Creeping Out Customers Is the New Normal
The creep-out trend is driven by a greater aesthetic shift away from the pursuit of perfection, which smacks of AI’s veneer. Next gens are moving away from the dated and increasingly unattainable, idealized “filtered look” towards Uncanny Valley, reflecting the dystopian elements of today’s economic and political landscape.
The Latest Retail Industry Insights and Analysis
The Chinese Are Coming
What is unquestionable is the deep ambition of Asian retailers to create a significant physical footprint in the U.S. and
Lululemon: The Robin Report Retail Miss of the Week
Will somebody at Lululemon please put up a sign in the product development department that says, “No more see-through pants!
NRF Trade Talks: Five More Unique Perspectives
Shelley caught up with five more innovators at NRF 2026 to get their takes on the retail industry and an
Listen Up
Retail Unwrapped
Our weekly podcast with Shelley E. Kohan, & guests. Available on your favorite podcast platforms.
Experience
The State of Gen Z in 2026: The Checked-Out Generation
Gen Z is a politically bifurcated demographic of stressed-out, risk-averse consumers facing career stagnation and uncertainty in 2026. It’s hard
A Store Is Not a Strategy
How do retailers replace transactions with emotional connection? And the answer is: Retailers need to figure out how to bridge
Why Your Grocery Store Wants You to Be Lonely
Walk into any modern supermarket and you’ll see the opportunism loneliness offers. In-store cafés with community seating. Cooking classes. Wine
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Opinion
When the Checkout Aisle Becomes a Ballot Box
Political leaders pull retailers into their orbit because brands are visible and relatable in a way that institutions and policies
Off the Shelf with Phil Lempert: Oreo & Reese’s – Really, Another Oreo?
What I’m seeing in the snack aisle right now is absolutely fascinating and really weird. Two of America’s biggest snack
When the Checkout Aisle Becomes a Ballot Box
Political leaders pull retailers into their orbit because brands are visible and relatable in a way that institutions and policies
Off the Shelf with Phil Lempert: Oreo & Reese’s – Really, Another Oreo?
What I’m seeing in the snack aisle right now is absolutely fascinating and really weird. Two of America’s biggest snack
New Episodes Weekly
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
How Melissa Gonzalez Went from Wall Street to Retail Visionary
Melissa Gonzalez didn’t plan to revolutionize retail. The Principal and founder of MG2 and author of The Purpose Pivot, left
Why Chief Storytellers Are a Bad Idea
Effective retailing demands that we enable people to find, believe, and share their own stories. And to do so enthusiastically,
Operations
Lululemon: The Robin Report Retail Miss of the Week
Will somebody at Lululemon please put up a sign in the product development department that says, “No more see-through pants!
Will the New FDA Guidelines Change How We Shop for Food?
The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans reset the playing field for supermarkets, creating significant opportunities for retailers to lead on
Aldi: The Robin Report Retail Hit of the Week
https://youtube.com/shorts/4RZRxakDN4Y?feature=share Hard to believe but Aldi has been in the American market for 50 years this year. And it’s even harder