Brieane Olson is a Retail Radical
Olson understands that retail is first and foremost a people, not a product, business, a principle she lives by to guide Pacsun and her team into the future: “At Pacsun, innovation is a mindset and a strong part of our culture. We empower our teams to experiment, take risks, and bring forward ideas that push us into new territory. We listen closely to our community of Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers and see them as co-creators.”
The Latest Retail Industry Insights and Analysis
AGOA and the Butterfly Effect
When I try to explain the implications and unintended consequences of policy decisions, the metaphor of the butterfly effect is
The Digital Product Passport: Regulation or Revolution?
Counterfeiting erodes consumer trust and brand value. A DPP enables buyers to instantly verify a product’s authenticity, boosting confidence in
How Uncle Jerry’s Pretzels Is a Poster Child for Healthy Snacks
Join Shelley and Misty Skolnick, Co-owner of Uncle Jerry’s Pretzels as they discuss how this company in rural Pennsylvania has
Listen Up
Retail Unwrapped
Our weekly podcast with Shelley E. Kohan, & guests. Available on your favorite podcast platforms.
Experience
The Hidden Costs of Retail Noise
Noise erodes trust. When shoppers cannot hear staff clearly, misunderstand promotions, or feel overwhelmed by background clamor, frustration builds. In
Off the Shelf: A Tricky Halloween
Hershey raised prices by double digits. A 48-count box of full-size bars that cost $40 last year is now $50.
An Industry Manifesto: The Antidote to Retail Boredom
In their quest for scale, many legacy retail brands have transitioned from curators of wonderment to experts in expansion and
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Opinion
American Eagle’s Sydney Sweeney Ad Spawns a Culture War
The American Eagle disaster proves that retailers can no longer afford to confuse stock market performance with DEI awareness. Not
Work from Home – Privilege or Imperative?
Is work from home a privilege or a necessity? Discover why leaders must balance employee desires with the needs of
American Eagle’s Sydney Sweeney Ad Spawns a Culture War
The American Eagle disaster proves that retailers can no longer afford to confuse stock market performance with DEI awareness. Not
Work from Home – Privilege or Imperative?
Is work from home a privilege or a necessity? Discover why leaders must balance employee desires with the needs of
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The Retail Unwrapped Podcast
Retail insights on-the-go, with Shelley E. Kohan. Available on your favorite podcast platforms.
From Our Partners
Placer’s 10 Brands to Watch + 3 Surprises
Check out Placer.ai’s latest enlightening report on the 10 Top Brands to Watch in 2025 when it comes to retail
How LoveShackFancy and WeWoreWhat Are Crushing Consumer Engagement
Watch and learn LoveShackFancy and WeWoreWhat are building engagement and social media strategies that matter to today’s younger consumer.
Technology
You’ll Need a Video Game Strategy for Next Gens
The key to tapping into gaming communities is authenticity — the most successful brand activations don’t just show a potential
Electronics Retailers Can Shift the Future of PFAS: Here’s How
For retailers, the message is stark: what begins in chemical plants and semiconductor fabs doesn’t stay there. It flows directly
The AI Agent Survival Guide for Retailers
Once AI has unfettered access to product data, it becomes much harder to control the terms of engagement. The brands
Management
Patrice Wagner Is a Retail Radical
There are three major keys to success: spend time on the floor, truly understand your customers, and develop the ability
Lead Like Her: Kat DePizzo, President, Justice Design Lab
Kat DePizzo, President of Justice Design Lab, reinvented the brand under dramatic circumstances. During the pandemic, with 15 people and
Operations
The Digital Product Passport: Regulation or Revolution?
Counterfeiting erodes consumer trust and brand value. A DPP enables buyers to instantly verify a product’s authenticity, boosting confidence in
Retail Real Estate Redefined
Retailers with significant real estate holdings are better insulated from rising rents and capital costs and can leverage property as
Who Knew Our National Security Depends on Wood?
Canadian lumber tariffs, started on October 14, are effectively 45 percent. On the retail front, the two home improvement giants,