Best Paula Macaggi Podcasts (2025)

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[RIA4] Rebuilding the marketing tech stack for what's next with Ometria's CEO Ivan Mazour and CSO Djalal Lougouev 48:16

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11d ago48:16

48:16

In this episode of Retail Intelligence in Action, host Ron Thurston sits down with Ometria co-founders Djalal Lougouev and Ivan Mazur to explore how AI is redefining the future of retail marketing. Together, they discuss the realities of implementing AI within legacy systems, the transition from channel-based to customer-based marketing, and why da…

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92. Tariffs and US Holiday Season 2025 with Richard Kestenbaum 32:22

13d ago32:22

32:22

In this episode, Paula Macaggi sits down with Richard Kestenbaum, Partner at Triangle Capital, and Forbes contributor, to break down what’s really shaping the 2025 holiday season. From tariffs and inflation to shifting consumer confidence and cautious spending, Richard shares his perspective on why “flat is the new up,” how retailers can navigate u…

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[RIA3] How AI fuels speed, insight, and story-doing with Miami Dolphins' Former CMO, Pri Shumate and Ometria's CSO, Djalal Lougouev 41:14

18d ago41:14

41:14

Retail Intelligence in Action returns with Episode 3, “Beyond the Hype: How AI Fuels Speed, Insight, and Story-Doing,” where host Ron Thurston speaks with Djalal Lougouev, President of Ometria, and Pri Shumate, former CMO of the Miami Dolphins and alum of Nike and Airbnb, about turning instinct into action through AI. The conversation covers talkin…

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91. (Trends) Kidulting, Experiences and Storytelling: A Revisit to Build-a-Bear's Growth 14:45

20d ago14:45

14:45

Build-A-Bear Workshop turned birthday rituals and heart ceremonies into a growth engine, with its stock up about 1,900 percent in five years and domestic store traffic up 3 percent while the national benchmark fell. Paula revisits her conversation with CTO Dara Meath to unpack the experience-first model, the rapid 18-month digital sprint from mobil…

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[RIA02] How to stay authentic in the age of AI with 8thirtytwo's Fractional CMO, Julie Channing and Ometria's CEO, Ivan Mazour 47:01

25d ago47:01

47:01

In our episode 2 of Retail Intelligence in Action Series in partnership with Ometria, our host Ron Thurston speaks with Ivan Mazour (CEO,Ometria) and Julie Channing (Fractional CMO; ex-Allbirds, Levi’s, Nest) about leading with trust and authenticity in an AI-driven era. They unpack why clean, connected data is the bedrock of customer trust, how to…

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90. Illy Caffè's VP of Marketing & Digital, Cristian Arcangeli: “Growth starts when you understand your customer and stay consistent.” 27:17

27d ago27:17

27:17

By Paula Macaggi

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[RIA01] Finding your direction in implementing AI with Knix' CCO, Nicole Tapscott and Ometria's CSO, Djalal Lougouev 40:36

1M ago40:36

40:36

Welcome to Episode 1 of Retail Intelligence in Action, a new series by OFFBounds in partnership with Ometria where we explore how AI is revolutionizing enterprise retail marketing, hosted by retail leader Ron Thurston. There is no established roadmap for AI in retail. In this launch episode of Retail Intelligence in Action, Ron Thurston hosts Nicol…

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89. Matt Marcotte's Book, Built on Belief: Why Cultures of Commitment Are the Competitive Advantage 33:40

1M ago33:40

33:40

In this episode of OFFBounds, Paula Macaggi sits down in New York with retail veteran and professor Matt Marcotte to celebrate the launch of his new book Built on Belief: Why Cultures of Commitment Are the Competitive Advantage. Drawing on three decades of leadership at Apple, Gap, Tori Burch, Bergdorf Goodman, and Salesforce, Matt shares why emplo…

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88. Ferrero's SVP of Media and Marketing Services, Danielle Sporkin: "ROAS is only the starting point." 29:06

1M ago29:06

29:06

In this episode of OFFBounds, host Paula Macaggi sits down with Danielle Sporkin, SVP of Media and Marketing Services at Ferrero, to explore how one of the world’s most beloved confectionery companies is balancing heritage with innovation. From Nutella and Kinder to Butterfinger and Keebler, Ferrero’s portfolio is as diverse as it is iconic. Daniel…

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87. NVIDIA's VP and GM of AI for Retail, CPG and QSR, Azita Martin: "Physical AI is the next big wave" 35:27

2M ago35:27

35:27

In this episode of OFFBounds, Paula Macaggi sits down with Azita Martin, VP & GM of AI for Retail, CPG, and QSR at NVIDIA, the world’s most valuable company. Together they explore how AI is transforming retail, from e-commerce and supply chain optimization to computer vision, robotics, and digital twins. Azita shares real-world examples from compan…

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86. Danone North America's CMO, Linda Bethea: "Health and wellness is at a tipping point in America" 19:06

2M ago19:06

19:06

In this episode of OFFBounds in partnership with Groceryshop, Paula Macaggi sits down with Linda Bethea, CMO of Danone North America, to explore how one of the world’s largest food companies is navigating a massive shift in consumer behavior. From the rise of GLP-1 medications and America’s growing focus on wellness, to innovations like Oikos Fusio…

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85. Papa Johns' CMO, Jenna Bromberg: “Your attitude determines your altitude.” 28:31

2M ago28:31

28:31

In this episode of OFFBounds, Paula sits down with Jenna Bromberg, Chief Marketing Officer of Papa Johns, to explore how pizza, hospitality, and retail collide in her career journey. From Pizza Hut to Hilton to Carter’s and now Papa Johns, Jenna shares how each experience shaped her leadership and vision for the brand. We talk about personalization…

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84. Grendene's CDO, Jessica Alsing: “Authenticity and community will always beat the playbook.” 23:16

2M ago23:16

23:16

In this episode of OFFBounds, Paula Macaggi sits down with Jessica Alsing, Chief Digital Officer at Grendene Global Brands — the powerhouse behind Melissa, Ipanema, and Rider. Jessica shares how she helped Melissa achieve 12x growth in the U.S., why storytelling and community are essential to building authentic global brands, and the leadership les…

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83. April Sabral on Positive Retail Leadership: “If you don’t believe it, you won’t achieve it — and neither will your team.” 33:03

3M ago33:03

33:03

In this episode of OFFBounds, Paula Macaggi sits down with retail leadership expert and author April Sabral to explore how positivity can transform teams, culture, and results. From her start as a 17-year-old sales associate to leading hundreds at Starbucks, Banana Republic, and David’s Tea, April shares lessons from three decades in retail leaders…

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82. Loblaw's CDO Lauren Steinberg: "We were able to create the market demand." 33:00

3M ago33:00

33:00

Lauren Steinberg, Chief Digital Officer at Loblaw Companies Limited, shares how Canada’s largest retailer transformed from an in-store-only business into a multi-billion-dollar digital powerhouse. She reveals how building a “startup within the enterprise” enabled agility and innovation at scale, the role of personalization and AI in reshaping onlin…

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81. Ulta Beauty's SVP Digital and Ecommerce, Josh Friedman:"We just hit 45 million loyalty members." 24:21

3M ago24:21

24:21

While in Singapore for NRF APAC 2025, Paula Macaggi sits down with Josh Friedman, SVP of Digital & E-commerce at Ulta Beauty, to explore how the iconic beauty retailer is blending personalization, AI, and omnichannel innovation to shape the future of shopping. From the Shop My Store feature and 45 million–strong loyalty program to a thriving online…

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80. (Recorded Live) How Happy Employees Create Better Retail Customer Experiences | NRF APAC 2025 23:28

3M ago23:28

23:28

In this special episode recorded live at NRF APAC 2025 in Singapore, Paula Macaggi sits down with Panchalee Weeratammawat, Chief People Officer at Central Retail Group, and Mia Anderson, GM of Retail and Channels at 2degrees, to explore how investing in employee happiness leads to stronger customer experiences and business growth. From transforming…

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79. Mecca Brands' CRO, Ian Burl: "The way you make an experience better is by thinking about emotion." 37:23

3M ago37:23

37:23

In this episode recorded in Singapore for NRF APAC 2025, Paula Macaggi sits down with Ian Burl, Chief Retail Officer at Mecca Brands, Australia's leading prestige beauty retailer. Ian shares how Mecca has built a cult-like following by designing every part of the customer journey around how people feel. From spending every Friday on the store floor…

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78. DingDong Fresh's VP, Shaoming Yang: “We digitized everything and all decisions are made by AI.” 24:40

4M ago24:40

24:40

In this episode, Shaoming Yang, VP of DingDong Fresh, shares how the company is transforming grocery retail in China through a deeply integrated, AI-powered model. From operating over 1,000 dark stores to delivering live seafood in under 30 minutes, DingDong combines precision forecasting, supply chain innovation, and customer personalization to cr…

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77. Myntra's CEO, Nandita Sinha: "Myntra is shaping the Indian fashion market." 27:30

4M ago27:30

27:30

India is one of the fastest-growing retail markets in the world, and at the center of its fashion and lifestyle revolution is Myntra, one of the country’s largest e-commerce platforms. In this episode, Paula Macaggi sits down with Nandita Sinha, CEO of Myntra, to explore how the company is digitizing a still largely offline market, shaping Gen Z sh…

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76. Lotte Retail's Group CEO, Sam Kim: "In Korea, there is no online or offline, there is just shopping" 33:19

4M ago33:19

33:19

Retail in APAC Series with NRF APAC 2025: Korea Retail in South Korea doesn’t look like retail anywhere else. With over half of all shopping happening online, the line between digital and physical has completely disappeared. At the center of it all is Lotte Retail, a household name that’s now rethinking everything it does. In this episode, Group CE…

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75.NRF APAC 2025: What Asia-Pacific Is Teaching the World About Retail 17:46

4M ago17:46

17:46

In this special episode recorded live at NRF APAC 2025 in Singapore, Paula Macaggi kicks off a six-part series exploring the boldest innovations and biggest challenges shaping retail across Asia-Pacific. From Indonesia’s 22,000-store convenience giant to India’s booming quick commerce scene and Korea’s "no-line" retail revolution, this episode is p…

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74. Tony's Chocolonely's Head of North America, Dusan Vujovic: “Transparency isn’t a marketing strategy. It’s a responsibility.” 33:30

5M ago33:30

33:30

In this episode, Paula Macaggi sits down with Dusan Vujovic, Head of North America at Tony’s Chocolonely, to explore how the Dutch-born chocolate brand is rewriting the rules of ethical business in the U.S. retail landscape. From turning a mission into a movement to breaking into a competitive $4B market, Dusan shares how Tony’s combines bold story…

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73. Vitamin Shoppe's COO, Andrew Laudato: "IT teams have to earn the right to innovate" 31:38

5M ago31:38

31:38

In this episode, I sit down with Andrew Laudato, COO of The Vitamin Shoppe, a leading U.S. health and wellness retailer with 650+ stores, to explore how great IT teams are built, why innovation starts with operational excellence, and how AI is transforming retail. From vibe coding and RPA to inclusivity and composable commerce, Andrew shares why te…

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72. About You's Co-CEO, Tarek Müller: "We want to become the global number one" 47:30

5M ago47:30

47:30

In this episode of OFFBounds, I sit down with Tarek Müller, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of About You, to unpack how he built one of Europe’s most innovative fashion-tech companies from the ground up. From early bets on mobile and influencer marketing to launching a hybrid model that combines retail and enterprise software, Tarek shares the strategies beh…

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71. East Side Story: Why APAC Is Retail’s Hottest Market 20:14

5M ago20:14

20:14

In this special episode of OFFBounds, Paula Macaggi invites you to Singapore for NRF APAC 2025, the region’s biggest retail event, to explore why Asia-Pacific is the most powerful engine of global retail growth. With 60% of the world’s population and 3.49 billion people expected to join the middle class by 2030, APAC is transforming how the world s…

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70. Catalyst Brands' CDO, Mike Dupuis: "AI is changing retail profoundly." 26:01

6M ago26:01

26:01

In this episode, Paula sits down with Mike Dupuis, Chief Digital Officer at Catalyst Brands (Aéropostale, Nautica, Lucky Brand, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, and JCPenney), to explore the art of digital transformation at scale. We discuss the evolution from 2 brands to 1,700+ stores, the challenge of building unified tech and data platforms, and th…

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69. Hamley's CXO, Paul Porter: "Consumers demand memorable experiences." 31:26

6M ago31:26

31:26

Join me as I sit down with Paul Porter, Global Chief Experience Officer at Hamleys, the world’s oldest and most iconic toy retailer, for a deep dive into the art of creating unforgettable in-store experiences. In this episode, we discuss how Hamleys has captivated generations of shoppers for 265 years, the magic behind its seven floors on London’s …

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BONUS EPISODE: A Quick Fire Chat with Shoptalk's Ben Miller 20:17

6M ago20:17

20:17

Shoptalk Europe - https://shoptalkeurope.com OFFBounds listeners can get a discount using the codes below: 🎟️ Retailers and Brands, use code RBOFFBO20 🎟️ General Attendees, use code GAOFFBO20AD: ----- In this special BONUS episode of the OFFBounds podcast, host Paula Macaggi had a coffee chat with Ben Miller, VP of Original Content & Strategy at Sh…

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68. Ron Thurston's New Book: Human Pride 42:29

6M ago42:29

42:29

In this special episode recorded in London, bestselling author and retail leader Ron Thurston joins Paula Macaggi to launch his new book Human Pride—a bold call to embrace what makes us human in an age dominated by AI. They discuss how frontline retail, purpose-driven leadership, and personal pride are the real future-proofing tools in a changing j…

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67. Selfridges' CTO, Ross Beaumont: “If you don’t notice the tech, that means it’s working.” 44:20

6M ago44:20

44:20

Step inside the yellow-bag world of Selfridges as host Paula Macaggi sits down with CTO Ross Beaumont to reveal how a 1906 department store stays at the cutting edge of luxury retail: from “Selfridges Unlocked” keys that trade spend for once-in-a-lifetime experiences, to ReSelfridges buy-back tech fuelling a circular economy, to AI that augments—ne…

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66. Currys' COO, Lindsay Haselhurst: "Profit and purpose go hand in hand." 43:15

7M ago43:15

43:15

In this episode, I sit down with Lindsay Haselhurst, Chief Operating Officer at Currys, to unpack what it really takes to lead transformation at scale in one of the UK’s largest retailers. From navigating Brexit and pandemic-era supply chain chaos to pioneering innovation in re-commerce, 3D printing, and customer-centric operations, Lindsay shares …

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65. Kingfisher PLC's Global CTO, Christopher Blatchford: "Diversity drives better business outcomes." 38:03

7M ago38:03

38:03

What does it take to digitally transform a £13B retail giant across eight countries and nearly 2,000 stores? In this episode, I sit down with Christopher Blatchford, Global CTO of Kingfisher PLC — the company behind B&Q, Screwfix, Castorama, and more — to unpack the tech strategy powering one of Europe’s biggest home improvement groups. We dive int…

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64. Endeavour Group's Head of Insights, Benjamin Thompson: "Innovation is a double-edged word." 32:45

7M ago32:45

32:45

What does it really take to build innovation that scales inside a legacy business? In this episode, Benjamin Thompson, Head of Global Insights & Strategic Partnerships at Endeavour Group, shares how one of Australia’s largest drinks and hospitality companies stays ahead by blending strategic foresight with cultural transformation. From global tech …

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63.Schwarz Digital's SVP of Innovation, Mirko Saul: "Sovereignty is really important for the group" 37:05

7M ago37:05

37:05

Mirko Saul, Senior Vice President of Innovation at Schwarz Digital, joins Paula Macaggi to share how Schwarz Group — the parent company of Lidl and Kaufland — drives innovation at a massive scale. From testing the cutting-edge tech in lab stores to building their own cloud and AI infrastructure, Mirko reveals how the group balances speed, sovereign…

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62. Co-op's MD of Ecommerce, Chris Conway: "Our USP was the fact that we've got 2,500 stores" 48:12

7M ago48:12

48:12

Although Co-op entered the ecommerce space later than most, launching its online presence only in 2019, the company rapidly distinguished itself through quick commerce. Today, Co-op delivers an impressive 500,000 online grocery orders weekly, and its loyalty membership has surged by 50%. In this episode, Chris Conway, Managing Director of Ecommerce…

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61. Rewe Group's Head of Retail Media Connect, Christian Raveaux: "Retail media is the future of advertising." 30:45

8M ago30:45

30:45

In this episode 4th episode of our Europe's Retail Evolution series in partnership with Shoptalk Europe, Paula Macaggi sits down with Christian Raveaux, Head of Retail Media Connect at Rewe Group, to unpack the rapidly evolving world of retail media. Christian reveals how Rewe is blending digital and in-store advertising, harnessing first-party dat…

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60. Tendam's CRO, Javier Figar: "We need to trust and empower the people in the store" 34:18

8M ago34:18

34:18

In this episode of the OFFBounds, you will meet Javier Figar de Lacalle, Chief Retail Officer of Tendam, one of Spain’s largest fashion groups. Javier discusses how technology is empowering frontline employees to provide exceptional customer experiences while driving operational efficiency across Tendam’s global retail network. From the implementat…

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59. Holland and Barrett's CPO, Katya Denike: "Unlearning is as important as learning" 41:43

8M ago41:43

41:43

In this episode of our Europe's Retail Evolution Series in partnership with Shoptalk Europe, I sat down with Katya Denike, Chief Product Officer at Holland & Barrett. She shares many insights on leading digital transformation within a 150-year-old legacy brand. We explore the true challenge of aligning teams, breaking old habits, and shifting minds…

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58. JD Group's CDO, Arianne Parisi: "Stores are the most important asset for JD" 33:15

8M ago33:15

33:15

This is the first episode of our Europe's Retail Evolution series with Shoptalk Europe, and I sat down with Arianne Parisi, Chief Digital Officer at JD Sports, to discuss the massive digital transformation behind one of the world’s largest sports retailers. With over 4,500 stores across 30+ countries, JD is redefining omnichannel retail, from AI-dr…

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56. Vista Alegre's CDO, Carla Graça: "If brands don’t take advantage of AI, they will be left behind" 26:56

9M ago26:56

26:56

How does a 200-year-old luxury brand stay ahead in the digital era? In this episode of OFFBounds, I sit down with Carla Graça, CDO of Vista Alegre, to explore how AI, automation, and personalization are transforming retail. From running six global e-commerce platforms to leveraging AI for customer experience, Carla shares how Vista Alegre is blendi…

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57. Shoptalk's Head of Content, Joe Laszlo: "It's about balancing inspiration and tactical news" 26:41

9M ago26:41

26:41

Retail is evolving fast, and we’re diving into what’s next! In this episode of OFFBounds, I sit down with Joe Lazslo, Head of Content US at Shoptalk, to explore the biggest shifts in retail—Unified Commerce, Loyalty, Customer Experience, and more. We break down why loyalty is harder than ever, how retailers are redefining customer experiences, and …

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55. Retail Trends 2025: A NRF Recap 20:32

9M ago20:32

20:32

NRF 2025 wrapped up a few weeks ago, this year’s key theme was Game Changer. In this episode, Paula Macaggi breaks down the biggest trends shaping the future of shopping, from the shift toward Generative AI-powered product discovery to the long-overdue RFID breakthrough. We also explore the rise of Social Commerce, the need for brands to foster rea…

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54. Dyson's Global Head of Product, Stuart Frelick: "Not making a decision is the worst thing you can do" 29:40

9M ago29:40

29:40

In this episode of OFFBounds, I chat with Stuart Frelick, Dyson’s Global Head of Product, about the ambitious retail transformation that’s redefining the stores of the brand. Stuart takes us behind the scenes of how Dyson modernized its systems, tackled the challenges of scaling innovation globally, and delivered a seamless customer experience. We …

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53. Former Nike, Greg Merrill: “You can’t cut your way to growth. Companies that thrive invest in building what’s next.” 33:19

10M ago33:19

33:19

This week I’m joined by Greg Merrill, the former Head of Digital Transformation at Nike, for a deep dive into what it really takes to lead change in today’s fast-moving world. From his unconventional career journey to his insights on balancing innovation and operational excellence, Greg shares how transformation isn’t just about technology—it’s abo…

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52. The Retail Events You Should Attend This Year 10:57

10M ago10:57

10:57

In this episode of OFFBounds, I’m sharing my personal guide to the top retail conferences you should attend in 2025. From the bustling halls of NRF’s Big Show in New York to the vibrant Shoptalk events and hidden gems like EuroCIS in Germany, I’ll walk you through the must-attend events and why they’re worth your time. Whether you’re looking to dis…

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51. Larroudé's CEO, Ricardo Larroudé: "The cheapest shoe to make is the shoe that's already sold" 34:51

10M ago34:51

34:51

In this first episode of OFFBounds' second season, Paula Macaggi sits down with Ricardo Larroudé, co-founder and CEO of the innovative footwear brand Larroudé. Launching in the midst of the 2020 pandemic, Larroudé has quickly risen to prominence, earning the prestigious "Brand of the Year" award in 2024. Ricardo shares the bold vision and strategie…

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50. Throwback Episode: The Power of Storytelling with Tiago Quaresma 40:38

10M ago40:38

40:38

At the beginning of spring 2024, I interviewed Tiago Quaresma, who runs the Group that owns some of the coolest stores selling Portuguese culture's traditions. For me, O Grupo o Valor do Tempo is a masterclass of value creation through storytelling and customer experience and it was one of the most shared interviews we had in our first season. By o…

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49. A Year in Retail – OFFBounds 2024 Recap 17:52

11M ago17:52

17:52

In this special year-end episode of OFFBounds, we reflect on 2024—a defining year for retail and the year our podcast journey began. From the meteoric rise of Walmart online to leadership shakeups at Nike and Starbucks, this episode recaps the trends, challenges, and transformations that shaped the industry. We revisit key insights on data-driven d…

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48. Trends | Premiumization: What-Shein-Can’t-Do 18:51

11M ago18:51

18:51

In this episode of OFFBounds, Paula Macaggi dives into the growing trend of premiumization with retail expert Jack Stratten. Together, they explore how brands like Zara, H&M, and Wegmans are elevating their offerings through immersive store designs, curated products, and enhanced customer experiences to compete with ultra-fast fashion giants like S…