Podcasts
The Backroom: Halloween casts a spell over retail
Halloween has evolved from a brief seasonal holiday into a multi-month, all-age consumption event. This year, consumers are expected to spend over $13 billion, with per capita spending nearing $300. The Retail Dive podcast 'The Backroom' explores the implications of this trend for the upcoming holiday season.
The Backroom: How the holidays are different this year
In the first half of this year, retailers repeatedly noted on earnings calls that consumer behavior has been resilient, even as macroeconomic pressures such as tariffs affect both shoppers and businesses. Some retailers have still seen sales growth in traditional discretionary categories, while others have struggled to keep pace. Companies like Target have announced October promotions and expanded product assortments and same-day delivery coverage. Retail Dive reporters Daphne Howland and Dani James outline what is known before the holiday season and industry expectations.
The Backroom: Bankruptcy court is in session
This year, multiple retailers have entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, with some companies such as Joann, Forever 21, Rite Aid, and Claire's filing for a second time within two years, dubbed 'Chapter 22'. Retail Dive reporters and Debtwire's Global Head of Legal Sarah Foss analyze the reasons for corporate bankruptcy, why it is difficult to avoid a second filing, and the broader implications for the retail industry.
The Backroom: What’s next for Target?
In this episode of The Backroom, Retail Dive reporters Daphne Howland and Dani James delve into Target's unique positioning as a discount retailer, the successes and failures of its 'cheap chic' strategy, and the crossroads it currently faces.
The Backroom: Saks Global, Amazon and the state of luxury
Saks Global's latest survey shows that high-income consumers are reacting noticeably to current economic uncertainty, with little enthusiasm for luxury spending. To drive sales growth, Saks Global (which owns Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman) partnered with Amazon earlier this year to launch a luxury e-commerce website, further deepening their existing relationship. In this episode of The Backroom, Fashion Dive senior editor Lara Ewen and Retail Dive senior reporter Daphne Howland join to interpret what this partnership reveals about the current state of the luxury industry.
The Backroom: Breaking down Dick’s Sporting Goods’ deal to acquire Foot Locker
Dick's Sporting Goods, amid continued strong performance, announced a $2.4 billion acquisition of the long-struggling Foot Locker, surprising many analysts. On the latest earnings call, Dick's executives offered a comprehensive defense of the move. In this episode of The Backroom podcast, senior editor Cara Salpini and senior reporter Daphne Howland join to discuss the deeper implications of this cross-sector acquisition.
The Backroom: Talking tariffs with Supply Chain Dive
During Trump's second term, frequent changes in new tariff policies targeting multiple countries have posed ongoing challenges for consumers and the retail industry. In this podcast episode, Supply Chain Dive senior editor Phil Neuffer shares how his team tracks and verifies tariff developments, along with key points of the current trade landscape.
The Backroom: Talking wholesale with Liza Amlani
In this episode of The Backroom, Liza Amlani and the host discuss the value, challenges, and strategies of wholesale in the post-DTC era, sharing insights from her work with brands like Ralph Lauren on building profitable wholesale plans.
The Backroom: ‘Foes of a Minimum Wage Guard’
In the latest episode of The Backroom podcast, Retail Dive senior journalist Daphne Howland interviews actor and playwright Ken Harris. Harris's one-man show 'The Minimum Wage Security Guard's Rival' is based on his real-life retail loss prevention work and will premiere at the United Solo Theater Festival in New York City on March 26. The episode also discusses ongoing challenges of retail shrinkage and theft, with links to related industry reports.
The Backroom: A new retail apocalypse?
According to the latest report from Coresight Research, the number of U.S. retail store closures in 2025 is expected to far surpass new store openings, with planned closures as of January 17 already up more than 330% compared to the same period last year. Does this mean the retail industry will face another 'retail apocalypse'? This podcast episode will delve into the industry trends behind store closures and how existing stores can respond.