Leadership paradigms are being challenged and reshaped in today’s evolving retail industry. At the Women in Retail On the Road: New York City event last fall, a group of rising next-gen leaders shared their insights on rethinking retail leadership to meet the demands of today’s dynamic environment.
Carissa Cirino, director of upsell growth at QVC Group, emphasized the importance of investing in people as whole individuals, not just employees. “When you build relationships with people, your KPIs get met, customers get serviced, your NPS score goes up, your revenue goes up,” she said.
A conversation around authenticity was led by Sasha Harris, director of women’s health at CVS Health, who acknowledged, “COVID allowed us to be more authentic … you see your people as being more human.”
Tessa Littlefield, director of digital strategy and e-commerce at HATCH Studios, underscored the need for personalized leadership. “One size doesn’t fit all,” she pointed out, advocating for management strategies that cater to the unique strengths and weaknesses of each team member.
“A style of leadership that is approachable and transparent empowers teams to make an impact,” explained Jessica Peek, general merchandise manager, footwear and accessories at Anthropologie. Peek believes that nurturing a work culture where empowerment is key means redefining success beyond traditional sales metrics.
The conversation was led by moderator Andrea Wasserman, founder, The Executive Express.
Women in Retail Leadership Circle members can view the full panel, Next-Gen Leaders on Rewriting the Rules of Retail, as well as session recordings from all previous On the Road events here.