Leadership
January 16, 2024 at 4:03 pm
In a keynote presentation at the ICR Conference in Orlando, FL earlier this month, Jim Conroy, chief executive officer of Boot Barn, detailed four growth strategies the retailer is focused on in 2024. Boot Barn, the nation's leading lifestyle retailer of western and work-related footwear, apparel and accessories, is one of the fastest-growing companies in the…
January 9, 2024 at 6:21 pm
Chico's FAS Inc. shareholders approved the sale of the fashion company for $1 billion cash to New York-based private equity firm Sycamore Partners, reports News-Press. New owner Sycamore Partners has moved Chico’s brands — Chico's, White House Black Market, and Soma — into KnitWell, a holding company formed last year. KnitWell also includes Ann Taylor,…
January 8, 2024 at 2:12 pm
In episode 434 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Kathy Doyle Thomas, president of Half Price Books (HPB), a chain of new and used bookstores. Listen in as Doyle Thomas provides an overview of the HPB's business (0:50), discusses her career with the company (2:25), offers insight into how the resale book industry…
January 4, 2024 at 12:13 pm
Dara Meath is chief technology officer of Build-A-Bear Workshop, a global brand focused on its mission to "add a little more heart to life" by appealing to a wide array of consumer groups who enjoy the personal expression in making their own "furry friends" to celebrate and commemorate life moments. Meath spoke at Total Retail…
December 6, 2023 at 12:17 pm
Few industries have experienced the turbulence that retail has in the last few years, but fortunately the latest forecasts show signs of a rebound. This may be good news for retail leaders, but that positivity isn’t necessarily trickling down to frontline employees. In fact, a concerning trend has emerged — 40 percent of full-time retail…
November 20, 2023 at 3:46 pm
In episode 428 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Mike Clem, CEO of Sweetwater, the world's leading music technology and instrument retailer. Listen in as Clem discusses his 20-year career at Sweetwater (1:00), why the company has a strong track record of long-time employee retention (1:45), and how he is working to maintain…
November 16, 2023 at 3:54 pm
Joe Megibow is CEO of Bright Cellars, an online wine subscription company that uses data to pair people with wine they'll love. Megibow recently spoke at Total Retail Tech in Denver, delivering a keynote on why he opted for an "off the shelf" technology solution to quickly re-platform the business. In this video interview from the…
October 25, 2023 at 2:12 pm
In today's dynamic business landscape, small businesses are facing many challenges as they gear up for the holiday season. This season can make or break a retail business, especially with consumers less loyal than ever before. The current economic turbulence has left many entrepreneurs wondering how to formulate effective strategies for maximizing sales this holiday…
October 19, 2023 at 2:54 pm
Vanathy Lakshmi is vice president of product and experiences at JCPenney, leading the iconic American brand through a major transformation. Lakshmi recently spoke at Total Retail Tech in Denver, delivering a keynote on strategies for better managing people, processes and technology. In this video interview from the event, she shares more about her role at JCPenney, how…
October 19, 2023 at 1:12 pm
Costco's longtime CEO Craig Jelinek is stepping down from the company after the warehouse club’s spree of pandemic- and inflation-fueled growth. The company said Wednesday that Ron Vachris, its current chief operating officer, will replace Jelinek. The change will take effect Jan. 1. In a company press release, Costco said the two executives have worked together over nearly…
