, more specific queries. Whether a shopper types, speaks, or snaps a photo to find an item, retailers must be prepared to surface high-quality, AI-ready content. Eric stresses that this shift mirrors prior digital “moments” such as mobile and the pandemic-driven eCommerce surge—but AI is scaling even faster. Nearly half of Canadians plan to use AI tools during holiday shopping, and the true number is likely higher because many encounter AI without realizing it.

The conversation also examines the rising influence of Gen Z, the most search-intensive generation. Gen Z shoppers use 10 or more sources when researching purchases and increasingly rely on tools like Circle to Search and YouTube reviews, unboxings, and creator-led content. Their behaviour underscores the need for retailers to deliver richer product information—from enhanced descriptions to 3D imagery to short-form video.

Looking toward 2026, Eric outlines the timeless fundamentals retailers must prioritize—being discoverable early, winning peak holiday moments, and understanding omnichannel impact rather than measuring digital purely through eCommerce. But he also emphasizes new imperatives: generating AI-optimized product content at scale, enriching feeds and attributes, and preparing for agentic shopping journeys where AI assists (or even automates) research and selection.

Check out Google's Holiday Research 2025 Here.

Retail in Transition: PwC Canada’s Elisa Swern on Consumer Confidence and Holiday Trends 2025

michael@meleblanc.co (Elisa Swern) — Fri, 7 Nov 2025 09:03:12 +0000

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Elisa Swern, National Consumer Markets Leader at PwC Canada, to unpack the insights behind PwC’s newly released 2025 Canadian Holiday Outlook—a comprehensive view into how consumers plan to shop, save, and celebrate amid an uncertain economy.

Elisa shares her journey from family retail roots to leading PwC’s national consumer practice, explaining why she thrives on the constant change and curiosity that define the consulting world. She outlines how PwC’s “human-led, tech-enabled” approach helps retailers navigate transformation across strategy, digital, and risk—leveraging a global network of experts while staying grounded in local insight.

Together, Michael and Elisa dive deep into the holiday forecast. PwC’s research reveals a 10 percent year-over-year decline in planned consumer spending, driven by persistent affordability pressures and shifting generational priorities. Gen Z and millennials expect to cut back the most, with Gen Z spending intentions down 34 percent, reflecting record youth unemployment and new life-stage costs such as rent and transportation. Still, Canadians remain committed to family gifting and holiday traditions—just with more focus and less self-indulgence.

The conversation moves to the Made-in-Canada movement, where PwC finds continued momentum in consumer intent to buy local and pay more for domestic goods—particularly among Gen X and boomer shoppers. Elisa notes that while intent often outpaces action, this “national tailwind” offers retailers a meaningful way to connect with values-driven consumers.

Turning to the omnichannel experience, Elisa and Michael agree that “stores never went away.” In-person shopping remains central to holiday discovery, with 56 percent of Canadians citing the ability to see and touch products as a top reason to visit stores. They discuss how leading brands are merging the tactile with the digital—using tools like smart fitting technology and AI-driven recommendations—to blend convenience with connection.

Finally, they explore the emerging role of AI in consumer shopping, from intelligent assistants helping gift-givers to retailer-side personalization platforms integrating seamlessly with these tools. Elisa highlights the opportunity—and risk—of intermediaries reshaping retail discovery, while also noting the growing demand for transparency, data security, and supply-chain resilience across Canada’s retail landscape.

Get your copy of the report here:

Martha McKimm of Hopson Grace & Shelley Simpson of Mud Australia on Craft, Curation and the Future of Retail Experience

michael@meleblanc.co (Martha McKimm) — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 07:05:00 +0000

Whether you’re an indie retailer, design lover, or entrepreneur, this episode of The Voice of Retail delivers inspiration and actionable insights on how authenticity, artistry, and innovation can redefine success in modern retail.

Inside EY’s Latest Future Consumer Index Report: Malin Andrée and Jon Copestake on AI, Sustainability and Store Reinvention

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 07:47:48 +0000

In this insightful episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes Malin Andrée, EY Global, EMEIA and Nordics Retail Leader, and Jon Copestake, EY Global Consumer Senior Analyst, to unpack the latest findings from EY’s Future Consumer Index—a global study tracking the shifting habits and expectations of 20,000 consumers across 27 countries.

Now in its fifteenth edition, the Future Consumer Index offers a rare longitudinal lens on how consumer priorities have evolved—from pandemic-era resilience to today’s tech-driven retail reality. Malin and Jon share how shoppers are balancing convenience, price, sustainability, and experience—and how these trade-offs are forcing retailers to rethink strategy from the store floor to the C-suite.

The conversation dives deep into store transformation, as physical retail evolves from simple sales outlets into experience centers, media platforms, and fulfillment hubs. Malin explains how retailers must move beyond old performance metrics like revenue per square meter to measure stores’ contribution to customer lifetime value and acquisition within a true omnichannel ecosystem.

Jon highlights the fast-emerging world of retail media—and why harnessing loyalty data, in-store analytics, and smart signage can unlock new value streams. Yet he cautions that personalization must serve the shopper, not overwhelm them. The pair also tackle the ongoing tension between sustainability and affordability: consumers say they care, but behavior still lags. Retailers, they argue, have both the scale and responsibility to lead the charge toward circular models and more efficient supply chains.

From AI-powered personalization to augmented reality overlays, Malin and Jon identify which technologies are overhyped and which are quietly transformational. They discuss why RFID may be due for a renaissance when paired with AI, how AR could soon enhance way-finding, pricing, and promotions, and why the metaverse hype has given way to practical, data-driven retail innovation.

Link to the report: https://www.ey.com/en_gl/insights/retail/should-retailers-close-stores-or-make-them-work-harder

Global Design Visionary Jean-Pierre Lacroix, President of SLD, on His New Book "Think Blink: Creating Deep, Lasting Emotional Brand Connections in the Blink of an Eye

michael@meleblanc.co (Jean-Pierre Lacroix) — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 07:05:00 +0000

In this compelling new episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, President of SLD (Shikatani Lacroix Design)—a global design visionary whose work has shaped retail and brand experiences for more than three decades. Lacroix joins the podcast to share insights from his groundbreaking new book, Think Blink: Creating Deep, Lasting, Emotional Brand Connections in the Blink of an Eye.

Marketing at the Speed of Disruption: Rob Garf VP Industry Strategy at Cordial on Data, Trust, and the Digital Experience in an AI-Driven Retail World

michael@meleblanc.co (Rob Garf) — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 07:05:00 +0000

In this must-listen episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes back Rob Garf, now VP and Head of Industry Strategy at Cordial, to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping marketing, consumer engagement, and the future of retail personalization.

A longtime retail strategist and thought leader, Garf brings decades of experience “at the intersection of retail, consumer, and technology.” Now leading strategy at the high-growth marketing tech firm Cordial, he shares insights from their new North American study, Brands Battle for Attention as AI Redefines the Funnel. The research explores how retailers and consumers are responding to today’s marketing noise, and how brands can stand out with authenticity and relevance instead of more messages.

Garf explains how AI is collapsing the traditional marketing funnel, transforming “discovery by channel” into “discovery by conversation.” With a third of consumers now engaging with personal AI agents like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Perplexity, he outlines what this means for marketers who must ensure their products and content are discoverable in an AI-first world.

The conversation dives into the challenges retailers face with legacy marketing stacks, data fragmentation, and a loss of trust in their own data. Garf argues that success lies in unifying systems, embedding AI directly into workflows, and focusing relentlessly on consumer intent—understanding not only what customers buy but what they’re trying to accomplish in the moment.

Beyond the technology, Garf emphasizes the importance of brand storytelling, creative emotion, and the “humanization of digital experiences.” He discusses how AI and brand voice can coexist to deliver meaningful, personalized engagement across every channel—from email and SMS to emerging conversational interfaces.

To conclude, Garf offers practical advice for marketers adopting AI: start with clear customer problems, get your data house in order, and manage organizational change with empathy and alignment. The goal, he says, isn’t to replace humans but to empower them and deliver the effortless, relevant experiences consumers expect.

Whether you’re a marketer, technologist, or retail leader, this episode provides actionable insights on how to thrive at the intersection of AI, personalization, and brand authenticity in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Chris Parsons, VP Partner Growth & Marketing at Hale and Author of Retail Rewired: How Modern Retail Leaders Drive Growth and Reinvention on The Four Pillars of Retail Leadership

michael@meleblanc.co (Chris Parsons) — Fri, 3 Oct 2025 07:05:00 +0000

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Chris Parsons, VP Partner Growth & Marketing at Hale Performance Marketing and author of the new book Retail Rewired: How Modern Retail Leaders Drive Growth and Reinvention, for a compelling conversation about the future of retail leadership, customer experience, and loyalty. With more than 25 years of retail experience across organizations like Walmart, Ren’s Pets, and Home Hardware, Chris brings unique insight from both the retail and agency sides of the business.

Chris shares his remarkable career journey, including launching Walmart Canada’s eCommerce business and building omni-channel strategies at major Canadian retailers. Now at Hale, he explains how the agency differentiates itself in a crowded market by being fully accountable to client KPIs and sharing both wins and challenges alongside retailers. This refreshing approach underscores his belief that true agency–retailer partnerships require transparency, accountability, and shared ownership of outcomes.

The heart of the discussion focuses on Chris’s new book Retail Rewired. Written for retail leaders at every level, from store managers to C-suite executives, the book distills lessons from decades in the industry into four core pillars of modern retail success: invest in your people, stay customer-centric, think local, and deliver consistency. Chris explains how these pillars emerged organically from his real-world experiences and why they are critical for retailers navigating today’s fast-changing environment.

Listeners will hear Chris’s perspectives on customer immersion, the practice of living your customer’s experience to generate insights beyond dashboards and data. From his Walmart and diapers.com experiences to reflections on QR codes and personalization, Chris argues that brands need to move from transactional offers to truly personal experiences. He also stresses the frontline culture as the embodiment of a retailer’s brand—reinforced by his research showing that 71% of Canadians cite staff attitude and service as critical factors in where they shop.

The episode also dives into the evolution of loyalty programs. Chris challenges retailers to go beyond points and discounts, focusing instead on emotional loyalty rooted in customer preferences, timing, and service. He highlights opportunities to apply a “Netflix model” to retail personalization, where households can toggle between profiles for richer, more accurate engagement.

Finally, Chris reflects on his hopes for the industry over the next three years: breaking free from the outdated narrative of eCommerce cannibalization and instead embracing an integrated ecosystem view, where every program connects seamlessly across the retail enterprise.

Retail’s Sustainability Roadmap with Michael Zabaneh, Vice-President, Sustainability, Retail Council of Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael Zabaneh) — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 10:42:57 +0000

In this episode of The Voice of Retail Podcast, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Michael Zabaneh, Vice President, Sustainability at the Retail Council of Canada, for an in-depth discussion on the future of sustainability in Canadian retail. With over 15 years of experience spanning global recycling ventures, luxury brands, and corporate advocacy, Michael shares a front-row perspective on how environmental priorities are reshaping the retail industry.

Michael begins by unpacking the complexities of extended producer responsibility (EPR)—the regulatory framework shifting waste management costs from municipalities to producers and retailers. He explains how retailers are responsible not only for their private labels but also as first importers, making EPR compliance one of the most pressing and costly issues for Canadian retailers today. With more than 110 EPR programs across the country and compliance costs approaching $3 billion, this is a boardroom-level challenge with major implications for consumers and businesses alike.

The conversation also dives into how retailers are embedding sustainability into their core strategies. From cutting energy costs with smart temperature controls and LED lighting to integrating renewable energy and recycling programs, sustainability initiatives increasingly deliver both environmental and financial benefits. Michael emphasizes that for mid-sized and independent retailers, sustainability is no longer optional—procurement, supply chain decisions, and operational efficiencies must all reflect responsible practices.

Looking ahead, Michael previews the Retail Council of Canada’s Retail Sustainability Conference 2025, now expanded to a two-day format on October 29–30 in Toronto. With workshops on zero-emission vehicles and harmonizing EPR regulations across provinces, the event is designed to deliver solutions-oriented dialogue. Attendees will also hear from Sheri Flies, SVP Global Sustainability & Compliance at Costco, and Jim Andrew, EVP & Chief Sustainability Officer at PepsiCo, alongside panels featuring McDonald’s, Walmart, Loblaw, Unilever, and Procter & Gamble.

Michael highlights how this event has quickly become one of RCC’s flagship conferences, convening retailers, supply chain leaders, regulators, and governments to push forward practical solutions amidst economic uncertainty, climate commitments, and global plastic challenges.

Leadership Lessons and Luxury Retail Insights with Sebastian Picardo, President & CEO of Holt Renfrew

michael@meleblanc.co (Sebastian Picardo) — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 07:05:00 +0000

In this episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, host Michael LeBlanc sits down in person with Sebastian Picardo, President & CEO of Holt Renfrew, to explore the evolution of luxury retail in Canada and the global forces shaping the industry.

Sebastian begins by sharing his personal journey from Buenos Aires to London, where he launched his luxury career at Alexander McQueen, followed by senior roles with Net-a-Porter, Burberry, and leading a Hong Kong department store group. In 2020, he joined Holt Renfrew at the height of the pandemic, taking on the challenge of steering Canada’s most iconic luxury retailer through one of the most disruptive times in modern retail history.

He offers a rich perspective on what makes Holt Renfrew remarkable—its deep Canadian heritage dating back to 1837, its ability to evolve with consumer tastes, and its strong relationships with global brands, employees, and customers. Sebastian discusses how Holt Renfrew balances being both a branded house and a house of brands, creating a unique identity in a highly competitive market.

The conversation delves into the diversity of Canadian consumers, from the European-influenced Montreal shopper to Vancouver’s strong Asian luxury demand, and how these cultural differences shape merchandising and strategy. Sebastian highlights the challenges of Canada’s vast geography, the pressures of competing with U.S. retailers, and the importance of personalization and CRM in strengthening customer relationships.

AI also takes center stage as Sebastian explains how technology is reshaping discovery, service, and operations. From empowering associates with smarter tools to anticipating customer needs, he shares how Holt Renfrew is integrating AI into its strategy while staying focused on human connection at the store level.

Finally, Sebastian reflects on leadership—what it means to empower teams, why humility and enabling others is central to his philosophy, and why leadership is always more about others than yourself. As he prepares to move back to Europe, Sebastian leaves listeners with inspiring lessons on adaptability, vision, and building a retail brand that can thrive for nearly two centuries.

The Gift of Store Traffic with Mark Ryski, Founder & CEO, HeadCount

michael@meleblanc.co (Mark Ryski) — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 10:28:28 +0000

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, Michael LeBlanc sits down with Mark Ryski, Founder & CEO of HeadCount and three-time retail author, to explore why store traffic remains one of the most underutilized and misunderstood metrics in modern retail. With over two decades of experience pioneering traffic and conversion analytics, Mark shares insights from his new book, Store Traffic is a Gift, and explains why retailers must treat every store visit as a precious opportunity.

Preparing for AI Agents and Consumer Shifts with Fawad Baig, Fawad Baig, Retail Industry Leader for Canada, Accenture

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 5 Sep 2025 08:28:59 +0000

In this dynamic episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes Fawad Baig, Retail Industry Lead, Accenture Canada, to unpack Accenture’s latest global consumer report: Me, My Brand, and AI. With insights drawn from over 18,000 respondents worldwide, including Canadians, this research sheds light on how uncertainty and generative AI are reshaping consumer trust, loyalty, and shopping behavior.

Fawad explains that more than 57% of Canadian consumers report unusually high levels of uncertainty in their daily lives—double the levels recorded in late 2024. In response, many are turning to generative AI tools not only for shopping recommendations but also for personal advice, creating a powerful new form of trust and reliance. In fact, 46% of Canadians have already made purchases influenced by AI, and 72% would welcome an AI-powered personal shopper.

The conversation dives deep into what this means for retailers. While brand loyalty in Canada remains strong, a striking 35% of consumers say they would switch brands based on AI-driven recommendations—a level of volatility that opens both risks and opportunities. For retailers willing to adapt, the shift from personalization to proactive engagement offers a competitive edge.

Michael and Fawad also discuss the rise of AI agents, tools that autonomously seek out products on behalf of consumers, potentially bypassing loyalty programs and traditional marketing tactics. Fawad emphasizes that retailers need to prepare for this new reality by rethinking product data, metadata strategies, and how they present contextual value across digital platforms.

Beyond consumer-facing strategies, the discussion touches on the vital importance of ethical AI, data governance, and building trust through transparency. Fawad stresses that once trust is lost, it is nearly impossible to regain—a warning for brands rushing headlong into AI adoption without the proper safeguards.

The episode closes with actionable advice for retailers:

Start investing in AI to deliver curated, personalized, and measurable consumer experiences.

Start preparing for the reality of AI agents shaping consumer choice.

Stop underestimating the power of existing loyalty programs, which remain a crucial bridge to long-term engagement.

Read the report

https://www.accenture.com/content/dam/accenture/final/accenture-com/document-3/Accenture-Me-My-Brand-and-AI.pdf#zoom=40

David Ian Gray, Retail Strategist Breaks Down Angus Reid Research on the Mainstreaming of Second-Hand Shopping in Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (David Ian Gray) — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 07:54:27 +0000

In this episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes back retail strategist, educator, and thought leader David Ian Gray, Principal of DIG360 Consulting Ltd. and retail faculty at Capilano University’s School of Business. Together, they explore the latest Angus Reid survey on Canadian shopping habits and the rapidly evolving pre-owned and circular retail economy.

David begins by setting the stage with his dual role: guiding Canadian retailers through strategic challenges while also developing retail-focused academic programming in Vancouver. He shares his perspective on how the local retail scene is rebuilding post-pandemic, with indie retail and dining seeing a revival even as downtown Vancouver struggles with the loss of anchor stores like Nordstrom and Hudson’s Bay.

The heart of the conversation is David’s latest consumer research, developed in partnership with Angus Reid. The study reveals that 77% of Canadian adults purchased pre-owned items in the past year, proving that second-hand shopping has gone fully mainstream. Canadians aren’t just bargain hunting—they’re motivated by sustainability, affordability, and the thrill of finding something unique.

The conversation highlights surprising generational behaviors, such as Gen Z’s enthusiasm for vinyl records and printed books, a countertrend to the assumption that digital-first generations avoid physical media. David suggests this reflects a desire for independence from digital platforms and a deeper need for tangible, cultural experiences.

Michael and David also unpack the dominance of Facebook Marketplace, where 76% of respondents reported making a purchase in the past year, underscoring the hybrid online/offline nature of second-hand shopping. They contrast this with other channels—Kijiji, eBay, luxury resale platforms like Poshmark, charity thrift stores, and even brand-led resale initiatives from Canada Goose, IKEA, and Patagonia.

For Canadian retailers, the research carries critical lessons. Second-hand is no longer a niche category but a major competitor for consumer dollars. David warns that traditional retailers may underestimate how much revenue is “leaking” into resale markets. While profitability challenges remain—logistics, inventory management, and product quality—brands that strategically embrace resale can enhance consumer loyalty, sustainability credentials, and differentiation.

The episode closes with a rapid-fire round covering the future of AI in retail, Hudson’s Bay’s uncertain real estate footprint, Vancouver’s Retail West conference, and the biggest Canadian retail story to watch in 2025: tariff uncertainty. David emphasizes that until trade clarity is achieved, Canadian retailers will remain cautious in decision-making.

Carson’s Garden & Market: How Carson Arthur Turned a Media Brand into a Retail Destination (Encore)

michael@meleblanc.co (Carson Arthur) — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 08:11:59 +0000

On this encore episode Michael LeBlanc welcomes Carson Arthur, media personality and independent retailer, and the founder of Carson’s Garden & Market in Prince Edward County. Carson’s career journey is anything but traditional—moving from launching brands at Procter & Gamble, to building a television career as a design and gardening expert, and now into the world of retail entrepreneurship.

Carson shares the inspiration behind launching his own store, Carson’s Garden & Market, a destination nestled among wineries and breweries in Prince Edward County. Designed to showcase the gardening products and tools he loves most, the store reflects his philosophy of bringing joy to outdoor spaces while educating customers on the beauty and practicality of kitchen gardens and edible ornamentals.

He offers a behind-the-scenes look at how he sources unique products from around the world, including gardening innovations from the UK, Japan, and Europe, while balancing a commitment to local Canadian suppliers. Carson also candidly discusses the challenges and opportunities of retailing through the pandemic. While many businesses struggled, Prince Edward County became a tourism hotspot, doubling his sales during peak years before settling into a post-pandemic reality where customer expectations and buying cycles continue to evolve.

Carson reflects on the lessons learned as a small business owner—how to stay true to a business model, the importance of building a loyal customer base, and the realities of managing growth in uncertain times. He also offers pointed advice for governments and financial institutions about the critical role of small businesses in Canada’s economy, urging more support during the early years when entrepreneurs are most at risk.

For aspiring retailers, Carson shares his “two starts and one stop”:

-Start by investing in your customer base.

-Start by becoming an active member of your community.

-Stop wearing rose-coloured glasses—always plan for downturns as much as growth.

Looking ahead, Carson is doubling down on the kitchen garden trend, helping Canadians rethink their backyards as spaces for food security and beauty. His focus on educating consumers about growing edible ornamentals positions his business at the intersection of sustainability, lifestyle, and retail innovation.

Cameron Conn, CEO of Champlain Apparel, on Winning with Retail Partnerships: RCC Retail West Sneak Peek

michael@meleblanc.co (Cameron Conn) — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 07:05:00 +0000

In this captivating episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Cameron Conn, CEO of Champlain Apparel, to explore an extraordinary career journey that spans Las Vegas casinos, tech startups, and Canada’s emerging entry-level luxury menswear scene.

Raised in a third-generation casino family, Cameron’s early career in hospitality taught him the art of customer service, loyalty, and operational excellence. From developing multi-million-dollar casino projects in Edmonton and Vancouver to launching a successful compliance tech company, his path was anything but conventional. After selling his tech venture, a chance reconnection with friend and custom suit retailer Jonathan Richard sparked his entry into fashion — and the birth of Champlain Apparel.

Cameron shares how Champlain revitalizes timeless menswear staples — from polo shirts to shawl-collar cardigans — blending heritage sport aesthetics with modern fit and quality. He explains their focus on “entry-level luxury” pricing and how a meticulous, methodical wholesale strategy landed the brand in iconic retailers like Harry Rosen in their first season — a rare feat for a new label.

The conversation dives deep into wholesale vs. direct-to-consumer strategies, with Cameron candidly discussing why wholesale has been their most successful growth driver, complemented by targeted DTC efforts. He also emphasizes the importance of cultivating retail partnerships, understanding merchants’ needs, and empowering front-line sales staff to become passionate brand storytellers.

A major highlight — Cameron previews his upcoming Retail Council of Canada’s Retail West conference appearance on September 25, where he’ll share the stage with Shannon Stewart, Chief Merchandising Officer at Harry Rosen. Their session will explore brand storytelling, customer engagement, and loyalty — and how these principles create the “math and magic” that makes retail partnerships thrive.

From Brooklyn trendsetters to Vancouver’s style-conscious shoppers, Champlain’s appeal is growing fast, supported by Cameron’s belief that the best retail relationships are built on trust, shared vision, and mutual success. His advice to other brand founders? Approach retailers as your customers, understand their business as well as your own, and make the math work so you can deliver the magic.

Whether you’re an emerging brand, retail executive, or simply love a great founder story, this episode offers valuable insights into scaling in the competitive fashion market, balancing creativity with business discipline, and building a brand narrative that resonates far beyond the showroom floor.

Retail Ready: Liza Amlani’s Essential Guide to Merchandising, Markdown Strategy & Wholesale Growth (Encore)

michael@meleblanc.co (Liza Amlani) — Fri, 8 Aug 2025 08:48:55 +0000

Retail success isn't just about having a fantastic product—it's about understanding the business of selling. On this special encore episode of The Voice of Retail, I welcome Liza Amlani, renowned retail strategist and co-author of The Whole Sale: Profitable Wholesale Strategies for Brands. Liza shares insider insights from her 20+ years in buying, merchandising, and retail consulting, helping brands navigate the complexities of wholesale expansion.

In a rapidly changing marketplace, many direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands struggle to break into wholesale partnerships, unsure how to negotiate terms, optimize product placement, or manage markdown strategies. Liza outlines the critical retail fundamentals that brands must master to thrive in major retail environments like Walmart, Target, and specialty stores.

During this insightful conversation, Michael and Liza discuss:

The most common mistakes brands make when entering wholesale and how to avoid them.
Why strong retail partnerships are the key to long-term success.
How to negotiate product placement, pricing strategies, and markdown terms with major retailers.
The role of merchandising strategy in maintaining shelf space and increasing sales.
The wholesale vs. direct-to-consumer debate—why it's not just about margins, but about growth and exposure.

With firsthand experience as a buyer for iconic brands like Ralph Lauren, Holt Renfrew, and Club Monaco, Liza brings a wealth of knowledge on what it takes to get "retail ready." She explains how emerging brands can scale strategically, leverage retail insights, and position themselves for long-term profitability.

If you're a brand looking to expand into wholesale—or a retailer aiming to strengthen vendor relationships—this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you succeed in today's competitive retail landscape.

🔹 Get Liza Amlani's book The Wholesale on Amazon.ca and visit Retail Strategy Group for more insights.

Retail Strategist Carl Boutet and his latest book "Blind Spot: Navigating the Unseen Effects of Technology on Commerce" (Encore)

michael@meleblanc.co (Carl Boutet) — Fri, 1 Aug 2025 07:06:12 +0000

On this Encore episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc speaks with retail strategist, professor, and author Carl Boutet about his journey in academia and his latest book, Blind Spot: Navigating the Unforeseen Effects of Technology on Commerce.

Carl discusses his evolving role in retail education, including his work at McGill University and teaching in Asia. He shares how his exposure to different global markets, particularly in Vietnam, has shaped his perspectives on retail innovation and emerging technologies.

A key topic of discussion is Carl’s take on NRF Big Show 2025, where AI and data-driven solutions dominated conversations. He reflects on the challenge of differentiation in a market saturated with AI-driven tools and emphasizes the need for retailers to focus on strategy, not just technology.

The conversation also delves into the intersection of AI, AR, and emerging technologies. Carl suggests that while innovations like Apple Vision Pro and AR-driven retail experiences are gaining traction, businesses must strike a balance between digital adoption and human interaction.

Michael and Carl also touch on ethical concerns surrounding AI, digital governance, and unintended consequences of rapid technological change. Carl argues that while the digital world is expanding, businesses must remain adaptable, curious, and prepared for industry disruptions.

Finally, Carl introduces his book Blind Spot, which explores overlooked technological shifts in commerce. He encourages retailers to broaden their perspectives, seek inspiration beyond their immediate industry, and engage with the next generation of leaders.

Listeners can purchase Blind Spot exclusively through Carl’s website, StudioRX.world.

Chris Jones, Cannabis Xpress CEO, on Disruption, Differentiation & the Future of Cannabis Retail

michael@meleblanc.co (Chris Jones) — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 07:54:41 +0000

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, I’m thrilled to welcome back Chris Jones, Founder and CEO of Cannabis Xpress, for his third appearance on the show. Chris offers an insider’s view of the fast-changing cannabis retail landscape in Canada. Since we last spoke, Cannabis Xpress has grown to 21 stores—14 in Ontario and 7 in New Brunswick—becoming the largest private cannabis retailer in New Brunswick.

Chris shares how his focus on underserved communities and cost-efficient, compact store formats has created a sustainable and profitable business model in a sector plagued by high overhead, oversupply, and stiff competition. He explains why small-town locations, limited SKU count, and fast, expert service are at the heart of his winning value proposition.

We explore the broader industry landscape, including how Ontario’s cannabis market has peaked and is now in a correction phase, with closures and lease renewals looming. Chris offers a frank take on regulatory blind spots that allowed a flood of stores—sometimes side by side—without proper planning. He also speaks to the remaining dominance of the illicit market, and how changes to edible dosage limits, store hours, and licensing could help bring more consumers into the legal fold.

Chris doesn’t shy away from highlighting the pros and cons of the Canadian system compared to U.S. states like California and New York, where regulatory complexity and taxation have stifled growth. Yet, he remains optimistic about the future of cannabis retail—both in Canada and abroad.

Looking ahead, Chris reveals plans to pursue more licenses in Atlantic Canada, potentially introduce private label products, and eventually sell the business. Despite a challenging retail environment, Cannabis Xpress is not just surviving—it’s thriving, with over $10 million in revenue and 70 employees across Canada.

Beyond Satisfaction: Unlocking What Drives Consumers in 2025 with Simone Lumsden, SVP, Triangle Customer Loyalty and Triangle Retail Media at Canadian Tire, and Sandra Duff, Founder of AnotherStory Consulting

michael@meleblanc.co (Simone Lumsden, Sandra Duff) — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 07:05:00 +0000

In this special live episode of The Voice of Retail, recorded at RCC STORE 2025, I sit down with two retail thought leaders: Simone Lumsden, Senior Vice-President, Triangle Customer Loyalty and Triangle Retail Media, Canadian Tire Corporation, and Sandra Duff, Founder and Principal at Another Story Consulting. Together, we explore what it takes to deliver loyalty, excitement, and differentiation in an increasingly parity-driven retail environment.

Simone shares how Canadian Tire is evolving its Triangle Rewards program beyond the traditional notion of loyalty. From its iconic paper money origins to a modern digital currency used across banners, Triangle is now designed to be simple, flexible, and personal. Simone explains how Canadian Tire is using customer data to deliver meaningful value through personalized offers and experiences, while acknowledging there's still work to be done to make those offers more relevant and engaging.

Sandra contributes powerful insights drawn from her years of customer research, highlighting the crucial distinction between "jobs" and "joys" in retail. She stresses that while table stakes, such as price and convenience, must be met, fun and inspiration are what truly differentiate. Together, we discuss how in-store experiences must move beyond transactions to create environments that delight and connect with customers on an emotional level.

The conversation shifts to retail media, where Simone emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between monetization and the customer experience. She describes how Canadian Tire is introducing in-store and digital retail media in non-intrusive, contextually relevant ways, avoiding the cluttered, disruptive examples seen elsewhere. Sandra reinforces that strong customer insights should never live in silos, but should empower every team—from marketing to store associates—to deliver differentiated value.

We also delve into innovation and experimentation—from new flagship formats at Sport Chek and Mark's, to coalition partnerships, and the rise of agentic AI in shaping the future of shopping journeys. Simone encourages retailers to stay curious and test new approaches without fear of past failures, while Sandra calls for more real-time feedback loops and smaller-scale pilot programs to learn what resonates most.

Talent, Strategy, and Story Telling: James B. Smith, CEO of Rare Placement, on Finding—and Becoming—the Right Retail Leader

michael@meleblanc.co (James B. Smith) — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 07:11:19 +0000

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, I’m joined by James B. Smith, Founder and CEO of Rare Placement, for a wide-ranging conversation on modern leadership, executive search, and the future of talent in the retail industry.

James brings an exceptional career journey to the mic, beginning in advertising with agencies like Grey and Ogilvy, moving into marketing leadership at Citibank, in leadership roles at Esquire and then Conde Nast Traveller—where he helped it become the top-performing title, even outpacing Vogue. His passion for growth and transformation led him to become a CEO, owner-operator, and eventually launch Rare Placement, a boutique executive search firm focused on personalized, human-centric talent solutions.

In our conversation, James emphasizes the power of storytelling—not just for brands, but for leaders. He reveals that every candidate he’s placed has gone on to become a client, a testament to his laser focus on culture fit, agility, and soft skills over just resumes. We dive into how executive hiring has changed, why modern CEOs need courage, humility, and the ability to say “I don’t know,” and how COVID permanently reshaped leadership styles and expectations around flexibility and culture.

James shares practical advice for current and aspiring retail leaders—from building a strong, concise personal narrative to investing in ongoing networking, not just when you're in transition. He stresses that succession planning should be an ongoing, layered strategy, and reminds executives that “people buy leaders, not logos.”

We also explore the increasing importance of board roles—both fiduciary and advisory—and how executives can position themselves for these opportunities by knowing what they uniquely bring to the table.

Whether you’re a retail executive planning your next move, a CEO rethinking your leadership team, or a rising leader wondering how to stand out, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Live from SMU in Dallas, Texas, Steve Dennis & Leaders Leap, Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption (Encore Episode)

michael@meleblanc.co (Steve Dennis) — Fri, 4 Jul 2025 07:05:54 +0000

In this special encore episode of The Voice of Retail, recorded live at the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, host Michael LeBlanc is joined by longtime Remarkable Retail #podcast collaborator and retail thought leader Steve Dennis to celebrate the launch of Steve’s latest book, Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption.

Best known for his bestselling book Remarkable Retail, Steve steps outside the retail-specific lens to explore a broader question: Why do leaders and companies fail to transform—even when they know they must? Drawing on personal experiences at iconic retailers like Sears and Neiman Marcus, Steve shares how legacy mindsets, fear of risk, and "timid transformations" can doom even the most well-intentioned strategies. He recalls a pivotal moment at Sears when, after 18 months of strategic planning and board approval, a colleague remarked that the new plan was “not a strategy to win—just a strategy to suck less.”

From there, the conversation dives into the key themes of Leaders Leap, including Steve’s concept of “leadership mind leaps”—seven fundamental shifts that leaders must make to truly drive meaningful transformation. These include “Crush Your Ego,” “Open the Aperture,” “Edit to Amplify,” “Start with Wow,” “Think Radically,” “Embrace the Risk of Inaction,” and “Accelerate with Urgency.” Each leap challenges conventional leadership norms and encourages leaders to rethink their roles in the face of fast-paced disruption.

Steve and Michael discuss why merely optimizing the business model isn’t enough in an age defined by exponential change, and how legacy brands can learn from disruptors like Uber, Airbnb, and Netflix—companies that pivoted boldly and often. Using examples from RH (formerly Restoration Hardware) and Vuori, the episode highlights how focus, differentiation, and bold thinking can enable even established players to reinvent themselves.

This episode is a masterclass in leadership transformation for retailers and executives across sectors. Whether you’re a C-suite veteran, a team leader, or an entrepreneur navigating disruption, this conversation offers both strategic frameworks and personal insight that can help you leap forward, not fall behind.

Jim Okamura, Partner at McMillan Doolittle on what is now, new and the future of local and global retail commerce live from the CommerceNext Growth Show

michael@meleblanc.co (Jim Okamura) — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 07:10:29 +0000

In this must-listen episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc is joined by seasoned retail strategist Jim Okamura, Partner at McMillan Doolittle and Co-Founder of the Global E-commerce Leaders Forum (GELF). Recorded live at the CommerceNext show in New York City, the two Canadians delve deeply into the current and future state of retail, blending global expertise with practical insights from the ground up.

The conversation begins with Jim's background and a look at McMillan Doolittle's role in driving innovation across various retail formats. Known for their globally respected annual Retail Innovations report, Jim explains how international partners nominate the most forward-thinking concepts, regardless of whether they achieve commercial success. From trailblazing store formats, such as Printemps' architectural marvel in Manhattan, to localization strategies that shape international brand launches, Jim shares examples that reflect where retail is headed next.

The duo then shifts to a frank discussion about the collapse of Hudson's Bay and what it signals for the broader department store format. Comparing North American challenges with the success of Japanese models that utilize a leased brand approach, Jim highlights how changing consumer behaviour—especially in beauty and apparel—has fragmented traditional retail categories. He argues that the decline of department stores is less a retail apocalypse and more a natural part of the lifecycle of formats.

As the conversation moves to unified commerce and digital transformation, Jim emphasizes that success isn't just about tech—it's about culture. Companies that embrace a testing and analytics-driven mindset have a competitive edge. He also discusses the generational shift in expectations, including the normalization of paid same-hour delivery via platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats.

The episode wraps with insights from GELF's work helping global brands expand across borders. Jim reveals how localization, unified commerce strategies, and innovative partnerships with distributors are fueling cross-border growth—even amid global trade uncertainty. With AI, logistics disruptions, and rising tariffs reshaping the terrain, Jim calls for nimble thinking and sharper execution from brands and their ecosystems.

This rich, wide-ranging discussion offers a panoramic view of retail's past, present, and future—making it essential listening for anyone navigating the changing commerce landscape.

Sharon Gai, AI Strategist, on Personalization, Blind Boxes & Retail 2.0

michael@meleblanc.co (Sharon Gai) — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 07:30:44 +0000

In this powerhouse episode of The Voice of Retail, I sit down with Sharon Gai, an international keynote speaker, AI expert, former Alibaba executive, and recent keynote speaker on the stage at the Retail Council of Canada's STORE2025, for an illuminating conversation on the future of retail in the age of artificial intelligence. Joining from São Paulo, Sharon offers a global lens on how retailers must rethink customer engagement, merchandising, and data infrastructure to remain competitive.

We begin by tracing Sharon's fascinating origin story—from her Canadian roots in Vancouver and her education at McGill to an unexpected recruitment by Alibaba. She takes us behind the curtain of Chinese tech culture, describing a world of intense work ethics, hyper-growth, and an ecosystem where AI doesn't just support retail—it drives it.

Sharon explains how AI has evolved beyond personalization into what she calls "agentic AI"—systems that not only predict behaviour but act on a shopper's behalf. She warns that retailers who don't maintain pristine product data and detailed PDPs (Product Detail Pages) risk being invisible in LLM-powered answer engines like ChatGPT or Claude.

We delve into the differences between Chinese and Western retail, highlighting trends such as the viral "blind box" concept and video commerce that thrive in digital-first cultures. Sharon also shares her learnings from a cross-cultural brand project with Huggies, emphasizing the power of creativity, unpredictability, and localized storytelling.

The episode also features insight into a recent Retail Council of Canada panel Sharon led, with Canadian Tire's chatbot innovation and Showcase's trend-driven merchandising model serving as prime examples of AI-enabled transformation at home.

Sharon leaves listeners with practical advice: embrace AI not just for customer-facing features but also as a powerful internal tool for cost-cutting and productivity. And beware of the trap of sameness—when everyone is using AI to write duplicate emails and social posts, true differentiation comes from creativity and strategic insight.

Whether you're a retail exec, digital strategist, or tech-curious brand builder, this episode delivers a rich, global perspective on what's next for commerce—and what it takes to stay ahead.

https://youtu.be/0zdLv0mz29Y

Sharon Gai helps organizations do more with less using AI. In her tenure at Alibaba, she advised brands and heads of state in crafting their digital strategy with programmatic marketing and AI. She has worked with TEDx, Singularity University, UBS, Deloitte, Walmart, LVMH, Nestle, Coca Cola, Lenovo, and many others. She is in the AAE list of Top Keynote Speakers in 2023. She has appeared on Bloomberg, Reuters, ABC, CBC, CCTV, TechCrunch, Retail Asia, Wired, and The Next Web. She is the author of the book, Ecommerce Reimagined. Sharon has an Honors Bachelor’s degree in International Development from McGill and a Masters in Information Management from Columbia University. When she is not speaking, she is jamming on electric keyboards with her band, writing jokes for her stand up comedy set or sharing tips on how to get ahead in AI at sharongai.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharongai

Instagram: https://instagram.com/sharong.ai

Vancouver's Innovative Retail Crime Fighting Solution, Project Barcode, with Sgt. Craig Reynolds & Arezo Zarrabian, Vancouver Police Department (Encore)

michael@meleblanc.co (Arezo Zarrabian, Craig Reynolds) — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 07:05:00 +0000

In this encore episode of The Voice of Retail from January 2025, I’m joined by Sergeant Craig Reynolds and Arezo Zarrabian, Senior Crime Analyst at the Vancouver Police Department, for an exclusive look inside Project Barcode—a pioneering effort to combat organized retail crime in Vancouver.

Sparked by a staggering 260% increase in retail theft involving weapons, Project Barcode was launched in 2021 and has evolved into a city-wide operation. Combining targeted police action, strategic analytics, and cross-agency collaboration, the project has become a blueprint for combating retail crime across Canada—and beyond.

Craig and Arezo take us behind the scenes of Barcode’s design and deployment. With more than 1,400 arrests, 166 repeat offenders apprehended, and $1.4 million in goods and criminal assets recovered, Project Barcode is delivering measurable results. Arezo’s data-driven insights guide every phase—from identifying hotspots by time and geography, to profiling offender patterns and predicting retail theft surges. One key innovation? Deploying officers based on real-time trends, such as peak theft hours or common entry points into the city.

Yet the team doesn’t just tackle frontline offenders. A major focus is upstream—targeting fences and organized resellers who drive demand for stolen goods. With the help of anti-fencing units and civil forfeiture laws, Project Barcode has disrupted the black-market supply chain while building stronger partnerships with the retail community.

Craig and Arezo also share deeply human perspectives on the systemic issues behind the crimes: homelessness, addiction, lack of mental health support, and underfunded social services. They stress that many offenders are exploited and desperate—often stealing not out of greed, but obligation to pay off debts. They advocate for wraparound solutions that go beyond law enforcement, including judicial reform, community policing, and better data sharing.

The episode closes with a look ahead: more coordination, smarter deployment, and a renewed call for nationwide efforts to recognize retail crime as a serious threat to public safety and economic stability.

If you’re a retailer, policymaker, or security professional, this is essential listening on how cities can combine compassion, innovation, and accountability to fight retail crime—and win.

Peter Hlynsky, CEO of MEC: The Epic Journey Home - How Canada's Iconic Outdoor Retailer Reclaimed Its Heritage and Charts New Trails

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 6 Jun 2025 07:05:00 +0000

In this exclusive interview, I chat with Peter Hlynsky, CEO of MEC (Mountain Equipment Company), one of Canada's most iconic outdoor retailers. Peter shares his remarkable journey from CFO to CEO over five years at MEC, detailing his passion for the outdoors that initially drew him to the company rather than retail specifically.

MEC's origin story is captivating - it began in the early 1970s, when University of British Columbia students drove to REI in Washington, bought climbing gear, and sold it from their van on campus. This evolved into Canada's premier outdoor retail cooperative with 21 stores by 2020, becoming what Peter describes as "a candy store for the outdoors."

The company's unique employee culture sets MEC apart in the competitive outdoor retail landscape. Staff members genuinely live the lifestyle they sell through "Rad Days" - paid outdoor adventures where employees test gear and bring back real-world experiences. This authentic product knowledge enables staff to provide honest recommendations, sometimes even steering customers away from products that don't fit their specific needs.

Peter discusses MEC's significant transformation from a member-owned cooperative to a private company, maintaining the "member" terminology and benefits that resonate with Canadian consumers. The recently relaunched membership program includes purchase-based discounts, exclusive access to popular store events, and MEC's legendary "rock solid guarantee" - one of the industry's most comprehensive return policies.

A significant development is MEC's return to Canadian ownership after being acquired by private equity in 2020. Peter and Chief Merchandising Officer Chris Beyer joined the new Canadian ownership group, led by Tim Gu, bringing manufacturing expertise that is particularly valuable for MEC's private label products, which comprise one-third of their business alongside branded products from Patagonia, Arc'teryx, and Yeti.

The merchandising strategy balances premium branded products with MEC's highly-regarded private label offerings, providing similar quality at lower prices without wholesale markups. This combination creates a compelling value proposition that competitors struggle to match.

Looking ahead, Peter sees significant growth opportunities as competitors exit the market following the COVID-19 pandemic. Atmosphere closed standalone stores, and regional players shuttered operations, creating organic growth potential. MEC plans opportunistic store expansion in underserved Canadian markets, capitalizing on available real estate from retailer closures.

Peter's retail advice emphasizes focusing relentlessly on core competencies rather than chasing trending business models. For MEC, this means maintaining its specialty outdoor retailer identity through exceptional in-store service, curated product assortments, and a consistent customer experience across all channels.

The episode highlights how authentic brand positioning, employee engagement, and customer-centric policies can sustain competitive advantages in challenging retail environments. MEC's successful transition from a cooperative to a company while preserving its brand values demonstrates effective change management in retail transformation.

Human Pride: Optimizing Your Human Potential in a Digital Job Market with bestselling author and veteran front-line retail executive Ron Thurston

michael@meleblanc.co (Ron Thurston) — Fri, 30 May 2025 08:36:25 +0000

In this energizing and thought-provoking episode, I welcome back Ron Thurston, bestselling author, veteran retail executive, and passionate advocate for the frontline retail workforce. With the launch of his second book, Human Pride: Optimizing Your Human Potential in a Digital Job Market, Ron brings a refreshing, people-centric perspective to leadership and career development in the era of AI, automation, and gig work.

Michael and Ron discuss the implications of the rising prevalence of gig work, how many retailers are reverting to "COVID playbooks" with minimal staffing, and the importance of treating even temporary team members as valuable contributors. Ron shares powerful insights on how a simple, intentional 60-second conversation can dramatically transform an employee's sense of pride and purpose—emphasizing the importance of human-to-human leadership even amidst operational speed.

The heart of the episode is Ron's deep dive into Human Pride, a follow-up to his 2020 bestseller Retail Pride. Ron explains how this new book expands his message beyond the retail sector, encouraging readers to reflect on their values, refine their personal stories, and lead with purpose. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling in both job interviews and team leadership, describing it as an underutilized yet transformative tool.

Ron and Michael also reflect on Ron's first book tour, where he crisscrossed the U.S. in an Airstream and F-150 to connect with frontline retail workers, and what he learned about the commonalities shared across the industry, from Walmart to luxury brands. Ron emphasizes the importance of leaders being curious, asking thoughtful questions, and helping team members discover their strengths through storytelling and open dialogue.

Whether you're a retail executive, HR leader, or just navigating today's job market, this episode offers timely and timeless advice on how to show up with pride, lead with humanity, and build a more resilient workforce.

Buy Ron's eBook on Indigo

Buy Ron's Book on Amazon

Jenn Harper, Retail Council Canada's 2025 Independent Independent Retail Ambassador of the Year on Taking Cheekbone Beauty from Startup Dream to Indigenous Beauty Revolution

michael@meleblanc.co (Jenn Harper) — Fri, 23 May 2025 07:05:00 +0000

In this episode, Jenn Harper, founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics and 2025 recipient of Retail Council Canada's Independent Retail Ambassador of the Year award, joins me on the mic. Our inspiring conversation explores Jenn's remarkable journey from food industry sales to building a nationally recognized Indigenous beauty brand now available in Sephora, Canada, and JCPenney.

Jenn's entrepreneurial story begins with a vivid dream in January 2015 featuring Indigenous girls covered in lip gloss, just months after she got sober from battling alcoholism. Her discovery of generational trauma stemming from her grandparents' residential school experience became the driving force behind creating a brand that could break cycles and build something meaningful for Indigenous communities.

The conversation reveals how personal tragedy - losing her brother BJ to suicide just before launching - nearly ended the venture but ultimately became the motivation to persevere through countless challenges. Jenn candidly discusses the mental resilience required for entrepreneurship, comparing the journey to Nike founder Phil Knight's struggles detailed in "Shoe Dog."

Cheekbone Beauty has carved out a unique position in the competitive cosmetics market by pioneering what Jenn calls "indigenous beauty" - products that are clean and safe for humans and genuinely sustainable for the planet. The brand eliminates harmful ingredients like dimethicone and isodiacaine that negatively impact aquatic ecosystems, directly connecting to Indigenous land stewardship values.

Jenn shares crucial insights about customer loyalty and product-market fit, revealing their impressive 55-65% customer return rate compared to the industry average of 30%. Their hero product, the UniFi complexion pencils, has revolutionized how customers think about the foundation by promoting natural skin visibility while providing beneficial skincare properties.

The discussion covers modern marketing realities for independent brands, with Jenn emphasizing that authentic user-generated content from real customers far outperforms expensive influencer campaigns. She details costly lessons learned from failed marketing initiatives in 2024, confirming that scrappy, organic marketing remains most effective for small brands.

Jenn positions artificial intelligence as essential for competitive survival while acknowledging environmental concerns that sustainable businesses must consider in their impact reporting. She views AI as potentially levelling the playing field initially, though she expects larger corporations to capitalize on these tools quickly.

The episode provides valuable advice for fellow entrepreneurs, with Jenn emphasizing speed and leveraging available tools while learning from mistakes quickly. Jenn's target demographic of 35-55-year-old women challenges assumptions about indigenous beauty brands, with Fair Shades being their top sellers.

This conversation offers inspiration and practical insights for independent retailers, beauty entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in building purpose-driven businesses that create positive community impact while achieving commercial success.

RCC STORE2025 Keynote Speaker Karl Haller, Consumer Center of Competency (CoC) Leader from IBM on The AI-Powered Retail Enterprise

michael@meleblanc.co (Karl Haller) — Fri, 16 May 2025 07:05:00 +0000

In this exclusive episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, host Michael LeBlanc interviews Karl Haller, Partner at IBM Consulting and leader of their retail and consumer products center of competency, ahead of his highly anticipated keynote presentation at Retail Council of Canada's STORE2025 conference on June 3rd.

With nearly 30 years of retail experience at brands including Brooks Brothers, Tommy Hilfiger, and Karl Lagerfeld, Haller brings unique insights at the intersection of retail business and technology to one of Canada's premier retail events.

Haller, who will take the main stage following fellow keynote speaker Ira Kalish, positions AI as "the biggest transformation that any of us have seen in our careers," comparing its significance to the advent of computing in the 1970s. While acknowledging the hype surrounding AI, he maintains that we're in the early stages of a fundamental shift in how retail operates—a message he'll expand upon at the STORE2025 conference.

When discussing strategy during uncertain times, Haller advises retailers to focus on action rather than extensive planning: "If you've got a million dollars to spend, spend a million dollars on 100 MVPs. Don't spend a million dollars on an AI strategy project because it's going to be out of date by the time you've done it." He recommends scenario planning with clear indicators that can guide decision-making in unpredictable environments.

Looking at retail formats, Haller notes that success isn't determined by format alone but by how retailers innovate within their sector. He highlights Walmart's nimble approach to technology implementation, PepsiCo's management of their extensive logistics network, and innovative approaches from companies like Unilever and Kroger.

The conversation culminates with Haller identifying four under-appreciated retail technology trends:

Expanding AI beyond words, pictures, and code to work with numerical data like SKU forecasting, potentially reducing forecast error rates to low single digits
Integrating AI with other technologies like computer vision, IoT devices, robotics, biometrics, electronic shelf labels, and retail media
Developing an "operating system for AI" to manage the projected billion new applications by 2028
Most critically, bringing people along on the technology journey through comprehensive training and continuous learning

Attendees of STORE2025 can expect Haller to dive deeper into these insights during his keynote presentation, providing retail leaders with actionable strategies for navigating technological transformation while balancing innovation with practical implementatio

Beyond the Tariff Headlines: STORE2025 Opening Keynote Ira Kalish, Chief Global Economist for Deloitte Prepares Canadian Retailers for Economic Change

michael@meleblanc.co (Ira Kalish) — Fri, 9 May 2025 07:05:00 +0000

In this timely episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes back frequent guest and audience favorite Ira Kalish, Chief Global and US Economist for Deloitte, who is set to deliver the opening keynote address at Retail Council of Canada's STORE2025 conference on June 3rd. This conversation offers listeners a valuable preview of the critical economic insights Canadian retailers can expect from his highly anticipated keynote.

As LeBlanc notes in the introduction, "I'm very excited that you're going to be here in person," highlighting the significance of Kalish's upcoming role in kicking off RCC's flagship event during this period of economic uncertainty. The episode serves as an essential primer for conference attendees and provides crucial analysis for all retail professionals navigating today's complex trade environment.

Drawing on his deep economic expertise, Kalish reveals that average US tariff rates have skyrocketed to approximately 27% - levels not seen since 1903. This represents a dramatic increase from the previous 3-3.5% rates and has triggered significant financial market volatility, supply chain disruptions, and growing concerns about economic downturns - all topics he'll address more extensively in his STORE2025 presentation.

The conversation tackles three major justifications for the new tariff approach: shifting from taxes to tariffs for revenue generation, rebalancing global trade priorities, and re-shoring manufacturing. Kalish systematically challenges these rationales, providing a preview of the economic framework he'll expand upon during his conference keynote.

Particularly concerning for retailers planning to attend STORE2025, Kalish highlights data showing container shipments from China to the US are down 45% year-over-year, as importers either find tariffs too prohibitive or wait for potential policy reversals. This disruption threatens empty store shelves and significantly higher consumer prices in the immediate future - urgent challenges that will undoubtedly be central to his opening address.

Continuing themes he'll develop further at the conference, the discussion also explores non-tariff barriers, currency manipulation accusations, and the possibility of regional "fortress" trading blocs. While Kalish doesn't foresee complete regionalization of trade, he notes that many countries are now working to reduce US trade dependence by liberalizing trade with each other.

On a more optimistic note, the conversation concludes by examining how this trade crisis might catalyze positive economic reforms in Canada - a topic that will resonate strongly with the Canadian retail executives gathering at STORE2025.

Listeners are encouraged to follow Kalish's weekly economic updates on Deloitte's thought leadership website at deloitte.com/insights, while also making plans to attend his must-see opening keynote at Retail Council of Canada's STORE2025 conference on June 1st, where he'll provide expanded insights on these rapidly evolving economic developments.

ENCORE: Technology in the Service of The Customer with Michon Williams, Chief Technology Officer, Walmart Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Michon Williams) — Fri, 2 May 2025 07:05:00 +0000

🎧 Encore Episode Alert! Revisit one of our most popular conversations from Fall 2024 as I sit down with Michon Williams, Chief Technology Officer at Walmart Canada, for a wide-ranging discussion on leading technology innovation in Canada’s largest retail landscape. Recorded live at Walmart Canada headquarters, Michelle shares her career journey—from a high school intern at RBC to helming technology strategy at Walmart—highlighting the passion for problem-solving and creativity that fueled her ascent.

In this exclusive interview, Michon unpacks the complexities of managing three horizons of retail technology: maintaining system stability, driving incremental improvements, and pioneering disruptive innovations. She explains how Walmart balances global solutions with unique local requirements in Canada, from pharmacy operations to supply chain logistics across a vast geography. Michelle emphasizes that 30% of Walmart Canada's tech stack is tailored for the local market, showcasing the importance of adaptability in global retail operations.

A key theme is the accelerated pace of innovation post-pandemic, particularly in online grocery and omni-channel experiences. Michelle reflects on how the pandemic forced Walmart to “pivot quickly” and experiment boldly, fostering a culture of agility and learning. She provides an insider’s view on how Walmart Canada approaches innovation through a portfolio mindset, selectively adopting global technologies while developing homegrown solutions to meet specific Canadian challenges.

Michon offers candid insights into Walmart’s approach to AI, describing current use cases like automated product tagging and content generation, while stressing the need for “human in the loop” oversight. She positions AI as a transformational but still maturing tool—“we’re in spring training”—with long-term potential to level the playing field for businesses of all sizes.

We also explore the intersection of technology and marketing at Walmart, from empowering associates with actionable data to enhancing in-store experiences that bring the brand to life. Michon closes with powerful advice for women in tech, encouraging curiosity, continuous learning, and breaking out of limiting assumptions: “If you’re nervous about something, go learn it.”

Whether you're a retailer, technologist, or leader navigating innovation, this encore episode offers invaluable insights from one of Canada’s top retail technology executives.

💥 Don’t miss this repeat of a listener favourite!

SophieGrace Founder Emma May on Tariffs, Tailoring, and Building a Community-First Brand

michael@meleblanc.co (Emma May) — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 08:10:04 +0000

In this compelling episode of The Voice of Retail, I sit down again and catch up with Emma May, Founder of SophieGrace, a Calgary-based fashion brand transforming professional womenswear with modular, machine-washable designs. With a diverse background spanning law, politics, and real estate, Emma shares the origin story of SophieGrace, born from her frustration with the lack of cohesive, high-quality wardrobe options for professional women.

Emma discusses how her brand serves an underserved segment—professional women who want elegant, coordinated, and comfortable clothing without the hassle of traditional shopping. She highlights how SophieGrace's clean design ethos and product quality have created an extremely loyal customer base across North America, including legal professionals, political leaders, and C-suite executives.

We dive into the business model, including the online-first strategy supported by two physical showrooms in Calgary and Vancouver and Emma's growing interest in experiential retail through pop-ups and client-hosted events. She details how organic, word-of-mouth growth—amplified by strategic community events like wine-and-shop nights hosted by senior partners and wealth managers—has been central to building the brand's reputation.

Emma also opens up about the operational and strategic challenges of manufacturing. Originally sourcing from China for scalability, SophieGrace explored Canadian production, only to be forced to return offshore after losing a key domestic supplier. Despite these hurdles, product quality and innovation remain front and center—stretch silk blouses and capsule drops ensure her customers return again and again.

The conversation turns to current trade policy headwinds. With 30% of sales once coming from the U.S., Emma unpacks how the elimination of de minimis exemptions and looming tariffs—potentially exceeding 100%—have derailed her expansion plans. The result: a pivot back to Canadian growth and exploring new frontiers, including potential wholesale opportunities and a European launch.

Emma's journey is a masterclass in entrepreneurial grit, customer-driven design, and navigating global trade complexity with agility. Whether you're a fashion entrepreneur, policy wonk, or retail strategist, this episode delivers a wealth of insights into building a brand with purpose and scalability in 2025's challenging retail environment.

(ENCORE) Radical Innovation, Leadership and Winning Every Race with Craig Baxter, Group President of Techtronic Industries Canada Inc. (Milwaukee, Ryobi, and Hoover)

michael@meleblanc.co (Craig Baxter) — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 08:33:22 +0000

In this compelling encore episode of The Voice of Retail, I reconnect with Craig Baxter, Group President of Techtronic Industries Canada Inc., a division of the $13.7 billion global manufacturing giant known for its market-leading brands including Milwaukee, RYOBI, Hoover, and Dirt Devil. Our conversation spans decades of experience, lessons learned, and the cutting-edge strategies Craig and his team are deploying to dominate the power tools and home improvement space.

Craig shares his fascinating career journey—from launching his marketing career at Kraft General Foods, to disrupting the power tools industry during his tenure at Black & Decker, and now leading explosive growth at TTI. We explore the epic rise of the Milwaukee brand, which went from an underdog in a five-horse race to the global leader in cordless power tools. Craig details how a bold bet on lithium-ion battery technology gave Milwaukee an edge, along with deep end-user insights and relentless product innovation.

We also dive into TTI’s unique go-to-market strategy. Craig explains why the company eschews direct-to-consumer sales in favor of exclusive partnerships—like the long-standing relationship with Home Depot that anchors RYOBI’s retail presence. TTI’s model emphasizes focused distribution, a people-intensive field marketing approach, and high-touch engagement with tradespeople, from contractors to electricians.

In the leadership segment, Craig opens up about what it takes to build and lead high-performing teams. He advocates for setting audacious goals, inspiring rather than managing, and creating an environment where great people can thrive. He also warns against weak leadership practices like cheerleading poor performance or tolerating mediocrity. Craig’s philosophy: talk last, listen deeply, and never underestimate the power of human capital.

Whether you’re a retail strategist, brand marketer, aspiring leader, or power tool enthusiast, this episode offers valuable lessons on market disruption, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership.

About Craig

Sixteen years ago, I was given the opportunity to become the president of TTi Canada; a world class leader in design, manufacturing, and marketing of power tools and accessories, outdoor product equipment and floor care for consumers, professional and industrial users in the home improvement, repair, and construction industries.

Since then, I have had the privilege of working alongside a team of outstanding performers who share the same belief in setting audacious goals and holding ourselves accountable to deliver those goals while continuing to cultivate a best in class working environment.

Along with our unrelenting strategic focus on powerful brands, innovative products, operational excellence, and exceptional people, we strive to continuously build upon a corporate culture where our employees can realize more and more of their abundant potential.

What inspires me, is seeing people striving to do great work and growing into the best version of themselves. By continuously improving our culture through all of our success we have further leveraged our biggest differentiator as a company, and that is something I am very proud of.

“Show class, have pride, and display character. And if you do, winning takes care of itself” – Bear Bryant

The world’s smartest AI-merchandising engine with Anabel Maldonado, Canadian Founder & CEO of PSYKHE AI

michael@meleblanc.co (Anabel Maldonado) — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 07:05:00 +0000

In this enlightening episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc interviews Anabel Maldonado, Founder and CEO of PSYKHE AI, a company at the forefront of using psychographic intelligence and generative AI to transform the future of e-commerce merchandising. With a rich background that spans neuropsychology and luxury fashion—having worked with the founding team of Net-a-Porter—Anabel brings a unique perspective to the conversation about personalization, retail AI, and customer behavior.

Anabel describes how PSYKHE AI solves a persistent problem in digital retail: ineffective, one-size-fits-all recommendation engines. Traditional AI personalization relies heavily on transactional history and assumes repetitive buying behavior. PSYKHE AI instead integrates the Big Five personality traits—openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism—to determine what products emotionally resonate with users. The result is a real-time, per-user merchandising engine that reorders product pages based on deep learning and aesthetic psychology.

Anabel explains that these psychographic insights allow PSYKHE AI to move beyond surface-level recommendations. Rather than bombarding consumers with lookalike products or static best-sellers, the platform dynamically surfaces items that feel uniquely “them”—even across unrelated categories like fashion, fragrance, and home décor. The system learns from user behavior and product interaction without relying on surveys or manual input, enabling meaningful personalization that adapts over time.

The platform is particularly suited for large-scale, multi-brand retailers where product discovery is a challenge. PSYKHE AI delivers significant improvements in metrics such as conversion rate, time to transaction, and revenue per visitor, reporting uplifts between 17% and 35% through continuous A/B testing.

Retailers with at least 50,000 monthly unique visitors and a product catalog with depth (four or more pages in key categories) are the ideal partners. As AI adoption accelerates, Anabel urges retailers to close the cultural gap between tech teams and merchants by embracing tools that reflect the emotional complexity of consumer decision-making.

For those looking to stay ahead of the curve in retail innovation, this episode offers a compelling look at how emotional intelligence and AI can come together to redefine product discovery in e-commerce.

Hudson's Bay's Untimely Demise, Retail Turnarounds & Consumer Trends: A Conversation with Phil Wahba, Senior Writer at Fortune

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 4 Apr 2025 07:05:00 +0000

In the latest episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc sits down with Phil Wahba, Senior Writer at Fortune, to explore the ever-evolving landscape of retail leadership, consumer behavior, and strategic transformations. Wahba reflects on more than a decade covering retail bankruptcies, leadership shifts, and innovation, highlighting that while consumer desires have remained relatively stable—good value, seamless experiences, and quality products—retailers often struggle to meet these expectations consistently.

Wahba shares insights into how some of the biggest names in retail excel by focusing on core strengths. He points to Costco and Walmart as prime examples of companies that continue to thrive by relentlessly pursuing operational efficiency, value pricing, and consistent store execution. In contrast, many department stores have downsized or disappeared because, as Wahba puts it, they “chased the wrong rabbits”—pursuing short-term gains over long-term brand definition. Dillard’s stands out by maintaining steady store counts and focusing on a solid merchandising strategy, proving that success hinges on knowing your customer and offering them a clear reason to shop.

The conversation then shifts to Hudson’s Bay and its recent struggles, which Wahba attributes to a lack of focus on fundamental retail principles and a greater emphasis on real estate extraction. He also touches on the broader implications of retail real estate vacancies, noting that large anchor-store spaces often require creative repurposing—whether converted into smaller retail footprints, medical clinics, or mixed-use developments.

Looking ahead, Wahba anticipates a future where technology plays a more backstage role, with the spotlight on operational improvements such as inventory management, demand forecasting, and smoother omnichannel experiences. Shoppers do not seek flashy tech for its own sake; rather, they want frictionless pathways to purchase. The episode also explores how retailers like Foot Locker and Gap might engineer turnarounds under new leadership, taking cues from successful transformations at brands like Abercrombie & Fitch.

Wahba underscores that retail “winners” will be those that evolve with shifting consumer expectations while staying true to foundational principles: consistently fair pricing, well-curated inventory, and reliable customer service. The conversation wraps up with a look at up-and-coming brands and international retailers—including Uniqlo—that could make bigger U.S. expansions in the coming years if they adapt carefully to the market’s nuances.

Whether you’re watching for the next big turnaround or seeking to understand why some iconic names falter, this episode offers deep insights into the interplay of leadership, strategy, and consumer loyalty—critical elements shaping the future of modern retail.

Strategic Resets for Thriving in Turbulent Times with Dr. Rebecca Homkes (Encore)

michael@meleblanc.co (Rebecca Homkes) — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 07:05:00 +0000

In this special encore episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes Dr. Rebecca Homkes, a globally recognized high-growth strategy expert and author of the acclaimed book Survive, Reset, Thrive: Leading Breakthrough Growth Strategy in Volatile Times. Dr. Homkes, who holds faculty positions at the London Business School and Duke University, shares invaluable insights into how leaders can build resilient and adaptive growth strategies in today’s rapidly changing business landscape.

As retailers continue to navigate turbulent times marked by rapid technological shifts, economic uncertainty, and global disruptions, this episode provides the strategic guidance needed to stay ahead. Dr. Homkes explains why traditional planning methods fall short in volatile environments and advocates for a mindset shift from planning to preparing—focusing on setting directions rather than rigid destinations. She emphasizes the need for businesses to build frameworks that prioritize learning, customer feedback, and agile decision-making.

The conversation includes compelling real-world examples of companies that successfully adapted under pressure, like IKEA’s innovative warehouse strategy born out of necessity and a Scandinavian amusement park that achieved record growth despite pandemic restrictions. Dr. Homkes’ framework for thriving under uncertainty centers on embracing preparation, implementing a forced reset when linear growth stagnates, and maintaining "aligned speed" to balance swift decision-making with strategic coherence.

As geopolitical tensions, technological disruptions like AI, and global economic pressures continue to shape the retail landscape, Dr. Homkes outlines how to identify must-win battles and prioritize actions that drive sustainable growth. She also discusses how leadership dynamics and organizational structures must evolve to support this adaptive mindset.

This episode is essential listening for retail leaders looking to transform volatility into opportunity and position their businesses for long-term success. Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform and gain the insights you need to thrive in these unpredictable times.

Transform Your Fraud Prevention Strategy: Yale Holder, VP of Customer Experience at Moneris, Shares Trends & Expert Tips

michael@meleblanc.co (Yale Holder) — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 07:05:00 +0000

In the latest episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc speaks with Yale Holder, Vice President of Customer Experience at Moneris, about emerging retail fraud prevention trends and strategies for payment security. Drawing on Moneris’ extensive transaction data—covering billions of annual payments—Yale explains how fraud cases in 2024 dropped by 15% overall, primarily due to increased awareness and more widespread adoption of secure payment technologies. Despite this good news, he notes that the real challenge lies in underreported incidents, signalling that fraud may still be more prevalent than official numbers suggest.

Moneris Fraud Resources

https://www.moneris.com/en/solutions/fraud-prevention/resources

A key issue is mail order and telephone order (MOTO) fraud, which accounts for 62% of reported cases. According to Yale, criminals gravitate toward the easiest targets, and card-not-present transactions remain especially vulnerable. He recommends that retailers of all sizes adopt secure online gateways for phone or email orders rather than manually keying in credit card numbers. Yale also highlights how modern point-of-sale systems, such as Moneris’ new generation of devices, have built-in tools—like secure payment links—that help small businesses reduce fraud exposure.

While online fraud decreases thanks to built-in multi-factor authentication and centralized security measures, in-person fraud rises through “crimes of opportunity.” One growing concern is refund fraud involving stolen terminals, representing nearly a third of reported cases. Yale urges retailers to implement strong password protection on every terminal and to store portable devices securely. He underscores that these simple, often-overlooked steps can dramatically reduce refund fraud and terminal theft.

Regional insights reveal that Ontario leads with around 40% of reported fraud due to higher transaction volumes, followed by Quebec at 30%. Saskatchewan stands out for its high incidence of employee refund fraud, emphasizing the need for tighter controls and individual employee logins. Meanwhile, Alberta shows an uptick in account takeover, underscoring the importance of guarding personal and business information against phishing attacks.

Throughout the conversation, Yale returns to a central theme: proactive fraud prevention is far less costly than remedial action. He stresses immediate reporting of suspicious activity and diligent monitoring of transactions, enabling acquirers like Moneris to reverse or block fraudulent payments. From robust password protocols to leveraging secure e-commerce gateways, Yale’s guidance provides retailers with clear, actionable strategies to safeguard revenue and maintain consumer trust. Ultimately, the episode serves as both a wake-up call and a resource for merchants seeking to stay ahead in the evolving world of retail fraud.

Retail Revolution: When AI Took Over The Voice of Retail (And Almost Nailed It)

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 07:43:03 +0000

In the latest groundbreaking episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, host Michael LeBlanc presents a true innovation in nearly 500 episodes of broadcasting – the first 100% AI-generated episode, created entirely by Google's Notebook LM AI tool.

This experimental episode marks a significant milestone in retail podcasting. LeBlanc uploaded a PDF of his popular annual NYC NRF Big Show retail tour – a document typically used to guide dozens of top Canadian retailers through New York's most innovative stores during the National Retail Federation's Big Show event. The same document is made available by the Retail Council of Canada and generous sponsors at retailcouncil.org.

What makes this episode particularly fascinating is witnessing how the AI interprets and transforms a static document into dynamic podcast content. The AI successfully captures the essence of the retail tour, discussing trends, store concepts, and retail innovations highlighted in the PDF. Despite being entirely machine-generated, the episode maintains the informative tone and retail expertise that regular listeners expect from The Voice of Retail.

The AI does stumble in ways that reveal its limitations – most notably by incorrectly placing some stores in SoHo when they're located elsewhere in Manhattan. This geographical confusion is a gripping reminder of AI's current constraints when working with implied rather than explicitly stated information.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the episode occurs at the very end, where the AI bizarrely creates an unusual interaction between fictional participants – a creative liberty that LeBlanc notes as "super weird" but also oddly compelling in its unexpectedness.

Despite these minor shortcomings, LeBlanc describes the overall quality of the AI-generated content as "stunningly amazing," especially considering the minimal human input involved. The episode successfully covers retail innovations, store designs, merchandising strategies, and customer experience elements typically highlighted during the in-person tours.

Beyond being a technological novelty, this episode raises fascinating questions about the future of content creation in retail analysis and business podcasting. It demonstrates how AI tools can assist content creators in transforming existing materials into new formats while highlighting areas where human expertise and context remain essential.

For listeners interested in retail innovation and AI capabilities, this landmark episode offers a unique perspective on how technology might complement (rather than replace) human retail expertise in the podcast medium. The complete NYC Store Guide 2025 referenced in the episode can be found on the Retail Council of Canada website, allowing listeners to compare the source material with the AI's interpretation.

Of course, AI-generated this entire show description, and then grammar was checked by another specialized AI!

From Clicks to Bricks: Silk & Snow’s Next Chapter in Retail with CEO and Co-Founder Albert Chow

michael@meleblanc.co (Albert Chow) — Fri, 7 Mar 2025 08:05:00 +0000

In this episode, I welcome back Albert Chow, co-founder & CEO of Silk & Snow, to explore the company’s dramatic evolution from a digital-native sleep brand to a powerhouse in physical retail. The conversation dives into Silk & Snow’s ambitious expansion plans, with 14 new stores set to open across Canada by the end of the year.

Albert shares the brand’s journey from its 2017 launch as an online mattress-in-a-box retailer to its current position as a multi-category sleep essentials and furniture brand. The company’s emphasis on high-quality, locally sourced materials and transparent manufacturing has resonated with customers, helping it differentiate from competitors. A key milestone in its growth was its partnership with Sleep Country in 2023, facilitating its entry into brick-and-mortar retail, starting with a test location in Ottawa. With the success of that initial store, Silk & Snow expanded to Edmonton and Laval and is now gearing up for a nationwide rollout.

The discussion highlights the strategic thinking behind the company’s retail expansion. Rather than relying solely on traditional metrics like sales per square foot, Albert sees the physical locations as key brand touchpoints that enhance customer trust and engagement. The company’s stores serve as sales hubs and brand marketing tools, reinforcing Silk & Snow’s premium positioning in the sleep and home goods market.

Albert also delves into the challenges and opportunities presented by today’s complex supply chain landscape. With increasing consumer demand for Canadian-made products and ongoing trade uncertainties, Silk & Snow has benefited from its early investment in local sourcing. While many brands are now reacting to shifting trade policies, Silk & Snow’s commitment to Canadian manufacturing and partnerships with European suppliers, such as those in Portugal, have provided a competitive advantage.

Albert shares his vision for Silk & Snow’s future, including a potential push into the U.S. market. Drawing inspiration from Canadian retail success stories like Aritzia and Lululemon, he sees an opportunity for Silk & Snow to become a leading North American brand. With a methodical approach to expansion and a strong focus on customer experience, Silk & Snow is positioning itself for long-term success.

Whether you’re a retail industry professional or fascinated by the evolving world of e-commerce and brick-and-mortar integration, this episode offers valuable insights into what it takes to scale a modern brand in today’s competitive retail environment.

https://www.silkandsnow.com/en-ca/

https://www.instagram.com/silkandsnow/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/silk-snow/

Retail's Future Unlocked: AI, Fast Delivery & the New Consumer Mindset with Lindsey Mazza, Capgemini's Global Retail Lead

michael@meleblanc.co (Lindsay Mazza) — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 08:33:35 +0000

In this episode I welcome Lindsey Mazza Capgemini's Global Retail Lead, to explore the latest findings from their annual What Matters to Today's Consumer report. The conversation uncovers significant shifts in consumer behaviour, AI-driven retail strategies, and the future of fast delivery.

Mazza outlines how 2025 marks a turning point where science fiction meets retail reality. Consumer expectations are rapidly changing, with a notable surge in demand for ultra-fast delivery. According to the study, 70% of consumers now prefer 10-minute delivery, a dramatic rise from previous years. However, Mazza warns that while demand is high, willingness to pay for such convenience remains a challenge for retailers.

Another key insight is the transformation of consumer segmentation. Traditional demographic-based segmentation is becoming outdated, replaced by machine-learning-driven clusters focusing on shopping behaviour. Capgemini's research identifies five distinct consumer groups based on purchasing habits rather than age or income, highlighting the importance of behaviour-driven marketing strategies.

The discussion also delves into AI's evolving role in retail. Mazza explains how AI is revolutionizing both front-end consumer experiences and back-end operations. From personalized shopping recommendations to AI-powered logistics, generative AI enables retailers to refine supply chains, automate decision-making, and enhance the shopping journey. Notably, retail media networks use AI to optimize ad placement, influencing consumer purchases more effectively than traditional search engines.

Retailers must also navigate the rise of social commerce, with 70% of consumers now shopping through social platforms and seeking influencer recommendations. This trend underscores the shift towards a more interactive, digital-first retail landscape.

When asked where retailers should invest their last dollar, Mazza prioritizes three areas:

Retail Media – The next wave of influencer marketing.
Supply Chain Innovation – Fast, efficient logistics as a key consumer differentiator.
Sustainability Initiatives – Particularly in food waste reduction, which offers financial and environmental benefits.

With AI reshaping the retail landscape, Mazza emphasizes that success lies not in chasing AI use cases but in adopting value-driven technologies that enhance business performance and consumer engagement.

For more insights, visit Capgemini's Research Institute or connect with Lindsay Mazza on LinkedIn.

#RetailTrends #AIinRetail #FastDelivery #RetailMedia #ConsumerBehavior #RetailInnovation #VoiceofRetail

Decoding Canadian Shoppers: Insights on Value, Personalization & Pricing with Cheryl Ong Seng, Vice President of Retail at Circana Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Cheryl Ong Seng) — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 09:22:36 +0000

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, I sit down with Cheryl Ong Seng, Vice President of Retail at Circana, to explore the latest trends shaping the Canadian retail landscape. From consumer confidence and value-seeking behaviours to the challenges of personalization and pricing strategies, they cover the key insights retailers need to know.

Cheryl shares her journey from Mauritius and Australia to leading Circana’s retail insights based in Canmore, Alberta, providing a unique perspective on the data and analytics that drive decision-making in the industry. She explains how Circana collects and interprets consumer trends across multiple sectors, helping retailers and brands stay ahead in an evolving market.

One of the key themes of the conversation is how consumer behaviour continues to shift in response to economic pressures. Cheryl and Michael discuss how Canadian shoppers seek more value through private-label products, reward programs, or trading down to budget-friendly options. They explore the “little treat culture paradox,” where consumers splurge on premium items like coffee or gourmet groceries rather than traditional dining experiences.

The episode also examines the role of AI and technology in retail, particularly in enabling better personalization and targeted marketing. Despite years of discussion around personalization, many retailers still struggle to deliver relevant promotions to their customers. Cheryl shares insights on how AI-driven data analytics can unlock new opportunities for more effective engagement.

Pricing strategy is another hot topic, as retailers weigh the benefits of everyday low pricing (EDLP) versus high-low promotional models. Cheryl highlights the importance of understanding consumer psychology—while EDLP offers stability, shoppers often respond more enthusiastically to promotions and perceived discounts.

Finally, the discussion touches on key industry trends, including the rise of buy-now-pay-later options, the growing consumer preference for Canadian-made products, and the balance between sustainability and affordability in purchasing decisions.

Whether you’re a retailer, brand leader, or industry analyst, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of retail in Canada. Tune in for expert perspectives on the data-driven decisions shaping the industry today.

About Cheryl

As Vice President of Retail Canada, Cheryl Ong Seng is responsible for leading retail commercial teams in Canada. This includes retail client engagement, thought leadership and delivery of innovative solutions that enable accelerated decision making along with enhanced retailer-

manufacturer joint business collaboration. Cheryl came to Canada from Sydney, Australia and was the first person to serve as Client Service Account Director for Aztec Canada, a startup business in 2010. She joined IRI as part of the IRI- Aztec merger in 2013 and has since held multiple roles as IRI merged with the NPD Group and rebranded to Circana, including Vice President of Client Service, Managing Director and more recently Vice President of Retail Canada. Leveraging her expertise in analytics, shopper marketing solutions and bespoke client services management, Cheryl has led the expansion of the company’s leading-edge capabilities in Canada.

Originally from Mauritius Island, Cheryl grew up in Australia where she graduated from the University of Sydney, where she earned a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics, majoring in Marketing and Economics. Beyond the world of Circana, she has a passion for the outdoors and resides in Canmore allowing her to take full advantage of the Canadian Rockies. In addition to this, she sites her proudest achievement as conquering Mt. Elbrus, Russia, one of the seven summits of the world and aspires to climb a second summit.

Retail Readiness 101 with Liza Amlani, retail expert and author of the brand new book The Whole Sale: Profitable Wholesale Strategies For Brands

michael@meleblanc.co (Liza Amlani) — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 08:05:00 +0000

Retail success isn't just about having a fantastic product—it's about understanding the business of selling. On this episode of The Voice of Retail, I welcome Liza Amlani, renowned retail strategist and co-author of The Whole Sale: Profitable Wholesale Strategies for Brands. Liza shares insider insights from her 20+ years in buying, merchandising, and retail consulting, helping brands navigate the complexities of wholesale expansion.

During this insightful conversation, Michael and Liza discuss:

The most common mistakes brands make when entering wholesale and how to avoid them.
Why strong retail partnerships are the key to long-term success.
How to negotiate product placement, pricing strategies, and markdown terms with major retailers.
The role of merchandising strategy in maintaining shelf space and increasing sales.
The wholesale vs. direct-to-consumer debate—why it's not just about margins, but about growth and exposure.

🔹 Get Liza Amlani's book The Wholesale on Amazon.ca and visit Retail Strategy Group for more insights.

🔹 Subscribe to The Voice of Retail for expert interviews on the industry's latest trends!

From Marketing Leader to Independent Retailer: Daryl Aitken's Entrepreneurial Journey to Fabric Spark

michael@meleblanc.co (Daryl Aitken) — Fri, 7 Feb 2025 09:53:15 +0000

On this episode of The Voice of Retail, I reconnect with Daryl Aitken, the founder of Fabric Spark, for an engaging conversation on the shifting landscape of retail. Darrell's journey is a masterclass in adaptation—starting in advertising and e-commerce, then pivoting into a fabric business that blends digital and brick-and-mortar retail.

Fabric Spark began as a passion project to improve the customer experience in the online fabric space.

What started as a side hustle quickly became a full-fledged business fueled by a deep understanding of e-commerce and a strong sense of community. The pandemic posed challenges but presented opportunities as Fabric Spark adapted quickly, meeting surging demand for sewing materials and engaging with customers in new ways.

Daryl discusses the unique balance of operating an online and physical store, the importance of curation in retail, and the resurgence of sustainable and artisanal fabrics. She also shares valuable insights on maintaining financial stability, avoiding debt, and fostering a loyal customer base through exceptional service and education.

With a growing demand for handmade craftsmanship and a rising interest in sustainable textiles, Fabric Spark has carved out a niche in the industry. Whether you're a small business owner, a retail professional, or love a great entrepreneurial story, this episode is packed with lessons on resilience, creativity, and the evolving future of indie retail.

https://fabricspark.com/

Retail Strategist Carl Boutet and his latest book "Blind Spot: Navigating the Unseen Effects of Technology on Commerce"

michael@meleblanc.co (Carl Boutet) — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 08:05:00 +0000

On this episode of The Voice of Retail, host Michael LeBlanc speaks with retail strategist, professor, and author Carl Boutet about his journey in academia, insights from NRF 2025, and his latest book, Blind Spot: Navigating the Unforeseen Effects of Technology on Commerce.

Listeners can purchase Blind Spot exclusively through Carl’s website, StudioRX.world.

Vancouver's Innovative Retail Crime Fighting Solution, Project Barcode, with Sgt. Craig Reynolds & Arezo Zarrabian, Vancouver Police Department

michael@meleblanc.co (Craig Reynolds, Arezo Zarrabian) — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 08:05:00 +0000

In this episode, meet Sgt. Craig Reynolds & Arezo Zarrabian, a Senior Crime Analyst from the Vancouver Police Department. Together, they take us behind the scenes for a comprehensive discussion of both the criminal justice system & an update reflecting the work of their innovative and data-driven task force, Project Barcode, investigating and fighting violent retail crime on the streets of Vancouver.

https://vpd.ca/news/2024/06/06/vpd-targets-downtown-eastside-fencing-operations/

A Modern Take on Retail Media with Drew Cashmore, Head of Strategy, Vantage

michael@meleblanc.co (Drew Cashmore) — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 08:05:00 +0000

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, Michael LeBlanc sits down with Drew Cashmore, a retail media pioneer whose career spans over 15 years, including roles at Walmart and Vantage. Drew discusses his journey from building Walmart Canada’s advertising business to spearheading Walmart Connect in the U.S., scaling it into a multi-billion-dollar retail media platform.

The conversation delves into retail media’s evolution—bridging traditional shopper marketing and sophisticated, data-driven advertising. Drew outlines how retail media connects vendors with customers through first-party data, enabling targeted, measurable campaigns that drive both sales and customer satisfaction. He distinguishes retail media from traditional Co-op dollars, noting a shift from basic flyer promotions to sophisticated advertising strategies tied to transactional data.

Challenges in the field include system fragmentation and the need for integrated platforms to unify operations and streamline vendor collaboration. Drew emphasizes the necessity of change management within retail organizations, ensuring alignment between marketing, merchandising, and store operations. He also identifies the potential for smaller retailers to enter the space through self-serve platforms, which Vantage helps facilitate.

Looking ahead, Drew foresees substantial growth for retail media, particularly in Canada, as advertisers reallocate budgets from traditional platforms to retail ecosystems. Vantage’s tools, powering platforms like Home Depot’s Orange Access, exemplify how technology can simplify campaign management, measurement, and vendor relationships.

As retail media evolves, Drew highlights collaboration among stakeholders as vital for maximizing ROI and creating customer-first ecosystems. His insights provide a roadmap for retailers of all sizes to capitalize on retail media’s growing influence, bridging technology, advertising, and retail strategies effectively.

Fail Better: Special Guest Host Bonus Episode with Steve Dennis

michael@meleblanc.co (Steve Dennis) — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 08:05:00 +0000

If you have been following this short special series—or if you just think about what distinguishes organizations that are winning the future from the also-rans, it is very often that they act more boldly, they take more chances, they fail regularly, they adjust, they fail some more.

They believe, as my friend Seth Godin says, “if failure is not an option, then neither is success.” Our mission, should we choose to accept it, is not to avoid failure; it is to fail better. But what does this mean, why is it so important, and how do we do it exactly? Moreover, why must we not only see failure as an inevitable part of our transformation journey, but how we adopt a far, far greater sense of urgency.

Thanks for joining us for our summer experiment!

Season 9 of the Remarkable Retail podcast returns on September 10th in its usual format. Follow us wherever you enjoy your podcasts, and don’t forget to give us a 5-star review.

Special thanks to Scott Galloway, Maverick, The Dude, Ted Lasso, Elvis and Billy Joel for lending their voices to this episode of the #pod

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Safe Is Risky: Special Guest Host Bonus Episode with Steve Dennis

michael@meleblanc.co (Steve Dennis) — Wed, 8 Jan 2025 08:05:00 +0000

Clayton Christensen, the late great Harvard Business School professor, wrote one of the best business strategy books of all time. In his classic "The Innovator's Dilemma" he explains how successful companies often fail by becoming overly locked into their established business models and optimizing the heck out of them, thereby ignoring, more risky disruptive innovations.

Of course, back in 1997, when Christensen's book first started to have impact, e-commerce was in its infancy, smart devices were a decade away, and cloud computing and AI weren't even glimmers in anyone's eyes. The speed of disruption back then wasn't exactly glacial, but it was far, far slower than it is today.

Fast forward to today, and we are confronted with a New Innovator's Dilemma. Disruption is unrelenting, and the pace of change is often more exponential than linear.

Take a slow and steady approach to innovation and you may well get run over. Move with caution and you may fall further and further behind.

Right now, doing what we've always done, but just a little bit better may feel safe, but it is often the riskiest path we could possibly choose.

The evidence is overwhelming, and the verdict is in. Safe is risky.

And more and more, fortune favors the bold.

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I Love You. But You Are Not Serious People: Special Guest Host Bonus Episode with Steve Dennis

michael@meleblanc.co (Steve Dennis) — Mon, 6 Jan 2025 08:05:00 +0000

Something different for this Holiday season on the #pod as I head into my eighth year of The Voice of Retail and prepare for the year ahead - a guest host, cross-over thought leader insight bonus series of episodes from my award-winning Remarkable Retail #podcast. This past summer, Steve Dennis and I released a series of six bonus episodes with leadership insights adapted from his newest best-seller, Leaders Leap.

Remember a few years ago when everyone was talking about a retail apocalypse? Physical retail was dead or dying, they said. Malls were going away. If you wanted to invest in brick-and-mortar, you’d be better off incinerating a big pile of cash.

But as it turned out, well, not so much.

As a keen observer, regular commentator, and strategic advisor on where shopping is headed, Steve pays more attention to these sorts of prognostications than the average bear, particularly since some of them are advanced by his friends and colleagues.

But Steve is also a card-carrying bullshit dispelling enthusiast. And when this sort of nonsense gets advanced as insight, he suddenly and clearly hears the words of Logan Roy from Succession ringing in his ears.

"I love you, but you are not serious people."

In this episode, we’ll explore why the work of meaningful transformation IS serious work and why it requires that we become serious, courageous leaders who break through our denial, wake up to new and emerging realities, and, ultimately, do what it takes to position our organizations to aim higher, move faster, and act more boldly.

To drive our strategic growth agenda forward, we must develop a clear, well-informed view that’s rooted in reality, not false prophets; that emerges from doing the serious, often uncomfortable work required to transform at the speed of disruption.

I'm The Problem. It's Me. Special Guest Host Bonus Episode with Steve Dennis

michael@meleblanc.co (Steve Dennis) — Fri, 3 Jan 2025 08:05:00 +0000

In his new book Leaders Leap, Steve proposes a series of 7 Mind Leaps that are essential to transforming you and your organization. There is a powerful reason that Crush Your Ego is mind leap #1. Without starting from a place of humility, our foundation will be shaky. And we cannot build a house of sustained innovation and transformation without rock-solid first principles. Indeed, we must put our masks on first.

In this episode, Steve argues that while it is understandable to believe that successful transformations and our personal success are often hindered by poor analysis, cultural barriers, and not enough innovative ideas, a lack of appropriate resources, poor board, or management support, extreme pressure to meet quarterly earnings, etc., etc, etc., it is very often the case that progress is impeded by that person, we see in the mirror each day and our unhealthy attachment to ego.

Shift Happens: Special Guest Host Bonus Episode with Steve Dennis

michael@meleblanc.co (Steve Dennis) — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 08:05:00 +0000

Having spent most of his career working in either senior leadership positions at a corporation or as a strategic advisor, where he was focused on driving growth & innovation, Steve has had a front- row seat to the seismic shifts that have reshaped the retail landscape. It’s hard to overestimate the disruptive power game-changing technology has had on just about every aspect of our culture and commerce.

Our world today looks very different than it did when e-commerce first emerged, when smart devices started to transform how we communicate, or when pervasive connectedness and operating in the cloud began their inexorable march toward ubiquity.

These shifts have allowed for entirely new and incredibly valuable business models to emerge. These shifts have also brought many iconic brands to their knees or set them on a path to seemingly endless struggle.

So it’s worth asking “If the world has changed so much, why have so many leaders changed so little.”

Indeed, shift happens. And it’s happening faster and faster all the time.

The challenge is not to figure out how to mount resistance but to accept the things you cannot change, get intensely focused on the things you can, and then get to work.

Shift happens. Get used to it.
Shift happens. Shake hands with the new weird.
Shift happens. Don’t let it destroy your future.
Shift happens. Summon up all the courage you require.
Shift happens. Get ready to leap.

Our Bold New Plan To Suck Less: Special Guest Host Bonus Episode with Steve Dennis

michael@meleblanc.co (Steve Dennis) — Fri, 27 Dec 2024 08:26:50 +0000

In a world where anything less than delivering highly differentiated and truly remarkable customer value is often ignored, sucking less, merely closing the gap on competitive performance (what Steve calls “innovating to parity”) or offering a slightly better version of mediocre is choosing to move into a zone of irrelevance, or perhaps even putting your organization on the path to outright extinction.

Moreover, in a world where the pace of change is only accelerating, often becoming more exponential than linear, failure to transform at the speed of disruption only creates the likelihood that you will fall further and further behind. Minding this potential gap is critical. For struggling organizations, failure to close it by aiming higher, moving faster, and acting more boldly may mean they fall so far behind they can never catch up.

But even organizations that are performing well can find themselves in trouble if they don’t pay attention and let go of merely delivering incremental changes.This pattern of focusing on simply sucking less (at worst) or a relentless stream of optimization (at best) and exposing one’s organization to disruption is not new. In his classic book from the nineties, legendary HBS professor Clayton Christensen labelled this the “Innovator’s Dilemma.” The forces that keep legacy brands stuck are still very much in play today, but the challenge to truly transform in the face of disruption is much greater. And the penalty for merely closing a competitive gap, rather than leaping boldly ahead, has become much greater.

In the next six bonus episodes, Steve will unpack themes from his Leaders Leap and place them squarely and provocatively in the current retail context. Steve will be talking about how playing it safe is often the riskiest choice of all, what shifts are most important to focus on right now, how we are often our worst enemies and much more.

Each highly digestible episode will also highlight the key questions you need to answer for your organization to take the bold action necessary to transform at the speed of disruption.

So follow us on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your podcasts today, and brace yourself for a steady stream of wisdom, thought-provoking questions, and water-cooler conversation.

AI in Retail: Proof of Concept to Production with Cari Covent, Head of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology, Canadian Tire Corporation.

michael@meleblanc.co (Cari Covent) — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 08:05:00 +0000

Recorded live on the stage at the Retail West conference in Vancouver in November, joining me after a brief introduction by RCC's excellent Greg Wilson, Director of Government Affairs for B.C., is Cari Covent, Head of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology, Canadian Tire Corporation.

Together, we explore the importance of taking a holistic approach to embracing AI for retailers, the importance of change management, starting small with automating routine tasks that can ladder up to more comprehensive use case models, and above all, focussing on the customer, solving problems and being faithful to your brand promise in everything you do with AI in your business.

One quick note: Cari and I refer several times to a presentation from Rob Dunlap, IBM's Partner and Generative AI Practice Leader, that preceded our session. I interviewed Rob for the #podcast earlier in the fall, so be sure to listen to my conversation for some context to our comments.

About Cari

As the Head of AI and Emerging Technology at Canadian Tire, Cari is responsible for using AI as a lever to drive both cultural and digital transformation. With a human centered approach Cari has a successful track record of leading the development and execution of strategy, roadmaps and operating models for Automation and Artificial Intelligence resulting in revenue growth, increased employee engagement and operating efficiencies. Cari is passionate about developing innovative partnerships with start-up communities, research and academic institutions. These partnerships have led to the ideation, shared learnings, research, and development of novel AI products, education development and best practices on the operationalization of building and developing AI responsibly. Her approach to balancing the macro change required for successful adoption of AI with the value that it can generate has resulted in many international speaking engagements and advisory discussions.

Taylor Swift Takes Toronto, Black Friday_Cyber Monday Flash results with Sean McCormick, Vice President from Moneris Data Services

michael@meleblanc.co (Sean McCormack) — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 08:05:00 +0000

On this episode, I welcome Sean McCormick, Vice President Business Development from Moneris Data Services, for a deep dive into the numbers behind consumer behaviour during the holiday season and beyond. Together, we unpack the fascinating data-driven impact of Taylor Swift's Toronto tour, which saw local spending skyrocket by an impressive 45% in downtown areas. Sean shares how payment insights reveal trends across hotels, restaurants, retail, and even specialty sectors like jewelry and accessories.

The conversation also shifts to the performance of key retail events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which delivered significant year-over-year growth in 2024—up 11% and 10%, respectively. Sean offers compelling theories on how deal-seeking behaviour, fueled by inflationary pressures, has reshaped consumer priorities and created a surge in holiday sales.

Listeners will also gain insights into innovative retail strategies, including leveraging dynamic currency conversion for international shoppers and exploring pop-ups and digital activations for maximizing event-driven revenue.

Whether you're a retailer seeking actionable data insights or simply curious about the intersection of pop culture and economic impact, this episode offers valuable takeaways on how consumer trends are evolving. Don't miss this lively discussion packed with expertise, practical advice, and predictions for the remainder of the holiday season!

Meet the Hosts of The She Means Business Podcast, retail veterans Gail Banack and Ilana Santone

michael@meleblanc.co (Gail Banack, Ilana Santone) — Fri, 6 Dec 2024 08:13:20 +0000

Welcome to this entertaining and insightful episode as I chat with the hosts of The She Means Business Podcast, a new and welcome addition to the Canadian podcasting universe focussed on aspiring leaders looking for inspiration, motivation and mentorship in the business world, co-hosted by Gail Banack and Ilana Santone.

Gail and Ilana also happen to be two of Canada's foremost retail leaders, with tours of duty at Loblaw, Home Depot, Target Canada, Indigo, and Canadian Tire between them. Gail was mostly the Senior Vice President of Merchandising at Indigo Books, and Ilana is currently the Senior Vice President, Digital, Connected Retail & Business Architecture, Canadian Tire Corporation. So, in addition to talking about their new podcast and leadership in general, I couldn't pass up on the opportunity to ask them both about their thoughts on the current and future state of retail and what it would take to survive and even thrive in 2025.

About Gail

Senior Vice President

Gail Banack is a results-driven executive with over 20 years of experience in retail and consumer packaged goods, specializing in strategic planning, brand strategy, marketing, and management. Renowned for her ability to drive growth, transform businesses, and deliver exceptional customer experiences, she has held leadership roles at prominent retailers, including Canadian Tire, Loblaw, and Target.

Most recently, she was the Senior Vice President of Merchandising at Indigo Books, where Gail led omni-channel revenue growth for IndigoKids and IndigoBaby. Now, as co-host of The She Means Business Podcast, she leverages her extensive expertise to inspire and guide others in leadership and career development.

About Ilana

Ilana Santone is a strategic team leader who is currently the SVP, Digital, Connected Retail & Business Architecture at Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC). In her current role, Ilana leads a high-performing team of leaders who are accountable for delivering a seamless customer experience and driving omni-channel growth. In addition, Ilana is accountable for working with senior leaders across the organization as well as the company’s Dealer partners to ensure Canadian Tire’s aggressive growth plans are achieved over the strategic outlook. Ilana has a proven track record of building and executing strategic initiatives and programs across all aspects of retail. With over 20 years of retail experience, Ilana started her career at Canadian Tire, and held progressively senior positions in HR, Merchandising, Operations and Transformation. Prior to returning to CTC’s Digital team in 2017, she served in various positions at The Body Shop, Target Canada, and The Home Depot Canada.

A Fresh Take on Retail Leadership with Deb Craven, President, Longo's (Encore)

michael@meleblanc.co (Deb Craven) — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 16:09:13 +0000

About Deb

Deb Craven is a seasoned executive with decades of progressive experience. She has built an incredible career grounded in hard work, supportive managers, curiosity, and having the confidence to speak her mind with strong humility.

Deb is the President at Longo’s. She joined the organization in 2019 as the Chief Financial Officer and later became the Chief Operating Officer. During her tenure at Longo’s, she has successfully delivered exceptional growth while architecting the extraordinary expansion of the company, including supporting the partnership with Empire. Previous to Longo’s, she has held progressive financial management positions at Purolator, Nike, and Canadian Tire (Mark’s and Sportchek).

She achieved her Chartered Accountant designation (ICAO) and an Honours BBA (Co-Op) from Wilfrid Laurier University. She also received the Star Women in Grocery award.

Deb is married with 2 adult children and enjoys the gym, cycling and is learning to play tennis (and trying to love golf).

She gives back to the community with her support of charitable organizations. Over the years she has proudly served on the Board of Directors for The Learning Partnership, Sagesse, and Kids Help Phone.

The State & Dynamic Nature of Canadian Demographics with Doug Norris, SVP & Chief Demographer, Environics Anallytics

michael@meleblanc.co (Doug Norris) — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 08:05:00 +0000

In this episode, a pickup of an RCC livestream I hosted in November 2024, Doug Norris, Senior Vice President and Chief Demographer with Environics Analytics and nationally renowned expert on the Canadian Census and demographic trends, with 40+ years of experience in social statistics, takes us through the current state of demographics in Canada.

About Doug

One of Canada’s leading experts on the Census, Doug Norris, Ph.D., is a Senior Vice President and Chief Demographer at Environics Analytics. He joined this company in 2006 after nearly 30 years with Statistics Canada, where he earned the nickname of “Mr. Census” in his role as Director General of Social and Demographic Statistics.

Currently, Dr. Norris assists companies, government agencies and not-for-profit organizations in using census and other statistical information for planning and marketing projects. And he frequently writes articles and delivers speeches on demographics, immigration, ethnicity and the family. An adjunct professor at the University of Alberta, he serves on several steering committees related to the use and development of social data.

Dr. Norris holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from McGill University and a Ph.D. in biostatistics and demography from Johns Hopkins University. In 2006, Statistics Canada honoured him with a lifetime achievement Award for Career Excellence in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the agency. That same year, the Canadian Population Society also awarded Doug a Lifetime Achievement Award for “Outstanding Contributions to Canadian Demography.”

Yorkdale Uncovered: The Secrets Behind Canada's Most Productive Mall with Yorkdale Shopping Centre's VP and GM, Michael Renaud

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael Renaud) — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 08:05:00 +0000

In this episode of the Voice of Retail podcast, Yorkdale Shopping Centre's VP and GM, Michael Renaud, provides insights into what makes Yorkdale a top shopping destination in North America. Located in Toronto, the center sees 18 million visitors annually and generates $2,400 per square foot, making it Canada's most productive mall. Renault attributes Yorkdale's success to its prime location, curated mix of luxury and essential retailers, and a commitment to experiential shopping. Initially opened in 1964, Yorkdale was designed to be a premier shopping destination, which is evident in its enduring appeal and expansive layout.

Renault describes Yorkdale's strategy of creating immersive experiences rather than relying on large-scale attractions. By leveraging high-quality design and curation, Yorkdale enhances its role as a social and commercial hub tailored to Toronto's urban landscape. The team's support extends to retailers through design collaboration, innovative leasing practices, and a robust marketing program that bridges physical and online shopping.

Looking forward, Renault envisions Yorkdale enhancing the entire visitor experience—from arrival to checkout—to foster a calming, engaging atmosphere. With new retailers like Simons on the horizon, Yorkdale aims to sustain its relevance and appeal. Renault concludes by emphasizing Yorkdale's broader role in Toronto's culture, not just as a shopping center but as a community destination.

About Michael

Michael Renaud is the director and general manager of Yorkdale Shopping Centre, managed by Oxford Properties Group. With over 12 years at Oxford, Michael initially oversaw office properties before transitioning to retail portfolios in 2024.

Yorkdale, co-owned by Oxford Properties and AIMCo, is one of Canada's premier shopping destinations, spanning 2 million square feet and featuring 270 stores, including Canada's largest selection of luxury brands. Oxford Properties manages a global portfolio of 150 million square feet across office, retail, industrial, and other property sectors.

Getting Smart About AI for Retail with Rob Dunlap, Partner and Generative AI Practice Leader, IBM

michael@meleblanc.co (Rob Dunlop) — Fri, 8 Nov 2024 12:26:39 +0000

In this episode, Rob Dunlap, Generative AI Practice Leader, IBM explores how AI can offer retailers a genuine ability to revolutionize their business processes and models and help drive leaps of productivity across various aspects of their business, including personalized recommendations, predictive inventory management, automated customer service, and intelligent fraud detection. Rob and I will explore the evolving power of AI to augment human expertise, reduce costs, and create seamless, unified experiences.

About Rob

Rob leads IBM Canada’s Generative AI consulting practice, a team of consultants, data scientists and developers who build leading-edge solutions for IBM clients. His team focuses on leveraging technology from domains like Customer Engagement, Supply Chain, Employee Support, IT Operations and other fields, to revolutionize business processes. IBM Canada’s Generative AI team is currently leading many transformative AI programs for our clients across industries such as Retail, Consumer Products, Travel & Transportation, Financial Services, Public Services and more.

Eric Morris, MD & Head of Retail, Google Canada on Holiday Insights and Trends for 2024 You Need To Know

michael@meleblanc.co (Eric Morris) — Fri, 1 Nov 2024 08:03:35 +0000

In this engaging interview, Eric Morris, Managing Director of Google Retail in Canada, shares holiday season insights for retailers. Leveraging over two decades of experience at Google, Eric discusses the critical role of personalization, AI, and content-driven strategies in meeting the evolving demands of Canadian consumers. Noting that holiday shopping habits are shaped by weather, calendar shifts, and economic indicators, he emphasizes the need for real-time adaptation.

Morris highlights how Google's search data and weekly consumer surveys offer retailers valuable insights into changing preferences, with unbranded searches—where shoppers are simply seeking "the best" options—on the rise. He also explains the power of platforms like YouTube, with videos such as "haul" or "try-on" videos driving significant purchase decisions.

AI emerges as a transformative tool, enabling retailers to analyze first-party data, personalize experiences, and optimize media spending. Google's Gemini AI and tools like Performance Planner are instrumental in helping retailers predict demand and refine advertising tactics for better returns on marketing investment. Additionally, Google Lens makes a visual impact by allowing consumers to shop directly from images, underscoring a shift towards intuitive, visually driven shopping experiences.

In closing, Morris encourages retailers to harness these tools and adapt their strategies, especially with this year's extended pre-Black Friday period, to optimize their holiday sales season.

Online resources

Performance Planner: https://ads.google.com/intl/en_ca/home/tools/performance-planner/
Performance Max: https://ads.google.com/intl/en_ca/home/campaigns/performance-max/

Key Trends

2024 will be the most researched holiday season, both in store and online:
Searches have become more personalized:
Shoppers are looking for a more immersive experience:
AI is the gateway to winning shoppers this holiday season
The cyber shopping period is actually longer than BFCM
The holiday halo marks the beginning of self-gifting:

o The post-holiday season extends beyond boxing day. In fact there’s a growing rise of ‘self-gifters,’ and shoppers who come back due to product returns or gift cards creating an opportunity for retailers to focus on loyalty and returning customers. 63% of post-holiday shoppers consider loyalty programs in their decision-making. [3]

[1] Google commissioned Ipsos Consumer Continuous, US, CA, UK, FR, DE, IT, AU, JP, IN, CN, BR, MX, ES, ZA, KR ~n=280-740 online consumers 18+ per market that plan to shop for the holidays. Sep 3-6, 2024

[2] Google commissioned Ipsos Consumer Continuous, US, CA, UK, FR, DE, IT, AU, JP, IN, CN, BR, MX, ES, ZA, KR ~n=500-1000 online consumers 18+ per market. Sep 3-6, 2024

[3] Google/Ipsos, Holiday Shopping Study, Online survey, Canadians 18+ who conducted holiday shopping activities in past two days (n=428). Dec 26, 2023 - Jan 3, 2024

RCC + Leger 2024 Holiday Consumer Survey with Luc Dumont, SVP Insights & Adrian Bachmann, AVP, Leger + Sean McCormack, VP Moneris

michael@meleblanc.co (Luc Dumont, Sean McCormick) — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 07:05:00 +0000

On this episode a recording of the RCC x Leger Holiday Shopping livestream dissecting the 7th annual, 2024 RCC+ Leger Holiday Shopping Survey. We discuss holiday shopping dynamics and navigate what sales and value mean this year, gift card preferences, online vs. in-store shopping trends, and key factors driving retailer choices.

My guests Luc Dumont Senior Vice President, Insights and Andrian Buchmann AVP from Leger & Sean McCormick, Vice President Business Development from Moneris Data Services will discuss what the insights of this year’s survey mean for retailers.

Survey Highlights and RCC members can download the entire survey here:

https://www.retailcouncil.org/research/rcc-x-leger-holiday-shopping-survey-2024/

ENCORE EPISODE: Michael Bungay Stanier & How to Work with (Almost) Anyone

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael Bungay Stanier) — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 07:52:54 +0000

In this special ENCORE EPISODE worth a second, or perhaps your first listen, meet Toronto-based Michael Bungay Stanier, best known for The Coaching Habit, the best-selling coaching book of the century, today talking with me about his most recent book, How to Work with (Almost) Anyone. It's a fantastic conversation. Michael is a thoughtful and engaging guest, and we talk about the hard truth: most of us leave the health and fate of our at-work relationships to chance. We say "Hi," exchange pleasantries, hope for the best, and immediately get into the work. Through our conversation and his book, Michael shows and tells us how to build the Best Possible Relationship with the key people at work.

About Michael

Michael Bungay Stanier is at the forefront of shaping how organizations around the world make being coach-like an essential leadership competency. His book The Coaching Habit is the bestselling coaching book of this century, with over a million copies sold and more than ten thousand five-star reviews on Amazon. In 2019, he was named the #1 thought leader in coaching, and in 2023 won the coaching award from Thinkers 50, “the Oscars of management”. Michael was the first Canadian Coach of the Year, has been named a Global Coaching Guru since 2014, and was a Rhodes Scholar. His most recent book, How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, shows how to create psychological safety by building the Best Possible Relationship with the key people at work.

Michael founded Box of Crayons, a learning and development company that had helped hundreds of organizations transform from advice-driven to curiosity-led. Learn more at BoxOfCrayons.com. Michael is a compelling speaker and facilitator, combining practicality, humour, and an unprecedented degree of engagement with the audience. He’s spoken on stages and screens around the world in front of crowds ranging from ten to ten thousand. His TEDx talk has been watched by a million and a half people. Learn more at MBS.works. En route to today—and these are essential parts of his origin story—Michael knocked himself unconscious as a labourer by hitting himself in the head with a shovel, mastered stagecraft at law school by appearing in a skit called Synchronized Nude Male Modelling, and his first paid piece of writing was a Harlequin Romance-esque story involving a misdelivered letter … and called The Male Delivery.

Learn more at www.MBS.works

Meet Dr. Rebecca Homkes, author of "Survive, Reset, Thrive: Leading Breakthrough Growth Strategy in Volatile Times"

michael@meleblanc.co (Rebecca Homkes) — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 07:05:00 +0000

Meet Dr. Rebecca Homkes, who talks about the thinking behind her latest book "Survive, Reset, Thrive: Leading Breakthrough Growth Strategy in Volatile Times," a must-read book that offers a powerful framework for navigating today's volatile business environment.

We introduce Rebecca's background and professional journey before delving into the book's central theme: volatility in today's business environment. While it may seem that volatility has always been a part of professional life, she explains why today's uncertainty is unique and why retail leaders should stop relying solely on traditional planning tools. Instead, they should embrace preparation to better adapt to unpredictable shifts.

We explore how thinking that uncertainty can benefit challengers over incumbents is maybe asking the wrong question, why preparation is vital, and the practical tools leaders can use to thrive in ambiguity.

About Rebecca

Dr. Rebecca Homkes is high-growth strategy specialist and the founder of a boutique consultancy firm, advising CEOs and executive teams focused on growth and success through uncertainty. She is a Lecturer at the London Business School (LBS)’s Department of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, Faculty at Duke Corporate Executive Education, Advisor and Faculty at Boston Consulting Group University, and previous Fellow at the London School of Economics (LSE)’s Centre for Economic Performance.

Dr. Homkes is also the director of the Young President’s Organization (YPO) global Active Learning Program (ALP); a former partner with GrowthX, a Silicon Valley investment ecosystem and innovation consultancy; and the faculty lead of fintech scaleup accelerators. A global keynote speaker, she is a member of several advisory boards, directed the joint McKinsey & Co and LSE Centre for Economic Performance Global Management Project from 2007-2014 and has written for publications such as the Harvard Business Review, Businessweek, Fortune, and Forbes.

A Marshall Scholar, she received her PhD and MSc from the London School of Economics in International Economy. Prior to LSE, Dr. Homkes received two degrees at Indiana University: BS (Honors) in business administration alongside a BA (Honors) in Political Science where she was a Wells Scholar and graduated as the schools’ top graduate in 2005 and its sole Herman Wells Scholar. She previously served as a Fellow at the White House’s President’s Council of Economic Advisors and has worked in strategy consulting with Bain & Co. She lives between Miami, San Francisco, and London.

Indigo

Amazon

https://www.rebeccahomkes.com/

Assembling a Winning DTC Retail Strategy with Frédéric Aubé, Founder and CEO of Cozey

michael@meleblanc.co (Frédéric Aubé) — Fri, 4 Oct 2024 07:05:00 +0000

In this episode, meet Frédéric Aubé, the visionary founder and CEO of Cozey, a fast-growing player in the North American home furnishings market. Fred’s journey began with a simple observation during his days as a McGill University student: the frustration of moving bulky furniture through tight spaces in Montreal apartments. Inspired to make life easier for urban dwellers, he launched Cozey in 2020 with a mission to create modular, easy-to-assemble furniture that combines style with convenience.

Fred shares his story, from growing up in a family of entrepreneurs to founding Cozey right before graduating, all while navigating the challenges of starting a business during the pandemic. We delve into what sets Cozey apart in the crowded home furnishings space, from its customer-centric design to its commitment to quality.

Fred also offers a behind-the-scenes look at Cozey’s growth strategy, including the transition from a purely direct-to-consumer (DTC) model to physical retail with the recent openings in Toronto and Vancouver. He explains how this shift has enhanced customer engagement and influenced Cozey’s plans for future expansion.

Looking ahead, Fred discusses the evolving role of physical retail for DTC brands and shares his advice for independent retailers competing in today’s bifurcated retail environment. Don’t miss this insightful conversation about entrepreneurship, innovation, and the future of retail.

Tune in for a deep dive into how Cozey is redefining the home furniture experience!

About Cozey

Website: cozey.ca (Canada) and cozey.com
Instagram: @cozey
TikTok: @cozey
YouTube: @HeyCozey
Linkedin: /CozeyCanada

Cozey | New York City Pop-Up

Cozey, a North American leader in home living and furniture solutions, is excited to announce the arrival of its first-ever retail space in the United States through its opening of a pop-up location in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood on October 10, 2024.

Located at 210 Lafayette Street, the 12,000 square-foot, two-storey pop-up is designed to be fully accessible and pet-friendly. The showroom floor is furnished with Cozey’s expanding line of beautiful and innovative furniture including its original and newest modular sofas (the Atmosphere and Luna, respectively), accent chairs, smart shelving units, coffee tables, side tables, and more.

The NYC pop-up comes just months after the arrival of Cozey’s inaugural brick-and-mortar location which opened in Toronto in March of this year, followed closely by pop-ups in two other major Canadian cities, Montreal, and Vancouver.

New York is the latest spot in a series of exciting milestone store openings for Cozey as it continues to strategically expand its physical presence across North America and blend the ease of online shopping with the benefits of in-store shopping, continuing its commitment to constantly improve customer experiences.

Location: 210 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10012, USA

Open from October 10, 2024, through to January 2025
Store Hours: 10am to 8pm daily

About Frédéric

Frédéric Aubé's journey into the furniture industry began with a simple yet profound observation during his time at McGill University, where he faced the common struggle of moving bulky couches through tight spaces in small Montreal apartments. This experience sparked an idea: why not create a sofa that was not only easy to assemble without tools but also customizable and adaptable to changing needs for the modern, urban lifestyle? He quickly turned this insight into reality, launching Cozey in June 2020, just months before graduating McGill University. Under Fred’s leadership, Cozey has become known for its modular, stylish, high-quality, easy-to-assemble furniture and its commitment to customer-centric design and experience.

Fred’s vision extends beyond business success; he aims to make Cozey the world’s largest furniture retailer while maintaining a focus on exceptional customer experiences and community contribution. His journey from a student struggling with bulky furniture to the CEO of a pioneering company is a testament to his innovative thinking, resilience, and dedication to making life simpler and more comfortable for his customers.

Prior to founding Cozey he held positions at Tonus Capital and served on the board of Bestar. Frédéric Aubé attended McGill University from 2017 to 2020, where he pursued an Honours Economics & Finance, B.A. degree. Fred also played four years in the Canadian Hockey League amassing over 100 points in 250 games.

ENCORE EPISODE: "All Pride, No Ego": A Queer Executive's Journey to Living and Leading Authentically with retailer Jim Fielding

michael@meleblanc.co (Jim Fielding) — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 08:06:24 +0000

Jim Fielding's dynamic career has spanned senior leadership roles at top global brands, including Disney, DreamWorks, and Twentieth Century Fox, anchored in experience and an early career at The Gap, Lands' End, and as CEO of Claire's Stores; He joins me in an exclusive interview to talk about this new book ALL PRIDE, NO EGO: A Queer Executive's Journey to Living and Leading Authentically with leadership, retail and life lessons you need to hear. ENCORE EPISODE

About Jim

Jim Fielding is a partner at Archer Gray and president of its Co-Lab Division. A retail and media industry veteran, Jim served as president of Disney Stores Worldwide and led global consumer experiences at DreamWorks and Twentieth Century Fox. His early career experience included top international brands, from The Gap to Lands' End. Jim later served as CEO of Claire's Stores, Inc. He is the author of ALL PRIDE, NO EGO: A Queer Executive's Journey to Living and Leading Authentically (Wiley, August 15, 2023). Jim's expertise combines storytelling, product innovation, merchandising, and consumer experiences. He is an active community leader and philanthropist, a founder of the Queer Philanthropy Circle, and serves on the board of directors for the Indiana University Foundation. Jim has served as an executive-in-residence for IU's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and a board member for GLSEN, Make-A-Wish International, and the American Red Cross. He is based in Atlanta, GA and Northport, MI.

Retail Marketing State-Of-The-Nation and Predictions for the Future with John Fanous, Head of Industry, eCommerce & Omni-Channel Retail, Google

michael@meleblanc.co (John Fanous) — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 07:05:00 +0000

In this episode, recorded live at the RCC Retail Marketing Conference in Toronto, join me for a fast-paced discussion with John Fanous Head of Industry, eCommerce & Omni-Channel Retail, Google. We cover the current marketing strategy, communications, tools and tricks to reach an increasingly saturated, diverse shopper and reluctant media consumer. We’ll talk about what’s working, what’s changed, what’s not working and the forecast and thinking for Holiday and into 2025.

About John

John is Google and YouTube's Head of Omni-Channel Retail for Canada. He is an accomplished and recognized leader in Canada's omni-channel shopping ecosystem, helping organizations (ranging from startups to Fortune-100 retailers) make the pivot to digital shopper engagement for over fifteen years.

John joined Google nine years ago, and has helped lead partnerships with some of the fastest growing omni-channel retailers in North America over that time - with a focus on attribution/measurement via technology and AI adoption, digital education for C-suite partners, and helping retailers build new profit centers through initiatives including Google Retail Media.

John is a past recipient of Marketing Mag's Top 30 Under 30 award, and has had his retail insights published in major Canadian platforms including The Globe & Mail, Financial Post and Yahoo! Finance, in addition to national TV interviews with CTV News Channel and Canada AM.

Carson’s Garden + Market Founder & CEO Carson Arthur

michael@meleblanc.co (Carson Arthur) — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 07:05:00 +0000

In this episode, Meet Carson Arthur and hear about his journey from a media personality to an independent small retailer, launching Carson's Garden & Market in Prince Edward County. Carson shares his product sourcing strategies and challenges, advice for his fellow indie retailers, SMB growth strategies for governments, and plans for an exciting future.

About Carson

Over the last 25 years, Carson has taught homeowners how to raise the value of their homes through outdoor renovations while maintaining a focus on environmentally friendly choices. He is a tv mainstay as part of the North American Cityline team as a landscape designer and outdoor expert. He has also been the host and guest expert on several tv shows that can be seen all around the world. He writes for several publications about outdoor design and appears regularly in a variety of magazines with guest articles and hosts his own radio show right here in Canada Carson is the author of the sold-out book Garden Designs for Outdoor Living and has a new book called Vegetables, Chickens and Bees where he teaches new gardeners how to grow food and become more sustainable in their own outdoor spaces. In 2019, Carson opened his namesake market in Prince Edward County. With a focus on growing food, organic principals, and products that make gardening accessible to everyone, Carson’s Garden + Market has quickly become a destination for discerning gardeners.

His credits include; the host of HGTV’s Green Force and Critical Listing; the Gemini nominated Room to Grow on Global, ION and the Discovery network; Better Homes and Garden’s Home, First Home on the Hallmark Channel in the U.S.; and as the gardening expert on HGTV’s blockbusters; Home to Win Season 1 through 4. Watch for him on HGTV’s Resort Renovation!

Technology in the Service of The Customer with Michon Williams, Chief Technology Officer, Walmart Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Michon Williams) — Fri, 6 Sep 2024 07:05:00 +0000

Michon Williams is my special guest in this episode, sharing her career journey, emphasizing an early interest in technology and explaining her role as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Walmart Canada.

Michon highlights the importance of balancing innovation and stability, operating on three horizons: stability, incremental improvements, and long-term disruptions. We discuss the need for local solutions in Canada due to unique market requirements, the rapid pace of innovation in retail, particularly post-pandemic, and the role of AI in enhancing efficiency and customer experience. Michon advises retailers to foster a culture of experimentation and continuous learning and encourages women in tech to be curious and proactive in their career development.

About Michon

Michon was recruited to Walmart Canada as Vice President of Product & Delivery to steward their accelerated investment in technology in 2021. Promoted to Chief Technology Officer, Michon and her team are responsible for core systems strategy and delivery, technology infrastructure and operations, infosec and architecture across stores, pharmacies, supply chain, merchandising, core data platforms, associate tools and enterprise technology (including real estate). Michon is a long-time advocate of the environment and inclusion and leads programs in support of Green Technology and to promote and advance Diversity in Technology.

Next, We Take New Brunswick with Chris Jones, Founder and President of CANNABIS XPRESS

michael@meleblanc.co (Chris Jones) — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 07:05:00 +0000

Serial entrepreneur Chris Jones, Founder and President of CANNABIS XPRESS, a leading chain of cannabis retail stores started in Ontario, is back on the podcast to tell us his adventure of expanding his successful store concept to small-town New Brunswick, one of the most innovative markets in Canada.

About Chris

Chris Jones is an entrepreneur and cannabis industry executive. He is currently Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CANNABIS XPRESS, which is a leading chain of 17 profitable cannabis retail stores across Canada; with 14 in Ontario, and 3 in New Brunswick. He was the first to open a private retail store in New Brunswick, and is also the largest private retailer in the province by revenue and number of stores.

Previous to that, he founded another cannabis retail company in Ontario and sold after it hit a run rate of approximately $15 million via an all-cash sale to a public company. Before entering the retail industry, he was actively involved in and led multiple acquisitions and investments ranging from several million to over a billion dollars during his time at a publicly traded company called Origin House (OH) which was later acquired by a top US-based multi state operator - Cresco Labs (CL).

Chris has also developed and taught classes at George Brown College through their school of continuing education. One of them more recently was called Cannabis Business Strategy, which includes a lineup of coveted guest speakers such as Bruce Linton (Founder of Canopy Growth Corporation – which was previously the largest cannabis company in the world by market capitalization). He also teaches other courses in management and business.

He obtained his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business, and a Bachelor of Commerce (BComm) from Ted Rogers School of Management.

Outside of work, Chris spends his time travelling, learning Spanish, walking his dog, enjoying the outdoors, exercising and is undefeated in Muay Thai.

You can reach Chris at christopher.lloyd.jones1@gmail.com

Meet Bobby Sahni, Co-Founder and Partner at Ethnicity Matters with a preview of his RCC Retail Marketing Conference session "Crafting Compelling Campaigns for Canada’s Multicultural Market "

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 07:05:00 +0000

In this episode, meet Bobby Sahni, a veteran of multicultural marketing with over 20 years of experience. Bobby discusses his journey from corporate roles in banking and telecommunications to his current role as a leader at Ethnicity Matters, a Toronto-based multicultural marketing agency. He emphasizes the importance of understanding Canada's demographic shifts and integrating multicultural strategies into mainstream business practices.

Bobby highlights that multiculturalism is now mainstream and should be central to growth strategies, and is the growth strategy in Canada. He also shares insights into the diverse needs of newcomers and the critical role of first impressions in retail marketing. Bobby is set to speak at the upcoming Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing Conference, and he will preview what he will be discussing on the main stage. he will cover data-driven strategies and share examples of successful multicultural marketing campaigns.

About Bobby

Bobby Sahni is a veteran and thought-leader in the multicultural marketing and advertising industry. Bobby was the Head of Multicultural Marketing at Rogers Communications and has been a pioneer in developing, executing and managing diversity and multicultural marketing initiatives for a number of best-in-class organizations. He is Co-Founder and Partner at Ethnicity Matters – a multicultural marketing & advertising agency dedicated to helping companies drive new growth and sales by engaging North America’s fast growing, big spending ethnic and new immigrant communities. He is also Partner in Tulsea Sports Marketing, a US-based marketing consultancy focussed on the intersection of multicultural marketing and sports & entertainment.

Bobby has earned national and international recognition for his work and thought leadership in multicultural marketing. Bobby also loves teaching, having guest-lectured at many universities/colleges and regularly speaks at industry events and conferences across North America. Bobby has also been on a variety of advisory boards and committees including Hockey Canada, Imagine Canada, Seva Food Bank, Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer, Cricket to Conquer Cancer, Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce, Reel Asian Film Festival and Credit Valley Conservation Foundation. Bobby earned his MBA from the global Kellogg Schulich Executive MBA program with cross-cultural studies in Hong Kong, Germany, Miami, Chicago and Toronto. He also holds a Bachelor of Science & Business degree from the University of Waterloo.

Brain Rush! Gen AI, AI Hallucinations and Retailers with Peter Cohan, an Associate Professor of Management Practice at Babson College

michael@meleblanc.co (Peter Cohan) — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 07:05:00 +0000

Brain Rush! Gen AI, AI Hallucinations and Retailers with Peter Cohan, an Associate Professor of Management Practice at Babson College

Meet Peter Cohan, an Associate Professor of Management Practice at Babson College, the founding principal of Peter S. Cohan & Associates, a management consulting and venture capital firm, and has completed over 150 growth-strategy consulting projects for global technology companies and invested in seven startups, three of which were sold for about $2 billion and one of which went public in 2021 at an $18 billion valuation. Impressive numbers.

Peter tells us about his 17th book, another impressive number, Brain Rush, and we get deep into GenAI, whether the current concentration of AI development amongst the most prominent tech players will help or hurt the development of valuable and safe AI, AI hallucinations and how retailers should think about their impact on customer service, AI flyers for the masses and much more!

About Peter

Peter Cohan is an Associate Professor of Management Practice at Babson College. He teaches strategy, leadership, and entrepreneurship to students in the college’s undergraduate, Master of Science in Entrepreneurial Leadership (MSEL), MBA, and Executive Education programs. He is coordinator of Babson’s required undergraduate strategy course and the creator and teacher of advanced strategy courses for undergraduate and MSEL students. Cohan is the founding principal of Peter S. Cohan & Associates, a management consulting and venture capital firm. He has completed over 150 growth-strategy consulting projects for global technology companies and invested in seven startups, three of which were sold for about $2 billion and one of which went public in 2021 at an $18 billion valuation. He has written 17 books, includingBrain Rush: How to Invest and Compete in the Real World of Generative AI andNet Profit: How to Invest and Compete in the Wild World of Internet Business. He is a senior contributor to Forbes and an Inc. contributor. He is a frequent media commentator who has appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America, Bloomberg, CNN, CNBC, Fox Business News, American Public Media’s MarketPlace, WBUR, WGBH, New England Cable News, and the Boston ABC, NBC, and CBS affiliates. He has been quoted in the Associated Press, the Christian Science Monitor, the London Evening Standard, the Times of London, the New York Times, Nikkei, USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Portugal’s Expresso, the Economist, Time, BusinessWeek, and Fortune. He also appeared in the 2016 documentary film We the People: The Market Basket Effect. Prior to starting his firm, he worked as a case team leader for Monitor Company, Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter’s consulting firm. He has taught at MIT, Stanford, Columbia, Tel Aviv University, New York University, and Bentley University.

About Brain Rush

My most recent book (the 17th I have authored) Brain Rush: How to Invest and Compete in the Real World of Generative AI, discusses both the benefits and challenges of implementing AI in the retail and eCommerce markets and some of the specific topics I could discuss on your podcast include:

How can retailers distinguish the few high payoff generative AI applications from the many losing ones?
Which generative AI applications are creating the most value for retailers?
What are the most significant risks retailers could face if they introduce generative AI to customers and partners?
How should retailers capture the benefits and minimize the risks of these high payoff generative AI applications?

Peer pressure forces CEOs to tell Wall Street how generative AI will transform their business but at the same time, CEOs fear generative AI hallucinations could threaten their company’s reputation. This fear is based in reality. For instance, Google’s AI advised people to add glue to pizza,Forbes careers contributor Jack Kelly noted. And Air Canada's AI chatbot made up a refund policy for a customer — and a Canadian tribunal forced the airline to issue a real refund based on its AI-invented policy, Wired reported.

This inconsistent battle has significant implications for business. Of 200 to 300 generative AI experiments the typical large company is undertaking, a mere 10 to 15 have been rolled out internally, and perhaps one or two have been released to customers.

Babson College Associate Professor of Management Practice

Peter S. Cohan & Associates

LinkedIn Page

Books

Forbes and Inc. columns

Meet Neil Patel, Co-Founder at Neil Patel Digital with a preview of his RCC Retail Marketing Conference AI in Marketing Keynote

michael@meleblanc.co (Neil Patel) — Fri, 9 Aug 2024 07:05:00 +0000

Meet modern marketing phenomenon and upcoming RCC Retail Marketing keynote speaker Neil Patel as he shares insights behind his rise to one of the top marketing voices in the world and gives us a quick preview of his upcoming mainstage presentation. Neil is a New York Times Best-Selling Author and one of the world’s most influential marketers, according to The Wall Street Journal and Forbes. He will join me in person at the upcoming Retail Council of Canada Retail marketing conference on September 12 in Toronto to explore the transformative potential of AI in retail marketing.

Getting Inside the Consumer Circle of Influence with Kristina Rogers, Global Consumer Leader, EY

michael@meleblanc.co (Kristina Rogers) — Fri, 2 Aug 2024 07:05:00 +0000

On this episode, popular guest Kristina Rogers, Global Consumer Leader, EY, is back on the podcast to discuss the latest global and Canadian consumer insights from the 14th edition of her seminal research project, The Future Consumer Index. Launched in the early days of the COVID era, her research continues to track consumers' changing patterns and behaviours, with echoes of pandemic shopping impacts and changes in how we live, consume media, and shop.

See the whole report here.

Looking Around HR AI Corners with Jason Radisson, CEO and Founder of Movo

michael@meleblanc.co (Jason Raddison) — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 07:17:09 +0000

Meet Jason Radisson, CEO and Founder of Movo, a Human Capital Management (HCM) platform that uses advanced AI to automate the process of hiring, engaging, and retaining today’s frontline workforce with his innovative AI forward solution for retailers.

About Jason

Jason Radisson is a serial unicorn breeder.

His latest venture is Movo (formerly Shift One), where he is Founder & CEO, a platform that is helping solve the global shortage of skilled front line workers, with more than 300,000 users from nurses to solar technicians.

Jason learned startup skills early in life. He was born to a 16-year old single mom, and worked blue-collar jobs from short order cook to HVAC technician to fund school and climb out of poverty. From that inauspicious start, he went on to Harvard, a Fulbright Scholarship, and McKinsey & Company.

Since becoming an entrepreneur, Jason has worked with more than a dozen first tier VCs, firms like Softbank, Accel, DST, Andreessen Horowitz, Monashees, and Sequoia. Together he and his teams have built and scaled multiple tech unicorns, platforms that today provide work and improved living standards to millions of workers, from Bogota to Boston.

In the early days of Uber he was a launcher and Regional General Manager in the western US. From there, Brazil’s 99-Taxis as Chief Operating Officer, where he grew the business 10x and sold it to Didi for $1B. He is also a member of the Rappi-Mafia, where he was an early investor and helped the Co-Founders build their Operations and Growth teams in the initial expansion across Latin America.

Today, more than 20 venture-backed Founders are alumni of his earlier teams.

Jason spends his time outside of work with his spouse and their small children. He’s also a lifelong distance runner, cyclist and skier.

The Global Retail Cannabis Ambitions of Raj Grover, Founder, President & CEO of the Remarkable High Tide

michael@meleblanc.co (Raj Grover) — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 07:05:00 +0000

Raj Grover, President and CEO of High Tide, is back on the podcast to update us about the state of the retail cannabis industry in Canada and his growing universe of retail brands together as Cana Cabana, now Canada's largest non-franchise cannabis retailer with over 170 locations. Raj talks about this recipe for commercial success and his perspectives on global expansion to the U.S., Europe and beyond, leveraging the experience, skills and understanding of one of the industry's more experienced and accomplished retail teams.

About Raj

Since starting his first company at the age of 22, Raj has established himself as one of Canada’s foremost business strategists and dealmakers. He is the founder of High Tide and its subsidiary companies Valiant Distribution and Canna Cabana and is the co-founder of High Tide’s subsidiary, Famous Brandz.

Through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, Raj has grown High Tide from one small shop of 2 employees in 2009 into Canada’s largest cannabis retailer with over 170 locations and over 1,600 amazing team members and business interests spanning North America and Europe.

While committed to building a strong, profitable, and sustainable business, Raj also believes passionately that those who enjoy success hold a particular responsibility to give back. In that vein, he spearheaded the launch of High Tide’s CSR program, Rising Tide for Good which has supported many worthy causes both cannabis related and otherwise. On a personal level, Raj has also been a long-time supporter of Operation Smile, an organization that works to deliver free, safe cleft surgery to children in need, saving them from a lifetime of pain and isolation.

A Modern Take On Retail Brand, AI and Customer Strategy with Susan O’Brien, EVP and Chief Brand & Customer Officer at Canadian Tire Corporation

michael@meleblanc.co (Susan O’Brien) — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 07:05:00 +0000

Meet Susan O’Brien, EVP and Chief Brand & Customer Officer at Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC). In a wide-ranging and engaging interview, we cover a lot of ground commensurate with Susan's remit, which includes all aspects of CTC’s brand, long-term strategy around customer insights, and CTC's sponsorship, community, and ESG initiatives.

For those Canadians who might have lost track, or for international listeners less familiar, The Tire was Founded in 1922; in addition to the Canadian Tire banner, they have Party City, PartSource, Gas+, Mark's, Pro Hockey Life, SportChek, Hockey Experts, Sports Experts and Atmosphere, nearly 1,700 retail and gasoline outlets, supported by its Financial Services division and employs tens of thousands of people globally. So, as I said, Susan has a big job.

About Canadian Tire Corporation

Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC) includes a Retail segment, a Financial Services division and CT REIT.
Founded in 1922, CTC’s flagship store, Canadian Tire, provides Canadians with products for life in Canada across various divisions.
Other CTC banners include Party City, PartSource, Gas+, Mark's, Pro Hockey Life, SportChek, Hockey Experts, Sports Experts and Atmosphere.
CTC operates nearly 1,700 retail and gasoline outlets, supported by its Financial Services division
Including retail locations, CTC employs tens of thousands of people globally.

About Susan

Susan O’Brien is the Executive Vice President & Chief Brand & Customer Officer at Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC). She oversees all aspects of CTC’s brand, aligning the curation of the entire customer experience across all channels and marketing programs. Susan also leads the long-term strategy around customer insights and is responsible for CTC's sponsorship, community, and ESG initiatives.

Susan is an expert in all things branding, positioning, and customer engagement. She has played a critical role in reinforcing CTC as a purpose-driven, values-based Company through the evolution and rollout of CTC’s Brand Purpose – We Are Here to Make Life in Canada Better – along with its Core Values. Susan has been integral to the reinvention of the Canadian Tire brand through award-winning programs like We All Play for Canada and Tested for Life in Canada. She spearheaded the launch of Triangle Rewards – one of the most strategically important initiatives in the history of CTC – connecting the entire group of companies under one loyalty and credit card program. Her work has contributed to the Company earning the 2013 Marketer of the Year Award from Marketing Magazine, as well as it being named Canada’s Most Admired Brand by Léger in 2019 and 2021 and one of Canada’s Strongest Retail Brands by Brand Finance in 2019.

Since joining the Company in 2008, Susan has held several progressively senior roles. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice-President, Marketing; prior to that, she was Senior Vice-President, Marketing & Corporate Affairs and Vice-President, Marketing for Canadian Tire.

Susan sits on the Boards of Enactus Canada and Taymax Group LP. She holds an MBA in General Management from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) from Dalhousie University. Susan’s marketing acumen has consistently received industry-wide recognition, from her nomination for Marketing Magazine’s Top 30 under 30 awards to being named one of Toronto’s Brand Stars by Ad Week to one of Strategy Magazine’s Marketers of the Year. She was also named among the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business 50 Best Executives in 2022.

A Retail Success Story 40 Years in the Making: Gary Lenett, Founder & CEO, DUER

michael@meleblanc.co (Gary Lenet, Gary Lenett) — Fri, 5 Jul 2024 07:05:00 +0000

Meet DUER founder and CEO Gary Lenett. This Vancouver-based brand features performance fabrics beyond denim in bottoms, tops, and outerwear for both men and women. It boasts a global wholesale network of over 1,000 doors, seven retail locations in Canada and the US, and a rapidly expanding North American e-commerce presence. Its vision is to be plastic fibre-free by 2028, and it is a success story 40 years in the making.

AI Meets Merchandising with Michaela Wessels, CEO & Co-Founder, Style Arcade

michael@meleblanc.co (Michaela Wessels) — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 07:09:56 +0000

Meet Michaela Wessels, CEO and co-founder of Style Arcade. Forbes described her innovative AI merchandising solution as the 'first of its kind' for retail, so I wanted to learn more. Michaela shares her industry insights and insights into the AI-powered tool that replaces spreadsheets with intelligent analytics and digital range planning.

About Michaela

With background in finance and over a decade of global retail experience, including formative roles at Truworths, Lacoste and The Iconic as VP of Merchandise, Michaela went on to found Style Arcade in 2018. Described by Forbes as 'first of its kind' for retail, Style Arcade has seen some of the world’s most notable brands replace spreadsheets with intelligent analytics and digital range planning.

Style Arcade is an AI-powered merchandise buying and planning platform, providing intelligent merchandising recommendations to brands and retailers internationally. The software is the ideal merging of Michaela’s passion for efficiency and technology alongside her extensive career in retail.

Style Arcade is venture backed by Acadian Software (Klaviyo, Convoke) and has grown in excess of 200% annually since inception, garnering the trust of over 6,000 global users. Working with pure-play e-commerce giants like The Iconic, Princess Polly and White Fox, to cult designers like Aje, Christopher Esber and Dion Lee.

A Model for 10x eCommerce Growth with Sabir Semerkant

michael@meleblanc.co (Sabir Semerkant) — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 07:52:42 +0000

Meet Sabir Semerkant, an eCommerce consulting guru with 25+ years in e-commerce and over a billion dollars in revenue growth to his credit. Sabir shares insights into his framework, which unlocks 2X-10X growth for any e-commerce business with Product-Market Fit.

Around The World & Back Again: Veteran Retailer James Connell

michael@meleblanc.co (James Connell) — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 07:05:00 +0000

In a wide-ranging and overdue conversation, I catch up with James Connell, one of the industry's most experienced retail marketing, customer experience, brand and omnichannel executives. We talk about the evolution of customer experience, marketplaces, lessons learned from Asia and abroad, and his local & global consulting work here in Canada

About James

James has 25+ years of senior leadership experience in developing marketing, ecommerce, and customer experiences with a global lens. The bulk of his career was at Roots Canada, where he assumed several progressively more senior roles, and most recently before his departure as their Chief eCommerce and Customer Experience Officer, where he pioneered one of the first comprehensive omnichannel solutions in North America in 2009 while building digital revenue to equal just over half of the company’s direct to consumer sales.

He has supported marketplace initiatives in North America and Asia, while innovating in social commerce, AI, brand strategy, and digital transformation. James has a proven track record of driving impactful branded, customer-centric experiences, being recognized with numerous awards, including Canadian Marketer of the Year, Salesforce’s eCommerce Trailblazer Award, and twice awarded the Best Ecommerce Technology Award by the Retail Council of Canada, and collaborating on a book about collaborative marketing teams in a global organization.

Currently, James is consulting with several international businesses based in North America, Africa, and Asia in the ecommerce, FMCG, technology, and charitable verticals, helping businesses accelerate growth, and clarify their brand value proposition, go-to-market strategies, and digital platforms. Additionally, he has co-created a startup based in Singapore to educate and engage consumers and ecommerce businesses in Southeast Asia about environmental issues.

LINKS

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameshconnell/

Website - www.jhconnell.com

Fashion Meets Purpose with Rob Smith, CEO and Founder of The Phluid Project, GET Phluid and The Phluid Phoundation (Encore)

michael@meleblanc.co (Rob Smith) — Fri, 7 Jun 2024 07:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

My guest on this Encore episode from the summer of 2023 is Rob Smith, veteran retailer and now the CEO and Founder of The Phluid Project, GET Phluid, and The Phluid Phoundation; he has created a brand, combining his profession with his passion and a commitment to social justice. Rob and I first met when he was a guest on the Remarkable Retail podcast during the pandemic; we recently almost literally ran into each other at a conference in Toronto on the show floor, so an excellent opportunity to catch up on The Phluid Project and the retail environment in general from his vantage point.

About Rob

Rob Smith, the CEO and Founder of The Phluid Project, GET Phluid and The Phluid Phoundation, has created a brand, combining his profession, which is retail, along with his passion, a commitment to social justice. After graduating from Michigan State University, Rob began a long retail career, spanning over 30 years, orchestrating multi-billion dollar businesses through merchandising, e-commerce, marketing, product development and supply chain management.

He worked his way through Macys for over two decades, working within four divisions and finishing with his final position as GMM/EVP Macys Corporate in product merchandising. Gaining new experiences, Rob became GMM/EVP at Victoria’s Secret and the Children’s Global Chief Product Officer for Nike, Levi’s Jordan, Hurley, and Converse with Haddad Brands.

Rob leads the CSR committee as a Board of Director for Steve Madden and is an Executive in Residence with Wunderkind and The Fashioneering Lab. He’s the former Board Chair for The Hetrick-Martin Institute and also served on the board of directors for Athlete Ally. Rob lives in NYC with his husband, Rod Grozier, and his dog, Jackson.

A Masterclass In Retail Returns & Reverse Logistics with John Lee

michael@meleblanc.co (John Lee) — Fri, 31 May 2024 07:05:00 +0000

In this episode, I tap into John Lee's decades of reverse retail logistics experience. He discusses the importance of a seamless customer returns process, reasons for cart abandonment due to unclear return methods, and strategies using data analytics and personalization to reduce returns. We also explore managing high return rates, innovative solutions for non-restockable items, challenges in store handling of returns, best practices in reverse logistics, and leveraging returns for environmental stewardship.

About John

President / COO / Board member / Advisor, John is a change and growth leader with extensive Canadian and international experience in retail/eCommerce, supply chain & logistics, express and transportation, and also providing executive strategy and systems consulting in these disciplines. A brand ambassador, participative leader and coach, encouraging curiosity, learning and honesty, coaching and driving teams to approach their transformation agendas with courage, passion and open, transparent communications to achieve superior performance.

He has launched and scaled-up new businesses, and led transformations and integration of acquisitions in others, working in Canada the United States, and globally in over 30 countries. In recent years John has been an industry leader in reverse logistics for retail and other industries. He has worked with several global retailers to design, implement and refine their customer returns, reverse logistics and merchandise liquidation operations in executive leadership roles as:

President, Channel Control Merchants Canada – the country’s largest reverse logistics provider and operator of extreme value retail stores;
US-based VP Business Development & Client Services for goTRG, the North American industry leader in data-driven reverse logistics, returns management, and online merchandise liquidation;
VP & General Manager – Canada for Liquidity Services, a publicly traded (NASDAQ: LQDT) company and the world’s leading provider of online liquidation marketplaces for retail merchandise, government surplus and industrial capital assets.

In these roles, John worked with 7 of the top 10 US and global retailers, and many other major retailers and brands to build and operate processes that met the client’s objectives for both positive financial performance and auditable sustainability / environmental stewardship results. He says that he has had “the rare privilege to learn how to help organizations deliver great financial performance and achieve crucial and auditable environmental sustainability results at the same time”.

John is an alumni of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program and has served as Chair, Vice-Chair and Director on the Board of Directors of an international charity / research organization.

Radical Innovation, Leadership and Winning Every Race with Craig Baxter, Group President of Techtronic Industries Canada Inc. (Milwaukee, Ryobi, and Hoover)

michael@meleblanc.co (craig baxter) — Fri, 24 May 2024 07:37:09 +0000

On this episode, I sit down with a colleague from back in my work on the brand side, Craig Baxter, Group President ofTechtronic Industries Canada Inc., part of a global 13 billion dollar powerhouse tool house of brands that includes Milwaukee, Ryobi, andHoover. In a wide-ranging and engaging conversation, Craig talks about radical innovation, retail go-to-market strategy, leadership for growth, and the epic come-from-behind marketplace win for his Milwaukee brand of power tools as the sixth horse in a five-horse race.

About Craig

Live from SMU in Dallas, Texas, Steve Dennis & Leaders Leap, Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption

michael@meleblanc.co (Steve Dennis) — Fri, 17 May 2024 07:29:39 +0000

Recorded at the Cox School of Business at SMU in Dallas, Texas, in front of a live studio audience, my guest is my good friend and Remarkable Retail podcast partner Steve Dennis on the occasion of the book launch event for Leaders Leap, his latest book already climbing up the charts as one of the top business books of the year.

About Steve

Steve Dennis is a strategic advisor, board member, and keynote speaker focused on strategic growth and transformation and the impact of digital disruption. He is the author of the bestselling book Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption and the all new Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption , now available for purchase in Canada. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior contributor and on social media..

Don't forget to join Steve's new Linked Group for his new book.

The Inside Story Behind Ikea Canada's "Second-Hand Tax (SHT) is Happening" campaign with Tanya Bevington, Head of Communications for IKEA Canada, and Anthony Chelvanathan, Chief Creative Officer at Edelman Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Tanya Bevington, Anthony Chelvanathan) — Fri, 10 May 2024 07:05:00 +0000

My guests on this episode are Tanya Bevington, Head of Communications for IKEA Canada, and Anthony Chelvanathan, Chief Creative Officer at Edelman Canada. They discuss the insights and unique creative partnership behind Ikea Canada's clever and brilliant "Second-Hand Tax (SHT) is Happening" campaign.

The brand discovered recently that in Canada, there is a 'harmonized sales tax' (HST) added to sales receipts for resold items, meaning second-hand purchases are taxed twice. Ontario, where the most Canadian IKEA stores are located for instance, has one of the highest HST rates in the country at a whopping 13%. Recognizing that this tax structure actually discourages circular shopping, and with affordability and sustainability at the core of their brand, IKEA has launched 'Second-Hand Tax (SHT) is Happening'.

The SHT initiative introduces a counteracting –13% tax for second-hand items purchased from IKEA's "As is" section, the retailer's sell-back and buy-back category located in every store and online. Effectively eliminating the double tax on second-hand items, the SHT tax is designed to raise awareness for this issue, which unfairly places the burden of action on retailers. Nearly every tax-paying country in the world has a similar sales tax structure in place.

Sign the petition at change.org so that all Canadians can shop circular for less, for good.

About Tanya

Tanya Bevington: Tanya Bevington is head of Communications for IKEA Canada, a world's leading home furnishing retailer. For nearly 50 years, Canadians have welcomed IKEA into their homes and they have been strong supporters of the IKEA brand, product range and its vision "to create a better everyday life for the many people".

Tanya joined IKEA in 2014 and is responsible for overseeing the national corporate communications and public affairs programs for IKEA in Canada. Tanya is also a member of the Canadian management team for IKEA.

Prior to joining IKEA, Tanya spent ten years working in communications for Waterfront Toronto, the tri-government agency responsible for overseeing the renewal of Toronto's waterfront.

Working in the communications field for over twenty years, Tanya is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in corporate communications, media and government relations, internal communications, strategic planning, and issues management. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario and a Master's degree in Professional Communications from the University of Western Sydney, Australia. Tanya lives in Burlington, Ontario with her husband and three children.

About Anthony

AnthonyChelvanathan: Prior to taking on his current position as Chief Creative Officer at Edelman Canada, began working his way up as an Executive Creative Director at Leo Burnett Toronto, which culminated in his appointment to Senior Vice President. Along the way, Anthony has made a name for himself as one of the most prolific creatives in his industry. His work has garnered acclaim at nearly all of the world's top creative shows, including 64 Cannes Lions recognitions and 500+ international awards from institutions such as D&AD, The One Show, ADC, Communication Arts, LIA and Clios.

Throughout his career Anthony has repeatedly landed at the top of Strategy magazine's creative talent lists and has even been ranked 6th in the world by The Gunn Report. He has reached incredible heights (his TSN campaign promoting the Rogers Cup was among the most-awarded billboard campaigns in the world) while ranking up tens of millions of views in the process (his follow-up video to the famous #LikeAGirl campaign alone received 90 million) and Anthony became the first judge to represent Cannes Lions in Sri Lanka and has represented Canada on numerous occasions.

His passion and knack for zeroing in on unique human insights at the heart of a brand's purpose has resulted in major accolades for both his clients and agencies throughout his career, including winning an International Grand Prix for his IKEA project 'Cook This Page'. Anthony's world-class expertise in bringing big ideas to life also knows no categorical bounds, with his creative leadership directly leading to agency wins and business growth across nearly every industry and category.

When he's not unleashing juggernaut creative ideas onto the world and meticulously crafting his way to the number one Art Director spot in the country, Anthony can be found in his kitchen, treating his friends to his latest spicy curry recipe.

Decoding The True Cost of Retail Fraud: Insights with Kim Sutherland, VP of Fraud and Identity at LexisNexis Risk Solutions

michael@meleblanc.co (Kim Sutherland, Kimberly Sutherland) — Fri, 3 May 2024 07:05:00 +0000

In this episode, we're talking about evolving fraud trends in retail with Kim Sutherland, Vice President of Fraud and Identity from LexisNexis Risk Solutions. Explore strategies for mitigating fraud risks while maintaining a seamless customer experience. Gain insights from their latest True Cost of Fraud study, which revealed the significant financial impact on businesses globally. Discover how enterprises balance investment in fraud prevention with profitability, leveraging technology and data analytics to effectively detect and combat fraudulent activity.

About Kimberly

Kimberly Sutherland is vice president of fraud and identity strategy at LexisNexis® Risk Solutions. Based in Alpharetta, Georgia, she leads the commercial market strategy for consumer fraud analytics, identity verification, authentication and fraud investigations for LexisNexis Risk Solutions in the U.S. and Canada.

Kim joined LexisNexis Risk Solutions in 2006 and has more than 20 years of experience leading business strategy, product management, and professional services.

Kim has received multiple recognitions as one of the Top 100 Leaders in Identity, named a Top 50 Women Leader in Software as a Service in 2020, and Cybersecurity Woman of the Year by the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Kim serves on the boards of the Identity Theft Resource Center and Women in Identity and represents LexisNexis Risk Solutions in the Better Identity Coalition and the Open Identity Exchange (OIX).

Sutherland is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and Otterbein University.

Hard-Fought Leadership Lessons from U.S. Navy Seal & French Foreign Legionnaire Taylor Cavanaugh

michael@meleblanc.co (Taylor Cavanagh) — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 07:05:00 +0000

In this leadership-focussed episode, something different, something new. My guest is Taylor Cavanaugh, who takes a big, complicated life and shares insights from his time with the U.S. Navy Seals and the French Foreign Legion (the first American in history to be part of both), emphasizing leadership and resilience. He discusses his public exposure on "Soft White Underbelly," one of my favourite interview shows, and discusses the philosophy of having "no plan B" while stressing adaptability to maximize outcomes - professional and personal. Taylor advises embracing new experiences, leading with integrity, and making tough decisions in this fascinating, fast-paced interview.

About Taylor

Taylor Cavanaugh went from jail, to Navy SEAL, back to jail, suicidal, to French Foreign Legionnaire. Learning to self-actualize his divine design via a correct system of life disciplines. Now he is on a mission to show others how to re-align their lives to experience peace and clarity by training the mind deliberately as well as the body. Showing others how to get their fire for life back.

https://www.taylorcavanaugh.com/

Navigating Transparency in Sustainability Goals with icebreaker's Alicia Chin, Director of Sustainability at VF Corporation

michael@meleblanc.co (Alicia Chin) — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 07:05:00 +0000

Meet Alicia Chin, Director of Sustainability and Social Impact at VF Corporation, who discusses activewear brand and retailer icebreaker's open admission of falling short in their 100% plastic-free ambition. We delve into the challenges, the progress made, and how their transparency sets a precedent for retail industry-wide sustainability efforts. Hear about icebreaker's innovative approaches and their pledge to ongoing improvement in this episode that is perfect for the times.

About Alicia

Alicia Chin is Director of Sustainability and Social Impact for emerging brands at VF Corporation—Altra, icebreaker and Smartwool. Alicia has spent more than 15 years working with Fortune 500 companies to develop their sustainability strategies. At Smartwool, Alicia led development of the brand’s 10-year roadmap aimed at protecting the outdoors and making outdoor recreation more accessible. Before joining Smartwool, she managed sustainability and social responsibility at Heineken USA and the NHL.

LINKS:

Icebreaker Instagram: @icebreakernz
Icebreaker Transparency Report: https://www.icebreaker.com/en-ca/our-story/transparency-2024.html?selectLocale=true
Icebreaker ‘Keep It Real’ Campaign: https://www.icebreaker.com/en-ca/our-story/choose-real.html
Icebreaker Website: https://www.icebreaker.com/en-ca/home
Alicia Chin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciac123/

A Fresh Take on Retail Leadership with Deb Craven, President, Longo's

michael@meleblanc.co (Deb Craven) — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 07:05:00 +0000

Meet Deb Craven, President of Longo's, one of Canada's most popular grocery stores with dozens of locations and more on the way across Southern Ontario. I joined Deb in the Longo's Store Support offices, and we talked about leadership and what it takes to innovate and compete in the crowded Southern Ontario grocery marketplace. Deb also previews her upcoming keynote for Retail Council of Canada's Retail HR conference on April 25th. Learn more and get your tickets today: https://rcchrconference.ca/

About Deb

She achieved her Chartered Accountant designation (ICAO) and an Honours BBA (Co-Op) from Wilfrid Laurier University. She also received the Star Women in Grocery award.

Deb is married with 2 adult children and enjoys the gym, cycling and is learning to play tennis (and trying to love golf).

Leadership Lessons from Rose Patten, Chancellor of the University of Toronto and author of Intentional Leadership

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 5 Apr 2024 07:35:39 +0000

Meet Rose Patten, one of Canada's pre-eminent business and strategic thinkers. We talk about her life, stellar career, role as Chancellor of the University of Toronto, and her book, Intentional Leadership, filled with insights on strategy and leadership that you need to hear again, or for the first time, in my interview from spring 2023.

In this episode, Meet Rose Patten, O.C., one of Canada's pre-eminent business and strategic thinkers, special advisor to the CEO at BMO, inductee to the Hall of Fame of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women, honorary colonel of the Canadian Forces College, and 34th Chancellor of the University of Toronto.

Rose is the author of Intentional Leadership: The Big 8 Capabilities Setting Leaders Apart. We chatted in person at her UofT offices to explore the principles and concepts of leadership well articulated in her popular new book.

About Rose

Rose Patten is Special Advisor to the CEO and Senior Executives at BMO Financial Group. In this role she partners with and advises Group Heads on select strategies with a particular emphasis on strategy execution, leadership development and succession for top leaders.

Rose's career has spanned the four financial sectors - banking, trust, insurance and investment banking - with responsibilities for Canada, U.S. Europe and Asia. Previous key roles at BMO include Head of Strategy (Senior Executive President), Global Head of Human Resources (Senior Executive President), Senior Vice President of Corporate Services and the first woman member and long-time Member of the Bank's Executive Committee. Earlier roles include Executive Vice President of BMO Nesbitt Burns, Senior Vice President of Manulife and General Manager of Lloyds Bank Canada.

Rose Patten was named the Chancellor of the University of Toronto in May of 2018. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Rotman School of Management, teaching Senior Leadership, Talent and Succession, and Governance. She is member of Massey College, Honorary Patron of Kings College Circle Heritage Society and a member of the Boundless Campaign Cabinet. She was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree for Corporate Leadership and a University Program has been named in her honour - The Rose Patten Leadership Program.

Directorships:

Chair of the Board of Directors of Hospital for Sick Children (2014-2017)
Chair of Governance and H.R. Committee, BMO ChinaCo (Asia) (2009-2017)
Chair of Governing Council, University of Toronto (2004-2007)
Chair of Task Force on Governance (2007-2010)
Director of Board and H.R. Committee of Metrolinx
Director of Videotron, National Ballet of Canada, and Heart and Stoke Foundation
Appointed Officer of the Order of Canada (2017)
Honorary Doctor of Laws for Corporate Leadership - University of Toronto (2009)
Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal (2012)
Woman of Distinction - YWCA for Corporate Leadership (2008)
Lifetime Achievement (first time granted) by Canadian H.R. Industry (2014)
University of Toronto Arbor Award for Outstanding Service and the Tony Graham Award for Outstanding Achievement
Consistently recognized as one of Canada's most powerful women and one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking by U.S Banker Magazine

Bionic Retail: How to Thrive in an Exponential World with author Gary Hawkins

michael@meleblanc.co (Gary Hawkins) — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 07:05:00 +0000

Gary Hawkins is a visionary and retail industry treasure whose deep industry knowledge combines operational experience and technology savvy to provide a unique perspective. Gary joins Michael to discuss his fourth book, coming this April but available for pre-order now, "Bionic Retail: How to Thrive in an Exponential World."

About Gary

Gary Hawkins has been described as a visionary and retail industry treasure, whose deep knowledge of the industry combines with operational experience and technology savvy to provide a perspective that is completely unique.

His Odyssean journey across retail began three decades ago, driven by a vision to use data and technology to transform retail, returning the massive industry to its customer birthright. That inspiration in turn gave rise to successive waves of innovation that continue today. Along the way he’s decimated countless industry practices on a relentless march into the future. That work has taken him to five different continents, helping premier retailers and CPG brand manufacturers discover and understand new technologies while helping the creators of new capabilities understand the massive and dynamic consumer goods retail industry.

Today, drawing from his experiences and learning, Hawkins and his team have created a powerful blueprint to help the retail industry thrive in an exponential world. Retailers have a unique opportunity to set aside outdated beliefs and use accelerating innovation and never-before-possible capabilities to create a powerful vision for retail’s future.

Hawkins leverages his expansive industry view, and early insight into disruptive technology, as a sought-after keynote speaker at conferences in the U.S. and around the world. Hawkins is the author of Building the Customer Specific Retail Enterprise; Customer Intelligence; Retail in the Age of I, and Bionic Retail, along with myriad articles and white papers. Hawkins lives in Colorado with his wife Heather, and Remington, their Bernese Mountain dog.

ALL PRIDE, NO EGO: A Queer Executive's Journey to Living and Leading Authentically with author Jim Fielding

michael@meleblanc.co (Jim Fielding) — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 08:54:52 +0000

About Jim

Driving Retail Transformation with consultant and author Oliver Banks

michael@meleblanc.co (Oliver Banks) — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 07:05:00 +0000

Retail Transformation maven Oliver Banks is back on the podcast live from the U.K., discussing his new book, "Driving Retail Transformation: How to Navigate Disruption and Change." Using a clever set of automotive metaphors, Oliver takes us through his retail transformation steering wheel tool. He takes us to a better place in our journey to becoming a high-performing retailer.

About Oliver

Oliver Banks is an expert consultant working with senior leaders to transform retail businesses and operations. One of the most influential voices in retail, Oliver is author of the new book, 'Driving Retail Transformation: How to Navigate Disruption & Change' a LinkedIn Top Voice, host of the Retail Transformation Show podcast and keynote speaker, and advises on navigating transformation and the ever-evolving world of retail.

Links

LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliverbanks1/
Book website (including a sample) - https://drivingretailtransformation.com/

A View To Rapid Store Expansion with Bill Moir, Managing Director and EVP Canada, Specsavers

michael@meleblanc.co (Bill Moir) — Fri, 8 Mar 2024 08:05:00 +0000

Bill Moir, Managing Director and EVP Canada for Specsavers is back on the podcast as this Vancouver-based international retailer celebrates the opening of its 100th store in Canada, including a successful launch in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, with plans for expansion into Manitoba. Together, we unpack the successful business model and marketing strategies that have powered Specsavers rapid growth in Canada, lessons learned, and their winning formula for better eyecare for Canadians.

About Bill

Bill Moir is the Managing Director of Specsavers Canada. He began his career at Specsavers in 2017 as Trading Director for the Australian and New Zealand market following 20 years of executive board experience working across various trading, marketing and eCommerce roles in the UK, Europe and Australia. In early 2020, Bill transitioned to the role of Group eCommerce and Digital Director for Specsavers, leading the group strategy for eCommerce during COVID. Since moving from Melbourne to Vancouver in early 2021 with his family, Bill and the Specsavers team have seen the opening of over 100 locations in Ontario, Alberta and B.C., with stores in Manitoba coming soon. Today, Specsavers is one of the fastest growing network of eyecare professionals in Canada.

The Past, Present and Future of Retail RFID with Marshall Kay, Global Director, Retail Transformation Services for Avery Dennison Smartrac

michael@meleblanc.co (Marshall Kay) — Fri, 1 Mar 2024 10:38:24 +0000

Meet Marshal Kay, Global Director, Retail Transformation Services for Avery Dennison Smartrac, who takes us through the retail business case for RFID, from supper accurate inventory to Loss Prevention, seamless self-checkout and more, and what it takes to break through with this robust process and technology solution.

Avery Dennison's RFID homepage

The video recording of Walmart's presentation at the RFID Journal LIVE conference in May 2023 (including a link to get the slides themselves)

Some good Forbes articles:

The video recording of the Panel Discussion with Macy's at the 2024 NRF Big Show (called RFID: The Key To Digitizing Loss Prevention)

Simplifying The Complex World of Carbon Accounting for Retailers & Brands with Alyssa Rade, Chief Sustainability Officer at Sustain.Life

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 10:03:48 +0000

Meet Alyssa Rade, chief sustainability officer at Sustain.life, a leading carbon accounting platform, where she leads the company’s strategy for product content, guiding retailers across North America on their decarbonization and ESG journeys. Alyssa unpacks the complexities of carbon accounting for all of us, providing a uniform model for retailers, brands and vendors in tracking, reporting and understanding their decarbonization work.

Links: https://www.sustain.life https://www.sustain.life/blog https://www.sustain.life/resources/esg-regulations-frameworks

About Alyssa

Alyssa Rade is the chief sustainability officer at Sustain.Life where she leads the company’s strategy for product content, guiding users on their decarbonization and ESG journeys. Her 10+ years of corporate sustainability experience guides the program recommendations, carbon management and ESG disclosures featured in Sustain.Life’s software. Prior to joining Sustain.Life, Alyssa directed the ESG program at Vornado Realty Trust, where she managed sustainable operations and development for over 30 million sf of class A commercial space. Alyssa is accredited as a LEED and WELL AP and holds a MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University and a BA in Environmental Studies from Washington University in St. Louis. Links: https://www.sustain.life https://www.sustain.life/blog https://www.sustain.life/resources/esg-regulations-frameworks

Rethinking Ethnic & Modern Retail Marketing with Ariela Nerubay, EVP & Chief Marketing Officer at LA Based Curacao Retail

michael@meleblanc.co (Ariela Nerubay) — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 08:05:00 +0000

Something different on the podcast for this episode: Meet Ariela Nerubay, EVP & Chief Marketing Officer at Curacao retail stores, a fellow 2024 ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert and leader in ethnic and modern marketing strategies and tactics. You might not recognize the LA-based retail stores she leads, but the insights, challenges and opportunities translate well on the mic and across the border.

Curacao website: https://icuracao.com/
Instagram: @icuracao_usa
Twitter (X): @icuracao
Facebook: CuracaoUSA
TikTok: @curacaousa

About Ariela

As the EVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Curacao retail stores, Ariela Nerubay has

been instrumental in driving the company's business strategy, brand positioning, and

online expansion efforts. Since joining, the company has experienced an impressive 10-

30% YoY growth in both customers and sales. Over the past five years, Ariela has led

the charge in repositioning the Curacao brand and expanding its target audience,

resulting in the attraction of new customer segments and increased scalability.

Ariela's efforts have included designing programs aimed at improving customer

experiences, streamlining creative production processes, and promoting a culture that

prioritizes customer-centricity, data-driven decision-making, and agility. Drawing from

her extensive experience in entertainment, startups, and retail, Ariela has played a

pivotal role in transforming Curacao from a traditional retailer to a digital-forward brand.

Currently, Ariela is focused on designing and implementing Curacao's marketing

technology stack, which aims to provide hyper-personalized customer experiences

through first-party data enrichment. Additionally, she has created and leads the

company's first Customer Advocacy Group, which is dedicated to evaluating and

improving both on and offline customer journeys. Ariela also serves as the leader of

Curacao's Community Foundation.

With over 20 years of experience in marketing, Ariela is an award-winning executive

who specializes in targeting the multicultural consumer. She has worked with several

esteemed brands, including Wal-Mart, Comcast, Allstate, Univision Communications,

The Walt Disney Company, Fox Studios, and Sony Pictures. During her tenure at these

companies, Ariela has been responsible for spearheading marketing efforts aimed at

reaching the U.S. Hispanic customer.

In addition to her role as CMO at Curacao, Ariela also serves as an adjunct professor at

USC's Marshall School of Business and Annenberg School of Communication and

Journalism. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees at the Boys and Girls of

America, where she is involved in the Impact and Youth of the Year Committees.

Prior to joining Curacao, Ariela served as Vice President of Multicultural Marketing at

The Walt Disney Studios, where she led the multicultural strategy for several films

including the re-launch of the Star Wars franchise. She also spent 12 years at Univision

Communications, where she held multiple senior executive positions, including General

Manager of Univision Cable Networks. In this role, she built the marketing department

from scratch and was responsible for leading channel distribution sales, public relations,

advertising sales promotions, B2C and B2B advertising, and marketing efforts for five

Spanish language music and movie cable networks.

Under Ariela's leadership, her marketing departments received more than 24 industry

awards, including NAMIC's (National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communication)

Excellence in Multicultural Marketing Awards, The Cablefaxies, and CTAM's (Cable and

Telecommunications Association of Marketers) Golden Palm and CTAM Mark Award.

Ariela herself has been recognized for her work with a "Luminary" award by the National

Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communication, a "Successful Latinas in Business

Award" in the Media and Communications category by the National Latina

Businesswomen Association and was selected as one of the Most Influential Minorities

in Cable by Cable Fax Magazine.

Before joining Univision, Ariela worked for six years on the agency side of U.S. Hispanic

advertising and PR efforts for several Fortune 500 companies, including Miller Brewing

Company, Allstate Insurance, Washington Mutual Bank, Comcast, Adelphia, Cox,

Charter, Time Warner, and HBO. Prior to that, she served as a marketing specialist for

Wal-Mart headquarters in Mexico City, where she was a member of the team that

launched Walmart's first private label credit card in Mexico.

Ariela's broad expertise encompasses the entire marketing landscape, from client and

agency to media.

Ariela lives with her husband and three daughters in Long Beach, California.

Retail Media Networks from the Inside Out with Aran Hamilton, CEO & Co-Founder, Vantage

michael@meleblanc.co (Aran Hamilton) — Fri, 9 Feb 2024 09:38:29 +0000

The past, current and future state of Retail Media Networks are in the spotlight in this dynamic, live interview from the ReThink Retail podcasting studio on the NRF Big Show show floor in New York City with Aran Hamilton, Co-Founder & CEO of Toronto's Vantage. Aran is a pioneer in the retail media space and offers valuable lessons and powerful insights for retailers and brands of all sizes regarding the scope and future of this much-talked-about revolution.

About Aran

Aran Hamilton is the CEO and Co-Founder of Vantage, the only complete enterprise retail media platform. Every day Vantage helps market leading retailers and brands around the world turn data into insight and action.

He is an alumnus of such pioneering firms as Monitor, PSTG, MIST, Digital Cement, m-Qube, VeriSign, and EnStream/Zoompass. He is the past Chair of the Mobile Transactions & Commerce Summit, and the Co-Chair of EXCITE! (formerly known as IdentityNORTH).

Aran speaks at conferences in North America and around the word about his hands-on experience rolling out platforms for retail media, emerging commerce, privacy, and digital ID and authentication.

Michael Bungay Stanier & How to Work with (Almost) Anyone.

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael Bungay Stanier) — Fri, 2 Feb 2024 08:05:00 +0000

Meet Toronto-based Michael Bungay Stanier, best known for The Coaching Habit, the best-selling coaching book of the century, today talking with me about his most recent book, How to Work with (Almost) Anyone. It's a fantastic conversation. Michael is a thoughtful and engaging guest, and we talk about the hard truth: most of us leave the health and fate of our at-work relationships to chance. We say "Hi," exchange pleasantries, hope for the best, and immediately get into the work. Through our conversation and his book, Michael shows and tells us how to build the Best Possible Relationship with the key people at work.

About Michael

Learn more at www.MBS.works

Just Like Being There: Jim Harris on Tech Conference CES & Davos World Economic Forum

michael@meleblanc.co (Jim Harris) — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 08:05:00 +0000

Jim Harris, one of North America's foremost thinkers on disruption and innovation, is back on the podcast sharing his experiences and insights from CES, the world's biggest technology conference, and the World Economic Forum in Davos. Jim has been attending these important events for decades and takes us inside with his informed perspective for retailers. Note that we had some technical glitches towards the end of the interview. I didn't get to thank Jim on the mic for being my guest. It's much appreciated, Jim!!

About Jim

Jim Harris is a one of North America’s foremost thinkers on disruption and innovation. He is one of the world’s leading keynote speakers presenting internationally at more than 70 virtual and in-person conferences a year. Association magazine ranked

him as one of North America’s top ten speakers. Jim also leads strategic planning sessions with executive

teams.

His clients include American Express, Barclays Bank, Canon, GM, IBM, SAP, Munich Re, the Top 200 CIOs of India, the UK Cabinet Office, Swiss Re, Walmart and Zurich Insurance.

Jim’s last book, Blindsided!, is published in 80 countries worldwide and is a #1 international bestseller. Soundview Executive Summaries selected Blindsided! as one of the best business books of the year sending a summary to 80,000

executives globally. The Miami Herald calls Blindsided! “Brilliant stuff!”

Climate change concerns and consumption with Kristina Rogers, EY Global Consumer Leader

michael@meleblanc.co (Kristina Rogers) — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 08:05:00 +0000

The one and only Kristina Rogers, Global EY Consumer Chairwoman, is back on the podcast with the latest powerful insights from her 13th Future Consumer Index report. Climate change is becoming a growing reality for people worldwide and Canada, disrupting ingrained consumption habits. If you think COVID-19 shocked consumer behaviour, brace yourself for what happens next.

About Kristina

As EY Global Consumer Leader, Kristina is responsible for defining and implementing the EY strategy for consumer products companies and retailers. She ensures that EY’s global clients are well served across geographies, leading over 30,000 EY professionals worldwide. Kristina works directly with clients on the strategic issues they face as they pursue their rapid global expansion and is the Global Client Service Partner for a major consumer products company.

Prior to her current role, she served as Emerging Markets Leader for Consumer Products & Retail. Before joining EY, she was a senior partner at a global strategy consulting firm.

Kristina has lived and worked in more than 20 countries. Over the course of her career, she has built long-term client relationships with some of the world’s largest global consumer products companies, helping them solve some of their most complex strategic marketing issues across geographies.

How Kristina is building a better working world

“I am currently a member of the Financial Times’ ‘Global Board-Ready’ Women group and was selected as one of 40 women by Forbes to join ‘More Women on Boards’ in Turkey.”

The Approachable Retail Leader with Steve Worthy, Founder and CEO, Worthy Retail

michael@meleblanc.co (Steve Worthy) — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 08:05:00 +0000

Welcome to a new year, and maybe a new you, regarding your perspectives around leadership. My special guest is Steve Worthy, who, with over 27 years of North American on the front lines as a senior retail store leader and operator, brings a unique mix of executive coaching, training, and real-world experience to senior retail leaders and corporate teams.

About Steve

Steve Worthy, Founder and CEO, brings a unique mix of executive coaching and training to senior retail leaders and corporate teams. With over 27 years of experience as a senior retail leader, Steve's passion lies in guiding high-potential leaders to new heights in their careers. He embarked on his coaching journey in 2006, holds an MBA from the University of Maryland, and is certified in several personality profile tools such as the Enneagram, DISC, and Myers Briggs, establishing him as a go-to expert for leadership insights.

All of his insights can be experienced in his podcast, RETAIL LEADERSHIP with Steve Worthy, and his upcoming book “The Approachable Retail Leader.”

Global Expansion, the Critical Role of Product Innovation & the Role of Failure with Jenna Flateman Posner, Chief Digital Officer, Solo Brands

michael@meleblanc.co (Jena Flateman Posner) — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 10:24:27 +0000

In this episode, a lift from my Global eCommerce Leaders #podcast presented by StreamCommerce, meet the force of nature that is Jenna Flateman Posner, just two months into her new gig with innovative home products brand, wholesaler and direct-to-consumer retailer Solo Brands. We cover a lot of ground in this interview, not unlike what Jenna did as a University athlete and member of the USA Women's Sevens rugby team. If you want to learn more about cross-border commerce, check out the Global eCommerce Leaders Forum on February 22 in L.A. Details and links are in the show notes.

Hear more about how Solo Brands has dedicated country sites and distribution in Canada and Europe.. Learn how Jenna prioritized technology investment with a mind to global reach and presence.

Thanks to Stream Commerce for their support in making this episode happen.

Learn more about GELF L.A. 2024

About Jenna

As the Chief Digital Officer at Solo Brands, I lead the strategy and execution of digital initiatives across our portfolio of direct-to-consumer brands. With over 15 years of experience in the retail and technology, I have a track record of driving growth, innovation, and customer loyalty through digital channels and platforms.

My core competencies include tech strategy, innovation, customer relationship management, online marketing, and strategic partnerships. I leverage my entrepreneurial mindset and industry expertise to identify and capitalize on emerging opportunities, optimize operational efficiency, and foster cross-functional collaboration. My mission is to deliver exceptional digital experiences that enhance the value proposition and competitive advantage of Solo Brands and its partners.

About Michael

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada's top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global eCommerce Leaders podcast, and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

Winning Retail in 2024 with Mat Povse, SVP of Operation & Eric Stockner, VP & Category Officer Best Buy Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Eric Stockner, Mat Povse) — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 08:05:00 +0000

In a wide-ranging conversation, meet two of Best Buy Canada's standout veteran retail leaders: Mat Povse, Senior Vice President of Operations, and Eric Stockner, Vice President and Category Officer for Food, Home, and Baby. Mat and Eric join me on the mic to talk about big-picture trends, the current and future state of product innovation, this year's Black Friday performance (and what the point of Black Friday anyway), and what it takes to win the retail game in 2024 and beyond.

Mat highlights that technology is now seen as a fundamental human need rather than a mere desire, reshaping consumer behaviour and expectations. They both observe a shift from a digital-first approach during the pandemic to a more balanced omnichannel experience where customers appreciate in-store expert advice. Eric notes that Black Friday has lost some excitement and urgency over the years, becoming more of an extended shopping period than a single event. While e-commerce has been pivotal during the pandemic, they agree that physical stores remain crucial for customer engagement and conversions. Looking ahead to 2024, both see continued investment in in-store experience and technology as key differentiators, focusing on personalizing customer interactions across all touchpoints, including their newly launched Best Buy ads platform.

About Mat

Mat Povse is the Senior Vice President of Best Buy Retail Stores and Operations, Geek Squad Services, and Best Buy Business at Best Buy Canada. In this role, he is responsible for the employee and customer experience, sales and profits for over 180 retail stores across Canada as well as the development and fulfilment of Geek Squad programs and services. Mat joined Best Buy in March of 2014 as Vice President of Merchandising responsible for Home Theatre, Audio, Wireless, Digital Imaging, Geek Squad, and was instrumental in the development and execution of the Major Appliances expansion plan in Canada. Since then, he has held numerous leadership roles, most recently as Vice President of Geek Squad Services. Mat has a passion for inspiring people and teams, and has a knack for facilitating productive alignment between organizations. Mat’s multi-faceted experiences and work including service centric organizations has proven valuable in areas of convergence where he leads the optimization of current capabilities for future state, develops new and innovative partnerships, and integrates services at retail - all of which have helped to enhance Best Buy’s Total Retail experience and set foundations for future growth. Prior to Best Buy, Mat was Vice President of Sales for LG Electronics and has also held key positions at Compaq, TELUS & XM Satellite Radio. Mat holds a Bachelor of General Studies, Business and Liberal Arts from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia.

About Eric

Twenty years of retail head office experience at Best Buy Canada. Executive level expertise in the fields of Merchandising, Buying, Business Development, Ecommerce, Inventory Management and Marketing. Comfortable leading a large team and passionate about business development and leveraging competitive advantages to win in this fast-changing and increasingly complex retail landscape.

A Masterclass in The State of Retail & Retail Turnarounds with Michael Appel, Managing Director, Getzler Henrich & Associates

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael Appel) — Fri, 8 Dec 2023 08:05:00 +0000

Meet Michael Appel, a seasoned senior executive with over 50 years of experience in the retail industry, including turnaround CEO at Rue21. As the Managing Director at New York-based Getzler Henrich & Associates, he leads the Retail Practice for the firm, specializing in operational turnarounds for retail businesses. We talk about the state of retail today, the role of social media and the China Factory Direct model, what has actually changed with the modern consumer and what has stayed the same, what it takes to compete in 2024 and beyond, and what it takes to come back from the brink and creative a positive forward momentum. Let's listen in now.

You can reach Michael at C: 917-789-3615

mappel@getzlerhenrich.com

Michael Appel is a Managing Director at Getzler Henrich & Associates, based in New York City. Michael leads the Retail Practice for the firm.

Michael has expertise in women’s apparel, accessories, menswear, childrenswear, and all categories of home furnishings across department stores, specialty stores, luxury, off-price, and direct response channels of distribution. Michael graduated from Brandeis University (Phi Beta Kappa) and has an MBA with Distinction from Harvard Business School. Over the years, he has served on multiple corporate and non-profit boards, including serving as the Chairman of the Compensation Committee for Charming Shoppes, and as Chairman at Loehmann’s.

Select experiences include:

Served as CEO and Chairman of rue21, the 700-unit omnichannel fast-fashion retailer, where he led the company’s successful turnaround from its emergence from Chapter 11 between 2017 and 2020.
Served as the Interim CEO for Laura Ashley, Wilkes Bashford, and Baccarat. Additionally, he has provided turnaround services for Kenneth Cole, Avery Boardman, Versa Partners, and DW Partners
Served as Financial Advisor to the Creditor’s Committee of Kasper ASL, a leading manufacturer of women’s apparel under the Kasper and Anne Klein brands. For his work on Kasper, the Turnaround Management Association awarded Michael its Large Company Turnaround of the Year Award
Provided strategic advisory, due diligence, and expert witness consulting services to retailers, financial institutions, law firms, and consumer product companies.
Was retained at HCI Direct as CRO to oversee the company’s prepackaged Chapter 11 proceedings and the successful implementation of its restructuring plan. With the departure of HCI Direct’s CEO, he was named Interim CEO, successfully managing the business, achieving planned goals, introducing a new product line, and recruiting a new CEO.

Currently, Michael serves on the Board of Ashley Stewart, Inc., the Advisory Board of FIT’s Global Fashion Management MBA program and is a member of The Fashion Group and the Turnaround Management Association, where he served on their National Board, and was Chairman of the TMA Awards Committee.

Retail Leadership's Blueprint to Net Zero with Geraldine Huse, President of P&G Canada, and George Soleas, President and CEO of LCBO

michael@meleblanc.co (Geraldine Huse, George Soleas) — Fri, 1 Dec 2023 08:05:00 +0000

Live from the main stage at RCC's Retail Sustainability conference in Toronto, my discussion with two visionary retail leaders, Geraldine Huse, President of P&G Canada, and George Soleas, President and CEO of LCBO, as they offer invaluable insights from their respective organization's journeys to net zero, spotlighting the innovations, cultural changes, triumphs and tribulations on their paths to real sustainable change.

About George

George Soleas is one of Canada’s best-credentialed wine experts. He joined the LCBO in 1997 as Director of Quality Assurance after serving more than 11 years in the Canadian wine industry, taking on progressively senior leadership positions until he was named President & Chief Executive Officer in 2016. 

George’s diverse education includes a BSc from McMaster University, a diploma in Oenology from U.C. Davis, as well as a MSc and PhD from the University of Toronto.  He remains committed to higher education through professional affiliations with McMaster University, Brock University, and the University of Guelph. George completed executive training through the New CEO Workshop at Harvard Business School, the Masters Certificate in Supply Chain and Logistics Management program from the Schulich Executive Education Centre, the Breakthrough Program for Senior Executives at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland, and the Rotman Institute of Corporate Directors program (ICD.D). His widely published research focuses primarily on the biochemical aspects of beverage alcohol constituents and their effects on humans. 

George currently serves as a Member, Board of Directors of the Retail Council of Canada. He is also the recipient of such awards as the Ontario Imported Wine-Spirits-Beer Association’s Industry Partnership Award, the Greek Wine Industry Award, the McMaster Alumni Gallery Award, and was appointed to the Jurade de Saint Emilion and Chevaliers du Tastevin wine organizations as well as the Keepers of the Quaich. 

About Geraldine

As President of P&G Canada, Geraldine is responsible for the Company’s business and operations of one of the Company’s Top 10 Focus Markets.She has oversight of almost 2000 employees across a manufacturing sitein Belleville, a distribution center in Brantford, and a general office located in Toronto.

Since joining P&G in 1986, her career has spanned across various Sales,Marketing and General Management positions including senior leadership roles across Europe, Asia, IMEA and America. Geraldine has led P&G Sales in UK & Ireland, followed by a position of Senior VP Global Sales with responsibility for a key customer account in 12 markets. Prior to joining P&G Canada, she was the CEO and Chairman of the Board for P&G Central Europe. During her career, Geraldine has championed Equality & Inclusion efforts by addressing the gender balance in leadership roles and promoting inclusive leadership as the unique way to succeed in the age of disruption. UK’s top trade magazine identified Geraldine as one of the top 100 influential women in business, Canadian Grocer named Geraldine a Star Women in Grocery in 2021, and WXN named Geraldine as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2022. Outside of work, Geraldine conducts an active lifestyle. Her passion is firstly family and then sports including running (covered 4 marathons in London, Edinburgh and Rome), theatre and restaurants.

About Michael

Michael is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc. and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada and the Bank of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, Today's Shopping Choice and Pandora Jewellery.

Michael has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. He has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions with C-level executives and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels. ReThink Retail has added Michael to their prestigious Top Global Retail Influencers list for 2023 for the third year in a row.

Michael is also the president of Maven Media, producing a network of leading trade podcasts, including Canada's top retail industry podcast_,_ The Voice of Retail. He produces and co-hosts Remarkable Retail with best-selling author Steve Dennis, now ranked one of the top retail podcasts in the world.

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Last but not least, Michael is the producer and host of the "Last Request Barbeque" channel on YouTube, where he cooks meals to die for - and collaborates with top brands as a food and product influencer across North America.

Making Sense of Retail Trends, Winning Holiday, What AI Tells Us About our Future, and Untangling the Messy World of Video with Eric Morris, MD and Head of Retail, Google Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Eric Morris) — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 08:05:00 +0000

Back on the pod for what has become an annual Holiday tradition just like Turkey and egg nog, Eric Morris, Managing Director and Head of Retail for Google Canada, joins me on the mic, sharing the kind of insights that retailers need to know from a trusted partner whose hand is on the pulse of the zeitgeist of our times. Oh, and we talk about AI and retail!

Here is Google Trends.

About Eric

Eric Morris is the Managing Director of Google's Retail practice in Canada, leading sales, operations, research, strategy and analytics. Eric joined Google in 2002. As one of Google’s first hires globally, he played a critical role in building and scaling Google’s business globally, holding several leadership and executive roles along the way. Prior to his current role, Eric led Google Canada's search and performance advertising business, ran Automotive and Financial Services practices, and launched Google’s mobile advertising business in Canada. In 2016 Eric was named inventor and issued a patent in the United States for identifying rising search queries and trends at scale for advertisers worldwide. Eric has served on the Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada’s board of directors since 2009, including a two-year term as board Chair beginning in 2015. Born in Montreal and raised in Toronto, Eric is a graduate of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Holiday Highlights, 2023 Trends & 2024 Predictions with Rob Garf, VP and GM for Retail at Salesforce

michael@meleblanc.co (Rob Garf) — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 08:05:00 +0000

The one and only Rob Garf, Vice President and GM for retail at global powerhouse Salesforce, is back on the pod sharing exclusive insights and strategies for retailers on how to win Holiday and helping us get ready with predictions for an unpredictable 2024

Find all your holiday Salesforce stats at https://www.salesforce.com/resources/shopping-insights/

About Rob

Rob Garf is VP and GM for Retail at Salesforce. With 25 years of global retail experience as a practitioner (Lids, Marshalls, Hit or Miss), an industry analyst (AMR Research), a strategy consultant (IBM), and a software leader (Demandware/Salesforce), he is no stranger to the industry and the challenges retailers face. He currently leads industry research, drives solution strategy, and advises senior executives globally on digital transformation. Rob is also a frequent industry speaker, a member of NRF’s Digital Council, and Chair of the Retail Customer Advisory Board.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Meet Selwyn Crittendon, IKEA Canada's new dynamic and engaging CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer

michael@meleblanc.co (Selwyn Crittendon) — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 08:33:36 +0000

Meet Selwyn Crittendon, IKEA Canada's new dynamic and engaging CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer. Selwyn shares highlights of his twenty-year journey at IKEA, first impressions of the business environment, and ambitions for growth and diversification for this purpose-led retail brand in Canada for 47 of its 80 years of this global home furnishing and lifestyle powerhouse.

About Selwyn

Selwyn Crittendon is CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer at IKEA Canada, a world-leading home furnishing retailer. For more than 40 years, Canadians have welcomed IKEA into their homes, and have been strong supporters of the IKEA brand, product range and its vision “to create a better everyday life for the many people”. Selwyn joined IKEA in 2002 at the IKEA Woodbridge, VA store as the Customer Convenience Manager. During the last 20 years, Selwyn has held numerous roles in the organization from driving an excellent customer experience to developing and strengthening leaders.

Today, Selwyn leads the ongoing transformation of the Canadian business to create a more affordable, accessible, convenient, and sustainable shopping experience for the IKEA customer and more importantly, a rewarding place to work for IKEA co-workers nationally. Throughout this omnichannel, people-focused transformation, IKEA continues to explore new store formats, enhance the in-store experience, invest in new digital experiences, improve its service offer, and optimize its distribution networks.

Selwyn's passion for people, transformation, and change, fuels his focus on strategic growth that will propel IKEA Canada for many years to come.

An avid foodie and father of two, Selwyn has settled with his family in Oakville, ON.

Follow Selwyn on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selwyn-crittendon-ab4255109/

Discover more about IKEA Canada at IKEA.ca/Reports

About our Sustainability strategy here.

And on social here:

https://instagram.com/ikeacanada/

https://www.facebook.com/IKEACanada

https://www.tiktok.com/@ikeacanada

https://www.pinterest.ca/ikeacanada/

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Both/And Thinking: Embracing Creative Tensions to Solve Your Toughest Problems with Marianne Lewis, Dean of the Carl H. Lindner College of Business (Encore Episode)

michael@meleblanc.co (Marianne W. Lewis) — Fri, 3 Nov 2023 10:53:44 +0000

In this Encore Episode from Summer 2022, meet Marianne Lewis, Dean of the Carl H. Lindner College of Business and co-author of the breakthrough book from the Harvard Business Review Press, Both/And Thinking: Embracing Creative Tensions to Solve Your Toughest Problems in this Encore Episode from Summer 2022.

"An insightful and inspiring book on using "both/and" thinking to make more creative, flexible, and impactful decisions in a world of competing demands.

Life is full of paradoxes. How can we each express our individuality while also being a team player? How do we balance work and life? How can we improve diversity while promoting opportunities for all? How can we manage the core business while innovating for the future?"

About Marianne

Marianne W. Lewis is dean and professor of management at the Carl H. Lindner College of Business, University of Cincinnati. She previously served as dean of Cass (now Bayes) Business School at City, University of London. A thought leader in organizational paradoxes, she explores tensions surrounding leadership and innovation. Lewis has been recognized among the world’s most-cited researchers in her field (Web of Science) and received the Paper of the Year award (2000) and Decade Award (2021) from the Academy of Management Review. Her work also appears in media outlets, such as Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Newsweek. Her latest book Both/And Thinking is published by Harvard Business School Press. Lewis earned her MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, and her PhD from the Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Making Dollars and Sense out of Food Waste with Mylène Champagne, Metro & Sam Kashani, Too Good To Go Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Mylène Champagne, Sam Kashani) — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 06:58:33 +0000

On this episode, Mylène Champagne, Director of Environmental and Technical Risks for Metro & Sam Kashani, Country Director for Too Good To Go Canada, continue the original discussion that we had at RCC's Retail Sustainability conference live on the stage with me about why collaboration is the only effective, measurable way to fight food waste at a mass scale and why profitability doesn't have to come at a price when it comes to food waste.

About Mylène

Mylène Champagne is the Director of Environment and Risks at METRO Inc. since March 2022. In her current role, she concentrates on reducing carbon emissions, addressing food waste, and enhancing material diversion rates. With 13 years of experience in sustainability and dual master's degrees in sustainable development and management, coupled with a law certificate, she has a broad background in environmental management across consulting, education, telecommunications, and retail sectors.

About Sam

Sam Kashani is the Country Director of Too Good To Go, the world’s number one app for fighting food waste, and is championing the movement into the Canadian market.

Sam moved to Toronto as a first generation immigrant more than 23 years ago. His first job in Canada was in the foodservice industry where he saw first hand that consumer demand for speed and selection had a devastating by-product of increasing food waste! Since then, his love for food has taken him to more than 20 countries around the world discovering many new cuisines, transforming his relationship with food from “love” to “respect”.Sam is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University with a business degree and an MBA in Strategic Management and has held multiple leadership positions in both global and scale up organizations. He was also named Marketing Magazine’s “30 under 30”.He has always focused on balancing performance with purpose and is determined to kick off this movement in Canada and empower Canadians coast to coast to join the fight against food waste.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

The Art of The Raise & The Science of ReCommerce with Emily Hosie, Founder & CEO of Rebelstork

michael@meleblanc.co (Emily Hosie) — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 07:05:00 +0000

Meet Emily Hosie, Founder & CEO of Toronto-based Rebelstork. Emily recognized a massive void in a baby retail market ripe for innovation. She leveraged her experience at TJX and Saks Off Fifth as a top buyer, building an AI-powered platform for overstock, open box and quality used baby gear. Rebelstork has saved over 150,000 pieces of baby gear from ending up in landfill, and it is just getting started!

About Emily

Rebelstork is founded and led by millennial mom, Emily Hosie, who has a track record of effecting industry-shifting growth and success in the retail space. She began her career as the Women’s Trend Buyer at Holt Renfrew and moved onto becoming the Senior Buyer in Women’s Contemporary at Saks Fifth Avenue in NYC. While there, the opportunity to learn the Off-Price business model presented itself and Emily played a very prominent role in the growth of Saks Off Fifth across North America and online. She held multiple progressive roles, including Vice President/DMM of Women’s Contemporary, as well as Vice President/DMM of Ladies Product Development. After six years, Emily moved back to her home city of Toronto to join the Canadian Division of the TJX Companies (Winners, Marshalls, Homesense), where she served as a Vice President of Merchandising.

After becoming pregnant, Emily recognized a huge void in a baby retail market ripe for innovation, and a legacy industry in need of an update. She envisioned an ecosystem that enabled the frictionless movement of Overstock, Open Box (store returns) & quality used baby gear. She built an AI- powered platform that connects brands and retailers with parents across North America. In just four short years, Emily has brought her vision to life providing brands and retailers the technology solution and selling platform to participate in the recommence economy- keeping baby gear out of landfills and instead in the homes of conscious consumers. Rebelstork has saved over 150,000 pieces of baby gear from ending up in landfill and it just getting started!

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

The Inspiring Journey of Patrice Mousseau, CEO & Founder of Satya Organic Skin Care

michael@meleblanc.co (Patrice Mousseau) — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 07:05:00 +0000

In this episode, meet Patrice Mousseau, CEO & Founder Satya Organic Skin Care, an inspiring West-Coast based skincare entrepreneur who's travelled a unique journey. Starting from a media background, she's built a breakthrough skincare brand over the past decade. As an award-winning indigenous entrepreneur, her approach to product development differs, promoting inclusivity. Patrice reflects on the changing landscape for indigenous female founders, shares valuable advice for retailers and aspiring entrepreneurs, and hints at an exciting future in her entrepreneurial journey.

About Patrice

Patrice Mousseau is a member of the Fort William First Nations and the Founder and CEO of Satya Organic, a 100% Indigenous and Woman-Owned skincare company. Founded in 2013, Satya began when Patrice’s daughter was diagnosed with eczema and prescribed a topical steroid by her doctor. A former journalist, Patrice used her investigative skills and dug into traditional medicine, medical research, and the latest academic studies, desperate to find a steroid-free solution. With a $15 crockpot she bought off Facebook, she experimented in her kitchen with the best organic ingredients she could find. Shortly after, Satya was born – a balm that would clear Esme's eczema up within two days. Today, Satya’s product line has expanded and is sold in over a 2000 stores across Canada, including Shoppers Drug Mart where it became the first Indigenous brand on the shelves.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Where Retail Meets Revolution with Retail Innovator Lee Jeyes

michael@meleblanc.co (Lee Jeyes) — Fri, 6 Oct 2023 07:05:00 +0000

Lee Jeyes is back from a cross-Canada tour and on the mic ready to share his insights and advice around pragmatic retail innovation informed by years of experience, most formerly as Walmart Canada's Head of Innovation. Get ready for a great conversation as we explore Where Retail Meets Innovation, and hear Lee's advice for retailers and brands of all sizes on how they can drive the innovation agenda in your enterprise.

About Lee

Lee's journey in the retail industry is both diverse and impactful. With extensive experience in operations, loss prevention, and ecommerce, he has also made significant strides in the realm of innovation. His most recent role as the Head of Innovation for Walmart Canada saw him building and launching their pioneering innovation incubator. Lee's expertise doesn't stop there; he has a proven track record in scaling near-term sustaining technology and has been at the forefront of developing long-term disruptive retail tech solutions. Passionate about championing disruption, Lee guides organizations through the intricacies of change. As the retail landscape evolves, Lee's mission remains clear: to lead, support, and inspire businesses to embrace transformation and elevate their innovative visions.

Transforming Tomorrow: Where Retail Meets Revolution. Now, as a keynote speaker for Spoken Artists, Lee continues his mission, helping organizations navigate the waters of innovation and inspiring change on a grand scale.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Silicon Valley Trailblazer & Veteran CDO Atif Rafiq on his New Book "Decision Sprint"

michael@meleblanc.co (Atif Rafiq) — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 08:23:11 +0000

Meet Silicon Valley trailblazer Atif Rafiq, who shares his extensive background and insights gleaned from a comprehensive and pioneering experience at Amazon, Volvo, and McDonald, the distinction of being the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500. We're together to discuss his new book, Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action.

About Atif

Atif has blazed trails in Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500 for over 25 years.

After rising through digital native companies like Amazon, Yahoo!, and AOL, Atif held C-suite roles at McDonald’s, Volvo, and MGM Resorts. He oversaw thousands of employees as a global P&L, transformation, and innovation leader.

Rafiq was the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500, a pioneering role he held at McDonalds, and he rose to the president level in the Fortune 300.

While leading business units, teams, and growth for companies, Atif has built a large following as one of today’s top management thinkers. Over 500,000 people follow his ideas about management and leadership on LinkedIn, where he is a Top Voice, and his newsletter Re:wire has over 100,000 subscribers.

Atif is passionate about helping companies push boldly into the future. He accomplishes this through Ritual, a software app revolutionizing how teams innovate and problem-solve, and through his work as keynote speaker, Board member, and CEO advisor.

o Big ideas meet big execution

o Tech innovator who's reached the President level in the Fortune 300.

o Product & business savvy

o P&L ownership as a General Manager for many years; including most senior commercial leader for a Fortune 300

o Founder and CEO of venture backed firm, raising $10mm+ in the content mgmt sector (2000-2005)

o Active public speaker across 25+ tech events (Google I/O, Cannes, Fortune, SXSW, CES). Quoted in WSJ, Fast Company, Fortune Magazine, TechCrunch, Forbes, Mashable, & ABC News.

o Advisor and investor to 25+ startups (Headspace, SpaceX, 23&Me, Liquid Death, etc.)

Boards include public companies: Flutter / Fanduel [PDYPF], KINS [KINZU] and fast growing $1bn private companies: ClearCover, betMGM

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Microphones Across The Pond: Veteran C-Level Retail Executive Martin Bailie

michael@meleblanc.co (Martin Bailie) — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 08:35:17 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail podcast. My name is Michael LeBlanc, and I am your host. This podcast is produced in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Live from Dublin, meet Martin Bailie, a global retail executive with an impressive 30 years of proven expertise and experience within the global food and fashion retail industries, including c-Level roles at Lidel, Primark and Tata/Tesco in India. In a wide-ranging conversation, mics across the pond, we cover the critical issues in modern retail from a European operator's perspective with someone on the front lines of retail innovation and retail technological change his whole career.

About Martin

An exceptional leader, change manager and cultural architect, with over 30 years proven expertise and experience within the global food and fashion retail industries - Pan Europe, South Asia and NE America.

Skilfully blends commercial, financial and brand leadership with a visionary strategic overview and an analytical, comprehensive knowledge of local and global context. A solution-focused and innovative practitioner, highly responsive to current and emerging trends and flourishing within two of the leanest operational models for 23 years.

Universally acknowledged as a gifted and responsive driver of sweeping strategic and operational transition; transforming efficiency, dynamism and fluidity to achieve measurable increases in market share.

About Michael

Michael is also the president of Maven Media, producing a network of leading trade podcasts, including Canada's top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail. He produces and co-hosts Remarkable Retail with best-selling author Steve Dennis, now ranked one of the top retail podcasts in the world.

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Falling In Love with a Career in Retail Marketing: Kathy Tsolakos VP Marketing, Ecommerce, Visual Presentation, PENN

michael@meleblanc.co (Kathy Tsolakos) — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 07:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail podcast. My name is Michael LeBlanc, and I am your host. This podcast is produced in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Meet veteran retail marketer Kathy Tsolakos, Vice President Marketing, Ecommerce & Visual Presentation- PENN. at Reitmans Canada Ltée/Ltd. She takes us through an exciting career and prepares us for her panel, "Modern Marketing: Where Storytelling Meets Community," at the upcoming RCC Retail Marketing conference.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven't already, follow on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically each week. And be sure to check out my other retail industry media properties, the Remarkable Retail podcast with Steve Dennis and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast.

I'm your host, Michael LeBlanc, senior retail advisor, keynote speaker, and ReThink Retail 2023 global Top Retail Influencer. If you want more content or to chat, follow me on LinkedIn.

Safe travels, everyone.

About Kathy

Kathy serves as Vice President of Marketing, Ecommerce and Visual Presentation for Penningtons – an iconic leader in the plus size women’s apparel market. Currently, she is leading the brand’s exciting transformation while spearheading all strategy initiatives for the marketing, visual, and e-commerce group. For over 20 years, Kathy has led retail marketing teams driving strategy, creative and brand initiatives for prominent brands such as La Senza, Laura Canada, RW&CO. and Matt&Nat. Her innate ability to passionately create stories that engage and connect the customer journey to the brand is what she does best.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Peninsula Co-op CEO Corey Gillon and a Global Retail Career Worth Living

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 8 Sep 2023 07:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail podcast. My name is Michael LeBlanc, and I am your host. This podcast is produced in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Back on the podcast in a new role, veteran retailer Corey Gillon joins us as the CEO at Peninsula Co-op, a Victoria, B.C.-based multi-business unit retailer specializing in fuel & convenience, liquor and grocery. Tons of great insights from this global retailer whose career has spanned massive retailers to cannabis start-ups.

About Corey

Currently holding the role of CEO at Peninsula Co-op a Victoria, B.C. based multi-business unit retailer specializing in fuel & convenience, liquor and grocery with annual revenues exceeding $300 million. Corey is well-versed in a spectrum of competencies including Retail operations, eCommerce, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), marketing, and people leadership. These skills have been honed through years of hands-on experience in both domestic and international markets.

Corey’s career has straddled the breadth of the corporate landscape, from holding senior executive roles at global brands such as Walmart and Aritzia to agile start-ups. This unique blend of experiences has equipped him with the versatility to navigate and lead in both structured, complex organizations and in the fluid, dynamic start-up ecosystem.

His style and philosophy of leadership is backed by his vast experience. He identifies as both a builder and an operator, ever keen on achieving results through decisive action. Apart from his corporate commitments, he also serves on a nonprofit board and actively mentors students at Simon Fraser University who attend the Beedie School of Business, ensuring that the next generation of leaders benefits from his wealth of knowledge and experience.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Build A Culture That Maximizes Your Impact: The Culture Climb with Strategist & Authour Chelsey Paulson

michael@meleblanc.co (Chelsey Paulson) — Fri, 1 Sep 2023 07:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail podcast. My name is Michael LeBlanc, and I am your host. This podcast is produced in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Meet Chief Strategy Officer and now author Chelsey Paulson as she takes us through her experience accelerating business cultures for long-term success, articulated in her fabulous new book The Culture Climb: How To Build A Work Culture That Maximizes Your Impact.

Links mentioned in the interview:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsey-paulson/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/keystonegroupintl/

www.thecultureclimb.com

www.keystonegroupintl.com

https://www.instagram.com/keystonegroupintl/

About

Chelsey Paulson is a Culture Strategist & Business Growth Guide at Keystone Group International. Prior to joining Keystone, Chelsey lead the People + Culture initiatives at NCBP, a retail point of sale and managed service organization with 15 locations and an active M&A strategy. Chelsey has over 15 years of VAR experience and built her career around being a strategic partner within the executive team, molding and growing the culture and focusing on strategic people initiatives that aligned with the organizations business initiatives such as internal communications, career and leadership development, succession planning, and aligning the right people in the right seats within the optimal organizational structure.

In addition, Chelsey has been involved on multiple boards and has been the Chair for two Board of Directors where she had the opportunity to coach and mentor the Executive Director and President/CEO of the organizations.

Chelsey’s area of expertise is in implementing a Strategic Foundation and Growth Strategy, Culture Revolution, Leadership Academy’s, and Executive Coaching. Chelsey is passionate about creating a lasting impact on businesses, especially when it comes to growth within the business, culture, and leadership team. She does this by using her Superpowers of positive energy and being a constant learner of new information, strategies, and skills to challenge and push clients + leaders to break through the ceiling to the next level.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Seamless Customer Retail Journeys as Childs Play: Alison Hartnoll, Vice President, Unified Commerce and Marketing, Mastermind Toys

michael@meleblanc.co (Alison Hartnoll) — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 07:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail podcast. My name is Michael LeBlanc, and I am your host. This podcast is produced in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Meet Alison Hartnoll, Vice President, Unified Commerce and Marketing at Mastermind Toys, as she takes us inside this Canadian specialty retailer's e-commerce and retail story and gives us a preview of her panel "A Marketer's Guide to Seamless Customer Retail Journeys" at the upcoming RCC Retail Marketing Conference.

About Alison

Alison Hartnoll is the VP, Unified Commerce and Marketing at Mastermind Toys, Canada’s Authority on Play. Alison brings the wonder of Mastermind Toys alive online and in-store. She is a passionate, customer-obsessed, results-driven leader with more than 20 years of CPG experience across Marketing, Sales and E-Commerce. Prior to joining Mastermind Toys, Alison led the E-Commerce team at Smucker Foods of Canada, driving sales growth on Amazon and across the platforms of Canada’s grocery retailers.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

DO NOT Sleep on This Episode! Meet Albert Chow, Co-Founder and CEO of Silk & Snow

michael@meleblanc.co (Albert Chow) — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 07:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Meet Albert Chow, the Co-Founder and CEO of Silk & Snow, a digitally native retailer of thoughtfully made sleep essentials, ranked as one of Canada's top-growing companies by the Globe & Mail and Canadian Business and joining Endy and Casper as a recent addition to Sleep Country's fantastic roster of properties—a great story of inspiration and perspiration, a true Canadian eCommerce and soon-to-be physical retail success story.

About Albert

Albert is the Co-Founder and CEO of Silk & Snow, a digitally native retailer of thoughtfully made sleep essentials, which has been ranked as one of Canada’s top-growing companies by the Globe & Mail and Canadian Business for four consecutive years. Albert led Silk & Snow to an eventual acquisition by Sleep Country, and is now part of Sleep Country's senior leadership team. Prior to starting Silk & Snow, Albert led technology-driven change at some of Canada’s largest retailers, including Loblaws, Canadian Tire and TELUS.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

A Collision of Fashion and Purpose with Rob Smith, CEO and Founder of The Phluid Project, GET Phluid and The Phluid Phoundation

michael@meleblanc.co (Rob Smith) — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 09:11:32 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

My guest on this episode is Rob Smith, veteran retailer and now the CEO and Founder of The Phluid Project, GET Phluid, and The Phluid Phoundation; he has created a brand, combining his profession with his passion and a commitment to social justice. Rob and I first met when he was a guest on the Remarkable Retail podcast during the pandemic; we recently almost literally ran into each other at the Collision tech conference in Toronto on the show floor, so an excellent opportunity to catch up on The Phluid Project and the retail environment in general from his vantage point.

About Rob

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

CEO Excellence: An Exclusive Interview with Canadian author and McKinsey Practice Leader Carolyn Dewar (E)

michael@meleblanc.co (Carolyn Dewar) — Fri, 4 Aug 2023 08:07:08 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In a special summer encore episode, my guest is Carolyn Dewar, senior partner at McKinsey & Company and co-author of the bestselling "CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish The Best Leaders from the Rest."

Originally from Canada, now living in San Francisco, Carolyn takes us through the essence of her CEO excellence practice and book, starting with the six critical responsibilities of a CEO to help us set the frame. Then we dive into the six mindsets that set elite CEOS apart. Whether you are a CEO today, aspiring to a leadership position, or a business excellence student, this podcast episode is for you!

Buy the BooK

https://amzn.to/3Jos2Q6

About Carolyn

Carolyn founded and co-leads McKinsey’s CEO excellence work, coaching many Fortune 100 CEOs to maximize their effectiveness in the role, including business aspiration-setting and roadmap, culture shifts to unlock performance, top-team effectiveness, managing external stakeholders, board engagement, and resetting their own personal operating model. She also works extensively with clients to drive organizational effectiveness at pivotal moments—such as merger, strategic shift, and crisis—and lead large-scale performance improvement programs integrating strategic, operational, and cultural initiatives.

Examples of Carolyn’s recent client work include the following:

-new CEO onboarding across industries, counseling many CEOs as they navigate their CEO journey in terms of business priorities, organization, top team, stakeholders, and board dynamic

-working directly with the CEO and top team to manage one of the largest mergers in financial services and reinvent the operating model of a Fortune 50 firm in a new regulatory environment

-redesigning and installing a new operating model—including organization design, day-to-day management practices, culture, and incentives—of a Fortune 50 consumer-goods company to align resources and attention for future growth

-managing the merger integration between a spin-off of a Fortune 20 company with a fast-growth tech firm to establish a newco, involving significant culture, integration, leadership, and strategy alignment, as well as building and execution

In addition to her direct work with clients, Carolyn conducts ongoing research. Among her many articles are two of the most read McKinsey Quarterly articles of all time, “The CEO's role in leading transformation” and “The irrational side of change management”. She has also authored two foundational publications: “Performance culture imperative: A hard-nosed approach to the soft stuff” and “Breaking new ground: Making a successful transition into your new executive role”.

Carolyn regularly gives keynote speeches and hosts CEO and senior executive roundtables on topics related to leadership, executive transitions, and change management. Carolyn serves as faculty for McKinsey’s executive programs: The Bower Forum, The CEO Excellence Forum, and Executive Transitions Master Class.

Carolyn is a Canadian and British citizen, and currently lives in San Francisco with her two children and husband. She is a board trustee of Bay Area Discovery Museum and has a Master’s degree in economics and international relations from University of St Andrews, Scotland.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Wes Hall, the "King of Bay Street" and CBC Dragon, on his book "No Bootstraps When You're Barefoot" (E)

michael@meleblanc.co (Wes Hall) — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 07:23:42 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In a special summer encore episode, the one and only Wes Hall joins the podcast to talk about his book "No Bootstraps When You're Barefoot: My rise from a Jamaican plantation shack to the boardrooms of Bay Street." Wes shares his story and advice for retailers on how they can genuinely help black entrepreneurs and adds hints for anyone who winds up in front of him on CBC's Dragon's Den

About Wes

As the executive chairman and founder of Kingsdale Advisors, Wes Hall is one of North America's most influential powerbrokers and Canada's preeminent leader in shareholder advisory services, playing pivotal roles on multi-million and billion-dollar transactions for Air Canada, Xstrata, Citigroup, Tim Horton's, PetroCanada and many others. Hall is also the owner of QM Environmental, a leading national environmental and industrial services provider with over 450 employees, among other businesses. An instructor at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, he teaches Black Entrepreneurship & Leadership, a first-of-its-kind course in North America; he is the founder of the anti-Black racism initiative, BlackNorth; and in October 2021 became one of the investors on the hit series Dragons’ Den.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

The Power of Regret: An Exclusive Feature Interview with Best-Selling Author Dan Pink (E)

michael@meleblanc.co (Dan PInk) — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 08:10:15 +0000

Welcome to a special summer encore episode of the podcast that is worth a second (or perhaps you're first) listen. In this episode, The Power of Regret: An Exclusive Feature Interview with Best-Selling Author Dan Pink.

Daniel believes that regret is our most misunderstood emotion.

In his quest to reclaim the power of regret as a force for good, Dan has written a breakthrough book that speaks to regret as a key component of human existence - an emotion that prompts us to look backwards in order to clarify how we want to move forwards.

Today on The Voice of Retail, I talk with Dan about his own relationship to regret, what inspired him to study this tumultuous emotion and some of the key research points and insights from his latest book, The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward.

Stay tuned for insights on reconnecting with regret and what we can learn from the 16,000 regrets that people from all over the world submitted to Dan’s online platform.

About Daniel Pink

Daniel H. Pink is the author of several provocative, bestselling books about business, work, creativity, and behavior.

His books include:

When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing unlocks the scientific secrets to good timing to help you flourish at work, at school, and at home. When spent four months on the New York Times bestseller list. It was also a Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestseller. Several outlets (including Amazon, iBooks, and Goodreads) named it one of the best non-fiction books of 2018. It is being translated into 33 languages.
- To Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others, which uses social science to offer a fresh look at the art and science of sales. To Sell is Human was a #1 bestseller on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post lists and has been translated into 34 languages. More than a dozen outlets, from Amazon.com to The Washington Post, selected it as one of the best books of the year. It also won the American Marketing Association’s Berry Book Prize as the year’s best book on marketing.
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, which draws on 50 years of behavioral science to overturn the conventional wisdom about human motivation. Along with being a Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and Publishers Weekly bestseller, Drive spent 159 weeks on the New York Times (main and extended) bestseller lists. A national bestseller in Japan and the United Kingdom, the book has been translated into 40 languages.
A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, which charts the rise of right-brain thinking in modern economies and describes the six abilities individuals and organizations must master in an outsourced, automated age. A Whole New Mind was on the New York Times (main and extended) bestseller lists for 96 weeks over four years. It has been a Freshman Read at several U.S. colleges and universities. In 2008, Oprah Winfrey gave away 4,500 copies of the book to Stanford University’s graduating class when she was the school’s commencement speaker.
- The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You’ll Ever Need, the first American business book in the Japanese comic format known as manga and the only graphic novel ever to become a BusinessWeek bestseller. Illustrated by award-winning artist Rob Ten Pas, The Adventures of Johnny Bunko was named an American Library Association best graphic novel for teens.
- Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working for Yourself, a Washington Post bestseller that Publishers Weekly says “has become a cornerstone of employee-management relations.” In 2013, the U.S. Department of Labor and the Library of Congress selected Free Agent Nation as one of 100 Books That Shaped Work in America.
Pink was host and co-executive producer of “Crowd Control,” a television series about human behavior on the National Geographic Channel that aired in more than 100 countries. He has appeared frequently on NPR, PBS, ABC, CNN, and other TV and radio networks in the US and abroad.

He has been a contributing editor at Fast Company and Wired as well as a business columnist for The Sunday Telegraph. His articles and essays have also appeared in The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, The New Republic, Slate, and other publications. He was also a Japan Society Media fellow in Tokyo, where he studied the country’s massive comic industry.

Before venturing out on his own 20 years ago, Dan worked in several positions in politics and government, including serving from 1995 to 1997 as chief speechwriter to Vice President Al Gore.

He received a BA from Northwestern University, where he was a Truman Scholar and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and a JD from Yale Law School. He has also received honorary doctorates from Georgetown University, the Pratt Institute, the Ringling College of Art and Design, the University of Indianapolis, and Westfield State University.

Pink and his wife live in Washington, DC. They are the parents of two recent college graduates and a college freshman.

Buy the book: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-power-of-regret-how/9780735210653-item.html?ikwid=the+power+of+regret&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0#algoliaQueryId=6502f49431a758699c7276ecce7d1ae6

Our previous interview on The Voice of Retail : https://the-voice-of-retail.simplecast.com/episodes/tal-zvi-nathanel-ceo-of-showfields-and-dan-pink-nyt-best-selling-author-share-their-insights-on-retail-experience-working-and-adapting-in-the-covid-19-ear

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

The Collision of AI, Technology Disruption and Leadership: Meet Jim Harris

michael@meleblanc.co (Jim Harris) — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 07:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail podcast. I'm producer & host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is produced in conjunction with the Retail Council of Canada.

Meet Jim Harris, one of North America’s foremost management consultants, public speakers, authors and thinkers on change and leadership. Jim and I finally met in person here in Toronto at the big Collision Tech conference, and who better to join me on the mic to give us a review and overview of the conference that attracted almost 40,000 global technorati, plus tap into his insights about the big picture tech trends that retailers need to know.

About Jim

Jim Harris is one of North America’s foremost management consultants, public speakers, authors and thinkers on change and leadership. He is also a world-class virtual keynote speaker, an important skill to have on his tool belt due to the rise in virtual conferences due to COVID-19.

He has 20 years experience as a professional speaker and consultant, and speaks internationally at more than 40 conferences a year on topics including innovation and creativity, customer relationship management (CRM), eLearning, creating learning organizations, environmental leadership, energy efficiency, strategic planning, and creating common organizational mission and vision.

He was one of the first seven Canadians personally trained by Al Gore to present the slide show for An Inconvenient Truth. He was also one of just 12 Canadians who were licensed to publicly teach Dr. Stephen Covey’s work, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

Jim Harris works with leading businesses and Fortune 500 companies. He recently finished a global consulting contract with IBM and a related white paper on how low carbon leadership drives profitability.

His most recent book, Blindsided! is a #1 international bestseller, having hit the top spot on the Financial Times of London’s European Edition of Best Business Books. He is also the author of The Learning Paradox, which appeared on numerous bestseller lists, and co-author of national bestseller The 100 Best Companies to Work for in Canada.

He is also principal at Strategic Advantage. He previously held positions as partner at Cleantech Group and affiliate at Covey Leadership Centre.

In addition to his speaking and consulting engagements and books, Jim Harris writes for a number of publications, including the Globe and Mail, Profit magazine and Backbone magazine

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Kit & Ace: The Next Chapter with New Owners David Lui, CEO & Joe Mimran

michael@meleblanc.co (Joe Mimran, David Lui) — Fri, 7 Jul 2023 07:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail podcast. I'm producer & host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is produced in conjunction with the Retail Council of Canada.

Veteran retailer, entrepreneur, investor and friend of the pod David Lui is back this episode with his new business partner, Canadian retail legend Joe Mimran in an exclusive interview to talk about buying Vancouver's Kit & Ace, a retailer with an origin story that goes back almost a decade to it's founding by Lululemon lead designer Shannon Wilson and son JJ Wilson. We talk about their impression of the brand today, what makes it great, and growth plans for this innovative apparel retailer.

About David

David Lui is an accomplished global brand and entrepreneurial leader.

With a wealth of experience in leading complex retail, digital and consumer environments, his impressive portfolio includes developing global award-winning marketing campaigns, scaling online e-commerce brands, and being named CEO of the twelfth Fastest Growing Company in Canada’s PROFIT100, First for Fastest-Growing Company in British Columbia, Canada, winner of the BDC Young Entrepreneur Award, and a Business in Vancouver Forty under 40. In 2022, he was also ranked 11th in the Global CEO Award.

David has significantly impacted the retail industry and community through his involvement as an investor and board member. He has served on the Board and Governance Committee for Hypertension Canada, the Retail Leadership Committee for the Canadian Marketing Association, the Marketing Advisory Committee for the Retail Council of Canada, and as a Board Member and Chair of the Marketing Committee for Theatre Calgary.

He holds an MBA from the Ivey Business School at Western University.

About Joe

Joe Mimran is a leading contributor to the fashion and design industry and is best-known for creating a succession of visionary brands and retail concepts, including Club Monaco, Caban, Joe Fresh, Joe Fresh Beauty and Alfred Sung. Recognized universally as having a sharp eye, impeccable attention to detail, and insight into emerging trends, Joe is always on the forefront of what’s next. Joe is also an avid investor and champions exceptional entrepreneurs. Joe also stars on the popular CBC show, Dragons Den, now in its 12th season.

Chronology of entrepreneurial ventures:

In 1978 Joe co-founded a manufacturing apparel business in Toronto Canada.
In 1980 the Company launched the Alfred Sung brand which achieved immediate consumer acceptance and success. While the company controlled the design and manufacturing of the women’s collection the company embarked on expanding the brand into a myriad of consumer products under license. In 2013 Joe sold his interest.
In 1985 Joe founded Club Monaco, a vertical retail concept known for its distinctive minimalistic style and monochromatic palette. Club Monaco instantly became a cult brand that grew to over 150 stores in Canada, US, and Asia.
In 2000, Club Monaco and Caban it’s home products lifestyle concept, were purchased by Ralph Lauren, marking Ralph Lauren’s first-ever acquisition.
In 2001 Joe created Joseph Mimran and Associates. a consulting practice that has serviced numerous high profile international retailers, including Holt Renfrew, Saks Fifth Avenue, Woolworths, South Africa, Coles a major food retailer in Australia and Loblaws, Staples US and Kroger.
In 2003 Joe created a range of home products for Loblaws under the Presidents Choice brands.
In 2006 Joe created the Joe Fresh concept for Loblaws. He oversaw the brand’s design and retail concepts, and made it the country's second largest apparel brand in dollars and units, with a vision of well-designed, well-priced clothes for a broad audience. Joe Fresh is sold in over 350 Loblaw stores in Canada and abroad.
In addition to PC home in 2009 to Joe was also responsible for general merchandise products including the design, sourcing and presentation of all the GM private label brands.
Joe retired from his position as Creative Director of Joe Fresh and General Merchandise in 2014.
In 2019, Joe created and introduced gry mattr, a beautiful collection of home and office accessories that live at the intersection of work and life. Intelligently designed, globally inspired - and smartly priced. livegrymattr.com

Joe’s community efforts have included Chairman of the Fashion Design Council of Canada and honorary Chairman of the inaugural Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards. Joe has been the recipient of many industry awards including the Canadian Style Award and the lifetime achievement award by the Design Exchange. in 2015, Joe was inducted into Canada's Marketing Legends Hall of Fame. A patron of the arts, Mimran’s philanthropic activities include support of the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, New Museum, New York and is a Luminaire for Luminato Arts Festival.

An avid traveler and art collector, Joe divides his time between Toronto and New York and is the father of four wonderful children.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Getting Smarter About Retail AI with Brain Corp CEO David Pinn

michael@meleblanc.co (David Pinn) — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 07:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail podcast. I'm producer & host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is produced in conjunction with the Retail Council of Canada.

Meet Brain Corp CEO David Pinn, leader of an AI software tech company that powers the world's largest fleet of autonomous mobile robots operating in commercial indoor public spaces, including retail stores and warehouses. We spoke just before David was to join us in Toronto for the big Collison tech conference and gathered his thoughts on the current and future state of AI in retail.

About David

David Pinn joined Brain Corp 2017. As Chief Financial Officer, he was responsible for the Finance organization along with building and implementing growth plans and partnerships. David brings nearly two decades of experience managing finance, strategy, and corporate development for innovative technology companies.

Prior to Brain Corp, David was head of finance for Antenna79, a technology startup backed by L Catterton, the world’s largest consumer-focused private equity group. David was a founder of Snaptracs, Qualcomm’s consumer electronics subsidiary, and he led a number of acquisitions and divestitures within Qualcomm’s Strategic Finance group. Prior to his career in finance, David was an electrical engineer designing test systems for cellular, WiFi, and Bluetooth applications.

David earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and completed a Master of Business Administration at the University of California, Berkeley, where he was a Mayfield Fellow.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Is Work Working? A Remarkable Conversation with Seth Godin: A Pickup from the Remarkable Retail #podcast

michael@meleblanc.co (Seth Godin) — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 07:05:00 +0000

In this pickup from my Remarkable Retail #podcast with Steve Dennis, America's No.1 retail industry podcast, renowned author, entrepreneur, and leadership teacher, Seth Godin returns to the podcast to discuss his incredibly timely and urgent new book:The Song of Significance: A New Manifesto for Teams.

In a wide-ranging interview Seth challenges us to re-think the nature of work, asking are we going to engage in a race to the bottom, or a race to the top where the work we do is rich with meaning and purpose? In unpacking Seth's most personal work yet, we go deep on some big, important questions including: Why do bosses care where we work, why do we get so attached to false proxies, and what should meetings actually be for? Ultimately, we explore what leaders must do to re-imagine work for an entirely new era.

About Seth Godin

Seth Godin is the author of 21 international bestsellers that have changed the way people think about work. His books have been translated into 38 languages. Godin writes one of the most popular marketing blogs in the world, and two of his TED talks are among the most popular of all time. He is the founder of the altMBA, the social media pioneer Squidoo, and Yoyodyne, one of the first internet companies. Find out more at seths.blog.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Meet Marcus Collins, author of For The Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do and Who We Want To Be

michael@meleblanc.co (Marcus Collins) — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 07:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail podcast. I'm producer & host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is produced in conjunction with the Retail Council of Canada.

Meet Marcus Collins, the architect of some of the most famous ad campaigns of the last decade, who argues that culture is the most powerful vehicle for influencing behaviour in his new book "For the Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want to Be"

About Marcus

I’m Marcus! I study cultural contagion and meaning-making to help bridge the academic-practitioner gap for companies (from “blue-chip” brands to non-profits) that aim to put ideas in the world that inspire people to take action. When I’m not putting ideas in the world as the Head of Strategy at Wieden+Kennedy New York, I put people in the world as a Clinical Marketing Professor at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan. Throughout my career, I've had the great privilege of being acknowledged for my strategic and creative contributions (American Advertising Federation’s Advertising Hall of Achievement, Thinkers50 & Deloitt class of 2023 Radar List, and Ad Age's 40 Under 40 recipient, & Crain’s Business 40 Under 40 recipient) and launch successful campaigns like “Cliff Paul” for State Farm, the Made In America Music Festival, and Google’s “Real Tone” technology—among others.

Prior to my tenure in advertising, I worked in music and tech as a startup co-founder (Muse Recordings) and then led iTunes + Nike sport music initiatives at Apple (iTunes Partner Marketing) before running digital strategy for Beyoncé.

I am also the author of the best-selling book, For The Culture, which examines the influence of culture on human behavior and unpacks how everyone from marketers to activists can leverage culture to get people to take action. Throughout the book, I rely on literature, case studies, learnings from both my practicing work, and data from my academic work to illustrate the “whys” and the “hows” so that readers will be empowered to successfully apply these learnings to their own pursuits.

I am a graduate of Temple University (DBA) and the University of Michigan (BSE in Materials Science Engineering and MBA with an emphasis in strategic brand marketing). But most importantly, I am Alex's husband and Georgia & Ivy's father.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Retail Goes Global with the Power of Influencer Marketing: Amanda Amar, Aldo

michael@meleblanc.co (Amanda Amar) — Fri, 9 Jun 2023 07:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail podcast. I'm producer & host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is produced in conjunction with the Retail Council of Canada.

Meet Amanda Amar, Senior Director of PR & Social Media with ALDO, as she takes us through some of its most successful Influencer Marketing campaigns ever and how this Canadian brand uses Influencer Marketing to meet consumers with the content they want to see on social platforms and drive traffic and sales. In a wide-ranging conversation, we cover everything from optimal organizational structures to getting the best out of your social campaigns, choosing the best influencer strategy to meet your needs, and what to think about when your selected social media platform falls under public scrutiny.

About Amanda

A strategic communications leader, with 14 years of Global brand experience in the fashion retail industry, Senior Director of PR & Social Media, Amanda Amar has been with the ALDO Group for nearly 10 years. Amanda is passionate about building and nurturing teams, along with managing and executing data informed, creative and strategic communications plans that have proven to drive results across brand equity, brand sentiment and overall brand health metrics. A leader in the industry, Amanda consistently builds working relationships across internal and external stakeholders to support in crisis communications, content strategy, celebrity, press and influencer relations, consumer engagement and scalable 360 marketing campaigns.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Jon Safran, CEO, KEH Camera, the World's Largest Pre-Owned Camera Dealer

michael@meleblanc.co (Jon Safran) — Fri, 2 Jun 2023 07:27:52 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail podcast. I'm producer & host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is produced in conjunction with the Retail Council of Canada.

This episode is a pick-up of an excellent feature interview live in-person from Hollywood earlier this year from my Global eCommerce Leaders Podcast. Enjoy.

Greetings and welcome to a special episode recorded live in the on-site Stream Commerce podcasting studio at the Los Angeles Global eCommerce Leaders Forum in early 2023. These episodes are presented by Stream Commerce, a full-service Shopify Plus eCommerce agency delivering world-class Shopify Plus digital storefronts & growth marketing solutions. Stream Commerce can help you navigate the new Markets, Markets Pro and Global-e international capabilities native to Shopify and work hand-in-hand to help you drive profitable global sales.

And if you have questions about whether or not your international Klaviyo email marketing and paid performance marketing with Meta and Google is working as hard as you are, call the experts at Stream Commerce; they can help you maximize your return.

The Global eCommerce Leaders Forum LA 2023 offered retail professionals strategic insights and actionable takeaways about how industry leaders are tackling their top Global DTC and cross-border eCommerce challenges – and how they are successfully making a case for investing in global retail growth.

In this episode, we meet Jon Safran, Chief Executive Officer, KEH Camera, a leading re-commerce company and the World's Largest Pre-Owned Camera Dealer. They have a constantly replenished inventory of over 65,000 items in stock and have had a stellar customer service reputation since 1979.

If you liked this podcast, you can follow it on Apple iTunes, Spotify, Google, the Amazon Music podcast channel or your favourite podcast platform. Please rate and review with a five-star rating and be sure and recommend us to a friend or colleague in the retail and cross-border commerce industry.

You can learn more about the Global E-Commerce Leaders Forum and continue to keep up with the latest on cross-border commerce online at https://www.globalecommerceleadersforum.com. Be sure and block off your calendar for the next GELF event in New York City on October 12, 2023! I'm your host Michael LeBlanc, strategic retail advisor, keynote speaker and podcaster, and you can learn more about me on LinkedIn.

About Jon

Energetic business leader with a demonstrated history of success in the Re-Commerce, Consumer Products, Technology, and Diversified Industrial market segments.

Focused on driving profitable growth organically through new product development / innovation, complimented by strategic acquisitions.

Builds aligned and accountable teams, backed by scalable and sustainable processes. Passionate about delivering differentiated value to the customer. Strong ability to develop strategy and ensure that it gets executed across the organization.

Skillset includes Cross-Functional Team Leadership, Marketing & Sales Management, New Product Development & Commercialization, Financial and P&L Management, Strategic Planning, Global Business Development, and Productivity & Process Development.

Image Copyright: © jeremy perry

About Michael

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global eCommerce Leaders podcast, and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Meet Muhammad Mohamedy – General Manager of Healthy Planet

michael@meleblanc.co (Muhammad Mohamedy) — Fri, 26 May 2023 07:18:29 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail podcast. I'm producer & host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is produced in conjunction with the Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode, meet Muhammad Mohamedy, General Manager of Healthy Planet Canada, who shares with me the origin story and incredible trajectory of a retail company thriving in the health and wellness retail space, recently adding four new stores and ambitious growth and expansion plans. We talk about the keys to success for retailers to experience this kind of growth, find their way to a differentiated assortment in a crowded category, and stay one step ahead of the marketplace and big-picture consumer trends.

About Muhammad

Muhammad began his journey in the company's warehouse during high school and worked his way up to the sales floor. After obtaining a BBA from York University and gaining experience in the financial service sector, he returned to Healthy Planet. With a goal of expanding to "100 stores in 10 years," Muhammad prioritizes investing in his team as a means to achieve success. Through his bottom-up approach over the past 17 years, Healthy Planet has experienced remarkable growth. From its humble beginnings as a small kiosk on the Danforth in Toronto, selling bulk foods and supplements, the company has evolved into one of Canada's fastest-growing health and wellness retail chains. Presently, it operates 33 physical stores and an online platform, serving customers nationwide.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Ghostbusting and Modern Retail HR: Kelly Mawhinney, Mercer

michael@meleblanc.co (Kelly Elizabeth Mawhinney) — Fri, 19 May 2023 07:58:21 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail podcast. I'm producer & host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is produced in conjunction with the Retail Council of Canada.

Meet Kelly Mawhinney, Partner at Mercer, recorded together live on the mainstage recently at the RCC Retail HR conference. In a wide-ranging and fact-based plus experienced-based conversation, we learn how retailers and others are navigating the roadblocks of talent attraction, the varied needs of in-store and hybrid team members, and the expectations of a values-driven workforce.

About Kelly

As a global People & Culture leader I enable innovation and organization transformation through talent leadership. My focus is the expert delivery of all HR disciplines, through leadership roles in professional services or as an industry CHRO. My specialization is Future of Work and HR Transformation.

Intently client centric, digitally oriented, and experienced in pragmatic change leadership, I leverage People, Culture and Technology management disciplines to lead inclusive teams and business transformations. I've worked with SWIT - focused on women in technology, and support mentoring for STEM development in girls and women.

I've enjoyed international experiences supporting Banks, Governments, Entrepreneurial and Multinationals across North America, Caribbean, and Western Europe while being based in Toronto, New York City and Amsterdam.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Experiential Intelligence with Author and Consultant Soren Kaplan

michael@meleblanc.co (Soren Kaplan) — Fri, 12 May 2023 13:03:02 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail podcast. I'm producer & host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is produced in conjunction with the Retail Council of Canada.

On this episode, my guest is Soren Kaplan, author of the new book Experiential Intelligence, Harness the Power of Experience for Personal and Business Breakthroughs. Soren shares how his unusual early life experiences shaped his resilience and framework through which he saw the world and how this essential 3rd level of intelligence (after IQ and EQ) makes for successful, agile and resilient leaders.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

About Soren

Soren Kaplan is an award-winning author, corporate executive, co-founder of Praxie.com, columnist for Inc. Magazine and Psychology Today, and an affiliate at the Center for Effective Organizations at the University of Southern California. He is an international keynote speaker and has led professional development programs for thousands of leaders around the world, including Disney, NBCUniversal, Visa, PayPal, Colgate-Palmolive, Kimberly-Clark, Medtronic, Roche, Hershey’s, Red Bull, and many others.

Business Insider and the Thinkers50 have recognized Dr. Kaplan as one of the world’s top management thought leaders and consultants. His latest book, Experiential Intelligence, reveals how life experience contributes a form of intelligence on par with IQ (intellect) and EQ (emotional intelligence), which can be leveraged for breakthrough leadership and innovation.

Scott Arsenault, CEO at Ren's Pets, on Sustainable Growth, Taking Care of Your People and Future Trends

michael@meleblanc.co (Scott Arsenault) — Fri, 5 May 2023 09:01:45 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail podcast. I'm producer & host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is produced in conjunction with the Retail Council of Canada.

On this episode, I welcome back to the podcast Scott Arsenault CEO at Ren's Pets. We catch up on this fast-moving pet retailer and how Scott and the team are bringing their philosophy of "your pet's best life" into more Canadian communities every day.

Scott talks about what makes Ren's different in a crowded category, their elements of sustainable competitive advantage, key trends in the category for the future, and the importance of team members and leadership lessons learned over his long tenure at Rens this 40-year award-winning overnight success, now with 50 stores plus and growing

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

ESG as a Competitive Force with Teanne von der Porten, Executive Director, ESG Advisory Services, KPMG Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Teanne von der Porten) — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 07:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail podcast. I'm producer & host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is produced in conjunction with the Retail Council of Canada.

Meet Teanne von der Porten, Executive Director, ESG Advisory Services KPMG Canada, who joins me on the mic with an interview that pulls apart ESG letter-by-letter and then puts it back together again with a clear articulation of the modern imperatives that every retailer needs to understand and master to be the employer of choice, and compete and win with today's consumers.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven't already, be sure and follow on your favourite podcast platform, so new episodes will land automatically every Friday. And check out my other retail industry media properties, America's top podcast Remarkable Retail with Steve Dennis and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. Last but not least, if you're into barbecue, check out my YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbecue.

I'm your host, Michael LeBlanc, Growth Consultant & keynote speaker. If you want more content or to chat, follow me on LinkedIn.

About Teanne

Teanne is an Executive Director at KPMG Canada’s ESG Services practice, as well as the practice’s Regional Consumer and Industry ESG Lead and a member of the Retail Council of Canada’s ESG Working Group. She has over 20 years of experience across industries and has deep expertise in driving engagement and collaboration in all areas of ESG, climate change, and sustainability. In her current role at KPMG Canada’s ESG Services practice, Teanne helps clients develop and enhance ESG strategies, roadmaps and disclosures, and address ESG risks and opportunities.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Rose Patten, one of Canada's Pre-Eminent Business and Strategic Thinkers and Her New Book Intentional Leadership

michael@meleblanc.co (Rose Patten) — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 08:43:26 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail podcast. My name is Michael LeBlanc, and I am your host, I believe in the power of storytelling to bring the retail industry to life. I'll bring insights, perspectives and experiences from some of the retail industry's most innovative and influential voices each week. This podcast is produced in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode Meet Rose Patten, O.C., one of Canada's pre-eminent business and strategic thinkers, special advisor to the CEO at BMO, an inductee to the Hall of Fame of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women, an honorary colonel of the Canadian Forces College and the 34th Chancellor of the University of Toronto.

Rose is now the author of Intentional Leadership: The Big 8 Capabilities Setting Leaders Apart. We chatted in person at her UofT offices to explore the principles and concepts of leadership well articulated in her popular new book.

About Rose

Rose’s career has spanned the four financial sectors - banking, trust, insurance and investment banking - with responsibilities for Canada, U.S. Europe and Asia. Previous key roles at BMO include Head of Strategy (Senior Executive President), Global Head of Human Resources (Senior Executive President), Senior Vice President of Corporate Services and the first woman member and long-time Member of the Bank’s Executive Committee. Earlier roles include Executive Vice President of BMO Nesbitt Burns, Senior Vice President of Manulife and General Manager of Lloyds Bank Canada.

Directorships:

Chair of the Board of Directors of Hospital for Sick Children (2014-2017)
Chair of Governance and H.R. Committee, BMO ChinaCo (Asia) (2009-2017)
Chair of Governing Council, University of Toronto (2004-2007)
Chair of Task Force on Governance (2007-2010)
Director of Board and H.R. Committee of Metrolinx
Director of Videotron, National Ballet of Canada, and Heart and Stoke Foundation
Appointed Officer of the Order of Canada (2017)
Honorary Doctor of Laws for Corporate Leadership - University of Toronto (2009)
Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal (2012)
Woman of Distinction - YWCA for Corporate Leadership (2008)
Lifetime Achievement (first time granted) by Canadian H.R. Industry (2014)
University of Toronto Arbor Award for Outstanding Service and the Tony Graham Award for Outstanding Achievement
Consistently recognized as one of Canada’s most powerful women and one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking by U.S Banker Magazine

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

BONUS EPISODE: Afdhel Aziz, STORE 2023 Keynote Speaker

michael@meleblanc.co (Afdhel Aziz) — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 20:06:55 +0000

Welcome to a special RCC STORE 2023 conference bonus episode. The RCC STORE Conference is Canada's biggest retail conference. Each year, STORE gathers retail experts, thought leaders, executives, brands, and their networks to gather & discuss the future of Canadian retail.

In this episode, Afdhel Aziz, one of the most inspiring leaders in the global movement of business as a force for good, shares a glimpse into his insights on how retailers can find purpose and meaning in their work and unlock the enormous power of business to do good in the world.

About Afdhel

Afdhel Aziz is one of the most inspiring leaders in the global movement of business as a force for good. After a 20-year career as a visionary marketer at Procter & Gamble, Nokia, Heineken, and Absolut Vodka, Aziz quit corporate life to tackle one of the biggest problems facing both individuals and companies today — how to find purpose and meaning in their work and unlock the enormous power of business to do good in the world.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Business Strategist, Executive Advisor and Retail Guru Carl Boutet live from Shoptalk 2023

michael@meleblanc.co (Carl Boutet) — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 09:01:32 +0000

Montreal-based business strategist, executive advisor and retail guru Carl Boutet is back on the podcast with a wide-ranging 1:1 conversation live in the Wiseline podcasting studio during the Shoptalk 2023 conference in Las Vegas. We catch up on the latest retail technology trends, innovations, hits and misses and Carls's experiences teaching the next generation of retail leaders worldwide.

About Carl

25 years of hands-on operational, marketing, merchandising and retail executive experience. He has worked across a full array of retailer environments from the very large, such as 10 years with Costco Wholesale, to working as a strategy consultant for a group of 800 independent retailers across Canada.

As the founder of StudioRx, he advises retailers, business leaders, b2c solution providers, companies and researchers on how to tailor their solutions according to consumers’ evolving needs and how to build effective commercial strategies.

Recently named by RETHINK Retail among the world's most influential retail thinkers, he's keynoted on major stages & screens around the world including NRF Big Show, ShopTalk, RCC STORE, Store of the Future (UK), ASEAN Retail Summit, Egyptian Retail Summit and Economic Forum of the Americas. He is a regular contributor to CBC/Radio-Canada, BNN Bloomberg TV, CBC News, Radio Canada Premiere and CTV News. This past May, he published his first book: The Great Acceleration: The Race to Retail Resilience.

He holds an MBA from Queen’s University and advises several startups, retail associations and innovation labs, including the Retail Council of Canada, and is the principal advisor for the Retail Innovation Lab at McGill University. He is also lead marketing instructor at the McGill University Executive Institute, course instructor at McGill Masters in Retail Innovation (emerging technologies and business models) and adjunct marketing faculty at Asian Institute of Technology MBA School of Management.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

BONUS EPISODE: Kevin Graff, President of Graff Retail & RCC Retail HR Conference

michael@meleblanc.co (Kevin Graff) — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 17:35:47 +0000

On this episode, I welcome back onto the mic my good friend and colleague Kevin Graff, President of Graff Retail. Kevin is both MC'ing the RCC HR retail conference and moderating an excellent panel on the main stage. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to tap into his wisdom and vast experience training front-line retail teams to discover what success looks like for retailers in their stores in 2023. Let's listen in now!

About Kevin

I’m the guy who started this thing over 30 years ago. And, what a ride it’s been! I’ve worked with many of the world’s best known retailers to help them get better performance out of their staff. I’ve been lucky enough to travel to parts of the world I never dreamed I’d go to (Moscow, India, Copenhagen, South Korea, and even Bangladesh) just to help retailers everywhere get better performance. And what I’ve learned from my clients, no matter what corner of the world they are in, or how big or small they are, is that every retailer could and should be selling a lot more of what they sell. That’s what drives me … and what drives our efforts to help our clients get better performance from their teams. But the big bonus for me is seeing the staff ‘light up’ with excitement, pride and confidence when they discover a new level of success!

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

David Shing (“Shingy”) Australian futurist & STORE 2023 Keynote

michael@meleblanc.co (David Shing, Shingy) — Fri, 7 Apr 2023 08:21:11 +0000

In this episode, a special preview interview with one of the many outstanding thought leaders and change-makers taking the stage for the RCC Store conference on May 30/31st.

David Shing (also known as "Shingy") is an Australian futurist, speaker, creative director, strategic digital consultant, and entrepreneur.

Shingy has spent most of his adult life in the digital world, working for both large and small creative companies globally while co-authoring several technology-related patents. We chat about his electric background, a hint of the knowledge and insights he'll be dropping on the main stage, and a quick two-start, one-stop advice for retailer and retail industry insiders.

https://www.shingy.com/

About Shingy

“Artist, globe trotting speaker and market seeker, he is a storyteller who identifies emerging trends, and inspires clients to think differently.” – Forbes

David Shing (known as “Shingy”) is an Australian futurist, speaker, creative director, strategic digital consultant, and entrepreneur. Known for his performative persona and his bold and polarizing moniker, the digital prophet, Shingy is a multidimensional creative who specializes in advising clients about inventive and effective approaches to optimizing brand value within the digital landscape. He is passionate about educating big brands about the unique opportunities afforded by emerging digital, social and mobile technologies.

Shing has spent most of his adult life in the digital world working for both large and small creative companies globally, while also co-authoring several technology related patents. He recently served as Verizon Media’s digital prophet and prior to that, AOL’s European head of media and marketing responsible for 11 countries.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

BONUS EPISODE: Tanja Fratangeli, Chief People Officer at IKEA Group & RCC Retail HR Conference

michael@meleblanc.co (Tanja Fratangeli) — Wed, 5 Apr 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Welcome to a special RCC Retail HR conference bonus episode. These bonus episodes will introduce you to a few retail thought leaders and change-makers speaking at Canada's only conference for retail human resources professionals, April 20 at International Centre, Mississauga - a packed full-day of discussion and learning on today's most pressing issues. In this episode, Tanja Fratangeli, Chief People Officer at IKEA Group, shares her background, what she'll be talking about on the stage, and two-starts, one-stop advice for retailers.

About Tanja

I am a Senior Human Resources Leader who develops company-wide strategies to align human capital with business initiatives. I am a curious partner who utilizes a strong business acumen to identify priorities and develop and deliver innovative solutions. I am recognized as a visionary leader with proven success in leading organizational change, including start-ups, expansion projects, multiple restructurings and acquisitions/mergers. I have successfully mentored and coached management staff to develop into top tier talent. I am a results-oriented strategic leader with exemplary implementation and project management skills.

Goal: To secure a lead role in Human Resources that leverages my 18 years of diversified experience. I bring value-added services by successfully partnering with senior management to achieve the organization’s strategic objectives and goals through effective human resources management

Specialties: Leading Change, Business Transformation, Start-Up, Organizational Design & Development, Talent Management, Human Resources Management, Leadership Development, Mergers & Acquisitions, Program Development, Technology Development, Project Management

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Incurable Positivity with April Sabral

michael@meleblanc.co (April Sabral) — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 09:32:02 +0000

Veteran retailer April Sabral is back on the podcast to tell us about her new second book, "Incurable Positivity." She talks about her seven-step process, which can be completed in just seven days and then practiced for a lifetime, to generate better physical and emotional health, proven benefits to your physical well-being, attract the people, resources and opportunities you desire, and create more happiness, mindfulness, and contentment. April also shares her advice for retailers as they work to bring new people into the business and, importantly, keep their talent engaged and loyal.

About April

April Sabral served as a senior executive and has worked in retail for over 30 years, leading sales and operations teams on three continents, including the UK, USA, and CANADA working for brands such as; Paul Smith, Apple, Starbucks, Gap, Banana Republic, Holt Renfrew, Laura Canada, Armani Exchange, and DAVIDsTEA. Working her way up after being kicked out of home at 17 from a PT sales job to a Senior Vice President of 300 stores. April put the name on the cup back in 2000 as a Starbucks Manager, she has always created positive change that rippled throughout organizations which she attributes to her success.

In 2018, April decided to take all of her expertise and experience and founded retailu.ca an online on-demand leadership development portal for field leaders. retailu develops leadership competencies through micro-sized learning modules and practical activities that store teams can integrate into their week to develop the necessary skills for leading people. Read reviews HERE.

She then went on to study and achieved multiple coaching certifications, such as John C. Maxwell, The World Association of business coaching, and is now a member of the Forbes coaching council. She was named one of the emerging leaders to look out for in the Marques Who's Who directory in 2019.

Following this April wrote her first book and launched April Sabral leadership, introducing leadership tools such as self-coaching cards and a self-development workbook to accompany her book 'The Positive Effect". April now coaches, speaks and facilitates sessions on leadership, specifically the power of positive leadership. In 2023 April was named one of the top retail influencers by RETHINK retail in 2022 and 2023, a global media organization and is often asked for her perspective on retail stores, trends and the power of leadership.

Aprils current clients include Jimmy Choo, L'Oreal, Victoria Secrets to name a few.April is currently studying her bachelors in Metaphysics with the University of Sedona.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Sue Hutchison, President Equifax Canada on Cybercrime & Consumer Spending

michael@meleblanc.co (Sue Hutchison) — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 07:05:00 +0000

In a wide-ranging discussion, Sue Hutchison, President and GM for Equifax Canada, talks about cybercrime, the state of Canadians' credit ratings and their forecast for the Canadian economy and consumer spending for 2023

About Sue

Experienced senior leader of change, with over 30 years in the financial services, credit and lending industries. In 2020, I joined Equifax Canada as President and General Manager.

Equifax Canada is a data, analytics, and technology company that believes knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. With our passion for supporting our clients with powerful solutions for Canadians, we power the ecosystem with insights and knowledge to move people forward.

Prior to Equifax, Hutchison served as Senior Vice President, Product, Digital and New Payments for Mastercard where she led product strategy for their growing portfolio, which included fraud, multi-rail payments, and cyber and intelligence solutions. She has also held senior leadership roles at Payments Canada, D+H Corporate (now Finastra), HSBC and Bank of America. Hutchison received her Bachelor’s in Finance and International Business from the University of Guelph and her MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University.

Additionally, Hutchison is a board member of Home Capital Group, sits as an Advisory Board Member for Women in Payments and has served as a board member for the Canadian Payments Association, BC Women’s Hospital Foundation and the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Exploding the Myths of the GenZ Shopper

michael@meleblanc.co (Courtney Miller, Giselle Huasipoma) — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 08:27:41 +0000

From Edelman's breakthrough Gen Z Lab, Courtney Miller, Executive Vice President and Head of Strategy, Giselle Huasipoma, Gen Z Lab Ambassador, Influencer Marketing, reveal five myths about how Gen Z shops.

If you're not looking closely, you might think the Gen Z demographic is all about impulse buyers, who only buy niche, sustainable brands and are the death of brick & mortar shopping experiences, favouring flashy innovative tech experiences instead. In discussing these beliefs with their Gen Z Lab – 200+ Gen Zers across the Edelman network – they discovered that many of these commonly-held notions aren't true.

Here is the full study

Thanks for tuning into this episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven't already, be sure and follow on your favorite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically each week. And check out my other retail industry media properties, Remarkable Retail podcast with Steve Dennis, and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. Last but not least, if you're into barbecue, check out my YouTube barbecue show Last Request Barbecue with new episodes each and every week.

About Courtney

I’ve held many roles over the course of my career, including positions in market research, strategy, and branding. Yet at its core, my career is defined by the constant of delivering superior results for clients. I’ve managed all facets of both large- and small-scale projects—from buy-in and adoption to implementation and execution. I approach my job with two goals in mind—excellence and success.

In my current role with Edelman, I lead strategy for high performing teams to deliver superior service to clients across a diverse spectrum of industries. With oversight of the Midwest region’s two largest accounts, I gather intelligence via search data, social media conversations, quantitative surveys, and focus groups to identify consumer trends so that C-suite clients can make data-driven decisions. Of the achievements of which I am most proud is my work with the Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) account. This account had been underperforming for consecutive months, and I successfully turned it around. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the talented team members with whom I partner. With the understanding that the people who make up any organization are its most valuable assets, I strive to create a culture that embraces open and honest communication, and positions all for success.

About Giselle
Giselle works within the influencer marketing space at the largest global communications firm facilitating campaign strategies and managing hundreds of influencer relationships. She continues to gain exceptional skills and experience throughout influencer marketing, social media strategy, event planning, and integrated team collaboration.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Digital Marketing Mavens and ReShift Media Founders Kirk Allen and Steve Buors

michael@meleblanc.co (Kirk Allen, Steve Buors) — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 08:35:04 +0000

Award-winning digital marketing mavens and ReShift Media Founders Kirk Allen and Steve Buors join me on the podcast with the latest strategies and tactics in digital and social marketing for retailers. We delve in deep and understand how the modern privacy landscape impacts the use of tools such as Meta and Tik Tok, the evolution of the latest generation of platforms such as YouTube shorts, Reels, online streaming commerce, and first-party data. Last but not least, my good friends share the fantastic news that Reshift Media has been voted the world’s best franchise marketing firm by the Global Franchise Awards.

About Kirk

Kirk Allen has a passion for growing other people’s businesses through the powerful combination of traditional media, social, search and mobile. Kirk’s experience includes 30 years of cross-platform media sales within Canada’s largest media companies. Prior to becoming Co-Founder of ReShift Media, he was Executive Vice President, Integrated Advertising Sales at Postmedia Network Inc. Shifting gears, Kirk is co-founder of ReShift Media, a high-energy, entrepreneurial marketing company that works closely with advertising agencies as a natural extension of their organization.

Having held a variety of senior management roles within Canada’s largest media companies, Kirk also served on many industry boards including; CFA, IAB Canada, INMA, as well as NADbank. When he is not busy driving sales to a client’s door (virtual or real), he can often be found driving to the links and rinks around town.

About Steve

Steve has over a decade of digital marketing experience and has earned a reputation for being on top of emerging trends in social, search and mobile solutions. He has led many strategic initiatives and managed large teams of professionals in some of Canada’s leading companies to bring numerous digital products and innovations to market.

"Shifting" gears, Steve co-founded Reshift Media, a high-energy, entrepreneurial marketing company in 2012. In addition to being a digital marketing professional, Steve has earned his MBA, CMA and BComm designations. When he is not focused on delivering the industry’s most forward thinking search and social solutions, he can usually be found with his wife and children - optimizing playtime.

Specialties: Digital Media and Technology, Operational Management, Strategic and Operational Planning, Product and Project Management, Team Leadership and Collaboration, Corporate Finance and Accounting, Sales and Marketing, Partnerships and Acquisitions

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Winning in Modern Retail with Tim Mason, CEO Eagle Eye, former Tesco CMO Live from NRF

michael@meleblanc.co (Tim Mason) — Fri, 3 Mar 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Live from a boisterous NRF Big Show trade show floor in New York, Tim Mason, CEO of Eagle Eye and former Tesco CMO, is back on the podcast. While this is not Tim's first time on the podcast, it is the first time we've had the pleasure of meeting. We catch up and discuss post-COVID consumer loyalty and sorting through performance data in an inflationary retail environment.

About Tim

Tim joined as chairman in January 2016, later moving to CEO in September 2016. Tim has over 30 years’ experience within the grocery and retail industries, with a strong background in strategic marketing and customer loyalty. Previously Tim was a managing director at Sun Capital Partners and is currently a Non-executive Director at Gousto. Prior to that he was Deputy CEO at Tesco from January 2010 to December 2012. He held a number of other roles within the Tesco Group including CMO for Tesco and CEO of Fresh & Easy LLC. Whilst at Tesco, Tim was instrumental in the creation of Clubcard, Express, Personal Finance and Tesco.com.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Unique Retail Technology Insights with Jim Roddy, President and CEO of the RSPA

michael@meleblanc.co (Jim Roddy) — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Hello and welcome to The Voice of Retail podcast. My name is Michael LeBlanc, and I am your host, I believe in the power of storytelling to bring the retail industry to life. Each week I'll bring insights, perspectives and experiences from some of the retail industry's most innovative and influential voices. This podcast is produced in conjunction with the Retail Council of Canada.

Jim Roddy, President and CEO of the RSPA (Retail Solution Providers Association), author, coach, retail industry insider, podcaster and fellow ReThink Retail Top Global Retail Influencer, shares insights from his unique vantage point about the North American retail technology ecosystem future tech.

The RSPA is North America's largest community of VARs, software developers, vendors, and distributors in the retail, restaurant, grocery, and cannabis verticals from major multi-nationals to independent main-street retailers. With his "big ears," Jim has decades of experience reporting on this crucial element of the retail technology landscape. He shares his perspectives on the current and future state as his members help him and retailers see around corners and be ready for what is next.

About Jim

Jim Roddy is the President and CEO of the Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA). He has been active in the retail IT channel since 1998, including 11 years as the President of Business Solutions Magazine, six years as an RSPA board member, one term as RSPA Chairman of the Board, and several years as a business coach for VARs, ISVs, and MSPs. Jim has been recognized as one of the world’s Top 100 Retail Influencers by RETHINK Retail, a Leading CannaTech Influencer by 420MSP, and is regularly requested to speak at industry conferences on SMB best practices. He is author of two books – The Walk-On Method To Career & Business Success and Hire Like You Just Beat Cancer – and is host of the award-winning RSPA Trusted Advisor podcast. For more information, contact JRoddy@GoRSPA.org.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

eCommerce leader Johnny Russo and his new book "Mastering Mindful Leadership: 105 Ways to Become the Leader Your Employees Need You to Be"

michael@meleblanc.co (Johnny Russo) — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 09:31:06 +0000

Digital pioneer and veteran eCommerce leader Johnny Russo is back on the podcast after several years, a new gig and a new book, "Mastering Mindful Leadership: 105 Ways to Become the Leader Your Employees Need You to Be". We catch up and talk about the current online retail environment, lessons learned, a look to the future, and the key lessons that will help you manage your teams and lead in the new world of work.

About Johnny

Johnny is Chief Digital Officer (CDO) based on Montreal, Quebec, and leads Digital and Ecommerce growth at Lamour for numerous brands, including Thorlos, Crooks & Castles, Terramar Sports, MPomPon, and Papi Underwear, among other digitally-native brands. A graduate of Concordia University, Johnny has continued to supplement his education and continuous learning, with certificates from The University of Toronto and The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. As an avid competitor, Johnny has represented Team Canada 4 times at the World Ball Hockey Championships, winning gold twice.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

David Wilkinson, President, NCR Commerce On The Future of Self-Checkout, POS & More

michael@meleblanc.co (David Wilkinson) — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 08:05:00 +0000

David Wilkinson, President of NCR Commerce, is back on the podcast recorded live in person at the NRF show in New York City.

First, we chat about our impressions of the 2023 Big Show, and then we quickly dive into some of the most compelling and fascinating issues for the retail industry. NCR is one of the world's largest suppliers of retail POS equipment; David himself, a 12-year veteran of NCR, and his team have unique insights into the future of self-checkout and POS in a world of AI, machine vision, rapid innovation and retail technological investment.

About David

As President of NCR Commerce, David is responsible for creating and executing NCR’s overall vision and strategy for the retail and hospitality industries. He is focused on helping retailers and restaurants transform, connect, and run their technology platforms. NCR is investing in our customers’ success by leveraging the NCR Commerce Platform and world-class services and support to run the entire operation from the back office to the front end. NCR’s solutions accelerate the transformation of stores and restaurants around the world, helping them manage their operations more efficiently to deliver a consistent consumer experience.

David was elected to the NRF’s board of directors at the organization’s annual winter board meeting, held at NRF 2023: Retail’s Big Show. David’s energy and passion, coupled with a strong customer focus, have created a foundation for success. David spent the past twelve years in various roles at NCR. Most recently leading the global Retail team. During his tenure, he held various positions, from leading the Global Retail Sales organization, running the cloud POS start-up within NCR, leading the Emerging Industries team to focusing on NCR’s channel business.

With nearly 30 years of experience, David has helped many IT and telecom companies expand beyond their traditional business models. He has a proven track record of growing existing business models as well as innovating new ones to fill strategic gaps and accelerate profitability. Prior to joining NCR, David held various leadership positions at leading IT and telecom firms including Avaya, Nortel and Verizon.

In addition to his current duties, David is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the NCR Foundation and is a board member of Junior Achievement of Georgia.

David has a business administration degree in finance and marketing from Stephen F. Austin State University and an MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington. David currently resides in Milton, Georgia, with his wife and daughter.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Retail Predictions for 2023 with Rob Garf, VP & GM Retail, Salesforce

michael@meleblanc.co (Rob Garf) — Fri, 3 Feb 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Rob Garf, Vice President and General Manager, Retail for Salesforce, is back on the podcast to share insights from the vast universe of data at his fingertips about the year that was, and with his experience and intuition as one of the sharpest analysts in retail shares predictions for the year to come.

As we look back at the year 2022, we reflect on Holiday results on both sides of the border, and Rob will share with us what his data and instincts tell us about the consumer mindset and the state of retail to wrap up the year. But we're not here to reflect on the past; we're also looking toward the future. Rob will share his thoughts on the retail trends for 2023 and what it will take for retailers to win in the coming year. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to learn from one of the top experts in the retail industry.

About Rob

I've sat on all sides of the retail table -- as practitioner (Lids, Marshalls, Hit or Miss), industry analyst (AMR Research), strategy consultant (IBM), and software leader (Demandware | Salesforce).

I'm currently VP and GM of Retail at Salesforce where I lead Industry Strategy, Product, and Insights. I work with execs at leading brands and upstarts from around the world to accelerate digital transformation.

Love writing, speaking, and participating on retail boards.

Follow me on Twitter: @RetailRobGarf

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

A Retailer's Retailer: Ron Thurston and his Retail In America Tour

michael@meleblanc.co (Ron Thurston) — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Hello, and welcome to the Voice of Retail podcast! My name is Michael LeBlanc, and I am your host. I believe in the power of storytelling to bring the retail industry to life. Each week, I'll bring insights, perspectives, and experiences from some of the retail industry's most innovative and influential voices. This podcast is produced in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

The one and only Ron Thurston is my extraordinary guest for this episode, recorded live in person together for the first time at the NRF Big Show in New York. Ron is a retailers' retailer, a veteran store leader that turned his passion into a best-selling book, Retail Pride, which became an epic tour across America with an F150 and an Airstream to meet retailers where they live and tell their stories. I sat with Ron in the MarketDial podcasting studio to hear his story and learn his lessons from the Retail In America tour. Let's listen in now!

About Ron

Ron Thurston is a highly accomplished retail leadership Executive, Board Advisor, and Amazon Bestselling Author with extensive experience leading retail operations for America’s most prominent brands.

He is adept at turning around underperforming businesses, developing and implementing innovative growth strategies, architecting improved training programs, building high-performing and dedicated teams, launching new brands, expanding brands into new markets, and ensuring customer growth and satisfaction.

For the last three years, Ron has been named one of the top 100 most influential people in retail, is a former board member of GOODWILL NY/NJ, and currently sits on the advisory boards of several emerging retail technology brands, including Reflex Careers and IMMERSS.

In early 2022 Ron launched his audio and video platforms for a year-long tour called “Retail In America,” live from an Airstream trailer to discover the real retail heroes across the country.

About Michael

Based in New York, Conversations with CommerceNext is a podcast focusing on retail eCommerce, digital marketing and retail careers with episodes talking with C-level executives operating in the U.S. and internationally.

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Global eCommerce Update with Kent Allen and Jim Okamura from Global eCommerce Leaders Forum

michael@meleblanc.co (Jim Okamura, Kent Allen) — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 08:05:00 +0000

Kent Allen and Jim Okamura, co-founders of the successful Global eCommerce Leaders Forums and community, are back on the podcast sharing their expertise and providing us with a timely update on the state of cross-border and global eCommerce, including a view to China, Europe, LATAM and where retailers and brands should focus when looking for international growth.

More information about the Global eCommerce Leaders Forum in LA here

About Kent

I help innovative digital companies tell their story and build relationships with prospective and established clients and partners. I've spent the last twenty years providing market analysis, research & thought leadership, market development and consulting services within the ecommerce technology and digital marketing community.

Current focus: Globalization via cross-border ecommerce, marketplaces and international retail expansion. Co-founded the Global eCommerce Leaders Forum to foster community among and provide education to digital professionals with international growth objectives.

My 20+ years of experience in the digital commerce and marketing industry and strong personal connections have provided me with opportunities to stay ahead of the curve and explore "what's next" for my clients and our audiences.

My research, content marketing & thought leadership skills coupled with my strong client interface skills allow me to define & execute next-generation marketing and commerce strategies & improve business performance.

Specialties/Skills: Market Research, Communications, Strategy, Planning, Best Practices, Trend, Data and Competitive Analysis, Public Speaking, Writing and Expression

About Jim

Jim Okamura is Partner with McMillan Doolittle - The Retail Experts. Jim has more than 25 years of consulting experience focused on the retail industry, including 20+ years in digital transformation strategies for retailers, brands and retail-related companies.

Specializations include cross-border & global ecommerce and organization design for digital transformations. Through our global alliance, Ebeltoft Group, we have deep retail expertise in more than 20 countries.

Clients include Wahl Clipper, Gap, adidas, Hunter Fan, Bassett Furniture, Giant Eagle, Federated Coop, Harley-Davidson, Baccarat, DSW, Tractor Supply Co., MasterCard, Verizon Wireless, Neiman Marcus, Navy Exchange, Lands’ End, Microsoft, The Body Shop International, L Brands, Timberland, Media Markt, Lowe’s Companies, Pep Boys, Crate and Barrel, Loyalty One, VISA, and Cadillac Fairview.

Jim is a Co-founder of the Global E-Commerce Leaders Forum, a community and conference series focused on global and cross-border ecommerce. Digital Retail Globalization, such as riding China's ecommerce growth wave, is important for brands, retailers and distribution partners of all sizes.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

The Future of Work & Leadership with Dr. John Izzo

michael@meleblanc.co (Dr. John Izzo, John Izzo) — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Today we have a special guest, Dr. John Izzo, joining us to discuss their personal and professional journey and their insights on the world of work. John is a prolific writer with nine books and many peer-reviewed articles, and decades of experience writing and helping organizations activate purpose with employees and customers.

We will delve into the COVID era and its impact on the world of work, getting his opinion on whether the changes we currently see are a result of the pandemic or were already in motion due to demographics and technology. We will discuss the gig economy, remote work, and the structures many try to adjust to or rebel against. We will also touch on the "quiet quitting" or the "work my wage" movement and its relationship to the bifurcation of wages, social justice, or just a fad.

The Purpose Revolution

The Way Forward Regenerative Conversations on Apple Podcasts

Dr. John Izzo

About John

Dr. John Izzo is the bestselling author of nine books including the international bestsellers Awakening Corporate Soul, Values Shift, The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die, The Five Thieves of Happiness and Stepping Up. John's passion in helping organizations activate purpose with employees and customers has inspired him to write The Purpose Revolution: How Leaders Create Engagement and Competitive Advantage in an Age of Social Good, in 2018. A second edition of Stepping Up was released in 2020. Over the last twenty years he has spoken to over one million people, taught at three major universities, advised over 500 organizations and is frequently featured in the media by the likes of Fast Company, PBS, CBC, the Wall Street Journal, CNN, and INC Magazine. He has advised some of the best companies in the world on activating purpose including DuPont, TELUS, Manulife, McDonald’s, SAPA, RBC, Lockheed Martin, Qantas Airlines, Humana, Microsoft, and the Mayo Clinic.

John was a pioneer in the Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability movements and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia where he is a Co-Founder of Blueprint, which enhances the well-being of men and communities. John also serves on the Advisory Board of Sustainable Brands.

About Michael

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Happier Hour: Beating Distraction with Author and UCLA Professor Cassie Holmes

michael@meleblanc.co (Cassie Holmes) — Fri, 6 Jan 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Hello, and welcome to the Voice of Retail podcast! My name is Michael LeBlanc, and I am your host. I believe in the power of storytelling to bring the retail industry to life. Each week, I'll bring insights, perspectives, and experiences from some of the retail industry's most innovative and influential voices. The Voice of Retail is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Today, we have a special treat in store for you as we sit down with Cassie Holmes, a professor at UCLA's Anderson School of Management, a social psychologist, and author of Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most. So please sit back, relax, and get ready to be inspired, as Cassie provides us with the antidote to overscheduling and feeling like your days aren't your own!

https://www.cassiemholmes.com/

About Cassie

Cassie Holmes is a Professor at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. Cassie is an expert on time and happiness and author of the upcoming book, Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most, which is based on her wildly popular MBA course, Life Design for Happiness.

Cassie's research on the role of time in cultivating life satisfaction has been published in leading academic journals and earned her multiple Early Career Awards. Cassie was identified by Poets & Quants as one of the best 40 business professors under 40, and popular accounts of her research have been featured on NPR and in such publications as The Economist, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, and Scientific American.

Previously, Cassie was a tenured faculty member and award-winning teacher at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She has a Ph.D. from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, and a B.A. from Columbia.

About Michael

Michael has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. He has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions with C-level executives and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels. ReThink Retail has added Michael to their prestigious Top 100 Global Retail Influencers list for 2022 for the second year in a row. The London-based Retail Technology Innovation Hub recently added Michael to their Top 100 Retail Technology Influencers List for 2022.

Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers.

Tailored Brands' CMO Carolyn Pollock: Best of Conversations with CommerceNext podcast

michael@meleblanc.co (Carolyn Pollock) — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 08:00:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Welcome to a special holiday episode of the podcast, a pickup of my Conversations with CommerceNext podcast featuring Canadian retail executive Carolyn Pollock, CMO of Tailored Brands.

A veteran big brand and retail marketer leading her team across North America, here in Canada with Moore's, helping consumers "love the way they look and feel for their most important moments." Carolyn takes us through her eclectic background of international business, packaged goods and now mastering the art and science of modern marketing and modern marketers

About Carolyn

Proven marketing and management professional with a 20-year track record of driving growth and building successful brands. Demonstrated ability to deliver results in fast-growth entrepreneurial and established companies by creating a clear vision, articulating focused strategic priorities and managing successful teams.

Capable of managing the entire consumer lifecycle from acquisition to activation to retention through creative and relevant marketing strategies.

Specialties: Brand strategy, marketing strategy and business planning, eCommerce management, integrated brand marketing, direct marketing (catalogue, email, online), merchandising, sales management

ABOUT US:

Scott

An ecommerce veteran, Scott Silverman has been active in the industry since 1999 and is passionate about digital retail and the innovation driving the industry. Scott Silverman is the Co-Founder of CommerceNext. Previously, he spent 10 years as Executive Director of Shop.org where he launched the Shop.org Annual Summit. Scott co-invented "Cyber Monday" in 2005 and was the founder of Cybermonday.com in 2006, a shopping site that has generated more than $2.5 million for Shop.org's scholarship fund.

Michael

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada's top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

2023 Food Trends with Jo-Ann McArthur, President at Nourish Food Marketing

michael@meleblanc.co (Jo-Ann McArthur) — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 08:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

On this episode, I discover the top ten food trends for 2023 with Jo-Ann McArthur, President at Nourish Food Marketing, who returns to the podcast to discuss her latest annual Trend Report: Food Is Transformative.

Download the report here:

https://www.nourish.marketing/trend-report

About Jo-Ann

I don’t know much about marketing for real estate. Or for cars, detergents, or life insurance. I leave that to the generalist ad agencies out there. But helping our clients sell more food, that’s something Nourish knows an awful lot about. Because that’s all we do. So, if you grow or make food and you’d like to increase your sales, then you might want to talk to us.

As a Founding Partner and President of Nourish Food Marketing, I now build powerful brands for food and beverage products in Canada, the US and Europe, creating marketing strategies that help move products off the shelves, into the consumer’s shopping basket, onto their plates and into their hearts.
I’ve built brands and businesses at large blue-chip companies like Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Cadillac Fairview. As a divisional President of Molson Coors, and a member of its North America Management Board, I led the charge to sell more beer more profitably.

I have also been an instructor at Schulich Executive School of Business, FoodStarter (a food incubator), as well as the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada and the Association of Canadian Advertisers.

I am founding chair of the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada, a Past President of The Empire Club of Canada where I hosted leaders from around the globe, and serve as Past Chair of ABC Life Literacy Canada. I also serve on the board of Les Dames d”Escoffier Ontario Chapter.

Numerous television appearances, including recently as a food marketing expert in the international TV documentary series "Eat Me (or try not to)" airing on Curiosity Stream.
Previous speaking engagements include:
Star Women in Grocery
SIAL
STORE
World Trade Organization
Restaurants Canada
Ontario-European Agri-Food Forum
Food And Beverage Ontario
The Pet Food Association (Canada and U.S.)
Woman of Influence WXN
Packaging Association of Canada
IEG Annual Conference Chicago
World Congress of Sport New York
Women & Leadership Summit
Numerous Chamber of Commerce appearances

About Michael

Michael is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. He has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions with C-level executives and participated on thought leadership panels worldwide. Michael was recently added to ReThink Retail’s prestigious Top 100 Global Retail Influencers for a second year in 2022.

Michael is also the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts, including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus the Remarkable Retail with author Steve Dennis, Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. Most recently, Michael launched Conversations with CommerceNext, a podcast focussed on retail eCommerce, digital marketing and retail careers - all available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music and all major podcast platforms. Michael is also the producer and host of the “Last Request Barbeque” channel on YouTube where he cooks meals to die for and influencer riches.

What's Next In Retail Asset Protection with Tom Meehan, President, Controltek

michael@meleblanc.co (Tom Meehan, Wade Holman) — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 11:23:19 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Tom Meehan, President ControlTek, a global leader in tamper-evident packaging, retail asset protection and RFID solutions, is joined by Wade Holman to talk about the latest technology and trends in store-based retail loss prevention.

About Tom

As president, Tom guides the company’s strategy while leading CONTROLTEK’s core business sectors – Tamper-Evident Packaging, EAS, and RFID. He drives the company’s strategic vision, sustainable business practices, and company culture and oversees the day-to-day operations of the business, sales, and customer growth and retention.

Tom is well-known in the retail loss prevention world as both a tremendously effective LP professional and as a thought leader who unselfishly shares his knowledge and experience out of a genuine desire to help his peers fight shrink more effectively. He shares his wealth of knowledge and expertise in his roles as retail technology editor at Loss Prevention Magazine, host of The Cash News Podcast, co-host of the Loss Prevention Research Council podcast CrimeScience and the organization’s senior technology advisor.

Tom has held Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at CONTROLTEK. Prior to joining, Tom was director of technology and investigations with Bloomingdale’s, he worked for Home Depot in loss prevention, and has had various technology, loss prevention, and operational roles at several other companies.

About Michael

Special Feature: Competition Bureau Canada: Understanding Compliance

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 03:13:09 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Majid Charania, Director of Compliance at Competition Bureau Canada, is my guest on this episode, with the fourth and final of our series created to help us understand the laws governing and protecting retailers. In this episode, Majid talks about the culture, process, practices and concrete measures retailers can and should have regarding compliance with the law.

To learn more about the Competition Bureau and how it operates, tune into the series' first episode in October, and be sure and dial into the entire series for an excellent overview of all the essential aspects of the regulations and laws that govern and protect retailers.

https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/competition-bureau-canada/en

Prior Episodes in the Series

https://the-voice-of-retail.simplecast.com/episodes/special-feature-competition-bureau-canada-and-deceptive-marketing-practices

https://the-voice-of-retail.simplecast.com/episodes/special-feature-competition-bureau-canada-and-price-fixing-collusion-and-cartel-behaviour-investigations

https://the-voice-of-retail.simplecast.com/episodes/special-feature-competition-bureau-canada-and

Photo by Trent Erwin on Unsplash

About Michael

Around The World And Back Again with Ira Kalish, Chief Global Economist at Deloitte

michael@meleblanc.co (Ira Kalish) — Fri, 9 Dec 2022 08:22:36 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode, a pick-up of a live webinar hosted by RCC earlier in the fall, I have the pleasure of a comprehensive, engaging, and wide-ranging conversation with Ira Kalish, Chief Global Economist, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.

This is Ira's second time on the podcast. With the benefit of almost one hour of his time, we deep dive into the global economy region by region, including the current state and their prospects for growth or trouble. Next, we zero in on Canada, helping retailers understand the global forces and local impacts of our interconnected world.

About Ira

Dr. Kalish is the Chief Global Economist of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd. He is a specialist in global economic issues as well as the effects of economic, demographic, and social trends on the global business environment. He advises Deloitte clients as well as Deloitte’s leadership on economic issues and their impact on business strategy. In addition, he has given numerous presentations to corporations and trade organizations on topics related to the global economy. He is widely traveled and has given presentations in 47 countries on six continents. He has been quoted by the Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and The Financial Times. Dr. Kalish holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Vassar College and a PhD in international economics from Johns Hopkins University.

About Michael

Bonus Episode: Black Friday & Cyber Monday Exclusive Flash Results

michael@meleblanc.co (Sean McCormick) — Mon, 5 Dec 2022 08:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this extraordinary Black Friday and Cyber Monday bonus episode, Sean McCormick, Head of Growth Strategy, Spendscape, Moneris joins us with breaking news and real spending numbers telling us the tale of the tape for 2022 Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Sean leverages powerful analytical tools to provide a snapshot of year-over-year and week-over-week consumer spending numbers. Let's listen in now!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dsmccormick/

https://www.moneris.com/en/services/data-services/

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically each week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast.

Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company & Maven Media, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co! Have a safe week everyone!

About Sean

Sean McCormick is the Head of Growth Strategy for the Data division of Moneris, supporting public and private sector clients who leverage the utility of consumer payment data to improve forecasting capabilities, benchmarking intelligence, and inform policy decisions.

About Michael

Special Feature: Competition Bureau Canada: Antitrust and the Abuse of Dominance

michael@meleblanc.co (Daniel Jensen) — Fri, 2 Dec 2022 09:13:11 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Meet Daniel Jenson, Major Case Director at Competition Bureau Canada, with the third of four episodes created to help us understand the laws governing and protecting retailers. If you want to learn more about the Competition Bureau and how it operates, tune into the series' first episode back in October. In this episode, Daniel unpacks antitrust and abuse of dominance for us, providing us with a specific case study to illustrate both the concept and the tradecraft of the Bureau.

Linked mentioned in the podcast:

Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Michael

Eric Morris, Managing Director of Google Canada Retail on Changing Consumer Habits and Finishing Strong

michael@meleblanc.co (Eric Morris) — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 08:47:26 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Eric Morris, Managing Director of Google Canada Retail, is back on the podcast sharing the latest research looking at some of the changing consumer habits we can expect from shoppers this holiday season and practical tips for retailers to finish strong through to 2023 and beyond!

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Eric

Eric Morris is the Managing Director of Google's Retail practice in Canada, leading sales, operations, research, strategy and analytics.

Eric joined Google in 2002. As one of Google’s first hires globally, he played a critical role in building and scaling Google’s business globally, holding several leadership and executive roles along the way.

Prior to his current role, Eric led Google Canada's search and performance advertising business, ran Automotive and Financial Services practices, and launched Google’s mobile advertising business in Canada.

In 2016 Eric was named inventor and issued a patent in the United States for identifying rising search queries and trends at scale for advertisers worldwide.

Eric has served on the Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada’s board of directors since 2009, including a two-year term as board Chair.

Born in Montreal and raised in Toronto, Eric is a graduate of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario.

About Michael

Bringing Social Media Trends To Life With Samir Kulkarni, CEO of Showcase

michael@meleblanc.co (Samir KulKarni) — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 11:46:53 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Get Holiday ready with on-point insights from one of the savviest retailers operating today regarding consumer trends.

Samir Kulkarni, CEO of Showcase, joins me on the podcast live from the RCC Retail Holiday Shopping Forum for an in-depth discussion on what makes Showcase different. We talk about their international expansion and how they see around corners to get social media trends onto the shelf in record time.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Samir

Samir Kulkarni is CEO and owner of Showcase, a national retailer and “Home of the Hottest Trends” with 119 stores in top malls across Canada and the USA. Showcase’s combination of i) proprietary trend identification technology, ii) nimble supply chain, and iii) interactive store environment has propelled it to retail leadership of the greatest emerging trends in health, beauty, home, and toys over 25 years. Showcase’s unique model has been recognized by Deloitte’s Best Managed Companies 2021 and 2022, YPO Top 10 Global Innovators, and the ERA’s Omnichannel Retail Excellence Award in 2022. Dubbed by Inc. Magazine as “the man who turned trend hunting into retail gold”, Samir appears regularly in the media to discuss Showcase, its products, and the trend retailing industry – ranging from CBC to CTV, Global News, Retail Insider, Voice of Retail podcast, and more. Samir also serves on the Board of Directors of Retail Council of Canada. Samir holds an MBA from Yale University and lives near Toronto.

About Michael

Christine Day, Retail Visionary & Co-Founder, CEO The House of LR&C, live from Vancouver

michael@meleblanc.co (Christine Day) — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 09:25:51 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Recorded live at RCC's Retail West conference in Vancouver, Christine Day, former CEO of lululemon and international executive at Starbucks, joins me on the main stage to talk about her latest and perhaps most important venture, The House of L, R & C.

We talk about the apparel industry's social impact and the retail sector's changing structure. We end with a fun rapid-fire round of questions to glean Christine's perspective on the hottest topics in Retail.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Christine

Christine Day is a Co-Founder and President of The House of LR&C where she brings 30 years of experience in scaling global retail brands to this new concept in fashion. Christine is known for bringing her whole self to work combining warmth and joy with vision and operational excellence. She is widely recognized as one of the greats in the evolving world of retail.

Christine brings her executive leadership experience to The House of LR&C from lululemon athletica, where she served as CEO for six years, as well as Starbucks, serving in various executive positions over a 20-year period. Concurrently, she is the CEO of Performance Kitchen, a forward-thinking food company creating the next generation of frozen food with a focus on great taste, convenience and nutrition. She earned her BA degree from Central Washington University and is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. Christine and her husband enjoy a full life in Vancouver surrounded by her loving family of 3 children and 4 grandchildren.About Christine:

About Michael

MEC CEO Eric Claus on Putting The Heritage Back Into A Modern Retail Brand

michael@meleblanc.co (Eric Claus) — Fri, 4 Nov 2022 07:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode, Mountain Equipment Company CEO Eric Claus is back on the podcast, recorded live in person from the MEC Vancouver boardroom. We catch up and talk about the incredible journey of turning the business around during the COVID era, the innovative partnership with Hudson's Bay, and putting the heritage back into this modern retail brand.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Eric

Currently CEO and Chairman of MEC Canada, the leading outdoor retailer in Canada, and former CEO of Save-A-Lot stores, a 1,300+ store value food retail chain operating in 37 states and based in St. Louis MO. Former Chairman and CEO of Toronto based retailer, Red Apple Stores Inc. a BlackRock owned company. Former member of the Board of Directors of Rona Inc., a publicly traded Canadian Home Improvement Retailer, until its sales to US based Lowes INC. Former CEO of A&P US and formerly CEO of A&P Canada. Canadian and and Swiss citizen. Fluent in English, French, German and conversant in Spanish. Former Homeland Security and Angel Flight Pilot.

About Michael

Jenna Watson, SVP of Digital Media for DAC, on the Past, Present and Startling Future of Search

michael@meleblanc.co (Jenna Watson) — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 10:37:47 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Meet Jenna Watson, Senior Vice President of Digital Media for DAC, who joins me live from her office in the windy city to discuss the past, present and startling future of a new world of search marketing and SEO for retailers. Jenna sheds essential light on the all-important search results page and thoughts on mastering the many, many different media connected through this most powerful of tools for modern marketers

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Jenna

Jenna’s been working in digital media since it was brand new—the real Wild West. After having spent her career moving through various agencies, she now leads DAC’s digital media practice to create and deliver award winning digital media strategies. Jenna continually strives to build strong bonds between client and agency teams, ensuring DAC’s work is truly impactful to an organization’s objectives.

https://www.dacgroup.com/

https://adage.com/white-paper/not-your-fathers-seo-how-brands-can-own-serp

About Michael

Special Feature: Competition Bureau Canada and Price-Fixing, Collusion and Cartel Behaviour Investigations

michael@meleblanc.co (Mark Aylward) — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 17:22:55 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Meet Mark Aylward, Senior Competition Law Officer at Competition Bureau Canada, with the second of a series of four episodes created to help us understand the laws governing and protecting retailers. If you want to learn more about the Competition Bureau and how it operates, tune into the first episode of the series to learn all about it.

In this episode, Mark takes us through the law and perspectives around price-fixing, collusion and cartel behaviour investigations.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Michael

John Hazen, Boot Barn Chief Digital Officer, Finds The Right Fit With Stores & E-Commerce: Best of Conversations with CommerceNext

michael@meleblanc.co (John Hazen, Scott Silverman) — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 07:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

On this episode, a pickup from my popular Conversations with Commerce Next podcast meet John Hazen, the Montreal-born Chief Digital Officer at Boot Barn, a U.S. west-coast-based specialty store retail powerhouse.

John joins CommerceNext co-founder Scott Silverman and I and describes his journey to working within a retail first brand and appreciating the cultural differences in any organization to be truly successful. Next, John talks about his deep attachment to ensuring a seamless shopping experience for his customers and the journey at Boot Barn to keep the focus and understand the power of their stores and the force multiplier that a well-architected digital strategy must become.

About John

Omnichannel and e-Commerce executive/thought leader rooted in apparel & footwear. Extensive experience architecting, launching and running global enterprise initiatives focusing on Omnichannel, e-commerce, retail digital enablement & CRM . Expert in commerce platforms, merchandising, technology with a strong digital background , inventor of patented technology for Nike Digital. MBA from Loyola Marymount University and extensive (15+ years) digital experience working within the apparel/retail industry.

Skateboarder, surfer , triathlete and Pixar nut. 🤙🏻

ABOUT US

Scott Silverman

An ecommerce veteran, Scott Silverman has been active in the industry since 1999 and is passionate about digital retail and the innovation driving the industry. Scott Silverman is the Co-Founder of CommerceNext. Previously, he spent 10 years as Executive Director of Shop.org where he launched the Shop.org Annual Summit. Scott co-invented “Cyber Monday” in 2005 and was the founder of Cybermonday.com in 2006, a shopping site that has generated more than $2.5 million for Shop.org’s scholarship fund.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Special Feature: Competition Bureau Canada and Deceptive Marketing Practices

michael@meleblanc.co (Nicola Pfeifer) — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 08:32:33 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Meet Nicola Pfeifer, Senior Competition Law Officer, Cartels and Deceptive Marketing Practices from Competition Bureau Canada, with the first of a series of four episodes between now and the end of the year created for retailers to help them understand the laws governing and protecting retailers. In this episode, Nicola gives us an overview of Competition Bureau Canada that will provide the foundation for the series and then dives into her particular area of expertise, deceptive marketing practices.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Michael

Chris Jones, Founder of CANNABIS XPRESS on Thriving With Speed & Size

michael@meleblanc.co (Chris Jones) — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 07:14:26 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Serial entrepreneur Chris Jones, Founder of CANNABIS XPRESS, tells us why his high quality, high speed and low prices model has seen him grow to more than a dozen retail stores in Ontario despite cannabis retail industry consolidation.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Chris

Chris Jones is an entrepreneur and cannabis industry executive. He is currently Founder and President of CANNABIS XPRESS, which is a leading chain of 13 cannabis retail stores in Ontario, Canada. Previous to that, he founded another cannabis retail company in Ontario and sold after it hit a run rate of approximately $15 million via an all-cash sale to a public company. Before entering the retail industry, he was actively involved in and led multiple acquisitions and investments ranging from several million to over a billion dollars during his time at Origin House which was later acquired by a top US-based multi state operator - Cresco Labs. Chris has also developed and taught classes at George Brown College through their school of continuing education. One of them more recently was called Cannabis Business Strategy, which includes a lineup of coveted guest speakers such as Bruce Linton (Founder of Canopy Growth Corporation – which was previously the largest cannabis company in the world by market capitalization). He currently teaches a management course at George Brown called Management Fundamentals.

Before that, he built his finance and business development experience at two global construction companies based in Canada: EllisDon and Aecon. Additionally, he led business development and negotiations for a boutique trial-focused law firm in Toronto. Outside of work, Chris spends his time travelling, taking language courses in Spanish, walking his dog, enjoying the outdoors, exercising and is undefeated in Muay Thai. He obtained his Masters of Business Administration from McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business, and a Bachelor of Commerce from Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers School of Management.

About Michael

Wes Hall, the "King of Bay Street" and CBC Dragon, on his new book "No Bootstraps When You're Barefoot"

michael@meleblanc.co (Wes Hall) — Fri, 7 Oct 2022 07:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In an exclusive interview, the one and only Wes Hall join the podcast to talk about his new book "No Bootstraps When You're Barefoot: My rise from a Jamaican plantation shack to the boardrooms of Bay Street." Wes shares his story and advice for retailers on how they can genuinely help black entrepreneurs and adds hints for anyone who winds up in front of him on CBC's Dragon's Den

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Wes

Éric Champagne, CIO for Boutique La vie en Rose, and Olivier Roy, co-founder and CEO of Leav talk mobile self-checkout

michael@meleblanc.co (Éric Champagne, Olivier Roy) — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 06:27:34 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode, meet Éric Champagne, CIO for Boutique La vie en Rose, and Olivier Roy, co-founder and CEO of Leav join the podcast together to share insights around the tradecraft of retail technology innovation and implementing frictionless in-store self-checkout solutions.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Eric

CIO for Boutique La vie en Rose inc., IT leader with over 30 years of experience in IT, IS, Logistics, Distribution, Web development and operations and business processes for retail, wholesale and e-commerce.

About Olivier

Olivier is co-founder and CEO of Leav. After working with a number of organizations in Canada and abroad, he combined his passion for technology with his experience in marketing and created Leav, a solution to a problem faced by most in-store shoppers: long lines in stores.

About Leav

Leav help digitize businesses and offer to their customers a fast and personalized experience. With our web platform, store owners can now rapidly deploy mobile self-checkout and access in-store customer insights. With the rise of ecommerce, retailers need to meet new customer expectations, but not at the cost of sacrificing human interactions. Our technologies free up time for employees to focus on what matters the most.

About Michael

Lauren Fernandes, Global Director, Thought Leadership for Nielsen IQ, and their 2022 Brand Balancing Act Report

michael@meleblanc.co (Lauren Fernandes) — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 08:40:01 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode, meet Lauren Fernandes, Global Director, Thought Leadership for Nielsen IQ, joins the podcast to share the powerful insights for retailers and brand owners from their 2022 Brand Balancing Act, the global implications, and lessons for retailers in Canada.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Lauren

I excel at translating complex and seemingly disparate information into impactful narratives. Integrating data-driven insights with compelling perspective, I am a storyteller and strategic content creator. I have a unique ability to inform, inspire and engage across a broad spectrum of subjects.

I’m a visionary leader, passionate speaker, methodical organizer, caring team player and someone with a proven track record for driving results within my various communities of interest.
About Michael

Phyl Terry revolutionizes the executive job search with his new book "Never Search Alone"

michael@meleblanc.co (Phyl Terry, Phil Terry) — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 09:32:20 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode, meet Phyl Terry, as we catch up and share experiences going back 25 years together in the eCommerce usability field and talking about his new book, Never Search Alone. Based on 25 years of experience working with thousands of leaders, the book provides a time-tested, multi-step process to find the right job now – one that sits at the intersection of hopes, dreams, and market realities.

Learn more about Slow Art Day

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Phyl

Phyl Terry, Founder and CEO of Collaborative Gain, Inc., launched the company’s flagship leadership program – The Councils – in 2002 with a fellow group of Internet pioneers from Amazon, Google, and others. Thousands of leaders from the Internet world have come together in the last 15 years to learn the art of asking for help and to support each other to build better, more customer-centric products, services, and companies (see their testimonials).

Phyl has also spent close to three decades as a pioneer and leader in customer experience. As CEO of Creative Good for 15 years, Phyl and the team ran hundreds of consulting projects helping companies like Apple, Facebook, and the New York Times build digital experiences that delight customers. Phyl also co-authored Customers Included, the book widely praised for its practical and passionate focus on building better businesses, and is currently writing his second book on the art of asking for help, which will be published by the Harvard Business School Press (see his previous HBR article and TEDx talk.

As a speaker, Phyl has given hundreds of keynotes and featured talks at events like the Harvard Business School Distinguished Speaker Series, National Retail Federation conferences, Forbes, Inc. Magazine, TEDx and for private corporations such as Apple, American Express, eBay, Fidelity, Google, Intuit, Walmart, and many others. See a list of companies and conferences where he’s spoken (and some testimonials and a 3 minute video about his talk). Phyl has been profiled and quoted extensively in publications like the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times and named by Fast Company as one of the Fast Company 100 – 100 leaders shaping the 21st century.

In his spare time they founded and run three pro-bono programs – Slow Art Day, Reading Odyssey, and the Warren Buffett Reading Group.

About Michael

Winning Digital Customers with WSJ Best-Selling Author Howard Tiersky

michael@meleblanc.co (Howard Tiersky) — Fri, 9 Sep 2022 06:56:32 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode, meet Howard Tiersky, Author of the Wall St.Journal best-selling book, Winning Digital Customers: The Antidote To Irrelevance. In a wide-ranging interview with this digital veteran, Howard takes us through his five-step roadmap to thriving in a digital world.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Howard

I've had the amazing opportunity to help leaders at dozens of the world's largest brands navigate digital transformation—to re-invent their customer journeys to earn the love of today's "Digital Customers." I've learned so much after 20+ years doing this type of work and I'm excited that my most recent book was named on the WSJ Best Selling list. It's called WINNING DIGITAL CUSTOMERS and is a blueprint for how any company can methodically remake itself to win in a digital era. In it I reveal the methods I've developed to get alignment at large organizations around transformation and then to implement it successfully. If you'd like to check out a few sample chapters just IM me.

It's been an incredible journey. I spent 15 years leading digital practices at 2 of the world's largest consulting firms. Then 12 years ago I decided to leave a senior role at Capgemini to start my own firm, initially with 1 client and 0 employees. My wife was quite concerned about that decision! She's happy now though, as the company has grown to over 75 amazing people working with large brands like Verizon, NBC, Avis, A&E, Mattel, AAA, & Airbus. We've won many awards but more importantly have driven massive and measurable value through helping transform our client's customer experiences.

I speak regularly at conferences such as The Front End of Innovation, DMA, Internet Week, and CES. I also publish frequently and have been a contributor to CIO magazine. I was named by IDG as one of the "Top 10 Digital Transformation Influencers," & by Enterprise Management 360 as “One of the Top 10 Digital Transformation Influencers That Will Change Your World.” I was also honored to be featured on a 1 hr video program with the Harvard Business Review, and I've served as an adjunct professor at the NYU graduate school.

Other brands I've worked with include: Turner, Sprint, Office Depot, Farmers, CNA and Mercury Insurance, Sears, Merrill Lynch, GM, Amex, CBS, Allstate, Amazon, Mastercard, Sylvania, Merck, Aventis, Houghton Mifflin, Universal Studios, Wiley, Viacom, Crayola, Mcgraw-Hill, Nutrisystem, NFL, NBA, Visa, Shubert, Moodys, Morgan Stanley, Gulfstream, Exelon, GMAC, Fox, Chevron, D&B, Bloomberg, Sesame Workshop, Barnes & Noble Education.

I live in NJ with my wife Lana & my 5 children...or I guess I should say 4 of my children..my oldest, Rachel, left this year to begin her freshman year at Dartmouth.

If you are at an enterprise looking to transform and win digital customers, please connect with me, and we can schedule a call to explore whether and where my team and I can be of help.

About Michael

Future Consumers in the Quasi-Post-Pandemic Retail World: Kristina Rogers, EY Global Consumer Leader

michael@meleblanc.co (Kristina Rogers) — Fri, 2 Sep 2022 08:02:14 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Kristina Rogers, Global Consumer Industries Leader, Retail for EY, is back on the podcast with an update from their Future Consumer Index looking at the quasi-post-COVID, inflation battered but more resilient and agile customer retailers face for the back half of 2022 and beyond.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Kristina

Global leader for consumer industries. Marketing strategist. Worked in 20 countries. Harvard MBA. Photographer. Scuba diver. Canadian fiction reader. Mother of two.

Prior to her current role, she served as Emerging Markets Leader for Consumer Products & Retail. Before joining EY, she was a senior partner at a global strategy consulting firm.

About Michael

Raj Grover, CEO, High Tide on Cannabis Retail Consolidation, Growth and Acceleration

michael@meleblanc.co (Raj Grover) — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 08:55:47 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Raj Grover, CEO at High Tide, is not only Canada's biggest non-franchised cannabis retailer but also one of the world's savviest consumer focussed operators in the entire industry. Raj returns to the podcast, and we catch up on two-plus years of consolidation, growth and acceleration in Canada and beyond.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Raj

Since starting his first company at the age of 22, Raj has established himself as one of Canada’s foremost business strategists and deal makers. He is the founder of High Tide and its subsidiary companies of Valiant Distribution and Canna Cabana, while also being the co-founder of High Tide’s subsidiary, Famous Brandz.

Through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, Raj has grown High Tide from one small shop of 2 employees in 2009, into one of Canada’s largest cannabis retailers with over 1,000 amazing team members and business interests spanning North America and Europe.

While committed to building a strong, profitable, and sustainable business, Raj also believes passionately that those who enjoy success hold a particular responsibility to give back. That is why he has spearheaded High Tide’s support for World Vision that has seen the company sponsor a growing number of children from developing countries. This support has grown substantially since its inception, from the initial sponsorships of three children in 2006 to over 250 sponsorships in 2022. Under Raj’s leadership, this number will continue to grow.

On a personal level Raj has also been a long-time supporter of Operation Smile, an organization that works to deliver free, safe cleft surgery to children in need saving them from a lifetime of pain and isolation.

About Michael

Lisa Perlmutter SVP, Marketing & E-Commerce at Brilliant Earth and Lauren Thomas, Retail Reporter, CNBC Talk About Sustainability and Sustainable Competitive Advantage

michael@meleblanc.co (Lauren Thomas, Lisa Perlmutter) — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Recorded live in person at the 2022 CommerceNext Ecommerce Growth Show, I sat down with some of the top trailblazers and change-makers that joined the CommerceNext community in New York City to discuss the future of digital commerce and share the latest strategies for E-commerce acceleration.

On this episode, an excerpt from my Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, Lisa Perlmutter, Senior Vice President, Marketing & E-Commerce at Brilliant Earth and Lauren Thomas, Retail Reporter, CNBC talk about sustainability and sustainable competitive advantage

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Lisa

About Lauren

About Michael

Meet Marianne Lewis, co-author of the breakthrough new book Both/And Thinking: Embracing Creative Tensions to Solve Your Toughest Problems

michael@meleblanc.co (Marianne W. Lewis, Marianne Lewis) — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Meet Marianne Lewis, co-author of the breakthrough new book from the Harvard Business Review Press, Both/And Thinking: Embracing Creative Tensions to Solve Your Toughest Problems

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Marianne

Marianne W. Lewis, PhD, is dean and professor of management at the Carl H. Lindner College of Business University of Cincinnati. Previously, she has served as dean of the Cass Business School, City, University of London and as a UK Fulbright. A thought leader in organizational paradoxes, she is among the world’s top 1% most-cited researchers in her field (Web of Science). Her research explores tensions and competing demands surrounding leadership and innovation. She applies her paradox lens across such diverse contexts as product development, organizational change, governance and technology implementation. Lewis has earned numerous teaching and research awards throughout her academic career. Her work appears in such journals as the Harvard Business Review, Academy of Management Journal, Organization Science, and Journal of Operations Management. Lewis earned her MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and PhD from the Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky.

About Michael

Ron Wilson, President, and Mat Povse, SVP Retail, Geek Squad Services & Best Buy Business, Best Buy Canada, and Enriching Retail Through Technology

michael@meleblanc.co (Ron Wilson, Mat Povse) — Fri, 5 Aug 2022 07:09:42 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Recorded live on the main stage at RCC's Toronto STORE 2022 conference in June, Ron Wilson, President of Best Buy Canada and Mat Povse, Senior Vice President Retail, Geek Squad Services & Best Buy Business, sit down with me for a lively, wide-ranging discussion covering the nature of the post-COVID era consumer, retail marketplaces, new format locations and talk about enriching retail through technology.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Ron

Ron Wilson is president of international for Best Buy Co. Inc. In this role, he guides the vision and strategic direction for the company’s operations in Canada and Mexico. Mr. Wilson began his career at Best Buy more than 25 years ago on the front lines of a Future Shop store in Edmonton, Alberta. Since then, he has worked in numerous leadership areas of the company, including merchandising, operations, marketing, and e-commerce. Since March 2013, Mr. Wilson has overseen a strategic plan that has driven the company toward providing a seamless “Total Retail” experience for customers’ connected worlds. His leadership has been instrumental in introducing and implementing an in-store and online experience that builds long-term relationships with customers and provides excellent support and service before, during and after purchase. Mr. Wilson continues to lead the charge through introducing innovative ideas, including the company’s recent growth into expanded product assortment online, reserve and pick-up in store program, and optimizing the company’s delivery and fulfillment systems. Most recently, he led the successful consolidation of Future Shop into the Best Buy brand.

About Mat

About Michael

Michael Medline, President and CEO and Mohit Grover, Senior Vice President, Innovation, Sustainability and Strategy of Empire, share their bold new three-year Climate Action Plan roadmap.

michael@meleblanc.co (Mohit Grover, Michael Medline) — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 04:40:28 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode, Michael Medline, President and CEO of Empire Company Limited, is back on the podcast, joined by Mohit Grover, Senior Vice President, Innovation, Sustainability and Strategy, to talk about what Empire is doing at all levels around real progress in environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.

Michael and Mohit share their new three-year Climate Action Plan roadmap. We talk about actual results, fundamental strategies and action plans, the partnerships and complexities involved, and the simple truths that show real progress in environmental, social and governance issues.

View the report and watch the podcast video of the interview with Michael and Mohit: : https://corporate.sobeys.com/sustainable-business-report/

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Michael

Michael Medline is President & Chief Executive Officer of Empire Company Limited (Empire) and its wholly-owned subsidiary Sobeys Inc., a leading Canadian grocery retailer and food distributor. Mr. Medline is a proven leader with a strong track record of success in Canadian retail. He was appointed President & CEO of Empire in January 2017 after more than 15 years in a variety of senior retail leadership positions at Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC), including as that organization’s President & Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Medline began his career working with the Ontario Securities Commission in 1989, followed by two years practicing law with McCarthy Tétrault. He was Corporate Counsel for PepsiCo Canada before moving to Abitibi Consolidated Inc. where, between 1994 and 2001, he held a variety of roles including Senior Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development. Active in the community, Mr. Medline serves as a member of the Board of the SickKids Foundation, and is a past Chair and current board member of the Retail Council of Canada. Mr. Medline has completed the Directors Education Program at the Rotman School of Management; holds an MBA from Raymond A. Mason School of Business, William & Mary; an LL.B. from the University of Toronto, and a BA from Western University.

About Mohit

Mohit Grover is Senior Vice President, Innovation, Sustainability & Strategy for Sobeys Inc., a leading Canadian grocery retailer and food distributor. Mr. Grover joined Sobeys from Google Canada where he was Head of Industry for the last five years. He is a recognized leader in building relationships with clients at the forefront of innovation and has successfully tailored Google's solutions to enable innovation at many of Canada's most important retailers. His deep understanding of the retail sector, together with his knowledge of the newest trends and technology in our industry, is invaluable. Prior to his years at Google, Mr. Grover built his passion for retail strategy and innovation at McKinsey & Company where he was a leader in the firm's North American Retail and Merchandising practice. Over his six-year tenure at McKinsey, he led multiple teams of consultants in addressing his clients' strategic, merchandising and operations challenges. Mr. Grover holds an MBA from INSEAD and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto.

About Michael

Craig Brommers, CMO American Eagle Takes On The Metaverse: Best of Conversations with CommerceNext #podcast

michael@meleblanc.co (Craig Brommers) — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 05:29:53 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this special edition episode, I am thrilled to be sharing one of the many fantastic interviews Recorded live in person at the 2022 CommerceNext E-commerce Growth Show back in June.

I sat down with some of the top trailblazers and change-makers that joined our community in New York City to discuss the future of digital commerce and share the latest strategies for E-commerce acceleration.

So now, let's meet Craig Brommers, CMO American Eagle Outfitters, as he takes on the state of modern post-pandemic retail marketing and the metaverse.

Be sure and tune into the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast and listen to the many other great interviews I conducted with leading retail marketers and thought leaders.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Craig

Global marketing executive who cultivates high profile brands for geographic, category, and digital expansion. Adept at managing the art and science of modern marketing. Passionate for Purpose-driven brands. Ability to drive global consistency and local relevancy. Metrics-driven marketer who maximizes P&L opportunities. Strong experience in building cohesive, achievement-oriented teams across functions and geographies. MBA at The Anderson School at UCLA.

About Michael

Friction: Adding Value By Making People Work For It: Best Selling Author Soon Yu

michael@meleblanc.co (Soon Yu) — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

According to Soon Yu in his new book "Friction: Adding Value By Making People Work For It", the idea of friction as a uniformly bad thing that needs to be rooted out is too simple, two dimensional.

Soon has poured a lifetime of experience with major brands, consulting and start-ups into a very thought provoking work helping us understand that in many instances a bit of friction, a few speed bumps, are a good thing and can actually help build customer engagement and loyalty.

https://amzn.to/3yxkFlq

http://www.soonyu.com/

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Soon

Soon Yu is an international speaker, award-winning and best-selling author on branding, innovation and design, and Forbes contributor who has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Entrepreneur Magazine and New York Times.

His latest book, Friction, challenges businesses to consider adding MORE friction for their customers and employees in order to create greater engagement, meaning, belonging, rapport, assurance, competence, and exclusivity.

His previous book, Iconic Advantage®, challenges businesses, from Fortune 500 to venture-backed startups, to refocus their innovation priorities on building greater iconicity, and offers deeper insights on establishing timeless distinction and relevance.

He most recently served as the Global VP of Innovation and Corporate Officer at VF Corporation, parent organization to over 30 global apparel companies, including The North Face, Vans, Timberland, and Supreme. While at VF, Soon commercialized a $2 billion innovation pipeline, established 3 global innovation centers, and initiated industry-leading design and innovation best practices.

Prior to this, he worked at The Clorox Company and Chiquita Brands, where he won company-wide awards for best advertising, best promotion and best new product, and gained industry recognition from the Webby Award, Favorite Website Award and Dope Award. He has also been a consultant at Bain and Company, a founder and CEO for numerous venture-backed startups and was recognized as a Northern California finalist for the prestigious Ernst & Young “Entrepreneur of the Year” award.

He is a highly sought-after speaker on leadership, branding, innovation, design and entrepreneurship, and has taught at the Parsons School of Design and often guest lectures at Stanford University (where he received his MBA and is active with the GSB Asian Alumni Association).

About Michael

Ellis Jacob, Cineplex CEO Talks Modern Entertainment, What Comes Next & Loyalty Innovation

michael@meleblanc.co (Ellis Jacob) — Fri, 8 Jul 2022 15:51:03 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this special episode, an interview I've been looking forward to for a long time, a Canadian business icon, exceptional citizen, and one of the world's most respected entertainment operators, Ellis Jacob, CEO, Cineplex.

We chat briefly about his origin story and spend lots of time talking about the state of the entertainment and movie industry, what innovation looks like in theatres across Canada, and how the changes brought on by the COVID era will forever shape the strategy of Cineplex.

Last but certainly not least, I couldn't miss the opportunity to ask Ellis about the incredible rise and success of the SCENE plus loyalty program, what it means to the Cineplex business, and the big news around the tie-up with Sobeys

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbecue, with new episodes each and every week!

About Ellis

Ellis Jacob was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cineplex in October 2003. Working in the motion picture exhibition industry since 1987, his passion and leadership transformed the movie-going experience for Canadians. Prior to his current role, Ellis was President and CEO of Galaxy Entertainment Inc., which he co-founded in 1999. Previous roles include the Head of Integration for Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc., and various leadership positions with Cineplex Odeon Corporation that eventually culminated with the role of Chief Operating Officer.

Ellis serves on a number of boards, including Cineplex and ASM Global. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the National Association of Theatre Owners and the Global Cinema Federation, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Movie Theatre Association of Canada. He is an active philanthropist, a founding director of the Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation, and a member of the Board of Baycrest Centre for Geriatrics.

Among his many accomplishments and awards over the span of his career, he has received the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario, Canada’s Most Innovative CEO, Canada’s Most Admired CEO, and the ICTA Global Cinema Innovation Award.

About Michael

Upper District CEO & Founder Karly Gramlich Takes Us Through Sustainable, Scaleable Luxury Retail Brands

michael@meleblanc.co (Karly Gramlich) — Fri, 1 Jul 2022 08:13:28 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

On this special Canada Day episode, meet Edmonton-based entrepreneur and sustainable brand maven Karly Gramlich. Karly talks about her leap of faith to pursue a passion and develop sustainable luxury fashion and accessories for the modern professional with her brand and online retail store Upper District. Karly also shares with us how her personal journey has built the resilience and fortitude to take Upper District to the next level on the global stage

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Karly

Karly Gramlich is the Founder and CEO at Upper District; a Canadian-based sustainable luxury fashion and accessories brand.

She describes herself as unapologetically unconventional. Despite growing up as a farmer's daughter and miles away from the luxury scene, her ambitious personality took hold and Upper District was born. She sought to outfit those who have worked relentlessly to achieve their goals, despite an unconventional background.

Company contact email: inquiries@upper-district.com

About Michael

Northern Reflections’ President Lalonnie Biggar is making big moves with this iconic Canadian retailer

michael@meleblanc.co (Lalonnie Biggar) — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 07:03:43 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Lalonnie Biggar is a veteran merchant with a depth of experience in department and specialty stores. As president of Northern Reflections, she has big ambitions for this iconic Canadian retailer.

After leading Northern Reflections through the COVID era and out the other side, Lalonnie is preparing the organization for success and growth with new ownership and a fresh vision. We talk merchandising and assortment opportunities, the critical role of eCommerce, and explore her level of confidence in regional shopping malls as the place for her brand to live.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

Bruce's article referenced in the interview:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/rexile-main-street-bruce-winder-he-him-/?trackingId=lrgK6PcGxYyguUh0wt%2F4tg%3D%3D

About Lalonnie

Northern Reflections’ President Lalonnie Biggar has been with the organization for over 20 years and in retail leadership roles for over 3 decades. Her career in fashion retail began at T Eaton Company, before advancing through senior executive positions at Dylex and Comark. In her leadership functions she is a known expert in product sourcing, contract negotiation and, most importantly, people development.

In her role as President, Lalonnie oversees our product development and design teams, our commercial network of 134 retail locations across Canada, e-commerce business, the sourcing office in Asia as well as our operations, logistics, HR, and finance departments. She is now spearheading major strategic initiatives to significantly grow the company’s ecommerce business and all aspects of its multi-channel retail operation, while implementing a state of the art Point of Sale system. A passionate people leader, Lalonnie is often referred to as the heart and soul of the Northern Reflections brand and continues to be a source of inspiring leadership for our 900 associates around the world.

About Michael

Top Retail Analyst Bruce Winder Updates Us on The State of Retail and His Journey to Mental Health

michael@meleblanc.co (Bruce Winder) — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 07:46:29 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode, we welcome back to the podcast a retail veteran and now an analyst and college professor Bruce Winder.

Bruce brings us his informed perspective on the state of retail in Canada we talk about the impacts of changing consumer behaviour and inflation, and then Bruce is a good sport as I pepper him with retail trends in a rapid round of fast paced back-and-forth Q&A.

Bruce also shares with us a vital discussion of his mental health journey through the retail industry and the critical role that retail can play in embracing neurodiversity within its ranks.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

Bruce's article referenced in the interview:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/rexile-main-street-bruce-winder-he-him-/?trackingId=lrgK6PcGxYyguUh0wt%2F4tg%3D%3D

About Bruce

Retail Analyst * Author * Consultant * Speaker * Instructor * Neurodiverse

Author of 2020 RETAIL Before, During & After COVID-19 (Available on Amazon)

www.brucewinder.com

Former Retail Executive with 30 years experience.

Recognized Retail Analyst - appeared hundreds of times in North American media. Interviewed on BNN/Bloomberg Canada, CBC's The National, Global News, CTV National, CTV News Channel, CityNews, CP24 and more. Quoted in The Globe & Mail, Financial Post, The Toronto Star, Bloomberg, Reuters, Canadian Press , BBC, The Washington Post, The Guardian, The Ottawa Citizen, AdWeek, Canadian Grocer and many, many more.

Expertise in: all things retail + deep dive experience in: media relations & image improvement, category management, quality management, importing/procurement, vendor management, supply chain & process enhancement.

Speaking - I speak at conferences and corporate events regarding retail or mental health in the workplace

Satisfaction Guaranteed. Not satisfied with my work? Don't Pay.

bwinder@brucewinder.com
or call 416-705-5627 for details

About Michael

Global retail, brand and organizational visionary Oliver Brunschwiler Introduces us to Zurich based Freitag

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 10 Jun 2022 06:40:03 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

From a professional snowboarder to a CEO that eliminated his role by distributing his responsibilities into a leadership collective, get ready for a fascinating interview from Zurich with Oliver Brunschwiler, and meet retailer Freitag

Freitag is a super innovative and agile retailer that takes truck tarps and fashions them into unique handbags and accessories. Oliver takes us through his origin story, which is also the origin story of Freitag. How they approach product development, and the customer-created design is a masterclass in modern retail. The organizational structure, a holocracy, is a lesson in running a next-generation global retailer.

Oliver then takes us through his perspective on global expansion, retail in the somewhat post-covid, European war, the inflationary period we're in, and how the DNA of agility built in their management model will create outsized success for Freitag

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Oliver

A former professional snowboarder and multiple entrepreneur, inclusive leader, coach, strategist, designer, innovator and constant learner. Oliver currently energizes various holacratic (https://www.holacracy.org/) roles. His mission is enabling the brand’s strategic vision, unlocking sustainable growth, fostering organizational progress and designing it's circular business model transformation with a team of dedicated impact-seekers.

About Michael

Meet Peter Vigilante, Ento Country Manager Sharing Exclusive Research & Solutions for HR Retail Leaders

michael@meleblanc.co (Peter Vigilante) — Fri, 3 Jun 2022 07:37:08 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Founded in Australia in 2009, Ento is a powerful workforce management solution that allows shift-based workforces to manage rostering, time & attendance, leave, and onboarding from one centralized platform.

In this episode, I meet Peter Vigilante, Ento's Canadian Country Manager, and in a wide-ranging interview, talk about how this young company has come to this market to help retailers solve issues around their hourly workforce, mainly on the front lines.

Peter takes us through recent market research by Ento, telling us what keeps retail HR leaders awake at night, including the speed of offer execution in today's fast-paced and highly competitive labour market.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Peter

Technology and business savvy with an entrepreneurial spirit. A self-starter, self-sufficient and also work well in a team environment. Highly motivated and ambitions with a passion for technology and customer satisfaction.

About Michael

STORE22 Retail Conference Bonus Episode: Meet Jacquelyn Kankam, Senior Director of Sustainability & Social Impact, Deciem.

michael@meleblanc.co (Jacquellyn Kamkam, Jackie KanKam) — Mon, 30 May 2022 18:33:56 +0000

Welcome to a special RCC STORE 22 bonus episode of The Voice of Retail podcast! In these STORE bonus episodes, we'll be meeting the keynote speakers that will be joining us to share their insights and wisdom with the Canadian retail industry. We talk about their background, business, and a preview of the knowledge they will be sharing at Canada's most significant in-person retail event of the year.

My guest on this episode is Jacquelyn Kankam, Senior Director of Sustainability & Social Impact for Toronto-based global beauty brand and retailer Deciem.

Jacquelyn started her career in Sustainability, Social Impact, and DE&I over 14 years ago. From the natural resources industry to beauty, she is helping Deciem be the change agent and joins us on day one on the Driving the Sustainability Opportunity panel.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Jackie

Jacquelyn started her career in Sustainability, Social Impact, and DE&I over 14 years ago, after gaining a degree from the University of Toronto in Environmental Resource Management, a degree Jacquelyn chose to explore after studying the environmental aspect of International Relations.

Inspired by her surroundings – living by the old Imperial Oil office building in Toronto – Jacquelyn was driven to make an impact in an industry that arguably needed it most, and began managing large-scale oil projects. This path could have been deemed ‘untraditional’ for someone in Environmental Studies where many would opt for non-profit, for Kankam the company was right, the impact would be greater. Starting out as a project coordinator, working alongside teams detailing the optimum environmental impact of various oil sands projects, named Environmental Impact assessments, she set out to make the meaningful change the industry so desperately needed.

Driven for not only a curiosity of the environment but a yearning to do better for a lasting planet, Kankam set her sights on real estate, addressing ecological and social issues, whilst building future-proofing strategies in commercial and residential builds.

As Jacquelyn continued to set out on a mission to do better within many industries she changed focus to aviation joining Air Canada, to manage environmental sustainability. Here Jacquelyn looked into ways to engage customers and industry on aviation’s sustainable journey while focusing on many topics including plastic and reporting.

Growing a team of emerging professionals and mentoring the younger generation on preserving our future, Jackie saw a huge opportunity to create a powerful and good impact within an industry ready to overhaul preconceptions of its sustainability practices.

That brings us to today, where Jackie holds the position of Director, Sustainability and Social Impact at DECIEM. Jackie leads the overarching company initiatives towards doing good to our people, planet, and animals. Kankam’s role develops, communicates, and executes the sustainability strategy across internal departments and external stakeholders, collaborating on all facets of the business and needs. She is passionate about diversity and inclusion, mental health and mentors young emerging professionals. In addition, Jacquelyn co-chairs the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy alongside the VP of People. Together they set out to be an impactful voice and counsel, on behalf of the whole DECIEM family. Pushing to create a workplace environment idolised and considered by other companies around the world to do even better. Their work has been recognised by industry leaders, winning The Best Ethical Initiative for the Community and Family Funds, as well as the voting and protesting days available to the DECIEM family in the Marie Claire Sustainability Awards 2021.

About Michael

Canadian Tire's Greg Shelly, VP Enterprise Digital Marketing & Michael Klein, Global Director, Industry Strategy & Marketing, Adobe Systems with a Masterclass on Modern Digital Marketing and the Consumer

michael@meleblanc.co (Greg Shelly, Michael Klein) — Mon, 30 May 2022 06:37:07 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

On this special expanded format episode of the podcast, I'm joined by two internationally recognized thought leaders in the digital marketing space to share their insights in a back-to-back set of interviews.

First, Greg Shelly, Vice President, Enterprise Digital Marketing at Canadian Tire Corporation, takes us inside the inner workings of one of the largest digital marketing teams in retail, with a masterclass in structuring teams for the modern era, attribution, digital performance across platforms and next level accountability.

Next, Michael Klein, Global Director, Industry Strategy & Marketing - Retail, Travel & Consumer Goods at Adobe Systems, takes us through a 10,000-foot level view of the state of digital marketing. He walks us through systems and processes and delivers insights from the depth of reach that Adobe brings to consumers changing shopping patterns.

It's a powerhouse episode, a little longer than usual but more than well worth the listen. And a note for the listeners and subscribers, as the summer is finally here, this is the final Monday episode of The Voice of Retail podcast for the summer - same great content, now moving to weekly with Friday episodes for the balance of the summer.

Let's listen now, starting with Greg from Canadian Tire and Michael from Adobe Systems.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Greg

Greg Shelly is the VP of Enterprise Digital Marketing at Canadian Tire Corporation. As VP, Enterprise Digital, Shelly is responsible for all of the digital marketing efforts across the entire corporation. His portfolio not only encompasses the Canadian Tire brand, but he is also responsible for the digital efforts across various banners (such as Marks’ and SportChek).

In his day to day, Shelly ensures that all of Canadian Tire Corporation’s digital marketing efforts are delivering sales growth, brand value and overall company success. Canadian Tire is consistently pushing the needle when it comes to our digital efforts and Shelly spearheads these innovations.

Prior to joining the CTC team, Shelly came from an extensive background of business insights and analytics, with a strong focus in digital as well as e-commerce. Shelly’s past experience involves providing marketing and analytics solutions for brands such as Dell and McDonald’s.

About Michael

Global Retail and Consumer Goods business leader with over 30 years of merchandising and marketing experience with a focus on digital marketing for the past 20 years. I have worked with a wide range of consumer brands over my career, driving positive results for shareholders, team members and customers. Creative with a keen eye for details. An effective leader who manages his direct reports with an emphasis on mentoring, not micromanaging. Excellent negotiation, communication, technology and analytical skills.

Adobe Site Catalyst
Adobe Test & Target
adobe Merchandising
Adobe Search & Promote
Merchandising analysis and assortment development.
Direct marketing campaign management.
Vendor Negotiations and Management
eCommerce
Inventory Planning & OTB Management
Project Management
Training & Education
Team Leadership

About Michael

Meet Paul Wood, CEO Giant Tiger and Retail Council of Canada's Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year

michael@meleblanc.co (Paul Wood) — Fri, 27 May 2022 07:33:16 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

The RCC Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year recognizes a retail leader who has led their company to outstanding business success and innovation and consistently demonstrated community commitment and support.

The recipient is seen as a role model because of their exceptional leadership within the corporation, Canada's retail industry, and the community through personal and corporate philanthropic activities.

In this episode, I'm thrilled to welcome back to the podcast Paul Wood, President and CEO, Giant Tiger, the 2022 Distinguished Canadian Retailer of the Year Winner.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Paul

Mr. Wood joined Giant Tiger in 2003 from Collins Barrow Ottawa LLP. He moved into increasingly senior roles on the accounting team and most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, overseeing finance, real estate, warehousing and distribution, supply chain and merchandise planning. His extensive knowledge of the business, customer-centric approach, and passion for the company’s core values make him the ideal person to lead Giant Tiger.

A Chartered Accountant, Mr. Wood holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Carleton University.

About Michael

STORE22 Retail Conference Bonus Episode: Meet Ira Kalish, Chief Global Economist, Deloitte

michael@meleblanc.co (Ira Kalish) — Wed, 25 May 2022 00:44:19 +0000

My guest on this episode, making his return to the main stage at STORE, is Ira Kalish, Chief Global Economist for Deloitte.

We talk about the state of the global economy, the benefits decades of experience lend to insight to the post-covid (ish) retail era, prospects for the year ahead, and the benefits of being back on an airplane meeting retailers on the ground IRL. Let's listen in now.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Ira

About Michael

Meet Shashi Behl, Joydrop CEO and Retail Council of Canada's Independent Retail Ambassador of the Year

michael@meleblanc.co (Shashi Behl) — Mon, 23 May 2022 07:42:38 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Canadian retailer Joydrop was just named 2022 Independent Retail Ambassador of the Year by Retail Council of Canada. Shashi Behl, Joydrop's CEO and founder, is my special guest for this episode.

As an entrepreneur with a passion for jewelry, sharing creator stories and advocating for women in business, Shashi has a history of partnering with other women leaders in business.

When Shashi opened Joydrop, a retailer that sells unique jewelry and accessories, Shashi infused her new business with the ethos that it be a platform for female designers – local, national, and international – to showcase their designs and tell their stories.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Shashi

The Joydrop journey begins with one woman’s quest to share other women’s stories. Shashi Behl has always adored jewelry, but was also fascinated by the creators behind the scenes. She is inspired by the passion that goes into every piece - pieces which are part of a much bigger, beautiful puzzle.

For Shashi, life and business are about simple pleasures. Good margaritas. Really good friends. An epic mountain hike when the clouds are just right. Lime popsicles. Her husbands’ belly laugh. Her son's deadpan humour. And a gift that makes a friend gush. It’s that easy. They are simple things that mean everything.

A passionate entrepreneur and strong advocate for women in business, Shashi has founded and partnered with various women lead businesses before opening the doors of Joydrop.

When she’s not sourcing the world for the best products and stories, Shashi enjoys travelling with her family, road biking, practicing yoga, reading and hearing about other peoples’ stories.

About Michael

Unprecedented: Part 2 with Michael Medline, CEO, Sobeys

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael Medline) — Fri, 20 May 2022 04:26:18 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Unprecedented is a remarkable collection of exclusive, first-person stories on leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic from 29 chief executives at iconic Canadian companies.

In this second and final part of a two-part series, I speak with the one and only Michael Medline, CEO of Sobeys, one of the retail leaders contributing to this necessary book for our times and the times ahead.

I take Michael back to the very early days of the COVID era, and then we progress forward through key management lessons learned for the future, and his perspectives around the future for modern business and what he calls “…a kinder and distinctly Canadian capitalism…”

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Michael Medline

Michael Medline was appointed President & Chief Executive Officer of Empire Company Limited and Sobeys Inc. in January 2017. Mr. Medline is a proven leader with a strong track record of success in Canadian retail. Mr. Medline has held senior retail leadership positions at Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC), including President & Chief Executive Officer of CTC. He began his career working with the Ontario Securities Commission, followed by two years practicing law with McCarthy Tétrault. He was Corporate Counsel for PepsiCo Canada before moving to Abitibi Consolidated Inc. where he held a variety of roles including Senior Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development. Mr. Medline serves as a member of the Board of SickKids Foundation, The BlackNorth Initiative, Huron University College at Western University, The Grocery Foundation and The Sobey Foundation. He is past Chair of the Retail Council of Canada and was on the Board of Governors for Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. Mr. Medline holds an MBA from Raymond A. Mason School of Business, William & Mary; an LL.B. from the University of Toronto; and a BA from Huron University College at Western University.

About Michael

STORE22 Retail Conference Bonus Episode: Meet Paco Underhill, Author & Founder and Former CEO Envirosell

michael@meleblanc.co (paco underhill) — Wed, 18 May 2022 20:29:23 +0000

In this episode, the one and only Paco Underhill, breakthrough author of the classic Why We Shop, still essential reading for retailers today, and his latest book, How We Eat: The Brave New World Of Food And Drink.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Paco

Paco founded Envirosell Inc. in 1986 as a testing agency for prototype stores. A consulting firm that does research, Envirosell has worked in 50 countries and with more than one-third of the Fortune 100 list. While prototype testing of stores, restaurants and bank branches is still 30% of its business, Envirosell’s largest clients in 2019 were technology companies trying to understand consumer behavior in store, in home, on the job, and on-line. Other clients included global Mall Developers, CPGs, healthcare groups, airports, professional sports clubs, theme parks, home builders, office designers, and on-line agencies. Paco has stepped back as CEO of Envirosell in August of 2020 and gave the company to his young employees. Paco is now the strategic advisor to Envirosell Global LLC.

Paco is the author of popular books including Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping out in 28 languages and used in MBA programs, design schools and retailing training programs across the world. His books and articles are used in English as a Second Language (ESL) textbooks published by both Oxford University Press and National Geographic. His newest book How We Eat: The Brave New World of Food and Drink will be published by Simon & Schuster in January of 2022.

As a speaker and presenter he has worked in 50 countries talking to merchants, marketers, bankers, technologists, hospital groups, government agencies, cultural institutions, non-profits, trade institutions, and most importantly students. As the son of a diplomat who grew up around the world – he has a global perspective and believes in Edutainment – laughter and education are intertwined.

About Michael

Unprecedented: Part 1 With Author, Globe & Mail Reporter Andrew Willis

michael@meleblanc.co (Andrew Willis) — Mon, 16 May 2022 06:21:08 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Unprecedented is a remarkable collection of exclusive, first-person stories on leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic from 29 chief executives at iconic Canadian companies.

In this first part of a two-part series, I speak with Andrew Willis, business reporter with the Globe and Mail and co-author and editor of this unique and necessary book. We talk about the story behind the book and the tradecraft of editing that creates this cohesive read.

Lastly, I ask Andrew whether his reporting might change based on the experiences shared by these CEOs and the process of pulling the book together.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Andrew

Andrew Willis is a business columnist for the Report on Business at The Globe and Mail, based in Toronto.

He has been in business communications and journalism for three decades. From 2010 to 2016, he was senior vice president of communications for Brookfield Asset Management, a leading global alternative asset management company.

Andrew's career in journalism included stints at a number of publications, including writing the Streetwise column at the Globe and Mail from 1995 to 2010. He also worked at The Financial Post, The Financial Times of Canada, Dow Jones/Wall Street Journal, and Maclean’s magazine.

Andrew co-wrote a book, The Bre-X Fraud, with Report on Business colleague Douglas Goold.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from University of King's College, Halifax.

About Michael

Taking Chicken to the Next Level: Richard Scofield, President, St. Hubert Chicken: Best of The Food Professor Podcast

michael@meleblanc.co (Sylvain Charlebois, Richard Scofield) — Fri, 13 May 2022 06:52:13 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this special episode, I am thrilled to be sharing an excerpt from my The Food Professor podcast with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.

Our very special guest for this episode is Richard Scofield, Président et Chef de la direction at Groupe St-Hubert. We start by asking Richard to assess the health of the brand today versus his ambition for the business -is he at where he wants to be as a team and leadership and in the minds of consumers.

Next, Lots of chicken is found in restaurants, but St-Hubert stands above the rest. If we think of serving a good chicken as table stakes from a strategy point of view in a chicken restaurant, what differentiators does the business have /does he pursue that contribute to their success. Then we talk risks to the company, franchisee governance, and products coming to a grocery shelf near you!

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Richard

In October 2015, Richard Scofield was appointed President of Les Rôtisseries St-Hubert and in charge of the entire restaurant division for St-Hubert Group. Since joining the company, Mr. Scofield has had a fantastic career progression. Knowing how to rally teams around a common vision, Mr. Scofield developed strong collaborative leadership over the years and implemented various strategies that helped the network to achieve enviable results on the market.

Richard Scofield joined Les Rôtisseries St-Hubert in April 2004 as General Manager. For more than five years, his mandate was, among other things, to ensure the solid and healthy evolution of the Express concept. Since 2004, Mr. Scofield has succeeded in various leadership roles at the Head Office, from Supervisor for all corporate rotisseries to Assistant Director for Express locations. Within this role, Richard was responsible for ensuring the sound operations of all franchises and corporate Express locations, development and new openings of this concept.

In January 2010, Mr. Scofield became a Director of Operations and was responsible for all franchised and corporate rotisseries, new openings and recruiting franchisees. In November 2011, he was promoted to become the new Vice-President of Operations.

The one who came from a family of restaurant owners and was himself owner of Pizzédelic restaurants in the early 2000s was also mandated by RECIPE in December 2017 to manage the Harvey’s banner in Quebec. He joined St-Hubert Foundation Board of Directors as an Administrator since its creation and involve himself in several causes, especially the ITHQ.

About Sylvain Charlebois

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor in food distribution and policy in the Faculties of Management and Agriculture at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University. Before joining Dalhousie, he was affiliated with the University of Guelph’s Arrell Food Institute, which he co-founded. Known as “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. Google Scholar ranks him as one of the world's most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability.

He has authored five books on global food systems, his most recent one published in 2017 by Wiley-Blackwell entitled “Food Safety, Risk Intelligence and Benchmarking”. He has also published over 500 peer-reviewed journal articles in several academic publications. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, including The Lancet, The Economist, the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, BBC, NBC, ABC, Fox News, Foreign Affairs, the Globe & Mail, the National Post and the Toronto Star.

Dr. Charlebois sits on a few company boards, and supports many organizations as a special advisor, including some publicly traded companies. Charlebois is also a member of the Scientific Council of the Business Scientific Institute, based in Luxemburg. Dr. Charlebois is a member of the Global Food Traceability Centre’s Advisory Board based in Washington DC, and a member of the National Scientific Committee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Ottawa.

About Michael

Taking Employee Engagement to the Next Level with Jenny Posthumus, Director, Fire & Flower Cannabis

michael@meleblanc.co (Jenny Posthumus) — Mon, 9 May 2022 06:51:02 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

There is no question that employee engagement, education, encouragement, and team building within the retail industry are more critical now than ever before.

In this episode, we meet Jenny Posthumus, Director, Employee Experience Fire and Flower. Jenny tells us about leveraging her five years in the cannabis space into 25 years of practical communication and employee engagement. We discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of finding, keeping and growing your front-line retail workforce into a decisive sustainable competitive advantage with crucial tools that make a real difference.

Thanks to Nudge for supporting this episode!

About Jenny

Mrs. Posthumus is a management professional and leader who has found her home in the cannabis industry. She is passionate about communications, employee engagement and continuous learning. She works hard to create opportunities to foster an environment in which employees can thrive. She believes that all organizations can exceed expectations when their employees are given the correct tools and knowledge to succeed. She is dedicated to developing those around her to their full potential.

Prior to joining Fire and Flower as the Director of Employee Experience and Internal Communications, Jenny Posthumus developed her communication, employee development and project management skills as the Director of Corporate Communications for Supreme Cannabis and the 7ACRES brand.

Outside of Fire and Flower she is continuously involved in local non-for-profit committees, local events and fundraising initiatives that give back to the community in which she lives.

Mrs. Posthumus holds certification in Project Management and holds her Ontario Real Estate Sales License.

About Michael

Carl Goyette President & CEO at GURU Organic Energy: Best of The Food Professor podcast

michael@meleblanc.co (Carl Goyette, Sylvain Charlebois) — Fri, 6 May 2022 06:33:50 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

On this special episode I am thrilled to be sharing an excerpt from my The Food Professor podcast with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. Our very special guest is Carl Goyette President & CEO at GURU Organic Energy.

Based in Quebec, GURU is succeeding in the highly competitive energy drink category, with a significant share of space in the convenience store, health store and grocery store categories.

Carl shares his back story, from enjoying the brand as a consumer to rising to the CEO, and shares lessons in innovation, differentiation, and competition in a global category that continues to grow.

About Carl

Creative, optimistic and confident leader with +20 years of international experience and documented success in leveraging outstanding people leadership skills to build high performing teams. Proven track record at creating and executing transformational change strategies. Demonstrated success in strategic planning, marketing and sales to to generate profitable growth.

Key areas of expertise include:
• People Engagement • Effective Agency Partnerships • Strategic Brand Marketing
• Change Management • Sales Force Management • B2B & B2C Marketing

ABOUT GURU
GURU is a vibrant and fast-growing beverage company that pioneered the world's first all-natural energy drink back in 1999. The company markets GURU Energy Drink mainly across Canada and the US

Through its corporate philosophy and its beverages, GURU gives good energy for people to make great things, reminding that, with the right dose of will, inspiration and energy, achieving great results is within everyone's reach. The company has its head office in Montreal, Canada and sales offices in the U.S

About Us

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Michael

The 2022 Gustavson Brand Trust Index and What It Reveals About the Post-COVID era with Saul Klein, Dean, University of Victoria Business School

michael@meleblanc.co (Saul Klein) — Mon, 2 May 2022 10:36:29 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

The COVID era has brought with it many changes in consumer behaviour - and plenty of questions amongst retailers as to what patterns will stick.

We are all also trying to understand how consumers view brands in the modern, post-COVID (ish) era and how broader political, social trends and economics impact brand respect, regard and recognition.

My guest on this episode to help answer some of these questions is Dr. Saul Klein, Dean of the University of Victoria Gustavson business school.

Saul takes us through the eighth annual 2022 Gustavson Brand Trust Index in a fascinating interview that merges research and decades of thoughtful analysis.

The index reveals that Canadian consumers are more distrusting of dominant technology brands than ever before, and reveals the top performers in the Canadian retail landscape and what powerful attributes drive categories of retail and retail brands to the top of the list.

You can review the results of the index here.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Saul

Dr. Saul Klein has had a broad-ranging career spanning developing, developed and transition countries. He specializes in the areas of marketing strategy, global business and international marketing. His research focuses on the global competitiveness of emerging market firms and he has provided consulting assistance to over 50 different organizations in these areas in Canada, the USA, Singapore and South Africa. He has also led strategic planning workshops for a variety of organization in different sectors. Klein serves on the boards of the National Consortium for Indigenous Economic Development (Canada), the Mediterranean Entrepreneurship Development and Innovation (Tunisia) and on the International Advisory Committees of UIBE and Beijing Jiaotong Universities (China).

About Michael

Celebrating Episode #300 with Serial Retail Innovator Ethan Song on Life After Frank & Oak and the New World of Retail NFTs

michael@meleblanc.co (Ethan Song) — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 05:34:37 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

I’m celebrating my 300th episode of the podcast with an interview with a celebrated retail innovator in Canada, co-founder of the innovative, award-winning Frank & Oak, Ethan Song.

Ethan joins me with Frank & Oak in the rearview mirror to talk about thoughts on post-COVID retail and his latest venture, RareCircles’. His mission with RareCircles is to empower a new generation of entrepreneurs and brands to build deeper relationships with their communities through NFTs and blockchain technology. But what does all that even mean? Why should retailers even pay attention to NFTs and Web 3.0? Ethan gives us the 101 and then the advanced lesson on what comes next.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Ethan

I am a builder of technology and companies. I’m passionate about understanding human behaviour and creating digital solutions and products that have the potential to make things 100x greater. I’m deeply interested by the large-scale transformation that is reshaping industries today. I believe in the power of technology and business as a force for good.

My previous company, Frank And Oak, is a leading apparel brand focused on sustainability and climate change. I’m extremely proud of our commitment towards not only reducing our carbon footprint but towards promoting conservation. As Frank And Oak’s CEO, I also led the efforts to create a highly personalized digital shopping experience that is powered by artificial intelligence. Frank And Oak has been named the most innovative company In retail by Fast Company as well as the fastest growing company by Deloitte Fast50. I'm grateful for the amazing team we built and the top tier investors that believed in us.

Prior to this, I was involved in building strategic plans and technology strategies for companies like Rio Tinto, Van Houtte, Domtar, the Ottawa Hospital and the SAQ. Born in China, I’ve lived and worked in most continents and have built a true appreciation for the richness of our world.

My interests reside in Web3, Commerce Enablement, Consumer and Financial services.

I am currently working on a new company and investing in early stage start-ups.

About Michael

Claire's CMO On Elevating the Brand Careers and Creating Community: Best of Conversations with CommerceNext podcast

michael@meleblanc.co (Kristin Patrick, Veronika Sonsev) — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 06:06:30 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

I am delighted to share an entire episode from the second season of my Conversations with CommerceNext podcast. From Disney to Playboy, the Gap, Pepsico and now back into retail with Claire's Stores Inc., Kristin Patrick is one of the most experienced and passionate youth-oriented retail CMOs working today.

In a wide-ranging interview with myself and CommerceNext co-founder Veronika Sonsev, Kristin takes us through her fascinating and varied career in retail marketing and the valuable mentorship and learnings she has picked up on the way.

Next, we talk about how she is leveraging her experience to explore, then expand the possibilities and scope of a beloved youth fashion brand into corners of the market and corners of the world that take retail in all channels to a whole new level.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Kristin

Accomplished, industry awarded executive and Board Member with digital transformation expertise leading people, processes and systems to positively impact top and bottom-line performance across diverse organizations. Expertise in creating business and marketing plans that drive acquisition, brand awareness, customer loyalty and accelerated ROI.

Passion for building 21st century brands and businesses that envelop the consumer across content, product and experiences. Distinctive perspective building companies and brands that capture the imagination of the zeitgeist. Experience leading teams of innovative thinkers and doers ranges across lifestyle and image-oriented businesses in omni-channel retail, fashion, entertainment, beauty and consumer packaged goods from start-ups to multi-billion dollar global businesses. Skilled leader in digital strategy, global marketing, product development and developing business and growth plans.

About Veronika

Veronika Sonsev is the Co-Founder of CommerceNext. She also leads the retail practice for Chameleon Collective and is a contributor for Forbes on how to grow retail and ecommerce in the age of Amazon. Having spent the last 10+ years working with some of the largest retailers and direct-to-consumer brands, Veronika has intimate knowledge of the challenges facing retail and ecommerce today. She is also an advocate for women in business and founded the global non-profit mBolden, which is now part of SheRunsit.

About Michael

Top Global Retail Strategist and Educator Carl Boutet Live In Montreal on the State of Retail Innovation and the Great Acceleration

michael@meleblanc.co (Carl Boutet, Sylvain Charleois) — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 08:57:23 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Live at the SIAL Food Innovation show in Montreal in The Food Professor podcast studio, and I welcome back retail educator and global retail strategist Carl Boutet. Together we catch up in person with pants on in a wide-ranging conversation around retail education, the great acceleration two years on, the future of globalization, the role of innovation, and discover whether Carl is a metaverse skeptic or optimist.

We also have a special pop-in guest joining us to talk retail innovation in grocery, my partner from The Food Professor #podcast, and a long-time friend and colleague of Carl, Sylvain Charlebois.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Carl

Measure => Analyse => Predict => Prescribe

How?

+ Understand Your Purpose & Pertinence
+ Build it's Resilience
+ Make it Sustainable

Global/Executive/Strategic Advisory Service.

2021 & 2022 Top Expert Global Rethink Retail most influential retail thinkers (2018 & 2019 Vend 100 Retail Influencer).

Author of The Great Acceleration: The Race to Retail Resilience.
https://studiorx.ca/the-great-acceleration/
📓

carl.boutet@studiorx.ca

About Michael

Prep, Push, Pivot: Essential Career Strategies with author and career coach Octavia Goredema

michael@meleblanc.co (Octavia Goredema) — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 05:42:04 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

With her new book "PREP, PUSH, PIVOT": Essential Career Strategies for Underrepresented Women" and her LA-based consulting company Twenty Ten Agency, Octavia Goredema" is denting the universe with practical and far-reaching strategies focussed on careers and the workplace.

As a highly sought after career coach and advisor to companies helping them retain the diverse workplace they are all working so hard to build, Octavia tells us why she wrote her book and who she had in mind, and shares key insights and lessons for both individuals looking to be more successful in the workplace, and organizations that need them to thrive.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Octavia

Octavia Goredema is a career coach and the founder of Twenty Ten Agency, where she has coached leaders at renowned companies including Google, American Airlines, Tinder, General Motors, Nike, and Dow Jones. She is committed to helping underrepresented professionals advance their careers whether they are looking for a new job, dealing with job loss, pivoting to a new career, or returning to work after an extended absence.

She shares her insights in her new book, PREP, PUSH, PIVOT: Essential Career Strategies for Underrepresented Women. An acclaimed career expert, Goredema’s insights have been featured in leading media outlets including NBC News, Yahoo, Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, Grazia, and Black Enterprise, among others. Octavia co-hosted HBR Now, Harvard Business Review’s weekly show about leadership.

Goredema is a frequent speaker on the topic of career advancement at conferences, corporations, and academic institutions. She has led speaking engagements for UN Women’s National Student Committee, the Royal Society of Arts, University of California, Los Angeles, Clark Atlanta University, the University of Oxford, and the British government’s Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. 2 She is an Ambassador of the Pankhurst Centre, the birthplace of the suffragette movement in Manchester, England. In 2018, Goredema was featured in Women Who Dared, a major exhibition at the University of Oxford celebrating women who have made an impactful contribution to education, business, science, politics, and the arts.

A dual U.S. and U.K. citizen, Goredema was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the Queen (MBE) in recognition of her work. Octavia is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, where she leads the Gender Equity Network in the United States. Originally from England, Octavia lives in Los Angeles, California

About Michael

Stepping Out in Style with Crocs President Michelle Poole: Best of the Remarkable Retail podcast

michael@meleblanc.co (Michelle Poole) — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 06:28:33 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

On this special episode I am thrilled to be sharing an excerpt from my Remarkable Retail podcast with best-selling author Steve Dennis. Our guest is Michelle Poole, President of Crocs. As Crocs celebrates its 20th anniversary we dig into the remarkable growth story behind the increasingly iconic footwear company.

We address head-on the polarizing (or is it fundamentally under-estimated?) nature of the brand and how Michelle has turned that to advantage. We also learn about the personalizing power of jibbitz and how product extensions and geographic expansion are fueling their growth.

We also delve deep into the diverse, increasingly digitally-driven, go-to-market strategy that is putting the company on a path to hit $5 billion in sales by 2026. Lastly we get Michelle's perspective on how to balance purpose and profits.

About Michelle

Michelle Poole became President, Crocs, Inc. in September 2020 and has oversight of the Americas, Asia and EMEA regional commercial teams, as well as Product Design and Management, Merchandising, and Marketing teams. Prior to this, she served as our Executive Vice President, Chief Product and Merchandising Officer since April 2020 and as our Senior Vice President and Chief Product and Merchandising Officer since 2014.

In addition to her product and merchandising responsibilities, Ms. Poole assumed responsibility for our Marketing function in 2017. Ms. Poole has more than 28 years of experience and proven success in the development of leading global fashion and lifestyle brands including Sperry Top-Sider, Timberland, Kangol, Converse, MTV Europe and Pepe Jeans where she held a range of marketing, merchandising & product management roles. Since 2018, Ms. Poole has served on the board of Pact, a privately held apparel brand, based in Boulder, CO. She received her Bachelor’s honors degree in fashion marketing from the University of Northumbria, UK.

About Us

Steve Dennis is an advisor, keynote speaker and author on strategic growth and business innovation. You can learn more about Steve on his website. The expanded and revised edition of his bestselling book Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption is now available at Amazon or just about anywhere else books are sold. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior contributor and on Twitter and LinkedIn. You can also check out his speaker "sizzle" reel here.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks , The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and now in its second season, Conversations with CommerceNext! You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

Winning Online with Veteran Retailer & Head of eCommerce for Vega, Andrew Cherwenka

michael@meleblanc.co (Andrew Cherwenka) — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 09:00:10 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

For my last in-person episode recorded live in my Las Vegas pop-up podcast studio at Shoptalk #2022 pop-up recording studio, I'm thrilled to welcome back to the podcast long time friend and colleague, veteran retail technologist, Andrew Cherwenka

As a skilled poker player, Andrew is right at home, walking the aisles at Shoptalk, and right at home in Vegas. But in his role as head of eCommerce for Vega, a Vancouver-based, Miami VC-owned plant-based products nutrition company, he's not gambling with his international tech stack - he has built it from the ground up and tells us all about it.

We also dive into Andrew's observations and learnings from the show, including live-streaming and learnings from live streams on the major platforms, DTC success factors, unique product placement concepts, and how to win with Amazon.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Andrew

I lead the eCommerce team at Vega, the pioneer in plant-based nutrition. I'm a husband, a dad of 2 young boys, and an endurance athlete.

About Michael

Modern store design thinking & the reality of the metaverse: an exclusive interview with Melissa Gonzalez, CEO, The Lionesque Group and Principal MG2

michael@meleblanc.co (Melissa Gonzalez) — Fri, 8 Apr 2022 05:02:25 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Recorded live high about the Las Vegas sand in my Shoptalk #2022 pop-up recording studio; on this episode, I enjoy sitting down in person with fellow ReThink Retail top influencer and sought-after thought leader in the retail design and architecture space, Melissa Gonzalez.

With a deep background rich in experience and varied across industries, Melissa has been helping retailers think through everything from pop-up retail to modern store design and integration of curb side and BOPIS for well over a decade.

In a wide-ranging interview, we talk about the modern retail store's future, the metaverse's actual reality, and lessons learned from the conference stage at the Shoptalk event that brought us together.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

Learn more and sign up for the GELF LA event here:

https://www.globalecommerceleadersforum.com/la2022/

About Melissa

Melissa Gonzalez is the founder of The Lionesque Group, an award winning firm of experiential retail strategists, designer and project managers, as well as a Principal and Shareholder in global architecture firm MG2 and author of The Pop-Up Paradigm: Building Human Connections in a Digital Age. Some of her clients to date include Amazon, Burrow, Brandless, Carbon38, Dormify, Marc Jacobs, M.Gemi, Nordstrom, and The RealReal.

Melissa is a regular go-to expert in retail and experiential design, and is often featured in Forbes, Fortune, WSJ, Business Insider, Glossy, Digiday, Retail Touchpoints, WWD and on Cheddar and CBS News. She is the host of the Retail Refined podcast and a regular contributor to AW360. The work behind Melissa and her team has received notable award recognition from CLIO, Glossy, and New York Design Awards. She has also been recognized as one of LinkedIn’s top 10 must-know writers and creators, Design: Retail’s Top 10 Retail Design Influencers of the Year, Design: Retail's 40 under 40, and Innovator of the Year by Retail Touchpoints.

Some of her representative media:

How retailers are rethinking store experiences:
https://nrf.com/blog/how-retailers-are-rethinking-store-experiences

Trendsetting online retailers putting the buzz back into brick and mortar
http://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/20/trendsetting-online-retailers-putting-the-buzz-back-into-pop-up-shops.html

An Inside Look at the Pop-Up Retail Phenomenon:
http://www.bloomberg.com/video/an-inside-look-at-the-pop-up-retail-phenomenon-1nZwFqJ0Ra~ZU3vgwGlkNg.html

Meet the Innovators- How Pop-Ups Change the Retail Landscape:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-innovators-how-pop-ups/id868990410?mt=2

About Michael

The Echo-Boom of Global eCommerce: Kent Allen and Jim Okamura, Co-Founders of the Global eCommerce Leaders Forum Live from Last Vegas

michael@meleblanc.co (Kent Allen, Jim Okamura) — Mon, 4 Apr 2022 07:24:39 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Live from my podcasting studio high above the Vegas sands during Shoptalk 2022, I sit down and talk about the latest news and developments in the global eCommerce industry with two of the sharpest minds in the space.

Kent Allen and Jim Okamura, consultants, advisors, industry analysts and co-founders of the Global Ecommerce Leaders Forum, are back as my special guests in-person together for an exclusive interview in my Las Vegas podcast studio.

We catch up and talk about the latest developments in global commerce, including the moves China is making internationally, the echo-boom of worldwide eCommerce and the upcoming GELF LA event on April 21, which is open to all retailers to apply to attend.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

Learn more and sign up for the GELF LA event here:

https://www.globalecommerceleadersforum.com/la2022/

Photo by NASA on Unsplash

About Kent

About Jim

About Michael

The Art of Retail Reinvention with Linda Maslechko, Chief Reinvention Officer

michael@meleblanc.co (Linda Maslechko) — Fri, 1 Apr 2022 08:02:53 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

I first met the impressive Linda Maslechko in her dual role of owning an award-winning retail apparel brand was a disruptor in its niche and serving the Canadian retail community on RCC's Board of Directors.

Fast forward a few years, and her retail brand is no more. Still, the lessons learned from starting, growing and ultimately winding up her retail business are the cornerstone of Linda's new calling - business reinvention.

In a compelling interview, she takes us through her professional history and the process she now uses to merge experience and reinvention frameworks to help retailers and other businesses get ready for what comes next.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Linda

Linda Maslechko founded and scaled an award-winning retail apparel brand that was a disruptor in its niche. She has a sharp business acumen honed from years of experience as an entrepreneur, from driving growth to euphoric highs to developing the resiliency needed to manage the lows. She has taken that skillset to build a business coaching practice that has helped dozens of entrepreneurial businesses launch, pivot, reinvent and thrive.

In the past year, Linda studied under Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva to become a Certified Reinvention Practitioner (one of only 200 in the world) and is a Chief Reinvention Officer for Reinvention Canada. Running a successful business amidst constant change can be overwhelming. Using the Reinvention Method, Linda helps companies learn new tools to create clarity amid uncertainty, turn disruption into an opportunity, and develop a reinvention mindset that will become their competitive advantage. These are the skills EVERY business needs to know.

Linda is also a passionate retail consultant, combining strategy with a “thing” for inventory and cash flow management to power growth and realize the possibilities. She is proud to be an Affiliate of Management One, serving clients in Canada and the US.

Linda is a frequent guest speaker at Canadian universities and business forums, an active alumnus, speaker, and GROW by EO Business Accelerator Coach with the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, and has been a featured speaker on The Reinvention Show, Easy Reinvention Lab, and the Reinvention Canada Summit.

You can connect with Linda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-maslechko-crp-24288a15/ or through the Reinvention Canada website: www.reinventioncanada.ca

About Michael

The Great DTC v. Wholesale Debate with BMO's Simeon Siegel: Best of the Remarkable Retail podcast

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

On this special episode I am thrilled to be sharing an excerpt from the most popular Remarkable Retail podcast so far of our fourth season, and second only to our Scott Galloway interview episode, where my podcast partner & best selling author Steve Denis and I welcome Simeon Siegel, the retail rockstar analyst from BMO for a provocative discussion on whether going direct-to-consumer is all it's cracked up to be. In a Masterclass on retail growth strategies, we first clean up some of the often confusing nomenclature, then discuss whether wholesale really is a dirty word and how everything old is often new again.

Mostly we go beyond the clickbait headlines to dig into Simeon's report which countered the narrative that going direct automatically leads to an increase in revenues and profits. And we get his hot takes on Nike's strategy and how we should think about the right mix of wholesale and direct going forward. As an added bonus, Steve reminds us that DTC is hardly new and creates yet another term: "Analog Native Vertical Brands" or "ANVB's." Let’s listen in now as Steve kicks us off.

To get a copy of Simeon's report email him at simeon.siegel@bmo.com

Steve's recent Forbes articles related to our news segment:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevendennis/2022/03/04/amazons-surprise-store-closings-are-much-ado-about-nothing-heres-why/?sh=147f7e635acf

https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevendennis/2022/02/07/what-we-get-so-very-wrong-about-amazons-retail-profitability/?sh=5523cd2721aa

https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevendennis/2022/02/23/the-stores-strike-back-again-again/?sh=284ab5657a92

About Simeon Siegel, CFA

Simeon Siegel is a Managing Director and Senior Analyst at BMO Capital Markets specializing in Retail and E-commerce. Simeon started his career at Goldman Sachs and his since worked on the #1 ranked Retail franchise at JPMorgan and Nomura | Instinet.

Simeon has been named a Rising Star of Wall Street by Institutional Investor, a Rising Star of Equity Research by Business Insider, a Top Stock Picker by StarMine and a Top Earnings Estimator by Thomson Reuters and Refinitiv. He has worked on the Institutional Investor #1 ranked All America Research Team for Specialty Retail and the Wall Street Journal's "Best on the Street" list of top analysts. He is in constant dialogue with investors and C-Level Management across the industry, analyzing and advising on the ever-evolving retail landscape. He is a regular guest on CNBC and frequently quoted across the media including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Women's Wear Daily, The Business of Fashion, Barron's and Bloomberg, among others.

Simeon received a BA in Economics and Philosophy from Columbia University and is a CFA charterholder. He serves on the Boards of Read Ahead and the Hebrew Free Loan Society and is Vice Chair of the UJA Luxury Division.

About Us

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks , The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and now in its second season, Conversations with CommerceNext! You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

Elevating the Employee and Customer Experiences with Collaboration at Longo's

michael@meleblanc.co (Alex Green, Liz Volk, Kevin Graff) — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

On this special episode I’m picking up an interview from a livestream I hosted for the Retail Council of Canada Retail Human Resources forum. I’m joined by Liz Volk, Chief Human Resources Officer, and Alex Green, Chief Marketing Officer, from Longos, a 65 year old innovative family regional grocery store operating in southern Ontario.

Employee engagement at Longo’s is deeply rooted in the value of collaboration between the HR and marketing teams. Liz andd Alex join me for a fireside chat to share the keys to collaboration and driving transformational change. Learn how in this unique relationship these teams work together to deliver messaging, training and support for employees that then translates into increased engagement for the best customer experiences.

Let’s listen in now.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Liz

As the Chief Human Resources Officer at Longo’s, Liz Volk is a people-focused leader who believes that an organization’s results are achieved through highly engaged teams delivering on a clearly defined Guest strategy. She is dedicated to creating a robust corporate culture that promotes business growth and Guest loyalty by empowering and motivating Team Members to achieve their full potential and bring their best.

Liz, a CHRE, is seasoned HR professional with many years of experience, and during her last 15 years with Longo’s, she has been instrumental in creating a long-term people strategy aligned with the company’s strategic vision. She has also been responsible for leading many areas of the business including total rewards, talent acquisition, learning & development, internal communications, risk management, project management office and sustainability. In 2014, she embarked on a year-long assignment in Store Operations to fully understand and experience the business from both a Guest and Team Member perspective. Most recently, she has been pivotal in creating and co-chairing a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council. The council is responsible for providing a safe and inclusive environment, where diversity is valued, equity is achieved, and everyone has a sense of belonging.

Longo’s was started by Tommy, Joe and Gus Longo in 1956. Longo’s currently has 36 stores, with more on the horizon, and an e-commerce grocery delivery service called Grocery Gateway. Longo’s is under the Empire Company Limited umbrella, and remains a family-operated grocery retail business committed to creating meaningful and long-lasting relationships with Guests underpinned by the guiding principle: we will only serve to others what we can confidently serve to our families.

About Alex

I believe in remarkable people and their ideas and I’m on a mission to unleash this potential to allow individuals, teams, and organizations to thrive in an ever-changing world.

As a seasoned executive, I am at my best when leading teams and brands through transformative change that’s grounded in insight. I unlock new value through aligning company, product, service and brand design which is magnified with powerful, fully integrated go-to-market strategies and backed by empowered and motivated teams. I have particularly deep expertise as a Brand and Marketing leader that embraces the exponential value of different versus the incremental value of better. In addition to traditional and digital performance marketing skillsets, I am well-grounded in data & analytics, loyalty program design & CRM, as well as digital product, UX and e-commerce management. These strategic capabilities are paired with a strong optimism bias, resilient mindset and change management and executive coaching certifications. All in support of getting the right ideas to market to navigate disruptive environments and deliver business results.

At Longo’s, I am loving being at the forefront of a full retail transformation that touches all aspects of our Guest and Team Member experience. It’s strategic yet hands-on with a highly entrepreneurial team in a fast-paced and rapidly changing industry. We are testing, learning and improving every day.

In support of great ideas everywhere, I recently established RMRKBL, a free presentation training field guide and toolkit designed to help people better express their ideas, so they can get on with changing the world. You can check it out at rmrkbl.ca.

About Michael

Simons new CEO Bernard Leblanc on modern retail and leading an iconic Canadian retailer

michael@meleblanc.co (Bernard Leblanc) — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 07:29:46 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

For the first time in its 180 year history, La Maison Simon, better known as Simons, based in Quebec City, will be led by a non-family member as CEO. And you are about to meet him.

Simons was founded in 1840 by John Simons in Quebec City. It is Canada's oldest private family business, with 15 Simons stores, nine in Quebec, including its head office in Quebec City, three in Alberta, one in British Columbia, and two in Ontario.

My guest in this exclusive interview is Simon's new CEO, Bernard Leblanc. After launching his business career at Simons, then a stint abroad, Bernard came back to Quebec City, assuming several key roles until ultimately being offered the leadership of this iconic Canadian retailer.

In a wide-ranging interview, we talk about his career journey, plans for Simons, and how the COIVD era may have changed retail. Still, the fundamentals continue to create remarkable connections with consumers.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Bernard

With more than 25 years of experience as a multidisciplinary leader, he has worked at La Maison Simons as Merchandise Manager (1994-2000) and Vice President of Operations (2015-2020), and most recently as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (2020-2022), where he was involved in strategic planning and governance, management of several departments and stores, as well as supply chain and facilities management. In 2022, he was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. For the first time in its rich history, Canada's oldest privately held family business is not led by a member of the Simons family.

Over the course of his career, Bernard has held several key positions that have allowed him to develop strong expertise in operations management, retail network development, product development, procurement, and supply chain management.

Prior to returning to La Maison Simons in 2015, he spent 15 years with BRP, including six years in Europe, where he was Vice President and Regional General Manager responsible for Western Europe, Middle East and Africa, and three years in Asia, where he served as Director of Strategic Sourcing.

Bernard holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, with a major in International Business and a minor in Finance, obtained with great distinction from Concordia University.

About Michael

CEO Excellence: An Exclusive Interview with author and McKinsey Practice Leader Carolyn Dewar

michael@meleblanc.co (Carolyn Dewar) — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 04:59:27 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Being a CEO in the modern age is one of the most complex and challenging roles in business. Notwithstanding that, there has been no guidebook or framework that describes what excellence looks like in this all-important role.

My guest on this episode is Carolyn Dewar, senior partner at McKinsey & Company and co-author of the compelling new book "CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish The Best Leaders from the Rest."

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

Buy the BooK

https://amzn.to/3Jos2Q6

About Carolyn

Carolyn founded and coleads McKinsey’s CEO excellence work, coaching many Fortune 100 CEOs to maximize their effectiveness in the role, including business aspiration-setting and roadmap, culture shifts to unlock performance, top-team effectiveness, managing external stakeholders, board engagement, and resetting their own personal operating model. She also works extensively with clients to drive organizational effectiveness at pivotal moments—such as merger, strategic shift, and crisis—and lead large-scale performance improvement programs integrating strategic, operational, and cultural initiatives.

Examples of Carolyn’s recent client work include the following:

-new CEO onboarding across industries, counseling many CEOs as they navigate their CEO journey in terms of business priorities, organization, top team, stakeholders, and board dynamics

-working directly with the CEO and top team to manage one of the largest mergers in financial services and reinvent the operating model of a Fortune 50 firm in a new regulatory environment

She is a co-author of the upcoming book, CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest.

About Michael

The Long View on Retail Transformation with CSC CEO Justin Yoshimura:Best of Conversations with CommerceNext #podcast

michael@meleblanc.co (Justin Yoshimura, Scott Silverman) — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 05:04:26 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

I am delighted to share an entire episode from the second season of my Conversations with CommerceNext podcast featuring an interview with the founder and CEO of CSC Generation, Justin Yoshimura.

Justin and the team have mastered the art of transforming challenged retail brands on the verge of liquidation into high-performance, 'digital-first' operations.

By using their fine-tuned omnichannel technology platform, CSC Generation has a data-driven recipe for retail operations, which is undoubtedly the driving force behind its rapid expansion.

Listen in now as my co-host Scott Silverman, and I sit down with Justin, who pops open the hood and shares with us how his youth shaped his approach to business as well as the inner workings of CSC's success. Together, we talk about the business of retail acquisition, entrepreneurial grit and how to prioritize company culture when scaling up your business.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Justin

I am currently the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of CSC Generation Holdings, one of the dime a dozen "unicorn" start-ups.

*After being told that nobody would ever hire me, I quit the bureaucracy and negativity of Palos Verdes High School to start a marketplace for unlocked cell phones, which was acquired by a family office when I was 19 years old. More recently, I founded 500friends, the leading loyalty and retention marketing platform for retailers, which merged with Merkle in 2014, and was eventually acquired by Dentsu Aegis in 2016.

I also invest between $50k and $1M in interesting companies run by interesting people, eg:
*Consumer Internet Companies (excluding social networking): Hipmunk (seed, acquired by Concur), Dropoff (seed), Next Force Technology (seed), Dave (seed), Macro Ventures (seed), Imperfect Produce (seed), Flowclub (seed), Network Eyecare (seed)
*SaaS/b2b Companies: Firebase (seed - acquired by GOOG), Zencoder (seed - acquired by BCOV), BounceX (seed, co-lead Series A), Mux (seed), BigFinite (seed).
*Funds: Bling Capital, Ovo Fund, Luma Capital Partners, Dundee Venture Capital, Crown Capital Management.

Besides business and things I shouldn't be discussing on LinkedIn, I love animals, especially dogs, (many) cats (but especially Persian and Himalayan breeds), dolphins, whales, capybaras, platypus, manatees and turtles. Despite this, I am not a vegetarian, primarily because I lack self discipline. However, I do want to clarify that I do not eat any of the animals listed above, and would judge you for doing so, especially considering the prevalent belief that eating wild animals purchased at "Wet Markets" is what caused COVID (https://wildaid.org/protectwildlife/)

I've also been included in vanity lists such as the Forbes 30 under 30, Inc 500, AlwaysOn top 100, DM News 40 under 40, etc, but thankfully, I stopped advertising this in my LinkedIn headline when I was 19 after realizing I was being a DB. For a formal bio, please go here -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Yoshimura

ABOUT US:

Scott Silverman

An ecommerce veteran, Scott Silverman has been active in the industry since 1999 and is passionate about digital retail and the innovation driving the industry. Scott Silverman is the Co-Founder of CommerceNext. Previously, he spent 10 years as Executive Director of Shop.org where he launched the Shop.org Annual Summit. Scott co-invented “Cyber Monday” in 2005 and was the founder of Cybermonday.com in 2006, a shopping site that has generated more than $2.5 million for Shop.org’s scholarship fund.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

The Elements of Choice, a feature interview with Columbia Business School professor and author Eric J. Johnson

michael@meleblanc.co (Eric J. Johnson) — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 06:40:01 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

The way we decide matters. So says Eric Johnson, director of the Centre for Decision Sciences at Columbia Business School and author of the new book “The Elements of Choice”

In a great conversation we delve into the architecture of choice - according to Eric, every time we make a choice, our minds go through an elaborate process most of us never notice. We talk about how all of this applies to our lives, and our lives as retailers, in this exclusive interview.

Speaking of great choices, I heard from the team over at the Global Ecommerce Leaders Forum that the ecommerce industry was back out in force last week in Palm Springs at eTailWest. If you’re looking to ramp up your ecommerce sales outside of Canada and the US, definitely put GELF LA ’22 on your schedule for next month. The global DTC and cross-border ecommerce community will be back in West Hollywood on April 21st at the Director’s Guide of America. You can sign up at www.globalecommerceleadersforum.com and if you have a great international story to share, the GELF is always looking for new voices to join them on stage. That’s April 21st for GELF LA 2022

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Eric

Eric J. Johnson is the Norman Eig Professor of Business and the director of the Center for Decision Sciences at Columbia Business School. He has been the president of both the Society for Judgment and Decision Making and the Society for Neuroeconomics. He lives in New York City.

About Michael

Carolyn Spriet, President Hallmark Canada Talks About Special Moments in Retail and Getting Ready for the Future

michael@meleblanc.co (Carolyn Spriet) — Mon, 7 Mar 2022 05:46:26 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

For this episode we are taking more than a Hallmark moment to get to know Carolyn Spriet, the President of Hallmark Canada. In a wide-ranging interview we get to learn more about the Hallmark business. From humble beginnings in 1910, the Hallmark brand continues to evolve across its business portfolios. From the Hallmark Channel content on the W Network in Canada, to the company’s Crayola subsidiary - hey did you know they owned Crayola?? and of course on the greeting card, gifts, ornaments and innovative interactive solutions all found in over 3,300 locations in Canada alone.

Carolyn shares her perspective with over 25 years of experience on retail strategy, differentiation, partnership and direct to consumer retail, the future of work, and insights from her day at the Odgers Berndtson Future Leaders of Tomorrow summit where she met and talked with youth from across Canada to learn and share ideas.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Carolyn

Carolyn Spriet is a consumer-packaged goods executive with 25+ years’ experience leading Private, Private Equity and Tier One Multinational organizations and championing the growth of many of Canada’s most recognized household and retailer brands. She is currently the President of Hallmark Canada, responsible for local strategy and operations, and driving sales in the Drug/Mass/Club/Grocery channels and the Hallmark Gold Crown independent retail stores.

Prior to joining Hallmark, Carolyn was General Manager of Sun Products Canada, a division of the $2B North American private equity-backed consumer products company that was formed with the acquisition of Unilever’s laundry business. Carolyn was responsible for the 2008 start-up of the Canadian company and built that organization for eight years until its successful sale to Henkel AG, a global CPG Multinational. As General Manager, Carolyn was responsible for the stand-alone $200 MM Canadian operation, including all functional strategy development, financial results, and leadership of the 70-person team.

Prior to Sun Products, Carolyn had a successful 16-year career at Unilever Canada. During this time, she held progressive marketing and sales leadership roles in all three company business units: Food (Becel, Ben & Jerry’s, Lipton), Personal Care (Dove, Degree, Axe) and Homecare (Sunlight, Vim, Snuggle). As a lead of the Unilever Laundry Divestiture team, Carolyn and her colleagues led the sale process with prospective buyers and ultimately executed the transfer of the business to private equity.

Carolyn holds an Honours Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. She lives in Toronto with her husband, Jeff, and three children. Outside of work, Carolyn enjoys anything that gets her outdoors and active - skiing, snowboarding, hiking and travel.

About Michael

Founders of The Citizenry, Rachel Bentley & Carly Nance: Best of the Remarkable Retail podcast

michael@meleblanc.co (Steve Dennis, Rachel Bently, Carly Nance) — Fri, 4 Mar 2022 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

On this special episode I am thrilled to be sharing an excerpt from a recent episode of my popular Remarkable Retail podcast, where my podcast partner & best selling author Steve Denis and I welcome Rachel Bentley and Carly Nance, the co-founders of Dallas based The Citizenry, the fast-growing, thoughtfully designed, ethically crafted, home furnishing company. We dig into the inspiration for the brand, the "white space" they seek to address. and how social impact is at the center of what they stand for.

We also delve into the challenges of ethically sourcing products from all over the word, discover how they make their unique leadership partnership work and explore the role of customer-based analytics in growing their brand. Lastly we get a peak into their strategic growth roadmap.

About

Carly & Rachel met in 2004 at university. They led multiple organizations and founded a conference that’s still impacting lives today. After careers on different coasts, they reconnected over a frustration with the mass-produced goods and soulless brands in home décor. Together they created a vision for The Citizenry: a brand that could stand for quality craftsmanship, transparency, and social responsibility.

CARLY NANCE

Carly spent her early career in brand planning & global marketing strategy, helping leading brands connect with their consumers in a more meaningful way. During those travels, she was inspired by the design and stories of the people behind the products she purchased abroad. Carly earned her Masters from Northwestern and her Bachelors in Marketing from Texas A&M. At The Citizenry, Carly leads product design, brand strategy, marketing & ecommerce experience.

RACHEL BENTLEY

After years in strategy consulting, Rachel wanted to establish a business that would make an undeniably positive impact. While at Bain, she spent time in the private equity and retail practices before finding her calling: helping companies launch and redesign consumer products. Rachel earned her MBA from Columbia, her Masters in Finance, and Bachelors in Accounting from Texas A&M. At The Citizenry, Rachel leads our artisan partnerships, production & planning, operations, and finance.

About Us

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks , The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and now in its second season, Conversations with CommerceNext! You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

Hanna Andersson’s CEO on Guiding a Brand Through Change: Best of Conversations with CommerceNext #podcast

michael@meleblanc.co (Sally Pofcher) — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 07:28:40 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Today I am thrilled to be sharing a full episode from the second season of my Conversations with CommerceNext podcast featuring an interview with Sally Pofcher, a retail strategy expert and proven creator of growth and brand leadership.

From McKinsey to Gap Inc. and beyond, Sally stands on a full and bright career at the forefront of innovative retail brands. She calls on her experience as a seasoned strategist, operator and mother as she walks us through her role as CEO, turning around the Portland based, beloved children’s fashion brand Hanna Andersson.

Sally talks with my Conversations with CommerceNext co-host Veronika Sonsev and me about reaffirming brand values, strengthening company culture in changing and challenging times and - perhaps most importantly - the importance of being human.

I launched the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast with my U.S. based partners to meet the top practitioners and thought leaders in the DTC & eCommerce marketing space, and explore both their tradecraft and share the learnings from their career journeys. Let's listen in now as Veronica kicks off our conversation. Be sure and subscribe on Apple, Spotify and all the major podcasting platforms. Season Two is presented by our friends at Bloomreach.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About

Sally is CEO of Hanna Andersson, and a proven builder of growth brands. She was an Operating Partner at L Catterton, a leading consumer growth private equity firm, where she advised on deal evaluation and portfolio company performance in the Growth Fund, and was Board Director for multiple businesses, including Sweaty Betty.

Previously, Sally served on the Boards of Claire's and Pet Retail Brands. She was Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at PaperSource, where she led 8 years of double-digit sales and profit growth, as well as a successful investor transition. She held prior leadership roles as SVP of Strategy and Business Development at The Gap and a Partner at McKinsey and Company.

Sally holds a Masters in Business Administration from Kellogg (Northwestern University) and an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University.

Sally is involved in numerous community initiatives, including being on the Board and Executive Committee of Marwen, Co-Chair of New Trier Parent Association, and past position on the Board of the Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco. She is a member of Young Presidents' Organization.

Sally has 20+ years of experience building digital/omni-channel consumer experiences and delivering great results thru a combination of brand building, clear strategy, and disciplined execution. Most importantly, Sally is an authentic leader able to build and empower great teams that collaborate. In addition, Sally is a creative thinker who shapes the voice and aesthetic of brands and products.

ABOUT Veronika

The Next Age of Uncertainty: An Interview with Former Governor of the Bank of Canada Stephen Poloz

michael@meleblanc.co (Stephen Poloz) — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 08:40:26 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Stephen Poloz, author, economist and former Governor of the Bank of Canada, joins me on this very special episode for an exclusive interview to discuss the launch of his new book, "The Next Age of Uncertainty: How the World Can Adapt to a Riskier Future."

Together Stephen and I talk about the major tectonic forces that are shaping a chaotic world. Among these forces are an aging workforce, mounting debt, and rising income inequality. Technological advances are quickening the pace of change, but Poloz argues the core fundamentals have always been there.

Stay tuned for the former Governor's perspective on the economic prospects for retailers in 2022, and find out why Captain Jean Luc Pickard makes a cameo appearance in the book.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Stephen

Stephen is a widely recognized economist with nearly 40 years of experience in financial markets, forecasting, and economic policy, including 35 years in the public sector.

Prior to joining Osler, Stephen was the 9th Governor of the Bank of Canada, Canada’s central bank. Stephen was Governor of the Bank for seven years after having previously spent 14 years there during 1981-95 occupying a range of increasingly senior positions.

Prior to joining the Bank of Canada, Stephen spent 14 years at Export Development Canada, as Chief Economist (1999-2008), Head of Lending (2008-2011) and finally as President and CEO (2011-2013). He also spent four years at BCA Research, where he was Managing Editor of the International Bank Credit Analyst, one of their flagship publications.

Stephen is a Certified International Trade Professional and a graduate of Columbia University’s Senior Executive Program. He has been a visiting scholar at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., and at the Economic Planning Agency in Tokyo, Japan. He is a frequent speaker and writer and has taught economics at the University of Western Ontario, Concordia University and Queen’s School of Business.

At Osler, Stephen provides clients with his significant expertise and strategic guidance regarding the financial system, trade, and economic policy both domestically and on a global scale.

About Michael

Leger WOW In-Store & Digital Experience Awards with Christian Bourque & Luc Dumont

michael@meleblanc.co (Christian Bourque, Luc Dumont) — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 06:42:27 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

On this special episode a pickup of a livestream presentation of the Leger WOW brand results for 2021. This seminal research looks across formats and sectors within the retail landscape through the lens of the consumer and highlights both important trends and relative brand performance.

I’m joined by Christian Bourque, Executive Vice-President and Senior Partner at Leger in Montreal and Luc Dumont Vice President CPG at Léger based in Toronto. Together Christian and Luc present their study and the winners in each category.

Let’s jump in now as I kick off the livestream with an overview of retail trends followed by a live and interactive discussion on what makes a retail brand remarkable in the modern retail age.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Christian

Christian has been with Leger since 1999. He is an executive vice-president and partner and manages the Montreal team of close to thirty researchers.

Christian has over 25 years of experience in public opinion and market research in both quantitative and qualitative research. Throughout his career, he has also been an expert witness in front of numerous courts of law where survey evidence is presented. Christian can seamlessly work, moderate, present and engage audiences in both official languages.

As a media spokesperson for Leger, he can often be heard commenting on Canadian politics and society. He is also very present on the speaker tour as a captivating storyteller who brings data to life. Christian is also a consumer trend analyst for the CBC and still teaches research methodology at the Université de Montréal.

In addition, Christian is a Certified Analytics and Intelligence Professional (CAIP).

About Luc

Luc, Vice-President, CPG, has been part of the Leger team since 2006.

He has more than 25 years of experience in quantitative and qualitative market research, notably in customer experience, usability, product development and innovation studies. Luc is a seasoned focus group moderator and, throughout his long career, has been called upon to conduct qualitative research in several countries.

His mission is to help Leger clients create and adapt experiential strategies to build customer loyalty and strengthen brand attachment.

Luc is also a media spokesperson at Leger for a multitude of topics, including customer journeys, new product research, market studies, brand image and positioning and qualitative research.

About Michael

Exponential: Transform Your Brand by Empowering Instead of Interrupting: An Interview with author Jeff Rosenblum

michael@meleblanc.co (Jeff Rosenblum) — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 05:25:37 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Jeff Rosenblum launched and leads one of the most innovative brand agencies in the world: Questus.

In this episode one of the world’s top advertising executives tells us how iconic brands win new customers and build armies of evangelists, and guides us through to the other side with his new book Exponential: Transform Your Brand by Empowering Instead of Interrupting

Jeff tells that great brands stand for more than just cool products and clever advertisements. They inspire audiences. They enrich communities. They energize people. They move people’s lives forward.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into BBQ, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Jeff

Jeff Rosenblum is an advertising agency founder, documentary filmmaker and an admitted pain in the ass. He is widely regarded as one of the leading innovators in the field of digital marketing and has worked on teams that have helped revolutionize market research, publishing, sports broadcasting and interactive advertising.

He is the Founding Partner of Questus, a digital marketing agency that has worked with some of the world’s most influential brands including American Express, Bloomberg, Capital One, Discovery Channel, Disney, Driscoll’s, General Mills, Ford, ESPN, Suzuki Motorcycles, The NFL, Universal Orlando, Verizon and more.

Jeff was the co-writer and director of a groundbreaking documentary about the future of the advertising industry, The Naked Brand. It revealed the surprising story about the industry’s ability to create breakthrough brands by empowering consumers.

In his free time, Jeff is addicted to learning new skills, including telemark skiing, fly fishing, kite surfing, screen writing and funk guitar. His guitar instructor summarizes these efforts best, describing his playing as “mediocre, at best.”

When he’s not driving his team and his clients crazy, Jeff is on an Advisory Board for the Make-A-Wish Foundation as well as an Advisory Board for Special Spectators. He and his family built a school in a remote village in Nepal while working with the BuildOn organization. He lives in New York City with his wife and two kids, who are much cooler and better looking then he is.

About Michael

Amazon AWS Worldwide Retail Lead Talks Powerful Retail Partnerships

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 07:20:30 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

It’s a complex world of technology, retail alliances with one thing for certain in an uncertain age: agility, computing power, and an eye for innovation, wins.

My guest on this episode is Tom Litchford, Head of Worldwide Retail at Amazon Web Services (AWS), a technology that bring the computing horsepower and flexibility to business around the world - but you probably already know that.

What you might not know is how AWS fits into the overall Amazon eco-system, and how they are now becoming a strategic vendor to retailers like Best Buy who put aside their traditional competitive frameworks and partner with some of the world’s most powerful computing offerings to drive business results.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into Barbeque, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Tom Litchford

As head of worldwide business development for the retail industry, Tom Litchford leads and manages AWS' industry strategy including marketing and sales enablement, channel development, and solution offerings required to address customers' business requirements and challenges.

Litchford has more than 35 years of experience in systems engineering, sales, product management and marketing of technology business solutions for the retail and hospitality industries. Prior to joining AWS in 2017, most recently he led the National Retail Federation's (NRF) technology communities and its cybersecurity program. Prior to NRF, he served in various roles with notable technology firms including Microsoft and NCR.

Litchford was instrumental in driving the development of the OPOS application program interface (API) set – now a defacto industry standard for point-of-sale application-to-peripheral connectivity. Working with organizations such as ARTS and NAFEM, he has also been influential in establishing XML messaging standards in the retail and foodservices sectors.

About Michael

Five Tips for Retailers to Thrive in 2022 with Mike Monty, PayPal Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

From Scott Galloway to Carl Boutet to Steve Dennis, savvy business leaders and retail industry thought leaders agree on one thing: the COVID era was the great acceleration of eCommerce. Best estimate: Canada stepped into a pandemic time tunnel and came out the other end five online years later.

This year, retailers, big and small, are starting off once again with some degree of uncertainty as a result of the evolving pandemic. One thing we do know is that Canadians are now comfortable and savvy online shoppers. In fact, a 2021 PayPal Canada study, titled “Trends & Spends” found Canadians across the country are spending about $2-billion more a month online.

My guest on this episode of The Voice of Retail has a front seat to the past, present and future of eCommerce and payments: Mike Monty, PayPal Canada’s head of enterprise sales. And he joins me in this exclusive interview to share the insights

PayPal Canada large enterprise landing page: https://www.paypal.ca/enterprise
Mike’s LinkedIn profile: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/mike-monty-14a7227
PayPal Canada’s RCC article on 5 tips for retailers: https://www.retailcouncil.org/industry-news/five-tips-for-retailers-heading-into-the-new-year/
PayPal Canada small business study on digital transformation: https://newsroom.ca.paypal-corp.com/SmallBusinessStudy2020
PayPal Canada trends and spends study: https://newsroom.ca.paypal-corp.com/Trends-Spends

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into Barbeque, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Mike Monty

As a successful, self-made entrepreneur, Mike Monty knows what it takes to not only get a business off the ground but to have it make a mark on the industry.

Today, Mike puts his wisdom into practice as PayPal Canada’s head of enterprise sales, where he is focused on helping Canadian retailers and businesses grow and maximize their opportunities in the digital economy within our borders and internationally.

With more than 20 years of experience in the technology and payments industry as an entrepreneur, senior leader and avid investor, Mike is a skilled leader who can masterfully navigate a business restructuring and expertly elevate a company’s performance. He excels at helping companies go-to-market, grow, and scale.

As an investor and part of the leadership team in Hyperwallet, Mike played an integral part in PayPal’s acquisition of the online payout platform. In addition to his own business venture, Mike has been fortunate to learn from and be a part of the journey of other captains of industry such as IBM, FICO and now PayPal.

A citizen of the world, Mike was born and raised in South Africa before moving to Singapore for 14 years, spending a few years in Thailand before settling down in Vancouver in 2013 with his family. He credits his business acumen to his travels, and the understanding he gained that a diverse culture, open communication, continual evolution and empowered people are what make companies thrive.

About Michael

A Retail Reality Check: Insights from Edelman’s Global Chief Brand Officer Jackie Cooper

michael@meleblanc.co (Jackie Cooper) — Mon, 7 Feb 2022 07:18:03 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Heading into the third year and 5th wave of the pandemic, facets of the retail landscape continue to play catch-up with rapidly evolving consumer behaviour and brand strategy.

So, in this episode, let’s take a moment to refresh our look at the latest trends that are influencing consumers and brands in the ongoing COVID era.

Jackie Cooper, Global Chief Brand Officer and Senior Advisor at Edelman, joins me from across the pond in London for today’s deep dive on The Voice of Retail.

Jackie stands on years of entrepreneurial experience in global brand, creative and business strategy and calls on her work to guide us through a reality check on the evolution of retail marketing in the post-pandemic world.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into Barbeque, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Jackie Cooper

Entrepreneur, brand and reputation strategist, protector and promoter for noteworthy individuals, business and causes. Special interest in the intersection of brand, culture, entertainment, and impact. NED for Jamie Oliver, Trustee for Grow, a children’s teaching programme on food & nutrition, Advisor for start-up brand business.

Jackie currently oversees the business of brand at Edelman, a global communications firm that partners with businesses and organizations to evolve, promote and protect their brands and reputations. With over 6,000 people in more than 60 offices delivering communications strategies around the world, she leads a global brand network that creates integrated campaigns for commercial and purposeful impact.

In 1987 she co-founded PR & Marketing agency JCPR, awarded for cultural impactful campaigns including the launch of O2, Wonderbra, Mary Kate & Ashley, PlayStation, Wembley Stadium and the final flight for Concorde. JCPR was acquired by Edelman in 2004 and Jackie served as Creative Director on campaigns including Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty, Dirt is Good for Omo/Unilever and the Halo launch for Xbox. She then became Global Creative Chair, joining the Executive Committee and establishing the firm’s formal creative offering, building a global community of 650 creatives, planners and production talent. She led Edelman’s debut at Cannes and overseeing the firm’s first foray into entering the Lions, garnered 65 awards within the first 3 years.

Jackie ensures that brands nail their potential via seamless multi-stakeholder, omni-channel campaigns, driven by the agency’s extensive resource across data, insight, innovation & creative ideation. She continues to work with high profile names who have achieved fame, ensuring they are protected, while helping them establish the foundations for a compelling business and legacy.

Jackie became the first woman to be inducted into the PR Week UK Hall of Fame in 2018 and is an industry mentor. She is married with two grown up daughters.

About Michael

The Power of Regret: An Exclusive Feature Interview with Best-Selling Author Dan Pink

michael@meleblanc.co (Dan Pink, Daniel Pink, Daniel H Pink, Daniel H. Pink) — Fri, 4 Feb 2022 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Daniel Pink believes that regret is our most misunderstood emotion.

Stay tuned for insights on reconnecting with regret and what we can learn from the 16,000 regrets that people from all over the world submitted to Dan’s online platform.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into Barbeque, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Daniel Pink

Daniel H. Pink is the author of several provocative, bestselling books about business, work, creativity, and behavior.

His books include:

When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing unlocks the scientific secrets to good timing to help you flourish at work, at school, and at home. When spent four months on the New York Times bestseller list. It was also a Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestseller. Several outlets (including Amazon, iBooks, and Goodreads) named it one of the best non-fiction books of 2018. It is being translated into 33 languages.
- To Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others, which uses social science to offer a fresh look at the art and science of sales. To Sell is Human was a #1 bestseller on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post lists and has been translated into 34 languages. More than a dozen outlets, from Amazon.com to The Washington Post, selected it as one of the best books of the year. It also won the American Marketing Association’s Berry Book Prize as the year’s best book on marketing.
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, which draws on 50 years of behavioral science to overturn the conventional wisdom about human motivation. Along with being a Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and Publishers Weekly bestseller, Drive spent 159 weeks on the New York Times (main and extended) bestseller lists. A national bestseller in Japan and the United Kingdom, the book has been translated into 40 languages.
A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, which charts the rise of right-brain thinking in modern economies and describes the six abilities individuals and organizations must master in an outsourced, automated age. A Whole New Mind was on the New York Times (main and extended) bestseller lists for 96 weeks over four years. It has been a Freshman Read at several U.S. colleges and universities. In 2008, Oprah Winfrey gave away 4,500 copies of the book to Stanford University’s graduating class when she was the school’s commencement speaker.
- The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You’ll Ever Need, the first American business book in the Japanese comic format known as manga and the only graphic novel ever to become a BusinessWeek bestseller. Illustrated by award-winning artist Rob Ten Pas, The Adventures of Johnny Bunko was named an American Library Association best graphic novel for teens.
- Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working for Yourself, a Washington Post bestseller that Publishers Weekly says “has become a cornerstone of employee-management relations.” In 2013, the U.S. Department of Labor and the Library of Congress selected Free Agent Nation as one of 100 Books That Shaped Work in America.
Pink was host and co-executive producer of “Crowd Control,” a television series about human behavior on the National Geographic Channel that aired in more than 100 countries. He has appeared frequently on NPR, PBS, ABC, CNN, and other TV and radio networks in the US and abroad.

Before venturing out on his own 20 years ago, Dan worked in several positions in politics and government, including serving from 1995 to 1997 as chief speechwriter to Vice President Al Gore.

Pink and his wife live in Washington, DC. They are the parents of two recent college graduates and a college freshman.

Buy the book: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-power-of-regret-how/9780735210653-item.html?ikwid=the+power+of+regret&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0#algoliaQueryId=6502f49431a758699c7276ecce7d1ae6

About Michael

Seeing Opportunity: Specsavers Talks Canadian Eyeware Vision

michael@meleblanc.co (Bill Moir) — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

UK-based eyewear brand, Specsavers, has kicked off a $10 million investment in Canadian marketing alongside a roadmap to opening 200 stores across the country.

Today on The Voice of Retail, grab your reading glasses for this close-up look at Specsavers’ strategy to enter the Canadian market. I sit down with the company’s General Manager & Executive Vice President, Bill Moir to talk about the big news.

Bill offers insight on the company’s decision, how they plan to enter an already saturated North American market and how their marketing mix and powerful business model is ready to take on the challenge and improve Canadian eye care at the same time.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into Barbeque, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About Bill Moir

Marketing / Ecommerce / Commercial specialist in consumer facing organisations focussed on: customer proposition development; business growth; turnaround; go-to-market strategies; marketing effectiveness; digital transformation.

PROFILE
Fifteen years’ Executive Board experience, in marketing, ecommerce and commercial roles, incorporating over 20 years multichannel retail expertise. Instigated and directed change programmes to: introduce multichannel customer experiences and launch products globally; double advertising and brand recognition; increase repeat purchases by 80% and ROI by 40%. Used commercial acumen and customer insight to double market share and turned around business areas to restore market share growth. Applied a flexible leadership style to build high performance teams.

Specialties: Leadership, trading, retail, customer insights, marketing, ecommerce, advertising, branding and identity, CRM, purchasing / buying, negotiation, social media marketing, team development, merchandising; customer proposition development; business growth; turnaround; go-to-market strategies; marketing effectiveness; digital transformation.

To find out more about business opportunities at Specsavers visit spectrum-specsavers.ca or contact the partnership team at enquiries.ca@specsavers.com

You can register for one of the upcoming information sessions in February at https://specsavers-spectrum.ca/info-session/. Retail professionals will be taken through the business ownership model and benefits in detail.
If you’d like to link up with Bill Moir directly then you can at linkedin.com/in/billmoir1

About Michael

NRF Big Show 2022 Bonus: Melissa Wong, CEO & Co-Founder, Zipline

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Sun, 30 Jan 2022 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Welcome to a special NRF Big Show 2022 bonus episode of podcast, one of a series of exclusive interviews produced to support the show, the vendors and industry thought leaders heading into the new year. This episode: Melissa Wong, CEO & Co-Founder, Zipline.

These bonus episodes all follow a similar format: first, we learn about my guest and the company they work for, and what they are talking about to retailers at the Big Show this year, second, based on their experience, knowledge and conversations with retail clients, two starts and one stop advice for retailers listening. And last, but not least, where you can go to learn more. Alright, let’s jump right in.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into Barbeque, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

Check out this great interview with David that goes deeper into NCR: https://the-voice-of-retail.simplecast.com/episodes/the-heartbeat-of-the-store

About Melissa

CEO and Co-founder of Zipline -- the leading operations platform for field teams that enables brands to deliver transformational store experiences through engaged employees, consistent execution and fast feedback.

Our mission is to transform how retail operates by making it easier for employees to get their job done. We are bringing the ease of use of consumer technology to the enterprise so that retail associates are more informed, field teams (finally) have effective and easy-to-use tools that automate and coordinate work, and HQ has an easier way to achieve consistent execution and rollouts in stores. We ensure retailers are able to deliver on their brand promise to customers in-store and deliver an amazing experience in any location.

Today, tens of thousands of stores and hundreds of thousands of users around the world trust, and love, Zipline to streamline their operations and improve their businesses. Customers include Gap Inc, Warby Parker, Sephora, LEGO, AEO Inc., O’Reilly, 7-eleven, Hy-Vee and more.

My decade of experience in retail is specifically focused on how to achieve consistent execution in stores. My work focused on how to best enable organizations to move faster through engaged & inspired field teams, communicate best practices for HQ and field operations, and develop technologies and processes in response to business goals, field feedback and industry pressure.

I am a Silver Stevie Women in Business award winner, a Tech Trailblazer finalist, and a RIS Retail Industry Mover and Shaker. Under my leadership, Zipline has achieved a Net Promoter Score of 72, was included in the Inc. 5000's list of fastest-growing private companies, and received an honorable mention in Fast Company for World-Changing Ideas. CBInsights ranked Zipline as one of the 100 most promising B2B retail tech companies in the world and Zipline is Great Place to Work-Certified.

About Michael

Photo credit: National Retail Federation.

Top Consumer Tech Trends for 2022: a CES Debrief with Marc Saltzman

michael@meleblanc.co (Marc Saltzman) — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 05:34:06 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Marc Saltzman is a self-proclaimed technology evangelist. As a super popular and respected freelance journalist for over 25 publications including USA Today and Costco Connection Magazine, Marc covers innovation in consumer tech and translates what he calls ‘geek speak’ into ‘street speak.’

Today on The Voice of Retail, I catch up with Marc and we get the scoop on the latest trends in consumer technology. First, Marc gives a highlight reel of the recent CES conference - a show that has been the global stage for technology innovation for over 50 years. Then, we look at what to expect this year in the tech and electronics retail space.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into Barbeque, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About

Marc Saltzman has reported on the high-tech industry since 1996 as a freelance journalist, author, lecturer, consultant, and radio and TV personality.

His specialties lie in consumer electronics, computers, Internet trends and social media, business tech, interactive entertainment, and future trends.

Along with his weekly syndicated column with Gannett and USAToday.com, Marc currently contributes to more than 30 prominent publications, including USA Today (the most read newspaper in the U.S.), Yahoo, Costco Connection (U.S. and Canada), MSN, Toronto Star, Metro, Media Planet, WatchMojo, Rogers Connected, Common Sense Media, and Homefront.

Marc Saltzman was one of the first journalists in the world to break open the MP3 phenomenon in late 1997 on CNN.com. He correctly predicted this controversial audio file format would revolutionize the recording industry.

Marc has written 16 books. His latest is Apple Watch For Dummies (Wiley).

Marc also writes and hosts "Gear Guide," a technology-focused video that runs nationally across Canada at Cineplex Entertainment movie theaters. It is seen by a "captive" 7 million people per month.

Marc is also a frequent guest on CNN, Headline News, FOX, Global and CTV. Marc has also made appearances on NBC's "Today Show," QVC's Saturday Q" and the "CBS Early Show."

Marc is one of the busier public speakers on the circuit, covering a wide range of keynote topics including the future, tech and education, how tech is changing retail, fintech trends, keeping kids safe in the digital age, STEM studies, and more.

Finally, Marc also hosts 5 radio shows. "Tech It Out" is syndicated to 248 stations in the U.S. via the Radio America network. In Canada, there's "Tech Talk with Marc Saltzman," a weekly hour-long program on Toronto's NewsTalk 1010 (Bell Media), Montreal's CJAD 800 (Bell Media), and Winnipeg's 680 CJOB (Corus).

www.marcsaltzman.com
tech@marcsaltzman.com

About Michael

NRF Big Show 2022 Bonus: Steven Kramer, CEO, Workjam

michael@meleblanc.co (Steven Kramer) — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into Barbeque, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

Check out this great interview with David that goes deeper into NCR: https://the-voice-of-retail.simplecast.com/episodes/the-heartbeat-of-the-store

About Steven

Steven Kramer is the co-founder and CEO of the Montreal-based company WorkJam which is a frontline digital workplace that unleashes the full potential of non-desk workforces.

Steven is a technology entrepreneur with over 20 years of executive leadership experience in founding and scaling companies developing disruptive, enterprise-class technologies.

Prior to Workjam, Steven co-founded iCongo, a leading global software provider for omni-channel retail and B2B commerce solutions, which merged with hybris Software in 2011 and became the largest independent provider of e-commerce solutions, which went on to being purchased by SAP in 2013.

About Michael

Photo credit: National Retail Federation.

What Matters To Today’s Consumers: A Fireside with Capgemini's Canadian Retail Lead Vinayak Madappa

michael@meleblanc.co (inayak Ballachanda Madappa) — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

With 300,000 consultant worldwide and a sterling reputation for sophisticated retail and technology mandates, CapGemini delves into consumer behavioural and attitudinal changes across 12 countries including Canada to help us understand the post-COVID consumer.

Today on The Voice of Retail, I sit with Vinayak Madappa, Strategic Advisory Partner, Consumer Products, Retail and Distribution at Capgemini Canada.

Taking lessons from his roots in elite cricket and applying them to the world of consulting and retail, Vin shares with us the results of Capgmini’s latest thought leadership work “Capgemini’s Consumer Trends Report 2022: What matters to today’s consumers” but more importantly Vin is generous with his global insights as we probe some of the more interesting results of the study like consumers shopping direct from brands and the growing niche of paid-two hour delivery.

https://www.capgemini.com/ca-en/news/gen-z-and-millennials-increasingly-willing-to-buy-directly-from-brands-bypassing-traditional-retail-channels/

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into Barbeque, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

About

Vinayak is a Strategic Advisory Partner for Capgemini Canada. He is an experienced leader with more than fifteen years of experience in a variety of progressive leadership roles focused on Advisory and Data and Analytics. He enjoys working with clients across different industries on applied intelligence and helping them realize the tangible value of data-powered enterprises impacting the ecosystem of business operations. Prior to joining Capgemini, Vinayak held positions with PwC and KPMG in Canada, South Africa and India.

About Michael

Corey Mintz on his New Book "The Next Supper" and the Intersection of Restaurants & Grocery

michael@meleblanc.co (Corey Mintz) — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 07:23:26 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In light of the pandemic, author and food reporter Corey Mintz has written a compelling look into the restaurant and foodservice industry, illuminating a path to a better, safer, happier meal.

Today on The Voice of Retail, I get to pick Corey’s brain about the future of food retail, how and in what ways we can expect the grocery industry to change alongside the restaurant industry and, of course, all about his new book “The Next Supper: The End of Restaurants as We Knew Them and What Comes After.”

Corey shares his research and insights base on decades both on the front lines and reporting around the industry- offering key tips for grocers who find themselves navigating a changing food landscape at the intersection of consumers, restaurants and everywhere in between.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into Barbeque, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

Get the Book

https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-8946794-11556907?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chapters.indigo.ca%2Fen-ca%2Fbooks%2Fthe-next-supper-the-end%2F9781541758407-item.html%3Fikwid%3Dcorey%2Bmintz%26ikwsec%3DHome%26ikwidx%3D0%23algoliaQueryId%3Dda80d92a8beb492bc1277b6ae1163b6e

About

Corey Mintz is a freelance food reporter (New York Times, Globe and Mail, Eater, and others), focusing on the intersection between what we eat with business, politics, farming, ethics, land use, labor (or labour, as it’s spelled in Canada), education and culture. He has been a cook and a restaurant critic. For his long-running column Fed, he hosted 192 dinner parties, featuring politicians, refugees, criminals, artists, academics, acupuncturists, high-rise window washers, competitive barbecuers, and one monkey. He is the author of two and a half books. He lives in Winnipeg with his wife, Victoria, and their daughter, Cookie Puss.

About Michael

NRF Big Show 2022 Bonus: Jordan Ekers, Co-Founder, Chief Operating Officer, Nudge.

michael@meleblanc.co (Jordan Ekers) — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into Barbeque, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

Check out this great interview with David that goes deeper into NCR: https://the-voice-of-retail.simplecast.com/episodes/the-heartbeat-of-the-store

About Michael

Photo credit: National Retail Federation.

Turning Adversity into Growth: Best-Selling Author + Executive Coach Heather Monahan

michael@meleblanc.co (Heather Monahan) — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

What if I told you that the adversity you face in life might hold a surprising opportunity for growth and success?

Today on The Voice of Retail, best-selling author, keynote speaker, podcaster and executive coach, Heather Monahan, tells us how.

We talk about blowing up the ‘traditional’ career lanes to unleash your talents, transforming hardship into triumph and key tips from her latest book titled, ‘Overcome Your Villains.’ Heather calls on her life experiences and professional background in sales leadership to share key life lessons that you don’t want to miss.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into Barbeque, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

Get the Book

https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-8946794-11556907?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chapters.indigo.ca%2Fen-ca%2Fbooks%2Fovercome-your-villains-mastering-your%2F9781400225576-item.html%3Fikwid%3Dovercome%2Byour%2Bvillans%26ikwsec%3DHome%26ikwidx%3D0%23algoliaQueryId%3Dfdd81a3f9ab703dc7920aa1bfb026321

Follow the Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1462192400

Visit the Website

https://heathermonahan.com/

About

Heather Monahan is a 2X Best-Selling Author , Top 50 Keynote Speaker in the World 2022, Podcast Host of Creating Confidence, TedX speaker and has most recently been appointed to the Board of Directors of Healthlynked Corp. Having successfully climbed the corporate ladder for 20 years, Heather Monahan is one of the few women to break the glass ceiling and claim her spot in the C-suite.

As a Chief Revenue Officer in Media, Heather Monahan is a Glass Ceiling Award winner, named one of the most Influential Women in Radio in 2017, Thrive Global named her a Limit Breaking Female Founder in 2018 and in 2021 Girls Club named her the Thought Leader of the Year.

Heather’s book Confidence Creator shot to #1 on Amazon’s Business Biographies and Business Motivation lists the first week it debuted on Amazon.

Heather’s show, Creating Confidence, debuted on the Top 200 shows on Apple podcast. Her guests include Sara Blakely, Gary Vaynerchuck, Ryan Serhant, Kaitlyn Bristowe among many other noteworthy celebrities and entrepreneurs.

Heather was named one of the Top 50 Keynote Speakers for 2022 by Real Leaders. Her TedX talk was promoted to TED and translated into 6 languages. Harper Collins Leadership published her new book Overcome Your Villains in November 2021.
Heather’s has been featured in USA Today, CNN, Forbes, Fast Company, Gary V’s Audio Experience and The Steve Harvey Show. Heather and her son Dylan reside in Miami.

About Michael

NRF Big Show 2022 Bonus: David Wilkinson, President, NCR

michael@meleblanc.co (David Wilkinson) — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 01:46:25 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into Barbeque, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

Check out this great interview with David that goes deeper into NCR: https://the-voice-of-retail.simplecast.com/episodes/the-heartbeat-of-the-store

About

CHANGE MANAGEMENT CHAMPION
Taking a business from basics to best-in-class requires the right combination of skills and passion. David has 20-years of experience doing just that. He has led and transformed sales organizations, strategies and teams to outperform and outpace the competition. His proven regimen of customer focus, team and talent building as well as strategic alignment have resulted in success for businesses just starting out and established global enterprises undergoing change. David combines the power of change management and the forces of innovation to accelerate growth and profitability for businesses large and small.

TOP 5 ACHIEVEMENTS

- $1B+ P&L management and responsibility for diverse, global technology businesses
- Track record of hiring, recruiting and building high performance sales and marketing teams ranging in size from five to 300 employees
- Global sales leadership including front-line, high volume call centers; large teams selling complex solutions; outsourced sales organizations; two-tier distribution sales; channel sales; and services sales
- Supported diverse, global markets ranging from high volume consumer and small business to high-end large enterprise and Fortune 100 companies
- Designed and implemented multiple, best-in-class IT partner programs

About Michael

Photo credit: National Retail Federation.

Author & Journalist Dana Thomas on Fashion Retail + Why What We Wear Matters

michael@meleblanc.co (Dana Thomas) — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 06:52:23 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Journalist, Author and fashion specialist, Dana Thomas, has been reporting on the latest trends and insights in the fashion industry for over thirty years.

Today I catch up with Dana on the left bank in Paris, writing for British Vogue and The New York Times - and, of course, taking the time to talk with me about the fashion retail industry and her third book ‘Fashionopolis: Why What We Wear Matters.’

In a wide-ranging conversation we talk about the evolution of fashion retail (from family-owned design houses to global corporations), the future of fast fashion and what fashion retailers should do to ride the wave of a changing industry and consumer.

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into Barbeque, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

ABOUT DANA

DANA THOMAS is the author of Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes, Gods and Kings: The Rise and Fall of Alexander McQueen and John Galliano, and the New York Times bestseller Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster, all published by Penguin Press. She began her career writing for the Style section of The Washington Post, and for fifteen years she served as a cultural and fashion correspondent for Newsweek in Paris. She is a regular contributor to The New York Times Style section and has written for The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, T: The New York Times Style Magazine, and Architectural Digest. In 1987, she received the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation’s Ellis Haller Award for Outstanding Achievement in Journalism. In 2016, the French Minister of Culture named Thomas a Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters. She lives in Paris.

About Michael

Riffs on Retail with Scott Galloway: Best of Remarkable Retail #podcast

michael@meleblanc.co (Scott Galloway, Steve Dennis) — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 05:17:53 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

On this special episode I am thrilled to be sharing an excerpt from the most popular Remarkable Retail podcast of our third season, where my podcast partner & best selling author Steve Denis and I wrap up Season 3 with the inimitable, irrepressible and always provocative Scott Galloway. For those who have yet to jump on the Big Dawg train, Scott is a Professor of Marketing at NYU Stern, author of 3 best-selling books, podcast host, and the founder of Section4, where he teaches Strategy and Brand Strategy Sprints. His new TV show will debut on CNN+ later this year.

In a wide-ranging interview, we get Scott's take on Twitter (and the challenges of digital marketing more broadly), the future of work and higher education, what's next for retail (including a bright future for brick & mortar) and his hot take on the prospects for digitally native vertical brands--including why "digitally native" is a distinction without much of a difference. We also learn who Scott turns to for inspiration, as well as discover our mutual love for the brand formerly known as Restoration Hardware and the word "bifurcation."

Thanks for tuning into this special episode of The Voice of Retail. If you haven’t already, be sure and click subscribe on your favourite podcast platform so new episodes will land automatically twice a week, and check out my other retail industry media properties; the Remarkable Retail podcast, the Conversations with CommerceNext podcast, and the Food Professor podcast. Last but not least, if you are into Barbeque, check out my all new YouTube barbecue show, Last Request Barbeque, with new episodes each and every week!

Links

The Prof G Pod

Pivot with Kara Swisher

Scott's Books

Section 4

No Mercy/No Malice Newsletters

Scott Galloway

Scott is the Founder of L2 and a Clinical Professor at the NYU Stern School of Business where he teaches brand strategy and digital marketing. In 2012, Professor Galloway was named “One of the World’s 50 Best Business School Professors” by Poets & Quants. He is also the founder of Red Envelope and Prophet Brand Strategy. Scott was elected to the World Economic Forum’s Global Leaders of Tomorrow and has served on the boards of directors of Eddie Bauer (Nasdaq: EBHI), The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT), Gateway Computer, and UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. Scott co-hosts the Pivot podcast with Kara Swisher. He received a B.A. from UCLA and an M.B.A. from UC Berkeley.

Steve Dennis is an advisor, keynote speaker and author on strategic growth and business innovation. You can learn more about Steve on his website. The expanded and revised edition of his bestselling book Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption is now available at Amazon or just about anywhere else books are sold. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior contributor and on Twitter and LinkedIn. You can also check out his speaker "sizzle" reel here.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks , The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and now in its second season, Conversations with CommerceNext! You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

Finding The Right Fit: Saxx Underwear CEO Wendy Bennison on Retail Done Right

michael@meleblanc.co (Wendy Bennison) — Fri, 7 Jan 2022 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

With over a decade of success and a loyal fanbase in their pouch, this Canadian menswear staple brand is disrupting the North American men’s underwear space.

Today on The Voice of Retail we’re going to strip back the layers of Saxx Underwear’s retail strategy with their CEO Wendy Bennison. As a seasoned retail executive with senior leadership roles at Roots and Marks, plus industry leadership on the RCC Board of Directors, Wendy offers a wealth of insight on Saxx’s integrated channel network strategy and the retail industry at large.

Wendy speaks to Saxx’s consumer alignment priorities, navigating relationships with retailers and applying a larger context to COVID-19 consumer behaviour.

Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of The Voice of Retail. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss out on the latest episodes, industry news, and insights. If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a rating and review, as it really helps us grow so that we can continue getting amazing guests on the show.

Wendy Bennison is currently based in Vancouver, BC as the CEO of SAXX Underwear Co, a Global Wholesale and Direct to Consumer Brand on its way to becoming the #1 Premium Men’s Underwear brand in North America. Prior to that, across more than twenty-five years in the retail industry, she held multiple senior executive positions inside of great Canadian brands such as Roots Canada where she was President and Mark’s Work Wearhouse. She says the greatest reward of all for her has been the opportunity to build highly engaged organizations that succeed through significant periods of growth and change in an ever evolving industry.

Passionate about building highly engaged teams by providing a culture and strategic business platform from which people can grow through the rewarding and challenging experience of executing a winning plan, Wendy Bennison is currently having fun as CEO of technical men’s underwear brand SAXX, based in Vancouver, BC

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks , The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and now in its second season, Conversations with CommerceNext! You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue, his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

Retail Veteran Vicki Bradley on Retail Leaders and Leaders of the Future

michael@meleblanc.co (Vicki Bradley) — Mon, 3 Jan 2022 07:31:14 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

We’re starting off the year with an amazing, veteran retailer turned executive coach - Vicki Bradley is my special guest on this first episode of 2022!

With a storied retail career in sales and operations roles from the Northern Group to the President of The Bombay Furniture Company and then at Hr2 by Holt Renfrew, plus a stint on the board of directors at RCC, Vicki now turns her talents to executive coaching.

From senior C-level executives to junior managers just starting out, through her coaching practice and Women in Leadership Empowered online community, Vicki is sending the elevator back down to help retail leaders and leaders of the future discover their full potential

Vicki Bradley

Founder and President of the Synergistic Leadership Group and Founder and CEO of WIL Empowered, is a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) and Energy Leadership Index Assessment Master Practitioner (ELI-MP), Certified in Conversational Intelligence (CIQ).

She is a seasoned Executive with 25+ years’ experience in leading high performing teams in the retail industry across North America. She has held progressive roles with iconic retailers including President of the Bombay Furniture Company in Canada while simultaneously leading the store organization as VP Sales and Operations for Bombay US, SVP of Sales and Operations with Marks and Spencers, VP of Sales and Operations with luxury retailer Holt Renfrew (Hr2), and held progressive roles within the Woolworth Organization across North America. Vicki sat on the Board of Directors for the Retail Council of Canada, Party Packagers, and OSI tile.

Her passion is with supporting and stretching individuals beyond what they believe themselves capable of and creating environments that are co-creative for learning. Her key strengths include identifying top talent, team development, strategic thinking, and financial acumen.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

WW’s Digital Transformation: Strategy, Leadership + Loyalty: Best of Conversations with CommerceNext #podcast

michael@meleblanc.co (Jon Mandell, Scott Silverman) — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Today I am thrilled to be sharing a full episode from my all new Conversations with CommerceNext podcast featuring Jon Mandell, Senior Vice President of Global Membership Marketing and Commerce with WW. WW started their digital transformation long before the pandemic demanded brands to keep up with the great acceleration of eCommerce, and on this episode along with my co-host Scott Silverman we get an inside look at the process and people behind WW’s great leap forward and how the groundwork laid in the past is preparing them for future success.

Jon walks us through the overall process and strategy behind the transition, and how the pandemic changed the game. We ask Jon about his career, what he looks for when building a resilient team, and advice that he would give his past self.

To discover career opportunities with WW click here.

Thanks for tuning into this episode of Conversations with CommerceNext. Please follow us on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music or your favorite podcast platform where we’ll be sharing career advice and marketing strategies from eCommerce and digital marketing leaders at retailers and direct-to-consumer brands each and every episode. CommerceNext is a community, event series and conference for marketers at retail and direct-to-consumer brands. Through our online forums, interviews, webinars, summits and other in-person events, we harness the collective wisdom of our community to help marketers grow their businesses and advance their careers. Join CommerceNext events to meet other industry leaders and learn the latest ecommerce and marketing strategies. You can find upcoming events at CommerceNext.com

Jon Mandell

SVP, CXO, C-suite Leader → Brand Transformation Catalyst → Customer Engagement Strategist

Building, leading, and optimizing customer-centric organizations to drive growth and revenue has been the hallmark of my career. I leverage strategy, technology, operational excellence, and innovation to shape unique customer experiences that deliver value and engender customer engagement, loyalty, and retention. I excel in identifying business growth opportunities in organizations and developing them into impactful business drivers to increase revenue, income and previously untapped value.

My experience spans executive leadership roles (transformations, growth initiatives, M&A, turnarounds, and integrations) with leading public companies (WW & 1-800-Flowers.com), co-founder/COO/MD of 2 technology startups, operations and general management roles, and an early career with AT&T Wireless. As a leader, I am best known for expanding the vision for what is possible and forming cohesive, motivated teams to drive organizational growth boldly and systematically from the ground up.

CAREER MILESTONES

🔹 Transformed business model from transactional, subscription-based to community-based membership economy at WW. Catalyzed unprecedented incremental revenue gains. Created global retention practice.

🔹 Refocused brand USP to unlock exponential growth, revenue, market share, and CLV at 1-800-Flowers.com.

🔹 Created a business incubator and innovation lab: developed first ecommerce bot for Facebook Messenger, launched first Alexa skill to enable consumer sales via Amazon Echo, and introduced Gwyn, a gift concierge using IBM’s Watson AI platform.

🔹 Co-founded a startup with Salim Ismail (Yahoo!, Singularity U, XPRIZE, ExO); created organizational structure and led product and business development.

TRUSTED C-SUITE AND BOARD ADVISOR

CEOs, boards, VC firms, and executive teams have repeatedly sought my guidance, mentorship, and advisory services in lifting performance of customer experience ecosystems. I serve as advisor / advisory board member for leading companies such as Movable Ink, Braze, SmartGift, CommerceNext, and Zelcova Ventures.

ABOUT US:

Scott Silverman

An ecommerce veteran, Scott Silverman has been active in the industry since 1999 and is passionate about digital retail and the innovation driving the industry. Scott Silverman is the Co-Founder of CommerceNext. Previously, he spent 10 years as Executive Director of Shop.org where he launched the Shop.org Annual Summit. Scott co-invented “Cyber Monday” in 2005 and was the founder of Cybermonday.com in 2006, a shopping site that has generated more than $2.5 million for Shop.org’s scholarship fund.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Tapestry’s CDO on Transforming Culture, Team Building and Customer Empathy: Best of Conversations with CommerceNext #podcast

michael@meleblanc.co (Noam Paransky, veronika sonsev) — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

On this special episode I am thrilled to be sharing a full episode from my all new Conversations with CommerceNext podcast featuring Tapestry, the global house of brands that unites renowned labels such as Coach, Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman, attributes its digital transformation success to its culture and its craft.

Along with my #podcast partner Veronika Sonsev we were thrilled to sit down with the company’s Chief Digital Officer, Noam Paransky to talk about how he's leading Tapestry's digital transformation and innovation, which has yielded 90%+ growth in digital compared to the prior year.

After being the Senior Vice President at Gap Inc., Noam now leads Tapestry’s digital innovation agenda and ensures the company delivers an inspiring omnichannel experience through all of its digital touchpoints.

Let’s listen in

Please do take the opportunity for follow Conversations with CommerceNext.

Please follow us on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music or your favorite podcast platform where we’ll be sharing career advice and marketing strategies from eCommerce and digital marketing leaders at retailers and direct-to-consumer brands each and every episode. CommerceNext is a community, event series and conference for marketers at retail and direct-to-consumer brands. Through our online forums, interviews, webinars, summits and other in-person events, we harness the collective wisdom of our community to help marketers grow their businesses and advance their careers. Join CommerceNext events to meet other industry leaders and learn the latest ecommerce and marketing strategies. You can find upcoming events at CommerceNext.com

Veronika Sonsev

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

What's New & Next For Luxury Retail, with Karen Katz, Steve Sadove and Oliver Chen: best of Remarkable Retail #podcast

Fri, 24 Dec 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

On this special episode I am thrilled to be sharing an excerpt from one of the most popular Remarkable Retail podcast of our third season, where my podcast partner & best selling author Steve Denis and I host a blockbuster panel featuring three of the most experienced and insightful veterans of the luxury world: Karen Katz (former President & CEO of the Neiman Marcus Group, Steve Sadove (former Chairman and CEO of Saks) and Oliver Chen (Managing director and senior equity research analyst at Cowen and Company).

We cover a lot of territory, first trying to align on a working definition of what "luxury" really means today and how luxury was evolving pre-COVID. Then we shift into what's next, including our dream team's quick takes on luxury re-commerce, the role of the in-store experience, the importance of multi-brand retail (online and off), sustainability, exclusivity, storytelling and more. We wrap up getting everyone's view on why it's so hard for legacy brands to innovate and whether .com spin-outs make any sense at all.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

The Art & Science of Retail Innovation with Jose Ribau, EVP Digital & Innovation, Cadillac Fairview

michael@meleblanc.co (Jose Ribeau, Jose Ribau) — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada

Retail innovation is one of those million-dollar phrases tossed out in meetings, boardrooms and media across Canada - but what does it mean, how do you make it happen, and can we recognize innovation when we see it?

My very special guest on The Voice of Retail podcast for this episode is someone who lives and breathes retail innovation - Jose Ribau, Executive Vice President, Digital and Innovation, for CF Cadilac Fairview.

In a long-overdue interview, we talk about shopping centre innovation, the tradecraft of knowing when you fail, and the gauntlet of front-line retail practitioners that guide the practical and the possible.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Jose Ribau

Great leadership is about giving people a platform and a voice to impact real change. It’s also about building and enabling teams with a wide breadth of experience and knowledge.

In my current role, I lead Digital Transformation & Innovation at CF and our newly established business entity, Ravel, where I get the opportunity to work in a rapidly changing industry with an amazing team that is focused on creating competitive differentiation and unique experiences.

Ravel by CF is an organization focused on removing the friction from retail shopping and the workplace, unleashing the untapped potential of physical space and customer experience within some of the world’s best commercial real estate. At Ravel, we work with established leaders and new entrants in the ecosystems of retail, marketing, and technology to build a digitally driven innovation platform that connects people, spaces and data.

Prior to CF, I spent almost two decades working in product development and payments with a focus on how to leverage data to improve the banking experience for Canadian customers.

In my spare time, I’m a painter, a cyclist, a serial traveler and the manager of my kids’ hockey and ski teams.

Seeing Around Corners and Into the Future with Rob Garf, VP & GM Retail, Salesforce

michael@meleblanc.co (Rob Garf) — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 06:40:47 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada

As a company they are a a household name. As a prized vendor with their hand on the meta - data behind an entire industry they are unrivalled, matched only by their people who put the two together and help us see around corners and into the future.

On this episode of The Voice of Retail, I welcome back to the podcast Rob Garf, Vice President and General Manager Retail for Salesforce.

Rob helps us unpack seasonal trends, Black Friday and Cyber Monday results, and rolls out the the crystal ball to talk about the rest of the year and what and how 2022 will look, act and feel.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Building, Nurturing and Keeping High Performance Retail Teams with Jeff Tate, CIO at Henry's, and Ian Rosen, EVP Strategy & Digital, Harry Rosen

michael@meleblanc.co (Jeff Tate, Ian Rosen) — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 06:59:12 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada

In this special episode I’m picking up my conversation with two retail’s brightest thinkers live from the virtual stage of the Retail Council of Canada’s Retail Marketing Forum in late October.

It was my pleasure to welcome Jeff Tate, Chief Innovation Officer at Henry’s, and Ian Rosen, Executive Vice President, Strategy & Digital, with Harry Rosen.

We delve into the dynamics of managing and building a high performance team through the COVID era, and how to bring the values of DEI to life inside each and every retail organization.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Photo by Redd on Unsplash

Jeff Tate

A senior marketing leader with over 15 years of experience working with some of the largest, most recognized retail brands in North America.

Skilled in using customer insights, analytics and competitive analysis in the approach of omni channel marketing management, strategy development and execution with a fluency in efficiently managing multi million dollar budgets and sales numbers in the multiple billions.

A leader that understands that effective marketing starts with the customer and is well versed in utilizing both traditional and digital marketing tactics to build effective campaigns knowing people now utilize a wider media base to consume more content than ever before with more access.

A strategic, analytical leader with the ability to coach as well as build relationships across a business both internally and externally with cross functional groups and agencies at all levels of an organization.

An accountable individual that leads by example and is not afraid to "roll up his sleeves and get into the weeds" when necessary but also understands that success comes from the sum of a strong team and everyone has a role to play.

A strong, effective communicator with the ability to tailor the approach to fit the audience while also being able to prioritize and manage multiple initiatives at one time in a fast paced environment.

Exclusive Holiday Research: Forrester VP & Principal Analyst Sucharita Kodali

michael@meleblanc.co (Scott Silverman, Sucharita Kodali) — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 08:48:06 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada

On this special episode I am thrilled to be sharing a full episode from my Conversations with CommerceNext podcast featuring Exclusive Holiday Research with Forrester VP & Principal Analyst Sucharita Kodali

Now let’s have a listen to my podcast partner Scott Silverman as he introduces the episode with Sucharita, a frequent and popular guest here on The Voice of Retail

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Sucharita Kodali

VP, Principal Analyst

Sucharita serves digital business strategy professionals. She is an expert on eCommerce, omnichannel retail, consumer behavior, and trends in the online shopping space. She is also an authority on technology developments that affect the online commerce industry and vendors that facilitate online marketing and merchandising.

In her research, Sucharita covers such consumer-oriented topics as eCommerce forecasting and trends, merchandising best practices, conversion optimization, and social computing in the retail world. She has also authored "The State Of Retailing Online," a joint study conducted annually with NRF.

Previous Work Experience

Prior to Forrester, Sucharita was the director of marketing at Saks Fifth Avenue, where she managed the customer acquisition, retention, and market research efforts for the $2 billion luxury retailer's online channel. Prior to Saks, she held management positions at Toys R Us, where she was a merchant in the Babies R Us division and a store manager in one of the company's largest toy stores. She also worked for the Walt Disney Company, where she developed and managed marketing plans for new business initiatives, including the Disney Stores, the Disney Cruise Line, and Club Disney.

Additionally, she was involved in the expansion of Cap Cities/ABC properties, specifically ESPN Zone, ESPN Magazine, and the Go.com network. She has written two nonfiction books and has contributed to BusinessWeek Online.

Education

Sucharita holds a B.A. in economics from Harvard University and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Scott Silverman

An ecommerce veteran, Scott Silverman has been active in the industry since 1999 and is passionate about digital retail and the innovation driving the industry. Scott Silverman is the Co-Founder of CommerceNext. Previously, he spent 10 years as Executive Director of Shop.org where he launched the Shop.org Annual Summit. Scott co-invented “Cyber Monday” in 2005 and was the founder of Cybermonday.com in 2006, a shopping site that has generated more than $2.5 million for Shop.org’s scholarship fund.

Winning on Purpose, Net Promoter Score 3.0 with Fred Reichheld

michael@meleblanc.co (Fred Reichheld) — Mon, 6 Dec 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada

For business leaders and marketers from around the world, author and Bain Fellow Fred Reichheld is a household name - even The Economist named him the “high priest” of customer loyalty.

Today, I’m thrilled to sit down with the inventor of the Net Promoter Score to peel back the layers of the NPS v3.0, and the new era of customer loyalty in the post-COVID world. We talk about what 80% of marketers are getting wrong with Big NPS, Earned Growth and delve into his latest book “Winning on Purpose”.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

About Fred

Expertise

Fred Reichheld is a Bain Fellow and founder of our Loyalty practice, which helps companies achieve results through customer and employee loyalty. He is the creator of the Net Promoter® system of management.

His work in the area of customer and employee retention has quantified the link between loyalty and profits. Fred's books, The Loyalty Effect: The Hidden Force Behind Growth, Profits, and Lasting Value (HBSP 1996); Loyalty Rules! How Today's Leaders Build Lasting Relationships (HBSP 2001); The Ultimate Question: Driving Good Profits and True Growth (HBSP, 2006) and The Ultimate Question 2.0: How Net Promoter Companies Thrive in a Customer Driven World (HBR Press) have each become best sellers.

In his most recent book, Fred reveals how NPS practitioners including Apple Retail, Philips, Schwab, Allianz, American Express, and Intuit, have used the Net Promoter System (NPS) to generate extraordinary results. He explains how NPS helps companies become truly customer-centric, unleashing profitable growth through systematically converting more customers into promoters and fewer into detractors.

Fred is a frequent speaker at major business forums and his work on loyalty has been widely covered in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Financial Times, Fortune, Business Week and The Economist. He is the author of eight Harvard Business Review articles on the subject of loyalty and he is also a LinkedIn Influencer, a member of a group of corporate leaders and public figures who are thought leaders in their respective fields.

Consulting Magazine chose Fred as one of the “25 Most Influential Consultants” in its 2003 annual survey. According to The New York Times, "[He] put loyalty economics on the map." The Economist refers to him as the "high priest" of loyalty.

Reichheld graduated with Honors both from Harvard College (B.A., 1974) and Harvard Business School (M.B.A., 1978).

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and the all new Conversations with CommerceNext podcast.

Last but not least, check out my new YouTube cooking show, Last Request Barbecue!

You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

POS eCommerce Innovation with Clik2Pay’s Founder & CEO Mike Bradley

michael@meleblanc.co (Mike Bradley) — Fri, 3 Dec 2021 08:29:32 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada

Clik2Pay is transforming the payment experience for consumers and the online transaction capabilities for online retail. Riding the rails of the Great Acceleration of eCommerce, this company has created an intuitive, quick and secure POS system that’s both consumer- and retailer-friendly.

By leaning into Interac e-Transfer technology, the system steps away from the cumbersome and expensive card-centric payment processes that currently dominate online sales.

Today on The Voice of Retail, I sit down with Clik2Pay Founder & CEO Mike Bradley to get a close-up look at their game-changing payment process. Mike offers a walkthrough of Clik2Pay from both a retailer and consumer standpoint - explaining how the system introduces a level of ease and security to online payments that revolutionize the online shopping experience.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and the all new Conversations with CommerceNext podcast.

Last but not least, check out my new YouTube cooking show, Last Request Barbecue!

You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

A Glimpse Into the Future with SOON Future Studies Global Futures Director, Sarah Owen

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 06:33:27 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada

If you are a frequent listener or subscriber to the podcast, you'll know I often ask guests, "what's next?" to wrap the episode.

Well, in this interview with Sarah Owen, Global Futures Directory, SOON Future Studies, "what's next?" IS the episode

After reaching Sarah in her new home base in one of my favourite global cities, Lisbon, we talk about the tradecraft of predicting future trends, dive into Sarah's new report, the SOON Future Forecast. We unpack critical observations and trends that happened, or will happen, both pre and post COVID pandemic and provide a glimpse into the future that retailers need to hear!

You can view the immersive SOON Future Forecast by heading to https://soonfutures.com/.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Sarah Owen, Global Futures Director

Sarah is a trend forecaster, futurist and social scientist with a background in studying youth culture and social media.

With 13 years of experience in future trends, consumer research and communication strategy, she specialises in guiding organisations through strategic foresight, scenario planning and trend analysis.

Sarah has previously worked in the USA, Australia and Europe analysing emerging trends and behavioural shifts for WGSN, consulting with Fortune 500 brands such as Intel, Chanel, and L'Oréal, and writing for the likes of Kinfolk, The New York Times, WARC and i-D magazine. As an academic, she has studied Strategic Foresight at the University of Houston and holds a master’s degree in Sociology from ISCTE in Portugal.

She has presented at global events including Cannes Lions, Pause Fest, FUTR Summit and World Retail Congress, and has been quoted as an expert in The Financial Times, CNN, Vogue, Bloomberg and The Guardian.

When she’s not searching for signals, she practices Kundalini yoga and volunteers at the Fungi Foundation as their Communications Director.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and the all new Conversations with CommerceNext podcast.

Last but not least, check out my new YouTube cooking show, Last Request Barbecue!

You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and the all new Conversations with CommerceNext podcast.

Last but not least, check out my new YouTube cooking show, Last Request Barbecue!

You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Digital Strategy In Changing Times with Kais Makhlouf, Vice President of Digital Solutions at Thinkmax

michael@meleblanc.co (Kais Makhlouf) — Fri, 26 Nov 2021 08:45:15 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada

Kais Makhlouf, Vice President of Digital Solutions at Thinkmax Consulting, leverages his decades of hands-on experience developing and refining digital strategies for retailers. Focusing on their needs, priorities and pre-existing digital ecosystems, Kais helps retailers navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Today on The Voice of Retail, Kais lets us into his world of digital strategy development. We talk about Kais’ experience in the industry, changing trends and impacts of the pandemic.

Lastly, Kais shares his key pointers on creating resilient digital strategies, what to learn from the past and how to prepare for the future.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Kais Makhlouf

Passionate about digital technology with a strong acumen for corporate and business development at the international level, Kais has a proven ability to generate opportunities, establish relationships and manage cross functional teams to implement technology solutions and marketing programs at an enterprise level.

Today, Kais is Vice President, Digital Solutions at Thinkmax, responsible for fostering and leading the practice with a mission to provide clients with technological and creative ideas and solutions to help them achieve their business digital transformation.

Thinkmax Digital Solutions leverages the company’s long standing experience and deep expertise in implementing enterprise back-end systems (ERP) to empower clients in their journey of digital transformation. Thinkmax builds digital solutions, experiences and programs optimally leveraging enterprise data and services.

Thinkmax has a specific focus on retail, distribution and manufacturing sectors, providing state of the art unified commerce solutions leveraging all customer touchpoints.

Prior to joining Thinkmax, Kais held the position of VP, Strategic Partnerships at Nurun (a global full service interactive agency) and Orckestra (Commerce Cloud Software), where he led and managed major multi-million dollar international accounts in the travel, retail, distribution, media, manufacturing and CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) sectors. In these positions, Kais has also developed new offers and established long standing partnerships and alliances with world class technology organisations such Microsoft, IBM, SAP, Sitecore and many others.

Fluent in 5 languages, Kais enjoys traveling the world and exploring new cultures.

Strength & Specialties:
unified commerce, digital marketing, mobile, partner and alliance management, international development, business development, account management, business strategy.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and the all new Conversations with CommerceNext podcast.

Last but not least, check out my new YouTube cooking show, Last Request Barbecue!

You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Step Inside the Mind of the Post-COVID Consumer: EY’s Future Consumer Index

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada

There’s no doubt that the last twenty months have changed us and our relationship with the world. For retailers, this has resulted in an unprecedented shift in consumer behaviour that has proven difficult to stay ahead of, let alone predict.

In today’s episode of The Voice of Retail, we’re going to step inside the mind of the modern consumer by unpacking the latest research coming out of EY.

I’m thrilled to be welcoming back to the podcast Kristina Rogers, Chairwoman of the Global Consumer Board, who takes us through the latest edition of EY’s Future Consumer Index. We cover the key takeaways, surprising findings + more.

Stick around for Kristina’s three pointers for retailers that are planning for 2022 and beyond.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Kristina Rogers

Globally led fastest growing set of industries at EY - from FY16-FY20 - by 2%. A creative and experienced senior executive leader in the areas of strategic marketing, corporate strategy, and global business development. Global sponsor and architect of both EY’s signature FutureConsumer.Now program and the EY Global Future Consumer Index.

Areas of expertise include new concept and offer development, profitable growth planning, market entry strategy, strategic portfolio management, and market evolution planning in both the B2C and B2B marketplaces. Highly team-oriented and able to develop and communicate clear vision while assembling and galvanizing high-performing teams. Has had long-term client relationships with the world largest soft-drinks company, largest confectionery company, and largest FMCG/CPG firm working at the EVP and CEO levels. Currently Kristina is the Global Consumer Industries Leader at EY working to implement EY's global Consumer Industries strategy and to deliver exceptional client service to EY's global clients.

Kristina is a truly global citizen having lived, worked, and travelled in over 50 countries. Previously, Kristina was the Emerging Market Leader for Consumer Products at EY. In this role Kristina worked extensively with EY teams and clients across markets such as Brazil, India, Turkey, MENA, and Asean.

Over the years, Kristina has been a formal mentor to a number of high potential women in her field and was an Executive Member of Monitor Group's (now Deloitte) Global Women's Initiative. She is a member of the Financial Times 'Global Board Ready Women' group and peviously sat on Medtronic's Corporate Advisory Board. In Turkey, Kristina was selected as one of 40 women by Forbes Magazine to join 'More Women on Boards' or 'Yonetim Kurullarinda Daha Cok Kadin' encouraging more female Board participation.

Kristina is an accomplished public speaker and panelist and has spoken at various conferences on the topics such as 'Keeping Senior Women in the Workplace' and 'Winning with Consumers in the Marketplace'.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and the all new Conversations with CommerceNext podcast.

Last but not least, check out my new YouTube cooking show, Last Request Barbecue!

You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Social Media Masterclass with Groupe Dynamite's Michael Regina & Snap

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael Regina, Matt Bolivar) — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 10:04:57 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

It was already happening before the pandemic. And Snap, COVID accelerated its adoption almost overnight. Mastering social media is more than another tool of the marketing toolkit in retail. It's table-stakes.

On this episode of The Voice of Retail, I'm joined by Sr. Paid Media Specialist at Groupe Dynamite Michael Regina and Snap's Retail Vertical Lead Matt Bolivar, who take us through both the evolution of social media in retail and dive deep into the strategy and tactics behind using Snap's powerful consumer engagement tools to reach and interact with their nine million Canadian active users.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and the all new Conversations with CommerceNext podcast.

Last but not least, check out my new YouTube cooking show, Last Request Barbecue!

You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Say Less, Get More: A Refreshing Take on Modern Negotiation

michael@meleblanc.co (Fotini Iconomopoulos) — Mon, 15 Nov 2021 06:37:20 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Fotini Iconomopoulos is the person you call if you need to get what you want.

After a decade in the retail space, Fotini refined her negotiation skills in the consumer packaged goods industry before becoming a management consultant. Today, she teaches MBA Negotiations at the Schulich School of Business, speaks to audiences all over the world and, most recently, wrote a book titled “Say Less, Get More: Unconventional Negotiation Techniques to Get What You Want.”

Fotini joins me on The Voice of Retail to talk about refreshing our understanding of negotiation and proven tactics that can work for anyone. We discuss Fotini’s retail origin story, war rooms and common misconceptions to step away from.

Written for everyone and anyone, “Say Less, Get More” offers a refreshing take on modern negotiation.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and the all new Conversations with CommerceNext podcast. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

From Impressed to Obsessed with Customer Experience Advisor and author Jon Picoult

michael@meleblanc.co (Jon Picoult) — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 07:45:40 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Jon Picoult is founder of Watermark Consulting a leading customer experience advisory firm and author of the new book From Impressed to Obsessed: 12 principles for turning customers and employees into lifelong fans.”

You are really going to enjoy this interview on this episode - Jon thinks deeply about enterprise level customer experience from both a customer perspective and what it takes to create a culture that truly creates a remarkable and memorable experience - well beyond what he considers the low watermark of just satisfying customers

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and the all new Conversations with CommerceNext podcast. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Jon Picoult

Jon Picoult helps companies impress their customers and inspire their employees, creating “raving fans” that drive business growth. He is the founder of Watermark Consulting and a noted authority on customer and employee experience.

A sought-after business advisor and speaker, Jon has worked with some of the world’s foremost brands, personally advising CEOs and other members of the C-Suite. He helps organizations capitalize on the power of loyalty, both in the marketplace and in the workplace.

Jon’s insights have been featured by dozens of media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, The Economist, Inc., NBC News and Forbes.com (where he is a regular contributor).

Prior to establishing Watermark, Jon held senior executive roles at Fortune 100 companies – leading service, operations, distribution, technology, sales and marketing. Early in his career, at the age of 29, Jon earned the distinction of becoming the youngest executive officer in the over 150-year history of a leading, global financial services company.

Jon received his A.B. in Cognitive Science from Princeton University and his M.B.A. in General Management from Duke University.

Specialties: Customer experience & loyalty; employee experience & engagement; operational efficiency; service excellence; brand management; leadership development

Meet the AI that’s Clearing the Path for Retailers in the Great Acceleration

michael@meleblanc.co (Frank Faricy) — Mon, 8 Nov 2021 05:57:34 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Now more than ever before, digital marketers and retailers have a wealth of first-party data on consumers. Or at least they should - different podcast. However, providing an authentic and unique eCommerce experience for audiences continues to prove difficult.

On this episode of The Voice of Retail, I’m joined by Frank Faricy, the CEO + Founder of XGen AI. We talk about the chronic pains of contemporary digital retail marketing and the challenges of effectively and efficiently targeting potential customers.

Learn about the innovative workings of XGen AI and how Frank and his team had to reinvent the wheel to get the cutting-edge platform that they run today. Their AI drives autonomous and real-time product recommendations with the goal of providing a true 1:1 digital shopping experience that is as dynamic and unique as each individual customer.

Let’s explore the potential that lies at the intersection of retail and artificial intelligence.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and the all new Conversations with CommerceNext podcast. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Delivering the Future: Canada Post

michael@meleblanc.co (Steve Eggers) — Fri, 5 Nov 2021 08:33:21 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

The Great Acceleration of eCommerce brought on by the pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented influx in deliveries. For Canada Post, every day of the last eighteen months has felt like Christmas.

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, I am thrilled to chat with Canada Post’s Director of eCommerce, Steve Eggers. After debriefing on how the pandemic has brought on challenges and opportunities for the Crown Corporation, we discuss consumer behaviour, the scope of the company, building the capacity to handle the growth in parcels, and the upcoming holiday season.

Tune in to our interview and don’t miss Steve’s key pointers for small and mid-sized retailers who will be relying on a smooth delivery to the doorstep this holiday season.

For more research and resources for retailers on eCommerce:

https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/business/marketing/campaign/ecommerce-hub.page?ecid=murl_lg_11176

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and the all new Conversations with CommerceNext podcast. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Fearless: Rebecca Minkoff’s Guide for Unlocking Success

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 1 Nov 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Rebecca Minkoff could write the rule book on being a fearless business leader. In fact - she just did.

While leading her internationally-recognized fashion brand through the throws of the pandemic, Rebecca also found the time to channel her experience and insights into her latest book ‘Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage and Success.’

I’m thrilled to have fashion design icon Rebecca join me on this episode of The Voice of Retail. Today, we talk about persevering as a retailer in the pandemic, The Female Founder Collective, and, of course, Rebecca’s new book.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and the all new Conversations with CommerceNext podcast. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Ethics, Holiday Trends + Consumer Behaviour: Google’s Managing Director of Canadian Retail

michael@meleblanc.co (Eris Morris) — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 06:18:13 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

If you are a retail marketer in Canada chances are pretty good you know Eric Morris - I’ve known Eric for well over a decade, and I learn something new every time we catch up. Google Canada’s Managing Director of Retail has been at this dent the universe company for nearly twenty years - he’s one of the original 500. Over the course of his career, he has witnessed vast growth within Google and across the industry, and their evolving relationship with retailers in Canada.

In this episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, Eric and I unpack the latest topics at the intersection of technology and retail. Together, we break down key forecasts and trends, and address some surprising misconceptions about the tech giant.

In an increasingly competitive retail environment, Eric underlines Google’s commitment to Canadian retailers - both big and small - and tackles the tough issues that come from the platforms growth and sophistication for advertisers of all sizes.

Eric Morris

Eric Morris is the Managing Director of Google's Retail practice in Canada, where since 2002, he has worked alongside the country's top marketers and executives.

Eric has held several leadership roles at Google Canada, leading sales, operations, research, strategy and analytics for Google's advertising business. Most recently, he led Google Canada's search and performance advertising business. Previously, Eric launched and led Google’s mobile advertising business in Canada.

In 2016 Eric was named inventor and issued a patent in the United States for identifying rising search queries and trends at scale for advertisers worldwide.

Eric was elected to the Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada’s board of directors in 2009, and served as Chair of the board in 2015-2017.

Born in Montreal and raised in Toronto, Eric is a graduate of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and the all new Conversations with CommerceNext podcast. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

A brand and retailing masterclass from the Land Down Under: meet Bunnings

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael Schneider) — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 05:04:39 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

You need to get to know Michael Schneider. It’s not that easy, as he lives and works a world away running one of the largest retailers in Australia and New Zealand, Home Improvement retail powerhouse Bunnings. But I’m doing my part - Michael was my very special guest recently at Retail Council of Canada’s STORE2021 thought leadership conference, so I thought it only appropriate to bring our conversation onto the podcast.

In fact, this is Michael’s second time on the podcast, so we spend a bit of time catching up with current events, but then get right to the good stuff: how Bunnings is one of the most, if not the, respected and trusted brand in Australia - of all brands. What principles, guidelines, guardrails are in place to achieve that kind of cohesion across all of the departments, people and the communities they operate in.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and the all new Conversations with CommerceNext podcast. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Peavey Mart’s VP of Marketing on COVID, Community + Storytelling

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 04:10:19 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Jest Sidloski grew up within the Peavey Mart brand from the storefront to the executive level. Now, as the Vice President of Marketing, Customer Experience & eCommerce, he tells the company’s compelling origin story and offers insider insights on how this western Canadian legacy is charging into the future.

On this episode of The Voice of Retail, Jest and I talk about the role that Peavey Mart plays as a community staple to farmers, urban and rural, across the country.

We break down the challenges and opportunities that the pandemic has brought to Peavey Mart and dive into the company’s marketing strategy in the face of the great acceleration. Jest talks about the brand’s devotion to fostering community across customers and stores - and how that translates into meaningful storytelling.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Retail and Community at the Forefront of Human Connection with Cadillac Fairview

michael@meleblanc.co (Inge van den Berg) — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Since 1974 Cadillac Fairview has been creating landmark retail and commercial real estate around the world.

In the face of the pandemic and changing social times, how is this influential commercial real estate company weaving the retail landscape into its impact-driven strategy?

On this episode of The Voice of Retail, my guest is retail veteran Inge van den Berg, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Risk at Cadillac Fairview.

We talk about the increasing importance of fostering wholly rounded communities - from social connectivity to environmental sustainability. Inge outlines Cadillac Fairview’s role in delivering a brighter future and details the company’s new goals that centre community, people and the planet.

We discuss the evolution of dynamic retail spaces in the face of changing times and how Cadillac Fairview is keeping up with the great acceleration.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Inge van den Berg

A passionate, yet pragmatic leader and team player with a track record of driving change and delivering strong results through collaborative facilitation. A senior executive with extensive experience in retail, consumer goods, and real estate industries; including nine years of investor relations, corporate affairs, business unit management and corporate strategy. Complemented by ten years in management consulting, working with Global and North American companies to define and execute growth and go-to-market strategies, as well as operational improvements.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Conversational Commerce and the Power of Modern SMS & ChatBots

michael@meleblanc.co (Michael Ricci) — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 04:13:15 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Conversational commerce is one of the most powerful trends shaping retail marketing media today, according to Michael Ricci, industry expert and Vice President of New Technologies at Sinch.

In this episode, Michael breaks down the past, present and future of SMS and how the modern era of customer acquisition lies in trust building and the potential of chatbots.

Together, we discuss the impact of personalized, accessible and streamlined conversation on the consumer buying process. Michael offers key examples of big brands that are pack leaders in utilizing chatbots, addresses common misconceptions about SMS and chatbot technology and talks about cutting-edge mobile strategies.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Michael Ricci is a Highly accomplished senior digital marketing & business development executive with 30+ years of international experience in technology focused operations (B2B & B2C focused) ranging in size from $8/yr million SaaS businesses to $4.2/yr Billion global industry leaders.

• A well regarded Mobile CX architect who has guided some of the world’s most prominent brands.
• Clear track record of success in leading large, complex integrated solutions selling and business development programs and driving strong top line sales growth
• A well respected thought leader in the Mobile Marketing industry and past Chairman of the MMA's Mobile Analytics Committee
• Created the first successful “business to business sports sponsorship models and earned recognition as one of the Best B2B sports marketers in the world.
• Recognized track record of driving over $200m worth of revenue/contracts from global key events like the Olympics, FIFA World Cup, NASCAR, Super Bowl, World Alpine Skiing Championships, World Track & Field Championships.

Specialties: Mobile CX, digital marketing, email marketing, mobile marketing, analytics/data visualization, SMS, PUSH, mobile web, web design, business development, sponsorship marketing and strategy.

Breakthrough Retailing: Lessons from Home Depot

michael@meleblanc.co (Jim Inglis) — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Jim Inglis is a veteran in the retail home improvement space. Working his way from the shop floor to the C-Suite, he has a unique understanding of the industry to offer.

On this episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, I sit down with Jim to talk about his career, his new book titled ‘Breakthrough Retailing: How a Bleeding Orange Culture Can Change Everything,’ and how a certain amount of chaos is healthy.

Using his career and the history of Home Depot as blueprints, Jim offers his leadership tools and insights on company culture to retailers that are looking to remain competitive and relevant in changing times.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Jim Inglis is a world-renowned expert with sixty years of experience in the retail home-improvement industry. He served in executive positions with The Home Depot for thirteen years, where he held the titles of Vice President of Merchandising, West Coast; Executive Vice President of Merchandising; and Executive Vice President, Strategic Development. He also served as a member of the Corporate Board of Directors. Currently, he serves as President of Inglis Retailing. He is also the author of Breakthrough Retailing: How a Bleeding Orange Culture Can Change Everything.

Inglis has helped shape the industry worldwide as a special adviser to the boards of leading home-improvement retailers across the globe: Sodimac in Santiago, Chile; Hornbach in Bornheim, Germany; Bunnings Warehouse in Melbourne, Australia; and Komeri in Niigata, Japan. He is also a past member of numerous boards of directors including for: Home World in Tianjin, China, Chamberlain Manufacturing, K&G, and the National Kitchen and Bath Association, among others. In 2015, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Global Home Improvement Network and the European DIY Retail Association.

Unwrapping Insights on the 2021 Holiday Season and Canadian Shoppers

michael@meleblanc.co (Jason Furlano) — Fri, 8 Oct 2021 06:44:40 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Our second pandemic holiday shopping season is fast approaching. Because supply chains and consumer behaviour have changed fundamentally in the last twenty months, predicting the outcome of major retail events like Holiday is becoming increasingly difficult for retailer marketers.

Join me in discussion with Jason Furlano the SVP of Commercial at MiQ, a programmatic media partner for marketers and agencies. Together, Jason and I unpack MiQ’s latest study titled ‘The Pandemic Effect: What Holiday Shopping Will Look Like in 2021.’

We break down the study’s major findings, talk about key takeaways for retailers and marketers as the holiday season approaches. Stick around for our conversation about broader shifts in the marketing space - we cover the latest marketing innovations, breaking down the marketing silos and more.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Obsessed: Building a Brand People Love From Day One

michael@meleblanc.co (Emily Heyward) — Mon, 4 Oct 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Emily Hayward is Obsessed. The co-founder and chief brand officer of Red Antler was my very special guest recently at Retail Council of Canada’s STORE2021 thought leadership conference, so I thought it only appropriate to bring our conversation onto the podcast.

We talk about how her agency is now the “go-to” agency for retailers looking to create brands that people want to talk about, and what it takes to build and sustain a remarkable brand. We discuss lessons learned from her career working with top companies such Casper, Boxed and Allbirds, and delve into the key concepts she unpacks in her recent book, "Obsessed: Building a Brand People Love From Day One”

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Consumption-Based Forecasting and Planning with SAS's Charles W. Chase

michael@meleblanc.co (Charles W. Chase) — Fri, 1 Oct 2021 06:34:08 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Charles Chase has spent his entire career working with high end analytics to help understand and predict consumer behaviour.

In his new book, Consumer-Based Forecasting and Planning, Predicting Changing Demand Patterns in the New Digital Economy, Charlie takes this experience and combines it with world leading analytics powerhouse SAS to delivery an incisive and novel approach to forecasting demand for retailers.

In a book and this interview right for the times, we talk about how the changes in people, process, analytics and technology plus machine learning can address our most challenging forecasting opportunities.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Charles Chase

Charlie Chase, Author at SAS Blogs

Senior executive with experience in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry specializing in Global Strategic Marketing, Demand Forecasting and Planning, Market Research, Market Response Modeling and Analytic’s, Knowledge Management, Data Warehouse Design, Systems/Applications Development, and Project Management.

Specialties: Global Strategic Marketing & Planning, Market Mix Modeling & Simulation, Global Strategic Forecasting, Market Research & Analysis, Forecasting Systems Design, Forecasting Process Design, Project Management, Supply Chain Management, Data Warehouse Design, Data Warehouse Tools

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

The Power of Customer-Based Valuation with special guest Daniel McCarthy from Remarkable Retail #podcast Season Three

michael@meleblanc.co (Daniel McCarthy, Steve Dennis) — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 04:26:38 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

On this special episode I am thrilled to be sharing an excerpt from the most popular Remarkable Retail podcast of our third season, where my podcast partner & best selling author Steve Denis and I interview Daniel McCarthy, professor of marketing at Emory's Goizueta Business School, co-founder of Theta Equity Partners and pioneering thought leader on customer-based corporate valuation. It's a fast-paced MasterClass on how the cost of acquisition, retention rates and other customer cohort data provide valuable insight on the long-term prospects of any retail brand.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Understanding COVID-era labour law with Joseph Cohen-Lyons

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

The COVID era has brought with it not only questions around consumer behavioural changes and retail strategy deep dives but also raised many, many new questions around labour practices and labour law. Can I mandate COVID testing in the workplace, what must I accommodate, can I field a mandatory employee survey and the big one, can I require vaccines in my business.

Joseph Cohen-Lyons is a lawyer in the employment and labour law group with Norton Rose Fulbright, a global law firm with more than 3,700 lawyers and other legal staff based in Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa.

In this exclusive interview, Joseph and I discuss the state of labour law in the COVID era and try to answer the tough questions you all have regarding labour law at an unprecedented time.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en/knowledge/publications/2eb4cfc3/return-to-the-workplace

https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en/people/139430

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Special The Food Professor #podcast edition: Serge Boulanger, SVP Procurement & Corporate Brands at Metro Inc.

michael@meleblanc.co (Serge Boulanger, Sylvain Charlebois) — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 06:25:58 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

On this special episode I am thrilled to be sharing an excerpt from the recent season opener of my podcast with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, The Food Professor. On one of our most popular episodes this year, Sylvain and I interview very special guest, Serge Boulanger, Senior Vice President Procurement & Corporate Brands at Metro Inc.,

Serge talks about his rich background in marketing, sourcing and grocery, the brand and banner strategies for Metro, eCommerce expansion, dealing with pandemic and what /how Metro’s experiences during the COVID era has changed the way they operate and approach the business that is relentlessly customer focussed.

Be sure and check out The Food Professor podcast every two weeks, and find us on YouTube for extended bonus content from each and every episode.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

China eCommerce expert Frank Lavin on his new book "The Smart Business Guide to China eCommerce"

michael@meleblanc.co (Frank Lavin) — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 06:26:08 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Frank Lavin has devoted much of his professional life to working in and understanding the Asian market, from top level roles in U.S. government including Undersecretary of Commerce, Ambassador to Singapore and other White House appointments, to much time in the private sector a top roles such as Chairman of Public Affairs, Asia Pacific for Edelman.

All of which means now as the Chairman and Founder of Export Now, a China solutions company for international brands, Frank has a unique and highly informed perspective on the China market, consumers, and how to understand the vast opportunities eCommerce offers

Frank joins me again on The Voice of Retail to catch me up on the latest developments on the ground in China and talk about his new book, The Smart Business Guide to China eCommerce (https://www.amazon.ca/Smart-Business-Guide-China-Commerce/dp/9814954659/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=frank+lavin&qid=1631858986&sr=8-6 )

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Cycles of Philanthropic Retail: The Story of Obakki with Founder Treana Peake

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 05:07:46 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Treana Peake has devoted her life to spreading the care that she experienced in her smalltown, Albertan upbringing around the world.

As a philanthropist first, and a retailer second, Obakki has become a space for both utilizing and transforming the structures of traditional retail. Obakki is a purpose-led lifestyle brand that connects people through modern design. This online and Vancouver-based brick-and-mortar brand offers homeware products made by artisans all over the world while upholding three principles: sustainability, traceability and ethical production.

On this episode of The Voice of Retail, I sit down with Treana to talk about the story of Obakki, how she fosters a symbiotic relationship between philanthropy and retail, and how she manages intricate supply chains as an independent retailer in unprecedented times.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Treana Peake passion for travel and eye for design, combined with her lifelong dedication to making a difference in the world, inspired her to launch Obakki in 2005. The Obakki Foundation, its philanthropic counterpart, followed shortly thereafter.

For decades she has travelled the globe, always on the lookout for opportunities to wander off the beaten path to connect with people and their stories.

Recognized as an influential speaker in the field of social entrepreneurship, Treana has spoken about modern philanthropic solutions in front of the U.S. Congress and the United Nations, and has been featured as a TED Talk presenter speaking on the power of selfless giving. In addition, her hands-on work in the field has been recognized and endorsed by the UN, UNICEF and The Carter Center.

Treana has travelled to Africa over 70 times, often with the Obakki Foundation (our philanthropic counterpart), where she’s formed partnerships with people and communities that have lasted decades.

Treana herself meets with each of our artisan partners, fostering genuine relationships around the globe to ensure that the highest levels of dignity, respect and social responsibility are upheld as we work with these vital communities.

From remote villages in Mexico to the world's largest refugee resettlement area in Uganda, Treana consistently forms lasting relationships with Obakki’s artisan partners. She is committed to preserving, progressing, and celebrating the diverse craft cultures around the world—while also creating sustainable change.

Fika Herbal Goods veteran retail COO Christopher Kane preps for geometric growth

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 07:07:38 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

The retail cannabis industry in Canada is growing, well, as they would say, like a weed. This kind of fast paced growth with new companies in an new sector calls out for experienced retail operators to help navigate and bring to the industry experience and operational expertise to survive and thrive in what is an increasingly crowded competitive market.

Christopher Kane is a savvy retail operator that brings with him decades of experience in grocery, Pharma, and category management to his freshly minted role as the Chief Operating Officer at FIKA Herbal Goods

Christopher joins me on The Voice of Retail to talk about the origin story of FIKA, their store and merchandising strategy, and all about his experience moving to the fast-paced world of retail cannabis

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Paws on the Ground: A Conversation with PetValu’s CMO + CDO Tanbir Grover

michael@meleblanc.co (Tanbir Grover) — Mon, 6 Sep 2021 06:38:54 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Tanbir Grover is an accomplished and popular retail leader recently drawn back to the retail industry that he has called home for so many years.

Now after nearly a year as the Chief Marketing and Digital Officer at Canadian pet supply retailer, PetValu, Tanbir has a host of insights to share on PetValu’s omnichannel brand positioning within the greater scope of retail marketing and eCommerce.

Tanbir returns to The Voice of Retail to talk about retail marketing trends, the opportunities on PetValu’s horizon and what it’s like to actualize the potential of a brand in a highly competitive space and build an agile team during the COVID era.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Conversations with CommerceNext, Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Michael is also the producer and host of the all new Last Request Barbecue, the hottest, smokiest new BBQ channel to hit the virtual food space this year!

Lessons in consumer trust, relationship-building and results

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 3 Sep 2021 07:48:33 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

From a kitchen lab start-up in a blender to a fully-fledged direct-to-consumer internationally respected beauty brand, Isomers Skin Care is a great example of a resilient and responsive independent brand and DTC retailer.

Since 1988, Isomers has been developing and producing skincare solutions that are grounded in science. In an industry that can be notorious for empty promises, founder and CEO Manuela Marcheggiani wanted to offer reliability and authenticity to consumers - creating skin care products that deliver measurable results.

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, Manuela and I catch up and talk about the origin story and core values of the company, reflects on lessons learned as an entrepreneur and talks about what it’s like for a breakthrough Canadian brand to enter the social media space.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

H&M Country Manager Frédéric Tavoukdjian on scaling new heights of Resale Retail

michael@meleblanc.co (Frédéric Tavoukdjian) — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 04:44:37 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

The resale economy is taking retail by storm. And, come September, this global fashion retailer will be jumping head-on into the surge - starting with the Canadian market.

On this episode of The Voice of Retail, I talk with the Country Manager of H&M Canada, Frédéric Tavoukdjian, about H&M’s newest project “Rewear.” We discuss what the Rewear platform is all about, how it will work and how it came to be. Frederic talks about the importance of listening to consumer needs, his excitement of taking on a new assignment after almost 20 years at H&M, and what it’s like to manage this expansive brand in Canada.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

The Disruptive DNA of Neo Financial

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 06:03:44 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Neo Financial has accomplished a lot since its conception in 2019. This becomes especially apparent when compared to the hundreds-year-old financial institutions Neo is challenging in Canada.

In the distinct and gridlocked Canadian banking system, Jeff Adamson Co-founder & Head of Partnerships

and his Neo co-founders are making room for innovation and customer-first service - giving traditional financial institutions a run for their money.

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, I talk with Jeff about Neo Financial and the change that it’s bringing to both banking and retail space. As a former Olympic wrestler and a co-founder of Skip the Dishes, Jeff shares his unique insights on what it means to build a resilient business in Canada helping consumer and retailers alike see more value for their time and treasure.

Let’s listen in.

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Amazon Unbound with author Brad Stone from Season Three of the Remarkable Retail podcast

michael@meleblanc.co (Steve Dennis, Brad Stone) — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

On this special episode I am thrilled to be sharing a excerpt from the recent season three opener of my Remarkable Retail podcast, where my podcast partner Steve Dennis and I interview Brad Stone. Brad is the senior executive editor of global technology at Bloomberg News and author of Amazon Unbound, Jeff Bezos and the Invention of a Global Empire. Let’s listen in now starting with an introduction by Steve.

Remarkable Retail is back with Season 3 and we kick it off with our special guest Brad Stone, senior executive editor for global technology at Bloomberg News and bestselling author of several books, including his latest Amazon Unbound: Jeff Bezos and the Invention of a Global Empire.

In this fast-paced interview--nicely timed for the week that Andy Jassy takes over as CEO of Amazon--we have the opportunity to dig into the company's journey since Brad's last book ( The Everything Store) and take an insider's view of Jeff Bezos' unique leadership style. In addition to unpacking some of the keys to the company's remarkable growth--and apparent invincibility--Brad shares some illuminating and amusing anecdotes. We also tee up what's most important to keep an eye on in the future.

Brad Stone is the author of four books, including Amazon Unbound: Jeff Bezos and the Invention of a Global Empire, published by Simon & Schuster in May 2021. It traces the transformation of Amazon into one of the largest and most feared companies of the world and the accompanying emergence of its founder, Jeff Bezos, as the richest man alive.

Brad is also the author of The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon, which chronicled the foundational early years of the company. The book, a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, was translated into more than 35 languages and won the 2013 Financial Times/Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award. In 2017, he also published The Upstarts: Uber, Airbnb, and the Battle for the New Silicon Valley.

Brad is Senior Executive Editor for Global Technology at Bloomberg News where he oversees a team of 65 reporters and editors that covers high-tech companies, startups, cyber security and internet trends around the world. Over the last ten years, as a writer for Bloomberg Businessweek, he’s authored over two dozen cover stories on companies such as Apple, Google, Amazon, Softbank, Twitter, Facebook and the Chinese internet juggernauts Didi, Tencent and Baidu. He’s a regular contributor to Bloomberg’s technology newsletter Fully Charged, and to the daily Bloomberg TV news program, Bloomberg Technology.

He was previously a San Francisco-based correspondent for The New York Times and Newsweek. A graduate of Columbia University, he is originally from Cleveland, Ohio and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and three daughters.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Inclusive Growth: Daria Burke, CMO JustFab from Conversations with CommerceNext

michael@meleblanc.co (Daria Burke, Veronkia Sonsev) — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

On this special episode I am thrilled to be sharing a full episode from my all new Conversations with CommerceNext podcast featuring Daria Burke, Chief Marketing Officer at JustFab

Let’s listen in now to the introduction, and then we pick up the conversation with Daria as she joins CVS as the head of Beauty Strategy.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Retail marketing & eCommerce in dog years; Ren’s Pets moving fast and staying loyal

michael@meleblanc.co (Larissa Wasyliw) — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Larissa Wasyliw has a rich background in national and regional retail brand marketing. Now, as the Vice President of eCommerce & Marketing at specialty pet store Ren’s Pets, all of her skills are being tested. In a short amount of time with Ren’s, she’s seen the company through many stages of transition and growth right through the middle of the COVID era.

In this episode, Larissa talks with me about both her work and career thus far, and the exciting road ahead - which involves an exclusive conversation about recent developments regarding Ren’s Pets and Groupe Legault’s Quebec based Mondu pet store.

Learn about the unique space that Ren’s Pets has made for itself in the pet retail industry, what it’s been like to keep up with the wave of “pandemic puppies,” and how Ren’s Pets is preparing it’s brand for some exciting expansion opportunities.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Larissa Wasyliw

Results-driven ecommerce & marketing professional with 15+ years in the retail business. High growth leader that thrives when innovating in the fast paced retail landscape. Focused on growing online businesses & executing omnichannel experiences for a customer-centric organization. Inspired by big ideas & analytics.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Driving Change at the Forefront of Urban Last Mile

michael@meleblanc.co (Charles Jolley) — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

URB-E is a compact container delivery network that is transforming the last-mile delivery process. From the mind of a former Porsche and Fisker engineer, these electric vehicles and collapsible containers are economizing retail delivery operations from carbon footprints to traffic footprints. And now, since partnering PenguinPickUp, they’re introducing a customer-oriented, entirely new modality for delivery here in Canada as well as the U.S

On this episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, I sit down with Charles Jolley, the CEO of URB-E, to talk about how the company is reimagining package delivery. URB-E was ready for the e-commerce boom long before the pandemic sent consumers online. Charles sheds light on how the company has kept up with rapid growth, and what they’ve learned from offering solutions for delivery in high-density environments.

In eighteen months of COVID-era supply chain and delivery service complications, the promise of URB-E’s design is a refreshing look at the innovative adaptations that lie ahead.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Impact: Reshaping Capitalism with venture capitalist Sir Ronald Cohen

michael@meleblanc.co (Sir Ronald Cohen) — Mon, 9 Aug 2021 05:52:37 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

My very special guest on this episode is Sir Ronald Cohen, a pioneering philanthropist, venture capitalist, private equity investor and social innovator and now with his new book, Impact: Reshaping Capitalism to Drive Real Change, a best selling author.

In a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation commensurate with the scope, scale and well, the impact of Impact Capitalism, Sir Ronald takes us through a vivid career launched from Oxford and Harvard into essentially creating the private equity industry in the U.K. He then lays out the principals of investing with impact, and how consumer and retailers can participate in one of the biggest movements in modern society to reform our value system

Let’s listen in.

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

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Sir Ronald Cohen is a preeminent international investor, entrepreneur, philanthropist, social finance innovator, and impact pioneer, who is driving forward the global Impact Revolution.

https://sirronaldcohen.org/

He is the author of 'IMPACT: Reshaping capitalism to drive real change' - a Sunday Times Bestseller. His previous book 'The Second Bounce of the Ball' was described by the Financial Times as “One of the best books written on entrepreneurship in recent years.”

He serves as Chairman of the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment and The Portland Trust. He is a co-founder of Social Finance UK, USA and Israel; and co-founder Chair of Bridges Fund Management and Big Society Capital. He chaired the G8 Social Impact Investment Taskforce (2013-15), the UK Social Investment Task Force (2000-10) and the UK's Commission on Unclaimed Assets (2005-2007). In 2012 he received the Rockefeller Foundation's Innovation Award for Social Finance.

He was the co-founder and Executive Chairman of Apax Partners Worldwide LLP (1972-2005), a global venture capital and private equity firm, and co-founder of the British and European venture capital associations.

Oxford and Harvard educated, Sir Ronald was born in Egypt and left as a refugee at the age of 11, when his family came to the UK. He is based in Tel Aviv, London and New York.

Follow on twitter @SirRonnieCohen.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

The Hybridization of Retail from the Remarkable Retail podcast with Steve Dennis

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 6 Aug 2021 05:26:29 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

On this special episode I am thrilled to be sharing a full episode from Season Three of my Remarkable Retail podcast, a discussion with my podcast partner, Steve Dennis. Steve is an advisor, keynote speaker and author of the best selling Remarkable Retail: How to Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption.

I launched the Remarkable Retail podcast in 2020, and we just kicked off Season Three, which also now includes a YouTube channel. Join me and Steve as we use his “8 Essentials of Remarkable Retail’ framework to explore modern retail, before, during and after the COVID-19 crisis. Along with special guests including top retailers and industry thought leaders, we' explore the latest events within the retail industry and beyond for a lively and interactive journey to Remarkable Retail.

In this episode, The Hybridization of Retail, we go deep on a growing trend that Steve introduced in his book, and recently unpacked in a Forbes article: namely how so many aspects of retail--stores, supply chains, brand distribution strategies and more--are moving from roles that are largely singular in purpose to becoming (or needing to become) hybrid in nature. This shift is profound, requires potentially massive changes over time and, we argue, not yet getting the attention it deserves.

Let’s listen in.

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

A social media masterclass with Brittlestar

michael@meleblanc.co (Stewart Reynolds) — Mon, 2 Aug 2021 04:32:03 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Stewart Reynolds, aka Brittlestar almost daily captures the zeitgeist of Canadian culture online...and with millions of views on Youtube, Twitter and other top platforms is a savvy content creator, digital strategist, keynote speaker and social media strategy consultant.

Brittlestar is my very special guest on this episode of The Voice of Retail - we talk social media tradecraft, and his love for Zeller’s and Consumers Distributing, and actionable advice on how retailers can be consistent and successful with their social media strategies.

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

BrittleStar:

Hundreds of thousands of people watch Brittlestar’s videos every week.

His comedic and family-friendly videos have been seen more than 450 MILLION times on various platforms. His recent KFC video campaign was the most popular branded video content in the world in the summer of 2017.

With a global fanbase, an invitation to the White House, speaking engagements all over North America, starring in the Dreamworks TV show ‘Kid vs Parent’ with his youngest son, collaborations with celebs such as The Property Brothers, and meet-and-greets at PlaylistLive, Brittlestar is living the social media celebrity dream… not bad for a Dad from the suburbs.

Brittlestar, or Stewart Reynolds (as his mom calls him when he’s in trouble), is the father of two teen boys, Owen and Gregor (both well-known creators online). These three guys, along with Brittlestar’s wife, Shannon (co-star of their successful The Morning Show Thing live stream on Facebook), have created viral videos for a variety of brands and organizations such as Disney, ESPN, Subway, CBC, Walmart, and others.

The Evolving Landscape of Loss Prevention

michael@meleblanc.co (Rui Rodrigues) — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 04:11:52 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

The Loss Prevention landscape is an ever-changing space. Veteran retail LP professional Rui Rodrigues, speaks to the importance of staying ahead of the industry and the need to continually learn and grow as a professional.

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, I sit down with Rui to do a top-to-bottom analysis of the state of Loss Prevention work. Together, we compare shifts in Loss Prevention both over time and between Canada and the US and talk about his new role as Executive Advisor to Retail Council of Canada . Rui offers sobering insights on contemporary security and we talk about the industry as it pertains to retailers in the pandemic.

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Rui Rodrigues

An enthusiastic and influential Executive with extensive leadership experience in Loss Prevention, Risk Management, Safety and Security. Proven record of leading improvements to the bottom line and turnaround of underperforming teams and operations. Foster a culture of operational excellence, with a special focus on talent development and curating programs tailored to each organization. My expertise includes: Strategic and Tactical Program Design; People Development; Strong Business Acumen; Threat & Risk Assessment; Problem solving.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

The Future of Retail is Knocking at Your Door

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:19:10 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Ron Johnson is responsible for the iconic Apple Store and Genius Bar that are loved by retail specialists and consumers alike. After years of transforming the retail strategies for retailers Apple and Target, Ron is pioneering the next leap in the retail revolution: bringing the personalized e-commerce shopping experience from your screen to your doorstep.

As the CEO of Enjoy, Ron says that the future of retail will take place in your living room. In this interview, Ron is back on the podcast talking about taking the next step in the shopping experience. We talk about what inspired this transformative approach to retail, and what impact it will have as Enjoy grows with their new partners.

I ask Ron to call on his experience in traditional retail as well as with Enjoy to offer retailers key pieces of advice and insight on navigating the post-COVID world.

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Ron Johnson

Ron is the CEO and Co-Founder of Enjoy, the first mobile retail store. Enjoy has partnered with premier technology companies including AT&T, Rogers, and British Telecom to bring their products directly to customers. When a partner's customer purchases on-line, their product is hand delivered on-demand, with a trained Expert to get them up and running, answer any questions, and purchase any additional products, accessories, or software solutions. Under Ron's leadership, Enjoy has delivered more than one million Enjoy experiences and created a new channel in retail - the mobile store.

Ron is perhaps best known for the work he did creating and leading the Apple Stores during their first twelve years. Ron also served as the CEO of JCPenney during 2012 and 2013. Prior to his time at Apple Ron was highly regarded for the work he did as the merchant leader at Target Stores, the United States leading upscale Discount Stores. He helped the 1700 store Target chain differentiate itself through design and skillful marketing. Ron spent the majority of his 15 years at Target from 1984 through 2000 in merchandising leadership positions.

In addition, Ron is a Board Member of several private companies in the Bay Area.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and the all new Conversations with CommerceNext podcast. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

The Resale Retail Market is on the Rise

michael@meleblanc.co (Courtney Watkins) — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 04:26:42 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

It’s true, the resale trend is here to stay - but it doesn’t look like the resale retail spaces we might be thinking of.

Departing from dusty consignment-style stores, the resale space has a new look and feel. The founder of Mine & Yours, Courtney Watkins, talks about riding the rising wave of luxury fashion resale.

In this episode, Courtney and I talk about her unique origin story and she carved a space for herself in the fashion industry she loves. She shares her insights on navigating e-commerce with such fluid and unique stock, engaging with buyers and sellers, and building a strong online and in-person community.

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Courtney Watkins

From her earliest memories of playing dress-up in her mother’s closet, Courtney has always loved fashion and finding creative ways to showcase her style for less. Courtney got her start in fashion at only 17- pursuing a degree in Merchandise Marketing in Los Angeles. From working as a celebrity stylist to a trend forecaster, she got her entrepreneurial start running a Saw Mill. Watkins then went on to create a company that values sustainability, interpersonal relationships and luxury fashion. Courtney thought what better way to give second hand fashion a second home and enable women to feel confident in their clothing- for a fraction of retail price! Today, she gets to combine her love of luxury, business, and styling though revolutionizing resale at Canada's fastest growing retail + ecommerce store, Mine & Yours.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Digitally Enabled, Data-Driven Marketing for Post-Pandemic Retail

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 07:16:42 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Tim Mason is the CEO of Eagle Eye, an information technology firm that uses a data-driven digital marketing platform to enable retailers to connect all aspects of the customer journey.

As the former deputy CEO & CMO of Tesco in the U.K., Tim calls on his own background in retail as he works with big clients all over the world.

In this episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, Tim is back on the podcast to share his insights on how the retail landscape has and will continue to shift because of the pandemic.

Tune in to hear what Tim believes are the three essential elements for building a successful digital retail ecosystem, the top three things that retailers should be looking out for in the years following the pandemic, and finally, the three things that retailers should stop/start in their marketing practices.

Can you tell that we believe in the power of three’s?

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Tim Mason

Tim has been CEO of Eagle Eye since September 2016, joining as Chairman in January 2016. He has over 30 years’ experience within the grocery and retail industries, with a strong background in strategic marketing and customer loyalty.

Previously, Tim was a managing director at Sun Capital Partners and Chairman of Bonmarché Holdings plc from 2013 to 2015. Prior to that he was Deputy CEO at Tesco from January 2010 to December 2012. He held a number of other roles within the Tesco Group between 1982 and 2012 including CMO for Tesco and CEO of Fresh & Easy LLC. Tim spearheaded Tesco’s bid to crack America, and was responsible for the expansion and operations of 150 stores US wide.

Throughout his career at Tesco, he was renowned for being in touch with the customer, and instrumental in the creation of some of Tesco’s most successful marketing initiatives (Clubcard, Express, Personal Finance and Tesco.com). He is also a Director of It's Fresh Ltd and Purple.

Joy as a Career Strategy: Alex Waldman, Co-Founder of Universal Standard on Conversations with CommerceNext

michael@meleblanc.co (Alex Waldman) — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

On this special episode I am thrilled to be sharing with you my interview with Universal Standard Co-founder and Canadian retailer Alexandra Waldman with a special Conversations with CommerceNext podcast edition of The Voice of Retail.

I launched Conversations with CommerceNext podcast with my partners CommerceNext co-founders Veronika Sonsev and Scott Silverman in early June, and its been an amazing start with a great audience. Check it out where you enjoy your podcasts today.

So here is my full length feature interview with Alex from women’s apparel retailer Universal Standard

Who just last week, The Times of London called "the most revolutionary brand in fashion."

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Shining in the Sleep Industry: an Interview with Polysleep’s CEO

michael@meleblanc.co (Jeremiah Curvers) — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 05:56:56 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Over the last decade, the sleep industry has undergone some serious transformation.

Jeremiah Curvers, the co-founder and CEO of Polysleep, believes that the importance of sleep is “the next revelation” on the health front that consumers are going to prioritize.

While technological advancements, such as the machinery responsible for compact mattress packing, have shaken up the otherwise maturing market, there remains a high level of competition. Direct-to-consumer distribution structures have proven very popular in mattress retail.

Though neither of Polysleep’s founders had much of a background in the sleep industry when they started the company, it’s perhaps their outsider perspective that has allowed them to reach their audience in a crowded marketing space.

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, I sit down with Jeremiah to talk about supply chains, company culture and marketing strategies. From inside-out, learn about the technology that makes Polysleep’s product unique and the strategic decisions that have brought this Canadian-made, environmentally conscious brand to life.

Jeremiah Curvers is the Co-Founder and CEO of Polysleep, a Canadian mattress retailer based and made 100% in Montreal, Canada. Raised in a Belgian family specialized in furniture and decoration, Jeremiah grew with a strong entrepreneurial spirit with a background that led him to a promising career in the mattress industry.

Jeremiah launched Polysleep in 2016 as an online mattress-in-a-box company.

The company started with just one product, the classic Polysleep mattress, and has since expanded to add pillows, two new mattresses, one of them with high technology solutions, a bed foundation, and a baby mattress. As an ambitious and self-taught businessman, Jeremiah is a true believer in learning by doing, starting his first company at the age of 17. Digital marketing is Jeremiah's playground. His years of digital marketing experience at Mediative prove that he is an early adopter when tackling the digital world. Today he is focused on building a successful company that is innovating and creating products that ultimately help people sleep better.

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

A Masterclass in Government Relations and Retail

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 9 Jul 2021 07:22:56 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Rob Moore has been on all four sides of the table.

With decades of retail, political, communications and agency experience in his back pocket, Rob brings a unique perspective to the table as a Partner at the one of Canada’s top public affairs agencies, Crestview Strategy.

From public policy to public opinion, get an insider look at modern government relations and how it impacts retailers. Learn about the changes that this line of work has undergone within the past few decades and what Rob has to say about digital campaigning and public opinion in government relations tradecraft today.

Rob gives us his top three best pieces of advice for better understanding the political environment as it pertains to retail, and stick around for is hot take on Jagmeet Singh’s TikTok account (and other thoughts on our current and impending political climate - including the pending federal election call).

Rob Moore

Rob has over 20 years of experience in politics, corporate communications, public affairs and business strategy, a career that has included leadership roles in both the private and public sector. Rob brings this unique perspective from both the commercial and political worlds to build on Crestview’s successful government relations practice.

Rob joins Crestview after recently managing the largest division of a multi-national public relations agency. As an independent consultant Rob has provided corporate reputation, issues management and public affairs advice to clients in numerous and varied industries and markets. He has been the lead executive with responsibility for brand reputation, strategic planning, investor relations and regulatory affairs for some of Canada’s largest companies including Hudson’s Bay Company, Loblaws, and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.

And prior to these corporate officer roles, Rob was the Director of Public Affairs, Canada, Edelman Public Relations Worldwide; Director of Communications and Press Secretary for the Mayor of the City of Toronto; Principal at the communications firm, Perkins Moore Associates; and a senior political aide to a Federal Member of Parliament.

Rob has been a leader in the global corporate social responsibility and sustainability community. Serving on the Board of Directors of Canadian Business for Social Responsibility since 2005. Including acting as Interim President & CEO and now is the Board Chair.

Rob serves as an advisory Board, Committee Member and Board Director to numerous community and not-for-profit organizations including Canadian Business for Social Responsibility; Canadian Journalism Foundation; Community Living Ontario; Evergreen Foundation; and the YMCA of Greater Toronto.

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

What to Expect in a Re-Opened Retail Real Estate Market

michael@meleblanc.co (John Crombie) — Mon, 5 Jul 2021 04:49:26 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Retail real estate has been fundamentally shaken up by the pandemic. Between lockdowns for non-essential services and accelerated eCommerce growth, investigating the health of retail through the lens of the real estate market offers a wealth of information.

This special episode of The Voice of Retail features an interview picked up from my weekly livestream that I co-host with Retail Council of Canada on the last week of June.

Get an in-depth analysis of the current and future state of the Canadian retail marketplace from the expert perspective of Cushman & Wakefield’s Executive Managing Director of Retail Services, John Crombie.

In this interview, my co-host for the evening, Karl Littler (RCC’s Senior Vice President of Public Affairs), and I call on John’s professional experience and research to unlock new information about the retail marketplace. From malls to warehouses, we discuss the need for technological innovation, changing real estate prices and new opportunities to keep up with evolving consumer behaviour.

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

About John Crombie:

An innovative leader with a proven track record in business, brokerage and commercial real estate across Canada and internationally for over 25 years.

Acknowledged as one of the top 20 influencers in the World of Real Estate in Canada in 2018, and one of the six recipients worldwide to win the Global Medallion ICSC Award for contribution to Retail Research in Canada, in 2016

An industry expert and thought leader on the Canadian real estate market. A strategic thinker with a strong technical background and a passion for innovation.

Recognized for insightful knowledge and forward thinking of the retail real estate market, a noted keynote speaker at industry events, conventions and seminars and frequent contributor to articles and news reports in various publications including the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, Canadian Business, BNN and CTV television.

Actively participates in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Council for the Commercial Real Estate & Development (CRED) industry as an Advisory Partner.

• Deep experience in leasing, acquisitions, operations, property management and asset management
• A leader and mentor committed to people and team development through sales coaching
• Expert negotiator and a strategic thinker with an innovative approach to portfolio strategies
• Knowledgeable on research insights and in-depth analysis of commercial real estate and retail
• Proficient in business development with a client focused – win/win - approach to business
• Strong governance relations expertise with a commitment to community contribution

The Future of eCommerce Warehouse Robotics Is In 3D

michael@meleblanc.co (Roman Moulin) — Fri, 2 Jul 2021 05:41:25 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Warehouse automation has reached new heights in the pandemic - and it doesn’t seem to be stopping here.

While COVID-19 has created a host of supply chain challenges, it’s also underscored essential opportunities for innovation. From climbing robots to increasing demand for reflexive and dynamic warehouses, we get to the bottom (or rather, the top) of the modern retail warehouse.

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, I sit down with the CEO of Exotec Robotics, Romain Moulin, to talk about the past, present and future of warehouse automation.

We discuss the accelerated need for agile warehouses, how Skypod System’s climbing robots are redefining warehouses from architecture to operations, and when investing in automation is right for you as a retailer.

With a little human-to-robot harmony, it’s safe to say that the twenty-first-century warehouse is changing for the better.

Watch the informational video on Exotec’s Skypod System here.

About Romain Moulin

Romain Moulin is the CEO of Exotec, a company he co-founded with Renaud Heitz in 2015 . As a former robotics architect and technical engineer at GE and BA Système, Romain spent 10+ years immersed in deep technology systems before he shifted his attention to solving the challenge of retail warehouse automation. He was born and raised in France and graduated from a top French engineering university, SUPAERO.

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

What we get wrong about China & the Chinese consumer

michael@meleblanc.co (Ashley Dudarenok) — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 04:27:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

When brands are preparing to enter Chinese markets, Ashley Dudarenok tells them to “assume nothing.”

Ashley, the founder of China-based social media marketing firms Alarice and ChoZan, reminds companies to not underestimate the complexity of the nation’s market. When it comes to reaching consumers in China, she suggests that foreign KPI’s, benchmarks and even best-selling product lines are left behind.

In this episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, I sit down with fellow RETHINK Retail Top 100 Global Influencer Ashley Dudarenok to talk about the vast and digitally-centred niches within China’s retail market.

Ashley sheds light on how the pandemic has shaped the retail marketing space, from ageing populations to revenge consumption. We explore digital marketing calendars that are oriented around multi-day festivals, livestreaming in retail and insights on trends that might cross over to North American markets.

Ashley notes that large markets like that of China’s, can be a double-edged sword. As the potential to reach new customers increases, so does the opportunity for failure - especially if your marketing strategy is out of touch.

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Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of The Voice of Retail. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss out on the latest episodes, industry news, and insights. If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a rating and review, as it really helps us grow so that we can continue getting amazing guests on the show.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Ashley Dudarenok 艾熙丽

🇨🇳 I'm a China watcher, 3-time Amazon bestselling author, global keynote speaker, vlogger, podcaster, media contributor and female leadership spokesperson. 👇👇👇

I'm the founder of:
🇨🇳 Chinese social media agency Alarice (alarice.com.hk)
🇨🇳 China digital academy ChoZan (chozan.co)
🔥FIRE self-development and mentorship program for professionals and entrepreneurs (firebyashley.com)

I've been named
🚀 LinkedIn Top Voice in Marketing
🚀 “Guru on Digital Marketing and Fast-evolving Trends in China” by Thinkers50
🚀 Young Business Leader Of The Year 2021 by IPWS, Women Leadership Award
🚀 Asia's Top 25 Innovator by the Holmes Report
🚀 Top 20 Visionaries of the Media & Technology by Adello Magazine
🚀 World’s Top 100 Retail Influencers by RETHINK Retail
🚀 100 B2B Thought Leaders To Follow in 2021 by Thinkers360

I am a member of:
✌️Alibaba's Global Influencer Entourage 2017-2021
✌️JD's Global China Experts Group 2018-2021
✌️I also worked directly with a Tencent co-founder to conquer Western social media from 2017 to 2019.

I'm an Amazon bestselling author of three books:
📖 Unlocking the World’s Largest E-Market: A Guide to Selling on Chinese Social Media
📖 Digital China: Working with Bloggers, Influencers and KOLs, and
📖 New Retail: Born in China, Going Global

I’m a global keynote speaker and masterclass facilitator. My topics include:
🚀 Modern Chinese Consumers
🚀 China’s Digital Marketing
🚀 China's New Retail and Technology

Since 2016, I've spoken at over 150 events across the globe for companies such as BMW, Disney, Shangri-La, Deutsche Bundesbank, Richemont, Li & Fung, Hang Lung Properties, Manulife, TEDx and many others.

🎥 I run the world’s #1 YouTube business vlog about the China market, consumers and social media at www.youtube.com/c/AshleyTalksChina.

🤓 I’m a regularly contributing to media such as TechNode, Jing Daily, The Next Web and the SCMP. I was featured on the BBC, Forbes, Bloomberg, CGTN, the WSJ, CNBC, WIRED, Huffington Post, Asia Times, HKET, Ming Pao and many others.

🎙 I’m the host of the AshleyTalks Podcast, where I interview top thought leaders from across Asia about entrepreneurship, marketing, women in business, China, tech and more.

📚 I’ve given lectures at HKU Space and done talks at the China Business Centre of Hong Kong PolyU and the National University of Singapore Business School.

#ashleytalks #china #digitalmarketing #socialmedia

Your Cybersecurity is More Under Threat Than You Might Think

michael@meleblanc.co (Courtney Radke) — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 05:22:18 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada, and this episode is brought to you by Fortinet,

Fortinet secures the largest enterprise, service provider, and government organizations around the world. Fortinet empowers its customers with intelligent, seamless protection across the expanding attack surface and the power to take on ever-increasing performance requirements of the borderless network—today and into the future. Fortinet’s mission is to secure people, devices, and data everywhere.

Cyberattacks on businesses are more commonplace than we might think. And the pandemic might have made it worse.

As offices transitioned to work-from-home systems and many retailers either started or expanded their eCommerce practices, the Chief Information Security Officer for National Retail at Fortinet says that protecting your cybersecurity perimeter has never been so important (and complex).

In this episode of The Voice of Retail I sit down with Courtney Radke, Fortinet’s National Retail CISO, to talk about how retailers can better protect themselves - and their customers - in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Courtney sheds light on the reality of identifying and reporting breaches in cybersecurity, we talk about the business of being a cybercriminal and I get to the bottom of how retailers can sustainably invest in their cyber safety.

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Courtney Radke, National Retail CISO, Fortinet

Courtney spent over 10 years leading retail technology strategy and securing distributed networks at multiple retail and restaurant organizations across North America. As the CISO for Retail at Fortinet, Courtney uses his skills and experience as a former retail customer and technology leader to provide real-world solutions for customers and partners in the retail vertical.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Retail Strategy at the Intersection of Acceleration and Disruption

michael@meleblanc.co (Amar Singh) — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

What’s a COVID-era trend and what’s here to stay?

Amar Singh is the Senior Director in Consulting at the marketing research company, Kantar. As a retail consultant who specializes in macroeconomics and forecasting, Amar has invaluable insights on the past, present and future impacts of the pandemic. At the post-COVID intersection of acceleration and disruption, Amar fleshes out the trends that all retailers should be keeping their eyes on.

In this episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, I am thrilled to sit down with my long-time friend Amar to talk about supply chain disruption, how AI in the retail space is too focused on the past, and what the “returning to normal” timeline really looks like.

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Strong Roots: Fostering a Foundation of Resilience

michael@meleblanc.co (Mona Kennedy) — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Roots’ Chief Financial Officer, Mona Kennedy, is coming out of the pandemic with renewed appreciation for the company’s built-in resilience.

From the front lines to the head office, Roots’ company culture champions agility and values their people as their greatest asset. I sit down with Mona in this episode of The Voice of Retail podcast to talk in-depth about how this and other strategies have propelled Roots through the past eighteen months.

Having assumed her position at Roots only a month before the pandemic hit North America, Mona has faced her baptism-by-fire with ingenuity, preparation and determination in uncertain times. Calling on both her personal experience with teamwork and professional experience at other iconic Canadian brands, Mona offers insight on her approach to retail in the pandemic and Roots beyond lockdowns.

Mona Kennedy

Mona is a well-rounded finance executive with significant experience in strategy, sales, marketing & trade spend. She has extensive experience in budgeting, forecasting, M&A, divestitures, restructuring, risk management, investor relations, IT implementation and strategy development & execution. She has a solid track record for delivery and building trust at Board and C-levels by consistently exceeding business goals through strong stakeholder focus, superior team leadership and collaboration, and keen business acumen.

Mona is a CPA who holds an MBA from INSEAD and a Bachelor of Commerce from Queen's University.

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Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of The Voice of Retail. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss out on the latest episodes, industry news, and insights. If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a rating and review, as it really helps us grow so that we can continue getting amazing guests on the show.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

A look inside stores post COVID- and how to get there

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 04:11:59 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

With vaccination rates steadily on the rise, retailers are now facing the reality of business after lockdowns. So, what’s going to be different?

Today, I dive into brick and mortar retail trends with Steve Hart, the founder and CEO of the retail architecture and planning firm DedON.

With projects all over the world, this North American-based company specializes in designing and optimizing retail spaces for clients such as Polo Ralph Lauren to Cineplex and Loblaws. Steve compares interviews with clients in 2019 with interviews from 2021, identifies changing trends in technology and materials, and lays out key takeaways for retailers that are opening their doors again.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week

Is Your Omnichannel Strategy Helping Or Hindering Your Success?

michael@meleblanc.co (Nasser Sahlool) — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 08:34:45 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Award wining senior agency leader and strategic digital marketer with one of Canada’s premier global digital agencies, Nasser Sahlool, Vice President of Client Strategy at DAC group takes us through his observations of consumer behaviour, purpose and retail response and reaction to the COVID era.

Nasser also takes us through their latest collaboration with Forrester group looking at the state of omnichannel and what retailers need to be thinking about today so they can meet and exceed their customer’s demands tomorrow

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Death by B.S.

michael@meleblanc.co (Likky Lavji) — Mon, 7 Jun 2021 06:20:59 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Leadership Coach, Keynote Speaker and author, Likky Lavji can speak to the power of vulnerability and trust in leadership.

When it comes to being a business leader and building incredibly cohesive teams, Likky is inviting the world to get familiar with what they have yet to see - their blind spots.

In this episode of The Voice of Retail, Likky calls on his years of personal and professional experience. We talk about finding life’s purpose, the importance of listening and his new book Death by B.S.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Surprising Insights into the pandemic consumer and the Boomerang effect on loyalty

michael@meleblanc.co (Paula Courtney) — Fri, 4 Jun 2021 07:23:41 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

The COVID era has offered the unique opportunity to reflect on what motivates consumers every-day decisions. Whether we’re creatures of habit or hungry for novelty, the pandemic has been a foil to some of our most staunch consumer behaviours - and companies like The Verde Group have been keeping a close watch.

We’re no longer discussing “if” but rather “how” the pandemic ha influenced the consumer-retailer relationship.

Paula Courtney, President and CEO of The Verde Group, untangles some of the shifts and trends that we’ve seen in the retail space during the pandemic. In outlining the latest data collected by the company, Paula sheds a surprising light on changing consumer behaviour, friction, loyalty and the boomerang effect.

Be sure and check out Paul's latest collaboration with Wharton's Baker School of Retail, Understanding the Boomerang Effect of Loyalty Programs and discover valuable research findings and insights that will help you optimize that critically important relationship between your loyalty program and your CX results.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

The K-Shaped recovery: latest research on consumer and business credit

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 31 May 2021 04:35:15 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

The emergence of COVID-19 has had far-reaching and wide-ranging impacts on the Canadian economy.

Seventeen months into the pandemic, Equifax has a depth of data on the unique ways that Canadians, from individual households to entire industries, have been affected by and are responding to these uncertain circumstances.

I talk with Becky Oakes, Assistant VP of Advanced Analytics at Equifax Canada, to unpack the latest research on the matter. We talk about Canadian K-Shaped Recovery, stimulus strategies, and economic forecasting in unprecedented times.

Visit equifax.ca to read their recent reports.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

The Great Acceleration: The Race to Retail Resilience

michael@meleblanc.co (Carl Boutet) — Fri, 28 May 2021 05:01:07 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode, I sit down with friend and fellow Top 100 Retail Influencer, Carl Boutet to talk about resilience and relevance in retail.

Carl calls on his depth of experience and research to flesh out the transformations that retail has undergone in the pandemic and the reality of a 50-50 online-digital retail landscape.

As a consultant, speaker and educator in the retail space, Carl is now channeling his expertise into a book! It’s called The Great Acceleration: The Race to Retail Resilience and you can buy it on his website today.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Delivering Transformation in Retail with Oliver Banks

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 24 May 2021 05:27:13 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

The COVID era has put retail transformation under the spotlights, and no one better to tap Into their experience and insights on the road left behind and the path ahead then Retail Transformation Specialist and fellow Top 100 Global Retail Influencer, Oliver Banks, Oliver and I talk about keeping pace with the rate of change in retail. From having fun by fostering an “experimental edge” to reaffirming your company’s mission, Oliver offers a host of ways that retailers can deliver positive transformation in rapidly changing times.

Be sure and tune into Oliver's The Retail Transformation Show podcast!

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Retail Cannabis Forum: How COVID Impacted the Retail Cannabis Landscape.

michael@meleblanc.co (Darren Bondar, Eleanor Lynch) — Fri, 21 May 2021 04:32:33 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

The evolving public health crisis has had a unique impact on Canadian cannabis retailers.

Industry experts Darren Bondar, President + CEO of Spiritleaf, and Eleanor Lynch, COO of Kiaro reflect on the past year, the opportunities it has created, and the lasting impacts it will have. In a retail landscape that’s built on perseverance and agility, a lot can be learned about championing innovation and resilience in unpredictable times.

I moderated this digital panel discussion on May 13th, 2021 at the Retail Cannabis Forum hosted by the Retail Council of Canada. Stay tuned to The Voice of Retail Podcast for more must-hear excerpts from this event.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Insider Trends: The Future of Retail

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 17 May 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

As the Head of Trends at Insider Trends, Cate Trotter has her hand on the pulse of the future of retail success. In this interview, with Cate from her offices in London, she offers her insight and experience on everything from Retail Safaris and trendsetters, to consumer forecasting in the pandemic and the bright future of omnichannel retailing.

As a fellow Top 100 Retail Influencer, it was an honour to talk with Cate about global retail trends and how retailers can make the most of technology in their sales ecosystems.

Check out Cate’s Modern Commerce Academy course here.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

London Drugs and the DNA of Being Different

michael@meleblanc.co (Clint Mahlman) — Fri, 14 May 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

I’m thrilled to be celebrating my 200th episode by sitting down with Clint Mahlman, the President and COO at London Drugs. From growing up in the stores to leading the company through a global pandemic, Clint reflects on the ‘DNA of being different,’ always learning, and what it means to show up for your community.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Eliminating friction and making compliance easy with Greenline POS

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 10 May 2021 04:24:30 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

We’re delving into the backbone of the retail cannabis industry with Albert Kim, CEO of Vancouver’s Greenline POS. With a fresh vantage point starting just prior to legalization Albert positioned his offering precisely to fill the need of simple to use software that not online meant frictionless sales processes in-store, but also a seamless upload at the end of the month to each and every Province’s regulatory body. Albert also share insights from his conversations with top clients from coast to coast on the state of the industry and what needs to happen as a retailer for you to survive and thrive in the post-COVID era.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Speaker Spotlight | Isacc Watson, VP Retail Fire & Flower

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 7 May 2021 17:52:58 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this special format bonus episode I meet Isaac Watson, Vice President, Retail, Fire and Flower a leading, technology-powered, adult-use cannabis retailer. A retail veteran since joining F&F in April of 2018, he has built and led teams to open and acquire 85+ locations across Canada. Isaac is a speaker at the RCC Retail Cannabis Forum coming up May 13 and I ask him for two starts, and one stop, based on what he has learned and experienced over the past year of the COVID era and beyond.

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If you are a retail cannabis retailer or industry professional you don’t want to miss the RCC Retail Cannabis Forum that I have the pleasure of hosting on May 13th. Learn more and register at www.RetailCouncil.org/events.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Leadership, Listening and the Revival of McCarthy Uniforms

michael@meleblanc.co (Vanessa Iarocci) — Fri, 7 May 2021 05:15:12 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode, I interview the CEO of McCarthy Uniforms, Vanessa Iarocci. She tells us about adapting to the demands of modern retailing and responding to both the challenges and opportunities that COVID-19 has brought to the business.

With a background in consulting and banking, Vanessa describes what she brought to the table when she became the CEO of a retail company coming out of insolvency - and what she has learned along the way.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Speaker Spotlight | Clint Seukeran, Owner of Ganjika House

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Tue, 4 May 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this special format bonus episode I meet Clint G. Seukeran, the owner of Ganjika House, Brampton Ontario’s first legal cannabis dispensary, which opened its doors to the public on April 1 2019. Clint is a speaker at the RCC Retail Cannabis Forum coming up May 13 and I ask him for two starts, and one stop, based on what he has learned and experienced over the past year of the COVID era and beyond.

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Modernizing the Barter System

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 3 May 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode I’m connecting with John Porter, Founder & CEO, BarterPay®. We catch up and explore the innovative and exciting world of modern barter, a system that has taken the age-old practice of one-to-one bartering and transformed it into a one-to-many organized system where thousands of businesses are converting their unsold time and space and idle inventory into what they need and conserving their hard-earned cash.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

How COVID-19 has transformed the lives of consumers and the tradecraft of global consulting

michael@meleblanc.co (Kristina Rogers) — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 07:14:45 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode I’m in Chicago welcoming back Kristina Rogers, Global Consumer Industries Leader, Retail for EY and we catch up talking about the tradecraft of global consulting in the COVID era and beyond, lesson learned and observed advising clients around the world, and we get a glimpse into the post-COVID retail customer from both a global and Canadian perspective thanks to EY’s Future Consumer Index.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Kristina Rogers

Prior to her current role, she served as Emerging Markets Leader for Consumer Products & Retail. Before joining EY, she was a senior partner at a global strategy consulting firm.

How Kristina is building a better working world
"I am currently a member of the Financial Times’ 'Global Board-Ready' Women group and was selected as one of 40 women by Forbes to join 'More Women on Boards' in Turkey."

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

New Look Vision see the future of retail

michael@meleblanc.co (Antoine Ameil) — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 05:12:05 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode I’m in Montreal to meet Antoine Amiel, President and CEO at New Look Vision Group. An international executive with over 25 years in the eye glass industry, Antoine shares his vision for the category and his over 400 retail stores. Leveraging a solid financial foundation and innovative category leading technology, New Look continues to expand their market presence and see their way through to growth despite the limitations of the COVID era

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Fighting modern organized retail crime

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 05:20:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode, I explore the latest trends and technologies in retail loss prevention with my guest David Almasi, Vice President Canada and International Markets at 3SI Security Systems, the world leader in asset protection systems including their state of the art GPS technology. We talk about modern organized retail crime that is plaguing retailers both before and during the COVID era, and explore how the focus on employee and customer safety, asset recovery and connectivity with law enforcement across the country creates a powerful defensive and offensive force for retailers.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Understanding the new consumer landscape in Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 07:29:36 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode, I welcome back to the podcast Michele Sexsmith, Senior Vice President and Practice Leader, Retail, Real Estate and Entertainment Sectors, Environics Analytics. We catch up after a tumultuous year in retail that has shaken up where and how consumers shop, and how retailers see their future and how through updated segmentation, mobile data and geo-fencing, Michele is helping retailers understand the new competitive realities of the COVID era. Next, we talk about their all-new VaccineInsights Data, which overlays attitudes around the vaccines on top of their consumer and geographic segmentation better to understand hesitancy and possible trouble spots and solutions.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Lessons from a retail revolution

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 06:14:25 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Latest episode of The Voice of Retail #podcast is live. In this special edition episode, I join David Poirier, CEO at The Poirier Group, for a live and interactive discussion on the state of retail and the structural implications of the COVID era to the supply chain and beyond. We also talk about corporate culture and how organizations will need to continue adapting to changes in how we work and how consumers shop as we look forward to the future post-vaccine retail world.

David Poirier

As the founder and CEO of TPG, David is a dynamic and visionary leader who brings considerable experience developed from senior executive roles in the retail, general merchandise, food distribution, health and life sciences and manufacturing industry sectors. He is a Senior Executive and Accomplished Leader who creates and executes operational strategies, business transformation and process improvements that positively impact the organization. He brings a unique set of tools, methodologies and techniques aimed at improving operations in US, Canada, and international businesses. He has an ability to create and translate strategic roadmaps into actionable goals that influence organizations. David thrives at running multiple global divisions in complex and ever-changing business environments, and effecting positive cultural shifts that impact bottom line performance.

The Poirier Group was a natural progression for David, who has become adept at understanding complexity in an ever changing landscape. David claims the secret to his success comes from ensuring balance between improving business processes and building human alignment. His talent for managing multiple client engagements, while overseeing significant transformation projects, ensures that every client will receive his personal attention to ensure that The Poirier Group brand and reputation remains exceptional.

The Poirier Group

Just over 15 years ago David Poirier started The Poirier Group (TPG) after he worked for years in senior executive roles in retail companies, where he gained significant experience and exposure into the business challenges many companies face. He believed he could make a meaningful impact on organizations across many industries by creating value and implementing and integrating sustainable change successfully. Having worked with large business consulting firms in the past who provided cookie-cutter solutions, David believed there could be a better approach to consulting, and thus, The Poirier Group was born. Since then, TPG has grown to become one of the best business management consulting firms in Toronto.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

On the rails talking retail supply chain with CN

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 07:25:35 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode we get the podcast on the rails with our special guest Dan Bresolin – Vice President – Intermodal, CN. With 20 years of experience in international and domestic supply chain, and with the movement of goods around the world and through our vast nation a top priority for retailers coast-to-coast, never a better time to be delving into the insights, details and product movement trends that retailers need to know today

Dan Bresolin:

As Vice President of Intermodal, Dan is responsible for all Sales and Marketing components of CN’s International, Domestic, Supply Chain Sales (Regional), CN Worldwide, and CN’s Asia Marketing Teams. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Consumer Product Supply Chain, Dan’s primary role is to enable CN’s customers to win in their markets and help create CN’s next generation of Railroaders.

Prior to this role, Dan was responsible for the full scope of the Sales and Marketing areas of CN’s International book of business including managing all relationships with Ocean Carriers and Port Stakeholders on the three coasts that CN serves. Before that, Dan was the Director of Marketing, Intermodal International, accountable for all aspects of pricing, strategy, new product development, & contract analysis for CN’s entire Intermodal International business.

Dan has also held leadership positions in Sales at CN including Director of Sales in International and Director of Strategic Sales in Domestic Intermodal. Dan joined CN in April, 1999 as a Domestic Intermodal Account Manager based in Toronto ON.

Dan takes great pride in his knowledge and experience in rail operations and has taken full advantage of CN’s Management operations training programs. During his 20 years at CN, Dan has qualified as both a Rail Conductor and an Intermodal Crane Operator. Dan is a Graduate of Brock University in St. Catherines Ontario and currently lives in Stoney Creek ON with his wife and two children.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Retail Isn't Dead. Boring Retail Is.

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 9 Apr 2021 04:22:43 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode, I’m in Dallas, Texas welcoming back to the podcast top retail strategist, best selling author and my Remarkable Retail podcast co-host Steve Dennis! We're back on the mic together talking about the launch of the 2nd edition of his best selling book Remarkable Retail, and we cover a lot of ground reviewing the core principles of the first book, what has changed in the second edition written in the COVID era, and the big trends and six key forces in the post-COVID retail world you need to know to survive and thrive!

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Steve Dennis is an advisor, keynote speaker and author on strategic growth and business innovation. You can learn more about Steve on his website. The expanded and revised edition of his bestselling book Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption will be released April 13th and is now available for preorder at Amazon or just about anywhere else books are sold. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior contributor and on Twitter and LinkedIn. You can also check out his speaker "sizzle" reel here.

*Very* excited to host my good friend and podcast partner Steve Dennis's virtual book launch of his new and expanded second edition of his breakthrough book April 13th, 5pm ET!

I get the pleasure of speaking to Steve each and every week for our podcast (btw, check out the latest episode featuring Kiri Masters all about how retailers should think about Instacart and other 3rd party delivery services) now you get to hear him 1:1 talk about the key strategies *you need to know* to survive and thrive in the COVID era of retail and beyond and ask questions directly in this live and interactive event.

Click the link today to register - space is limited!
https://lnkd.in/eGbg-Fy

We'll also be doing a Clubhouse launch event Monday April 12th at 5pm ET, I'll be moderating so please look for me and connect on Clubhouse!

Click here for your chance to win one of three copies hot off the shelves of Remarkable Retail!

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Canada's productivity challenge and what we can do about it

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 5 Apr 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode, I’m in Calgary with one of the top economists and big picture thinkers in Canada, Jack Mintz, President’s Fellow of the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary, Order of Canada recipient as well as recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal in economics, and recently recognized by Who’s Who Legal as one of the top global experts on corporate taxation since 2016, and in this exclusive interview I catch up with my former Rotman economics prof and talk productivity, risk and opportunity to the Canadian economy, and what and how retailers should be thinking about the economy now and in the future.

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

The Future Does Not Fit In the Containers of the Past

michael@meleblanc.co (Rishad Tobaccowala) — Fri, 2 Apr 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode, I’m in Chicago with famed business strategist Rishad Tobaccowala, who shares insights from his bestselling book “Restoring the Soul of Business: Staying Human in the Age of Data” talks about his 30-year career advising clients on change, innovation and growth and in a wide-ranging and next-level fascinating discussion talks about the future of the workplace, our roles within in, and the difference between a cult and a culture, then three massive global trends you need to know.

Follow Rishad's blog here, and subscribe to his amazing weekly newsletter, "The future does not fit in the containers of the past", here.

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Exploring the state of in-store merchandising and modern retail

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode I delve into the world of in-store merchandising from the agency perspective with Vanessa Schnekenburger, Managing Director at Match Retail. This innovative Canadian company is helping brands and retailers alike execute on-shelf and in-store, so it’s a great opportunity to tap into Vanessa’s experience and wisdom about the state of brick and mortar retail

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

The tradecraft, insights and perspectives of retail reporting

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 05:23:04 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode I turn the mic around on The Globe & Mail retail reporter Susan Krashinsky Robertson for a lively and engaging conversation on the tradecraft of a retail reporter and the key stories Susan is focused on for 2021

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

A Global eCommerce cross-border Masterclass

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 04:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode I’m in San Francisco with my friend and podcast partner Kent Allen, Principal of The Research Trust and Co-Founder at Global eCommerce Leaders Forum. In a wide ranging conversation Kent puts on a master-class in understanding the issues, mechanics, eco-system and complexities that is the reality of cross-border global eCommerce

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Learn more about Global eCommerce Leaders Forum here.

Check out the Global eCommerce Tech Talks podcast here.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Speaker Spotlight | Katya Laviolette, Chief People Officer, SSENSE

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 03:30:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this special format bonus episode I’m in Montreal meeting Katya Laviolette, chief people officer at SSENSE. Katya leads a growing team of HR Operations, Talent Attraction, Talent Management, and Real Estate experts to shape and enhance people focused programs at SSENSE. Katya holds over 25 years of senior leadership experience in human resources and is a speaker at the RCC Retail HR conference coming up March 25th. I ask her for two starts, and one stop, based on what he has learned and experienced over the past year of the COVID era.

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If you are a retail HR professional you don’t want to miss the RCC Retail Human Resources forum, March 25th. Learn more and register at http://rcchrconference.ca/

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

The Myth of Experience

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode, I’m in Istanbul talking with Emre Soyer, author of his new book, The Myth of Experience. Armed with a Ph.D. in behavioural science and founder of the SOYER Decision Advisory to help people and organizations make better decisions. In a wide-ranging and fascinating interview, Emre turns the conventional thinking of what we learn from experience on its head - it turns out, experience may not be the best teacher…

You can learn more about Emre and the work he does on his website here.

You can pick up his book, The Myth of Experience, here or wherever amazing books are sold.

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Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of The Voice of Retail. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss out on the latest episodes, industry news, and insights. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review, as it really helps us grow so that we can continue getting amazing guests on the show.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content or want to chat, follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Speaker Spotlight | Kevin Graff, founder Graff Retail

michael@meleblanc.co (Kevin Graff) — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 04:51:49 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this special format bonus episode I welcome back to the podcast Kevin Graff, the founder of Graff Retail, top 100 global retail influencer and Since 198 working with retailers and service businesses around the globe to help them get better results from their teams. Kevin is also a speaker at the RCC Retail HR conference coming up March 25th. I ask him for two starts, and one stop, based on what he has learned and experienced over the past year of the COVID era.

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If you are a retail HR professional you don’t want to miss the RCC Retail Human Resources forum, March 25th. Learn more and register at http://rcchrconference.ca/

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Speaker Spotlight | Nigel Ramoutar, External Fraud & Crime, Rexall Pharmacy

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 13:26:22 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this special format bonus episode I’m chatting with Nigel Ramoutar, External Fraud & Crime Specialist at Rexall Pharmacy Group who joins me in advance of his appearance on the virtual stage ad RCC’s Loss Prevention Forum, April 8. I Nigel ask for two starts, and one stop, based on what he has learned and experienced over the past year of the COVID era.

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Thanks for tuning into today’s special RCC LP bonus episode of The Voice of Retail. Be sure to follow the podcast so you don’t miss out on the latest episodes, industry news, and insights. If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a rating and review, as it really helps us grow so that we can continue getting amazing guests on the show.

If you are a retail LP professional you don’t want to miss the RCC Retail Loss Prevention forum, April 8th Learn more and register at https://rcclpconference.ca/

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

The Future of Retail Education is happening right now in Montreal

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 04:51:06 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode I’m in Montreal talking with Anwar White, Program Director and Faculty Lecturer for McGill's new Bensadoun School of Retail Management. We talk about their new MMR - Masters of Management in Retail, their new retail innovation lab partnership between McGill University and Alimentation Couche-Tard, and tap into Anwar’s retail experience to get a sense of the future of retail and consumer behaviour.

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Speaker Spotlight | Sean Sportum, Security & Loss Prevention, Circle K

michael@meleblanc.co (Sean Sportum) — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 00:49:53 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this special format bonus episode I’m chatting with Sean Sportum, most recently Manager, security & loss prevention, Central Canada, for Circle K who joins me in advance of his appearance on the virtual stage ad RCC’s Loss Prevention Forum, April 8. I Sean ask for two starts, and one stop, based on what he has learned and experienced over the past year of the COVID era.

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If you are a retail LP professional you don’t want to miss the RCC Retail Loss Prevention forum, April 8th Learn more and register at https://rcclpconference.ca/

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

The New Retail Reality

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode I moderate a live and interactive retail thought leadership panel live from the Association for Corporate Growth’s virtual stage here in Toronto. ACG, which brings together mid-market private equity players who have a keene interest in the retail sector in Canada. Joining me on this panel “The New Retail Reality” was Diane J. Brisebois, CEO of Retail Council of Canada, Scott Arsenault President of Ren's Pets and Eric Claus CEO from MEC and David Poirier from The Poirier Group.

Learn more about ACG's Toronto chapter here.

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Speaker Spotlight | Ron Thurston, Vice President, Stores Intermix & Best Selling Author of Retail Pride

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this special format bonus episode I’m chatting with Ron Thurston, Vice President of Stores for Intermix, best selling author of the great book Retail Pride and opening keynote speaker at the RCC Retail HR conference coming up March 25th. I ask Ron for two starts, and one stop, based on what he has learned and experienced over the past year of the COVID era.

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If you are a retail HR professional you don’t want to miss the RCC Retail Human Resources forum, March 25th. Learn more and register at http://rcchrconference.ca/

Ron Thurston loves retail. And he's proud of it. Ron has led the retail teams for some of America's most prominent brands, inspired thousands of store employees, and traveled relentlessly across the country to sit and listen to what they have to say. From a part-time sales associate to a Vice President of Stores, Ron has put in the hard work that a retail career requires and wrote this book to share what he learned along the way. Ron currently leads the retail organization for INTERMIX, a division of GAP INC, and sits on the board of directors for GOODWILL NY/NJ. You can learn more about Ron and keep in touch on his website here.

Michael LeBlanc is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast, The Voice of Retail, plus Global E-Commerce Tech Talks and The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois. You can learn more about Michael here or on LinkedIn.

Retailer Emma May with her brand Sophie Grace's fashions for kick-ass women

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 8 Mar 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

For this episode I’m in Calgary meeting indie women’s fashion retailer Emma May, Founder of SophieGrace.ca, featuring elevated mix and match separates that make getting ready in the morning incredibly simple. We talk about Emma’s rich and diverse background and her journey to becoming a retailer in the midst of a pandemic and discovering the excitement and challenge of the retail industry

Let’s listen in

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

My appointment with The Ministry of Common Sense

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 5 Mar 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode I’m in Zurich with best selling author and retail visionary Martin Lindstrom, talking about his latest book The Ministry of Common Sense -How to eliminate Bureaucratic red tape, bad excuses, and corporate BS”. We talk in depth in a wide ranging conversation how the systems and technologies designed to free us continue to vex us with unintended consequences, and what to do about it

Martin Lindstrom is the founder and chairman of Lindstrom Company, the world’s leading brand & culture transformation group, operating across five continents and more than 30 countries. TIME Magazine has named Lindstrom one of the “World’s 100 Most Influential People”. And for three years running, Thinkers50, the world’s premier ranking resource of business icons, has selected Lindstrom to be among the world’s top 50 business thinkers. Lindstrom is a high profile speaker and author of 7 New York Times best-selling books, translated into 60 languages. His book Brand Sense was critically acclaimed by The Wall Street Journal as “one of the five best marketing books ever published”, Small Data was praised as “revolutionary” and TIME Magazine wrote this about Buyology: “a breakthrough in branding”.

Let’s listen in

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Canada's gemstone takes on the world

michael@meleblanc.co (David Lui) — Mon, 1 Mar 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode I welcome back a good friend David Lui, CEO and President of Korite. Since 1979, Korite has been the home of superior Ammolite, inspiring the world with the rarity and beauty and Canada’s gemstone. Since 2020 David has been leading the company through the COVID era, through going into protection and now coming out on the other side with a modern global footprint combining strong retail partners and a direct-to-consumer platform

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Henning takes luxury plus-sized fashions to the streets of New York City

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 09:43:07 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

From small town Ontario to New York City, in this episode we meet Lauren Chan, founder and president of women’s wear retailer Henning. A former fashion editor, Ford model and now steward of a popular retail brand that is dialled in with a personal and professional connection. Lauren talks about building a collection of luxury plus-size staples without compromises on quality, craftsmanship, or design.

Let’s listen in

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Speaker Spotlight | Charlie Cole, CEO FTD

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Start with great ideas - and let a thousand flowers bloom. When eCommerce veteran Charlie Cole accepted the position of CEO at FTD, three of the most recognized letters in the world, he saw assets and a heritage prime for transformation and growth.

He also started the job in March 2020, D-day for the start of the COVID era. Just off the CommerceNext virtual stage, Charlie shares his insights with two starts, and one stop, advice for retailers to help us make it through and thrive.

Let’s listen in

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Today’s podcast is the final of the CommerceNext Marketing Summit series episodes that featured some the fantastic speakers that took the virtual stage January 20, 27th and February 3rd with snapshot insights into how they dealt with online /eCommerce in the first year of the COVID era and lessons learned for the future. You can learn more about upcoming CommerceNext eventshere. And stay tuned for more great content here in 2021!

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

The heartbeat of the store

michael@meleblanc.co (David Wilkinson) — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 06:23:08 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Whether you were stepping onto the store floor in 1884 or 2021, there was one element you could count on being major part of your shopping journey - point of sale. In this episode I’m joined by David Wilkinson, President of NCR Retail for a fantastic discussion on the many innovations occurring in the retail space and the drivers behind them.

COVID has been somewhat of a blessing and a curse; while it’s been difficult for us all to adapt to this new abnormal, it’s shown many retailers that in Bruce Lee’s words they need to “be formless…be shapeless like water” to adapt to retail in the modern age. We look at the different strategies companies across the world have utilized to become more agile in their POS and eCommerce integration , a MUST during curbside COVID.

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

The Evolution of Retail Communications

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

Over the past year, there has been a seismic shift in the way we do business, which has led to massive changes for retailers and consumers. Today I'm joined by two fantastic guests, Carmen Ip from Lush and Rachel Meyers from Retail Zipline our sponsor for this episode. We have an informative discussion on how retail communications have evolved over the past year and how Retail Zipline has enabled Lush to adapt to unexpected changes with a moment's notice and push communications as fast as possible to everyone who needed it.

"I look back and I reflect on how zip line has elevated everything. You know, we used to print off checklists, we used to send multiple emails, you know, we had action sheets, but you know, Zipline just makes everything so easy."

We get an inside look at how a massive brand coordinated its managerial and marketing communications during the pandemic and get some insight into how their experience will guide strategy in the future.

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

The Problem of Modern Technology

michael@meleblanc.co (Vince Guzzo) — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada and this episode is sponsored by RIWI..

What if you could take a daily pulse of retail shoppers in every market in the world - hearing directly about their behaviors, views and fears? What if you could hear from more than just your own consumers and shoppers, and from people who don't participate in focus groups or research panels? RIWI collects real-time data on consumers in every market in the world. If you need to understand how people's views are changing in today's challenging environment visit RIWI.com to book a demo.

Why can’t Netflix compete with traditional cinemas? Why will the UberEATS model struggle to see long-term success? What kind of long-term effect will social media coordination have on the stock market, like we’ve seen with stocks like $GME and $AMC? On today’s episode we’re thrilled to have back on the podcast Vince Guzzo, CEO of Cinémas Guzzo

“by trying to say that watching a big budget movie on a 42 inch TV is the same thing as a 50 foot movie screen with Dolby sound with this with that with 300 other people laughing with you at the same time, or getting scared with you at the same time. Hey, those are two different experiences”

You might also recognize Vince as and one of the skilled investors on CBCs Dragons Den. We get the chance to discuss his thoughts on the evolution of consumer behaviour during/after COVID, and how our new habits will impact the way we work, live and invest now and in the future.

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Post-COVID Human Capital Managment in Retail

michael@meleblanc.co (John Orr) — Mon, 8 Feb 2021 13:25:51 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada and this episode is sponsored by RIWI..

"What if you could take a daily pulse of retail shoppers in every market in the world - hearing directly about their behaviors, views and fears? What if you could hear from more than just your own consumers and shoppers, and from people who don't participate in focus groups or research panels? RIWI collects real-time data on consumers in every market in the world. If you need to understand how people's views are changing in today's challenging environment visit RIWI.com to book a demo.

In this episode I welcome John Orr, the Senior Vice President of Retail for global human capital management powerhouse Ceridian just off the virtual stage at the NRF Big Show. I tap into his depth of experience in this space looking at trends pre-COVID, and how as he describes in the post-COVID-19 era, retailers must build a more agile workforce that is ready to keep pace with the rapidly changing definition of a good customer

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

The evolution of retail cannabis in Canada

michael@meleblanc.co (Nadia Vattovaz) — Fri, 5 Feb 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada and this episode is sponsored by RIWI.

This episode is for listeners 18+

In this episode I welcome back to the podcast Nadia Vattovaz, CFO & EVP Operations at Fire & Flower and discusses recent acquisitions, the expanding scale and scope of the business and their built-in ability to react to the fast-moving retail landscape. We talk about how the retail cannabis business is maturing and how an increasingly rich assortment of product is allowing retailers to focus and specialize

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Speaker Spotlight | Bob Sherwin, Vice President of Marketing, Wayfair

michael@meleblanc.co (Bob Sherwin) — Mon, 1 Feb 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In the heat of the pandemic, furniture experienced a massive boom in demand since everyone wanted to freshen up their homes. Today we’re joined by Bob Sherwin, head of North America marketing at Wayfair, who gives us a glimpse of what it was like dealing with such a massive increase in demand in such a short timeframe, plus thoughts on what comes next

And I think, you know, we're gonna see shifts in demand patterns. There's gonna be some things that stick in COVID hopefully, people continue to enjoy their homes, you know, as they have been during COVID as they've been forced to, but I think there's going to be a lot more like surges in demand, you know, to higher levels for for going out to eat in different, you know social activities and things like that

Make sure to tune into his presentation at CommerceNext, where he will be discussing measurement and attribution strategies to inform your marketing efforts. Let’s listen in now to Bob's two starts, one stop advice for retailers heading into 2021

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Today’s podcast is one of the last in a series of CommerceNext episodes that featured some the fantastic speakers taking the virtual stage January 20, 27th and still yet to come on February 3rd with snapshot insights into how they dealt with online /eCommerce in the first year of the COVID era and lessons learned for the future. You can learn more and register for CommerceNext here.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Democratizing eCommerce with Lightspeed

michael@meleblanc.co (Dax DaSilva) — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada and this episode is sponsored by RIWI..

What if you could take a daily pulse of retail shoppers in every market in the world - hearing directly about their behaviours, views and fears? What if you could hear from more than just your own consumers and shoppers, and from people who don't participate in focus groups or research panels? RIWI collects real-time data on consumers in every market in the world. If you need to understand how people's views are changing in today's challenging environment visit RIWI.com to book a demo.

If you’re a Small Business, you will LOVE this episode! On today’s show, CEO of Lightspeed POS ($LSPD) Dax DaSilva joins us to share his entrepreneurial journey and the genesis of Lightspeed POS. We get the chance to talk about the development of eCommerce over the past 20 years, and how massive technological innovations have paved the way for small and medium sized businesses to compete on a level playing field with massive corporate enterprises online.

“That, you know, even though they might consider themselves diehard brick and mortar, that, that online presence and the ability for their customers to interact with them on these other channels, that the personal connections were still existed and that shopping online doesn't mean that you weren't shopping local, and that those weren't opposite things. So that that I think is just reinforced, you know, our belief that omni channel is important for everybody.”

We get some insider information from Dax just off the virtual NRF Big Show stage in New York on how purchase behaviour has shifted over the years, and gain insight to some of the lessons his clients have learned about eCommerce during the pandemic. From inventory management to supply chain procurement tips, this episode has it all.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Speaker Spotlight | Helen Nightingale, VP eCommerce Draper James

michael@meleblanc.co (Helen Nightingale) — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 08:26:39 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada

In this episode I meet Helen Nightingale, Vice President of Ecommerce at Draper James. If you haven’t heard of Draper James, it’s a six plus year old online retailer that is actor Reese Witherspoon retail concept with both stores and a thriving online business. Helen shares insights around the foundations of the business, and how they are using SMS texting to drive results.

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Today’s podcast is part of an ongoing series of CommerceNext episodes that will feature some the fantastic speakers taking the virtual stage January 27th and February 3rd with snapshot insights into how they dealt with online /eCommerce in the first year of the COVID era and lessons learned for the future.

You can learn more and register for CommerceNext here.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

The Post COVID Consumer

michael@meleblanc.co (Walter Lamothe) — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada

In this wide ranging interview, Walter Lamothe, CEO of Bentley & Co., joins us to share his rich experience navigating the retail industry. We delve into how consumer behaviour will shift post COVID, and how businesses can use these insights to prepare themselves to have a massive rebound year once were all back into the normal world again.

“...there's been a shift, and there's it was happening before COVID. But I think COVID is kind of making things a little bit more. I'm not into expensive, but I'm not into cheap. And I think that there's value for money that customers are going to see that what they're buying, what they're putting their dollar on is going to have more value, whatever level that they're buying at..."

We also discuss Walter's perspectives on the history and evolution of the sector, learn about the insights he’s gained during the pandemic, and how businesses can better equip themselves to navigate tumultuous times.

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Speaker Spotlight | Michelle Larivee, Founder & CEO WTHN

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 07:22:53 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada

After a debilitating injury that left her with chronic pain, WTHN Founder & CEO Michelle Larivee turned to acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicines and found they provided great benefits for her. It was so impactful on her life that after 15 years of working in healthcare at the investment banking and private equity level, she decided it was time to create her own venture, aimed at providing these health resources in a way that was approachable and easily understandable to people.

“….So for us, it's, it's that approachability in every sense of the word, you know, whether that's herbal formulas that come in a tablet form, so it's as easy as possible for a consumer to take it. You know, names that make a routine seem like less of a chore, because they're fun, you know, on our studio side of things are and then I guess, also, you know, really important as the subscription element as well, you know, knowing that this is really a routine and a lifestyle that you need to commit to. So how can we make it easy to deliver that kind of herbal healing?”

In this episode we discuss Michelle's journey, and why she felt a business like WTHN was so desperately needed now more than ever.

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Today’s podcast is part of an ongoing series of CommerceNext episodes that will feature some the fantastic speakers taking the virtual stage January 20, 27th and February 3rd with snapshot insights into how they dealt with online /eCommerce in the first year of the COVID era and lessons learned for the future.

You can learn more and register for CommerceNext here.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Speaker Spotlight | Julie Bornstein, Founder & CEO, THE YES

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada

Former Stitch-Fix COO Julie Bornstein is creating one of the most innovative eCommerce brands on the market today. THE YES, an eCommerce retail concept only available via mobile app that has already raised over $30 million in funding and is set to revolutionize the fashion industry.

“..and so the beauty of sort of what we've built is called THE YES, the whole system is built based on the customers yeses and noes. And as a customer shopping, they can yes and no the product kind of like a thumbs up thumbs down but in our own greatest way. And you don't have to do it as your shopping but as you see stuff you like and don't like the stuff you like you Yes, we learn about your preferences and we save that for you if you want to come back to it. And then the noes are really helpful…”

Julie’s deep breadth of knowledge building successful eCommerce experiences for some of the largest retailers in America like Nordstrom, Sephora, and of course Stitch-Fix, gave her a deep understanding in what was missing in the eCommerce space. The Yes utilizes a revolutionary recommendation engine, built on a neural network, is one of the first of its kind, and is set to disrupt the entire fashion industry. In this podcast we discuss her professional journey, the lessons she learned along the way, and Julie gives us some great advice on how to navigate through another year of the COVID era

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You can learn more and register for CommerceNext here.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Unlocking the Chinese Market in Canada with WeChat & OTT PAY

michael@meleblanc.co (Martin McCann) — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada

Retail in China looks completely different from any retail we know here in North America. Mobile payments accounting for four out of every five transactions thanks to innovative applications WeChat. This app is so ingrained in Chinese culture, nearly 90% of citizens use it, and many young people have never used cash in their lifetimes.

This provides a massive opportunity for companies to participate in the Chinese market, whether it be here in Canada, or internationally via eCommerce.

Today’s guest is Martin McCann, Chief Growth Officer at OTT PAY. We have an interesting conversation about how important WeChat is to the Chinese community, and how OTT PAY enables Canadian retailers to seamlessly integrate into WeChat and unlock the vast potential of Chinese consumers in Canada and beyond. You can reach Martin at martin.mccann@ott.ca
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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Speaker Spotlight | Emily Heyward, Co-Founder of Red Antler, Author of Obsessed

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 05:15:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada

On this special snapshot episode we meet Emily Heyward, cofounder of brand development agency Red Antler and author of the great new book “Obsessed: Building a brand people love from day one”. Our conversation is a glimpse into the masterclass that she outlines in her book and relates from her work as she councils founders in creating brands like Allbirds and Casper

Emily shares here advice with two starts, and one stop, for retailers, brand owners and founders looking to dent the universe.

You can learn more and register for CommerceNext here.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Speaker Spotlight | Robert Tas, Chief Growth Officer, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 05:10:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada

On this snapshot episode we meet Robert Tas, Chief Growth Officer for 1.800 Flowers. We talk about his rich background in data, marketing, including a stint in consulting as a partner with McKinsey and now putting those skills to use to build brand by merging performance marketing, content and modern communication strategies

You can learn more and register for CommerceNext here.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Speaker Spotlight | Sara Cullen, Founder & CEO GEM

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada

On this snapshot episode we meet Sara Cullen, Founder & CEO at GEM, a female-forward nutritional company on a mission to design a simpler, healthier future starting by creating an entirely new kind of daily multivitamin. Sara tells us she build a small but enthusiastic beta set of customers from which she has launched a direct-to-consumer brand heading to retail.

You can learn more and register for CommerceNext here.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Speaker Spotlight | Brian Berger, Founder & CEO Mack Weldon

michael@meleblanc.co (Brian Berger) — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 19:46:47 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada

Mack Weldon Founder & CEO Brian Berger hated shopping for menswear. Surrounded by a mind-numbing assortment of underwear and socks, he questioned how something so essential could be such a pain to buy. He wanted to modernize the way menswear was sold, and created a DTC brand that could provide great quality with an easy, no-hassle shopping experience:

“…there's just a huge opportunity around loyalty in this category. If you can capture loyalty around these items, underwear, socks, shirts, undershirts, these kind of wardrobe essentials, then you have the potential to do more…”

We talk about how he built his loyal customer base and how the pandemic has actually improved some of his business processes

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This podcast is part of an ongoing series of CommerceNext episodes that will feature some the fantastic speakers taking the virtual stage January 20, 27th and February 3rd with snapshot insights into how they dealt with online /eCommerce in the first year of the COVID era and lessons learned for the future.

You can learn more and register for CommerceNext here.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Speaker Spotlight | Ben Witte, CEO Recess

michael@meleblanc.co (The Voice of Retail) — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 07:42:51 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada

Recess Founder & CEO Ben Witte grew up in an era where the fast paced lifestyle sometimes outpaced our ability to process it all…so he leveraged his deep background in building and scaling companies into building a new lifestyle brand for the times, Recess. We talk about his background, two starts and one stop based on his experience…and perspectives around going to market in 2021 and beyond.

Today’s podcast is the first in a series of CommerceNext episodes that will feature some the fantastic speakers taking the virtual stage January 20, 27th and February 3rd with snapshot insights into how they dealt with online /eCommerce in the first year of the COVID era and lessons learned for the future.

You can learn more and register for CommerceNext here.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

The Future of the beauty industry with Ray Civello

michael@meleblanc.co (Ray Civello) — Fri, 8 Jan 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada

Has the retail salon industry been forever changed by COVID? More than ever, people take it upon themselves to cut, style, and dye their hair at home. Hair and beauty is one of the industries hit hardest by the pandemic, so how are retailers adapting to these massive shifts in consumer behaviour? In today’s episode, I sit down with serial entrepreneur and industry visionary Ray Civello; we learn about his fascinating path to success, what enabled him to succeed over and over again, and his take on the future of this dynamic sector of the beauty industry.

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I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company, and if you’re looking for more content, or want to chat follow me on LinkedIn, or visit my website meleblanc.co!

Until next time, stay safe and have a great week!

Speaker Spotlight | Rob Schmults

michael@meleblanc.co (Rob Schmults, Scott Silverman, Veronika Sonsev) — Mon, 4 Jan 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode I welcome back to the podcast one of the savviest and experienced operators in the eCommerce world, Rob Schmults from Mid Ocean Partners who shares his quick “two starts, one stop” based on his observations of year one of the COVID era, and Veronika Sonsev and Scott Silverman, co-founders of CommerceNext on how their powerful community lead the way to their action-packed agenda.

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Thanks to Rob, Veronika and Scott for being on this episode. Today’s podcast is the first in a series of CommerceNext episodes that will feature some the fantastic speakers taking the virtual stage January 20, 27th and February 3rd with snapshot insights into how they dealt with online /eCommerce in the first year of the COVID era and lessons learned for the future.

You can learn more and register for CommerceNext here.

Get in touch with Scott and Veronika

If you liked this podcast please subscribe on Apple, Spotify, Amazon podcasts or your favourite podcast platform, rate and review, and be sure and recommend to a friend or colleague in the retail industry.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, Founder and President of M.E. LeBlanc and Company Inc. and you can learn more about me on www.meleblanc.co or of course on LinkedIn

Until next time, have a safe week!

Doing Agile Right | Darrell Rigby

michael@meleblanc.co (Darrell Rigby) — Fri, 1 Jan 2021 05:05:00 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada.

In this episode, I meet the veteran retail consultant and business system guru Darrell Rigby,

Partner and Director at Bain & Company and talk about his new book “Doing Agile Right.” We explore decades of experience advising C-level executives on making their organizations nimble and responsive, getting his take on retail in the COVID era, and the lessons retailers can and should take away from their experiences.

Support The Voice of Retail podcast and pick up a copy of Doing Agile Right today by clicking here.

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Today’s podcast represents the next evolution of The Voice of Retail - in 2021 I’m moving to mostly single interviews of retail leaders and retail industry insiders twice a week, with new, shorter episodes debuting Mondays and Fridays.

I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, Founder and President of M.E. LeBlanc and Company Inc. and you can learn more about me on www.meleblanc.co or of course on LinkedIn

Until next time, have a safe week!

Award-winning actor Colm Feore on leadership, resilience and learning how to show up on the Zoom stage

michael@meleblanc.co (Colm Feore, Trinh Tham) — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 06:29:46 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada and with the support of omNovos Canada’s digital customer engagement company. ‘Tis the season for giving and omNovos can help you give your customers the gift of a personalized experience in 2021. Find out how you can Get Personal and Grow Sales with omNovos at www.realcustomerengagement.com

In this episode I talk leadership, resilience and learning how to show up on the Zoom stage with award-winning actor Colm Feore in this pick-up from the Set The Tone Harry Rosen webinar series, Creativity Lives On.

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Thanks to Colm, Trinh and the team at Harry Rosen for being my partners in the Set the Tone webinar series , plus omNovos for their support on this episode. If you liked this podcast please subscribe on Apple, Spotify or your favourite podcast platform, rate and review, and be sure and recommend to a friend or colleague in the retail industry. You can watch my live interview with Colm at Harry Rosen online.

I’m Michael LeBlanc, Founder and President of M.E. LeBlanc and Company Inc. and you can learn more about me on www.meleblanc.co or of course on LinkedIn

Until next time, have a safe week!

Retail leader and author April Sabral on her new book "The Positive Effect" and retailer JP Adamo launches Dimes Cannabis

michael@meleblanc.co (JP Adamo, April Sabral) — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 06:56:38 +0000

This podcast is intended for listeners 18+

In this episode I welcome back to the podcast retail leader April Sabral on the launch of her new book, "The Positive Effect"! April talks about her personal and professional journey and how the lessons learned along the way created formative lessons in retail leadership.

Next, JP Adamo takes a lifetime of hospitality and customer experience lessons and leverages them into Canada's newest retail cannabis concept store, Dimes Cannabis.

But first, let’s hear from Scott from April

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Thanks to April and JP for being my guests, plus omNovos for their support on this episode. If you liked this podcast please subscribe on Apple, Spotify or your favourite podcast platform, rate and review, and be sure and recommend to a friend or colleague in the retail industry.

I’m Michael LeBlanc, Founder and President of M.E. LeBlanc and Company Inc. and you can learn more about me on www.meleblanc.co or of course on LinkedIn

Until next time, have a safe week!

Scott Arsenault, President of Ren's Pets joins top retail analyst and observer Rob Garf, VP Strategy & Insights, Salesforce

michael@meleblanc.co (Rob Garf, Scott Arsenault) — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 09:39:34 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail , I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada and with the support of omNovos, Canada’s digital customer engagement company. omNovos make Personalization EASY by helping you engage the right customer, with the right content, at the right time. Find out how you can get started quickly and affordably so you can focus on doing what matters most--driving revenue and margin growth at www.realcustomerengagement.com

This episode is also brought to you by Salesforce, the global CRM leader that is empowering companies of every size and industry to digitally transform and create a 360° view of their customers"

In this episode I welcome Scott Arsenault, President of Ren's Pets, a regional pet store chain based in Ontario with national ambitions with and expanded store fleet and powerful online solutions , and we talk about the tremendous growth of online and a category benefiting from an explosion of demand due to the COVID-19 era.

Next I talk with one of the sharpest analysts and observers in the retail industry, Rob Garf, Vice President, Strategy and Insights, Retail and Consumer Goods at Salesforce as Rob shares key North American Black Friday/Cyber Monday retail and consumer trends

But first, let’s hear from Scott from Ren’s Pets

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Please join me this holiday in supporting the Make Kids Smile campaign along with Stream Commerce Mastermind Toys Baffin Footwear & Apparel , Rakuten Kobo Inc. and Truefitt & HIll North America . Make Kids Smile is a grass-roots, hyper-local Toronto charitable initiative with a goal to raise money, gift wrap and personally deliver holiday gifts to kids, youth, and teens in Toronto. Visit Make Kids Smile to learn more and donate today!

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Thanks to Scott and Rob for being my guests, plus omNovos and Salesfore for their support on this episode. If you liked this podcast please subscribe on Apple, Spotify or your favourite podcast platform, rate and review, and be sure and recommend to a friend or colleague in the retail industry.

I’m Michael LeBlanc, Founder and President of M.E. LeBlanc and Company Inc. and you can learn more about me on www.meleblanc.co or of course on LinkedIn

Until next time, have a safe week!

Eric Claus, new CEO of MEC on leading one of Canada’s most beloved retail brands and veteran LP professional Rick Snook from Axis Communications

michael@meleblanc.co (Eric Claus, Rick Snook) — Fri, 4 Dec 2020 08:21:58 +0000

This episode is also supported by Axis Communication, For a smarter, safer world. By combining intelligent technology and human imagination, Axis offers solutions based on sight, sound and analytics to improve security and optimize business performance.

In this episode I welcome Eric Claus, new CEO of MEC and talk about his rich history in the retail industry and return to the front lines to lead one of Canada’s most beloved retail brands.

Next, I catch up with Rick Snook, Axis Communications and discovers the vital role that Axis has played before and during the pandemic to bring the LP/AP community together plus forward-thinking strategies marrying AI technology, machine vision and deep retail insight.

But first, let’s hear from Eric from MEC

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Thanks to Eric and Rick for being my guests, plus omNovos and Axis Communications for their support on this episode. If you liked this podcast please subscribe on Apple, Spotify or your favourite podcast platform, rate and review, and be sure and recommend to a friend or colleague in the retail industry.

I’m Michael LeBlanc, Founder and President of M.E. LeBlanc and Company Inc. and you can learn more about me on www.meleblanc.co or of course on LinkedIn

Until next time, have a safe week!

Samir Kulkarni, CEO of Showcase and veteran retail CIO Gary Davenport talk innovation, supply chain and mastering the trends for enterprise success

michael@meleblanc.co (Samir KulKarni, Gary Davenport) — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 06:44:41 +0000

This episode is also supported by riwi, real-time interactive world-wide intelligence, visit www.riwi.com to learn more…

In this episode I welcome Samir Kulkarni, CEO of Showcase - Home of Canada's hottest trends. Samir shares his innovative approach to staying ahead of the top retail product trends with social media listening and agile supply management and merchandising that also made them an important destination for PPE in the early days of the COVID-19 crisis.

Next, I catch up with Gary Davenport, CIO Mentor and Board Advisor and talks about the early days of working together and launching Hudson's Bay groundbreaking eCommerce, plus his wise advice to modern retail technology leaders.

But first, let’s hear from Samir from Showcase

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Thanks to Samir and Gary for being my guests, plus omNovos and riwi for their support on this episode. If you liked this podcast please subscribe on Apple, Spotify or your favourite podcast platform, rate and review, and be sure and recommend to a friend or colleague in the retail industry.

I’m Michael LeBlanc, Founder and President of M.E. LeBlanc and Company Inc. and you can learn more about me on www.meleblanc.co or of course on LinkedIn

Annual Black Friday episode with special guests Nicola Kilner, CEO Deciem plus a panel debate with retail strategist Steve Dennis and retail CMOs Karen Stirling and Anne Donohoe

michael@meleblanc.co (Anne Donohoe, Nicola Kilner, Karen Stirling, Steve Dennis) — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 07:01:34 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail special Black Friday bonus episode, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada and with the support of omNovos, Canada’s digital customer engagement company. omNovos make Personalization EASY by helping you engage the right customer, with the right content, at the right time. Find out how you can get started quickly and affordably so you can focus on doing what matters most--driving revenue and margin growth at www.realcustomerengagement.com

This episode is also supported by riwi, real-time interactive world-wide intelligence, visit www.riwi.com to learn more…

In what is now an annual tradition for the podcast, in this bonus episode I talk to retail thought leaders to explore one of the most important days in the retail calendar - Black Friday!

First up, I welcome back Deciem CEO Nicola Kilner who lets us know that they are Hitting the Pause, In Order To Move the World Forward and boycotting Black Friday, no longer feel comfortable participating in a "holiday" so focus on hyper-consumerism and that leaves such a negative impact on our Earth.

Next I assembled a top panel of thought leaders to discuss Black Friday strategy featuring best selling author and my partner in the Remarkable Retail podcast Steve Dennis and veteran retail CMOs Karen Stirling and Anne Donohoe for a lively and wide ranging discussion and debate.

But first, let’s hear from Nicola from Deciem

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Thanks to Nicola, Steve, Karen and Anne for being my guests, plus omNovos and riwi for their support on this bonus episode. If you liked this podcast please subscribe on Apple, Spotify or your favourite podcast platform, rate and review, and be sure and recommend to a friend or colleague in the retail industry.

I’m Michael LeBlanc, Founder and President of M.E. LeBlanc and Company Inc. and you can learn more about me on www.meleblanc.co or of course on LinkedIn

Until next time, have a safe week!

Tal Zvi Nathanel, CEO of Showfields on experiential retail in the COVID-19 era and Danielle Goldfarb Head of Global Research, riwi on how they nailed the U.S. election results

michael@meleblanc.co (Tal Zvi Nathanial, Danielle Goldfarb) — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 06:15:45 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada and with the support of omNovos, Canada’s digital customer engagement company. omNovos make Personalization EASY by helping you engage the right customer, with the right content, at the right time. Find out how you can get started quickly and affordably so you can focus on doing what matters most--driving revenue and margin growth at www.realcustomerengagement.com

This episode is also supported by riwi, real-time interactive world-wide intelligence, visit RIWI to learn more…

In this episode I welcome back to the podcast Tal Zvi Nathanial, CEO of Showfields, “The Most Interesting Store in The World” as we catch up and talk about how Showfields has adjusted their experiential retail model to the covid-19 era live at the recent Retail Council of Canada Retail Holiday Shopping Forum.

Next, I meet Danielle Goldfarb, Head of Global Research at RIWI Corp. We learn how this Toronto base innovative research company is able to get beyond response bias and delve deep into what is really happening with consumers in Canada and around the world. We’ll also see how this online methodology gives voice to those whose opinions are not usually captured in the polls, and how RIWI predicted the outcome of the recent U.S. election.

But first, let’s hear from Tal Zvi from Showfields:

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Thanks to Tal Zvi and Danielle for being my guests, plus omNovos and riwi for their support on this episode. If you liked this podcast please subscribe on Apple, Spotify or your favourite podcast platform, rate and review, and be sure and recommend to a friend or colleague in the retail industry.

Super excited to have the opportunity for the next upcoming episode of "Set The Tone" online leadership series to interview live one of my favourite actors, the award winning Colm Feore!

A webinar series about life, business and leadership featuring key thought leaders brought to you by Harry Rosen, we invite Canadian thought leaders and role models to chat about current events, their passions and how they set the tone for their personal and professional lives.

For our second episode " Creativity Lives On" we welcome award-winning stage, film and television actor, Colm Feore, a veteran of the Stratford Festival best known for his leading performances in films like Bon Cop, Bad Cop and CBC's Trudeau.

Event happens Monday November 23rd at 1PM ET, Register here: https://lnkd.in/eeyS3zP

I’m Michael LeBlanc, Founder and President of M.E. LeBlanc and Company Inc. and you can learn more about me on www.meleblanc.co or of course on LinkedIn

Until next time, have a safe week!

Paige Thomas, President & CEO Saks OFF 5TH talks retail strategy plus Ron Thurston, VP of Stores at INTERMIX and author of the new bestseller, Retail Pride

michael@meleblanc.co (Ron Thurston, Paige Thomas) — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 05:54:03 +0000

Welcome to the The Voice of Retail, I’m your host Michael LeBlanc, and this podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada and with the support of omNovos, Canada’s digital customer engagement company. omNovos make Personalization EASY by helping you engage the right customer, with the right content, at the right time. Find out how you can get started quickly and affordably so you can focus on doing what matters most--driving revenue and margin growth at www.realcustomerengagement.com

In this episode I’m in the Big Apple, New York City first with an exclusive interview with Paige Thomas, President & CEO Saks OFF 5TH. We discuss her rich background in retail through to developing a passion for the off-price format, and then delve into the brand strategy matrix, the affordable luxury retail trend, the evolution of the second hand luxury market and the future of retail in the covid era and beyond.

Next, I meet Ron Thurston, Vice President of Stores at INTERMIX and Best Selling Author with his great new book Retail Pride. In a wide-ranging interview Ron takes us through his history of accomplishment and learning in retail store operations and delivers a glimpse into the masterclass of retail as a career that he chronicles and celebrates in his book.

But first, let’s hear from Paige from Saks Off 5th:

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Thanks to Paige and Ron for being my guests, plus omNovos for their support on this episode. If you liked this podcast please subscribe on Apple, Spotify or your favourite podcast platform, rate and review, and be sure and recommend to a friend or colleague in the retail industry.

I’m Michael LeBlanc, Founder and President of M.E. LeBlanc and Company Inc. and you can learn more about me on www.meleblanc.co or of course on LinkedIn