🧵 The Weekly Thread | Issue No. 14
Retail Relates | Issue No. 14 | Sunday, July 27th
The Weekly Thread brings together all that Retail Relates has to offer in one place so you can catch up, explore what resonates, and join the conversation when it feels right.
👜 This Week’s Common Threads
Reviewing and learning from the past, building a stronger future.
We are four seven NINE episodes into recording our second season of Retail Relates, and the excitement is building, really building…
Ok, so we broke down and asked our intern “Chatty” to give us a better description. The top three answers:
There’s a palpable sense of anticipation.
The atmosphere is electric.
There’s an undeniable sense of excitement.
WITH THAT SAID, WE ARE ON TARGET TO LAUNCH SEASON TWO OF RETAIL RELATES ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 28th! (fingers crossed). Stay tuned!!
What do you have to look forward to in our Sophomore Season?
New Co-Hosts. We’ve expanded our “panel of experts,” new co-hosts joining Paula, Gautham, and Rich - some joining after being guests on the show, and several who are new to Retail Relates. They bring a broader range of experiences that we can tap into - from supply chain to marketing, entrepreneurship to customer experience, strategic transformation to emerging technologies.
Broader Experiences. We’ve invited guests from a wider cross-section of commerce, from those transforming legacy brands to those driving start-ups, those not just in traditional retail, but driving innovation in food, health, and music. A continued focus on the digital environment and a fresh perspective on the evolution of the physical space. Those connecting with consumers through time-honored methods, and those narrating stories, creating experiences, and harnessing influencers to capture the hearts and minds of the modern consumer.
Student Perspectives. Retail Relates was launched to help make our industry more relatable to students and emerging professionals, those choosing retail and commerce as a career path, and those thinking about a new direction. So, we’ve listened to our audience and incorporated their input and ideas. We are excited to introduce a newly graduated student to our “panel of experts”, one who experienced Retail Relates as a student and now will be bringing in a fresh perspective as she launches her career.
In the weeks ahead, we are excited to introduce our new co-hosts, our upcoming guests, expand and share our additional content, and connect with each of you in a meaningful way!
WHAT’S COMING UP THIS WEEK:
Conversations
Every week, one of our hosts or guests takes the mic for a deeper exploration of commerce’s most compelling questions and emerging opportunities. This is where we unpack ideas, challenge assumptions, and start new dialogues.
Coming up on Tuesday, our co-host and co-creator Rich Honiball reflects on lessons learned and forward-leaning predictions from his recent students:
🔮The Future of Retail: Through the Eyes of the Next Generation
Reflections and Perspectives from the Classroom on How Retail Will Evolve
At the close of every semester, I pose the same question to my students: “What do you believe the future of retail will look like, ten or twenty years from now?” It’s one of my favorite traditions - not just for the answers themselves, but for the window it opens into how the next generation is thinking about commerce, technology, and community.
I am in the process of grading ‘Final Projects’ and reading ‘Final Reflections’ from this semester’s class. Honestly, one of my favorite things to do. Some of the students’ insights so far...
“The rise of experiential retail, like concept stores, AR-enhanced shopping, and in-store social events, will redefine what it means to ‘go shopping.’”
“The emotional side of consumer interaction is just as critical in retail.”
“AI will become even more integrated into the shopping experience, creating highly customized journeys for customers both online and in physical stores.”
“Retailers that are transparent and demonstrate their commitment to positive environmental impact will be more likely to win customer trust and loyalty.”
Teaching this course is never a one-way street. While I bring decades of retail experience, my role is to foster dialogue and challenge assumptions - my students, in turn, challenge me to rethink my own. Many are not planning careers in retail, at least not yet, but all are active participants in the marketplace. Their perspectives matter, both as future leaders and as consumers whose expectations will shape the industry’s evolution.
We look forward to sharing these reflections this coming Tuesday! Check out the conversation when it releases, and we would LOVE your thoughts, comments, and feedback (a ♥️ and a SHARE would be great as well!)
🕰️ Echoes of Commerce
Each week, we explore the experiences and environments that have built lasting emotional connections between people and commerce. These Echoes aren’t just stories from the past - they’re timeless lessons, resonating with relevance for today’s leaders, brands, and communities. Here’s what’s coming up this week:
🏷️ The Lightbulb Moment: When Illumination Sold More Than Products (July 28th) - From dazzling electric displays to neon artistry, retail lighting didn’t just brighten stores - it shaped urban life, shopper moods, and what we buy.
🏷️ The Floorwalker: Retail’s First Personal Shopper (July 30th) - Long before AI chatbots and stylists-on-demand, retail’s original concierges walked the floor - bridging trust, service, and community.
🏷️ The Price War: When Discounting Changed the Game (August 1st) - From jazz in the aisles to punk in boutiques, retailers have curated sound not just as filler - but as an immersive tool to drive mood, memory, and brand.
📅 Milestones That Changed Commerce
This coming week in commerce history, we celebrate global expansion, the issuance of the first US Patent, video killing the radio star, and the launch of a grocery store based on the belief that “the customer was always right.” Watch for more on these milestones as they post on our Substack page this coming week:
🏬 July 28, 1965 – Tokyo’s First Mitsukoshi Department Store Outside Japan Opens in Singapore
📝 July 31, 1790 – The First U.S. Patent Issued
🎸 August 1, 1981 – MTV Launches, Igniting Music and Fashion Retail Booms
🛒 August 2, 1939 – Albertsons Opens Its First Grocery Store
We have fun with these, but experience tells us that no matter how much we research, we may get something wrong. Bonus points if you help us make it better!
🚀 Momentum in Commerce
Human nature is to hone in on challenges, the bad news, the doom and gloom - you see those headlines every day. Momentum in Commerce showcases encouraging results, innovative solutions, and forward-thinking ideas.
💡 The Power of Listening: Building Consumer Trust in Challenging Times
Forbes | July 25, 2025
In today's dynamic market, brands are discovering that deeply listening to consumers is the key to building lasting trust and loyalty. This article emphasizes that true consumer-centricity, powered by insights from both traditional and AI-analyzed data, enables brands to create meaningful experiences and foster profound connections. It's a positive outlook, suggesting that empathy and responsiveness are the new currency for sustained brand growth, transforming potential volatility into tangible opportunities.
🎓 Reimagining the Student Shopping Experience
Retail Tech Innovation Hub | July 27, 2025
This roundup article covers several recent tech rollouts or pilots by Amazon, Asda, Carrefour, Poshmark, B&Q and others that are focused on student shopping innovations. It reflects a wave of experimentation and investment in retail systems targeting younger consumers (and many that would appeal across generations - why should THEY have all of the fun!?)
🤖 Walmart's AI Super Agents Promise Smarter Shopping and Faster Digital Growth in E-Commerce
The Times of India | July 24, 2025
Walmart is making a massive leap in retail technology with the launch of AI "Super Agents" designed to revolutionize customer experience and streamline operations. These innovative agents will offer personalized recommendations, automate tasks for shoppers and employees, and enhance e-commerce capabilities, signaling a clear path towards significant digital growth. The article is worth a read - seeing where it may replace humans or enable humans.
🏨 How Extended Stay Hotels Can Design for Higher-End Travelers
Hotel Dive | July 21, 2025
Extended‑stay brands are upping their game with boutique/luxury designs and amenities, meeting demand from multi‑week and upscale travelers. One of the several points that piqued our interest is “agility” and the need to incorporate flexibility into the execution of the design. It’s turning a pandemic‑born trend into a premium hospitality opportunity.
WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
🎤 Featured Podcast Episode:
We have an expanded slate of guests and co-hosts lined up for Season Two and will be announcing the launch date shortly. In the meantime, this is one of the episodes from Season One worth revisiting:
🎙️Episode 115: Mastering Customer Strategy and Marketing Leadership - A Conversation with Sheryl Adkins-Green
What does it take to build a customer-centric strategy - and a marketing career that drives both impact and inspiration?
This episode features Sheryl Adkins-Green, former Chief Experience Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at Mary Kay Inc. Sheryl’s remarkable career has spanned food, finance, and beauty, but her legacy is defined by her unwavering commitment to customer experience, brand authenticity, and mentorship for the next generation of marketing leaders.
🕰️ Echoes of Commerce
One of our highlighted “Echoes” that you might have missed last week:
🏷️ The Soundtrack of Shopping: How Genre, Mood & Music Changed Retail
If every store has a personality, music is its voice.
But retail music has never been just background - it’s a tool of persuasion, a statement of style, and sometimes, a revolution.
Retailers have long used music to do more than fill silence. They’ve used it to shape atmosphere, signal values, attract specific crowds, and push shopping into the realm of culture.
Visit the Echoes archive for additional reflections on retail’s past and its influence on today’s customer journey.
🔭 Looking Ahead
Remember that we only email our Weekly Threads recap and our weekly Conversation, so if you want to stay current with us, subscribe, download the app, and stay connected - it’s free!
We hope that you explore, and we would LOVE for you to comment, & share. Be part of the journey. If you have story ideas, guest suggestions, or internship resources to share, drop us a line.
We’re glad you’re here!
— The Retail Relates Team