How does a 76-year-old legacy retailer reinvent itself as a tech-powered ecosystem? Lisa Horton, Chief Communications & Creative Officer at David’s Bridal, dishes on the company’s grand modernization and how they’ve expanded to accommodate the next generation’s Gen-Z-sized aspirations.

Here Comes the Algorithm

Key takeaways:

David's Bridal's "Aisle to Algorithm" pivot puts AI at the center of everything — from merchandising to internal communications.
The Style Squad ambassador program bridges employee creators ("Dream Makers") and external influencers, offering the most aggressive affiliate commission in retail at 20%.
David's captures 90% of brides who enter their ecosystem — a first-party data advantage few retailers can match.
The definition of "influencer" is broadening: word of mouth is influence, and everyone is influential.
David's is building beyond bridal — eyeing the post-wedding household, where the majority of purchase decisions are made.
[00:00:54] "We're basically a startup inside of a 76-year-old retailer." - Lisa Horton
[00:12:09] "We have shifted in the last 12 months from being a legacy retailer to a 360 degree wedding planning ecosystem." - Lisa Horton
[00:13:12] "Word of mouth is influence. And everyone is influential." - Lisa Horton
[00:22:06] "Everything that we do moving forward is always going to come from a place of how do we mitigate her stress? How do we make her feel excited and seen and celebratory in every moment." - Lisa Horton

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LIVE at Shoptalk Spring: Architecting a 360° Wedding Ecosystem with David's Bridal