We can see the future. You probably can see it too: technology. However, as artificial intelligence and other advances open new possibilities for building brand devotion, keeping human experience at the forefront is increasingly important. I’m highlighting five trends that will reverberate across the loyalty and customer experience (CX) landscape this year. Spoiler alert: Brands...
Two shoppers. Same fall launch. Very different outcomes. One walks into a store with generic music playing and static signage and leaves empty-handed. The other is welcomed by a curated seasonal playlist, dynamic displays featuring styling inspiration, and this season’s must-have boots. Guess which one stays longer, spends more and becomes a repeat customer. With...
At Women in Retail Leadership Circle, we know that the right resources, connections and inspiration can open doors to incredible career opportunities. That’s why we’ve completely redesigned our Career Resources page, creating a one-stop hub for advancing your professional journey. Whether you’re seeking your next dream job, expanding your network, or exploring fresh possibilities, our...
In this candid Q&A with Women in Retail Leadership Circle, Chelsea Riggs, CEO and founding member of amika, pulls back the curtain on her unconventional rise from a Craigslist job posting to leading Sephora’s No. 1 haircare brand. Riggs shares the pivotal moments, bold strategies, and purpose-driven decisions that fueled amika’s growth. From navigating acquisitions...
The fate of TikTok in the U.S. is still in flux. At DMi Partners, from the beginning of regulation discussions, we’ve done more than stay the course for our clients; we’ve doubled down on channel investment, with great return on ad spend to show for it. One of the primary reasons? TikTok Shop. In this...
Expanding internationally is an important lever for value creation, but it’s also a complex challenge. Here are 10 questions to consider as you prepare for global expansion: Is your business ready for international growth? Global expansion demands significant resources — financial, operational, and human. Are your current operations stable and efficient? Will your product resonate...
In retail, excess inventory is often seen as a liability — something to offload, liquidate, or quietly discard. However, I believe it’s actually one of the most underutilized strategic assets in retail today. When paired with the right technology and intent, excess inventory can become a powerful driver of financial savings, sustainability progress, and community...
What’s one thing retail brands True Religion and Vera Bradley have in common? In undergoing recent brand transformations, they both returned to what made their brands so authentic — the “why” behind the initial successes of each brand when it first launched. At the 2025 Women in Retail Leadership Summit, marketing executives from both True...
Over the past five years, the rapid shift toward online shopping has reshaped the retail landscape. While e-commerce offers undeniable convenience, it also presents challenges, particularly for retailers, where tighter margins and rising fulfillment costs pose significant hurdles. In contrast, brick-and-mortar stores provide advantages such as lessening the costs of last-mile order fulfillment and encouraging...
Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) is a vibrant, executive-level community designed for director-level and above women at leading retailers and brands. You may have seen the membership benefits we offer — industry-leading events, curated content, and powerful connections — and I’d love for you to experience them for yourself. But don’t just take our...
