Spieckerman Speaks Retail Podcast
Sink or Swim Season Is Here! (With Zero Margin for Error)
In the latest heat map episode, Carol takes on Target’s cascading crisis, Walmart’s master strokes, Macy’s surprising turnaround, Lululemon hitting a sour note, and more hot takes. In the run-up to the holidays, some retailers are casting a clear vision. Others are stubbornly denying they even have a problem or struggling to define their place in a world where staying special requires constant vigilance.
Retail Heat Map: Target’s Travails, Temu and Shein Spiral, Liverpool Liberates Nordstrom, and the Prime Day Delay
From Target's operational disasters and identity crisis to Netflix's ambitious physical retail gambit to Temu and Shein’s spiral to Mexico's cross-border rescue mission and Walmart’s latest grocery grab, Carol’s latest Heat Map episode connects the dots and reads the tea leaves on retail’s hottest stories.
Retail Heat Map: Triple Threat Edition
Carol launches her new Retail Heat Map series by diving into the triple threat that's hitting retailers from all sides right now. From Walmart's workforce disruptions to Amazon's grocery struggles, these aren't just random headlines – they're early warning signals of how external forces are reshaping retail faster than most companies can adapt.
When Bots Don't Buy Your Hype: The Platform-Killing Disruption Retailers Didn't See Coming
Carol Spieckerman dives deep into the retail disruption that's hiding in plain sight – and why retailers and brands might be seriously underestimating its impact. While some are treating AI shopping agents like just another optimization challenge, Carol's here with a reality check.
AI-First Retail – Carol Spieckerman Hosts RETHINK Retail Podcast
Carol Spieckerman hosts RETHINK Retail’s podcast on AI-First Retail Strategies to discuss how AI is transforming customer experience, supply chains, and operational performance.
NRF 2025: Decoding Signals Beyond the AI Echo Chamber
Everyone was understandably captivated by AI at NRF 2025, yet the real story is about balancing innovation with identity, technology with humanity, and complexity with clarity. Carol Spieckerman lays it all out in the latest episode of Spieckerman Speaks Retail.
Featured: Retail Therapy Reflections on 2024
Carol Spieckerman joins RETHINK Retail’s Cloud Alliance year-end podcast to explore highlights and lowlights from 2024 and directional signals for 2025.
The Full Funnel Effect: In-Store Media Gets a Glow-up
Carol Spieckerman sat down with Cole Johnson, CEO of Looma, to get the 411 on retail media’s blue water opportunities and the power of the store to amplify brand stories.
Consumer Primacy and the Work Shop Shift: A Conversation with Joe Brady
Carol Spieckerman sits down with Joe Brady, commercial real estate guru and author of Work Shop, the Consumer-Driven Transformation of Commercial Real Estate.
Seamless, Shoppable, and Swift: Eitan Koter’s New Rules of Video Commerce
Carol Spieckerman and Vimmi Co-CEO Eitan Koter delve into the power of multi-platform video and the explosion of commerce media.
Full Path Analysis: Decoding Shopper Behavior Beyond Footfall
Joe Shasteen, global manager of advanced analytics at RetailNext, to discuss the latest trends in retail analytics and in-store technology. Joe expands on the concept of full path analysis, which provides detailed insights into customer behavior throughout the store.
Are You Ready for Unready? It’s Launch and Learn Time!
Carol reveals her latest Retail Trajectory, Launch and Learn, where companies are ditching the warm-up act and releasing tech straight into consumer environments before the kinks are worked out.
Owning Your Data Assets and the Art of Noodling Around: New Technologies Mean New Priorities
Carol Spieckerman speaks with Sophelle’s Chris Corbin on navigating new technology, optimizing data, and the power of discovery.
Unlocking the Power of Payments Media Networks in Retail: A Conversation with SnippMedia’s Tom Burgess
Carol Spieckerman speaks with SnippMedia President, Tom Burgess, on the emergence of payments media networks and benefits to CPGs, banks, and shoppers.
Calling Mrs. Maisel! Retail Clienteling is Cutting Edge (Again)
In her final people-powered retail episode, Carol Spieckerman speaks with Casey Drake on the new world of clienteling and customer experience.
Brian Librach Plots the Route. The Retail Leader’s Roadmap
In the lastest People-Powered Retail episode, Carol Spieckerman speaks with Brian Librach on his new book, The Retail Leader’s Roadmap and the power of self-determination in plotting your retail career.
“People Before Things.” Putting the Human Back in Human Resources
In the latest people-powered retail series episode, Carol Spieckerman speaks with Build-A-Bear’s chief people officer Roz Johnson on how to bring out the best in retail teams.
Authentic Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Amplifying the Differences That Make a Difference
Carol Spieckerman speaks with Monica Williams on the new standards for equity, diversity, and inclusion and why getting it right is a game-changer.
Suiting up for Success: Sharp Strategies for Slaying D2C with Diana Ganz
Carol Spieckerman’s guest, Diana Ganz shares insights into how she has broken through barriers and cracked codes on some of the toughest challenges facing digital-forward brands today.
Comparing Walmart and Target No Longer Makes Sense (But I’m Doing It Anyway)
Carol Spieckerman parses Walmart and Target’s Q2 2023 earnings reports and the growing differences that set them apart.