Future Shop Podcast with WSL
Business & Economics Podcasts
Our podcast focuses on how shoppers are transforming retail and what you need to do about it. Retail strategist and shopping futurist Wendy Liebmann shares her passionate, unvarnished shopper-centric view of where retail is headed. She interviews...
Location:
United States
Description:
Our podcast focuses on how shoppers are transforming retail and what you need to do about it. Retail strategist and shopping futurist Wendy Liebmann shares her passionate, unvarnished shopper-centric view of where retail is headed. She interviews experts in retail, marketing, insights, design, education, and more. She and the WSL team regularly share excerpts from WSL’s latest proprietary shopper research about what’s coming next. The Future Shop Podcast is a no-holds-barred view of what shoppers want, what you need to deliver, who’s getting it right, and who’s getting it wrong. And why. In this fast and furious view, you will begin to understand how to anticipate the future that’s emerging right under your nose. WSL Strategic Retail is a leader in shopper insights and retail strategy. It helps clients around the world anticipate change in order to grow in the near and longer-term. It is recognized for its ground-breaking How America Shops® and How the World Shops research. Visit us at: www.wslstrategicretail.com
Twitter:
@WSLStrategic
Language:
English
Episodes
EP108: How to Reach the New Frontiers of Beauty & Wellness with Ali Kole
4/9/2026
In this episode of Future Shop, Wendy Liebmann sits down with retail powerhouse Ali Kole to dissect the “accelerated evolution” of the beauty and wellness industry. Drawing on her extensive background at McKinsey, Amazon, and Sephora, Kole explores how technology—from back-end logistics to front-end AI—is empowering the modern, information-hungry consumer. They dive into the expansion of beauty demographics, the rise of specialized service models like “Dry Bar,” and why physical storefronts remain a critical “halo” for digital success in an increasingly saturated market.
Episode Highlights:
Evolution, Not Revolution:The AI Distiller:Widening Demographics:The “Store Halo” Effect:Specialized Services:Send us Fan Mail
Visit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!
Duration:00:40:48
EP107: Beyond the Screen: Why Humanity is Retail’s Secret Weapon in 2026 with Wendy Liebmann and Guests
3/17/2026
As we transition into 2026, the retail landscape is being reshaped by two powerful, seemingly opposite forces: the rapid ascent of autonomous AI and a growing hunger for authentic human connection. In this special year-in-review, Wendy Liebmann reflects on a transformative period of “perpetual chaos,” where shoppers are seizing control of their journeys amid economic and global uncertainty. From the rise of “agentic commerce” to the rebranding of pharmacies as “temples of care,” this episode explores how the most successful brands are throwing out old silos to meet the shopper where they live, breathe, and seek wellness.
Highlights:
The Agentic Shift:Retail in Chaos:The “Vibe” Factor:Temples of Care:Breaking the Last Frontier:Send a text
Visit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!
Duration:00:16:53
EP106: The Future of Beauty: K-Beauty, Viral Fragrances, and the TikTok Effect
2/12/2026
This podcast episode of Future Shop features WSL’s Wendy Liebmann and Elia Auchane as they recap their recent trip to Cosmoprof North America in Miami. Together, they explore the shifting landscape of the beauty industry, questioning if the sector is “tapped out” while identifying the viral trends, from K-Beauty to Middle Eastern fragrances, that are currently dominating the global market. Through the lens of retail curation and the “toyification” of beauty, they break down how social media and community building have replaced traditional marketing as the primary engines of growth.
Episode Highlights
The Clash of Worlds:The TikTok Feed Come to Life:Fragrance Wardrobing:Retail as Curator:Beyond the Desk:Send a text
Visit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!
Duration:00:32:32
EP105: TikTok Shop, Agentic AI, and the Future of Retail Trust with Kelsie Johnston
1/28/2026
Join host Wendy Liebmann as she sits down with Kelsie Johnston, a retail strategist with a career spanning Macy’s, Walmart, Coty, and most recently, TikTok. In this episode of Future Shop, Kelsie breaks down the seismic shift from traditional omnichannel retail to the exploding world of social commerce and the dawn of “Agentic AI.” They discuss why brands and retailers must move beyond transactional selling to build genuine community and trust in an era where algorithms and AI agents will soon curate what we buy.
Highlights:
From Omnichannel to Agentic:The TikTok Strategy:Fast vs. Slow:orRetailer Advice:Send us a text
Visit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!
Duration:00:38:42
EP104: Retail’s Next Act: Human Connection in an AI World with Christi Geary
1/5/2026
In this episode of Future Shop, Wendy Liebmann sits down with Christi Geary, EVP at Advantage Marketing Partners, to explore the evolving landscape of retail and the enduring power of the human connection. They dive into the intersection of technology and emotion, discussing why physical retail remains vital despite the digital explosion and how brands must shift from simple execution to true transformation. Geary shares her unique perspective on breaking through the "mediocrity middle" by leveraging behavioral science and proprietary points of view to create harmonious shopping experiences.
Highlights include:
The Attention Economy:Physical Retail’s Reinvention:AI as Augmentation:Systems Over Silos:Send us a text
Visit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!
Duration:00:37:35
EP103: Agentic AI vs. Human Connection: The Future of Retail Explained with Andy Murray
12/17/2025
In this episode of Future Shop, Wendy Liebmann sits down with retail veteran Andy Murray to dissect the conflicting forces impacting the modern shopper. From the bifurcated "K-shaped" economy to the rise of "vibe shopping" among Gen Z, Andy shares insights from his time at Walmart, ASDA, and P&G, and his current work with the University of Arkansas. Together, they explore a critical paradox: as technology like Agentic AI advances, the human need for physical touch and sensory retail experiences is growing stronger.
Key Highlights:
The Muddy Middle:Gen Z & Transparency:The KPI Problem:AI vs. Humanity:Send us a text
Visit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!
Duration:00:40:57
EP102: The Agentic AI Revolution: What Companies Need to Know for 2026 with Justin Honaman
11/11/2025
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann and Justin Honaman (Amazon Web Services) dive into the chaotic yet exciting world of retail and technology as 2025 wraps up. From AI’s real-world impact on commerce to the rise of “agentic AI,” they explore what’s truly changing the business—and what’s just hype. They also touch on talent, innovation, loyalty, and what brands should expect heading into NRF 2026.
Highlights:
Send us a text
Visit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!
Duration:00:34:35
EP101: How to Build a Brand with Purpose, one Retailer at a Time with April Showers
10/29/2025
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann sits down with April Showers, the founder of Afro Unicorn®, a brand born from purpose, community, and the need for representation. They discuss how April’s personal passion and smart retail partnerships brought her vision to life.
Highlights:
Send us a text
Visit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!
Duration:00:34:07
EP100: How America Shops® in Chaos. What’s Worth It Now?
10/7/2025
In this milestone episode, Wendy Liebmann celebrates 100 episodes of Future Shop with WSL’s newest Director of Research & Insights, Rich Kaminski. Together, they unpack the latest How America Shops® in Chaos study — revealing how shoppers are navigating a world defined by constant disruption, rising prices, and shifting trust in retailers. From Gen Z to Boomers, everyone’s learning how to stay afloat in an endless wave of change.
Episode highlights:
Drowning, Treading Water,Safely AfloatSend us a text
Visit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!
Duration:00:32:02
EP99: The Future of Category Management with Gina Zilleox, Glanbia Performance Nutrition
9/23/2025
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Gina Zilleox, Senior Director Category Management, Glanbia Performance Nutrition about the need to make dramatic assumptions about the competitive landscape in order to thrive in the future.
They discuss:
Send us a text
Visit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!
Duration:00:38:42
EP98: AI, Pricing, Supply Chain, Loyalty and First Thoughts on 2026 with Justin Honaman, AWS
9/4/2025
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to regular guest Justin Honaman, Global Head, Restaurants, Retail & Consumer Goods Business Development at Amazon Web Services, about what’s now – and next – as technology transforms retail and consumer goods businesses.
They discuss:
Send us a text
Visit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!
Duration:00:35:21
EP97: Influencing the Future of Retail, with Kenvue, Kroger and InMarket
8/19/2025
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Amanda Coussoule, Chief Customer Officer at Kenvue, Marla Fielder, Health & Wellness Leader at Kroger and Sharon Glass, Global VP, OTC & Pharma at InMarket, about how to transform organizations in challenging retail times.
They discuss:
Send us a text
Visit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!
Duration:00:43:20
EP96: Beauty Everywhere: Connecting Brands, Retail and Consumers with Liza Rapay
7/21/2025
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Liza Rapay, Vice President, Head of Cosmoprof North America, and Founder of Beauty New York, about the importance of bringing industry, innovators and consumers together to grow the beauty business in chaotic times.
They discuss:
Send us a text
Visit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!
Duration:00:27:07
EP95: Driving Retail Innovation -- Retail Safari®-ing with NielsenIQ
7/8/2025
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Anna Mayo, NielsenIQ VP Beauty Vertical, and WSL Strategic Retail’s Elia Auchane and Katie Hornsby about the importance of collaboration to drive innovation at retail.
They discuss:
Send us a text
Visit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!
Duration:00:33:16
EP94: Transforming Health Care Retail into a Temple of Care with Fiona Sartoretto Verna
6/24/2025
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Fiona Sartoretto Verna, retail architect and co-leader of the company Sartoretto Verna™, founded by her grandfather to reshape the global pharmacy landscape. Today, the company has designed pharmacies in over 48 countries, including the US.
Episode Highlights:
Send us a text
Visit our website for transcripts and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!
Duration:00:33:38
EP93: Generative AI, Tariffs, and Flexible Leadership with Justin Honaman, AWS
6/4/2025
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Justin Honaman, Head of Worldwide Retail & Consumer Goods Business Development at Amazon Web Services, about the impact of the latest technologies transforming business.
They discuss:
Send us a text
Visit our website for transcripts and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!
Duration:00:28:26
EP92: How Retail Can Bring Accessible Health Care to Communities Everyday with Kevin Host, Walmart
5/21/2025
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Kevin Host, SVP Health & Wellness Pharmacy at Walmart about how the retailer is bringing accessible health care to communities across the US, every day and in times of crisis.
They discuss:
Send us a text
Visit our website for transcripts and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!
Duration:00:33:06
EP91: How To Grow a Specialty Retail Business in Chaotic Times with Anna Harman, Studs
5/6/2025
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Anna Harman, CEO and co-founder of Studs, the specialty ear piercing and earring retailer, with 33+ stores and e-commerce site, founded in 2019 just in time for Covid.
They discuss:
Send us a text
Visit our website for transcripts and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!
Duration:00:36:29
EP90: The Next Revolution in Shopper Insights with Keith Sleight
4/22/2025
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Keith Sleight, expert in “shopping understanding”, who most recently lead the Shopper Centre of Excellence at Unilever, about the state of shopper insights and where it’s headed.
They discuss:
Send us a text
Visit our website for transcripts and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!
Duration:00:36:10
EP89: Investing in the Future of Retail – Where, Why, How with Diana Melencio
3/31/2025
In this episode, Wendy Liebmann talks to Diana Melencio, partner at XRC Ventures, an investor in the early-stage intersection of consumer behavior and technology, and its investment approach in the health, beauty, and technology sectors.
They discuss:
Send us a text
Visit our website for transcripts and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!
Duration:00:42:45