All Retail

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  ResourceCarMax: Inside a Massive Digital Transformation

  January 23, 2025

  This 33-slide PPT and related video tackle the question of innovating over the long-term, with lots of concrete examples, and references to the approaches of Thomas Edison, Clayton Christensen, and Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, among others.
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  ResourceSustainability Advice from Tory Burch

  December 6, 2024

  Ten key pieces of advice from a December 2024 InnoLead members' meeting on "Sustainability, Social Impact + Innovation: Delivering Results," with Jennifer Gootman, Global Head of Sustainability and ESG Strategy at the luxury lifestyle brand Tory Burch.
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  ArticlePerplexity Launches AI-Powered Shopping Tools

  November 26, 2024 | By Curtis Michelson

  On November 18th, startup Perplexity released a shopping tool for its Pro-level subscribers called "Buy With Pro." And a week later, they released their mobile app to make the shopping experience integrated with the camera, a feature they call "Snap to Shop." Similar to Google’s Lens, you take a picture...
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  ArticleHow Ralph Lauren is ‘Democratizing the Use of AI’

  November 22, 2024 | By Daniel Pereira

  Janet Sherlock recently wrapped up seven years as Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Ralph Lauren. We spoke with her as part of our research report, Creating New Value in Large Organizations, discussing her approach to digital transformation, the role of AI in retail, and strategies for strengthening customer experience...
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  ArticleGS1 US on the Future of AI in Supply Chain Management

  August 14, 2024 | By Curtis Michelson

  We talk to Bob Czechowicz, Senior Director of Innovation at GS1 US, about the future of AI and how his team uses cutting-edge technologies to enhance global supply chain processes, all while maintaining the high standards and reliability that their stakeholders depend on.
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  ArticleHow Lowe’s is Renovating the Customer Experience with AI

  April 3, 2024 | By Daniel Pereira

  We talk to the Senior Vice President of Product & Technology at retail giant Lowe's about AI and their 2024 innovation agenda. Generative AI can create new types of experiences for customers looking for home improvement inspiration, he says.
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  ArticleWalmart is Shutting Down its Store No. 8 Innovation Lab. Here’s What That Means for Other Corporate Innovators.

  January 26, 2024 | By Scott Kirsner

  On January 23rd, we brought together a group of four retail industry veterans — and one retail-focused venture capitalist — to unpack the news that the world’s biggest retailer, Walmart, had decided to shut down its primary innovation group, Store No. 8. What are the important take-aways for innovators and...
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  ArticleWayfair: Driving AI Progress, Without Everyone ‘Dropping Their Day Jobs’

  July 7, 2023 | By Steven Melendez

  Wayfair, the online furniture retailer, has long used artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize its online marketing and the way it presents products to site visitors. CTO Fiona Tan explains how they're researching how generative AI technologies like GPT can assist with customer service, crafting code, and more.
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  ArticleChief Digital Officer of Chico’s on Delivering a Digital-First Mindset

  March 9, 2023 | By Meghan Hall

  Jay Topper, Chief Digital Officer of women's clothing brand Chico's, gives his insights on developing a digital-first mindset inside a large organization. He discusses failure, communicating with leadership, and trends for consumers and retailers to look for in 2023.
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  ArticleSeven Trends for the Retail Industry in 2023

  January 19, 2023 | By Meghan Hall

  Seven big trends emerged at the 2023 National Retail Federation conference in New York, from AI to expanded worker benefits to same-day delivery. Here's our run-down...
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  ArticleLVMH North America CEO on Talent, Emerging Tech, and Travel

  January 17, 2023 | By Meghan Hall

  Anish Melwani, CEO of Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) North America, discusses the company's experiments with blockchain, NFTs, diamonds, luxury trains, and cultivating the artisan talent that the company relies on. 
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  ArticleTarget Execs Share Their Approach to Culture and Guest Experience

  January 16, 2023 | By Meghan Hall

  Highlights from a session on culture and guest experience — even in stressful situations — featuring Target CEO Brian Cornell and four of the company's top female executives.
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  ArticleMacy’s CEO Talks Mini Stores, Consumers Under Pressure, and Culture

  January 16, 2023 | By Meghan Hall

  Macy's CEO Jeff Gennette was at the National Retail Federation's conference to deliver an update to his peers in the retail industry. In a mainstage session, Gennette touched on the consumer mood at the start of 2023; how Macy’s has begun converting some traditional stores to a smaller Market by...
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  ArticleSaks Off 5th CEO on the Digital-First Mentality

  January 15, 2023 | By Meghan Hall

  At the National Retail Federation's annual conference in Manhattan, Saks Off 5th CEO Paige Thomas discussed pricing strategy; its approach to trends in fashion; and new partnerships with companies like Rent the Runway.
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  ArticleLearnings from a New REI Program that Invests in Diverse Entrepreneurs

  December 29, 2022 | By Meghan Hall

  REI Co-Op ran its first two cohorts in its new Path Ahead Ventures program in 2022. The cohorts, which include early-stage and late-stage startups, focus on helping founders of color advance in the outdoor industry. Kihanya shares the structure of the program, lessons learned, and what's next in 2023.
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  ArticleHow Williams-Sonoma Set Sustainability Up to Succeed

  July 21, 2022 | By Christa Avampato, Contributing Writer

  Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has set the goal of 75 percent of their products aligning with one or more social or environmental initiatives by the year 2030. In mid-2022, they’re halfway to that goal. We talk to Jennifer Gootman, Head of Sustainability and Social Impact, about how innovation and sustainability go hand-in-hand –...
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  VideoHow Do You Move From Thinking to Doing? IKEA Shares Best Practices for Pilot Tests

  March 22, 2022 | By Scott Kirsner

  How do you move from thinking to doing? IKEA Co-Creation and Matrix Manager Cindy Soo shares best practices.
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  ArticleHow One Retail VP Scores Emerging Technologies

  December 15, 2021 | By Alex Slawsby

  “There will always be new, cool, shiny things that we could bring to life in our stores,” says Heather Paquette of Retail Business Services, a subsidiary of the grocery giant Ahold Delhaize. “But we’re really here to help our brands achieve their goals by implementing new solutions that create measurable...
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  ArticleHow Best Buy’s CTO Assesses New Technologies for Strategic Business Value

  December 13, 2021 | By Scott Kirsner

  We spoke to Brian Tilzer, Best Buy’s Chief Digital and Technology Officer, a few weeks ahead of Black Friday 2021. The starting point for our discussion was how Tilzer and his team evaluate emerging technologies that could impact Best Buy’s business. “Ninety percent of what we do is about what’s...
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  ArticleHow Chinese Retailer Suning Group is Deploying AI and Other New Tech

  September 9, 2021 | By Kaitlin Milliken

  Melody Jia, General Manager of Chinese retailer Suning International, shares shifts she’s seen with pandemic-era shoppers and how her team meets their needs.