The Voice of Retail is a weekly podcast hosted by retail pioneer, advisor and keynote speaker Michael LeBlanc and is produced in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada. Each and every week I interview the most interesting people in and around the retail industry, examining the key issues and strategies on the minds of thought leaders in Canada, the U.S. and around the world. © 2018-2023 M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Yorkdale Uncovered: The Secrets Behind Canada's Most Productive Mall with Yorkdale Shopping Centre's VP and GM, Michael Renaud
28:35
In this episode of the Voice of Retail podcast, Yorkdale Shopping Centre's VP and GM, Michael Renaud, provides insights into what makes Yorkdale a top shopping destination in North America. Located in Toronto, the center sees 18 million visitors annually and generates $2,400 per square foot, making it Canada's most productive mall. Renault attribut…
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Getting Smart About AI for Retail with Rob Dunlap, Partner and Generative AI Practice Leader, IBM
28:54
In this episode, Rob Dunlap, Generative AI Practice Leader, IBM explores how AI can offer retailers a genuine ability to revolutionize their business processes and models and help drive leaps of productivity across various aspects of their business, including personalized recommendations, predictive inventory management, automated customer service,…
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Eric Morris, MD & Head of Retail, Google Canada on Holiday Insights and Trends for 2024 You Need To Know
32:20
In this engaging interview, Eric Morris, Managing Director of Google Retail in Canada, shares holiday season insights for retailers. Leveraging over two decades of experience at Google, Eric discusses the critical role of personalization, AI, and content-driven strategies in meeting the evolving demands of Canadian consumers. Noting that holiday sh…
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RCC + Leger 2024 Holiday Consumer Survey with Luc Dumont, SVP Insights & Adrian Bachmann, AVP, Leger + Sean McCormack, VP Moneris
56:52
On this episode a recording of the RCC x Leger Holiday Shopping livestream dissecting the 7th annual, 2024 RCC+ Leger Holiday Shopping Survey. We discuss holiday shopping dynamics and navigate what sales and value mean this year, gift card preferences, online vs. in-store shopping trends, and key factors driving retailer choices. My guests Luc Dumo…
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In this special ENCORE EPISODE worth a second, or perhaps your first listen, meet Toronto-based Michael Bungay Stanier, best known for The Coaching Habit, the best-selling coaching book of the century, today talking with me about his most recent book, How to Work with (Almost) Anyone. It's a fantastic conversation. Michael is a thoughtful and engag…
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Meet Dr. Rebecca Homkes, author of "Survive, Reset, Thrive: Leading Breakthrough Growth Strategy in Volatile Times"
29:00
Meet Dr. Rebecca Homkes, who talks about the thinking behind her latest book "Survive, Reset, Thrive: Leading Breakthrough Growth Strategy in Volatile Times," a must-read book that offers a powerful framework for navigating today's volatile business environment. We introduce Rebecca's background and professional journey before delving into the book…
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In this episode, meet Frédéric Aubé, the visionary founder and CEO of Cozey, a fast-growing player in the North American home furnishings market. Fred’s journey began with a simple observation during his days as a McGill University student: the frustration of moving bulky furniture through tight spaces in Montreal apartments. Inspired to make life …
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ENCORE EPISODE: "All Pride, No Ego": A Queer Executive's Journey to Living and Leading Authentically with retailer Jim Fielding
33:02
Jim Fielding's dynamic career has spanned senior leadership roles at top global brands, including Disney, DreamWorks, and Twentieth Century Fox, anchored in experience and an early career at The Gap, Lands' End, and as CEO of Claire's Stores; He joins me in an exclusive interview to talk about this new book ALL PRIDE, NO EGO: A Queer Executive's Jo…
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Retail Marketing State-Of-The-Nation and Predictions for the Future with John Fanous, Head of Industry, eCommerce & Omni-Channel Retail, Google
42:50
In this episode, recorded live at the RCC Retail Marketing Conference in Toronto, join me for a fast-paced discussion with John Fanous Head of Industry, eCommerce & Omni-Channel Retail, Google. We cover the current marketing strategy, communications, tools and tricks to reach an increasingly saturated, diverse shopper and reluctant media consumer. …
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In this episode, Meet Carson Arthur and hear about his journey from a media personality to an independent small retailer, launching Carson's Garden & Market in Prince Edward County. Carson shares his product sourcing strategies and challenges, advice for his fellow indie retailers, SMB growth strategies for governments, and plans for an exciting fu…
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Technology in the Service of The Customer with Michon Williams, Chief Technology Officer, Walmart Canada
28:11
Michon Williams is my special guest in this episode, sharing her career journey, emphasizing an early interest in technology and explaining her role as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Walmart Canada. Michon highlights the importance of balancing innovation and stability, operating on three horizons: stability, incremental improvements, and long-t…
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Serial entrepreneur Chris Jones, Founder and President of CANNABIS XPRESS, a leading chain of cannabis retail stores started in Ontario, is back on the podcast to tell us his adventure of expanding his successful store concept to small-town New Brunswick, one of the most innovative markets in Canada. About Chris Chris Jones is an entrepreneur and c…
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Meet Bobby Sahni, Co-Founder and Partner at Ethnicity Matters with a preview of his RCC Retail Marketing Conference session "Crafting Compelling Campaigns for Canada’s Multicultural Market "
17:06
In this episode, meet Bobby Sahni, a veteran of multicultural marketing with over 20 years of experience. Bobby discusses his journey from corporate roles in banking and telecommunications to his current role as a leader at Ethnicity Matters, a Toronto-based multicultural marketing agency. He emphasizes the importance of understanding Canada's demo…
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Brain Rush! Gen AI, AI Hallucinations and Retailers with Peter Cohan, an Associate Professor of Management Practice at Babson College
27:52
Brain Rush! Gen AI, AI Hallucinations and Retailers with Peter Cohan, an Associate Professor of Management Practice at Babson College Meet Peter Cohan, an Associate Professor of Management Practice at Babson College, the founding principal of Peter S. Cohan & Associates, a management consulting and venture capital firm, and has completed over 150 g…
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Meet Neil Patel, Co-Founder at Neil Patel Digital with a preview of his RCC Retail Marketing Conference AI in Marketing Keynote
12:08
Meet modern marketing phenomenon and upcoming RCC Retail Marketing keynote speaker Neil Patel as he shares insights behind his rise to one of the top marketing voices in the world and gives us a quick preview of his upcoming mainstage presentation. Neil is a New York Times Best-Selling Author and one of the world’s most influential marketers, accor…
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Getting Inside the Consumer Circle of Influence with Kristina Rogers, Global Consumer Leader, EY
32:41
On this episode, popular guest Kristina Rogers, Global Consumer Leader, EY, is back on the podcast to discuss the latest global and Canadian consumer insights from the 14th edition of her seminal research project, The Future Consumer Index. Launched in the early days of the COVID era, her research continues to track consumers' changing patterns and…
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Meet Jason Radisson, CEO and Founder of Movo, a Human Capital Management (HCM) platform that uses advanced AI to automate the process of hiring, engaging, and retaining today’s frontline workforce with his innovative AI forward solution for retailers. About Jason Jason Radisson is a serial unicorn breeder. His latest venture is Movo (formerly Shift…
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The Global Retail Cannabis Ambitions of Raj Grover, Founder, President & CEO of the Remarkable High Tide
26:12
Raj Grover, President and CEO of High Tide, is back on the podcast to update us about the state of the retail cannabis industry in Canada and his growing universe of retail brands together as Cana Cabana, now Canada's largest non-franchise cannabis retailer with over 170 locations. Raj talks about this recipe for commercial success and his perspect…
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A Modern Take On Retail Brand, AI and Customer Strategy with Susan O’Brien, EVP and Chief Brand & Customer Officer at Canadian Tire Corporation
38:33
Meet Susan O’Brien, EVP and Chief Brand & Customer Officer at Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC). In a wide-ranging and engaging interview, we cover a lot of ground commensurate with Susan's remit, which includes all aspects of CTC’s brand, long-term strategy around customer insights, and CTC's sponsorship, community, and ESG initiatives. For those Ca…
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Meet DUER founder and CEO Gary Lenett. This Vancouver-based brand features performance fabrics beyond denim in bottoms, tops, and outerwear for both men and women. It boasts a global wholesale network of over 1,000 doors, seven retail locations in Canada and the US, and a rapidly expanding North American e-commerce presence. Its vision is to be pla…
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Meet Michaela Wessels, CEO and co-founder of Style Arcade. Forbes described her innovative AI merchandising solution as the 'first of its kind' for retail, so I wanted to learn more. Michaela shares her industry insights and insights into the AI-powered tool that replaces spreadsheets with intelligent analytics and digital range planning. About Mic…
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Meet Sabir Semerkant, an eCommerce consulting guru with 25+ years in e-commerce and over a billion dollars in revenue growth to his credit. Sabir shares insights into his framework, which unlocks 2X-10X growth for any e-commerce business with Product-Market Fit. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior re…
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In a wide-ranging and overdue conversation, I catch up with James Connell, one of the industry's most experienced retail marketing, customer experience, brand and omnichannel executives. We talk about the evolution of customer experience, marketplaces, lessons learned from Asia and abroad, and his local & global consulting work here in Canada About…
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Fashion Meets Purpose with Rob Smith, CEO and Founder of The Phluid Project, GET Phluid and The Phluid Phoundation (Encore)
23:46
Welcome to The Voice of Retail. I'm your host Michael LeBlanc. This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with Retail Council of Canada. My guest on this Encore episode from the summer of 2023 is Rob Smith, veteran retailer and now the CEO and Founder of The Phluid Project, GET Phluid, and The Phluid Phoundation; he has created a brand, combinin…
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In this episode, I tap into John Lee's decades of reverse retail logistics experience. He discusses the importance of a seamless customer returns process, reasons for cart abandonment due to unclear return methods, and strategies using data analytics and personalization to reduce returns. We also explore managing high return rates, innovative solut…
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Radical Innovation, Leadership and Winning Every Race with Craig Baxter, Group President of Techtronic Industries Canada Inc. (Milwaukee, Ryobi, and Hoover)
37:13
On this episode, I sit down with a colleague from back in my work on the brand side, Craig Baxter, Group President ofTechtronic Industries Canada Inc., part of a global 13 billion dollar powerhouse tool house of brands that includes Milwaukee, Ryobi, andHoover. In a wide-ranging and engaging conversation, Craig talks about radical innovation, retai…
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Live from SMU in Dallas, Texas, Steve Dennis & Leaders Leap, Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption
39:45
Recorded at the Cox School of Business at SMU in Dallas, Texas, in front of a live studio audience, my guest is my good friend and Remarkable Retail podcast partner Steve Dennis on the occasion of the book launch event for Leaders Leap, his latest book already climbing up the charts as one of the top business books of the year. About Steve Steve De…
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The Inside Story Behind Ikea Canada's "Second-Hand Tax (SHT) is Happening" campaign with Tanya Bevington, Head of Communications for IKEA Canada, and Anthony Chelvanathan, Chief Creative Officer at Edelman ...
24:46
My guests on this episode are Tanya Bevington, Head of Communications for IKEA Canada, and Anthony Chelvanathan, Chief Creative Officer at Edelman Canada. They discuss the insights and unique creative partnership behind Ikea Canada's clever and brilliant "Second-Hand Tax (SHT) is Happening" campaign. The brand discovered recently that in Canada, th…
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Decoding The True Cost of Retail Fraud: Insights with Kim Sutherland, VP of Fraud and Identity at LexisNexis Risk Solutions
23:55
In this episode, we're talking about evolving fraud trends in retail with Kim Sutherland, Vice President of Fraud and Identity from LexisNexis Risk Solutions. Explore strategies for mitigating fraud risks while maintaining a seamless customer experience. Gain insights from their latest True Cost of Fraud study, which revealed the significant financ…
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Hard-Fought Leadership Lessons from U.S. Navy Seal & French Foreign Legionnaire Taylor Cavanaugh
29:06
In this leadership-focussed episode, something different, something new. My guest is Taylor Cavanaugh, who takes a big, complicated life and shares insights from his time with the U.S. Navy Seals and the French Foreign Legion (the first American in history to be part of both), emphasizing leadership and resilience. He discusses his public exposure …
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Navigating Transparency in Sustainability Goals with icebreaker's Alicia Chin, Director of Sustainability at VF Corporation
28:48
Meet Alicia Chin, Director of Sustainability and Social Impact at VF Corporation, who discusses activewear brand and retailer icebreaker's open admission of falling short in their 100% plastic-free ambition. We delve into the challenges, the progress made, and how their transparency sets a precedent for retail industry-wide sustainability efforts. …
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Meet Deb Craven, President of Longo's, one of Canada's most popular grocery stores with dozens of locations and more on the way across Southern Ontario. I joined Deb in the Longo's Store Support offices, and we talked about leadership and what it takes to innovate and compete in the crowded Southern Ontario grocery marketplace. Deb also previews he…
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Leadership Lessons from Rose Patten, Chancellor of the University of Toronto and author of Intentional Leadership
35:40
Meet Rose Patten, one of Canada's pre-eminent business and strategic thinkers. We talk about her life, stellar career, role as Chancellor of the University of Toronto, and her book, Intentional Leadership, filled with insights on strategy and leadership that you need to hear again, or for the first time, in my interview from spring 2023. In this ep…
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Gary Hawkins is a visionary and retail industry treasure whose deep industry knowledge combines operational experience and technology savvy to provide a unique perspective. Gary joins Michael to discuss his fourth book, coming this April but available for pre-order now, "Bionic Retail: How to Thrive in an Exponential World." About Gary Gary Hawkins…
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ALL PRIDE, NO EGO: A Queer Executive's Journey to Living and Leading Authentically with author Jim Fielding
33:02
Jim Fielding's dynamic career has spanned senior leadership roles at top global brands, including Disney, DreamWorks, and Twentieth Century Fox, anchored in experience and an early career at The Gap, Lands' End, and as CEO of Claire's Stores; He joins me in an exclusive interview to talk about this new book ALL PRIDE, NO EGO: A Queer Executive's Jo…
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Retail Transformation maven Oliver Banks is back on the podcast live from the U.K., discussing his new book, "Driving Retail Transformation: How to Navigate Disruption and Change." Using a clever set of automotive metaphors, Oliver takes us through his retail transformation steering wheel tool. He takes us to a better place in our journey to becomi…
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A View To Rapid Store Expansion with Bill Moir, Managing Director and EVP Canada, Specsavers
23:00
Bill Moir, Managing Director and EVP Canada for Specsavers is back on the podcast as this Vancouver-based international retailer celebrates the opening of its 100th store in Canada, including a successful launch in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, with plans for expansion into Manitoba. Together, we unpack the successful business model and m…
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The Past, Present and Future of Retail RFID with Marshall Kay, Global Director, Retail Transformation Services for Avery Dennison Smartrac
32:53
Meet Marshal Kay, Global Director, Retail Transformation Services for Avery Dennison Smartrac, who takes us through the retail business case for RFID, from supper accurate inventory to Loss Prevention, seamless self-checkout and more, and what it takes to break through with this robust process and technology solution. Avery Dennison's RFID homepage…
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Simplifying The Complex World of Carbon Accounting for Retailers & Brands with Alyssa Rade, Chief Sustainability Officer at Sustain.Life
25:15
Meet Alyssa Rade, chief sustainability officer at Sustain.life, a leading carbon accounting platform, where she leads the company’s strategy for product content, guiding retailers across North America on their decarbonization and ESG journeys. Alyssa unpacks the complexities of carbon accounting for all of us, providing a uniform model for retailer…
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Rethinking Ethnic & Modern Retail Marketing with Ariela Nerubay, EVP & Chief Marketing Officer at LA Based Curacao Retail
25:12
Something different on the podcast for this episode: Meet Ariela Nerubay, EVP & Chief Marketing Officer at Curacao retail stores, a fellow 2024 ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert and leader in ethnic and modern marketing strategies and tactics. You might not recognize the LA-based retail stores she leads, but the insights, challenges and opportunitie…
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The past, current and future state of Retail Media Networks are in the spotlight in this dynamic, live interview from the ReThink Retail podcasting studio on the NRF Big Show show floor in New York City with Aran Hamilton, Co-Founder & CEO of Toronto's Vantage. Aran is a pioneer in the retail media space and offers valuable lessons and powerful ins…
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Meet Toronto-based Michael Bungay Stanier, best known for The Coaching Habit, the best-selling coaching book of the century, today talking with me about his most recent book, How to Work with (Almost) Anyone. It's a fantastic conversation. Michael is a thoughtful and engaging guest, and we talk about the hard truth: most of us leave the health and …
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Jim Harris, one of North America's foremost thinkers on disruption and innovation, is back on the podcast sharing his experiences and insights from CES, the world's biggest technology conference, and the World Economic Forum in Davos. Jim has been attending these important events for decades and takes us inside with his informed perspective for ret…
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The one and only Kristina Rogers, Global EY Consumer Chairwoman, is back on the podcast with the latest powerful insights from her 13th Future Consumer Index report. Climate change is becoming a growing reality for people worldwide and Canada, disrupting ingrained consumption habits. If you think COVID-19 shocked consumer behaviour, brace yourself …
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Welcome to a new year, and maybe a new you, regarding your perspectives around leadership. My special guest is Steve Worthy, who, with over 27 years of North American on the front lines as a senior retail store leader and operator, brings a unique mix of executive coaching, training, and real-world experience to senior retail leaders and corporate …
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Global Expansion, the Critical Role of Product Innovation & the Role of Failure with Jenna Flateman Posner, Chief Digital Officer, Solo Brands
17:08
In this episode, a lift from my Global eCommerce Leaders #podcast presented by StreamCommerce, meet the force of nature that is Jenna Flateman Posner, just two months into her new gig with innovative home products brand, wholesaler and direct-to-consumer retailer Solo Brands. We cover a lot of ground in this interview, not unlike what Jenna did as …
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Winning Retail in 2024 with Mat Povse, SVP of Operation & Eric Stockner, VP & Category Officer Best Buy Canada
36:20
In a wide-ranging conversation, meet two of Best Buy Canada's standout veteran retail leaders: Mat Povse, Senior Vice President of Operations, and Eric Stockner, Vice President and Category Officer for Food, Home, and Baby. Mat and Eric join me on the mic to talk about big-picture trends, the current and future state of product innovation, this yea…
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A Masterclass in The State of Retail & Retail Turnarounds with Michael Appel, Managing Director, Getzler Henrich & Associates
29:55
Meet Michael Appel, a seasoned senior executive with over 50 years of experience in the retail industry, including turnaround CEO at Rue21. As the Managing Director at New York-based Getzler Henrich & Associates, he leads the Retail Practice for the firm, specializing in operational turnarounds for retail businesses. We talk about the state of reta…
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Retail Leadership's Blueprint to Net Zero with Geraldine Huse, President of P&G Canada, and George Soleas, President and CEO of LCBO
33:57
Live from the main stage at RCC's Retail Sustainability conference in Toronto, my discussion with two visionary retail leaders, Geraldine Huse, President of P&G Canada, and George Soleas, President and CEO of LCBO, as they offer invaluable insights from their respective organization's journeys to net zero, spotlighting the innovations, cultural cha…
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Making Sense of Retail Trends, Winning Holiday, What AI Tells Us About our Future, and Untangling the Messy World of Video with Eric Morris, MD and Head of Retail, Google Canada
29:55
Back on the pod for what has become an annual Holiday tradition just like Turkey and egg nog, Eric Morris, Managing Director and Head of Retail for Google Canada, joins me on the mic, sharing the kind of insights that retailers need to know from a trusted partner whose hand is on the pulse of the zeitgeist of our times. Oh, and we talk about AI and…
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