Leadership

Birkenstock Files for IPO in the US
September 14, 2023 at 9:55 am

Birkenstock, the iconic footwear company that dates back to the 18th century, made official on Tuesday what’s been rumored for months: it's planning an initial public offering. The company filed its IPO registration statement on Tuesday afternoon. The deal, which comes over two years after the Birkenstock family sold a majority stake in the company to LVMH-affiliated private…

The Evolution of the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in the Retail Industry
September 5, 2023 at 8:15 pm

In an era when technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, all industries must evolve to keep up with the rapidly changing landscape. The retail industry is no exception, and one of the most significant developments within this sector is the evolution of the chief technology officer (CTO). Once considered a secondary…

Walgreens CEO Rosalind Brewer Steps Down
September 4, 2023 at 6:47 pm

Rosalind "Roz" Brewer has stepped down as CEO and member of the board at the Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (WBA) effective Aug. 31. The decision was a mutual one between Brewer and and WBA, according to a news release. The WBA board has appointed Ginger Graham, the current lead independent director of WBA, as the company’s…

How Jim Gilbert Grew His DTC Brand 100% YoY for 4 Consecutive Years
June 29, 2023 at 5:10 pm

Jim Gilbert is co-founder and chief marketing officer of direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand Premo Natural Products. In this video interview, Gilbert discusses why, after years of marketing consulting work, he decided it was time to build his own e-commerce company with its flagship product, Premo Guard Bed Bug & Mite Sprays. He shares how Premo has grown over 100 percent year-over-year…

Women in Retail and Total Retail Virtual Exchange, August 2023
June 28, 2023 at 10:32 am

The on demand August 2023 Women in Retail and Total Retail Virtual Exchange will offer attendees the opportunity to hear from leading retail executives on a variety of mission-critical industry topics that are particularly valuable during the current retail climate. Speakers include leaders from The Container Store, Nebraska Furniture Mart, maurices and more.

Alibaba CEO to Step Down, Lead Cloud Business Spin-Off
June 20, 2023 at 3:39 pm

Alibaba Group said in a surprise announcement Tuesday Eddie Wu will succeed Daniel Zhang as its chief executive, a move that will free Zhang to focus on the company’s cloud intelligence business, CNBC reported. Zhang will continue to lead the Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group as chairman and CEO after this change, which the company said will…

Retail Loyalty Expert Emily Teele on Building Culturally Diverse Teams
June 19, 2023 at 1:52 pm

In episode 406 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Emily Teele, retail loyalty expert, Nike leader and KindWork board member. Listen in as Teele provides an overview of her role at Nike (0:42), what drew her to take on the international position (1:33), and how she's seen the loyalty space evolve throughout her…

Second Chance CEO: 5 Takeaways to Change Your Perspective on Leadership
May 30, 2023 at 8:34 pm

In my late 20s, I was 100 percent sure nothing could stop me. I was a hard-charging guy with a clear career path mapped out in my head that led to the CEO’s office — not living in the present and being impatient to get there. Then, at 29, a hole was discovered in my…

The Vitamin Shoppe Makes Interim CEO Permanent, Names President
May 30, 2023 at 5:58 pm

The Vitamin Shoppe last week announced Lee A. Wright as chief executive officer and Muriel Gonzalez as president, effective immediately. Wright has taken the CEO post permanently after serving in the interim since January. He formerly served as the chief commercial officer of Franchise Group, Inc., The Vitamin Shoppe’s parent company, since January 2022. Prior to joining Franchise Group, Wright served in…

Bob's Discount Furniture's CEO on His Stewardship of Culture and Omnichannel Growth
May 15, 2023 at 2:07 pm

In episode 401 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Bill Barton, president and CEO of Bob's Discount Furniture, one of the country's fastest-growing omnichannel furniture retailers. During the conversation Barton discusses what excites him about leading the organization (0:50), some of the factors that have led to Bob's growth (2:00), and how he's positioning the…