Alexis Schmigel

In episode 506 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Kathy Gagliano, executive vice president of merchandising at Books-A-Million, the second largest bookstore retailer operating more than 220 stores in the United States. The discussion begins with the history of the company, dating all the way back to 1917 (0:55). According to Gagliano, the…

At the National Retail Federation Big Show in New York City earlier this month, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviewed Tony Bacos, chief product and technology officer at Stitch Fix, an online personal styling service. Bacos detailed how Stitch Fix works to target common shopping challenges and change the way consumers discover style recommendations through the utilization…

At the National Retail Federation Big Show in New York City earlier this month, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviewed Dave Stevens, chief technology officer at Canadian women's fashion house Groupe Dynamite, and Kevin Bass, vice president of professional services at global supply chain technology leader Manhattan Associates. They covered topics such as the impact of agentic artificial…

In this episode of Total Retail Tech Insights, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan speaks with Deanna Ballew, chief product officer at Listrak, a digital marketing automation platform. Listen in as Ballew discusses the current retail marketing landscape of creativity and innovation (3:00) and how Listrak supports retailers, emphasizing the importance of marketing experimentation (5:00). With insight from…

In episode 494 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Kaitlyn Hebert, global chief marketing officer for the Ninja brand of SharkNinja, a leading global product design and technology company. The interview was recorded at Shoptalk Fall in Chicago. Hebert explains how Ninja’s organizational structure and innovation hub speed up product development (2:00). She…

Laura Bollier, CEO of VENUS Fashion, discusses the modernization of the VENUS brand, focusing on honoring its strong legacy while evolving it to meet contemporary needs. Drawing on her 25-plus years of experience in the retail industry, Bollier highlights the importance of elevated quality, intentional fit, and a curated assortment for the modern woman. In…

Janice Burk, vice president of supply chain technology at Lowe's, discusses how evolving customer expectations have led the company to develop proprietary fulfillment solutions. These systems, which include artificial intelligence and machine learning models, enable efficient order routing and inventory positioning, as well as help employees focus on value-added tasks by automating repetitive ones. In…

Robyn Messerly, chief information technology officer at Nebraska Furniture Mart (NFM), offers an insightful perspective on the impact of technology and culture on the retailer's operations. From using advanced marketing technology to fostering a unique workplace culture, Messerly delves into how NFM stays ahead in the competitive furniture category. In this video interview, recorded at…

Kelly Pedersen, a partner in PwC's Global Retail Division, discusses findings from the consulting firm's 2025 Holiday Outlook report. With 80 percent of holiday shopping expected to be completed by Cyber Monday, Pedersen advises retailers to stock early and focus on personalized offers. In this video interview, recorded at Total Retail Tech last month in…

Jeff Haddox is chief technology officer at Omni Retail Enterprises, parent organization of brands such as Pier 1, Dressbarn, Stein Mart, among others, where he's leveraging artificial intelligence tools to drive personalization and real-time customer engagement. "What are the things we're doing day in and day out that take time, that we can leverage AI…