Leadership

In episode 105 of Total Retail Talks, Dave Munson, founder and CEO of Saddleback Leather, a manufacturer and retailer of leather goods, including bags, briefcases, luggage and more, recounts the brand's humble beginnings in Mexico, details what has enabled it to grow into a thriving online retailer that does more than eight figures in sales…

This interview originally appeared in the cover story of Total Retail’s Summer issue, Game Changers. In this excerpt from the cover story, David Yeom, co-founder and CEO of Hollar, an online dollar store, was interviewed.  Total Retail: Where did you get the inspiration to launch your company? David Yeom: The early inspiration for Hollar is…

This interview originally appeared in the cover story of Total Retail’s Summer issue, Game Changers. In this excerpt from the cover story, Miki Racine Berardelli, CEO of KIDBOX, was interviewed. Berardelli discusses why she believes in the future of subscription commerce, her style of leadership, and much more in this wide-ranging Q&A.

Total Retail's summer print issue featured its annual cover story, Game Changers. This year featured interviews with seven entrepreneurs and companies disrupting the retail industry, including Heidi Zak, co-founder and CEO of ThirdLove, a retailer of the best-fitting bras and underwear. In this interview, Zak discusses many topics, including how she plans to scale the business for growth, the retail technologies that she has her eye on, what traditional retailers can learn from her business, and more.

The concept of emotional intelligence (EI) has been around for some time. Have you ever wondered, “Do I have it?” If you’re considered a strong, likeable leader and looked upon as an authority figure, chances are you’ve evolved to become smart and skilled at navigating the company hallways. But do you shine in this area…

One of the greatest challenges retail executives face is striking a balance between the tasks required to maximize productivity and the people skills necessary to create a culture where customer service and excellence are the norm. Far too many retail executives become so mired in the short-term “bottom line” that they neglect to nurture the…

"It's about surrounding yourself with the best people; people who will deliver results and who are consistent. That counts for a lot. So does full transparency about our goals and plans so that everybody knows the mission and is moving in the same direction all the time."

In episode 104 of Total Retail Talks, recorded at the Total Retail Talks Live! event in Seattle, Peter Francis, vice president of digital growth and acquisition for T-Mobile, discusses the role brick-and-mortar stores will play in the company's future. Francis addresses how T-Mobile views omnichannel retail, and what the company is doing to execute on…

2017 has been a tough year for retail, to say the least. CNBC reports more than 5,400 retail store closures have been announced this year so far, up 165 percent from 2016, with 10 major retailers filing for bankruptcy. In a new report from retail recruiting and organizational consulting firm Korn Ferry, 73 percent of larger…

Some sad news this week — Costco announced the death of its co-founder and chairman, Jeff Brotman. Brotman passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 74. Brotman co-founded Costco Wholesale with Jim Sinegal. The two opened the first warehouse in Seattle in 1983. Brotman previously served as chairman of the company's board of directors…