Series: Retail Transformers
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Balancing heritage and relevance: How Carmen Chiu builds brands in Asia
For Carmen Chiu, building global brands in Asian markets starts with a simple question: What makes a brand meaningful to consumers who may not know its history? The director of branded products at Hong Kong-headquartered Maxim’s Food Group has spent much of her career answering that question, with previous roles at Ferrero, Godiva, Fortnum & […]
Why DFI Retail Group doubled down on focus instead of diversification
When it comes to Asia’s fragmented retail market and unique cultural differentiations, effective retail transformation can be fraught with challenges. Scott Price, Group CEO of DFI Retail Group, has 30 years of global leadership experience in retailing. An American who previously worked in Japan and led Walmart’s Asian business from Hong Kong, Price returned to […]
How OnTheList’s Delphine Lefay Dultzin solved luxury’s excess inventory problem
Over 10 years, the pioneer members-only flash-sale concept OnTheList has reached 10 markets across Asia and the Middle East by solving a major problem for brands – and appealing to a fundamental consumer trait. “I’m a true believer that wherever in the world you react the same with discounts,” shares co-founder and CEO Delphine Lefay […]
‘Decision fatigue’ has broken shopping. Stitch Fix’s Debbie Woloshin has a fix
“Shopping is broken,” declares Debbie Woloshin, CMO at, Stitch Fix. “Apparel shopping does not deliver what our clients need. Ninety per cent of clients from a Stitch Fix internal survey described their online fashion shopping experience as stressful, overwhelming and fuelling self-consciousness. “You go to the mall, you need a dress, you leave with nothing […]
How Kelly Cook is reshaping David’s Bridal with an experience-first mindset
Kelly Cook admits to being “addicted” to business management challenges and loves transformation. That passion led her to work across industries as diverse as aviation and waste management before she became CEO at David’s Bridal, driving transformation. At David’s Bridal, Cook is leveraging her change-management experience to expand the business, develop new revenue opportunities, and […]
From Coach to co-founder: How Melissa Mash helped build Dagne Dover’s magic
When Melissa Mash launched bag brand Dagne Dover in 2013, she set out to rescript the relationship between women and the things they carry. Cutting her teeth at Coach, where she helped turn around the brand’s first European retail store at Heathrow Airport, Mash witnessed firsthand customers’ pain points with bags that looked good but […]
How Lowe’s Joe Cano uses AI to create a smarter, more personal shopping journey
By fusing customer insight with AI innovation, home improvement giant Lowe’s is building what it hopes will be the most seamless home improvement experience online. For Joe Cano, SVP of digital at Lowe’s, success hinges on understanding customer needs and using technology to deliver on it. “People are telling us what they want,” he tells […]
AI meets retail: Ebay’s plan to make every shopping experience unique
Artificial intelligence is moving so fast that the line between online and in-store shopping may soon disappear altogether. Within a few years, digital retailers could replicate – and even surpass – the sensory experience once unique to bricks-and-mortar stores. And when that happens, the very nature of marketplaces will change. That’s the prediction from Nitzan […]
From catwalks to carnations: Urban Stems’ Meenakshi Lala is disrupting floral
In this episode, we step into the operational engine room of online flower deliveries with Meenakshi Lala, CEO of Urban Stems. For two decades, Meenakshi mastered the complex, high-pressure world of fashion retail operations. Now, she’s bringing that same fashion-level precision and data-driven discipline to disrupt an industry built around emotional connection: gifting flowers. Meenakshi […]
From tagging tees to leading Primark US
Kevin Tulip’s retail story began simply: attaching price tags in a Topshop stockroom during high school work experience. That simple moment quickly evolved into a passion, leading him to a remarkable 22-year career journey that now sees him as the President of Primark US. This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Kevin, a veteran […]