Podcast
Retail Riot
Hosted by Nick McHenry · EN
Retail Riot covers the breaking news in the retail industry by industry veterans Andrew Smith, Alicia Esposito, and Nick McHenry. Our mantro is serious retail news taken seriously in an unserious manner. So strap in, make sure your till is counted, and let's talk retail.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Tariffs, Tariffs, and More Tariffs
Mar 15, 202500:40:53Tap to summarizeWe couldn't avoid it. We need to talk about tariffs. Andrew, Alicia, and Nick try to make sense of the whole thing and how retailers can tackle them. Tariffs, Tariffs, Tariffs! Hosts tackle tariffs in the most unserious way possible. U.S.-Canada tensions escalate over dairy, lumber, and electricity tariffs. Trump threatens new tariffs; Canada fires back with retaliatory measures. Consumers & retailers brace for impact—higher prices, supply chain chaos. Retailers React to the Chaos: Business leaders scramble for clarity, but political back-and-forth makes it impossible. Walmart, Apple, and JPMorgan CEOs meet with Trump—will it make a difference? Buyers face a nightmare: pricing forecasts are completely blown up. What’s the Real Impact? Tariffs hit everything—from auto parts to iPhones to cheese 🧀. Canadian retailers retaliate by pulling U.S. products from shelves. Brands with strong loyalty will survive—everyone else? Good luck. Survival Tips for Retailers: Control what you can control—your brand, value prop, and customer experience. Retailers must stay agile—if you’re not an A-player, you’re at risk. Small businesses: Stay engaged with your community & lean into transparency. Timestamps: [00:00:07] Intro – Making tariffs fun (or at least funny) [00:10:15] Trump’s latest tariff threats & Canada’s response [00:28:40] What tariffs actually mean for retailers & pricing [00:45:50] Consumer sentiment – why this feels like economic whiplash [01:05:30] How brands can adapt & survive tariff turmoil [01:15:00] Wrap-up – When in doubt, just buy ice cream 🍦
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Target Meets Warby
Mar 7, 202501:02:31Tap to summarizeNick, Andrew, and Alicia are back with another week of retail news. From OnRunning's earnings to Warby Parker launching pop ups in Target, this one's got something for everyone. Nike vs. On Running – Should Nike Be Worried? On Running reports 29.4% growth, but stock is down 20% this year. Hosts debate: Is On really a threat to Nike, or just a trendy niche player? Key question: Will On Running survive long-term, or is it the next Allbirds? Target's Big Brand Bets – Warby Parker & Champion: Target partners with Warby Parker to open five in-store shops, run by Warby staff. Champion launches a dedicated apparel line at Target. The team debates: Will these partnerships drive traffic, or is Target struggling with execution? Walmart’s Gaming Gamble – Walmart Unlimited: Walmart launches an interactive gaming world on Spatial, blending gaming & commerce. Hosts discuss: Is this a genius move to engage Gen Z, or just another retail gimmick? Timestamps: [00:00:05] Intro & Q4 earnings chatter [00:10:30] Nike vs. On Running – is On a real threat? [00:28:45] Target’s Warby Parker & Champion partnerships [00:50:10] Walmart Unlimited – inside Walmart’s gaming experiment [01:10:30] Wrap-up & next week's big topic: tariffs!
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Joann Fabrics is Done, Forever 21 is Fading—Who’s Next?
Feb 28, 202500:54:06Tap to summarizeThe gang is back with another round of retail news! Andrew, Alicia and Nick try to keep it a bit positive with so much bad news in the industry. Starbucks Shake-Up: Lays off 1,100 corporate employees in an "efficiency play." Cuts 13 menu items, including fan-favorite Frappuccinos—efficiency or alienation? Hosts debate: Can Starbucks balance speed with its community-driven roots? Joann Fabrics Bankruptcy (Again!): Second bankruptcy in under a year—this time, it’s lights out. Stores to be liquidated, raising questions about the fate of the DIY retail space. The team reflects: Could Joann have survived by building a stronger community? Forever 21: Forever Over? Rumors swirl that 200+ stores will close, with bankruptcy looming. Authentic Brands Group’s classic playbook—strip it down, milk it, and move on. Can the brand survive, or has fast fashion simply moved on? Timestamps: [00:00:06] Intro & Disney retail talk [00:08:30] Starbucks layoffs & menu cuts debate [00:25:45] Joann Fabrics bankruptcy & DIY retail’s future [00:45:20] Forever 21’s struggles & the future of fast fashion [01:10:15] Wrap-up & commitment to Friday episode drops
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Treat Yo Self
Feb 27, 202500:39:22Tap to summarizeAndrew is out with the winter sickness going around but Nick and Alicia are here and breaking down this week's news: Party City Real Estate Auction: Five Below and Dollar Tree grab most of Party City's vacant locations. Off-price retailers like Burlington, Books-a-Million, and La-Z-Boy also jump in. Hosts debate: Will Five Below expand into larger store formats? Saks & Neiman Marcus Shake-Up: Saks Global lays off 100 employees and consolidates headquarters. Neiman Marcus closes its historic Dallas office, a major cultural shift. Vendors must wait until July for unpaid invoices—industry frustration grows. Nike x Skims Collaboration: Kim Kardashian & Nike team up for a “collaborative sub-brand.” Market loves it—Nike shares jumped 6.2%. Hosts discuss: Does this move align with Nike’s long-term strategy? Timestamps: [00:00:08] Intro & winter blues chat [00:10:15] Party City real estate moves [00:28:50] Saks & Neiman’s restructuring drama
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Welcome to Party City USA
Feb 17, 202500:50:18Tap to summarizeThe Super Bowl has come and gone but retail keeps moving with Andrew, Nick and Alicia breaking down your weekly retail news. Super Bowl Ad Playoffs: * This year’s ads leaned into unhinged chaos—but did anyone actually remember the brands? * Nike made a big comeback, while Mayo somehow stole the show (yes, really). * Hosts discuss why advertisers are prioritizing viral weirdness over actual brand recall. Netflix Opens a Restaurant in Vegas: * A one-year culinary residency at MGM Grand featuring menus inspired by Bridgerton, Stranger Things, and more. * Will this be the next big move for entertainment brands, or just a social media gimmick? Amazon’s Confusing Beauty Store in Italy: * Amazon is opening a para-pharmacy and beauty store in Milan. * No Amazon Go tech, no clear strategy—just a normal beauty shop. * The team is baffled: What is Amazon even trying to learn here? Party City’s $20M Comeback: * Party City’s IP was shockingly sold for just $20M—was this the deal of the decade? * New owner Ad Populum plans to reinvent the brand, but can Party City survive without physical stores? Timestamps: * [00:00:05] Intro & Super Bowl ad breakdown * [00:12:40] Netflix’s Vegas restaurant experiment * [00:28:15] Amazon’s strange beauty store concept * [00:45:50] Party City’s brand revival & Party City USA idea * [01:10:30] Wrap-up & million-dollar ideas
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Are There Tariff's in Roblox?
Feb 12, 202500:41:13Tap to summarizeNick is MIA but retail is in full swing early in the year, and Alicia and Andrew break it all down. Bye Bye Baby Brouhaha Continues: Bye Bye Baby acquired by Beyond (Bed Bath & Beyond’s parent company). Plans include tokenizing part of the brand’s IP (yes, blockchain babies 😳), launching standalone stores operated by Kirkland’s, and building a blockchain ledger called "Life Chain" to track life events like birth and medical records. Hosts’ take: “Did someone get high and think this was genius?” Alo Yoga Meets Roblox: Alo launches an immersive wellness space in Roblox with NFC-enabled in-store stickers unlocking virtual rewards. Great experiment in blending digital + physical experiences, but who’s actually visiting—Gen Z shoppers or just curious Roblox wanderers? Tariffs, Tariffs Everywhere: New tariffs on Chinese goods stir chaos—higher prices, confused brands, and frustrated consumers. Hosts discuss ripple effects on brands like Temu and Shein, plus potential global backlash against American-made products. Timestamps: [00:00:06] Intro & coffee-fueled banter [00:07:20] Bye Bye Baby’s blockchain strategy 🤯 [00:28:45] Alo Yoga’s virtual wellness world in Roblox [00:45:10] Tariff talk—global impacts & retail reactions [01:10:00] Wrap-up & musings on the chaos of modern retail
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True Religion is My Retail Religion
Feb 9, 202500:21:56Tap to summarizeAnother week has passed and more retail news is coming your way with the gang! Andrew, Alicia, and Nick dive into True Religion's come back, JC Penneys new team, and much much more! JCPenney & Sparc Group Merge: JCPenney joins forces with Sparc Group to form Catalyst Brands, creating a $9B revenue giant with 8,800 stores. New leadership shuffle: Marc Rosen as CEO, with brand execs from JCPenney, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, and more. Hosts debate: Is this a strategic play or just vultures circling struggling brands? Real estate or retail revival? True Religion’s Comeback: True Religion gets acquired by Acon Investments and SB360 Capital (linked to American Eagle’s CEO). Despite past bankruptcies, the brand grew 20% in 2023—thanks to cultural relevance and smart marketing moves. Is this smart growth or just rich people collecting brands like it’s Pokémon? Timestamps: [00:00:04] Intro & Catalyst Brands merger [00:10:45] Is JCPenney doomed or primed for a comeback? [00:30:20] True Religion’s surprising growth & acquisition
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NRF-ing It Up
Feb 7, 202500:57:10Tap to summarizeIts been a busy start to the year but Nick, Andrew, and Alicia are back from the trade show circuit to talk what the vibes of 2025 are so far in the retail industry. NRF 2024 Recap: Vibe Check: Mixed energy on the show floor—some booths rocked, others felt like last-minute homework. Booth MVPs: Toast’s interactive coffee shop stole the show, blending tech with real-life retail vibes. Session Highlights: Foot Locker’s Mary Dillon kept it real with candid insights on cultural relevance and flagship strategy. Theme (or Lack Thereof): No clear “big idea” like past years (RIP metaverse buzz). Instead, AI took the spotlight—just less flashy, more integrated. Retail Media Boom: Everyone’s talking in-store retail media, but can we simplify the buzzwords, please? TikTok Troubles: Rumors of a U.S. ban spark existential crisis—and some wild app downloads. If TikTok disappears, what’s next? (Spoiler: probably more Chinese apps, ironically.) 2025 Predictions: Expect niche retail conferences to shine as NRF left us craving more focused content. Gen Z’s mall comeback is real—Abercrombie’s glow-up proves every brand deserves a redemption arc. Timestamps: [00:00:04] Intro & NRF vibes [00:10:20] Booth shoutouts & expo floor highlights [00:25:40] Best sessions & unexpected insights [00:45:15] TikTok ban drama & app alternatives [01:05:50] 2024 retail trends & predictions [01:15:30] Wrap-up & post-NRF reflections
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Unwrap the Year End News!
Dec 26, 202400:28:25Tap to summarizeHappy Holidays from Alicia, Andrew, and Nick! With the holidays coming to a close the team recaps the holiday season and goes over some of the year end retail news stories. Gap Studio with Zac Posen: - Gap teams up with Zac Posen for an elevated capsule collection. - Holiday and spring styles, priced $128-$248, featuring chic designs like denim midi dresses and moto jackets. WHP Acquires Vera Wang: - WHP Global buys the iconic Vera Wang brand, adding to their portfolio with brands like rag & bone and Bonobos. - Concerns about brand dilution as Vera Wang could be spread across licensing and discount channels. Retail Year in Review: - Top Trend: Gen Z’s return to the mall sparks opportunities for department stores and community spaces. - Brand of the Year: Abercrombie & Fitch wins 2024 with a major resurgence, proving “down and out” can turn to “down and up.” **Timestamps:** - [00:00:04] Intro & holiday vibes - [00:07:15] Gap Studio with Zac Posen - [00:20:30] WHP’s acquisition of Vera Wang - [00:45:00] Gen Z at the mall & mall resurgence - [01:05:20] Abercrombie’s big year & hope for struggling brands - [01:15:00] Wrap-up & holiday cheer
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What Would Dillards Do?
Dec 14, 202400:49:09Tap to summarizeAlicia, Andrew, and Nick are back in action as we get excited for the end of the holiday season like Santa Claus at the mall after a line of hungry kids. And the retail world is examining the year's winners and losers and what 2025 may have in store. On this week's news: Store Closures in 2024: Over 7,100 U.S. store closures announced—a 69% increase from last year. Bankruptcies nearly doubled, with 45 retailers filing compared to 25 in 2023. Debate: Are closures a sign of trouble or smart footprint management? Family Dollar tops the list—Nick calls it a "self-inflicted retail injury." Kroger & Albertsons Breakup: The $24.6B merger is officially dead after court decisions block it. Albertsons sues Kroger, accusing them of not trying hard enough to secure approvals. FTC, Kroger, and Albertsons—it's a grocery store soap opera begging for a Netflix series! Lord & Taylor's Reboot: The once-beloved department store is now a discount luxury e-commerce brand. Products to be placed in other retailers like Saks and Nordstrom—no physical stores of its own. Macy's Gets Real (Estate): Activist investor urges Macy’s to be more like Dillard’s—maximize real estate value! Dillard’s stock is up 788% over the last four years by focusing on smart decisions and consistent execution. Timestamps: [00:00:08] Intro & holiday vibes [00:07:15] Store closures & bankruptcies in 2024 [00:20:40] Kroger & Albertsons merger drama [00:35:50] Lord & Taylor’s new direction [00:48:30] Macy’s vs. Dillard’s debate [01:05:00] Wrap-up & the magic of doing basics well
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