An Interview with Vitamin Shop's COO Andy Laudato: Why Great Retail Starts with People, Not Technology

An Interview with Vitamin Shop's COO Andy Laudato: Why Great Retail Starts with People, Not Technology

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/816670/fan_mail/new] What does it really take to scale innovation inside a modern retail organization? In this episode of The Clienteling Podcast, Bryan Amaral sits down with retail industry veteran Andy Laudato, EVP & Chief Operating Officer of The Vitamin Shoppe and Co-Founder of the Retail AI Council, for a candid discussion about leadership, customer-centricity, operational excellence, and the realities of implementing innovation at scale. Drawing on decades of experience spanning technology, supply chain, digital commerce, and retail operations, Andy shares why successful retailers focus on solving customer and business problems—not chasing technology trends—and how AI can create real value when applied thoughtfully. The conversation explores the intersection of retail operations and customer experience, the challenges of scaling innovation across hundreds of stores, and why great execution still comes down to people, processes, and a relentless focus on the customer. Whether you’re a retailer, technology executive, consultant, or industry leader, you’ll find practical insights that go well beyond the latest buzzwords. Key Topics Discussed: • How Andy’s journey from technologist to retail operator shaped his leadership philosophy • Why retailers should never “solve technology problems with business” and how that lesson applies directly to AI • The difference between building a prototype and scaling a solution across hundreds of locations • The hidden operational complexities behind omnichannel retail and customer experience • Why inventory accuracy remains one of retail’s most important—and difficult—challenges • How The Vitamin Shoppe uses AI to gather and analyze store feedback at scale • The critical role store associates play in driving customer engagement and loyalty • Why innovation is often more about people and processes than technology • The importance of psychological safety in fostering innovation inside large organizations • Why so many retail pilots fail to scale—and how leaders can avoid common mistakes • Practical applications of AI that are delivering measurable value today • AI governance, employee education, and responsible deployment strategies • The future of composable commerce and why Andy believes retailers should focus on building flexible, service-based architectures • Why customer-centricity remains the most important competitive advantage in retail Notable Quote: “I don’t have an AI strategy. I have a sell-more-vitamins strategy.” That simple statement perfectly captures the central theme of this conversation: technology matters, but only when it helps retailers better serve customers and achieve meaningful business outcomes. Listen & Connect If you enjoyed this episode, follow the series Engaging Deeper & Scaling Smarter for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of retail innovation. Andy Laudato's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/andrewlaudato Bryan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanamaral/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanamaral/] Bryan’s Website: https://www.clientricity.net [https://www.clientricity.net/] Bryan’s Email: bryan@clientelingpodcast.com [bryan@clientelingpodcast.com] or bryan@retailtechexec.com [bryan@retailtechexec.com] Call Bryan: 404-348-4849  Fujitsu's FNAI Engaging Deeper & Scaling Smarter Podcast Series:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2595750/episodes/18780866 Tags: #retail #clienteling #clientricity #R

Scaling Innovation in Beauty Retail with Michelle Pacynski

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/816670/fan_mail/new] Episode Summary This episode is a rebroadcast of the first episode Bryan recently hosted for Fujitsu Retail on the Engaging Deeper and Scaling Smarter Podcast. The link for the series can be found below or follow Fujitsu wherever you get your podcasts. In this episode, Bryan Amaral sits down with retail innovation leader Michelle Pacynski (former VP of Digital Innovation & Consumer Technology at Ulta Beauty) to explore what it באמת takes to scale innovation in high-engagement retail categories like beauty. Michelle shares firsthand insights from helping grow Ulta’s eCommerce business from $125M to over $2B, unpacking how customer-centricity, disciplined experimentation, and strong business cases turn promising ideas into enterprise-wide impact. From AI-driven personalization to unified commerce and the future of digital engagement, this conversation blends strategy with practical execution—offering a clear lens into how retailers can innovate with purpose, not just speed. Key Topics Covered * Why customer-first thinking is the foundation of scalable innovation * The gap between pilot success and enterprise rollout—and how to close it * Building a business case that earns prioritization inside large organizations * The real challenges of unified commerce across digital and physical channels * How to evaluate emerging tech like AI without falling into hype cycles * When to stop an innovation and what “success” really means in experimentation * Rethinking personalization in an era where “creepy” is being redefined * Governance, trust, and responsible AI in beauty retail * What separates scalable innovation from point solutions that stall * The future of digital: conversational, immersive, and interactive experiences Notable Insights * “Scaling smarter starts with solving a real customer problem—not just launching something new.” * “Winning experiments don’t scale themselves—you have to sell them internally.” * “Success in innovation isn’t always outcomes—it’s often what you learn.” * “Being early can feel a lot like being wrong.” * “Retailers need to shift from a portfolio of products to a portfolio of customers.” Looking Ahead Michelle emphasizes that the next wave of retail innovation will be driven by two-way, conversational digital experiences—blending AI, video, and human-like interaction to mirror the best of in-store engagement.  About the Guest Michelle Pacynski is a seasoned retail and technology executive and former VP at Ulta Beauty, where she led digital innovation and consumer technology. Today, she advises companies, founders, and investors on how to translate emerging technologies into scalable business value. Listen & Connect If you enjoyed this episode, follow the series Engaging Deeper & Scaling Smarter for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of retail innovation. Michelle's Email: mpacynski@ivantedgeadvisors.com [emap6083@gmail.com] Michelle's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-pacynski [http://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-pacynski] Bryan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanamaral/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanamaral/] Bryan’s Website: https://www.clientricity.net [https://www.clientricity.net/] Bryan’s Email: bryan@clientelingpodcast.com [bryan@clientelingpodcast.com] or bryan@retailtechexec.com [bryan@retailtechexec.com] Call Bryan: 404-348-4849  Fujitsu's FNAI Engaging Deeper & Scaling Smarter Podcast Series:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2595750/episodes/18780866 Tags: #retail #clienteling #clientricity #R

An Interview with Ruaraidh Grubb, CEO of Own-Kind

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/816670/fan_mail/new] In this episode, Bryan Amaral interviews  Ruaraidh ("Rory") Grubb, CEO of Own-Kind, a UK-based clienteling and customer-engagement platform. Rory traces Own-Kind’s evolution from a 2018 “digital wardrobe” concept to a post-lockdown product-market fit that helps retailers deliver exceptional, content-rich customer experiences. Framing clienteling as a practice supported by software, Rory explains how Own-Kind shortens time-to-value for store associates and customers through personalized, shoppable lookbooks, QR-enabled onboarding, and engagement telemetry that surfaces purchase intent and prompts timely human follow-ups. Bryan and Rory dig into real outcomes and adoption: streamlined integrations (including Shopify), 1:1 onboarding for every user, and results reported by brands such as 2–4× higher conversion and 3× AOV, with rapid ROI. They also explore the road ahead—supporting in-store events with sales attribution, instant chat, social modules, and an enhanced appointments flow—and how AI should remove admin and amplify people rather than replace them, keeping associates at the center of the relationship. Key takeaways 1. Clienteling is a practice — Software should enhance associate engagement, and empower better human moments. 2. Content drives engagement — Personalized, video-rich lookbooks + clickstream insight reveal intent before purchase and is the entry point into creating high-value customer journeys. 3. Adoption by design — 1:1 user onboarding provide real-world insights into how technology supports retail selling and constant UX iteration lower friction and speed results. 4. Plug-and-play where possible — Streamlined integrations (incl. Shopify) reduce IT lift and time to go-live. 5. Measured impact — Brands report rapid ROI, 2–4× conversion, and 3× AOV; retention is the next frontier to quantify. 6. Human + AI balance — Use AI/agents to suggest next best actions and remove admin while the associate stays in the loop. Enjoy the show!  Own-Kind Website: www.own-kind.com Ruaraidh's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruaraidhgrubb/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruaraidhgrubb/] Bryan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanamaral/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanamaral/] Bryan’s Website: https://www.clientricity.net [https://www.clientricity.net/] Bryan’s Email: bryan@clientelingpodcast.com [bryan@clientelingpodcast.com] or bryan@retailtechexec.com [bryan@retailtechexec.com] Call Bryan: 404-348-4849    Tags: retail clienteling clientricity Own-Kind retailtransformation

An Interview with Whitney Cathcart, Co-Founder of 3DLook's Virtual Try-on and Size Fit Solution

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/816670/fan_mail/new] In this episode, Bryan Amaral interviews Whitney Cathcart, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer 3DLook, a leading AI-based mobile body scanning and virtual fit and try-on startup for the fashion industry. Whitney is a noted fashion and retail tech expert, having worked in apparel manufacturing, retail, and e-commerce,  with three decades of experience in senior leadership roles for leading branded apparel, celebrity licensing, and private-label manufacturing companies.  She is also certified by MIT’s Sloan School of Management in Artificial Intelligence, Whitney is among the leading voices on retail innovation.  First, Whitney shares her personal story and the motivation to create an AI-based 3D body measurement and sizing solution. Then she shares her perspective on what is happening in today's retail market that is finally making this technology an investment priority for retailers and what she hears from customers and prospects as the Size-Fit category expands.   She shares her perspective on how evolving consumer expectations, sustainability, and demand for greater personalization are necessitating virtual fitting room capabilities.   Whitney and Bryan discussed the cornerstone of 3DLook's underlying body measurement technology and how the Mobile Tailor SaaS app is enabling an array of made-to-measure products ranging  1. Lean into the technology and communicate the value to your customers. 2. Knowing your customer - In a clienteling environment, asociates are able to recommend the ideal fit and know who they are.   3. The world is shifting into 3D - Digitize your products.   Enjoy the show! Resources: 3DLook  Website: 3DLook.me Email: Whitney@3DLook.me Whitney's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitneyjoycathcart/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitneyjoycathcart/] Bryan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanamaral/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanamaral/] Bryan’s Website: https://www.clientricity.net [https://www.clientricity.net/] Bryan’s Email: bryan@clientelingpodcast.com [bryan@clientelingpodcast.com] or bryan@retailtechexec.com [bryan@retailtechexec.com] Call Bryan: 404-348-4849    Tags: retail clienteling clientricity Size-Fit Virtual Try-on 3DLook

An Interview with BSPK's CEO Zornitza Stefanova

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/816670/fan_mail/new] In this episode, Zornitza Stefanova joins the show and is interviewed by Bryan Amaral. Zornitza is Founder and CEO at BSPK, a global clienteling platform.  She was an early employee of Wired, (acquired by Conde Nast), eGroups (acquired by Yahoo) as well as Six Apart (a division of Say Media), imeem (MySpace), Prosper and other Silicon Valley technology innovators.  During her career, Zornitza has led product strategy and business development with a focus on consumer apps, as well as B2B services. She has been a guest speaker at multiple technology events and the entrepreneurship track at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.  Zornitza was born and raised in Bulgaria. She defected before the fall of the Iron Curtain and was granted political asylum in the United States, where she became a citizen.  She graduated from Stanford University with a BA in International Relations and from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with an MBA in Finance. Her passion is the quest for better customer experiences powered by technological innovation and the discovery of better and easier ways to communicate, create and enjoy life and learning in the mobile age. First, Zornitza shares her personal story and the motivation to create a clienteling solution. Then she shares her perspective on what is happening in today's retail market and what she hears from customers and prospects in Europe and the US.  She shares her perspective on how various technological forces and changing customer expectations are necessitating a new way to engage and run retail operations. Next, Bryan and Zornitza discussed the cultural imperative to be customer-focused and how to overcome change management challenges when transforming the store. Zornitza shared what BSPK believes is the key to associate adoption of new selling technologies. Finally, Zornitza shared three principles that retailers should keep in mind as they move forward into the next age of retail:    1. Clienteling practices are essential to building loyalty.    2. Adoption stems from technology being an enabler not an obstacle.    3. Digitally enabled associates shows your customer that you are investing in their satisfaction and shows your employees that you are investing in their success.  Enjoy the show! Resources: BSPK Website: BSPK.com Zornitza's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zstefanova/ Bryan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanamaral/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanamaral/] Bryan’s Website: https://www.clientricity.net [https://www.clientricity.net/] Bryan’s Email: bryan@clientelingpodcast.com [bryan@clientelingpodcast.com] or bryan@retailtechexec.com [bryan@retailtechexec.com] Call Bryan: 404-348-4849    Tags: retail clienteling clientricity BSPK