Goodbye 2024
Hear from top US CMOs and learn all about the new book Personalized: Customer Strategy in the Age of AI
It’s been a busy couple of weeks over at Retail Disrupted HQ and I know most of us are now winding down for a much deserved festive break. But before you go, a final update…
The last two podcast episodes of 2024 have been released. In Episode 58, I’m speaking to authors Mark Abraham and David Edelman to discuss their new book, Personalized: Customer Strategy in the Age of AI. Mark is Senior Partner at BCG and the founder of the firm’s Personalization business. David a Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School, an executive advisor and board member to brands and technology providers. He is also the former CMO of Aetna and was there when it was acquired by CVS.
📺 This episode is also available on YouTube. Let me know what you think. I personally prefer to listen to podcasts so I can get on with other things but apparently some of you love video! More planned for 2025.
Hear from the Navy Exchange’s CMO
In Episode 57, I speak to Rich Honiball, Global Chief Merchandising & Marketing Officer for NEXCOM (Navy Exchange Service Command). We discuss:
The unique role of military retail, the importance of having a clear mission, and other lessons for traditional retailers.
Learnings from the launch of the world’s first Toys R Us department on a military base.
Self-checkouts, frictionless experiences, and the importance of customer choice.
The power of community and how Gen Z shoppers are redefining store experiences.
Why retail was an “accidental career” for Rich and how he hopes to encourage the next generation of retail leaders in his role as adjunct instructor at George Mason University.
Rich also has a fantastic retail podcast - check it out!
“There are days where I don't feel like ‘peopling’ and I just want to go to a self-checkout. There's days where I'm chatty and I want to go through a full-service checkout. There's days where I want to go through an assisted checkout with a tablet. And there's days where I don't even want to go in the store; I want to check out from home. It isn’t about self-checkout; it’s about frictionless checkout and it’s about choice.” - Rich Honiball, EVP, Global CMO, NEXCOM
You may remember a previous episode where I talked about why the preloved platform Vinted has been so successful. A few of my comments were included in this Wall Street Journal piece if you’d like to have a look.
🎄Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas. See you in 2025.
Natalie