Future Shop Podcast with WSL

Our podcast focuses on how shoppers are transforming retail and what you need to do about it. Retail strategist and shopping futurist Wendy Liebmann shares her passionate, unvarnished shopper-centric view of where retail is headed. She interviews experts in retail, marketing, insights, design, education, and more. She and the WSL team regularly share excerpts from WSL’s latest proprietary shopper research about what’s coming next. The Future Shop Podcast is a no-holds-barred view of what shoppers want, what you need to deliver, who’s getting it right, and who’s getting it wrong. And why. In this fast and furious view, you will begin to understand how to anticipate the future that’s emerging right under your nose. WSL Strategic Retail is a leader in shopper insights and retail strategy. It helps clients around the world anticipate change in order to grow in the near and longer-term. It is recognized for its ground-breaking How America Shops® and How the World Shops research. Visit us

Future Shop Podcast with WSL is a business podcast hosted by WSL Strategic Retail, with 114 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

WSL Strategic Retail hosts Future Shop Podcast with WSL, a business show with 114 episodes published.

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  Episode #114

  Making Sense of the Modern Shopper Journey with AWS’s Justin Honaman | Ep 114

  Sep 28, 202636 minS6

  AI is moving faster than ever, and retail leaders are shifting their focus from basic operational testing to real-world customer journey transformations. In this episode of Future Shop , host Wendy Liebmann is joined by Justin Honaman, Global Head for Retail, Consumer Goods, and Food Service Business Development at Amazon Web Services. Live from a customer summit in Brazil, Justin dives into the rise of agentic commerce, the technical hurdles of legacy systems, and why company culture, change management, and talent buy-in are the true keys to AI adoption. They also explore the evolution of search, dynamic joint business planning, and how physical stores fit into a digital-first world. Send us Fan Mail Visit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!

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  Episode #112

  EP112: •The AI Shopping Revolution: Is Retail Media in Jeopardy? And What About Shoppers with Kiri Masters

  Jul 16, 202638 minS6

  In this episode of Future Shop , Wendy Liebmann sits down with Kiri Masters, founder of the Retail Media Breakfast Club , to dissect the rapid evolution of the shopper journey in the age of generative AI. Using real-world buying experiences—from hair tools to refrigerators—they reveal how tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity are bypassing traditional retail homepages and sending consumers straight to product detail pages. This shift challenges the multi-billion-dollar foundation of modern retail media networks, forcing brands and retailers to rethink their advertising playbooks. Wendy and Kiri discuss why a low-price strategy isn't the only way to win, how Amazon’s AI shopping features change the ad economy, and why keeping an agile, "test-and-learn" mindset is the ultimate key to survival. Highlights The Bypassed Homepage: How AI search engines send 55% of referred shoppers directly to the product detail page, completely missing traditional on-site ads. The Myth of the Lowest Price: Why convenience, timing, and brand ecosystem matter just as much as perfect price visibility in AI results. The Real Impact on Retail Media: What Amazon's Alexa Shopping (Rufus) means for the future economics of sponsored product listings. Incentives vs. Evolution: Why legacy retail media network goals might be slowing down the adoption of future-ready advertising models. Send us Fan Mail Visit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app! Send us Fan Mail Visit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!

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  Episode #111

  EP111: Why Sexual Wellness is the Next Big CPG Growth Category with Rachel Marler

  Jun 2, 202635 minS5

  In this episode of Future Shop, host Wendy Liebmann sits down with Rachel Marler, the North American Chief Commercial Officer for Lifestyles (the makers of SKYN condoms). Together, they explore the rapid evolution of the sexual and intimate wellness category from a restricted retail afterthought to a crucial pillar of holistic physical and mental health. From breaking retail stigmas and adapting to cross-generational shopper behaviors to tackling the modern epidemic of loneliness, this conversation uncovers the massive commercial and social opportunities awaiting forward-thinking brands and retailers. Highlights The "Awakening" of America: How cultural shifts, open dialogues around menopause, and a post-pandemic desire for intimacy are making sexual wellness conversation mainstream for both men and women. Retail Stigmas vs. Innovation: A deep dive into the shortcomings of traditional retail merchandising—like dark, hidden aisles—and the immense opportunity to blend beauty and wellness into a cohesive store-of-the-future layout. Bridging Sex Tech & CPG: Exploring how challenger brands are using advanced materials, skincare ingredients (like hyaluronic acid), and digital education to outpace traditional products. The Surprising Growth Audience: Why baby boomers and divorcees are driving category growth and seeking vocal, empowered exploration in the intimate wellness space. Send us Fan Mail Visit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!

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  Episode #110

  EP110: AI Agents and the “Hot Mess” of Modern Retail with The CPG Guys

  May 19, 202638 minS5

  In this episode of Future Shop , Wendy Liebmann sits down with the industry’s most plugged-in duo, Peter V.S. Bond and Sri Rajagopalan (The CPG Guys), to dissect a retail landscape currently in the throes of a "hot mess" transformation. They navigate the complex collision of agentic AI , the shifting power of retail media , and a growing leadership talent crisis. From why Target is struggling to the "intransigence" of Trader Joe's e-commerce stance, this conversation reveals why the old rules of retail no longer apply in a world where 100% of purchases are digitally influenced. Highlights: The AI Pivot: Why brand websites are shifting from consumer journeys to LLM data repositories. The Retail Media Paradox: How budget silos are making retail media counterproductive for merchants. Talent Gaps: The urgent need for C-suite leaders to understand TikTok and social trends, not just P&L management. Store Evolution: Why the physical store must pivot to "high discovery" perimeter experiences while center-store moves online. Who’s Winning & Not : Retailers and brands who recognize why old rules don’t apply. Send us Fan Mail Visit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!

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  Episode #109

  EP109: Longevity Nation: Michael Clinton on the Future of Aging and Business

  May 6, 202636 minS5

  In this episode of Future Shop, Wendy Liebmann sits down with renaissance man and ROAR Forward founder Michael Clinton to discuss his latest book, Longevity Nation . As life expectancies climb and today’s children face a 50% chance of living to 100, the “second half of life” is being completely rewritten. Michael shares how businesses, retailers, and individuals must adapt to a world where 74 is the new middle age and the 50+ cohort represents the most significant growth market in the global economy. Highlights include: The 100-Year Life: Why a holistic approach to health, finance, and spirit is essential for modern longevity. The $15 Trillion Opportunity: How brands are missing out by ignoring the high-spending 50+ consumer. Global Innovation: Lessons from Asia on urban planning and public-private partnerships for an aging population. Future Tech: The role of AI and precision medicine in democratizing “cellular rejuvenation” and slowing the aging process. Send us Fan Mail Visit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!

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