Want a smarter way to sort real retail change from the noise? We sit down with Ricardo Belmar, host of The Retail Razor, global retail influencer, and advisor, to unpack how leaders can pair timeless fundamentals with timely tech to drive measurable results. From the rise of retail media to AI on the sales floor and the coming wave of agentic commerce, we map what’s hype, what’s working, and what to do next.
We start with the origin of The Retail Razor and its mission: cut through clutter and focus on outcomes. Ricardo explains how the pandemic accelerated collaboration, why retailers unintentionally became tech providers, and how high-margin retail media exploded by competing with legacy channels more than with Amazon. He shares where brands still struggle, comparable metrics, standardized buying, and in-store integration, and how connected TV and first-party data can unlock scale.
Then we dive into AI with a human touch. Associates need instant, credible answers, not laggy apps. Voice-driven AI that surfaces product knowledge through tools teams already use can boost confidence and conversion, while automation trims low-value tasks. We move beyond efficiency to possibility: solution selling at scale, curated baskets, and guided discovery that lift average order value. Ricardo stresses the playbook for faster, better rollouts, cross-functional buy-in, realistic pilots outside “friendly” test stores, and iterative deployment at 80 percent readiness.
Looking ahead, agentic commerce is poised to become a new channel with low adoption friction and high convenience, not a replacement for stores or websites. Expect experiential retail to regain momentum as storytelling and community pull shoppers back in. The throughline remains constant: product, price, place, promotion, people, and process, supported by tech that proves its worth in customer experience and operating metrics.
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