Podcast Episodes

Modern Retail Rundown: Klarna preps for IPO, Edible Brands launches edibles marketplace & an update on Nike's turnaround plan

On this week's Modern Retail Rundown, the staff starts off discussing various news from buy-now, pay-later startup Klarna, including the deals with DoorDash and Walmart it struck as it prepares to go…

Published on 9 months, 2 weeks ago

PopSockets is on a quest to position itself as a lifestyle brand

PopSockets is the leader of what its CEO, Jiayu Lin, likes to call the phone grip category. The company is known for small, retractable circles that come in a  wide variety of prints and colors and a…

Published on 9 months, 2 weeks ago

Modern Retail Rundown: CVS to open micro-stores, beauty sales slow down & apparel brands warn of a weak Q1

This week's Modern Retail Rundown kicks off with news of CVS opening mini pharmacies, as part of an overall plan to scale back its large footprint. Elsewhere, the beauty and skin-care segment is show…

Published on 9 months, 3 weeks ago

How Crown Affair's CEO took the brand into Sephora and beyond to capture more of the hair-care market

Hair-care startup Crown Affair has had a big couple of years. After launching in January 2020, Crown Affair entered Sephora in 2022. The brand’s profile has grown as Crown Affair’s products have made…

Published on 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Rundown: Neiman Marcus's store closure drama, Forever 21's financial woes and 7-Eleven's attempt to dodge a takeover

On this week’s Modern Retail Rundown, the staff discusses the drama surrounding a planned Neiman Marcus store closure in downtown Dallas. Elsewhere, reports swirl that Forever 21 is preparing for a p…

Published on 9 months, 4 weeks ago

How Dropps got its eco-friendly cleaning products into Target

Cleaning company Dropps hit shelves in Target this week, hoping to capture market share in the competitive category by offering a "greener" alternative. And one of the first ways it's hoping to catch…

Published on 10 months ago

Rundown: Target partners with Champion and Warby Parker, Starbucks overhauls menu & Americans are doom spending

On this week's Modern Retail Rundown, the staff discusses news from Target, which announced new partnerships with sportswear brand Champion and eyewear startup Warby Parker. Elsewhere, Starbucks’ lat…

Published on 10 months ago

How Bumpin' Blends has successfully scaled within the aisles of Walmart and Costco

When smoothie brand Bumpin’ Blends made its mass retail debut, it landed in the frozen food aisles of more than 3,100 Walmart, Target and Sprouts stores within a few weeks. 

“We went from doing five f…

Published on 10 months, 1 week ago

Rundown: Nike teams up with Skims, Celsius acquires Alani Nu & Crocs preps for tariffs

This week's Modern Retail Rundown kicks off with big news from Nike and Skims. The two companies are creating a new women's activewear brand called NikeSkims. Next, the staff delves into why energy d…

Published on 10 months, 2 weeks ago

How Shinola is emphasizing its American design and manufacturing roots

Detroit-based luxury design brand Shinola sells everything from jewelry to bikes to journals. In 2019, it even opened a hotel in downtown Detroit. But the is currently laser-focused on refining the a…

Published on 10 months, 2 weeks ago