In episode 499 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Mike Natenshon, founder and CEO of apparel brand Marine Layer. Beginning from his desire to re-create a favorite worn-out college T-shirt to founding a successful brand known for high-quality, custom fabrics, Natenshon breaks down Marine Layer's milestones. From opening its first retail store (2:00)…

As retailers and investors therein plan for 2026, the big picture matters. Expect continued attention to inflation, interest rates, and consumer confidence as each will shape pricing, inventory strategies, and capital allocation. IP Essentials: Protect the Brand A brand can be a company’s lifeline — it must be instantly recognizable and consistent across stores, marketplaces…

Retail marketing is moving through a period of realignment. Privacy expectations, rapid artificial intelligence adoption, and the demand for accountable performance are reshaping how retailers plan, execute and evaluate campaigns. Tools are advancing quickly, yet the shift in how teams think about data, measurement and activation will matter even more. In 2026, retailers will move…

Retail is entering a new phase of digital maturity, one where artificial intelligence isn’t just a tool to optimize processes, but the engine behind new business models. From retail media networks to concept creation within R&D, AI is redefining how brands create value, engage consumers, and scale innovation. In 2025, we saw retailers moving from…

Saks Global, the parent company behind Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks OFF 5TH, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Wednesday after naming a new CEO, multiple news outlets reported. Former Neiman Marcus CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck will lead the luxury department store group through the bankruptcy, helping navigate its heavy…