BTS of Sophie on the pod
Sophie Wawro, Global President at Shoptalk
In the first episode recorded at Shoptalk, Russ sits down with Sophie Wawro, the global president of the event, to delve into the origins, objectives, and highlights of this premier retail and tech conference.
Sophie shares the backstory of Shoptalk, revealing its humble beginnings in 2016 as a modest 2,000-person event in Las Vegas. Founded by technology enthusiasts with a vision to unite diverse voices in shaping the future of retail, Shoptalk has since evolved into a massive annual gathering of 10,000 industry leaders and innovators. The event’s exponential growth reflects its commitment to fostering collaboration and driving industry-wide transformation.
Exploring the main objectives of Shoptalk, Sophie emphasises two core components: conversations and connections. With an extensive content program spanning 45 hours across six stages, Shoptalk serves as a platform for thought-provoking discussions and insights on the retail landscape’s future. Currently, the event facilitates invaluable networking opportunities through its meetings program and bustling expo floor, where attendees forge meaningful connections and partnerships.
Sophie highlights the program’s effectiveness in fostering double-opted-in meetings, ensuring that participants engage with like-minded peers and industry stakeholders.
Transitioning to Shoptalk TV, Sophie highlights the platform’s role in providing a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the event’s dynamic content and activities. From interviews with industry leaders to podcast recordings and aerial overviews of the venue, Shoptalk TV offers a multifaceted view of the conference experience, catering to both on-site attendees and remote viewers.
Looking ahead to Shoptalk’s key highlights, Sophie anticipates a lineup of top-tier speakers, including Colleen Aubrey from Amazon and Tony Spring from Macy’s, who offer unparalleled insights into the future of retail. Additionally, she talks about the event’s design moments, first-timers program, and Shoptalk Kids initiative as notable highlights, reflecting Shoptalk’s commitment to innovation and inclusivity.
Laert during his interview
Laert Skreli, VP Head of Strategy & Initiatives at Bread Financial
In a captivating conversation, Russ sits down with Laert Skreli, the VP Head of Strategy & Initiatives at Bread Financial, to delve into the company’s structure, evolution, and current strategy within the BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) space.
Laert provides an overview of Bread Financial, highlighting its role as a payments company with a strong emphasis on technology-driven solutions. The company’s offerings span revolving lines of credit, fintech arm Bread Pay, and a range of deposit and lending products, underscoring its commitment to personalised financial solutions.
Diving into the history of Bread Pay, Laert shares the journey of its inception in 2014 by two visionary lawyers who identified the evolving needs of millennials in the payments landscape. Acquired by Alliance Data (now Bread Financial) in 2020, Bread Pay has continued to help Bread Financial provide its clients with a full payments ecosystem to provide customers payment solutions no matter where they are in life.
With a focus on Bread Financials’ current strategy within the BNPL space, Laert emphasises a multi-pronged approach encompassing both direct channels and strategic partnerships. Leveraging innovative solutions such as in-store instalment loans and seamless integrations with financial and non-financial partners, Bread Financial distinguishes itself through its customer-centric ethos and commitment to white-labelling experiences.
Reflecting on upcoming partnerships and growth opportunities, Laert hints at exciting developments in sectors such as jewellery, furniture, and auto aftermarket, signalling Bread Financials’ continued expansion and innovation in the retail landscape.
Scott and interview host Graham
Scott Tannen, Founder & CEO at Boll & Branch
In a conversation at Shoptalk, Graham sits down with Scott Tannen, the founder and CEO of Boll & Branch, to delve into the company’s inception, customer-centric approach, and exciting future endeavours.
Scott begins by sharing the genesis of Boll & Branch, highlighting the consumer frustration with the lack of distinction among bedding brands. Recognising this gap in the market, Scott and his wife embarked on a journey to create a brand that not only offered superior quality but also prioritised transparency and customer experience.
Discussing the challenges faced by direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands post-pandemic, Scott emphasises Boll & Branch’s unique position, attributing its resilience to a steadfast commitment to delivering exceptional products and service. By avoiding traditional venture capital funding and focusing on customer retention, Boll & Branch has successfully navigated the evolving landscape of consumer habits and rising acquisition costs.
With a hospitality mindset ingrained in the company culture, Boll & Branch strives to provide a five-star experience to its customers, setting itself apart from competitors.
Scott reveals the illustrious clientele of Boll & Branch, including four former US presidents who have become avid fans of the brand. This unexpected endorsement speaks volumes about the quality and appeal of Boll & Branch’s products.
Delving deeper into the company’s ethos, Scott emphasises Boll & Branch’s commitment to transparency and traceability in its supply chain. By empowering customers to trace the journey of their products, Boll & Branch aims to set a new standard for the textile industry, fostering trust and accountability among consumers.
Jasmine of Emarketer on the booth for her interview
Jasmine Enberg, Principal Analyst eMarketer
Graham sits down with Jasmine Enberg, Principal Analyst at eMarketer, to discuss the evolving landscape of consumer and shopping habits, with a focus on social commerce and creator commerce.
Jasmine provides a glimpse into her upcoming session, which aims to debunk myths surrounding social commerce and shed light on the burgeoning trends in the industry. Despite recent setbacks faced by social platforms like Meta and TikTok Shop, Jasmine reveals compelling insights indicating a significant uptick in consumer spending on social commerce platforms, with US consumers projected to spend a staggering $82 billion this year.
As the discussion unfolds, Jasmine delves into the strategies employed by brands to effectively leverage social commerce platforms, emphasing the importance of engaging content and the pivotal role of creators in driving product sales. With social media democratising the commerce landscape, brands must find a delicate balance between entertaining content and driving sales to capture the attention of increasingly discerning consumers.
The conversation turns to the influence of Gen Z, a demographic deeply entrenched in social media culture. Jasmine highlights the importance of speaking their language and leveraging platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram to connect with this audience effectively. By tapping into the power of creators, brands can cultivate authentic relationships with Gen Z consumers and stay attuned to emerging trends.
Larry Gray during his interview for the episode
Larry Gray, Senior Manager Customer Experience, Kipling
Graham sits down with Larry Gray, Senior Manager of Customer Experience and Loyalty at Kipling USA, to explore the brand’s unique offerings and customer engagement strategies.
Larry provides an overview of Kipling USA’s product line, emphasising their diverse range of bags and accessories designed to cater to customers’ on-the-go lifestyles. As part of the Packs business within a multi-brand conglomerate, Kipling USA stands alongside renowned names like Eastpak and Jansport, contributing to a multi-billion dollar enterprise.
Larry delves into Kipling USA’s collaboration with Barbie, a partnership that has captured the imagination of their customer base. With the launch of “Barbie Reimagined,” Kipling USA not only introduces a new line of Barbie-inspired products but also embarks on a charitable endeavour through the “Barbie Dream Gap Project.” By rounding up purchases to support initiatives aimed at challenging gender stereotypes, Kipling USA demonstrates its commitment to social responsibility.
Larry sheds light on Kipling USA’s customer communication strategies, spanning various marketing channels from social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to email campaigns and loyalty programs. With a diverse customer demographic spanning from young adults to baby boomers, Kipling USA aims to personalise the customer experience further, leveraging data-driven insights to tailor recommendations and engagement efforts.
In exploring the nuances of customer experience across different age groups, Larry highlights the evolving landscape of personalisation and Kipling USA’s efforts to adapt to changing consumer preferences. By prioritising product-based segmentation and gradually embracing personalised marketing initiatives, Kipling USA seeks to enhance customer satisfaction and foster lasting connections with its audience.
Lisa of She-com on the pod with interview host Russ
Lisa Jones, Founder & CEO at SHE-com
Lisa Jones, the Founder and CEO of SHE-com, delves into the world of e-commerce and female entrepreneurship.
Lisa shares the motivation behind her presence at Shoptalk, highlighting SHE-com’s focus on staying informed about US e-commerce trends to benefit their primarily Australia-based community. As a platform catering to female-founded brands in e-commerce, SHE-com serves as a hub for education, networking, and empowerment, offering a range of resources from educational content to awards and live events.
With a community of over 20,000 women, SHE-com extends its reach beyond Australia, aiming to expand into the US, UK, and Europe in the coming years. Lisa emphasises the diverse spectrum of businesses within their community, ranging from startups to small and medium-sized enterprises, all seeking strategies to enhance their e-commerce endeavours.
The conversation delves into SHE-com’s role in supporting female entrepreneurs, focusing on strategies to help them navigate the competitive e-commerce landscape. Lisa highlights the importance of providing actionable strategies to drive revenue growth, recognising the financial constraints often faced by female founders.
As SHE-com prepares for international expansion, Lisa outlines their collaborative approach to entering new markets, prioritising partnerships and affiliate networks to foster warm connections within existing communities. Additionally, she discusses SHE-com’s podcast, “She Talks E-commerce,” as a platform for sharing insights and experiences from successful female entrepreneurs, offering invaluable advice to aspiring business owners.
The discussion concludes with a focus on engaging younger consumers, with Lisa highlighting the need for brands to adapt their marketing strategies to resonate with Gen Z and millennial audiences. Through personalised messaging and targeted segmentation, brands can effectively connect with younger demographics and meet their evolving expectations.
