S5:E8 Prime Day Unveiled: Trends, Sales, and What Lies Ahead for Retail



Amazon Prime Day 2025 may be over, but its ripple effects are just beginning. In this episode, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden sit down with Meghan Barden [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-barden/], Director of Global Retail Media at Rithum [https://www.rithum.com/], to unpack the surprising data and shopper behaviors that emerged — and what they mean for retail and ecommerce leaders heading into the holiday shopping season.



You’ll discover:



•  📊 Prime Day outcomes that matter — from sales spikes to category standouts, and how they compare to past years

•  🛍 Why the timing right after July 4th may have shifted discretionary spending patterns

•  💡 Meghan’s expert take on how retailers can turn Prime Day insights into Q4 wins

•  🔮 The strategic moves brands should make now to capture Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and beyond



Whether you’re a retail strategist, ecommerce operator, or simply fascinated by the biggest shopping events of the year, this conversation delivers actionable insights to help you outpace the competition.



Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.com [https://retailrazor.substack.com/]

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube



About our Guest

Meghan Barden [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-barden/] - https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-barden/

Rithum [https://www.rithum.com/] - https://www.rithum.com [https://www.rithum.com/]

Meghan Barden is an accomplished retail media strategist with over 20 years of experience in marketing and client services in both retailer, brand and agency environments. Currently serving as the Director of Global Retail Media at Rithum, she leads the company's efforts in helping brands and retailers leverage first-party data to create personalized and impactful retail media campaigns. Her expertise spans various facets of retail media, including strategy development, media planning, and campaign optimization.



For more Amazon Prime Day analysis by Rithum, access the full report [https://explore.rithum.com/prime-day-guide-cont/prime-day-lessons-for-peak-shopping-season?personalization=&utm_campaign=brands&utm_content=retail+razor+podcast+description+link&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=retail+razor&utm_term=offer-gatedasset] → https://explore.rithum.com/prime-day-guide-cont/prime-day-lessons-for-peak-shopping-season



00:00 Previews 

01:01 Show Intro 

10:09 Welcome Meghan Barden 

10:17 Overview of Prime Day and Rithum's Role 

12:20 Prime Day Anomalies and Trends 

16:15 Generational Shopping Behaviors 

19:20 Impact of Gen Z on Retail Strategies 

24:54 AI and Authenticity in Retail 

31:51 Preparing for Future Retail Events 

37:59 Final Thoughts 

39:11 Show Close



Meet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:



Ricardo Belmar [https://bit.ly/LIRBelmar] is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 [https://nrfbigshow.nrf.com/retail-voices] & a RETHINK Retail Top [https://rethink.industries/top-retail-experts-2024/#%23top]

Decoding the Hidden Truths Behind Amazon Prime Day with Meghan Barden

S5:E7 Unplugged and Unscripted: Retail Club's AI-First Event Revolution w/ Krystina Gustafson



What happens when you blend cutting-edge innovation, authentic community, and the brightest minds in retail? You get RetailClub—the AI-first retail event redefining how industry leaders connect, collaborate, and shape the future.



In this episode of The Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden sit down with Krystina Gustafson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystina-gustafson-908a5a14/], co-founder and Chief Content Officer at Retail Club [https://www.retailclub.com/] and one of the visionary forces behind RetailClub. Krystina shares the inspiration behind this exclusive retail conference, how it fosters meaningful connections among AI changemakers, and why RetailClub is more than just another event—it’s a movement.



💡 What You’ll Learn:

 * Why RetailClub is unlike any other retail event you’ve attended
 * How the power of retail community is driving innovation and collaboration
 * The role of AI in retail and how it’s shaping the conversations at RetailClub
 * Behind-the-scenes insights from Krystina on curating impactful content and experiences



Whether you’re a retail executive, tech innovator, or curious observer of industry trends, this episode delivers a front-row seat to the future of AI in retail!



Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.com [https://retailrazor.substack.com/]

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube



About our Guest

Krystina Gustafson, co-founder & Chief Content Officer, RetailClub - https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystina-gustafson-908a5a14/

Register for RetailClub’s AI Deep Dive Retreat - https://www.retailclub.com [https://www.retailclub.com/]

 

Krystina is a co-founder and the chief content officer at RetailClub, a new retreats business from the founders of Shoptalk. RetailClub is building retail’s first AI-native community, bringing together 500 AI champions and changemakers for their inaugural AI Deepdive Retreat, taking place Sept 14-17, 2025 in Huntington Beach, CA.



Prior to RetailClub, she was the senior vice president of content at Shoptalk and Groceryshop, the leading conferences in the retail, grocery and consumer packaged goods industries. She led the team that shaped the retail and ecommerce industry narratives across its four annual events – Shoptalk, Shoptalk Europe, Shoptalk Fall and Groceryshop – including agenda development and speaker selection.



Krystina joined Shoptalk in 2017, after spending four years as a retail reporter and content editor at CNBC.com [http://cnbc.com/]. Prior to CNBC, Krystina was a web editor at Women's Wear Daily, the trade publication for the fashion industry.She has interviewed prominent business figures from retail and beyond, including the CEOs of Target, Sam’s Club, The Honest Company and Warby Parker, Dreamworks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg, and “Shark Tank” shark Kevin O’Leary.



00:00 Previews

01:04 Show Intro

08:44 Welcome Krystina and the Importance of AI!

09:56 Introducing Retail Club and AI Deep Dive Retreat

12:03 Event Structure and Unique Approach

14:07 Challenges and Opportunities in

Inside RetailClub: Building the AI-First Future of Retail Community w/Krystina Gustafson

S5:E6 SHEIN’s Marketplace Evolution - A Conversation with George Chang, GM & Head of SHEIN Marketplace



In this episode, we explore how SHEIN is reengineering what marketplace success looks like in the U.S., how loyalty is evolving post-2020, and why SHEIN’s unique approach to seller partnerships and social commerce is creating a new kind of ecosystem—one built for discovery, agility, and growth. From leadership roles at Rakuten, Mirakl, and Newegg to his current post as GM of SHEIN Marketplace [https://seller-us.shein.com/homepage], George Chang’s [https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-chang-usc/] career reads like a playbook for scaling commerce in the digital age. Now a key member of the senior leadership team at SHEIN, George joins Ricardo and Casey to talk about building a curated, invitation-only marketplace tailored for Gen Z and Millennial consumers—where fashion, beauty, and lifestyle collide.



Tune in for a conversation that spans everything from globalization to the next frontier in customer acquisition. Learn how George’s energetic & visionary leadership style is driving change at SHEIN while reshaping U.S. retail one bold move at a time. Whether you’re a seller, a strategist, or just marketplace-curious, this one’s got something for you!



Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.com [https://retailrazor.substack.com/]

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube



About our Guest

George Chang, GM & Head of SHEIN Marketplace. https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-chang-usc/

SHEIN Marketplace: https://seller-us.shein.com/homepage

Prospective Sellers: https://seller-us.shein.com/get-started-shein-marketplace

To learn more about SHEIN: https://www.sheingroup.com/

George is an Ecommerce and Marketplace veteran with Senior leadership roles at Rakuten, Newegg, Sears, Mirakl, VTEX, Spreetail, and Cymax Group. He is currently part of the leadership team at SHEIN U.S. and is leading the 3rd Party Marketplace business at SHEIN. He has a unique 360 degree perspective on Ecommerce Marketplaces having operated, licensed, consulted and sold on multiple marketplaces.



00:00 Preview 

01:10 Show Intro 

05:40 Welcome George Chang, GM SHEIN Marketplace 

06:59 What Sets Shein Apart 

08:55 Shein's Marketplace Strategy 

11:50 Customer and Seller Experience 

16:58 Expanding Beyond Fashion 

20:16 Evolving with the Customer 

22:06 Diverse Seller Community 

24:03 Understanding Gen Z and Millennials in E-commerce 

26:49 The Rise of Social Commerce and Live Shopping 

30:08 Driving Customer Loyalty through Engagement 

33:06 Sustainability Initiatives and Mindful Purchasing 

35:15 Future of Marketplaces and Hyper-Personalization 

38:08 Final Thoughts 

39:36 Show Close



Meet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:



Ricardo Belmar [https://bit.ly/LIRBelmar] is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 [https://nrfbigshow.nrf.com/retail-voices] & a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert [https://rethink.industries/top-retail-experts-2024/#%23top] from 2021 – 2025. Thinker [https://www.thinkers360.com/tl/profiles/view/3427]

Beyond the Cart: How SHEIN is Rewriting Retail’s Marketplace Rulebook, with George Chang

S5:E5 Leading with Values: How Naturepedic Builds a Better Brand, with Arin Schultz



What does it take to lead growth at the forefront of a movement for safer, healthier sleep? In this episode of The Retail Razor Show, we sit down with Arin Schultz [https://www.linkedin.com/in/arin-schultz-581a132b/], Chief Growth Officer at Naturepedic [https://www.naturepedic.com/], a pioneering brand in certified organic mattresses and bedding. With over eleven years in the organic sleep industry, Arin shares how he’s helped Naturepedic expand its market share, launch innovative products, and build a trusted brand committed to health, sustainability, and safety. We talk about the evolution of the organic mattress category, how purpose-driven growth strategies translate to retail success, and the balancing act of leading multiple departments—sales, marketing, retail, R&D, and more. Whether you're in retail, health-conscious consumer products, or looking to build a values-based, mission-led brand, this episode delivers sharp insights from one of the industry’s most committed and capable leaders!



Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.com [https://retailrazor.substack.com/]

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube



About our Guest

Arin Schultz [https://www.linkedin.com/in/arin-schultz-581a132b/] is Chief Growth Officer at Naturepedic [https://www.naturepedic.com/], the leading organic mattress brand. As the lead on all Naturepedic marketing efforts, Arin develops and implements strategies that support the company’s business growth, customer retention, product innovation, consumer education initiatives and sustainability goals. Working for the certified organic, non-toxic mattress pioneer opened Arin’s eyes to the dangers of harmful chemicals and their pervasive presence in households across the globe. This knowledge has added a deeper purpose to his relentless push to help transform the brand’s vision into reality. A father of four and an empathetic listener, Arin’s success at Naturepedic is centered on his authentic understanding of the Naturepedic customer and his genuine desire to help families make the safest, healthiest sleep choices.



00:00 Preview 

01:45 Show Intro 

07:21 Arin Schultz, Chief Growth Officer, Naturepedic - The Mission 

08:43 The Founding Story of Naturepedic 

12:09 Challenges and Growth in the Mattress Industry 

17:13 Retail Expansion and Customer Engagement 

19:30 Product Innovation and Sustainability 

23:10 Industry Environmental Impact and Continuous Product Improvement 

35:20 Customer Experience and Meeting Their Needs 

38:21 Replacing Your Mattress & Customer Service Excellence 

43:20 Sourcing and Tariffs Impact 

49:53 Embracing AI in Marketing and Operations 

56:28 Advice for Growing a Values-Based Brand 

59:23 Final Thoughts 

01:00:38 Show Close



Meet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:



Ricardo Belmar [https://bit.ly/LIRBelmar] is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 [https://nrfbigshow.nrf.com/retail-voices] & a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert [https://rethink.industries/top-retail-experts-2024/#%23top] from 2021 – 2025. Thinkers 360 [https://www.thinkers360.com/tl/profiles/view/3427] has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management

Inside Naturepedic: A Conversation with Arin Schultz on Innovation & Sustainability

S5:E4 Empowering Women in Retail Tech: A New Era of Leadership



In Season Five, Episode Four of The Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden engage in a captivating conversation with Shannon Flanagan, a seasoned retail leader and founder of Retail Women in Tech (RWIT). Shannon shares her journey from folding jeans at 18 to leading billion-dollar business transformations and emphasizes the importance of embracing change and innovation in retail. The episode underscores the critical role of diversity and inclusion in driving the industry forward, touching on the challenges and opportunities for women in tech and retail. Shannon discusses her vision for RWIT, a community aimed at fostering connections, mentorship, and leadership among women and allies in the retail tech space. With insights on change management, the impact of AI in retail, and the power of allyship, this episode offers valuable perspectives for retail professionals and tech enthusiasts alike.



Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.com [https://retailrazor.substack.com/]

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube



About our Guest



Shannon Flanagan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-e-flanagan/], founder of Retail Women in Tech [https://retailwomenintech.org/], https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-e-flanagan/ - Retail Women in Tech, https://retailwomenintech.org [https://retailwomenintech.org/]



Shannon Flanagan caught the retail bug at 18 and never looked back. A retail strategist, AI enthusiast, and career change practitioner, she brings a 360-degree perspective on retail transformation—from product creation to customer experience—shaped by her work with hyper-growth startups to Fortune 500 retailers, consulting firms and tech companies. As a strategic partner and top industry voice, she collaborates with RETHINK Retail [https://www.linkedin.com/company/rethink-industries/], RetailWire [https://www.linkedin.com/company/retailwire/] and the RetailAICouncil [https://www.linkedin.com/company/retail-ai-council/] to drive conversations that shape the future of the industry.



As the founder of Retail Women in Tech [https://www.linkedin.com/company/retail-women-in-tech/], Shannon has built a global community dedicated to creating life-changing connections for women and allies who share a passion for retail and technology. As social as retail is, there are surprisingly very few communities representing every facet of the industry. Shannon is on a mission to change that—stay tuned for more to come!



00:00 Preview 

00:51 Show Intro 

05:26 Welcome Shannon Flanagan 

06:14 Shannon's Retail Journey Begins 

08:47 Insights on Change Management 

10:21 The Importance of Diverse Perspectives 

15:03 Challenges in Hiring for Innovation 

24:00 The Birth of Retail Women in Tech (RWIT) 

34:42 Addressing the Leadership Gap 

38:39 The Challenge of Asking for Help 

40:36 The Harsh Reality for Female Founders 

45:08 The Importance of Allies 

49:01 Building a Supportive Community 

59:32 The Future of Retail Women in Tech 

01:06:22 Final Thoughts and Call to Action 

01:08:53 Show Close



Meet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:



Breaking Barriers: Retail Women in Tech

S5:E3 From Retail Pride to Human Pride: Navigating Leadership and Connection with Ron Thurston



In this episode, Ron Thurston [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rthurston/] returns to discuss his new book 'Human Pride [https://geni.us/humanpride]' and its themes of optimizing human potential in a world increasing its reliance on technology and AI. The conversation takes us through Ron’s extensive experience leading major retail brands, his journey from publishing his first book 'Retail Pride' to 'Human Pride', and the crucial balance between human connection and technological efficiency. We explore various aspects of leadership, including the importance of empathy, curiosity, and the significant role of human connection in the workplace. 



Ron emphasizes the need for self-reflection, understanding core values, and maintaining strong interpersonal relationships despite technological advancements. Rejecting 'hustle culture' in favor of fostering meaningful connections and optimizing individual strengths, Ron highlights the need for human-centric approaches to recruitment, leadership, and career development via examples and insights from his own career. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with practical insights and inspirational stories that underscore the power of pride and human potential in the workplace!



About Ron Thurston:

Author, “Human Pride: Optimizing Your Potential In A Digital Job Market”

Ron Thurston is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and bold voice in the movement to reimagine leadership in a world transformed by technology. His new book, HUMAN PRIDE: Optimizing Your Human Potential in a Digital Job Market (May 2025), delivers a powerful roadmap for standing out, staying relevant, and thriving in the future of work. With over 30 years of executive experience leading teams at iconic brands like Apple, Gap, West Elm, Tory Burch, Bonobos, and Saint Laurent, Ron knows how to build winning cultures that drive performance. His first book, *RETAIL PRIDE (*2020) became a career-defining guide for thousands of industry professionals, helping them reclaim confidence and purpose in their work.



As the creator and host of the Retail in America tour and podcast, Ron spent over a year traveling across 30 states in an Airstream to spotlight the real stories and remarkable people shaping retail’s future. Today, he serves on multiple retail tech supplier advisory boards, helping brands integrate AI and digital tools without losing sight of what matters most: people. A sought-after keynote speaker, Ron brings energy, insight, and inspiration to global conferences, C-suite offsites, and corporate events. His message resonates across industries: your greatest competitive advantage is human.



Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.com [https://retailrazor.substack.com/]

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube



00:00 The SKUpe Newsletter

00:34 Show Intro

06:51 Welcome Back, Ron Thurston!

07:43 Discussing Ron's New Book: Human Pride

08:46 The Importance of Human Connection in Retail

10:24 Optimizing Human Potential in a Tech-Driven World

15:37 Defining and Standing by Non-Negotiables in Job Search

22:54 The Role of Empathy and Curiosity in Leadership

26:48 Challenges in Modern Hiring Practices

35:11 The Future of Work: Balancing Technology and Human Connection

38:15 Career Longevity and Brand Affinity in Retail

41:56 Navigating the Fast-Paced Industry

43:36 Adapting to Office Culture

44:39 Broadening Job Search P

Unlocking Human Pride: Thriving in the Age of AI

S5:E2 Influencers, Gen Z, & Beyond Social Commerce: Lessons from AliExpress with Chris Carl



Welcome to the second episode of Season 5 of the Retail Razor Show! Join hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden as they dive into the fresh tactics and cutting-edge strategies that are driving the future of retail and e-commerce with Gen Z. In this episode, they are joined by Chris Carl [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophercarl/], the US Head of Marketing for AliExpress [https://www.aliexpress.com/] (Alibaba Group [https://www.alibaba.com/]), to discuss 'The New Playbook for Digital Marketing.' Discover how AliExpress is capturing Gen Z's attention, building a robust social media presence, leveraging influencers like David Beckham, and exploring the future of cross-border shopping with a full-funnel marketing strategy. Chris shares the impressive growth metrics (500% increase in social media following, for example) and innovative campaigns that have set AliExpress apart - think social commerce, live shopping, Gen AI, and TikTok Shops. Plus, new enticing innovations in logistics to help onboard more US-based sellers to the AliExpress marketplace. Whether you're a product junkie, retail leader, or commerce technologist, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss!



About Chris Carl:

Chris Carl is a strategy, operations, and marketing executive with a proven track record in retail, beauty, spirits, lifestyle, hospitality, and luxury goods. As the first US Head of Marketing for AliExpress, Chris focuses on making online shopping more engaging and affordable. Since May 2023, Chris has increased order volume by 60%, increased brand share of voice by 75%, expanded headcount by 400%, boosted social media following by 500%, and doubled brand awareness.



Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.com [https://retailrazor.substack.com/]

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube



00:00 Show Intro

03:04 Introducing Christopher Carl from AliExpress & His Background

05:43 Conversation with Chris Carl, Head of US Marketing for AliExpress

08:52 Cracking the Code with Gen Z

16:00 AliExpress's Social Media and Influencer Strategy

21:22 Leveraging Social Media for Brand Growth

23:30 Navigating the Shifting Digital Marketing Landscape

25:46 The Future of Social Commerce and Live Shopping

28:17 The Importance of Brand Personality and Humor

31:50 AliExpress: A Unique Business Model

35:09 Expanding AliExpress's US Presence

38:45 The Future of Cross-Border E-Commerce

42:20 Show Close



Meet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:

Ricardo Belmar [https://bit.ly/LIRBelmar] is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 [https://nrfbigshow.nrf.com/retail-voices] and a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert [https://rethink.industries/top-retail-experts-2024/#%23top] from 2021 – 2024. Thinkers 360 [https://www.thinkers360.com/tl/profiles/view/3427]has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, and a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University’s Center for Retail Transformation [https://business.gmu.edu/retail/], and is the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.



Casey Golden [https://bit.ly/LICasey],

The New Playbook for Digital Marketing

S5:E1 Unleashing Retail Media's Potential: A Conversation with Drew Cashmore



Welcome to Season 5 of the Retail Razor Show! In our premiere episode, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden dive deep into retail media with special guest Drew Cashmore [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewcashmore/], Chief Strategy Officer at Vantage [https://gotvantage.com/] and a pioneer in the retail media space, with a background scaling Walmart Connect to a $2 billion business. Drew shares his insights on the evolution of retail media, the driving forces behind its rapid growth, and the challenges retailers face in scaling their media networks. Drew also discusses the importance of workflow automation, the use of first-party data, and the balance between digital and in-store media. We highlight the necessity for retailers to invest in their media capabilities to stay competitive and speculate on the future direction of retail media. We also touch on the complexities of managing multiple media platforms and the potential for consolidation within the industry. 



Packed with valuable insights, don't miss out on this must-listen episode for product junkies, commerce technologists, retail leaders, and everyone in retail tech! Plus, learn about the Retail Razor Podcast Network's exciting new shows!



About Drew Cashmore:

Drew is a retail media strategist and thought leader with a background in building, commercializing and scaling new business models in the retail sector across the globe. Heading up strategy for Vantage - the platform that powers self-serve and managed-service for The Home Depot among other retailers - Drew is helping to architect the next generation of unified retail media technologies. He was an original architect of and former executive at Walmart Connect in the U.S. and Canada, helping to scale the retail media business to $2BN and beyond. In addition, Drew was a founding member of Walmart eCommerce and the CMO of SoftBank-backed Live Shopping platform, Firework.



Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.com [https://retailrazor.substack.com/]

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube



00:00 Show Intro

07:38 Unleashing Retail Media's Potential: A Conversation with Drew Cashmore

08:43 Drew's Background in Retail Media

10:28 The Evolution and Challenges of Retail Media

14:18 ROI and Measurement in Retail Media

18:34 The Future of Retail Media

26:41 First-Party Data and Consumer Privacy

34:47 In-Store Media and Workflow Automation

47:21 Retail Media is a Different Business Model

50:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

51:05 Show Close



Meet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:



Ricardo Belmar [https://bit.ly/LIRBelmar] is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 [https://nrfbigshow.nrf.com/retail-voices] and a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert [https://rethink.industries/top-retail-experts-2024/#%23top] from 2021 – 2024. Thinkers 360 [https://www.thinkers360.com/tl/profiles/view/3427]has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, and a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University’s Center for Retail Transformation [https://business.gmu.edu/retail/], and is the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.



Transforming Retail Media into a Growth Engine

S5 Trailer - Retail's Next Chapter: AI and Media Meet Humanity



Join hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden in Season Five of The Retail Razor Show as they explore the intersection of AI, media, and human connection in retail. This season will examine the power of AI-powered personalization, retail media evolution, and the role of in-store associates in enhancing customer experiences. Key discussions will include how AI makes retailers more resilient, the impact of media on commerce, and the next wave of retail tech innovation. Tune in to understand how technology transforms shopping, selling, and scaling while emphasizing that retail's core is human connection. Subscribe and follow for sharp insights and expert opinions so you don't miss out on unlocking new opportunities in retail!



Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.com [https://retailrazor.substack.com/]

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube



Meet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:



Ricardo Belmar [https://bit.ly/LIRBelmar] is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 [https://nrfbigshow.nrf.com/retail-voices] and a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert [https://rethink.industries/top-retail-experts-2024/#%23top] from 2021 – 2025. Thinkers 360 [https://www.thinkers360.com/tl/profiles/view/3427]has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, and a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University’s Center for Retail Transformation [https://business.gmu.edu/retail/], and is the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.



Casey Golden [https://bit.ly/LICasey], is the CEO of Luxlock [https://www.luxlock.com/], a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert [https://rethink.industries/top-retail-experts-2024/#%23top] from 2023 - 2025, and Retail Cloud Alliance [https://www.retailcloudalliance.com/our-community] advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!



Season 5 Trailer - Retail Revolution: AI, Media, and Human Connection

S4:E10 On the Razor's Edge: The Season Four Final Cut



In the season four grand finale of the Retail Razor Show, guest host J.P. Kamel [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpkamel/], managing director of RFID Sherpas [https://rfidsherpas.com/], takes over to interview our regular hosts, Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden. This episode first reviews the top 10 retail predictions the team had for 2024, evaluating which ones hit the mark and which ones were a total miss! Then the discussion spans a range of topics from throughout Season 4 including the rise of retail media, the evolution from omni-channel to unified commerce, and the transformative potential of AI in retail. Key takeaways include the importance of unified commerce strategies, the necessity for retail media, and the enduring need for human connection in the retail experience. The episode also reflects on memorable moments from the season, the future of department stores, and evolving career paths in retail. Both insightful and entertaining, this grand finale offers an in-depth look into the current and future trends shaping the retail industry, and gives you a behind the scenes view of how our two hosts think about retail and the show!



Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.com [https://retailrazor.substack.com/]

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube



00:00 Show Intro

02:52 2024 Top 10 Check-in 

03:03 Prediction No 1 

05:00 Prediction No 2 

06:31 Prediction No 3 

10:31 Prediction No 4 

12:45 Prediction No 5 

16:33 Prediction No 6 

18:43 Prediction No 7 

21:19 Prediction No 8 

23:12 Prediction No 9 

30:41 Prediction No 10 

33:13 Season 4 Recap 

33:43 Favorite Moment 

35:34 Most Surprising Moment 

38:07 The Big Retail Avengers Reunion Episode 

45:04 Smart Fitting Rooms 

48:39 Unified Commerce & Everything Shoppable 

52:39 Immersive Commerce & Livestreaming 

59:47 Retail Media 3.0 

01:02:08 Responsible AI 

01:08:56 Retail Career Paths 

01:15:21 Generative AI Transformation 

01:17:43 Relay Race vs Rugby Approach 

01:21:48 Data-Driven Decision Making 

01:22:36 Key Takeaways from Season 4 

01:24:56 Any hints for Season 5 and beyond? 

01:28:33 Show Close



Meet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:



Ricardo Belmar [https://bit.ly/LIRBelmar] is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 [https://nrfbigshow.nrf.com/retail-voices] and a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert [https://rethink.industries/top-retail-experts-2024/#%23top] from 2021 – 2025. Thinkers 360 [https://www.thinkers360.com/tl/profiles/view/3427]has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, and a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University’s Center for Retail Transformation [https://business.gmu.edu/retail/], and is the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.



Casey Golden [https://bit.ly/LICasey], is the CEO of Luxlock [https://www.luxlock.com/], a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert [https://rethink.industries/top-retail-experts-2024/#%23top] from 2023 - 2025, and Retail Cloud Alliance [https://www.retailcloudalliance.com/our-community] advisory council member.

Cutting Through the Clutter: Retail Razor's Season Four Finale

Retail is transforming faster than ever before. But there's a lot of noise out there today, especially with retail technology! If you're in retail, which trends really matter? How will you leverage #AI? Which #startups should you engage? Do you need a #DTC strategy? How should you evolve your #ecommerce and #marketplace strategy? Who are the experts you should trust for guidance? And who are the people truly transforming the industry in these areas? The Retail Razor Show cuts through the clutter in #retail and #retailtech so you'll know where to focus your resources and energy in the world of #commerce!



I'm your host, Ricardo Belmar, and I've been helping retailers maximize business value from their technology investments for the last two decades. I've advised retail tech startups on their go-to-market, and am a contributor to numerous industry blogs, publications, and podcasts. I serve on the advisory council to George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation, have been named a Top Retail Influencer for 2021, 2022, & 2023, Top Retail Mover and Shaker for 2021, and currently lead partner marketing strategy for retail and consumer goods in the US at Microsoft.



And I'm your co-host, Casey Golden, CEO of Luxlock and named a Top Retail Influencer for 2023. I've dedicated my career to moving fashion brands forward from in-store to e-commerce and beyond. I've had nearly every job in a fashion house until I saw the writing on the wall and moved to the tech side of the business. I am obsessed with the relationship between a brand and consumer and determined to slay retail franken-stacks!



Together, we're your guides on this retail commerce journey. From online ecommerce to mobile, to brick & mortar stores, we'll help you cut through the clutter! 



We’re currently ranked #18 in the Feedspot Top 60 Best Retail podcasts [https://blog.feedspot.com/retail_podcasts/] list, so if you like our show, please give us a 5-star review in Apple Podcasts. With your help, we’ll be on our way to a top spot! https://blog.feedspot.com/retail_podcasts/



Join us!



Follow us on Twitter: https://bit.ly/TwRRazor

Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/LI-RRazor

Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTube



Host → Ricardo Belmar,

Follow on Twitter - https://bit.ly/twRBelmar

Connect on LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/LIRBelmar

Read my comments on RetailWire - https://bit.ly/RWRBelmar



Co-host → Casey Golden,

Follow on Twitter - https://bit.ly/twCasey

Connect on LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/LICasey

Read my comments on RetailWire - https://bit.ly/RWCasey

Ricardo Belmar

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