Podcasts
The Backroom: The story behind our stories on shrink and theft
In this episode of The Backroom podcast, Retail Dive's senior editors and reporters share how they investigated data on retail shrink and organized retail crime, exposing errors in the NRF report and pushing the industry toward more accurate data.
The Backroom: What’s in store for DTC in 2024?
Over the past year, the DTC industry faced multiple challenges including slowing funding, layoffs, and consumer spending cuts, with several companies going bankrupt or holding IPOs. In 2024, brands will place greater emphasis on profitability, with DTC shifting from a core model to one of several channels. Industry trends include wholesale balance and continued turbulence in the sports category.
The Backroom: Doug Stephens’ retail predictions for 2024
In the latest episode of The Backroom podcast, Daphne Howland engages in an annual conversation with retail expert Doug Stephens. In 2023, the lingering effects of the pandemic economy intertwined with inflationary pressures, cooling categories such as home and electronics, while experiential spending like dining out made a comeback. Stephens argues that retail still relies too heavily on 20th-century habits and needs to accelerate change in 2024. The episode also includes links to related resources, covering topics such as the 'woke' brand controversy, the survival of California shopping malls, credit card debt surpassing one trillion dollars, and Walmart's cautious outlook.
The Backroom: What's the Deal with EBITDA?
Analysts, investors, and journalists scrutinize financial reports every quarter to dissect corporate performance. In recent years, brands and retailers have increasingly emphasized non-GAAP metrics, with EBITDA and its adjusted forms being the most notable. This podcast episode explores the history, controversy, and widespread application of EBITDA in the retail sector.
The Backroom: How the Holiday Shopping Season Is Taking Shape
The holiday retail season is slowly but surely approaching, and has even already begun. Retailers like Amazon have held sales events, and analysts expect more attempts to attract consumers. The most effective lure this year may be discounts. The middle class has been under long-term pressure, and the boost to savings from pandemic-related relief has largely ended. Meanwhile, costs are rising, including many who need to resume student loan payments (the Supreme Court struck down the Biden administration's forgiveness plan). Additionally, budget-conscious consumers, when making tough choices, often prioritize experiences like travel, dining out, and concerts. Retailers had hoped for certainty after vaccines brought the pandemic under control, but uncertainty will hang over the season. Nevertheless, many holiday traditions focus on light, bringing hope in uncertain times. This program discusses the holiday season outlook.
The Backroom: Marisa Meltzer and the Rise of Glossier
Glossier was founded in 2014 and quickly rose to prominence with its minimalist skincare and makeup philosophy, attracting a large number of millennial consumers. However, in recent years, the brand has experienced layoffs, store closures, and CEO changes. Journalist Marisa Meltzer details founder Emily Weiss's growth trajectory and the company's rise and fall in her new book 'Glossy,' and she is interviewed by Retail Dive to discuss the brand's impact on the beauty industry and the changes in its core customer base.
The Backroom: A Review of DTC Brands in the First Half of 2023
The first half of 2023 has passed, and major DTC brands have successively released their Q2 results. This episode of The Backroom podcast reviews the growth of brands such as On and Canada Goose, as well as the difficulties faced by Olaplex and Grove Collaborative, and discusses comparisons with mass retail and holiday season expectations.
Behind the Scenes: Jason Del Rey and Winner Takes All
In this episode of Behind the Scenes from Retail Dive, senior tech reporter Jason Del Rey talks about how he obtained insider information, the process of writing Winner Takes All, and looks ahead to the future competitive landscape between Amazon and Walmart.
The Backroom: Target's Silence During Pride Month
For years, retailers and brands have been happy to celebrate Pride Month, but this year Target removed some celebratory merchandise before Pride Month began and displayed it discreetly, after Pride collection items at some stores were vandalized. Despite calls from the community and the New York State Attorney General for Target to reaffirm its support, the retailer has remained silent. The Backroom team discusses Target's dilemma in this episode.
The Backroom: Observations on Consumer Performance Year-to-Date
As retailers release their first-quarter earnings, many companies are preparing for a year full of economic uncertainty. Inflation is easing, and consumer spending continues, but priorities have shifted toward experiences such as dining out and entertainment. Non-essential goods have clearly taken a backseat.