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Gen Alpha’s coming of age is reshaping retail, with children playing a more visible role in purchase decisions through early preferences around color, comfort, and self-expression. Research continues to show that kids increasingly influence household purchases, especially in apparel and lifestyle categories, pushing brands to rethink how early identity, confidence, and joy are designed into products and spaces. At the same time, parents are craving brands that feel human, values-driven, and rooted in community rather than trend-chasing. The stakes are high: brands that fail to emotionally connect risk becoming invisible in a market shaped by both digital awareness and a renewed desire for real-world experiences. So how do you design a brand that’s about more than clothing—a world children genuinely love and parents trust enough to be part of their family’s everyday moments? That’s the focus of this episode of Retail Refined, hosted by Melissa Gonzalez, who sits down with Stacey Fraser, founder and CEO of Pink Chicken. Together, they explore how Pink Chicken has built a joyful, vertically integrated brand that blends nostalgia, craftsmanship, and community into an experience kids don’t just wear, but live in. From designing with both child and parent in mind to creating retail spaces that feel playful, welcoming, and emotionally resonant, the conversation spans brand strategy, generational shifts, and the future of experiential retail. Top insights from the talk… How Pink Chicken identified a white space for premium, joyful kidswear that balances vintage inspiration with modern relevance.Why vertical integration and clear brand pillars are critical to maintaining quality, consistency, and emotional resonance.How Gen Alpha’s growing sense of autonomy and aesthetic awareness is reshaping product design, retail experiences, and self-expression.Stacey Fraser is the founder and CEO of Pink Chicken, an artisanal lifestyle brand she launched in 2006 after a 15-year career spanning children’s and women’s apparel design. She brings deep expertise in brand building, product development, and childrenswear, having held senior design leadership roles at Ralph Lauren, Gap Inc., Tommy Hilfiger, and Old Navy—including helping launch Baby Gap as one of its first employees. Drawing on her background in premium fashion and her love of vintage textiles, Fraser has built Pink Chicken into a vertically integrated, multi-channel brand known for joyful design and effortless dressing across age categories.

These days, ‘home’ means more than just four walls. It’s where people reset, gather, and express who they are—raising the bar for what they expect from the brands that help shape those spaces. Consumers are no longer just buying décor—they’re investing in meaning, memory, and moments that last. Research continues to show that people are spending more time at home than they did pre-pandemic, elevating expectations around how spaces should feel, function, and inspire. The stakes are high: brands that understand the emotional ecosystem of home can build loyalty that outlasts any single trend. So, what does it take to design products and experiences that genuinely resonate? How can a brand deliver joy, nostalgia, and functionality with sustainable resonance? These questions are at the heart of this episode of Retail Refined, hosted by Melissa Gonzalez, featuring Katherine Finder, Chief Merchandising Officer of Anthropologie Home. Together, Gonzalez and Finder explore how Anthropologie Home creates meaningful moments through thoughtful design, intentional partnerships, and immersive experiences—while staying commercially grounded and true to the brand’s DNA. Key takeaways… How Anthropologie Home approaches the idea of home as an emotional ecosystem, balancing aesthetics, function, and long-term relevance.Why partnerships—from Ruggable to New York City Ballet to Hotel Anna + Bel—can deepen, rather than dilute, brand identity.How designing for joy, ritual, and memory transforms seasonal collections into lasting, collectible moments.Katherine Finder is a seasoned retail executive and brand builder with decades of experience leading merchandising, product development, and brand strategy across apparel, home, and accessories. Currently Chief Merchandising Officer of Anthropologie Home, she is known for driving brand clarity, building emotionally resonant products, and growing businesses across startups, specialty retail, and large-scale enterprises—including leading a $7B proprietary brand portfolio at Kohl’s and delivering company-leading results. Her career spans leadership roles at Kohl’s, Pottery Barn, Gap, Lands’ End, and Burt’s Bees Baby, with a track record of portfolio transformation, cross-category expertise, and people-centered leadership.

Luxury retail is in the midst of a reinvention. Circular fashion has moved from trend to transformation, reshaping how consumers perceive value, ownership, and access. According to the 2025 BCG × Vestiaire Collective Resale Report, the secondhand fashion and luxury market now totals $210 to $220 billion globally and is projected to reach $320 to $360 billion by 2030—growing nearly three times faster than the primary market. Among Gen Z consumers, as much as 45% of handbags are already purchased secondhand, underscoring a generational shift toward sustainability and individuality. As resale evolves from online auctions to a global force redefining modern luxury, how are pioneers navigating the next chapter—and what can established brands learn from their playbook? On this episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez sits down with Sarah Davis, Founder and President of Fashionphile, to explore how one of the earliest luxury resale pioneers scaled an eBay side hustle into a global platform for pre-owned luxury. From cultural shifts to omnichannel strategy, Davis shares what keeps Fashionphile and the handbags it curates, iconic. Key Takeaways from the Episode Resale as identity & access: Gen Z and Gen Alpha aren’t just price-sensitive—they’re curators. They hunt for under-the-radar pieces, make them trend on TikTok, and often spark brand reissues, lifting values across both primary and secondary markets.What makes a bag “iconic”: Timeless shapes such as the Louis Vuitton Speedy and Chanel Classic Flap endure across decades and price cycles. “It bags” may fade, but icons anchor demand and hold long-term value.Omnichannel is the moat: Despite its digital roots, Fashionphile’s growth shows that luxury resale thrives when online trust meets in-person experience. High-touch experiences—from extra photos and videos to in-store try-ons—turn trust into loyalty.Sarah Davis founded Fashionphile in 1999 after recognizing that luxury handbags held their value better than any other resale category. Trained in law, she transformed a one-woman eBay storefront into one of the largest platforms for buying and selling ultra-luxury handbags and accessories, headquartered in San Diego and New York City with operations in Tokyo and retail locations across the U.S. Davis spearheaded initiatives including The Book of Iconic Bags, the company’s partnership with ambassador Nicole Richie, and new verticals such as the Investment Protection line and Parker West, Fashionphile’s curated estate-jewelry brand.

Great clothes may be where it starts, but today’s shoppers are looking for something more — a sense of connection, belonging, and shared purpose. Research shows that 90% of consumers value authenticity when deciding which brands to support: a clear reminder that while quality and design remain vital, meaning has become the new measure of loyalty. Today, brands across the industry are striving to evolve beyond products to create richer experiences that foster genuine connection and community. So, how does a modern brand evolve from surf-inspired apparel to a holistic lifestyle experience—one that includes cafes, content, and potentially even hotels? In this episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez sits down with Alex Faherty, Co-Founder and CEO of Faherty Brand, to explore how the company has transformed from a family-run clothing label into a hospitality-infused lifestyle ecosystem. Together, they discuss how Faherty is shaping a new model for heritage brands—one grounded in community, sustainability, and soulful storytelling. Key insights from the conversation… Scaling Without Losing Soul: Alex shares how Faherty has grown from a tight-knit 20-person team into a nine-figure omni-channel business with 81 stores, all while keeping its family-led ethos and people-first culture at the center.Sustainability and Authenticity: Faherty’s journey to becoming a certified B Corporation reflects its long-standing commitment to sustainable materials, ethical sourcing, and partnerships with Native artists—setting a standard for responsibility in fashion.From Apparel to Experience: The brand’s expansion into hospitality through ventures like Sun & Waves Café and the concept of a future “Faherty Hotel” underscores how lifestyle brands are redefining what it means to belong, extending the brand experience into every corner of daily life.Alex Faherty is the Co-Founder and CEO of Faherty Brand, a sustainable lifestyle apparel company known for its premium fabrics and relaxed, coastal-inspired designs. Before launching the brand in 2013, he built a strong foundation in finance and private equity, working at Cerberus Capital Management and Greenhill & Co. His leadership at Faherty reflects a blend of entrepreneurial vision, business strategy, and commitment to sustainability-driven fashion and quality craftsmanship.

As the lines blur between fashion, identity, and digital life, brands are racing to understand how today’s youth are reshaping culture and commerce. Pacsun’s new Youth Report 2025, produced in partnership with GlobalData, offers one of the most detailed portraits yet of Gen Z and Gen Alpha—two generations united by self-expression but divided by how they experience and influence the world. With 75% of Gen Alpha buying apparel for social media content and comfort leading the way in how youth define their style, the stakes for retailers are clear: understanding why young consumers shop is as important as what they buy. So, how can brands translate this generational insight into meaningful strategy? What can Pacsun’s findings teach us about the future of identity-driven commerce, creator culture, and conscious retail? In this episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez sits down with Brieane Olson, CEO of Pacsun, to unpack the findings of the Youth Report 2025. Together, they explore how Gen Z and Gen Alpha are redefining creativity, consumption, and connection—and what it means for brands hoping to stay relevant in a culture that’s evolving faster than ever. Key takeaways from the conversation... From Consumers to Co-Creators: Pacsun’s “co-creation” model reflects a cultural shift where youth expect to participate in shaping brands rather than passively consuming them. Gen Alpha, especially, views collaboration as a default, not a privilege.The New Trust Economy: Authenticity now outweighs advertising. Both generations place a higher value on creator credibility and peer validation than on traditional brand messaging, forcing marketers to relinquish creative control.Culture and Well-Being as Brand Connectors: Music and mental health are key touchpoints for today’s youth, giving brands a roadmap to build authentic, emotionally resonant connections beyond products alone.Brieane Olson is the CEO of Pacsun, where she leads with a focus on purpose-driven innovation, youth culture, and community impact. With nearly two decades at Pacsun, she has overseen the brand’s transformation across merchandising, design, and digital strategy—advancing initiatives that blend creativity, inclusivity, and social responsibility. A Harvard Business School MBA graduate, Olson’s career spans global fashion houses including Valentino and J.Crew, grounding her leadership in both creative vision and analytical business strategy.

Building consumer brands today requires more than clever marketing; it demands brand trust. Consumers want proof that products work, delivered at prices that feel accessible. That shift has raised the bar for founders, especially as 86% of consumers say authenticity influences which brands they support—with Gen Z placing even greater emphasis on it. Credibility and purpose are not optional for entrepreneurs; they form the foundation of growth. How can entrepreneurs disrupt established markets by blending affordability, innovation, and credibility while navigating the distinct dynamics of Amazon and TikTok? On this episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez speaks with Dave Dama, Founder and CEO of AquaSonic and Co-Founder and President of Pure Daily Care. Together, they explore what it takes to launch disruptive consumer brands, build trust, and scale across Amazon, TikTok, and brick-and-mortar retail. Key Takeaways from the Episode… Disruption through value proposition: AquaSonic challenged entrenched players like Philips and Oral-B by delivering high-quality electric toothbrushes at a fraction of the cost. Amazon vs. TikTok strategy: Amazon serves intent-driven buyers, while TikTok drives impulse purchases through “shoppertainment” and influencer-driven authenticity. Health and wellness integration: Emerging research on oral microbiomes and longevity opens opportunities for AquaSonic to link dental care to broader wellbeing. Dave Dama is the Founder and CEO of AquaSonic, a leading oral care brand, and Co-Founder and President of Pure Daily Care, a top-selling skincare device company. With over a decade of experience building consumer health and wellness brands, he has scaled products from concept to category leaders on platforms like Amazon and TikTok. His career reflects a consistent focus on innovation, accessibility, and brand longevity, drawing on personal roots in dentistry and esthetics to deliver trusted, clinically backed products.

Retail is evolving at a lightning pace, with consumer expectations higher and more informed than ever before. Deloitte research shows that 80% of consumers prefer brands that offer personalized experiences, with those customers spending up to 50% more. For heritage retailers, this shift presents both opportunity and challenge: how do you honor local legacy while competing in a world where customer expectations are increasingly shaped by global brands and digital-first experiences? How can a heritage brand balance timeless tradition with modern growth strategies that resonate with both local communities and a new generation of shoppers? In this episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez sits down with Gary Flynn, Co-Owner & CEO of M. Dumas & Sons, to explore the evolution of Charleston’s beloved menswear destination. The discussion covers Gary’s career journey from Nordstrom to Hugo Boss to Samsung, and how his global perspective is fueling the growth of a century-old local institution. Together, they unpack strategies for trendspotting, creating customer-centric retail experiences, and evolving heritage brands for long-term relevance. Key Talking Points from the Episode Evolution Through Experience: Gary shares how his time at Nordstrom, Hugo Boss, and Samsung shaped his leadership style and informed his approach to steering a single-location heritage brand into the future. Staying Ahead of Trends: From vendor networks to peer conversations, Flynn emphasizes the importance of collaboration and open information sharing in navigating rapidly changing consumer expectations. Balancing Legacy and Innovation: The conversation explores how M. Dumas & Sons maintains its Charleston roots while embracing luxury expansion, youth-driven insights, and modern partnerships with brands like Southern Tide and Johnny-O. Gary Flynn is the Co-Owner and CEO of M. Dumas & Sons, a Charleston-based heritage menswear retailer. His career began at Nordstrom, where he spent nearly three decades working his way from the stockroom to national merchandise manager. He later held senior merchandising roles at Hugo Boss and Samsung, gaining global retail experience across North and South America, Europe, and Asia. Today, Flynn brings that expertise to M. Dumas & Sons, guiding the brand’s evolution through strategic partnerships, luxury expansion, and a community-centric approach to growth.

Retail is evolving at a lightning pace, with consumer expectations higher and more informed than ever before. Deloitte research shows that 80% of consumers prefer brands that offer personalized experiences, with those customers spending up to 50% more. For heritage retailers, this shift presents both opportunity and challenge: how do you honor local legacy while competing in a world where customer expectations are increasingly shaped by global brands and digital-first experiences? How can a heritage brand balance timeless tradition with modern growth strategies that resonate with both local communities and a new generation of shoppers? In this episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez sits down with Gary Flynn, Co-Owner & CEO of M. Dumas & Sons, to explore the evolution of Charleston’s beloved menswear destination. The discussion covers Gary’s career journey from Nordstrom to Hugo Boss to Samsung, and how his global perspective is fueling the growth of a century-old local institution. Together, they unpack strategies for trendspotting, creating customer-centric retail experiences, and evolving heritage brands for long-term relevance. Key Talking Points from the Episode Evolution Through Experience: Gary shares how his time at Nordstrom, Hugo Boss, and Samsung shaped his leadership style and informed his approach to steering a single-location heritage brand into the future. Staying Ahead of Trends: From vendor networks to peer conversations, Flynn emphasizes the importance of collaboration and open information sharing in navigating rapidly changing consumer expectations. Balancing Legacy and Innovation: The conversation explores how M. Dumas & Sons maintains its Charleston roots while embracing luxury expansion, youth-driven insights, and modern partnerships with brands like Southern Tide and Johnny-O. Gary Flynn is the Co-Owner and CEO of M. Dumas & Sons, a Charleston-based heritage menswear retailer. His career began at Nordstrom, where he spent nearly three decades working his way from the stockroom to national merchandise manager. He later held senior merchandising roles at Hugo Boss and Samsung, gaining global retail experience across North and South America, Europe, and Asia. Today, Flynn brings that expertise to M. Dumas & Sons, guiding the brand’s evolution through strategic partnerships, luxury expansion, and a community-centric approach to growth.

As traditional digital advertising struggles to retain consumer trust, brands are exploring new, more authentic ways to connect with shoppers. Platforms like commerce media networks, which weave together commerce, content, and data, are emerging as powerful tools in this shift. Research from MG2 Advisory reveals that only about 37% of consumers feel brands genuinely act on their stated values, underscoring the urgent need for more meaningful brand experiences. So, how can brands take control of how their message shows up while delivering real value to consumers? In this episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez sits down with Elery Pfeffer, CEO and Founder of Nift, to unpack the role of commerce media and personalized gifting in the evolving retail landscape. They discuss how Nift is enabling brands to own the consumer experience through AI-powered, hyper-personalized rewards that feel less like advertising and more like appreciation. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: Why traditional advertising models fall short—and how brands can shift to performance-based gifting that drives loyalty and revenue. How Nift’s patented AI creates a personalized, delight-driven experience across digital and physical retail environments. What the rise of “AI-native” consumers means for the future of commerce, and how brands must adapt to stay relevant. Elery Pfeffer is a seasoned technology executive with over two decades of experience leading hypergrowth startups and scaling innovative platforms from inception to large-scale operations. He is the founder and CEO of Nift, a commerce media and gifting platform, and previously founded Pursway, which helped major brands in retail, telecom, and finance expand their consumer reach. Pfeffer also served as a Fellow at Harvard University’s School of Engineering and holds a degree in Math and Computer Science from Tel Aviv University.

Luxury retail is no longer confined to storefronts and seasonal campaigns. Brands are bringing hospitality to retail, building deeper emotional connections, and extending their presence beyond the product. Coach, among other heritage labels, is experimenting with cafés, branded bars, and immersive spaces that offer more than a transaction—they offer belonging. According to MG2 Advisory, 1 in 5 consumers say immersive, sensorial store experiences are a top reason they return to luxury stores, and nearly 1 in 4 cite creative offerings and high-touch services as key motivators for repeat visits. These findings reinforce the growing demand for experiences that feel distinct, emotionally engaging, and memorable. So, how can retail brands design experiences that go beyond shopping and spark genuine loyalty and community? In this episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez speaks with Giovanni Zaccariello, SVP of Global Visual Experience at Coach. Together, they unpack how Coach is transforming retail environments into community-centered spaces, blending Gen Z values with design innovation and consumer insights. From cafés to digital universes, Coach is testing bold ideas to turn brick-and-mortar into something far more memorable. This approach is a leading example of bringing hospitality to retail in a way that is both localized and globally resonant. Key highlights from the episode: Coach is integrating cafés, bars, and mobile coffee trucks into retail locations to increase dwell time and emotional connection.Each experience is hyper-localized—menus and design reflect the culture of each location, from Tokyo to Singapore.Coach sees hospitality as a strategic way to engage Gen Z and Gen Alpha, blending community, culture, and self-expression.Giovanni Zaccariello is a seasoned visual merchandising and experiential design leader with over two decades of global experience across top fashion and lifestyle brands. As SVP of Global Visual Experience at Coach, he has driven innovation through immersive retail concepts, hospitality integration, and digital engagement strategies, with prior leadership roles in Asia and North America. His career spans brands like Mexx, Marks & Spencer, Topshop, Esprit, and Uniqlo, showcasing expertise in global visual strategy, consumer-centric design, and cross-cultural brand storytelling.

As in-store experiences become key to brand loyalty, LEGO is doubling down on its core brand essence of play, using it as both a design philosophy and a strategic lever. The company is transforming its physical spaces into destinations that spark imagination, encourage interaction, and strengthen emotional connections with shoppers of all ages. With nearly 70% of parents surveyed citing creativity as an essential skill for their children’s development, LEGO’s cross-generational appeal has never been more culturally relevant. So, how does LEGO continue to blend physical retail with digital relevance, global scalability with local authenticity, and imaginative play with operational efficiency? On this episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez sits down with PJ du Toit, Global Design Director at the LEGO Group, to explore how the company builds immersive, scalable, and meaningful retail experiences that stay true to its playful DNA. From flagship stores and vending machines to full-size LEGO-built F1 cars, this episode dives into how the company brings brick-by-brick consistency and creativity across every customer touchpoint. The main topics of conversation are… How LEGO designs stores as “recruitment vehicles” to attract new customers while retaining loyal fans. The importance of modular, scalable, and locally tailored retail concepts. The company’s “test and learn” culture, which allows for innovation, iteration, and even failure in creating engaging retail formats. PJ du Toit is the Director of Global Retail Concepts at the LEGO Group, where he leads the development of retail strategies, designs, and implementation across multiple channels. He collaborates with cross-functional teams—including LEGO Retail, Retail Development, and LEGO Agency—to shape immersive, sales-driven brand experiences. His current focus is building a unified, cross-channel retail platform that delivers consistent global impact.

As Gen Z cements its role as the cultural vanguard and Gen Alpha begins to assert its voice, brands face mounting pressure to not only keep pace but to actively shape youth identity. With social commerce booming and physical retail undergoing reinvention, staying relevant means delivering experiences as dynamic as the customers themselves. One stat alone says it all: after Kendrick Lamar sparked a flare jeans frenzy, American Eagle saw a 125% spike in Google searches and 25% more store traffic in just days. So how does a legacy retailer like American Eagle Outfitters keep its edge with a generation that swipes faster than it shops? And what does it take to not only follow culture—but lead it? On this episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez sits down with Craig Brommers, Chief Marketing Officer at American Eagle, for a deep dive into loyalty, culture, and the art of speaking to multiple generations at once. From TikTok virality to in-store innovation, Craig shares how American Eagle is turning its 50-year playbook into a blueprint for the next era of retail. Key topics of discussion… How American Eagle uses feedback loops—from 35,000 Gen Z store associates to a 2,000-person youth panel—to track trends in real time and adjust marketing and product strategies accordingly. Why the “Lived In” store concept is the most successful in American Eagle’s 48-year history, blending elevated design with community-driven experiences to drive conversion and loyalty. The launch of the “Live Your Life” affiliate program, a bid to transform creators into digital store associates and cement deeper bonds with youth consumers in the social commerce age. Craig Brommers is a seasoned global marketing executive with deep expertise in brand expansion across geographic, digital, and category dimensions. He has led marketing at top retail brands including American Eagle, Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch, Calvin Klein, and Speedo, consistently driving growth through purpose-driven strategies and a strong command of data-informed decision-making. An MBA graduate from UCLA’s Anderson School, Craig is known for building high-performing, cross-functional teams and balancing global consistency with local market relevance.

As electric vehicle adoption surges—projected to make up over half of all new car sales in the U.S. by 2030—the expectations around where and how we charge are rapidly evolving. Charging stations are no longer just utility hubs; they are becoming lifestyle touchpoints. Today’s EV drivers seek more than speed and convenience—they want frictionless technology, elevated amenities, and design that speaks to their personal values. A new report from MG2 Advisory asks: What if EV charging stations embraced “unreasonable hospitality” and became places people actually look forward to visiting? How can EV charging stations evolve from functional infrastructure into brand experiences that surprise, delight, and earn loyalty? In this episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez is joined by Charles Forster, founder of the automotive media brand Automo Speed Crew. Together, they explore what it would mean to embed the principles of hospitality into EV environments—from seamless app experiences to destination-worthy food and community spaces. Drawing from MG2 Advisory’s latest consumer research, they break down user personas and reveal how brands can transform charging from a necessity into a memorable interaction. Highlights from the conversation include… Understanding the EV personas: From “Speed Seekers” who prioritize fast and seamless charging, to “Comfort Cruisers” and “Destination Dwellers” who value relaxation and immersive experiences, charging environments must cater to varied expectations. Amenities as differentiators: From elevated restrooms and premium seating to on-site services like tire inflation and detailing, going beyond the basics can drive loyalty. Tech-enabled hospitality: Frictionless mobile apps for reservations, payments, and real-time charger status are key to reducing range anxiety and elevating the user experience. Charles Forster is a seasoned product development leader with over 15 years of experience in UX design, front-end engineering, and digital branding across fintech, SaaS, and media sectors. As Director of Product Development at VersioPay, he oversees the design and development of integrated payment processing platforms and user interfaces. He has also led large-scale enterprise projects, founded the automotive media brand Automo Speed Crew, and consistently applies his expertise in software innovation, startup growth, and user-centered design.

This Women’s History Month, Retail Refined’s host joined The DealMakeHers for a series of transformative moments — from opening and closing the Nasdaq to sharing an intimate tea with trailblazer Gloria Steinem. Across several days of meaningful conversations and landmark events, we celebrated women’s leadership, innovation, and resilience. Here’s a recap: Opening Nasdaq For International Women’s Day Women’s groups gathered alongside the Editor-in-Chief of Glamour and the Nasdaq team to ring the Opening Bell, marking the start of Women’s History Month on a global stage. The moment was more than ceremonial — it served as a rallying cry for continued advocacy for women in leadership and business. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with changemakers, we honored women who are redefining industries, driving transformation, and shaping groundbreaking innovations. And with them, a clear message emerged: the future of the capital markets shines brighter when women’s voices are part of the conversation. Deepening The Dialogue The DealMakeHers returned to Nasdaq, partnering with Women in Retail to recognize this year’s 25 Inspirational Women — all nominated by current members. This annual list celebrates trailblazing leaders across retail, fashion, technology, beauty, wellness, social commerce, and culture. These honorees share a common mission: to drive innovation, lead with purpose, and champion other women leaders. Their influence extends far beyond their companies, helping shape the future of commerce and raising the bar for excellence. A personal highlight was the nomination of Shea Jensen by Retail Refined host Melissa Gonzalez. Jensen, a past guest on the podcast, brings three decades of retail expertise with leadership roles at Nordstrom, Good American, Pressed Juicery, and now Urban Outfitters, where she continues to set new standards in customer experience and retail innovation. You can view the full list of honorees here. The Work Continues While these events were inspiring, they also served as a reminder: the journey is ongoing, but the momentum is strong. Retail Refined Podcast Spotlight: Women Powerhouses In parallel, Retail Refined continues to highlight women who are shaping the future of business and culture. Recent conversations include: * Urban Outfitters with Shea Jensen, on how the brand is redefining retail for Gen Z and Gen Alpha through bold, forward-thinking strategies. Listen here. * True Religion with Kristen D’Arcy, on how the brand is keeping legacy brands culturally relevant and authentic. Listen here. * Anthropologie with Elizabeth Preis, on blending data and creativity to deliver the brand’s signature ‘Anthromagic.’ Listen here. * Madewell with Adrienne Lazarus, on how data-driven insights are guiding the brand’s evolution to meet today’s consumer. Listen here. * Milani Cosmetics with Kelly Sobol, on how the brand is setting new standards in beauty through inclusivity and innovation. Listen here. Together, these stories echo this month’s core message: leadership is about creating space for others, driving change, and redefining what’s possible.

Anthropologie has long been a destination for customers seeking unique fashion, home decor, and lifestyle products. But what makes the brand stand out isn’t just its product offerings—it’s the magic woven into every store visit, online interaction, and shopping experience. With retail evolving at an unprecedented pace, brands must find ways to merge data-driven decision-making with creative storytelling to stay relevant. Anthropologie’s marketing approach, known as “AnthroMagic,” is an example of this balance, ensuring that customers feel a sense of joy and discovery every time they engage with the brand. So, what exactly is AnthroMagic, and how does Anthropologie seamlessly blend data analytics with creative retail experiences? In this episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez speaks with Elizabeth Preis, Global Chief Marketing Officer of Anthropologie Group, about the role of creativity and data in shaping the brand’s connection with its audience. From Elizabeth’s extensive career in fashion and beauty to Anthropologie’s approach to testing, customer insights, and retail innovation, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the most beloved lifestyle brands continues to thrive. The main points of conversation… Elizabeth Preis’ Leadership Philosophy: How her “What, so what, now what” approach turns complex data into actionable insights. Balancing Data and Creativity: Why “data without a story is a failure” and how Anthropologie ensures customer insights inform, but never overshadow, creative decision-making. Anthropologie’s Marketing Strategy: The role of testing and iteration in launching new concepts, such as the Celandine brand, and how the company aligns business goals with emotional customer connections. Elizabeth Preis is the Global Chief Marketing Officer at Anthropologie Group, overseeing brand marketing, direct-to-consumer strategy, customer insights, and editorial content across all platforms. With over 25 years of experience in the beauty and fashion industries, she has held leadership roles at Estée Lauder, J.Crew, Saks Fifth Avenue, and BH Cosmetics. A Wellesley College graduate with an MBA from INSEAD, Elizabeth is known for her expertise in consumer engagement and her ability to bridge the gap between data-driven insights and brand storytelling.